Motherwell Fish

During the past month I have been approached, and the Chamber has asked, about swimming and putting fish in the Motherwell Reservoir.

The Motherwell Walking Trail Committee is responsible for the development of the Motherwell area. They are committed to having the area as natural as possible. They are also partnering with Ducks Unlimited and are talking with the Kindersley Wildlife Federation.

The Committee has completed a five year plan and in the fall are developing a new five year plan. Some of the things they are considering include:

• a pier or fishing dock,
• aerating the water,
• more interpretative signs, and 
• stocking fish.

My understanding is that a beach for swimming is not a high priority at this time. The water is not of a suitable quality to safely swim in and would be expensive and time consuming to improve the quality for swimming. I also think that a swimming beach may conflict with their vision of the Motherwell Reservoir.

Currently the Town puts bluestones into the water to control algae; bluestones are not good for fish. Because the Town no longer pulls water from the Reservoir it is not necessary to control the algae and Administration is looking to stop bluestoning and will be talking with the Walking Trail Committee as they move ahead with their projects to ensure we are not working at cross purposes.