Red Deer District Office

Assistance available

Red Deer District Office provides service to clients through technical support and program delivery. Technical skills are available to help analyze issues and opportunities, make initial assessments and the develop ideas and concepts. Programs delivered include the Rural Water Development Program (RWDP).

District description

The Red Deer District, located in West Central Alberta, is bisected by the Highway 2 Corridor connecting Alberta's major urban centres, Edmonton to the north and Calgary to the south.Our District encompasses three broad geographic areas:

• Area 1. the eastern slopes comprised of forested foothills and uplands west,
• Area 2. aspen parkland along the Highway 2 corridor,
• Area 3. and mixed grasslands to the east.

Area 1.

The foothills and uplands located east of the Banff and Jasper National Parks support important economic activities such forestry, resource exploration/extraction, recreation and tourism. Further east, agriculture becomes an important industry. Hobby farms and recreational properties are also commonplace because of aesthetics and proximity to large populations residing along Highway 2. Low organic Grey Luvisolic soils, steep terrain and a short growing season generally restrict agriculture to livestock and forage production. Deforestation, especially clear cutting in the headwaters and riparian due to land clearing, industrial activity and lucrative private timber contracts, has attracted public attention about resource mismanagement. As a result people are working together to deal with resource management issues. A water quality task force comprised of all stakeholders is identifying water quality and supply issues in the Bow River Basin. Alberta Fish and Wildlife, private landowners and Trout Unlimited are restoring and maintaining stream habitat along trout streams such as the North Raven River. Government and industry are completing resource profiles such as the Private Lands Woodlot Inventory to help identify economic development opportunities and aid in resource management and land use planning. A combination of spectacular scenery in the David Thompson and Banff/Jasper highway corridors attracting Canadian and international tourists, and the fact that foothills and uplands headwaters are the major water source for the Prairies, makes sustainable land use and resource care a priority in this area.

Area 2.

The Aspen parkland is characterized by a mosaic of grassland and aspen forest stands on Black Chernozemic soils. Climate and soils are generally well suited to intensive cropping resulting in original vegetation being replaced with cereals, oilseeds, forages and pulses. Wind and water erosion can be a problem where crop residues are primarily managed through tillage. Livestock production is prevalent ranging from cow/calf operations to intensive confined facilities. Areas around Lacombe, Ponoka, Acme and Linden have significant intensive beef, hog and poultry enterprises. Livestock siting and manure management are important development issues, especially near urban centres where rural subdivisions are encroaching on agricultural activity. Greenhouses, market gardens and small fruit production are growing because of good marketing potential to the large urban population base along Highway 2. Alternate agriculture enterprises such bison, elk, aquaculture, llamas and ostriches are also commonplace. The diversified agricultural sector and a strong energy and lumber industry contributes to a stable economy with many opportunities for off-farm income. About one third of Alberta's farm population reside in this area because of the economic diversity and rich resource base. Some exceptions exist in groundwater short areas. Better groundwater resource information and more sustainable water well development options are needed in low well yield areas such as Wetaskiwin and Camrose where farmers are unable to expand and diversify because of limited water supply. Significant riparian areas ranging from rivers and creeks to lakes and wetlands exist throughout this whole area. Most are multiple use providing water supply, recreation areas and natural habitat. Soil, water and habitat conservation are important activities in this area.

Area 3.

The grasslands in the southeast portion of the district are part of the mixed grass ecoregion referenced by low-growing needle and wheat grasses with Dark Brown Chernozemic soils. The landscape is dominated by dryland grain farming. Native vegetation important for wildlife habitat is confined to marginal lands, predominantly in stream beds and prairie coulees. Cattle grazing occurs on these steep terrains and marginal lands. A strong energy sector helps to support agriculture through off-farm income and well site compensation. Population is less dense and farms tend to be larger. Many smaller communities, especially those under 1000 people suffering from depopulation and loss of rural infrastructure, are struggling to survive. Potential to expand into more diversified agricultural sector exists, but water quantity and quality often limit potential. Regional water supply systems are options being explored in regions such as the Three Hills and Drumheller. The Western Irrigation District, located between Calgary and Strathmore, provides water for 50,000 acres of irrigated cropland, farm water supply, conservation projects, beef feedlots, municipal and industrial water needs. A growing intensive livestock industry continues to expand in the Irrigation District due to secure water and feed supplies. Drought, improved infrastructure and community economic development are important issues in this area.