Marina Water Quality

Water quality study planned for Golf Course Creek - February 15, 2008

Article by Steve Dills in the Sylvan Lake News

A study is being planned to address concerns raised by Marina Bay Homeowners Association about silt and other garbage flowing from the Golf Course Creek into the marina.

Town council approved a staff recommendation, Monday night, giving administration approval to proceed "with the processes required to have a 'Golf Course Creek Water Quality Study' undertaken."

Assistant CAO Myron Thompson told councillors that staff members have had considerable discussions with Alberta Environment.

The province has recommended a study on the creek and is committed to providing some funding, he said.

Thompson noted the creek is affected by three major areas. The Fox Run subdivision, Lakeway Landing and land in Red Deer County west of Range Road 15, and the northern portion of Range Road 15 which was constructed recently. All three locations drain into the golf course.
Thompson pointed out the town's development agreement and design standards documents were updated in 2005 to require erosion and sediment control measures in the same manner as used in the City of Red Deer.

"Alberta Environment has committed to assisting the town in assembling the terms of reference, sourcing qualified firms to participate in the RFP process and providing financial assistance to have the study completed," according to a report to council prepared by Alan Gassor, director of operations.

Thompson, reporting in Gassor's absence, indicated Red Deer County will be asked to participate in the study.

"The study will answer many of the questions and concerns put forward by the MBHA and determine areas of responsibilities of all parties involved," concluded the report.

Since there's no budget for the study, a budget adjustment will have to be approved by council before the project is awarded.

Councillor Ken MacVicar initially indicated he had a problem not knowing what the town's cost would be nor who they're partnering with to conduct the study.

Thompson assured him if the costs come in too high they don't have to proceed.

The town also participates in an initiative led by Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society to fund monitoring and testing of various creeks emptying into Sylvan Lake. "This information is valuable and the intention is to maintain this program with assistance and direction through the Sylvan Lake Management Committee," the report added.

(As a side note it was mentioned by one of the councillors during the Town Council meeting on February 11th "the homeowners in Marina Bay have the greenest grass in town".) This comment does reflect upon all the homeowners as there are 92 residences with lawns and gardens in the community of Marina Bay that border the shoreline of Sylvan Lake and 4 storm sewers that empty from the streets of Marina Bay directly into the waters of Sylvan Lake. Just consider for a moment, what chemicals and other substances that end up on your property and driveway eventually ends up in the Lake. Consider the cumulative effects to the Bay and the Lake!

Delegation to Council - November 26, 2007

On November 26, 2007 Alan Taylor made an excellent presentation to the Town Council for Sylvan Lake on the silt and debris that has impacted Marina Bay and fish habitat in Golf Course Creek as well as the marina through new and ongoing developments from locations to the south and west of Marina Bay. The report (1019kb PDF) that Alan presented to Town Council. (1019kb PDF) The article in the Red Deer Advocate. (105kb PDF) and the November 30th article (24kb PDF) written by Steve Dills in the Sylvan Lake News.

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