M.D. seeking approvals from province to start work on Muriel Creek drainage

Flooding remedies done by the M.D. of Bonnyville at Crane Lake. 

The M.D. of Bonnyville is waiting for approvals from Alberta Environment to start fixing drainage issues near Muriel Creek with hopes of beginning work in September.

The project began to prevent future flooding of land in the Charlotte Lake, Barreyre Lake and Muriel Creek systems.

After receiving permissions from landowners in January, the M.D. hopes Alberta Environment will give the approvals by August.

“This is a long standing issue,” said Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

“Again, we’re talking about water levels and that creek was dredged a long time ago and cleared out. But we’ve had a number of crossings put into place, some approved and some on the landowner’s own.

“What we’re trying to do now is work with Alberta Environment and the landowners to find a balance between alleviating some of the flooding that takes place and still allowing a water source for livestock,” he said.

The Muriel Creek Aerial Survey which found out the drainage problem areas was completed in 2018.

The M.D. set aside $200,000 in the 2019 budget to do land surveys, get permission to remove crossings that imped water flow, sedimentation and vegetation removal and gaining water act approvals from the province.

“It’s going to be a great project to get done because there’s been a number of landowner issues along the creek.”