Frank Lake (Alberta)

Frank Lake

Observation blind, Frank Lake wetlands.
Location Municipal District of Foothills No. 31, Alberta
Coordinates 50°34′01″N 113°42′29″W / 50.567°N 113.708°W / 50.567; -113.708Coordinates: 50°34′01″N 113°42′29″W / 50.567°N 113.708°W / 50.567; -113.708
Type Marsh
Primary inflows Treated municipal and industrial wastewater via pipeline, agricultural runoff, Mazeppa Creek, Blackie Creek.
Primary outflows Overland flow to Little Bow River
Basin countries Canada
Surface area 43.74 km2 (16.89 sq mi)
Average depth Basin 1 mean depth: .67 metres (2.2 ft)
Surface elevation 1,000 metres (3,300 ft)

Frank Lake is a restored wetland located 6 km (3.7 mi) east of High River, Alberta, 50 km (31 mi) south of Calgary, and about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Blackie. The lake is controlled by Ducks Unlimited Canada for wildlife management purposes, and is an Important Bird Area. It is one of four Alberta lakes with the same name.[1]

Conservation and management

The lake has had a history of years of being completely dry, and years of being flooded. The main goal of managing Frank Lake is to ensure that the lake is a permanent water body, which will improve wildlife habitat.

Water control measures have been implemented to help ensure that water levels are maintained. Measures include the building of dikes and water control structures as well as the building of a pipeline from High River to channel treated effluent from the town of High River and a local food processing plant. Water quality is regularly monitored.

Nesting boxes, nesting platforms, and rock islands are among the structures placed around the lake to encourage nesting and improve habitat. The Important Bird Areas program considers Frank Lake to be the most important wetland in southwestern Alberta for the production of waterfowl and other water birds.[2]

Nature and ecology

Frank Lake is located in the foothills fescue prairie ecoregion. The lake is a hemi-marsh, which means it roughly has the same area of open water as there is emergent vegetation. Vegetation includes mostly hardstem bulrush, sago pondweed, Richardson's pondweed, and northern waterfmilfoil. The lake and its surrounding upland areas attracts many species of birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds and other birds use the lake for staging during migration, and nesting. Some birds that can be seen here include: tundra swan, trumpeter swan, Canada goose, northern pintail, Franklin's gull, ring-billed gull, California gull, common tern, short-eared owl, eared grebe, marbled godwit, long-billed dowitcher, black-crowned night-heron, and black-necked stilt. Birdwatching is a popular activity.

Citations

  1. ↑ Natural Resources Canada - Geographical Names of Canada Retrieved April 29, 2012
  2. ↑ Important Bird Areas in Canada - Frank Lake Retrieved April 29, 2012

References

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