*Limited services are available in 2023 to assist landowners and grazing lease holders with controlling MPB attacked pine trees, FREE of charge*

If you think you may have Mountain Pine Beetle, Please call 403-846-4040 or email landcare@clearwatercounty.ca for any interest or inquiries. 

For the past three years, Clearwater County staff have been working with Agriculture and Forestry's Forest Health Officer, Pam Melnick, in coaching residents on what to watch out for and how to control and manage affected trees on their property.

1. WHAT IS MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE?

The Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) is a small, black beetle about the size of a grain of rice. It is a naturally occurring insect found in pine forests.

WHAT TYPE OF TREES MAY BE ATTACKED?

Mountain pine beetles attack and kill pine trees, usually mature ones aged 80 to 120 years old. All species of pine, including lodgepole, jack pine, scots pine and ponderosa pine are vulnerable. Mountain pine beetles do not attack aspen, spruce or fir trees.

WHEN DO BEETLES ATTACK TREES AND HOW LONG DO THEY STAY IN TREES?

Beetles fly in search of new trees in July and August. Once a beetle has found a suitable tree, it will live in that tree for the remainder of its life and lay eggs. The new generation of beetles will not emerge from the tree for at least one year.

IF MY TREE IS ATTACKED, WILL IT DIE?

Trees successfully attacked by mountain pine beetles usually die within one year, however if the beetle has made an attempt to enter the tree but is "pitched out” before completing reproduction, the tree may survive.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY TREES HAVE BEEN ATTACKED?

Look for creamy globs that look like crystallized honey, called pitch tubes, and sawdust at the base of the tree and in the bark’s crevices.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY TREE IS INFESTED?

Scout out the pine trees on your property, wrap survey tape around each tree that has been attacked. It is recommended that a tree with more than 40 pitch tubes be removed. In the winter months, trees can be sold and transported to sawmills and debarked on their site. Other options are to hire an arborist with a chipper to come on to your property and leave the material on site or burn the mass attacked trees before July when the developing beetles could emerge to attack nearby trees.

HOW CAN CLEARWATER COUNTY HELP?

Our staff will provide identification of the mountain pine beetle, so control measures can be put in place. Early detection and control by residents play an important role in managing Alberta’s MPB infestation and preventing further spread. This pest is not registered under the Provincial Agricultural Pest Act.

Is there a preventative measure I can take to deter MPB attack?

Verbenone Repellent Pouches are available for purchase through the Agriculture and Community Services office. To protect high-valued pine trees over a small area, the pouches give off a natural pheremone letting beetle know "this tree is full" to ward off attach. Hang one pouch per tree between June 15 and July 1 at a 10-15 m radius to the next pouch.

While verbenone has been shown to be effective at low to moderate beetle population pressure, it is not very effective when the pressure is high. Even under low and moderate beetle pressure, complete protection may not be achieved. 

Pouches are sold in packages of 10 at a cost of $60.00 plus GST. Packages are to be stored in a sealed freezer bag in a freezer (without anything edible). For more information call 403-846-4040.

Verbenone Pouch in county cemetery

For questions about MPB on public (crown) land contact Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

For questions about MPB on private land contact Clearwater County Agriculture and Community Services.

For more information visit the Alberta Agriculture & Forestry website.

County landowners can order affordable tree seedlings for white spruce or lodgepole pine seedlings suitable for starting/renovating a shelter belt or rejuvenating a natural area.

*All seedling orders are pending seedling winter survival rates.*

The Tree Seedling Program, in partnership with West Fraser, provides opportunity to purchase bundles of fifteen spruce or pine seedlings at $5.00 per bundle. A minimum order of five bundles is required (for a minimum purchase of $25.00). 

White spruce and lodgepole pine seedlings are grown for West Fraser by a PRT Nursey in Harrop, BC. This program is also a good candidate for rejuvenating a naturally wooded area.

Application deadline is June 16, 2023 with a seedling delivery in late June/early July. Trees must be planted on the property applied for and not sold or given away. Please provide verification of land ownership in Clearwater County (example: property tax notice). Applications are subject to Clearwater County approval. Planting sites may be subject to verification. Payment is required upon application submission.

Each year approximately 10,000 seedlings are distributed to County landowners through this program.

Click here to download the application form. 

To submit applications:
1. Email landcare@clearwatercounty.ca (This is for submission of application. Payment will still be required in person, e-transfer, or by mail in).
2. Drop application form/payment off in person at the Ag and Community Services building (directly West of the main county building).
3. Mail application form as well as full payment to: Clearwater County, Attn. Ag and Community Services, 4340-47 Ave, Box 550, Rocky Mountain House, AB, T4T 1A4.

Payment option:
Payment required up front in full

1. Cheque, debit, or cash at the Ag. and Community Services building. (credit card not taken)

2. Cheque or cash if mailing in an application (if paying by cheque, please make it out to Clearwater County with "Tree Seedlings" in the memo)

3. E-transfer

For additional information or any questions, please contact Ag. and Community Services staff at 403-846-4040.

Square hemp fiber mats to help maximize your tree seedling investment. Great for helping seedlings access light, nutrients and moisture that other vegetation otherwise robs.

Hemp fiber products also come in rolls (4ft X 50ft) for custom applications like slope protection, row planting where plants are closer together, lining swales or low areas, culvert inlets or outlets, and even pond banks and are an alternative to straw or coconut matting. Call 403-844-4040 for more info.

Hemp Fiber Mat 

The next agricultural policy framework, the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023–2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. It will replace the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), ending March 31, 2023.

Currently the Water Program is accepting applications for water supply projects (new wells and dugouts for agricultural use) and for irrigation projects. 

To be eligible for on-farm water supply projects under the Program, an applicant must be a primary producer that is:

• responsible for input costs or agricultural crops or livestock producing at least $10,000 worth of farm commodities annually, but does not include a landlord whose only interest in the crop or livestock is that of ownership of the land; and
• liable to pay Alberta income tax or corporate tax (or claim losses) on income from the production of farm commodities under the Income Tax Act (Canada) or the Alberta Corporate Tax Act.

Visit the program page to learn more about what is eligible for funding and to access application forms.

What is a Watershed? Simply speaking a watershed is land shedding water. Scientifically, a watershed is "an area of land that intercepts and drains precipitation through a particular river system or group of river systems." (University of Guelph).

The veins in a leaf are like the connection between rivers and streams.  The surface around the veins is land that sheds rainfall and snow melt into streams and rivers.

Vegetation of all kinds absorb some of the water, either storing it or releasing some to the atmosphere.  Stored water has a cooling effect, increases humidity and feeds all kinds of creatures and plants. 

Soil is like a sponge but not all sponges are the same with each holding differing amounts of water.  Groundwater is important as a source of drinking water.

Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes

Clearwater County is a headwater region with 1.8 million hectares of land to store and release water for three great watersheds.  

Map of Watersheds within Clearwater County.

North Saskatchewan River Watershed: The mighty North Saskatchewan River stretches from Banff Park to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border and beyond. Ninety per cent of the water in this river comes from the Cline, Brazeau, Ram and Clearwater watersheds in Clearwater County. It is a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands including the city of Edmonton.

Red Deer River Watershed: The equally important Red Deer River receives its water from a multitude of groundwater springs and surface headwater tributaries such as the Panther, James, Raven and Medicine rivers.  The "Big Red” contributes 41 per cent to the flow of the South Saskatchewan River system with the city of Red Deer among its water users.

The North and South Saskatchewan rivers merge about 40 km east of Prince Albert, SK, ultimately ending in Lake Winnipeg.  In good conscience citizens of and visitors to Clearwater County have a responsibility to consider these downstream neighbors.  Whether it’s a weekend of hiking, horseback riding or quad riding, raising livestock or crops for a living or some other industry in the white or green zones, living in a hamlet, subdivision or acreage – we all have a responsibility to conduct our affairs with environmental integrity.  

The eastern part of Clearwater County, known as the settled area, represents about 12 percent of the land or about 225,000 hectares.  There are about 12,000 county residents.  Including the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Village of Caroline the population is nearly 20,000.  Through the summer months there can be upwards of 100,000 weekend visitors on a weekly basis.  

Athabasca River Watershed: A small portion of Townships 44-16 and 44-17 at the north end of the Forestry Trunk Road (SH 734) feeds the Athabasca River watershed.  Topography, not human-assigned boundaries, delineate watersheds.  Although occupying only a few square kilometers of drainage, Clearwater County can still claim to contribute to the beginnings of this waterway that eventually empties into the Arctic Ocean.

Ribbons of Joy

Think of creeks like shoelaces.  Some are long and wide like skate or boot laces.  Others are like sneaker or dress shoe laces.  Some are small like kids laces.

Some creeks have names, others not.  Some flow part-time, others year-round.  Some meander through occupied land while others wind through public land.  A few share private and public land.  Most become violent torrents during high water events while others simply spill their banks into a vast, lake-like floodplain.  

Prairie creek, a tributary of the Clearwater River, gathers its water from the green and settled areas southwest of Rocky Mountain House relying on its north and west stems along with Vetch creek and numerous springs to swell its volume.    

As the outlet for Cow Lake, Cow creek has a short but significant run through mostly agricultural land to the North Saskatchewan River picking up flow from creeks called Heifer and Bull.

Originating in wetlands east of Rocky Mountain House, Horseguard creek meanders through the settled area picking up flow from Lobstick, Lasthill and Blueberry creeks. 

Water sampling of these creeks over a three-year period resulted in a report in 2005.  Prairie creek water quality was "excellent”, Cow Creek considered to be "good” and Horseguard rated "fair”. 

The challenge is to maintain and improve water quality and riparian health wherever possible for these and all our watershed tributaries.

Ponds of Gold

Clearwater County is honored to have many lakes to appreciate and enjoy.

Burnstick Lake: This pristine lake southwest of Caroline covers nearly 300 hectares, is nearly four times as long as wide and has an average depth of three meters.  It’s classed as "oligotrophic” meaning there are low levels of nutrients and high oxygen content. The lake is fed by West Stony creek, passes through a weir to become East Stony creek eventually emptying into the James River. According to a 1996 study done by Alberta Environmental Protection the water quality was considered excellent.  The lake is home to the Summer Village of Burnstick Lake.  This lake is popular for fishing, wildlife viewing and camping.  There are several resource industry roads and sites in the area.

Burnstick Lake

Cow Lake: This shallow lake covers approximately eight square kilometers and is consider "mesoptophic” or moderately nutrient rich.  The lake has a mean depth of just less than one meter.  Cow Lake is the source of Cow Creek at its southwest bend. Approximately one-third of the crown land surrounding the lake is designated grazing lease.  A popular campground along the west side and day use area on the north side afford people the chance to fish, canoe or operate pleasure craft.

Crimson Lake: This popular recreational lake is in the lower half of Crimson Lake Provincial Park.  The lake is considered mesotrophic with a mean depth of just over 2 metres. Buster Creek border the north end of the park and Prentice Creek trims the southeast corner of the park. Cottage dwellers reside on parts of its perimeter and a variety of agricultural, acreage and industrial uses occupy the neighborhood.  Seasonal parks programs attract many visitors.

Other Gems

There are numerous other lakes – Swan, Phyllis, Alford, Ironside, Strubel, Beaver, Birch and more – each with tremendous natural function and importance. Perhaps the most misunderstood natural features are wetlands. The Cows and Fish organization put it best: "Quite simply, wetlands are lands that are wet.”  And wet means value.Schrader Creek

Cows and Fish go on to explain, "wetlands… are the connection in the watershed we often can’t see, linking groundwater, surface water in other wetlands, lakes and streams, soil moisture and weather patterns.  Wetlands are so closely linked with other parts of the water cycle that drainage can have significant local effects such as lowering the water table, reducing local precipitation and creating greater temperature extremes.” 

In Clearwater County there are large wetlands which initiates Horseguard creek in 38.6, Kodiak Lake south of Leslieville and the expansive wetland at the south end of Wall Street road in 37.4.  There are countless smaller wetlands, perhaps only one acre in size, with some willows and cattails. Each has ecological value to humans and wildlife.

See also:

• North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
• Red Deer River Watershed Alliance
• Beaver our Watershed Partner
• Caring for Shoreline Properties
• Facts about Water in Alberta

Horseguard Creek

Riparian areas

There are many definitions of the word riparian but none better than how Cows and Fish (Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society) describes them:

"Riparian areas are moist areas of water-loving vegetation that border a stream, river, lake or wetland.  They are very important ecologically, socially and economically.  A healthy riparian area helps reduce bank erosion, trap sediments, filter pollutants, improve water quality and provide livestock forage and excellent fish and wildlife habitat.” 

See also: "Looking at my Streambank” and "Looking at my Lakeshore” at www.cowsandfish.org 

An aerial view in early spring makes streams look like green-bordered ribbons and lakes or ponds like emerald-rimmed buttons.  In Alberta these areas constitute about 2 percent of the landscape but incredibly support 80 percent of wildlife.  People depend on them to recharge groundwater for a drinking water supply, to have surface water for livelihood and recreation or as simple places to enjoy the sound of a red wing blackbird, to fish for a brook trout or watch a moose cow calf pair. Wetland West of Nordegg

Landcare promotes careful use of riparian areas.  This includes the following examples:

• Pumping water to where you want livestock to drink rather than letting animals go into the stream, slough or lake.
• Using renewable forms of energy to create off-source water sites.
• Managing the timing and duration of grazing in riparian areas. 
• Encouraging woody vegetation to stabilize riparian areas.
• Managing invasive plants which destabilize riparian areas.
• Finding alternative ways to cross part time or permanent waterways.

Upland connections  

An aerial view of land away from water reveals a myriad of features – different grades and lengths of slopes, patterns delineating runoff from deep draws to shallow rills, evidence of old oxbows where water used to flow and varieties of ground cover from trees to shrubs and grasses to bare ground.  How we manage the uplands is just as important as how we manage the lowlands.

With this connectivity in mind, Landcare promotes careful use of upland areas.  This includes but is not limited to:

• Establishing healthy, permanent pasture or treed land especially in areas prone to runoff. 
• Attention to pasture health, stocking rates and rotational grazing.
• Using winter feeding methods to maximize manure as a fertilizer.  Using cross fencing to manage grass and water. Attention to crop choices and rotation and soil integrity.
• Developing livestock watering sources that protect surface and groundwater.  
• Considering drainage patterns when siting corrals and buildings.

See also:

• Range and Pasture Management When Dealing with Drought
• Nutrient Management on Intensively Managed Pastures
• Average Daily and Annual Water Requirements - Calculator

What about other types of livestock?

Clearwater County Rules and Regulations Regarding Dugouts

All dugouts are considered a development and must meet the setback distance requirement of the Land Use District. Dugouts less than 1 acre in size for the purpose of agricultural use do not require a development permit. Non-agricultural dugouts or those larger than 1 acre require a development permit. Contact the Planning and Development department for more information.

Dugouts in Wetland Areas

When planning a dugout construction project, Alberta Environment and Parks can require an approval and/or license to be obtained through the Water Act before constructing in a waterbody/wetland or before diverting surface water or ground water.

Please look at the Water Act: Dugouts fact sheet to ensure your planned project does not qualify. If you are unsure, please contact Alberta Environment at 403-845-8240.

For more information please visit Water | Alberta.ca or contact the Agriculture and Community Services Department. 

Other Resources: Quality Farm Dugouts