Oilsands blamed for record low Slave River

Historically low water levels on the Slave River have some Fort Smith, N.W.T., residentspointing fingers atall the development that's taking place upstream in Alberta's oilsands.

The 434-kilometre Slave River flows from Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta to Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories.

Environment Canada says the record September low results from alack of precipitation.

Guy Thacker, who operates a barging business on the river, says he's never seen anything like it. "I've got a trapline here on the river too, and I've never seen it so low in my life," Thacker said.

'It has to be slowed down, and if we don't, we're going to be in trouble.' - Sonny Macdonald

Some people are blaming the industrial development taking place upstream.

Sonny Macdonald, a member of the Salt River First Nation and the aboriginal representative on theMackenzie River Basin Board, said he is especially worried about the excessive amounts of water required by Fort McMurray's expanding tarsands operations.

"Slow down the process," said Macdonald. "Look at Fort McMurray and the tarsands.There's billions being spent and they're saying, 'Yes, go ahead, do it, do it.'There's no slowing down.It has to be slowed down, and if we don't, we're going to be in trouble."

There is atransboundary water agreement which requires consultation between jurisdictions where upstream development will affect land and water levels downstream.

However, it might not be much use in this case because the agreement has no provision to alter or halt development.