A wetland near Pine Lake south of Red Deer. (Ducks Unlimited Canada)

By rdnewsNOW staff

work already underway

Wetlands projects in Ponoka County and Red Deer get provincial funding

Nov 29, 2024 | 4:19 PM

The Government of Alberta has earmarked $5 million for support of wetlands construction and restoration projects around the province.

This includes over $220,000 for the city of Red Deer to restore 1.11 hectares of wetlands at Three Mile Bend, and Ducks Unlimited Canada will get $1.387 million to restore a 54.16 hectare area in Ponoka County.

Russ Watts, the city’s engineering services manager, says work is underway and the project will actually be complete in a couple weeks.

“The area is north of the parking lot, where there’s an existing pond and naturalized area,” explains Watts.

“We’re going in and reshaping some of the land to expand the water pool and encourage different vegetation. This is an enhancement of what’s already there.”

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The project will also offer more for wildlife, as well as water storage and retention. And as Watts notes, wetlands naturally clean water, so it benefits the entire city.

People visiting Three Mile Bend are asked to please mind the current signage and avoid construction areas.

The Ponoka County project, meantime, is located about 30 km northeast of the town of Ponoka.

This site is a ditched and drained wetland complex, and includes the installation of an engineered water control structure to allow the restored wetlands to retain water, according to Alberta’s ministry of environment and protected areas.

The ministry adds that the new wetland will reduce the impacts of flooding and drought and help prevent soil erosion on nearby farmlands. Construction will begin in the coming months.

“Through its Wetland Replacement Program, the Alberta government has demonstrated a significant commitment to responsible environmental management,” says Thorsten Hebben, manager of Alberta Operations at Ducks Unlimited.

“Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to partner with the Alberta government to restore historically drained wetlands, contributing to water security, a healthy environment and a thriving economy in our province.”

Since 2020, the Alberta Wetland Replacement Program has restored or constructed around 609 hectares of wetlands.