There's some concern around the health of Lacombe Lake as the public is invited to an open house tonight discussing two water diversion licenses.

The Town of Blackfalds is currently looking at their Northwest Area Master Stormwater Management Plan according to Manager of Environmental and Protective Services with Lacombe County Keith Boras, and are seeking approval from Alberta Environment to divert some stormwater.

"That includes taking some stormwater from the Town of Blackfalds and ultimately having it end up in Lacombe Lake. That of course can effect the people around the lake and can effect the people downstream on Whelp Brook as any added water into any system all flows downhill and what was a problem for one person just gets moved downstream."

Lacombe County is also looking to give up an existing license that dates back to the early 70's that allows them to divert water from Whelp Brook into Lacombe Lake, but they've only done that from what they determine, 3 times according to Boras.

"We were able to under this diversion license, take water out of Whelp Creek, or Whelp Brook as the way it is named and divert that into Lacombe Lake, store the water there for periods when it was dryer downstream and then release that water for individuals who needed it. The license calls for domestic uses, those are not really specified in the license, but that's what it was for".

Representatives from both Lacombe County and the Town of Blackfalds will be on hand as well as Alberta Environment at tonight's open house which starts at 7 pm, presentations are set for around 7:30 at the Lacombe County office.