Mountain View County councillors have approved funding to support a water quality improvement project for the Hiller's Dam reservoir east of Didsbury.
The 54-acre Hiller's Dam is a public day use area owned and maintained by Mountain View County. It includes a 23-acre water reservoir.
Because of the reservoir's shallowness (about three metres) it is prone to algae blooms which, in turn, lead to high fish mortality due to reduced oxygen levels, council heard.
In response, a floating island project has been proposed for the reservoir, which would see three man-made islands placed on the water in a cluster.
“The floating islands are being installed to improve the fish habitat, create more riparian habitat, increase biodiversity and improve the water quality of the dam,” said Jane Fulton, MVC manager of agricultural services.
The islands are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, which is bonded together with foam, she said.
“They will be planted with a mixture of native grasses and wetland plants such as sedges, rushes and cattails,” she said.
The island's plants will absorb sediments and take up nutrients like phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, heavy metals and other pollutants in the dam with their exposed roots, she said.
During the March 23 council meeting, councillors passed a motion approving $4,600 for the project.
Organizers have already secured a $24,000 grant from the Alberta Conservation Association through the association's community and education grant program.
The county has also made an application for funding support from Fortis Alberta's community naturalization grant.
The floating island could be installed at the end of May or early June, Fulton said.
“Mountain View County will also provide equipment and staff time to complete planting, installation and maintenance of the floating island,” she said.
