Current status
A multi-pronged, holistic approach to address high nutrient levels in Elk/Beaver Lake and surrounding ecosystem is currently underway. This approach aims to improve water quality and reduce frequency of blue-green algae, improve fish habitat and manage growth of Eurasian milfoil, through the development of a watershed management plan, and an in-lake remediation plan.
On October 14, 2020, the CRD Board received the Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan and directed staff to implement actions within the Plan as opportunities allow. The Watershed Management Plan outlines a series of actions and long-term monitoring efforts to address external nutrient sources, and an in-lake remediation plan is underway to procure and cost-share an oxygenation system for Elk Lake to help address internal nutrient loading in both lakes.
The Province has contributed $750,000 to help buy an oxygenator for the In-Lake Remediation Plan. The CRD will be responsible for the system and ongoing maintenance costs. The CRD will prioritize installing an oxygenation system in Elk Lake to improve water quality and reduce toxic blue-green algal blooms. For Beaver Lake, a de-stratification system to promote mixing and turnover in the smaller water body is recommended. It is not the recommended approach to install treatment systems in both lakes simultaneously. As Elk Lake and Beaver Lake are connected water bodies, it is anticipated that an oxygenation system installed in Elk Lake may also have a positive impact on Beaver Lake. Successful implementation of the Elk Lake system will provide the information required to properly size the system for Beaver Lake, to be delivered as a second future phase.
We are moving to the next phase of implementation for the in-lake remediation of Elk/Beaver Lake. In 2021, a consultant (ARCADIS Canada Inc.) was retained to design a lake remediation system to address the water quality problem. A direct oxygen diffuser system has been recommended for the Elk Lake remediation, and we are in the process of procuring multiple components of that system. These main components include (a) the underwater diffuser line to deliver oxygen to the deepest part of Elk Lake, (b) the oxygen-generating system and (c) a building to house the oxygenation system equipment. The oxygen-generating system was purchased in July 2022.
Based on current progress, construction of the Elk Lake oxygenation system is anticipated to start in Fall/Winter 2022/23 and expected to be completed in early 2023, with the system in operation by Summer 2023.
The design team has considered the potential impacts of the operation of the system on the ecological, cultural, recreational and operational values in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park and surrounding lands. Following an assessment of all of those values, a site near Hamsterly Road was selected as most appropriate because it was the most operationally feasible and environmentally responsible (equipment access, no disruption of recreational activities, minimal disruption to wildlife habitat and no tree removal required). The building is a single story building with a footprint of approximately 20’x 28’. The oxygenation system has been specified to have a maximum sound rating of 71 dB which is equivalent to the sound generated from a standard washing machine or dishwasher. Considering that the oxygenation system is housed inside a building, it is anticipated the sound emitted from this building would be minimal, in particular in relation to the regular ambient noise during the daytime. Please see detailed Options Analysis Memo for more information on site selection for the system.
The project page will continue to be updated as we have more information. Please feel free to share this page with anyone in the community who would like to keep up to date on the project.
Public Feedback
Following the initial input from residents, the Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan was drafted and an opportunity for public review and feedback of the plan was provided in February 2020 through an online survey. The management plan was finalized and approved in October 2020. Thank you to everyone for participating in the survey.
Watershed Management Plan: The development of a watershed management plan was developed to address external sources of nutrients through a public engagement process. External sources of nutrients come from various land use activities around the lake (urban or agricultural) as well as natural processes that bring nutrients into the lake.
Public engagement is a key part of developing the watershed management plan for Elk/Beaver Lake and, as a result, the CRD welcomes feedback on this work. A public info session was held on July 31, 2019. Three additional feedback sessions were held throughout September and October 2019, as well as direct consultation with interest groups, field experts and government agencies. The public were invited to comment on the draft Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan through an online survey to support the finalization of the plan.
In-lake Remediation Plan: The development of an in-lake remediation plan is underway to address internal sources of nutrients in Elk/Beaver Lake. These nutrients have accumulated over decades in the lake and bottom sediments and are continually recycled back into the water column under low-oxygen conditions. The in-lake remediation process is guided by expert consultants and an intergovernmental working group. On September 11, 2019 staff brought forward a Staff Report and Business Case to the CRD Board outlining the environmental, recreational, community and economic values of the lake (over $10 million annually) and a recommendation to remediate the lake. The CRD Board approved the recommendation to move ahead with the in-lake remediation of Elk/Beaver Lake, subject to receiving at least 50% capital grant funds for the project. This recommendation includes the installation of oxygenation systems in Elk/Beaver Lake to improve water quality at a capital cost of $1.4 million and ongoing operational costs of $100,000 -$150,000 annually. For more details on the CRD Board discussion and decision, watch the video online (Section 8.9 19-755 Elk/Beaver Lake Remediation).
The Province has contributed $750,000 to help purchased an oxygenation system. The CRD will be responsible for the system and ongoing maintenance costs. For Beaver Lake a de-stratification system to promote mixing and turnover in the smaller water body is recommended. The Capital Regional District plans to install an oxygenation system in Elk Lake and a de-stratification system in Beaver Lake to improve water quality and reduce toxic blue-green algal blooms.