Discussions surrounding a protected marsh that has been causing problems for farmers continue. Big Grass Marsh, which is managed by Ducks Unlimited, has been the focus of some controversy in recent months, as high water levels lead flooding for farmland along the borders of the marsh. The issue came to a head last year when someone had created an illegal drain, leading to a significant decrease in the water level. 

Mayor David Single

The municipalities of Westlake-Gladstone, Glenella-Lansdowne, and Alonsa, along with the Whitemud Watershed Conservation District and Ducks Unlimited have been working to address the issue, without putting the protected wetlands at risk. Westlake-Gladstone Mayor David Single says they're looking at the possibility of having the province conduct a hydrological study, to improve the management of water in the area.

"The study will help decide if the dam is at the level should be, or whether it should be made into a dam you can open and close like the old one. We don't know where it's going now. We're also looking at maintenance around the dam, and that would include the channel north of the dam and channels that feed into that main channel."

Single previously noted their agreement with Ducks Unlimited included a prescribed area that could be flooded, but excess water has been going beyond that area. The Whitemud Watershed Conservation District had contacted the Conservation Minister late last year to discuss the issue. While Single's encouraged to have ongoing discussions, the notes finding an ideal solution is unlikely.

"There's no complete solution, we're just hoping that we can do something that will make it better. At least we're talking to them, that's the main thing."

Single says spring-run off wasn't a major problem this year, with most of the crops able to be seeded. However, he notes there was a rain event at the north end, which flooded some of the seeded land. He says they want to address the situation as soon as they can, but adds they have to wait to see the results of the hydrological study.