Hay-Zama Lakes

Hay-Zama Lakes is a 58,600 hectare (152,360 acre) inland wetland and wildland parkCite web
url=http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/landreferencemanual/wildlandparks.aspx
title=Wildland Parks
publisher=Government of Alberta
accessdate=2008-06-02] in northwestern Alberta, Canada. It was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance on May 24 1982,Cite web
url=http://www.ramsar.org/profile/profiles_canada.htm
title=The Annotated Ramsar List: Canada
work=The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
publisher=Ramsar Convention Bureau
accessdate=2008-06-02] and is recognized as an Important Bird Area. Cite web
url=http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/ramsar/df02s12.en.html
title=Hay-Zama Lakes, Alberta - Ramsar Site
publisher=Environment Canada
accessdate=2008-06-02] It "constitutes one of the most extensive sedge wetlands in western North America".Cite web
url=http://issues.albertawilderness.ca/HZ/hayzama.htm
title=Hay-Zama
publisher=Alberta Wilderness Association
date=2000
accessdate=2008-06-02]

The site has been under consideration for classification as a World Heritage Site.Cite web
url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/spm-whs/itm3-/page7_E.asp
title=Canada's Tentative List for World Heritage Sites
publisher=Parks Canada
date=2004-06-28
accessdate=2008-06-02] It is approximately 100 km (60 miles) west-northwest of the town of High Level, 140 km from the border with the Northwest Territories.

It is being twinned with Dalai Lake National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia.

Geography

An expansive lowland wetland complex, the system consists of eutrophic freshwater lakes, and the floodplains and interior river deltas associated with the Peace River. It is at an elevation of 320 metres (1,056 ft) above sea level.

Water levels are determined by seasonal and annual fluctuations, which may be quite significant. Inflow from the Hay River greatly influences both the size of the lakes and their depth. The largest lake in the system is Zama Lake.

The site has been subject to continuous oil and natural gas extraction and exploration since the 1960s, and is surrounded by degraded landscape as a result. In an agreement between the Dene Tha' and oil production and exploration companies operating in the wetland complex, no new wells will be built from 2007 onward, and complete cessation of such activities will occur no later than 2017.Cite web
url=http://www.canada.com/cityguides/winnipeg/story.html?id=72744e17-b973-442a-ac4d-92af662c060c
title=Goodbye oil and gas, hello ecotourism
last=Henton
first=Darcy
publisher=Canwest Digital Media/The Edmonton Journal
date=2008-05-31
accessdate=2008-06-02]

Fauna

The complex is site to large populations of migratory birds during spring and fall migrations. Over 250,000 ducks and 177,000 geese have been observed during a single migration. It lies on the path of three waterfowl flyways, the Pacific, Central and Mississippi, making it an important moulting and staging area for numerous waterfowl species, the primary factor leading to its Ramsar designation.

It is the only site in Alberta targetted for the re-introduction of Wood Bison, which thrive on a winter forage of sedges and grasses indigenous to the area. A group of 24 bison were first introduced to Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Park in 1984Cite web
url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b1643c32-9dcd-4f1f-ab8b-dc864492c8fb
title=Alberta to allow hunters to kill Hay-Zama bison
last=Brooymans
first=Hanneke
publisher=Canwest Digital Media/The Vancouver Sun
date=2008-05-14
accessdate=2008-06-02] , moved from Elk Island National Park, and its population has steadily grown to 700 members. The bison, however, have been following "roads opened up for them by oil and gas activity", straying toward the town of High Level, attracted by roadside grasses. Concern about contact between this group and bison from Wood Buffalo National Park, which carry brucellosis or tuberculosis, has led to the granting of permits to Dene Tha' hunters to cull straying animals, hence preventing the spread of these diseases. Ultimately, the diseased herds in Wood Buffalo will be eliminated.

References