Coal mines on Alberta's eastern slopes could push fishery 'beyond recovery'

Canadian Press makes Crowsnest Lake fish poisoning a national story

Like Ophelia, pretty, but dead. All trout in Crowsnest Creek killed by Tent Mountain selenium runoff.

Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press, Jun 6, 2025

CALGARY - Old coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Alberta Rockies are leaching chemicals that are poisoning the fish downstream, says a new study by Alberta government scientists.

It also suggests any new coal developments could result in "population collapse" of fish species in a nearby lake.

The findings were made in a provincial government study posted online May 27. The paper is awaiting peer review. The scientists who authored it were not made available to speak to reporters.

The other authors not employed by the province did not respond to requests for comment.

Alberta has responded to the study with an advisory saying people should consider "limiting consumption" of three fish species drawn from Crowsnest Lake, a fishing spot downstream from the coal mines.

Read the full Canadian Press story . . .

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