Protecting Sylvan Lake Kim Schmitt President & Graeme - - PDF document

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Protecting Sylvan Lake

Kim Schmitt

President

& Graeme Strathdee

Vice President Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society

http://slwss.org http://livingbywater.ca

Outline

• History and Situation
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care
• Case Histories
• The Future

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Outline

• History and Situation
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care
• Case Histories
• The Future

Sylvan Lake History An Alberta Asset

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Perspective on Sylvan Lake

Environmental tradition to uphold

“Mr. Speedie brought up the subject of possible contamination of the spring on account of Martin's hogs running at large in his pasture.

• Mr. Speedie was instructed to see Mr. Martin regarding

same.” was instructed to see Mr. Martin regarding same.”

• Town of Sylvan Lake Minutes, June 1940

Perspective on Sylvan Lake

We’re in the Red Deer River Watershed

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Watershed Area, km2 106 Lake Area , km2 42 Ratio: 2.5 Lake Volume, Mm3 420 Total P, mg/L <0.1 Total N, mg/L <1 Algae/Chlorophyll-a, g/L 5 Clarity/Secchi, m <0.3 to 5 Municipalities 8 Population <15,000 WPAC RDRWA

Perspective on Sylvan Lake Overview

AE Map

Perspective: Groundwater, Runoff and Wastewater

Hydraulic Head Distribution-Hydrostratigraphic Unit 1-Westwater Environmental Ltd

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Sylvan Lake in 2005

The Water and Nutrient Balance

Source of Data: SLMP Committee’s AXYS 2005 Report

Sylvan Lake in 2030

The Water Balance

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Outline

• History
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care
• Case Histories
• The Future

The Strategic Plan for Sylvan Lake

The Vision

The natural assets and ecological integrity of Sylvan Lake and its watershed are sustained for Alberta’s present and future generations.

The Mission

To protect the Sylvan Lake watershed and water quality from damage

The Action Plan

• Preserve the natural assets of the watershed and protect lake water quality
• Engage the watershed community

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Sample water, analyze and report on water quality, and interpret lake risk

SLWSS Volunteers We actually do stuff

Demonstrate best practices for shoreline protection

The SLWSS Monitors Sylvan Lake

It’s a Bathtub

NW Creek in LC Golf Course Creek in RDC & TSL

Tributary monitoring reveals significant nutrient pollution during spring runoff and storm flow events Tributaries regularly exceed provincial guidelines necessary for the protection

• f aquatic ecosystems

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The SLWSS Lobbies for Sylvan Lake

Advocate for Lake Protection Municipal, Provincial & Federal governments

The SLWSS Involves Schools

Students have a voice in forming public opinion

2010 SLWSS Postage Stamp Design Contest Winners

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The SLWSS Captures Lake Memories

Members record their experience

Promote Best Practices for Land and Lake Use

Living by Water Project 2010

FAN

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Outline

• History
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care TM
• Case Histories
• The Future

Responsible Care Toolbox for Watersheds

For Municipal Governments, Watershed Associations and Community Groups

• Continuously improve knowledge and applications of watershed

science, land and water management, and best stewardship practices so as to avoid harm to people and the environment.

• Use watershed resources efficiently and avoid contamination.
• Report openly on performance, achievements and shortcomings.
• Listen, engage and work with people to understand and address

their concerns and expectations.

• Cooperate in the development and implementation of effective

regulations and standards, and to meet or exceed the requirements.

• Provide help and advice to foster the responsible management of

land and water by all those who are residents in or guests of the watershed.

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Living by Water Needs a Responsible Care Culture

$ $ The Basics $ $

• Real Estate
• Buildings
• Well Water
• Wastewater Management
• Shoreline Modification
• Docks and Boats
• Landscaping
• Stormwater Control

Living by Water

The Hydrological Cycle

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Living by Water

Shoreline Management

Living by Water

The Homesite Assessment Program

• Prevent or deal with shoreline erosion
• Maintain a healthy septic system
• Restore shorelines using native plants
• Shoreline-friendly tips for your house and yard

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Living by Water

Wastewater Management

• Less N
• Less P
• Less Bacteria

Living by Water

Docks and Boats

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Outline

• History
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care
• Case Histories
• The Future

Case Histories

Golf Course Creek and Marina Bay

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Case Histories

Whistleblowing at NW Sylvan Lake

Outline

• History
• The Watershed Society
• Responsible Care
• Case Histories
• The Future

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LC RDC TSL SV AE SRD AT DFO Urban Agriculture Industrial Lake Access Boating

Legend: High Medium Low

Lake Use

Actor Factor

Land Use

Water Quality & Land Use Threat Matrix Today Water Quality & Land Use Threat Matrix Future

LC RDC TSL SV AE SRD AT DFO Urban Agriculture Industrial Lake Access Boating

Legend: High Medium Low

Land Use Lake Use

Actor Factor

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The Evolving SLWSS Action Plan

Preserve the natural assets of the watershed and protect lake water quality

• Understand how land use changes affect the watershed
• Apply Cumulative Effects Analysis to guide decision-making
• Manage land development and watershed conservation
• Assess and monitor the level of watershed risk. Use expert advisors.

Engage the watershed community

• Focus public attention onto watershed health indicators
• Involve property owners in responsible care of the watershed
• Deliver an annual report card to watershed residents on the state of the

watershed

The SLWSS Is Prepared

The Future

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The SLWSS Is Prepared

The Future

The Epitaph

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