Variable
weather
Variable weather is predicted to
be a consequence of climate change on the Prairies. An instance
of just how extreme weather can be, occurred in the Vanguard
area on July 3, 2000. Up to 375 mm of rain fell in eight hours
from an intense and slow-moving thunderstorm complex, inundating
the Vanguard area. The storm generated 353 million cubic metres
of water. About one third of this suddenly flowed into Notukeu
Creek, causing the water to rise nine metres above its normal
level. At one point, the creek was over two km wide. Two thirds
of the water remained on the land.
The destructive impact of the storm
was felt in the Village of Vanguard where three quarters of
the homes were flooded, roads washed out, power cut off, and
the CP railbed eroded. The community water supply was shut
down for several weeks because of fear of contamination by
the flood waters.
Out in the country, the destruction
was equally evident. Cropland and farms were submerged in
five rural municipalities and thousands of cubic metres of
topsoil were deposited in ditches along the grid roads. Government
agencies responded quickly to help people impacted by the
storm, one of the first tasks was to assess drinking water
supplies. Teams from PFRA, Sask Health and SaskWater visited
farms to test water and advise on treatment requirements.
Fortunately, no lives were lost from this unpredictable power
of nature.
Climate Change Saskatchewan
–
information and education
There is a broad scientific consensus
on the reality of climate change. Most climate change models
for the Prairies show increased temperatures under global
warming. Recent models suggest that summer temperatures in
Saskatchewan could increase by 3 to 4 degrees Centigrade and
winter temperatures by 5 to 8 degrees. Such changes would
be the largest and most rapid of the last 10,000 years and
would have profound effects on ecosystems.
Water quality in Saskatchewan could
be in jeopardy as a result of climate change because increased
summer temperatures could cause higher evaporation, reducing
water quantity which in turn could increase concentrations
of pollutants. Higher water temperatures would also cause
changes in biologic activities in water bodies and deterioration
of water quality. Increased demand on water for irrigation
of crops could also be expected, again resulting in diminished
water supply and quality.
Climate Change Saskatchewan plays
an important role by helping to create awareness and understanding
of climate change and how to take action. They have developed
a website, promotional materials, and provide speakers on
climate change free of charge. Their education program features
workshops and resources for educators. Their efforts in getting
the message out is crucial if the public is to be more informed
and proactive.
Chaplin Lake, a shorebirds'
delight
Few appreciate that the white flats
of sodium sulphate alongside Highway One at Chaplin are a
shorebird’s delight. Chaplin Lake provides tens of thousands
of shorebirds with a smorgasbord of shore flies, brine shrimp,
midge larval and seeds. There are few predators. In 1997 Chaplin
Lake was designated a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve
Network site, one of five in Canada and 35 in the Western
Hemisphere. |
