FAQs

What is cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)? how dangerous is it? do we have it in Wabamun Lake?

Cyanobacteria cause the toxic "algal" blooms that have plagued many recreational lakes in central Alberta. These blooms foul beaches, boats and docks, and produce toxins that can affect the health of people and animals. Cyanobacteria is in Wabamun Lake but until the summer of 2019, no toxic blooms had been reported. On August 16, 2019, Alberta Health Services issued a blue-green algae bloom advisory for the lake. Go to our Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria) page for more information.

How do you remove moss from your roof without harming the health of the lake?

Moss can damage a roof and look unsightly. It can be difficult to control without the use of chemicals that indeed harm the lake. With regard to moss on roofs, we found the following website to be helpful in describing clean ways to remove the moss: Dealing with a Mossy Roof.

How do you remove weeds from your driveway/walkway/patio without harming the health of the lake?

From our research It appears vinegar (acetic acid) to be the most effective way to eliminate weeds without poisoning the lake. Here is a good overview of the subject: Is there a safe alternative to roundup?

How is the Wabamun Watershed Management Council different from other groups around the lake?

The Wabamun Watershed Management Council is different from other groups active around the lake as it is looking at the long-range health of the watershed based on the input from a wide cross-section of stakeholders with an interest in the watershed. Other groups have a more specific purpose.

How did the 2005 CN train derailment and resultant oil spill affect the lake?

The oil spill initially devastated much shoreline habitat and wildlife. Fortunately, most of the oil was blown across the lake before it sank into the lake (although some did sink). As a result, the majority of the spilled oil was cleaned from the shore and over the next few years the shoreline habitat and wildlife populations recovered. Alberta Health initially found low levels of polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons (PAHs, indicating fuel oil contamination) in the tissue of fish in the lake shortly after the spill. These chemicals did not persist as no traces were found in the fish within a couple of months. However, studies by Fish and Wildlife indicated that PAHs affected the survival of whitefish eggs. They found a significant increase in deformities in embryos that lowered the survivability of the fry. As a result, the whitefish population has not recovered as quickly as hoped.

How does the health of Wabamun Lake compare to other lakes in the area?

Water quality at Wabamun Lake can be considered intermediate in comparison to other Alberta lakes. Depending on the parameter used to evaluate the level of nutrients in the lake, Wabamun can be classified as either moderately productive (mesotrophic) or highly productive (eutrophic) in terms of the lakes capacity to produce aquatic plants and algae. Eutrophic lakes are subject to algal blooms, such as those created by blue-green algae, that can produce toxins and poison fish, wildlife and pets. For the first time since Alberta Health began investigating cyanobacterial blooms in 2010, it has issued cyanobacteria advisories in both 2019 and 2020.

Why does the lake level at Wabamun vary so widely?

The land area that drains into Wabamun Lake (its watershed) is actually quite small, so variations in lake level mainly relate to the impact of rain/snow events and evaporation. If a big rainfall hits the lake, levels will rise dramatically; conversely, if there is a lot of hot, dry weather, lake levels will drop quickly. For more information go to our Lake Level page.

Why does the lake level rise above the level of the weir at the outlet to Wabamun Creek?

Wabamun Creek is the sole outlet of Wabamun Lake. Often the lake level is below the weir when precipitation is low and evaporation accounts for most water loss. However, in heavy snow years or heavy rainfall events, the lake level can rise above the level of the weir. Only so much water can go over the weir at one time and if more water enters the lake than is leaving, the lake level will rise above the weir. The drainage out of Wabamun Creek (when flowing) has been characterized as like a straw draining a swimming pool. For more information go to our Lake Level page.

Questions?

If you have a question about Lake Wabamun or the Lake Wabamun Watershed Management Council, please direct your inquiry as indicated in the Contact Us section.