David Trew has been talking about Lake Water Quality Management in Alberta since 1976. His key point: the research has been well done; the fundamental gap is a policy gap. Who should take the lead on lake management and regulation in Alberta?
Alberta lakes are different from Canadian Shield lakes. They are naturally green, productive, with low flushing rates. Alberta lakes face tremendous pressure from population growth and lakeshore development. We highly value of our lakes but we don't do a good job of regulating use around lakes or protecting their water quality, especially since lakes can't flush any more loadings. David Trew describes what we know from lake science internationally. The 1970's modelling approaches for phosphorus were well established. 1970 phosphorus bans and advanced sewage treatment in the North Saskatchewan River led to significant improvements to the pollution levels in the river. Good winter flow and improved sewage treatment improved phosphorus concentrations back to 1920's levels. But lakes have not gotten the same strong regulatory approach.
Lake management has the same steps ahead of it that river water quality regulation has gone through in Alberta. The Baptiste Lake study began in 1976 and set the bar and science for lake management in Alberta. The science is clear and the basics of lake management in Alberta is known. Internal phosphorus loadings release from lake sediments is well understood. The policy gap is serious. The focus has to be on water quality management since lakes can't flush any more loadings.
David Trew's presentation was part of the Lake Management Workshop, Carvel, Alberta, June 19, 2013 and sponsored by the Mayatan Lake Management Society and the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.
