Water at Echo Dale boating lake mysteriously down

Posted on 13 July 2022 by Prairie Post

By Kendall King

Alberta Newspaper Group

Echo Dale’s annual reopening is not going swimmingly for city officials, following a mysterious decrease in the boating lake’s water level.

City staff noticed the change in water level earlier this spring, following the swim lake’s filling. While the cause is currently unknown, staff have begun efforts to refill and maintain the lake’s water level.

“We’re working closely with other city departments as well as the Alberta Conservation Association, to ensure the protection of the trout in the lake. And the Government of Alberta, to be able to add additional water from the South Saskatchewan River,” city parks and recreation director James Will said.

Equipment used to pump water will run from the river to the lake for the duration of the summer, crossing several trails as well as the road. The city is asking visitors to Echo Dale exercise caution around the equipment.

“(Refilling the lake) is a temporary solution,” Will said. “We will continue to monitor the water level throughout the summer and investigate the cause in the fall.

The boating lake remains open at this time for fishing and other activities.