Frank Lake (south) (11030)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Frank Lake (south)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.5500, Longitude: -113.7000
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 1000 to 1010
Area of KBA (km2): 100.536725
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Frank Lake is located approximately six km east of the town of High River and about 50 km south of Calgary, Alberta. It is a shallow lake bordered by marshes and low-lying meadows, although some of the shoreline is non-vegetated. Much of the surrounding landscape has been cultivated, although some native grassland remains. Water levels within the lake are controlled primarily by treated wastewater from a meat packing plant, by tertiary effluent from High River, and by a portion of Highwood River. The main lake basin is now 1,010 ha while 808 ha of adjacent land are back-flood. Frank Lake has a history of fluctuating water levels; during the 1930s, 1940s, and mid 1980s it was dry for extended periods of time, while during the 1950s and mid 1970s flooding occurred. On occasions when the lake flooded, the local and provincial governments called for drainage of the lake. Ducks Unlimited (DU) persuaded the government away from this course of action and since then have been managing the area and controlling water flow. After the lake dried up in the 1980s, DU looked for a source of water for the lake.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Frank Lake (south) was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for two aggregating bird species (Franklin's Gull, and Trumpeter Swan). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of two canadian threatened bird species (Bank Swallow and Hudsonian Godwit) and one aggregating bird species (Western Grebe).
Manageability of the site: Frank Lake (south) currently does not intersect or contain any protected areas.
Delineation rationale: Frank Lake (South) KBA boundaries are generalized to include the lake and surrounding grasslands. Caretakers and Provincial Coordinators wanted boundaries snapped to roads, so that monitoring efforts as eBird checklists would be captured properly within the boundary.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Forest | 10 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Ongoing |