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Water Conservation Notice

On July 3, 2015, the Province of BC declared a Level 4 Drought which is the most extreme condition. Attached is a Water Conservation Notice from the CRD for all water users.


Protect our lakes and our drinking water

We must protect the "watershed", the land that drains or sheds its water into the lake. Over 200 households in the Cusheon and Beddis watershed areas rely on Cusheon Lake for potable water. Those of us who live within and migrate through this watershed are inextricably linked with, affected by and responsible for, its health.

Healthy lakes and their shorelines are not only valuable for their beauty and recreational aspects but they also play an essential role in protecting water quality by filtering out pollutants. They are food chains in action, they also prevent soil-erosion, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, not to mention safeguarding shoreline property values.

Healthy Shorelines are:

  • Home to all kinds of wild and plant life
  • Clean and unpolluted
  • Left in their natural state
  • Helpful against flooding

The quality of the water in any lake is directly affected by what goes into it and its watersheds. Degradation of the shoreline increases phosphorus loading which can create algal and cyanobacterial blooms, lead to flooding, clog water filters, increase water-weeds and even help create a dramatic increase in unwanted insect populations, including mosquitoes. It is a complex web of life that we affect with every move we make. Understanding our individual impact on it will help protect our own health.

We can reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the lake to prevent algal blooms and further degradation of water quality.

One of our biggest and most significant contamination challenges is the recurrence of blue-green algae (scientific name - cyanobacteria); a result of too much phosphorus seeping into the water. Please click on the download for the Cusheon Water Management Plan for details.

Everything from road runoff to garbage left by picnickers and boaters, to swimmers using the lake as a bathroom (and we're not just talking soaps and shampoos) causes other forms of water pollution - from sediments to other toxic substances.

These are a few problems that we face and some suggestions and tips that you may already be aware of but if we all practice them we can ensure a long healthy life for our lakes and ourselves.

Glossary:

Riparian Zone: is the interface between land and a flowing surface water body. It acts as a filtering system . Plant communities along the river margins are called riparian vegetation.
Watershed: the drainage areas surrounding a body of water, particularly those areas of drinking water or wildlife habitat; includes the tiny streams that drain into a lake, the shorelines, as well as where homes exist

more glossary terms on FAQ page

 

 


Did you know?
The watershed of Cusheon Lake encompasses three lakes: Roberts, Blackburn and Cusheon. The health of these lakes, and all those who reside in the watershed confines, are threatened by over development. Cusheon Lake itself is the potable water source for over 200 households including the water district of Beddis. Cusheon Lake is a schedule 3 lake while Blackburn Lake is a schedule 2 lake by Transport Canada under the Canada Shipping Act 2001. Float Planes are not permitted to land on schedule 2 or 3 lakes as they are consider a power vessel once they are on the water. Only electric motors are allowed on Cusheon Lake while Blackburn Lake does not allow any electric motors or power driven vessels of any kind.



Cusheon Lake Stewardship is a committee of the Beddis and Cusheon Lake Area Residents Association. All BACARA members are invited and welcome to attend CLS committee meetings. Please call to become a member of BACARA.

DOWNLOAD
Cusheon Watershed
Management Plan 2007

DOWNLOAD

St. Mary Lake Management Plan

DOWNLOAD
OCP Potable Water Report - May 2007

DOWNLOAD
Lake Levels and Secchi Disk readings - Feb-May 2007

DOWNLOAD
report June 2009

NEXT CLSC meeting: We usually meet every other month at 7:00 pm at 490 Horel Road please call 250-537-1518 for more information. We use doodle to find a date that works for most people.

PLEASE NOTE: WHEN THERE IS A PRESENCE OF BLUE GREEN ALGAE AND THE SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION OF MICROCYSTIN TOXIN, USERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THEIR TAP WATER FOR DRINKING OR FOOD PREPARATION. TESTING OF THE SOURCE WATER WILL CONTINUE AND USERS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE ADVISORY IS PLACED AND REMOVED. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY HEALTH PROTECTION & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 250.519.3401 CHRIS LAUGHLIN, EHO - 250.519.3647

 
 
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