Snow guns have been going non-stop at Lake Louise Ski Resort after water levels in the Pipestone River increased to allow water withdrawal for snowmaking.
That said, Parks Canada has still given the OK to the ski hill to install a two-kilometre pipe to bring water from groundwater wells in the hamlet to the resort for the purpose of snowmaking as a backup in case river flows drop again.
In an email to stakeholders last week, Parks Canada stated that based on reviewing the detailed impact assessment, it concluded the project would not result in a “significant environmental impact.”
“Subsequently, Parks Canada has approved the project,” said Brianna Burley, acting environmental assessment specialist for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay field unit.
The Pipestone is the ski hill’s water source for snowmaking, but in order to protect aquatic life, Parks Canada prohibits this when the river flow drops below 90 per cent of historic flow levels.
An agreement allows the ski hill to start withdrawing water in mid-October each year, but this summer’s hot dry conditions meant water flows were below acceptable thresholds established by Parks Canada to protect aquatic life and habitat.
Declaring an urgent water situation, the ski resort asked to install a temporary, above ground pipe system to bring water from the hamlet’s aquifer to the resort’s pumping station.
The resort wants to withdraw up to 190,000 cubic metres of water from the local aquifer.
Dan Markham, director of brand and communications for Lake Louise Ski Resort, said the resort is opening Nov. 10, with as many runs open as possible.
He noted that being allowed to withdraw from the Pipestone after all has helped.
“At this point in time, the levels in the Pipestone have been well above the exceedence levels because of snowfall, rain – a lot of moisture,” he said.
“We’re continuing on with the original plan with regards to the pipe should things change so that we have a backup.”
