Crooker Wetland

Lacombe County’s aggregate pit, Crooker Pit, which is now known as Crooker Wetland is located 8 km northeast of the City of Lacombe (NW 4-41-27 W4M) in the Blindman River sub-drainage of the Red Deer River drainage basin. The initial development for aggregate extraction began around 1966. Prior to development, this area was characterized as an upland landscape under agricultural production with no defined wetlands or drainage/watercourses. The implementation of a wetland creation plan resulted in the formation of 9.2 ha of created wetland, with works commencing in 2014 and final seeding occuring in 2016. Since then, Crooker Wetland has been monitored to determine the success of the wetland's creation. Vegetation cover, including species identification, documented changes in the vegetation community over time. Both natural and human-derived inputs have augmented the species presence.  In 2026, 162 trees were planted, including species such as lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, and white birch. This photo point serves to document the naturalization and ecological succession of Crooker Wetland. Lacombe County would like to thank the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their generous contribution for this initiative.