Active Alerts

  • Blue-Green Algae Bloom at Prior Lake in Thetis Lake Regional Park

    Jul 03, 2020

    There is a visible blue-green algae bloom at Prior Lake. People and pets should avoid swimming in the lake.

    The Capital Regional District (CRD) advises, in consultation with Island Health, that there is a blue-green algae bloom at Prior Lake, located at Thetis Lake Regional Park. Blue-green algae can produce cyanotoxins. Visitors are advised to avoid swimming in the lake and to keep animals on a leash to prevent them from drinking or swimming in the lake until the advisory has been lifted.

    The algae usually produce a visible blue-green sheen, which appears as surface scum on the water. Not all blooms are easy to see and toxins can still be present in the water even if you cannot see a bloom. Blooms are unpredictable and may occur at any time.

    These algae are known toxin producers. Ingesting water containing these cyanotoxins may cause a range of symptoms, including headaches and abdominal pain in humans, and can lead to lethal liver damage in dogs.

    Please visit www.crd.bc.ca/alerts and Twitter @crd_bc for updates on the status of this algae bloom. To learn more about blue-green algae visit these sites:

    • Healthlink BC

    • Health Canada

    Thetis Lake Regional Park map (PDF)

  • Area in Southern section of Sooke Hills Wilderness Closed

    May 27, 2020 (updated Jun 30, 2020, 2:05pm)

    Area closed June 8 – July 24, 2020 due to trail construction and development of a southern access to Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park.

    The northern section of Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park and its facilities will remain open.

    This activity is part of the opening of the southern section of Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park. For more information on the park opening and to receive updates on related activities, visit the capital project page.

  • Facility Closures

    Mar 18, 2020 (updated Jun 17, 2020, 10:38am)

    Under the guidance of the Provincial Health Officer, BCRPA and other organizations, staff continue to work on reopening more facilities, programs and services.

    Under the guidance of BC’s Provincial Health Officer, the Life Saving Society, WorkSafe BC and the BC Recreation and Parks Association, staff continue to work on a plan to reopen more facilities, programs and services.

    Facilities/Classes currently available:

    Indoor and outdoor tennis courts may be booked online or over the phone for priority use. Outdoor tennis courts are drop-in use is available at no cost, but users may be “bumped” if the court has been booked.

    For fitness and yoga classes, participants must reserve a spot in advance online or over the phone. Weekly classes will be available for reservation at 12pm on the Friday prior.

    For weight room, participants must reserve a spot in advance online or over the phone. Weekly classes will be available for reservation at 12pm on the Friday prior.

    Arena ice bookings are available starting June 22.  Please email Martine for bookings.  Click here for COVID-9 arena protocols.

    Please review our COVID-19 updates for memberships, programs and services information.

    Under the guidance of BC’s Provincial Health Officer, the Life Saving Society, WorkSafe BC and the BC Recreation and Parks Association, staff continue to work on a plan to reopen more facilities, programs and services.

    Should you have questions, please contact us at 250.656.7271 or by email.

    For more information about the CRD’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/covid

  • Magic Lake Estates Drinking Water System

    May 29, 2020

    Taste and Odour in Magic Lake Estates Drinking Water System (North Pender Island) – Water Remains Safe to Drink

    CRD Integrated Water Services advises customers of the Magic Lake Estates Water System, located on the south shore of North Pender Island, that a combination of increasing concentrations of a golden-brown algae called Uroglena and the diminishing bloom of a cyanobacteria called Dolichospermum in Buck Lake is causing potential taste and odour in the drinking water. These particular algae species that naturally occur in our lakes, can produce a fishy or metallic taste and odour, however, the Island Health Authority confirms taste and odour are aesthetic parameters only - the water remains safe to drink and the aesthetic taste and odour parameters are not a health concern.  

    Algae concentrations and locations in Buck Lake change with time but this current event is predicted to last a few days. In an attempt to mitigate this situation, CRD Integrated Water Services Operations staff will be changing the Buck Lake – Magic Lake raw water blending rate as well as making adjustments to the chlorine dosage at the water treatment plant. CRD staff are monitoring the quality and safety of the water closely and will keep the public informed of any potential health concerns or changes in water quality.

    For updates, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/alerts and follow us on Twitter @crd_bc

  • Fencing Installation at Mount Work Regional Park

    May 19, 2020

    All trails remain open. Visitors may see crews in the area installing fencing. Installation will take place May through July.
    Fencing is being installed in Mount Work Regional Park due to future work at Hartland Landfill. All trails remain open. Visitors may see crews installing fencing and are asked to use caution around equipment and crews. See map >>

  • SEAPARC Facility Closures

    Mar 30, 2020 (updated May 14, 2020, 10:49am)

    SEAPARC and Stan Jones Ball Field Closed Until Further Notice
    To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the SEAPARC Commission directed staff to close recreation facilities at 5pm on March 17th. 

    All SEAPARC programs and services will cease until further notice. 

    For more information about the CRD's response to COVID-19, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/covid

  • Water Guidelines for Safely Re-opening Buildings

    May 06, 2020 (updated May 11, 2020, 10:19am)

    Prior to re-opening a building, steps must be taken to ensure the water in the building is safe to consume.

    Response to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the prolonged closure or reduced occupancy of many buildings. When buildings are closed or on low occupancy for any prolonged period, water in the building becomes stagnant and can pose a number of potential health risks to consumers.

    It is the responsibility of each property owner to ensure it maintains the safety of the water within their building. Prior to re-opening or fully re-occupying a building, building managers need to take steps including flushing stagnant water, and disinfecting taps and plumbing fixtures.

    Depending on the size of the plumbing system, this procedure may take several minutes and up to several hours. Run the water until the water maintains a constant cold temperature and any discolouration has been flushed clear. Cooler and stabilized water temperature indicates fresh water entering the building from the water main.

    For more information, visit https://cwwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Re-Opening-Buildings-FACT-SHEET_FINAL-amend1.pdf

  • Water System Maintenance: Cedar Lane Water Service (SSI)

    Mar 12, 2020

    On Thurs, March 19, between 8am and 4pm, the CRD will be carrying out annual maintenance and flushing of the water distribution system.
    During this maintenance, you may experience low water pressure and/or
    periods of discoloured water at your tap. Please refer to the Water Interruption
    Influenced Area Map attached. Read more >>

  • Todd Creek Trestle and Bypass Trail Closed

    Sep 05, 2019 (updated Mar 05, 2020, 3:39pm)

    Closed for trestle repairs until late May 2020. Due to inclement weather, the estimated end date has been updated.

    The CRD is undertaking a comprehensive restoration of the Todd Creek Trestle along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. The trestle and the Bypass Trail are closed while construction activities are underway. The trestle is anticipated to reopen in late May 2020.

    • Access the Galloping Goose north of the trestle via Sooke Potholes Regional Park parking lot 2.
    • Access the Galloping Goose south of the trestle via Sooke River Road parking lot.

    There will be increased activity and active construction at the trestle during this time. We ask the public to not enter the area until the trestle is officially reopened, once construction and safety assessments are completed.

    For more details and to receive updates on this capital project, click here. 

  • Area in south section of Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park Closed

    Feb 28, 2020

    The area is closed March 2-6 & is located adjacent to the Sooke Highway around the 3700 block at the end of the four lane section

    This area is temporarily closed for tree removal and construction of a parking lot. The Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail and its facilities will remain open.

    This activity is part of the opening of the southern section of Sooke Hills Wildnerness Regional Park. For more information on the park opening and to receive updates on related activities, visit the capital project page.

  • Temporary Trail Closure - Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail

    Feb 03, 2020

    The trail is closed between Waugh Creek Viewpoint and Suspension Bridge
    Temporary trail closure due to landslide near the Waugh Creek viewing platform. For details download the park map here.

Resolved Alerts