Carlodabroads Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 i would suggest that the major storm yesterday probably caused the spike from 140 to 227. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgo Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Those fluctuations are shitty and are mostly the result of the Transalta situation. Since early July, every storm results in a huge spike and prolonged dirtying of the water. Thankfully we've actually had a pretty decent summer with only sporadic rainstorms. I think this could have gotten much worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepper Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 An article in yesterday's Globe & Mail touched on the topic of TransAlta and the trouble they are causing on the Spray River. Species recovery plan in motion for Alberta’s cutthroat trout Kindest regards, Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osprey Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 So reading through yesterday's Globe and Mail there was a big notice from the National Energy Board regarding Transalta wanting a permit to export electrical power to the United States. Lots of it is being generated in their Alberta facilities. It strikes me that if they can't manage their hydro projects properly here they should be shutting them down and using their other facilities here to provide power here where it's generated, not selling it to the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Has anyone heard when things are suppose to return to normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 According to the article from the first post they say the generators will be fixed by the end of August, so probably some time after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Should be a nice coating of silt choking out the hatches and the fall spawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanbritt Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Has TU (at least the local chapters-Calgary and Banff) issued any statements or calls to action? I know non-profit organizations are limited in their ability to do advocacy work, but there is a certain % of time and resources that can be allocated to this type of work and this event seems to warrant it. Just went on the website and didn't see anything. If anything, this is something to speak out against and organize action around. Also, anyone know if TransAlta is a sponsor of TU? That may have an impact on things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Also, anyone know if TransAlta is a sponsor of TU? That may have an impact on things. http://www.tucanada.org/TUC_supporters.shtml Look at the first entry under the Coldwater Conservation Fund. Kind of interesting looking at some of the other companies listed on that page too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 sigh... fox guarding the chicken coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 http://www.tucanada.org/TUC_supporters.shtml Look at the first entry under the Coldwater Conservation Fund. Kind of interesting looking at some of the other companies listed on that page too... With regard to the before after pictures posted with their conservation projects they should include the Goat Creek pics.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffsurtees Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I wanted to let everyone know that we are deeply concerned about what has happened on the Spray River and have met with Trans Alta to discuss the situation and express our views. Unfortunately the harm has been done and there is no obvious short term solution. We are currently waiting to see what the regulatory authorities are going to do. It is possible that Trans Alta will be obligated to mitigate the damage that has been done and TUC will be available to assist with that mitigation. Yes, we have received funding from Trans Alta in the past. We have worked co-operatively with the company over the years, as we have with many other other companies. We believe that our co-operative approach should lead to longer-term habitat solutions. The funding we receive does not affect how we react to events like this. If anyone wants to discuss this, just call me at 403 221-8363. Also see http://www.tucanada.org/TUC_newsitem.php?item=000203 Jeff Surtees Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawgstoppah Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 well the evening caddis sure haven't been out and about in any abundance this year. that alone is a major issue as bow river trout rely on all stages of caddis for a large portion of their diet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Along with Caddis, the stone hatch was short, not to mention mayflies, BWO etc. I'm also worried about the hatched fry of different species having to struggle against adverse water conditions. Not to mention the amount of silt that has deposited now in gravel beds and areas used by fall spawning fish. I know that the upper and lower Bow has taken a real beating, how soon Jeff will biologists look at present and future damage and report publicly on our Blue Ribbon Fishery? I wanted to let everyone know that we are deeply concerned about what has happened on the Spray River and have met with Trans Alta to discuss the situation and express our views. Unfortunately the harm has been done and there is no obvious short term solution. We are currently waiting to see what the regulatory authorities are going to do. It is possible that Trans Alta will be obligated to mitigate the damage that has been done and TUC will be available to assist with that mitigation. Yes, we have received funding from Trans Alta in the past. We have worked co-operatively with the company over the years, as we have with many other other companies. We believe that our co-operative approach should lead to longer-term habitat solutions. The funding we receive does not affect how we react to events like this. If anyone wants to discuss this, just call me at 403 221-8363. Jeff Surtees Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbowtrout Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Unfortunately the harm has been done and there is no obvious short term solution.. Could you create another short runoff? Open Ghost and Bearspaw and do a flush in Oct or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Along with Caddis, the stone hatch was short, not to mention mayflies, BWO etc. I think it's difficult to say how much impact the dam had on those hatches and how much was just the exceptionally cold and wet spring we had. The BWO hatch probably wouldn't have been affected by the dam at all. There could potentially be an impact on next year's hatches though and like you mention the brown spawn this fall. Jeff, I have to say that TU supporter page was a bit of an eyeopener for me. I can't see how there wouldn't be a major conflict of interest with so many of the supporters also being some of the biggest threats to coldwater habitats. The fact that Shell is on that list and what they are trying to do to the Skeena is unconscionable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjjones11 Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Along with Caddis, the stone hatch was short, not to mention mayflies, BWO etc. I'm also worried about the hatched fry of different species having to struggle against adverse water conditions. What, it killed the mid July and Early August major BWO hatch....oh wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 The funding we receive does not affect how we react to events like this. If anyone wants to discuss this, just call me at 403 221-8363. Also see http://www.tucanada.org/TUC_newsitem.php?item=000203 Jeff Surtees Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Has TUC made an attempt to raise the publics awareness of the issue. Written to the paper. Requested an interview with the CBC? Have the ever made any public statement in opposition to a sponsor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutfriend Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Instead of sitting and being critical of a conservation organization attempting to protect a resource you hold dear, maybe it would be more positive to join a local chapter and drive the change from within? Just saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwoodfisher Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think that an aspect of this that is overlooked is the fact that Transalta was approved to implement and operate this station. How are they legally responsible for any damage done if the Government approved them? This didn't happen because they failed to meet all the regulatory standards. This happened because *hit happens. note-not advocating Transalta here. Just saying that I don't see anyone going to jail over this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhad Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think that an aspect of this that is overlooked is the fact that Transalta was approved to implement and operate this station. How are they legally responsible for any damage done if the Government approved them? This didn't happen because they failed to meet all the regulatory standards. This happened because *hit happens. note-not advocating Transalta here. Just saying that I don't see anyone going to jail over this. There are restrictions put upon Transalta, let me give you this anology. If you pass a driver's license exam the govt approves you to operate a motor vehicle, if you rearend someone even if they stopped short you are at fault and have to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwoodfisher Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 but where is the fault? The company that designed the turbine that failed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 420FLYFISHIN Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 any one got pictures to post up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gil Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 but where is the fault? The company that designed the turbine that failed? The company is ultimately responsible for choice of equipment, preventative maintenance, redundant systems, risk assessments operations etc. If there is a weakness in any aspect of the system they are accountable. Note: I'm a Chemical Engineer myself working in the chemical industry. If my company had a spill affecting the environment I say the same thing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duanec Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 transalta newsroom - spray update a link with some information that may be useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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