Activity Update Spring 2025
Following a productive AGM, and a Special General meeting in March, we have made great strides in updating our bylaws. This was viewed as a priority from our members at the 2024 strategic planning session, held in Red Deer in July.
Also at the AGM, an updated slate of Officers was chosen by the group. Michelle Swanson, Clearwater County is our newly appointed rural co-chair, and Bill Windsor, Town of Didsbury, has been re-appointed as our urban co-chair. James Cummings, Olds was nominated Secretary while Rhonda Laking, Acme, was nominated Treasurer. Thanks were extended to outgoing rural co-chair John Ireland for his years of commitment to the leadership of the organization. John remains involved as the representative for Lacombe County.
RDRMUG heard key updates from the MD of Acacia and Special Areas in March. The area is working diligently with levels of Government and water consultants regarding a proposed new irrigation system on the Red Deer River Watershed. They have now proceeded to phase two of the work. We continue to follow the updates on this exciting initiative for the region and the watershed.
Alberta Environment reports that snow pack in the Rockies is better this year than last, although in February it was tracking slightly below average.
Check out this link for up-to-date watershed information.
RDRMUG is focusing on a few key projects in 2025. The Ardley Dam feasibility study is of keen interest to our members. We have followed the progress of this initiative for the past year. The Ardley work was reaffirmed last month with the 2025 provincial budget announcement. We hope to have a fulsome update on this project for our May meeting.
Alberta Environment has shared the following this month:
“AB Environment released the 2024 South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Sharing Memorandums of Understanding (WS MOUs) Summary Report. This document outlines the approach used to develop the water-sharing process, highlights positive outcomes that were achieved, and discusses key considerations for enhancing future WS MOUs. The report is available on Alberta.ca, providing broader access to its findings. Additionally, please be aware that the Alberta River Basin (ARB) application, was updated on April 3, 2025, and now has drought stages based on environmental drought indices and includes a layer to identify if WS MOUs have been activated alongside flood warnings. This expansion addresses a broader range of extreme conditions, reflecting the increasing risks of both droughts and floods. The updated application is available at River.Alberta.ca.”
(RDRMUG had the privilege to participate in these meetings in 2024.)
RDRMUG working hard on the development of a modernized website for use by our members and by the general public. Through and RFP in February 5 companies expressed an interest. We are in the process of awarding the contract and starting the work in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
Thank you for your ongoing support of RDRMUG. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Executive Director, Rudy Friesen. He would be pleased to arrange a time to present directly to your Council on the work of RDRMUG.
Rudy Friesen, Executive Director
Email: execdir@rdrmug.ca
Cell: 403.894.4498
THANK YOU
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT
