Consultants will be hired to find a solution to a long-running siltation problem in Sylvan Lake’s Marina Bay.
Town council approved a $26,210 contract to Calgary’s Applied Aquatic Research Ltd. to restore what is known as a wetland biofilter on Golf Course Creek just south of Marina Bay.
The wetland filter is much like a catchment basin, where silt and sediments flushed through the creek during spring runoff will collect, rather than flow on to Marina Bay. Water will also have time to cool in the basin.
“This is all for lake health,” said Mayor Sean McIntyre.
Over the last decade, water quality has deteriorated in the bay, where many area residents moor their boats. Water temperatures have risen and concentrations of phosphorous and nitrogen are higher than the nearby lake. If left unchecked, it could lead to the growth of blue-green algae blooms.
“Over time, we’ve been hearing those concerns. Now we’re happy to move forward with something to protect our lake health.
The town has worked with the Marina Bay Home Owners Association to tackle siltation problem.
Among the consultant’s jobs is to price out the biofilter proposal, which is expected to go into the 2015 budget. Quarterly updates on the project will be posted on the town’s website.