Cold Lake
Grebe Survey Summary
- Max Adults: ~2000
- Year: 1978, 1979, 1970-1990 (10 year range), 2003
- Most Recent Adults: 585
- Year: 2016
- Survey Type: Shore; Boat; Air
- Most Common Threats Reported: N/A
- Lake name:
- Cold Lake
- Location:
- Alberta
- HydroLAKE ID:
- 551
- Latitude:
- 54.567004
- Longitude:
- -109.845195
- Surface area (km2):
- 346.9
- Basin type:
- non-reservoir
- Management agency:
- Alberta Environment; Alberta Parks; Alberta Government
- Region associations:
- Cold Lake Provincial Park
- Designations:
- Park
- Comments:
- Clearwater oil sands located at the lake and in surrounding region. The lake is large and considered unproductive for fish. Part of the lake is in Saskatchewan.
Surveys (8)
Survey Citation:
COSEWIC. 2014. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 55 pp. www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm
-
Type
shore; boat; air -
Time period
1970, 2011 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 2012 | 1970-1990 |
| Most Recent Adults | 1 to 100 | ? | 2011 |
| Max Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
From Table A.2, maximum counts of breeding Western grebes from surveys mostly conducted during nesting season from June and July (sourced from Wilson, A. and Smith, P.A. 2013. Distribution and population status of Western Grebes in Canada. Unpublished report for the Canadian Wildlife Service). Stated as 20 year chunks: 1970 - 1990 and 1991 - 2011 without breaking those down into years or other details. Considered a large deep lake.
Survey Citation:
Erickson, M. E. 2010. Persistence and abundance of the western grebe in Alberta. Dissertation. University of Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Same lakes and abundance estimated were checked against Erickson, M. E., C. Found-Jackson, and M. S. Boyce. 2017. Habitat associations with counts of declining western grebes in Alberta, Canada. Avian Conservation and Ecology. 12(1):12. Appendix to Erickson et al 2014 is unavailable but presumed to be the same list of lakes and abundance estimates.
-
Type
air -
Time period
2 July 2008, 22 August 2008 -
Source
Dissertation -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 1982 | 2003 |
| Most Recent Adults | 501 to 1000 | 582 | 2008 |
| Max Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
From Table B.1 and Table C.1, survey methods and dates for 2008 field season, and latest abundance estimate from 2008, compared to maximum abundance estimate. Source of maximum abundance estimate is from 2003 sourced from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Species at Risk (SAR) #88. Source of latest abundance estimates for 2008 is from nest count, helicopter survey, ASRD and colony check. 2 July 2008 survey is from ASRD and helicopter survey, 29 July survey is from nest count, 22 August survey is from colony check.
Survey Citation:
Found, C. and A. Hubbs. 2004. Survey of Colonial Nesting Birds and Lakeshore Habitats in Northeast Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 88, Edmonton, AB. 32 pp.
-
Type
shore; boat; air -
Time period
24 June 2003, 13 July 2003 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 2000 | 1979 |
| Most Recent Adults | 101 to 500 | 325 | 2003 |
| Max Nests | 501 to 1000 | 1000 | 1979 |
| Most Recent Nests | 501 to 1000 | 991 | 2003 |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
One of the largest Western grebe populations in Alberta with the second largest grebe colony. According to Table 10 Historic information on breeding populations of western grebes on lakes in Northeast Alberta, Cold Lake's breeding adult numbers are nests X 2 and historical data is sourced from Hanus (2002). I entered the minimum adult count from Table 3, the survey number from 2003 of the entire lake instead of nest count X2 (which would be 1982). I divided by 2 the historical adult numbers in Table 10 for the historical nest numbers.
Survey Citation:
Prescott, D. R. C., J. Unruh, S. Morris-Yasinski, and M. Wells. 2018. Distribution and abundance of the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: an update. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 160, Edmonton, AB. 23 pp.
-
Type
boat -
Time period
1970, 2016 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 2012 | 1978 |
| Most Recent Adults | 501 to 1000 | 585 | 2016 |
| Max Nests | 1 to 100 | presence | 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2003-2008, 2010, 2011, 2016 |
| Most Recent Nests | 1 to 100 | presence | 2016 |
| Max Chicks | 1 to 100 | presence? | 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 2003-2008, 2010, 2011, 2016 |
| Most Recent Chicks | 1 to 100 | presence? | 2016 |
Comments:
Sources are eBird (accessed Nov 2015 and Dec 2016), AESRD and ACA (2013), FWMIS (Accessed Nov 2015 including field surveys from 2015 and 2016), Found and Hubbs 2004, Berg et al. 2004, Kemper et al. 2008, Wollis and Stratmoen 2010, Erickson 2010, Found 2004, Hanus 2002, Kristensen and Nordstrom 1979, and Gunderson 1985. This report is an update of Western grebe distribution in Alberta based on previous provincial status reports, additional breeding records (between May 1 to August 31) through end of 2014 from new sources. Lakes were visited in 2015 and 2016 for occupancy and habitat conditions. In a given year, if there are multiple sources of data, the highest count was given. From the Appendix, I entered only lakes (67) with evidence of breeding (either chicks or nests, but doesn't specify which and no nest nor chick numbers provided). Otherwise, 318 lakes supported adult grebe populations. This report compiled a list of 35 priority lakes for grebe surveys and management actions through the provincial recovery plan based on high population and habitat scores. New lakes with breeding reveal a changing system of lake occupancy and possibly higher populations than previously thought in Alberta.
Survey Citation:
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 2006. Status of the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Wildlife Status Report No. 60, Edmonston, AB. 29 pp.
-
Time period
1970, 2005 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 1000+ | 1970, 1978, 1989, 2003 |
| Most Recent Adults | 501 to 1000 | 500 to 999 | 2005 |
| Max Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
Data from Table 1 ("Summary of lakes in Alberta supporting western grebe colonies of over 500 breeding birds, adapted from Hanus 2002) and Table 2 ("Summary of the most recently published western grebe population data for the province of Alberta"). Table 1 is divided into categories of lakes with 1000+ birds and lakes with 500 to 999 birds and not specific count numbers. Therefore, the broad category of 1000+ may or may not be larger than the count number of 1982 in 2003. Cold Lake is in the Boreal natural region. Data from Table 2 is sourced from Found and Hubbs 2004.
Survey Citation:
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 2013. Status of the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta: Update 2012. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. Alberta Wildlife Status Report No. 60 (Update 2012). Edmonston, AB. 48 pp.
-
Type
boat -
Time period
1970, 2011 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 1000+ | 1970, 1978, 1989, 2003, 2006 |
| Most Recent Adults | 101 to 500 | 490 | 2011 |
| Max Nests | 501 to 1000 | 1000 | 1979 |
| Most Recent Nests | 501 to 1000 | 1000 | 1979 |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
Data from Table 1 ("Summary of lakes in Alberta supporting western grebe colonies of over 200 breeding birds, adapted from Hanus 2002) and Table 2 ("Most recent abundance estimates from known western grebe breeding lakes in Alberta based on structured surveys; at some lakes, more recent observations have been made but these were not complete counts"). Table 1 is divided into categories of lakes with 1000+ birds and lakes with 200 to 999 birds and not specific count numbers. Table 2 data is from KI. Norstrom 2011 unpubl. data. Estimates of western grebe numbers are a minimum estimate for that year derived from nest counts (x2 for breeding adult numbers) or boat surveys of adult grebes, using highest estimate. According to Table 4, the 2011 count is 5% of estimated proportion of provincial population, there is high amount of recreational activity on the lake, and in 1979, 1000 nests were counted by Fish and Wildlife personnel (H. Wollis, pers. comm.). This lake is considered regionally important for breeding grebes and has a high amount of recreational activity.
Survey Citation:
Wollis, H., and C. Stratmoen. 2010. Population study of western grebes in Alberta 2001-2009: Implications for management and status designation. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Species at Risk Report No. 138. Edmonton, AB. 18 pp.
-
Time period
1979, 2008 -
Source
Report -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 2000 | 1979 |
| Most Recent Adults | 501 to 1000 | 582 | 2008 |
| Max Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
This report is a continuation of a western grebe monitoring project started in 2001 to survey colonies in Alberta and assess population trends and distribution. Known and new colonies were searched for each year through 2009. This entry is from Table 1 and Table 2 comparing most recent estimate of # adults with highest estimate year.
Survey Citation:
Environment and Climate Change Canada. 2021. Management Plan for the western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan Series. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa. 5 iv + 52 pp.
-
Time period
1979, 2016 -
Source
Management plan -
Both Western and Clarks?
N
| Count Type | Range | Max | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Adults | >1000 | 2000 | 1979 |
| Most Recent Adults | 501 to 1000 | 585 | 2016 |
| Max Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Nests | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Most Recent Chicks | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Comments:
From Appendix B, data columns are historical high count, high count since 2000, and most recent count. Since minimum count was not stated, I entered the minimum from these columns though it might not be the actual minimum across the span of years reported. Also, there is no detail on years that were excluded from surveying so range of survey years may be inaccurate. Footnote for this lake indicates that for 2015 to 2016, breeding was confirmed, potential habitat was available, and lake was occupied by Western grebes. Sources are Prescott et al., 2018 and Alberta Environment and Parks, 2018.
Sources of Information
- Messager, M. L., B. Lehner, G. Grill, I. Nedeva, and O. Schmitt. 2016. Estimating the volume and age of water stored in global lakes using a geo-statistical approach. Nature Communications 7:13603. Data is available at www.hydrosheds.org.
- Cold Lake District Map - Alberta Parks
- Cold Lake FIsheries Fact Sheet
- Reservoir description of the clearwater oil sand Cold Lake
- Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB)