Contact: Canadian Wildlife Service,
Prairies & Northern Region
Rm. 200,
4999-98 Ave., Edmonton,
Alberta T6B 2X3 Canada
Tel: 403 951-8670
WHSRN Site Location
Counties
of Beaver and Lamont. Alberta, Canada.
Geographic Coordinates: 53º 27’ N,
112º 32’ W.
Area
of Site:
Surface water area is approximately 13,900 hectares,
also included is 410 hectares of upland habitat in the Natural Area.
Beaverhill
Lake Land Description:
This large, natural, inland lake is strongly
alkaline and quite shallow with a maximum depth of 2-3 meters. The lake formerly drained through a creek in
the north end to the North Saskatchewan River, but due to recent drought
conditions the water level has not been high enough to spill for many
years. Lister “A” Lake attached to the
south end of Beaverhill Lake is controlled by a weir constructed by Ducks
Unlimited Canada and could be described as “man-made” or at least as a
“man-controlled” basin. The shoreline
of the lake is affected periodically by wind tide in which exposed mudflats
would be reflooded for a short period depending on the intensity and direction
of the wind. The topography of the
surrounding area is flat to gently rolling with open grasslands (used as
grazing areas for cattle) with a mix of aspen groves and willow stands. The shoreline is variable and includes
shallow mudflats, narrow sandy beaches, and areas of dense emergent vegetation.
Land Use:
Provincial Crown with some areas under lease for non-agricultural uses (Natural Area - Ducks Unlimited Canada has a formal agreement to manage a large wetland in the area and Beaverhill Bird Observatory is conducting scientific studies on migratory passerines in the area). There are adjacent Crown lands under leases for various agricultural purposes, including grazing and haying. The adjacent leaseholders have been informed of the WHSRN nomination, and that the designation as a WHSRN site will not affect the use of those lands.
Protection:
Ducks Unlimited Canada will
be managing the wetlands adjacent to the lake, which are used by shorebirds, in
an effort to provide more suitable habitat for shorebirds as well as
waterfowl. Consideration is being given
by Ducks Unlimited Canada under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to
improve grazing management along key portions of lakeshore, such as those used
by Piping Plovers as breeding sites.
Current Threats:
Climate plays a major role in
the stability of Canada’s prairie
wetlands. Continuous drought, as experienced
in recent years, threatens the viability of the site over the long term. Proposed management plans to be developed
for the site will identify ways to address this issue during normal drought
cycles (which should ensure that some habitat is available during dry
years). There is limited oil/gas
exploration in the area but this is controlled by provincial government
regulations.
The area is well known for its bird viewing
potential and ecotourism is becoming more prominent which can cause some disturbance
to the wildlife. However, the various
groups promoting this area are also working towards educating the public on the
ethics and proper practices of birdwatching without causing undue disturbance
to the wildlife in the area. Waterfowl
hunting produces limited disturbance on the northern half of the lake but
occurs only in September and October.
Cattle grazing and trampling may occur along most shoreline areas.
Major Causes of
Disturbance:
Biology: What Shorebird Species Use This Site?
The maximum count of shorebirds using the site in
the spring of 1989 was 23,442 individuals (only select portions of the area
were counted because of logistical conditions so this figure does not represent
the total lake). In the spring of 1995,
the complete lake and adjacent wetlands were surveyed several times. The highest one day count of 52,334
shorebirds was observed on May 24, 1995.
This does not take into consideration turnover rate of individual
species. Therefore, the total number of
shorebirds using the lake is probably higher.
The lake is used by local breeding shorebirds such
as the American Avocet and Piping Plover, but the greatest use is by the arctic
nesting shorebirds during migration in the spring. Surveys and general observations, from 1978-1995 show that
migration use, for most shorebird species, is higher during the spring period
of mid-May trough the first week of June.
A few species, such as the dowitchers, appear to use the area in higher
numbers during the fall period which extends well into late September. Shorebirds use the lakeshore, adjoining
wetlands and flooded uplands for feeding and roosting. Some of the larger species of shorebirds
also use the adjacent cultivated uplands for feeding.
The lake is a major staging site in the spring for
migratory geese and swans, as well as a molting and staging area for ducks in
the summer and fall (such as Mallard, Anas
platyrhynchos, Northern Shoveler, Anas
clypeata, Green-winged Teal, Anas
crecca, and Canvasback, Aythya
valisineria). Numerous species of
raptors, including the federally endangered, Peregrine Falcon are observed in
association with the large concentrations of migratory birds. Large concentrations of colonial nesting
birds have been recorded on the lake’s northern islands. The aspen groves adjacent to the lake
provide important habitat for concentrations of neotropical migrants which are
monitored by the Beaverhill Bird Observatory.
The adjacent grasslands and woodland habitats are also important to a
variety of mammalian and avian species.
Recent
Management & Research Activities:
The management priorities are as follows:
A.
Beaverhill
Lake Integrated Land Use Plan:
This is a land use planning document applying only
to Crown lands. It provides for local
development plans (LPD) for each parcel of Crown land; these LDPs must conform
to the land use intent for the theme area in which the parcels fall. The theme areas include Agriculture,
Agriculture-Wildlife, Wildlife-Agriculture, Wildlife, and Recreation. Management priorities vary depending on the
theme area and physical restraints of each parcel of land. The Natural Area falls in the Wildlife theme
area. The lake itself (i.e. the water area)
is undefined, the plan only deals with land area.
B.
Natural
Area:
It is a protected area under the Wilderness Areas,
Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas Act.
Some management priorities include protection of significant natural
features, maintenance of habitats and communities of native species, and
accommodation of public appreciation, education and enjoyment of site which are
compatible with the primary intent of wildlife protection.
C.
Ramsar
site:
Management priorities are to support programs and
activities on the site which are consistent with the Wetlands of International Importance
under the Ramsar Convention.
D.
Seasonal
Sanctuary:
This includes the area within a one-half mile radius
of the American White Pelican nesting island in Sec.8/Twsp. 52/Rge. 17/W of 4th
Meridian. All access is prohibited from
15 April to 15 September. The
management objective is protection of the pelican nesting colony.
E.
Restricted
Area:
Information
Relating to WHSRN
§
Province of Alberta
Date Celebrating Beaverhill Lake’s
Inclusion in WHSRN:
Information
not available
Information
not available (festivals, special events and days, etc.)
Local
Activities:
Information not available (need names, addresses, and activities)
Bibliography
Information not available (scientific publications, reports, brochures, etc.)