What is the Elk/Beaver Lake Initiative?
The Elk/Beaver Lake Initiative is a multi-pronged, holistic approach to address high nutrient levels in Elk/Beaver Lake and surrounding ecosystem. This approach aims to improve water quality, reduce frequency of blue-green algae and improve fish habitat through the implementation of two plans:
- a watershed management plan;
- and an in-lake remediation plan.
About the Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan
On October 14, 2020, the CRD Board received the Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan and directed staff to implement actions as opportunities allow. The Watershed Management Plan outlines a series of actions and long-term monitoring efforts to address external nutrient sources.
The development of a watershed management plan was initiated 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 on Watershed Management Plan
Public engagement was a key part of developing the Watershed Management Plan for Elk/Beaver Lake.
A public information 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 also invited to comment on the draft Elk/Beaver Lake Watershed Management Plan through an online survey in February 2020 to support the finalization of the plan. The management plan was finalized and approved in October 2020.
About the Elk Lake In-Lake Remediation Plan
The construction of an oxygenation system and related components for Elk Lake is underway. This system is anticipated to help address internal nutrient loading in both lakes. 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 a staff report and business case was brought 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).
In 2021, the province contributed $750,000 to help buy the 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. 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.