Work has begun to reinforce the erosion-ravaged shore in Sylvan Lake Provincial Park, but it could be some time before a popular walking path is restored.
The highest water levels in decades have battered the shoreline, especially towards the east end of the park.
Huge bites have been taken out of a gravel trail and one of four washrooms has been closed for fears it has been undermined.
Crews have been on scene for the past month, laying down landscaping fabric and riprap to shore up eroded areas to prevent further damage, said Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Camille Weleschuk on Friday.
“In a few days they should be completed with that,” she said.
Other work has involved cementing caps on top of the seawall into place that were dislodged by wave action.
A third project will involve tearing down the washroom where water has crept uncomfortably close to the foundations. The older building at the east end of the park had been slated for removal anyway.
About $60,000 has been invested in the work that was undertaken as a public safety issue.
The future of the path is less clear. The department is looking at other projects, but much depends on how high water levels remain.
“At this point, because of the water levels still being at that historical high and expected to be there for awhile we’ll have to ensure the public will be safe on that trail in the future.
“So right now, it remains closed.”
Lake levels are at their highest levels since records began in 1955 and are expected to remain high for several years based on previous cyclical trends.
Weleschuk said the province intends to monitor the situation before deciding what to do about replacing the path.
“We’re going to have to wait to see what water levels look like prior to investing in the trail.”
Damage caused by high water levels has alarmed town officials. Council voted to fire letters off to four provincial ministers to inventory the problems and come up with long-term solutions to prevent further deterioration of the popular beach front.
Mayor Susan Samson said Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady toured the lakeshore about two weeks ago and is aware of the issues.
Samson said while it is unfortunate the east end of the path is closed, previous trends suggest the lake could remain high for three to five years.
Alberta Environment and town officials met Thursday and all agree that nature should be allowed to take its course and efforts to artificially lower lake levels not be pursued.
“There’s a real reluctance to do anything except wait for nature,” said Samson.
That might mean it could be years before the walking path is fully restored.
On the positive side, the town has its own walkway at road level so people can still walk from one end of the shoreline to the other.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com