Milk River Ridge Reservoir is an

artificial lake A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation. Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...

southern Alberta Southern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta. In 2004, the region's population was approximately 272,017.Lethbridge Lethbridge ( ) is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. With a population of 101,482 in its 2019 Alberta municipal censuses, 2019 municipal census, Lethbridge became the fourth Alberta city to surpass 100,000 people. The nearby Canadian ...

, along Highway 506, west of Highway 4 and is a popular spot for summer activities. The lake is developed along the ''Nine Mile Coulee''. It lies at an elevation of , has a length of and a maximum width of . It is named for the Milk River Ridge, an elevated area that lies to the south, between the lake and Milk River.

Historical summary

1956: Reservoir built by the

Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) was a branch under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), a department of the Federal Government of Canada. The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration was established by an Act of Parliam ...

(PFRA) as a balancing reservoir and offstream storage for St. Mary River Irrigation District. 1974: Alberta Environment owns the reservoir and all structures. 1993-2003: St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) begins monitoring water quality across the irrigation district. Reports prepared by Madawaska Consulting. 1994: Raymond Reservoir Generating Station built by Irrican Power. This generating station diverted a large amount of water from the Ridge Reservoir (80-95%), greatly increasing residence time in the Ridge Reservoir. 1996: St. Mary River Irrigation District begins program to monitor water quality of the water entering, leaving and in the Milk River Ridge Reservoir to determine if there are any changes associated with the diversion of water through the hydro plant at Raymond Reservoir. Madawaska Consulting prepared these reports from 1996 to 2003. 1998: Ridge Water Users contacted PFRA with concerns about taste and odour in water delivered via pipeline from the Ridge Reservoir. 1999-2001: Drought with water rationing in place 2002: Chinook Health Region contacted PFRA with concerns of water quality in the Ridge Reservoir which initiated the forming of the Ridge Reservoir Committee and the follow up water quality study. 2003: Ridge Reservoir Committee formed to develop and coordinate a collaborative study of the Ridge Reservoir and catchment basin. Committee Members: Town of Raymond, PFRA, Environment Canada, University of Calgary, Health Canada, and Chinook Health Region 2003-2007: Study by Sue Watson, Bunny Mah, Shannon Braithewaite documented issues with water quality, livestock entering reservoir, dead livestock near or in reservoir, algal blooms. Water quality data taken from 2003 to 2007. 2004: St. Mary River Irrigation District Main Canal Drops #4, #5, #6 were brought on-line 2014:''
Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative
(MRRWQSI) begins. Stewardship working Group: * Alberta Environment and Parks * Alberta Conservation Association * County of Warner Actions taken by the MRRWQSI: * Installed of fencing to keep livestock from accessing the reservoir and tributaries ( of fencing planned) * 20 offsite watering units installed * 20,000 shrubs planted (20,000 additional planned) * reseeded into wildlife habitat * wetland developed on west end of reservoir * Phosphorus filter installed * Spraying, mowing, and discing of areas to protect habitat enhancements and for weed control * Reclaimed over of

Crown land Crown land (sometimes spelled crownland), also known as royal domain, is a territorial area belonging to the monarch, who personifies the Crown. It is the equivalent of an entailed estate and passes with the monarchy, being inseparable from it. ...

that was being cropped by local farmers, some of which was on the shores of the reservoir

External links

Milk River Ridge Reservoir Tourism Information Site County of Warner Milk River Ridge Reservoir Water Quality Stewardship Initiative
Lakes of Alberta County of Warner No. 5 Reservoirs in Alberta {{SouthernAlberta-geo-stub