Spring is Here!

Pictured below are Tundra Swans which are pass through the Columbia Valley during their spring migration north.

Lake Windermere Ambassadors - Annual General Meeting

CVBA was in attendance at the March meeting. The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) utilities that focused on the East Side water system and the raw water that is taken from Lake Windermere. The utility constantly measures lake water for turbidity as it enters the treatment plant. The intake pipe is located between Baltac and Terra Vista in a busy boating location. A central question during the meeting was whether boat traffic disturbs the lakebed, increases turbidity, and degrades drinking water quality. The data presented by the RDEK does not support that conclusion.  Measured results at this location show no correlation between boating activity and turbidity levels.  In fact, the highest turbidity readings occur during winter months!  It is important to note that the data is collected through automated instrumentation, free from bias or interpretation.  Despite this, the LWA were reluctant to accept the data and aggressively debated the integrity of the information. RDEK also confirmed that the East Side water treatment plant is incredibly robust and capable of producing great drinking water even in the unlikely scenario that lake water has increased turbidity. Based on the RDEK information, is very unlikely that boat traffic can negatively impact the quality of the East Side drinking water.

This is encouraging news.  It reinforces that responsible boating and a healthy lake can coexist.  That said, this is not a reason for complacency—it is a reason to double down on good boating practices. Respect for the lake and other users must remain front and centre.  Boaters should continue to:

• Avoid surfing or operating in shallow water 

• Stay well clear of shorelines 

• Give other lake users ample space 

• Be conscious of your wake and its effects 

These are not just guidelines . . . they are the behaviours that protect the lake experience for everyone and ensures our right to enjoy recreational boating remains.

CVBA has requested a full data package from RDEK and we will analyze it in more detail. Findings will be presented in a future newsletter. 

Columbia & Windermere Property Owners Society - Update

This new society continues to make progress. There was recently a story on CBC radio about the ?akisqnuk First Nation request to lead a Lake stewardship plan and their desire for a moratorium on all foreshore development and maintenance activities. This new society is doing good work that will benefit many. CVBA has made a $2500 donation to the society.

Clean, drain, and dry. Don’t move a mussel!

You have heard this before but it needs to be repeated every year. Our region is currently free of invasive mussels but let’s work hard to keep it this way. Boats need to be completely dry before transport between water bodies. Zebra and Quagga mussels are nearby in Manitoba, Nevada, and California (see map below, credit to USGS). All water needs to be drained from bilge areas, ballast tanks, and everything dry prior to entering a new water body. In addition to mussels, invasive weeds and other organisms could be accidentally moved.