By James Wood

Oldman River watershed infected with whirling disease

May 2, 2017 | 8:08 AM

The watershed of the second major river feeding into the South Saskatchewan has been declared infected with whirling disease.

In a news release issued on Monday, the provincial government said the entire watershed of the Oldman River has been infected with the disease. The declaration covered all streams, lakes, and rivers feeding into the Oldman River, including those in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The affected zone ended at the confluence of the Oldman River and South Saskatchewan River.

Areas in Alberta outside the Bow River and Oldman River watersheds were previously declared as a buffer area, and were not impacted by the declaration.

The Bow River watershed was previously declared infected in February. While the province stated in it’s release that new detections from sampling and testing should be taken as evidence that the disease is spreading, they stressed that steps should be taken to avoid further spread.

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The release indicated that all motorized boats should have drain plugs pulled while in transportation, and bait fish should not be released.

There are currently no plans to make changes to fishing regulations in the Oldman River basin.

The disease was first was confirmed in the upper Bow River in September of 2016, and impacts vary between fish species and bodies of water.

Brook trout and westslope cutthroat, as well as mountain whitefish, are the most susceptible to the disease. While affected fish may not show any symptoms, the following signs are common with whirling disease.

-a whirling swimming pattern

-skeletal deformities of the body or head; for example, shortening of the mandible, sloped forehead and crooked spine

-tail may appear dark or even black

There are no health concerns for users of the bodies of water containing whirling disease, or anglers that ingest fish who have contracted the disease.

If residents of the province suspect a case of whirling disease, they are asked to call 1-855-336-BOAT (2628).