Town threshing options as Milk River dries up Achi-News

LETHBRIDGE –

Before the Saint Mary’s siphon burst, the flow rate of the Afon Laeth was about 17 and a half cubic meters per second.

On Monday, it was less than one cubic meter per second.

The water level is also about 60 centimeters lower.

Although such a dramatic fall could be frightening, the town says residents have remained calm.

“Things have been a bit quiet in that regard. Some questions, very generic questions about whether there are real restrictions in place and what other things they can do to help save water,” said Kelly Lloyd, Town’s CAO of Milk River.

The St Mary’s siphon helped to divert water from the St Mary’s River to the Afon Laeth.

Without the siphon, the flow of the Afon Laeth will be reduced to natural levels.

The Town of Milk River has an advisory asking residents to reduce water use.

“We know there has been less use, and we really appreciate our residents and our businesses,” said Lloyd.

Some businesses such as Cwrs Golff Glan yr Afon take the advice seriously.

The course pumps from the Afon Laeth to water the course.

Now, they only use about a quarter of the water they did before the siphon broke.

“For now, we’re trying to do what we can to help save water. Just to make sure the town has enough supply and also trying to keep our golf course viable,” said Doug Smith, president of the Association. Riverside Community Golf.

The town is not sure if or when water restrictions will need to be implemented.

“Still just trying to gather information to see what steps we need to take moving forward. Whether we put some real restrictions in place or not,” said Lloyd.

The town hopes to have a water use plan in place this week.

The Bureau of Reclamation plans to assess the damage to the siphon in Montana within the next few days.