BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) 206 - 1889 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 5V5 Phone: 250.717.1212 Fax: 250.717.1226 Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES E-mail: [email protected] Visit us on the web: www.bclss.org
Volume 16, Issue 3 October 2013
Lake Restoration Explored at Conference
he BCLSS’s 16th Annual Conference was held inT the charming town of Logan Lake this year. The conference took place on September 21st & 22nd and was co-hosted by the Logan Lake Enhancement Working Group (LLEWG). This year’s conference was generously funded by the District of Logan Lake and the Fraser Basin Council’s Living Rivers Trust Fund. The Sunday tour and lunch were graciously provided in-kind by Teck Resources Ltd.
The event was well attended by both BCLSS and non-BCLSS members alike, including 11 BCIT Eco- logical Restoration program students. This year’s event took on a slightly modified format, with Satur- day’s presentations broken up by a short afternoon field trip. Following the daytime talks was dinner and a keynote presentation. Presentations began
Conference attendees view a constructed wetland on the Meadow Creek Golf Course property during the In this issue... Saturday afternoon tour (photo credit: Kristi Carter) OCTOBER’S FEATURES PAGE with a brief welcome from Logan Lake Council- lor Audrey LeBlanc. The BCLSS’s Vice Presi- BCLSS 2013 Conference 1 - 2 dent Rick Nordin presented on current BCLSS BC Waterways at Risk from Invasive Species 3 - 4 activities, followed by a talk on the back- Annual Secchi Dip-In Report 5 - 7 ground of the community of Logan Lake by Marge Sidney. Heather Larratt spoke on pre- Be Careful What You Wish For… 8 - 9 venting the spread of aquatic invasive species Keep Aquatic Invasives Out of Our Lakes 11 in BC, and Therese DesCamp presented on the challenges facing stewardship groups such as her own group, the Slocan Lake Stew- ardship Society. Andrew Klassen wrapped up BCLSS BUSINESS UPDATE the morning session by presenting on the Lo- gan Lake winter oxygenation injection system. BCLSS Membership / Sponsorship Form 10 After lunch, Tom Biebighauser presented on Announcements 12 building wetlands to clean storm water run-off, Photo: Heffley Lake (credit: Bill Jennejohn) continued on page 2... 1 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
continued from page 1... and then led the afternoon field trip to several nearby constructed wetlands on the Meadow Creek Golf Course Property (one built a few years ago and two freshly built that same week). Darryl Arsenault wrapped up the daytime talks with a presentation on a restoration project on the Cottonwood Family Campground on Shuswap Lake.
Ken Ashley delivered a thought-provoking keynote presentation on the challenges facing small lakes in the southern interior, as well as the various restoration techniques that have been pioneered worldwide. PDFs of the PowerPoint presentations from the conference are available on the BCLSS website at http:// www.bclss.org/library/library/cat_view/116-2013- conference-presentations.html.
The Sunday field trip included a tour with several stops at the Highland Valley Copper mine. Attendees visited several wetland restoration areas including Trojan Pond, a renowned trout fishing lake. The mine also provided lunch to all the attendees after the tour. Af- ter lunch several attendees opted to continue with the tour to another restoration site on mine property.
The need for increased awareness on sustainability of our environment is growing as our province continues to experience rapid population growth. Financial sup- port for this year’s conference ensured the event was a success by providing the opportunity for concerned citizens, environmental practitioners and government agencies to gather information and understand the issues surrounding lake and watershed sustainability.
Left: Talya Carter, volunteer extraordinaire, helps out during the Sunday field trip (photo credit: Kristi Carter)
The BCLSS would like to extend our sincerest Top: BCLSS Director Brian Nickurak facilitates the Saturday portion thanks to our generous conference funders and in- of the event; Middle: Conference attendees visit Trojan Pond during kind donors, and all the volunteers that made this the Sunday field trip; Bottom: Andrew Klassen presents on lake year’s conference a success! aeration during the conference (photo credits: Kristi Carter) 2 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
BC Waterways at Risk from Invasive Species By Julianne Leekie, Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
he lakes, rivers and streams that are trademarks of British Columbia’s pris- A tineT wilderness are at risk from invasive species. Once established, invasive spe- 7 y 9 cies can be impossible to eradicate, leaving affected areas with permanent eco- w logical, economic, and social impacts. H
In the absence of predators and disease that keep populations in check in their native origins, invasive species aggressively out-compete native species, thereby depleting biodiversity of the affected area. Their presence in waterways is linked to fish and waterfowl disease, and infestations can degrade aesthetics enough to devalue waterfront property. Infestations also create costly repairs to municipal water intake structures that are damaged by invasive plant material.
One species of high concern in BC are zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis), small fingernail-size mussels that are identifiable as the only freshwater mus- sel that attaches to hard surfaces. While they can transfer easily by boats from Ontario or Ne- vada/California areas, currently there are no known occurrences in BC. These small mollusks rapidly attach to hard surfaces and can subse- quently clog water-intake structures, impact rec- reation, alter food webs and affect water quali- ty—altering entire ecosystems.
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is an invasive plant to watch for and report. These plants form thick mats on the water’s surface that obstruct boating and swimming activities, clog intake pipes of boats, foul fishing lines and nets, and out-compete native vegeta- Zebra mussels on native clam - photo credit Dave Britton
tion. Eurasian watermilfoil is known to spread to new areas from pieces tangled in boat mo- tors and trailers.
Also topping the list of aquatic invasive plants of concern in BC are fierce competitors in wetlands and popular in water-based gar- dens—purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus). These water-loving invasive plants, while striking in appearance, form dense stands with thick root mats, can destroy wildlife habitat, dis- place native species, and clog canals and ditches. Due to its tenacious nature, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists purple loosestrife as one of the world's top 100 inva- sive species. These beautiful aquatic perenni- als often spread to new locations through the
Eurasian watermilfoil - photo credit A. Fox continued on page 4... 3 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013 continued from page 3...
Purple loosestrife - photo credit JB#99 purchase and trade of aquatic plants.
As well as gardening and water-based recreation, aquatic invasive plants can spread swiftly with the movement of people, pets, wildlife, and the transfer of other goods through the Yellow flag iris - photo credit J. Craig aquarium and fish-bait in- dustries—prevention is key!
In response to the threat of new and known invaders to BC waters, the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia (ISCBC) with regional partners launched a ‘Clean, Drain, Dry’ program in 2012. This program actively engages with boaters and community organizations to encourage boaters to clean, drain, and dry all boats and equipment prior to launching into new waters. These preventative ac- tions can significantly reduce the introduction of aquatic invasive species to new areas. This is a prevention program that is operational across the Pacific North- west States, to ensure that invasive mussels do not arrive.
The public is encouraged to become an active “Spotter” and join the province- wide Spotters’ Network, which is an opportunity for individuals to help detect, report, and be on alert for invasive species in their community.
BCLSS volunteers who conduct water quality monitoring may be interested in being ‘Spotters’ to help safeguard BC’s waterways from invasive species.
Contact the ISCBC at 1-888-933-3722 to become involved with the Spotters Net- work or to report sightings of invasive species. Regional organizations offer infor- mation on local problem plants and species, and individuals can ‘Report-A- Weed,’ using the Province’s online tool in three easy steps to report a suspected new sighting of an invasive plant species in BC. All possible sightings of zebra and quagga mussels should be directed to Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP): 1-877-952-7277.
Sources: Environment Canada; Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Clean, Drain, Dry signage on Cultus BC Lake Stewardship Society, Wikipedia. Lake
4 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013 20th Annual Secchi Dip-In
his year marked another successful Secchi Dip‐In with BC’s par cipa on comprising of 55 dips in 41 lakes province‐ wide.T Data collected through the Secchi Dip‐In provides worldwide informa on on water quality trends as they relate to water transparency. The varia on of water transparency can provide informa on on how water quality is affected by water type, regional geography, and land use. For further informa on, visit the Secchi Dip‐In website at h p:// www.secchidipin.org/.
The History of the Secchi Disc Pietro Angelo Secchi, an astrophysicist and scien fic advisor to the Pope, created the Secchi Disc in 1865, when he was asked to measure the clearness of the water in the Mediterranean Sea. Secchi created a white disc a ached to a line, which he lowered into the water and recorded its depth. He con nued “dipping” from season to season and year to year, and compared his readings over me. Since then, various sizes of discs have been used, with the most common being an 8‐inch diameter plas c disc with black and white quadrants.
How is the Secchi Disc Used? The process is simple: using the a ached line, lower the Secchi disc into the water un l it is just out of sight. Record this depth using the marked 1‐metre increments on the line. Now, raise the disc slightly un l you can just see it and record this depth. The average of the two depths is your Secchi disc reading.
British Columbia’s Dip-In Participation Since 2002, the BC Lake Stewardship Society has coordinated BC’s par cipa on in the North America‐wide annual Secchi Dip‐In. This year, our 50 volunteers completed 55 dips on 41 lakes, which compared to those of 2002, reveals a 42% in‐ crease in the total number of dips, a 20% increase in the number of lakes monitored, and a 48% increase in the number of “dippers” since the beginning of the project. We also have several volunteers that submit dips for mul ple lakes in their area, which is wonderful! Each year the BCLSS tries to increase the number of lakes and dippers par cipa ng ‐ please help us spread the word about this valuable and fun event!
Welcome New Dippers This year welcomed 6 new dippers and had 44 returning dippers. Comparing the 2013 results to those from 2012, the number of dippers decreased in the Thompson‐Nicola region, increased slightly in the Cariboo, Kootenays, Okanagan, Omineca/Peace regions and remained the same in the Lower Mainland and Skeena regions.
Temperature and pH This year, we received temperature readings for 35 lakes, and pH readings for 7. Last year we had 45 temperature read‐ ings and 7 pH readings.
This year, the coldest reading was from Paska Lake (Thomspon‐Nicola region) at 15°C, and the warmest reading was 26° C at Trout Lake (Okanagan region). Con nuous long‐term collec‐ on of this data can provide us with valuable informa on about climate change and water quality trends.
Clearest Lake in BC? The deepest Secchi reading was recorded at Gun Lake in the Thompson‐Nicola region, at 22.1 m. The second deepest Secchi depth measured in BC for 2012 was Sproat Lake (Vancouver Island region) at 14.7 m. Last year Gun Lake had the deepest reading for
continued on page 6... 5 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
continued from page 5... BC, with 22.4 m and Tchesinkut Lake was second, with a reading of 14.7 m.
What Does the Secchi Disc Tell Us? The Secchi disc gives us a reading of water transparency according to the depth of the measurement. The volume of sus‐ pended par cles contained in the lake water affects transparency. These suspended par cles can be a combina on of things such as zooplankton, algae, pollutants, and silt. Secchi data collected year a er year can provide valuable infor‐ ma on on trends in transparency for monitored lakes. Every lake is different in size, shape, depth and geography, and each has its own combina on of par cles. Each Secchi reading provides a “snapshot” of the water quality in the lake at that par cular me.
What Can Cause Changes in the Secchi Reading? Readings that show a trend of decreasing depth for a lake during the Dip‐In (in the summer) may be the result of one or more of the following factors: Environmental variability associated with annual clima c varia on Higher nutrient levels which can increase algal growth Erosion of the shoreline or erosion from site development near the lake Recircula on of bo om sediment from motorboat ac vity Discoloura on of the water from wetland runoff and/or plant decomposi on Reduced zooplankton popula ons
Addi onally, most lakes will experience increased boat ac vity on weekends and holidays. Taking a Secchi reading on the day a er a weekend or holiday may show different results that a reading taken at a different me of the week. This can reveal the effect increased boat ac vity has on the transparency of a lake. Significant storm events, storm water runoff, and turnover can also alter Secchi readings.
Readings that show a trend of increasing depth can be the result of one or more of the following: Environmental variability associated with annual clima c varia on Low nutrient levels, which can decrease algal growth (lower produc vity of the lake) Li le or no mixing of the lake water (sediments se le to the bo om) The effects over me of shoreline restora on – clarity may increase if shoreline enhancement projects have been accomplished and consequently erosion and/or pollu on sources have decreased Increased zooplankton popula ons
How Do I Become a Dipper? To become a dipper for the 2014 Secchi Dip‐In, please contact the BCLSS office. Registra on is easy: phone our office or send us your name, phone number, and mailing address. Instruc ons, data sheets, and Secchi discs will be sent out in the spring. A FREE Secchi disc is provided to every new member or member group, and is sold for $35 to non‐members (or $45 with 30 m tape measure), plus shipping.
Please help put your lake on the map – participate in the 2014 Secchi Dip-In! continued on page 7...
6 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
Secchi Depth (m) 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Swan Lake (North) Opheim Lake Nadsilnich (West) Lake Lake Windermere Wasa Paska Lake Little Lac des Roches Summit Lake Nukko Bednesti Lake French Osoyoos Lake Phinetta 2013 Lajoie Lake Jimsmith Lake
Teanook Lake Secchi Farleigh Lake Mara Lake
Tie Lake Dip Ruth Lake
Lakelse Lake ‐ In Prospect Lake
Results Okanagan Lake Westwood Lake Maltby Lake Tyee Dragon Lake Ness Lake Trout Lake Kalamalka Lake Lac des Roches Langford Lake Brohm Lake Alta Lake Bridge Lake Green Lake Tchesinkut Lake Cowichan Lake Pavilion Lake Sproat Lake Gun Lake
7 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
Be Careful What You Wish For When Managing Aquatic Weeds Source: Michigan State University Extension, posted on July 9, 2013 by Dan O’Keefe
hallow lakes often suffer from excess nutrient inputs. Dense growth of aquatic plants can result, but plant man- Sagement efforts can sometimes result in loss of water clarity and long-term problems with algae growth.
Merriam-Webster alternately defines “weed” as a plant that is not valued where it is growing or any aquatic plant. The first definition acknowledges that human values determine which plants are deemed weeds, while the second could be taken as proof that many people do not place much value on aquatic plants. Aquatic ecologists tend to avoid the term “weeds” when referring to macrophytes – the rooted aquatic plants that many swimmers and boaters disdain. These plants provide food for waterfowl and habitat for fish, but they can also play a critical role in maintaining water clarity.
This is especially true in shallow lakes and ponds. In ecology, the alternative stable states concept acknowledges that ecosystems can sometimes have more than one stable equilibrium point. Many lakes and ponds have two stable states: weedy and clear or devoid of weeds and muddy. This leaves riparian landowners and lake managers with a choice between two undesirable endpoints when nutrient levels are intermediate.
Nutrients (primarily phosphorus) have an important role in determining the balance between rooted plants (“weeds”) and the suspended phytoplankton (algae) that contributes to turbidity (“muddiness”). At low nutrient levels, the root- ed plants win out because water is clear and plenty of light reaches the bottom of the lake. At high nutrient levels, the algae win out and effectively shade out rooted plants – this means extremely low water clarity and sometimes harm- continued on page 9...
Mary Lake Okanagan Cider Co. www.okanagancider.ca
Mark Anthony Brands Vancouver Office 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5T 4T5 Phone: 1-888-394-1122 Fax: (604) 263-9913 www.markanthony.com 8 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013 continued from page 8... ful algal blooms. At intermediate nutrient levels, things get a bit tricky. In this case, lakes can be pushed in one direc- tion or the other – sometimes inadvertently.
In these intermediate lakes, additional nutrient inputs (perhaps from septic fields or urban and agricultural runoff) can push a lake past its threshold and result in “catastrophic transi- tion” to a muddy and algae-dominated state. When this happens, it can be very difficult to restore water clarity and rooted plant communities.
Weed management might also push a lake over its threshold point. One study used computer simulations to investigate the outcome of various management strategies and found that man- agement for intermediate vegetation density can be impossible in certain lakes. While intermediate levels of rooted vegetation are often ideal for fish, wildlife and human users, they can be impos- sible to attain in shallow lakes with intermediate nutrient levels.
While this might sound complex, reasons for the loss of water clarity following aquatic plant control are straightforward. Rooted plants prevent mucky bottoms from being stirred up by wind- driven currents, boating activity, and other disturbances. They also suppress algae growth by taking up nutrients. Some plants even release chemicals that further impede algae growth. When rooted plants are destroyed, mucky bottoms get stirred up and re -suspend nutrients. Competition with algae ceases and foul blooms occur. If plant biomass is not mechanically removed, the rotting vegetation further adds to nutrient availability, turbidity, and algae growth.
If you are concerned about water clarity, be wary of large-scale vegetation control programs on shallow lakes. In other words, be careful what you wish for.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit: http://www.msue.msu.edu. Ranunculus aquatilis (aquatic buttercup) in Jewel Lake (photo credit Skye Dunbar)
9 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013 Thank you to our generous funders... BC Ministry of the Environment BC Gaming Commission
Become a BCLSS Member or Sponsor
Sponsorship Information Benefits of Becoming a Member:
Corporate sponsorship of the BCLSS has many benefits! Donations will be gratefully acknowledged with either a tax- Quarterly newsletters deductible receipt or a non-tax-deductible receipt with the Monthly e-newsletter, the Loonie News following benefits: Lake report tailored for your lake Training and support Platinum ‐ $1000 Assistance from Director in local region Advertisement (1/2 page) in quarterly newsletter Monitoring insurance for BCLSMP volunteers Logo, link, company description on BCLSS website, Annual conference and workshops and 4 full memberships (if desired) Part of an extensive network of lake stewards Exhibition space and 2 full BCLSS Conference reg- Access to extensive limnological library istrations Listing at events attended by BCLSS Don’t delay—sign up today! Framed certificate
Gold ‐ $500
Advertisement (1/3 page) in quarterly newsletter To become a BCLSS member or sponsor, fill out this form Logo, link, company description on BCLSS website and return it to BCLSS with a cheque or money order, and 3 full memberships (if desired) payable to BC Lake Stewardship Society: $10 student, Exhibition space and 1 full BCLSS Conference reg- $20 individual, $40 group or your sponsorship amount. istration Listing at events attended by BCLSS Name: Certificate suitable for framing Mailing Address: Silver ‐ $250 Phone: Advertisement (1/6 page) in quarterly newsletter Logo, link on BCLSS website, 2 full memberships Fax:
Exhibition space at BCLSS Conference Email: Listing at events attended by BCLSS Other information: Bronze ‐ $100
Listing, link on BCLSS website, 1 full membership Listing (business card size) in quarterly newsletter
10 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
Keep Aquatic Invasives Out of Our Lakes: The Role of the Newly Formed Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) Article and photos submitted by: Natalie Stafl, Program Coordinator, Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society he Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS)T is the new kid on the block when it comes to re- gional invasive species management. It joins 16 other regional committees and regional district programs to de- liver a coordinated, locally relevant approach to invasive species management.
CSISS works with partners from industry, environmental NGO’s, various levels of government and interested resi- dents to educate the public and prevent the spread of in- vasive species as well as develop a list of priority plants which different agencies can use when developing their workplans in order to ensure a coordinated and efficient management strategy.
This fall, the CSISS has been hosting operational planning meetings in Salmon Arm, Revelstoke and Golden to help develop a list of priority plants in each integrated plant management area (IPMA). In the next couple of years, CSISS is planning on hosting a series of similar operational planning meetings with an aquatic focus and broadening the scope of the planning process to include animals such as zebra and quagga mussels as well as invasive fish into the plan.
Over the summer, CSISS partnered with the provincial Invasive Species Council (ISC) to deliver an educational program in the Shuswap lake area aiming to influ- ence boater behaviour. The program emphasizes best management practices in order to “Stop the Spread” and prevent the introduction of aquatic invasives such as zebra and quagga mussels into the Shuswap lakes. Many of these introduc- tions are accidental and can be prevented by following recommended protocol to Clean, Drain and Dry watercraft before launching into a new lake or river.
CSISS is working with horticultural and community groups to prevent the introduc- tion of invasives. Some invasive species are introduced intentionally in gardens and can escape into the natural environment causing serious ecological damage. Yellow flag iris is one such example which is sometimes planted as an ornamental. Yellow flag iris can escape into sensitive ecological areas, forming dense mats and damaging important wetland habitat. CSISS has partnered with local stewardship groups such as the Little White Lake Stewardship group to assist with their com- munity weed pull initiatives.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District continues to deliver the Eurasian milfoil control program which selectively harvests Eurasian milfoil from high use recrea- tion areas. It is imperative that visitors to Shuswap lake remove any fragments of Eurasian milfoil and Clean, Drain and Dry their boats before launching into A.G. Appel another body of water to prevent its spread. Enterprises Ltd. A business that supports and For more information about CSISS or to promotes lake stewardship get involved with local initiatives, check out our website at http:// 1145 Gordon Drive columbiashuswapinvasives.org/ or call Kelowna, BC us toll free 1-855-PUL-WEED (1-855-785 250.860.1211 -9333) to report invasive species within the CSRD.
11 Volume 16, Issue 3 BC Lake Stewardship Society October 2013
Share Your Regional BCLSS Contacts Information With Us!! Cariboo Bonnie Winter, 108 Mile Ranch 250.791.9240 Norm Zirnhelt, Williams Lake 250.392.7995 ne of the primary objectives of the BC Lake Steward- shipO Society is to provide a public forum to discuss infor- Kootenays mation on specific lakes and watersheds, lake conservation Brian Nickurak, Invermere 250.341.3738 issues/concepts and educational programs relevant to Brit- Susanne Ashmore, Wasa Lake 250.422.3547 ish Columbia’s freshwater resources. Lower Mainland The BC Lake Stewardship Society Board of Directors wel- Irene Calbick, Burnaby 604.522.0024 comes written submissions, whether short articles, adver- tisements, or photos/figures relevant to British Columbia’s Okanagan lakes from both BCLSS members and the community at Darryl Arsenault, Kelowna 250.860.8424 large. If you have information on BC’s lakes, please for- ward it to us for publication in our quarterly newsletter. The Smithers/North Coast BC Lake Stewardship Society Editor will be pleased to as- Lisa Torunski 250.847.1484 sist you with your submission upon request. Please send arƟcles and lake informaƟon to: Thompson-Nicola Marge Sidney, Kamloops 250.371.6346 206 - 1889 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 5V5 Vancouver Island Phone: 250.717.1212 Dr. Rick Nordin, Victoria 250.656.7191 Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES Eric Bonham, Victoria 250.474.5252 Fax: 250.717.1226 Kevin Rieberger, Victoria 250.387.1188 Deborah Epps, Nanaimo 250.751.3146 Email: [email protected]
Announcements We would like to welcome the following new First Annual Kootenay Lake Summit BCLSS members: Norman Lake Community Associa- The first annual Lake Summit will bring together people tion, Friends of Tod Creek Watershed, Bednesti-Berman who live near Kootenay Lake to inspire and educate. Community Association, Gordon Fache, John Caden, There will be presentations, breakout sessions, a Koote- Duncan McKellar, Brenda Slade, Alan Buswell, Jennifer nay Lake Art showcase presented by Touchstones Muse- James, and Brent Beach um of Art and History, live music, and free lunch. The event will highlight current research initiatives as well as Ice-on/Ice-off identify main challenges for the lake and potential solu- With the cooler weather approaching, it’s time to record tions to these problems. Themes will include climate ice-on/ice-off dates! To download a data form, please change, lake fertilization, how to live healthy by the water, visit http://www.bclss.org/library/library/cat_view/95- and tourism. data-collection-forms-and-protocols.html. Please note we now have a Microsoft Excel version of the data form, The Kootenay Lake Summit will be held on Saturday, No- which will make it easier for you to record and submit vember 9th from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm at the Balfour Com- your data electronically!! Thanks for your dedication to munity Hall (corner of Busk Road and Charles St.). The BC lakes! event is FREE, but space is limited! To Ice-on and ice-off dates for BC lakes are important data register, please con- for climate change research. By comparing these dates tact 250.777.2955 to climate change trends, we can examine how global or visit friend- warming is affecting our lakes. sofkootenaylake.ca
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