Sign-in
Lake Windermere: the issues
Lake Management Planning
The management of a lake foreshore (the area of land between the low water mark and high water mark), is the responsibility of local, provincial and federal governments, and is regulated through various pieces of legislation and regulations.
The Lake Windermere Management Plan is an initiative of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) and the District of Invermere (DOI), and will guide long-term management of the lake and direct local government planning for the lake and shoreline. It will consider and integrate the environmental, anthropogenic, cultural, and biological factors and values associated with Lake Windermere.
Areas that were identified as the focus of the Lake Management Plan are:
· Land use & zoning
· Shoreline and foreshore management
· Water zoning
· Recreational carrying capacity and management
· Public water access
· Water quality
· Fish and wildlife habitat
Significant work has already been completed in terms of planning on Lake Windermere, including:
· The Lake Windermere Area Official Community Plan was implemented in 2008 by the RDEK.
· Recognizing the existing planning exercises underway, Section 16 Map Reserves under the Land Title Act were implemented in 2008, and are in place until August 2010, with the potential to be extended. These reserves prevent the Province from granting new foreshore tenures.
· Shoreline Management Guidelines for Fish and Wildlife were completed in 2008 by the East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership.
Implementation of the plan is geared toward community involvement. The Lake Windermere Ambassadors are an established community group with the mechanisms to help implement management and stewardship goals and objectives reflected in the Lake Management Plan.
It is anticipated that the plan will be finalized in the fall of 2010.
Non-point source pollution
Non-point source pollution brings unwanted substances into the lake that can impede its chemistry and biological balance.
Sources of this type of pollution are shoreline modification, urban stormwater runoff, onsite septic systems, agriculture and forestry.
Some of the unwanted substances are: septic leachate, fertilizer, pesticides, sediment, oil, fuel, road salt, litter and sewage.
Reduce pollution: click here for information on how.
Invasive aquatic plants
Lake Windermere is a shallow lake – it’s only 3.5 metres deep in most places. People tend to notice aquatic plant growth, especially in summer. Some native plant species are growing thicker in the lake because of increased phosphorus levels (pollution.) It’s important to remember that aquatic plants are part of healthy lakes and watersheds. But not all aquatic plants are good.
Some new, invasive aquatic plant species could move in. The most threatening is Eurasian watermilfoil. This nasty underwater plant is spread by boats that carry bits of it between one lake and another. Right now, many lakes in North America — including in B.C. — are infected by it. It grows and spreads rapidly, replaces native plant communities, obstructs swimming, boating, waterskiing and fishing, clogs beach areas with plant debris, impedes flood control, water conservation and drainage and irrigation work and reduces economic benefits of tourism.
Take a few minutes to learn how to protect Lake Windermere from this monstrous invader.
Fish in Lake Windermere
Historically, Lake Windermere had a high diversity of fish species, including top predators such as burbot. Human activity has impacted fish habitat, though.
The lake experienced a collapse in the burbot (lota lota) fishery. Burbot population numbers indicate the health of the whole ecosystem, but studies show that the size, health and number of burbot in Windermere and Columbia lakes has declined severely.
Why?
According to the 2001 Windermere Lake Management Strategy, possible reasons are competition, predation and limited availability of spawning habitat.
As part of the East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership (EKILMP), the LWP helps identify the ecological condition of the lake and foreshore, evaluate its resource values, and explore conservation and restoration opportunities associated with lakeshore habitats, in particular fish spawning habitats.
Better habitat in your own “front” yard
If you are lucky enough to own property on Lake Windermere, you have the
once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something fantastic for fish! Learn about creating a local fish heaven!
There is so much to learn about living in harmony with nature on the lakeshore.
Wildsight has lots of one-page tip sheets for how to do it.
Main Image:
