Ask questions about the Waterfront Improvements project

Questions about the Waterfront Improvements project?

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  • Share How about allowing dogs access to the non-beach area from the retaining wall to the edge of the park area from 6am to 9am and after 9 pm from April 30 to Oct 30 with the addition of more beach accessible garbage cans. A volunteer committee group to oversee and temporarily police the area for non compliance regarding poop can be established - off leash to play in the water would be allowed. on Facebook Share How about allowing dogs access to the non-beach area from the retaining wall to the edge of the park area from 6am to 9am and after 9 pm from April 30 to Oct 30 with the addition of more beach accessible garbage cans. A volunteer committee group to oversee and temporarily police the area for non compliance regarding poop can be established - off leash to play in the water would be allowed. on Twitter Share How about allowing dogs access to the non-beach area from the retaining wall to the edge of the park area from 6am to 9am and after 9 pm from April 30 to Oct 30 with the addition of more beach accessible garbage cans. A volunteer committee group to oversee and temporarily police the area for non compliance regarding poop can be established - off leash to play in the water would be allowed. on Linkedin Email How about allowing dogs access to the non-beach area from the retaining wall to the edge of the park area from 6am to 9am and after 9 pm from April 30 to Oct 30 with the addition of more beach accessible garbage cans. A volunteer committee group to oversee and temporarily police the area for non compliance regarding poop can be established - off leash to play in the water would be allowed. link

    How about allowing dogs access to the non-beach area from the retaining wall to the edge of the park area from 6am to 9am and after 9 pm from April 30 to Oct 30 with the addition of more beach accessible garbage cans. A volunteer committee group to oversee and temporarily police the area for non compliance regarding poop can be established - off leash to play in the water would be allowed.

    maggied asked about 1 month ago

    Hello Maggied, 

    Thank you for your feedback and suggestion for allowing dogs access to the beach area.  Currently the Town has a Bylaw that prohibits dogs from accessing the beach and the lake.  The bylaw prioritizes the health of children and adults at the beach. The bylaw was based on extensive public consultation and information regarding health concerns of dogs accessing a public beach, such as: 

    • Compliance: While most owners are responsible, many do not pick up after their dogs. Even when owners immediately pick up after their dog, some waste is inevitably left behind 

    • Parasite Infections: Dogs can carry and shed parasites on the beach like toxoplasmosis, cryptospiridium, giardia, cyclospora, roundworm (hookworm and whipworm), and tapeworm. Roundworm larva can migrate throughout the body to the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, or eyes potentially causing blindness and other organ damage in dogs and humans. 

    • Bacterial Infections: Dog feces left on the beach can introduce bacteria like Campylobacter, E. coli Salmonella, and Yersinia into the environment. Ingesting contaminated water or sand can lead to gastrointestinal infections in humans. Illness like E. coli and Salmonella can sometimes have severe health impacts, especially in small children 

    • Invisible contamination: Even when dog poop looks like it's no longer there, many of these pathogens can survive for days, weeks, months, or sometimes even years in soil and water waiting for a host  

    • Environmental Contamination: Dog waste is carried into the lake by rainwater and snow run off, polluting the water and sand, creating an unsanitary environment for all beachgoers 

     

    How do we know if any of these contaminants end up in the Lake? 

    Historically, Town staff have taken water safety samples for AHS. The samples were sent away to test for blue green algae and fecal coliform levels in Sylvan Lake.  

    In 2024, AHS took back the responsibility of taking samples. For more information about testing, please contact Public Health at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre.  

     

    What’s next? 

     

    We hope we’ve provided some answers as to why we currently do not allow dogs on the beach. 

    Sincerely, 
    Ron Lebsack 
    Director of Parks & Protective Services 

  • Share A dock and ramp are wonderful, but what us being done or going to be done to raise the water level of the lake? Shouldn't that be a priority on Facebook Share A dock and ramp are wonderful, but what us being done or going to be done to raise the water level of the lake? Shouldn't that be a priority on Twitter Share A dock and ramp are wonderful, but what us being done or going to be done to raise the water level of the lake? Shouldn't that be a priority on Linkedin Email A dock and ramp are wonderful, but what us being done or going to be done to raise the water level of the lake? Shouldn't that be a priority link

    A dock and ramp are wonderful, but what us being done or going to be done to raise the water level of the lake? Shouldn't that be a priority

    Lyle asked 30 days ago

    Hi Lyle, 

    Thanks for reaching out. The Town has no jurisdiction, oversight, or programs to control the water level in the lake.  The lake level fluctuates due to environmental factors and is cyclical over time, with no interference from the Town. 

    Based on local research, evaporation is the main factor in Sylvan Lake’s water levels. Here’s an excerpt from The Alberta Lake Management Society Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program Sylvan Lake 2009 Report: 

    There has been a general trend of water level decline in Sylvan Lake from 1990 – 2006, followed by a recovery to historical levels from 2005 – 2009 (Figure 2). During this period the maximum lake elevation occurred in 1992, measuring 937.1 m above sea level. The lowest lake level since 1990 was experienced in 2004 recorded at 936.4 m asl. 

    The catchment to lake surface area ratio of Sylvan Lake is small (only 2.5 times the lake area) and as such there is likely little incoming water from the drainage basin potentially contributing to changes in water level. This is further supported by the intermittent nature of the inflowing streams and the presence of numerous submerged springs. Evaporation from the large surface area of Sylvan Lake seems to be the primary outlet for water, since very little water flows out of the lake. Between 1955 and 1976, the outlet stream flowed only during part of three years. Thus Sylvan Lake’s water balance is controlled by direct evaporation and precipitation at the lake’s surface. 

    Learn more about lake levels 

    We hope that has answered some of your questions about the water levels in Sylvan Lake. 

    Sincerely, 
    Ron Lebsack 
    Director of Parks & Protective Services 

  • Share Hello. How much is the lease cost yearly and the duration of the lease? on Facebook Share Hello. How much is the lease cost yearly and the duration of the lease? on Twitter Share Hello. How much is the lease cost yearly and the duration of the lease? on Linkedin Email Hello. How much is the lease cost yearly and the duration of the lease? link

    Hello. How much is the lease cost yearly and the duration of the lease?

    Lynda2024 asked 29 days ago

    Hello Lynda2024,

    The lease has a 25 year term and the yearly cost is $265.54.

    Sincerely,
    Ron Lebsack
    Director of Parks & Protective Services