LAKE MONITORING WORKING
GROUP
MEETING MAY
17/11
RED DEER
ALBERTA
In Attendance:
Glenn Gustafson - Alberta Environment
Curtis Brock - Alberta Environment
Don Davidson SV of Grandview
Dennis Irving - Batiste Lake
Peter Langelle - SV Ma-Me-O
Purpose of the meeting:
- To develop a place=based monitoring plan
- Computerize data
- Analyse data to identify trend - Keep it simple
- Identify common outcomes to direct monitoring
- Develop an integrated monitoring approach
There was much discussion about lots of expectations and current
monitoring but it all boiled down to we were looking for
consistant, reliable testing and reporting of:
- Water Quality
- And that SV`s would be interested in partnering with the
government in this regard.
What's now monitored.
4 Lakes
- Ethel
- Baptiste
- Wabamin
- Nakamim
Monitoring Process.
Every Year what lakes are to be tested for monitoring purposes
is part of the departments budgeting process and depends on many
factors:
- Land and impact
- Issues
- Fact based concerns
- Political Concerns
This Year Environment will be testing the following lakes:
- Sylvan
- Pigeon
- Gull
- Shoncliff
- Wabamin
Testing Program:
Covers the complete range of chemical and biologics on three
separate events during open water time. No winter testing
Next year the budget for testing may or may not be approved.
The province is considering setting up a separate monitoring
section. A proposal is being prepared for the minister`s
consideration. It is primarily for river system and lakes may or
may not be included.
ALMS: Alberta lake management society
Funded and housed in Environment but are self directed. ALMS did
testing in 2010 on a number of lakes including pigeon, in the
absence of Environment doing this. Mostly testing ceased in 2000.
And occurred again in 2008. In 2011 Alberta Environment will be
testing the following lakes:
- Sylvan
- Pigeon
- Gull
- Shonecliffe
2012 and beyond uncertain
Some discussion took place as to how frequently testing
should be done:
- Every Year
- Every two years
- Every five years
- Yes, and even Every 10 years
The longer the time between testing - the more changes that can
occur before they are recognized and reacted to.
What data and graphs are available now?
Lots of data available, but we need to know how to access. There
is a long delay in inputting data 2008 is in but 2010 is not. Route
to access info is not user friendly. Need better links to the ASVA
and other summer Villages web sites?
A successful joint lake water testing program is now functioning
very well at Sylvan Lake. Volunteers were trained to take samples
and send to the laboratory and they pay for the testing and
resultant info is reliable and used to report by Environment
The cost for testing 3 separate events is approx. $2,000.00 per
lake/yr.
Requesting Data:
SV`s can request data from Environment but process not clear,
but environment will clarify.
TO DO:
- Provide an access map of data available at this
time.(Environment)
- Send a protocol for testing partnership.(Environment)
- Work on data management process that involves the ASVA and all
SV`s(Environment and SV`s)
- The ASVA convention program needs to include the
ALMS.(ASVA)
- Presentation by Environment outlining lake testing
history and way forward with options for partnering between
SV`s and Environment.(ASVA & Environment)
- Present a partnership proposal to the SV`s of Pigeon Lake for
testing in 2012 and beyond.(Pete Langelle and Don Davidson)
- Next meeting 1st 2 weeks of October to see
what`s in 2012 budget and review what happened in the summer of
2011.