The Sylvan Lake community will have the unique opportunity of learning about the various projects in place to manage the health of the lake during a Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA) event on Friday (July 24).
Representatives from Alberta Environment and Parks, Nature Alberta, Alberta Health and Alberta Lake Management Society will be at the Pier for Lake Days, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RDRWA executive Jeff Hanger said the event will give people an opportunity to ask questions and understand why certain projects have been created.
“It’s an opportunity for the people that live and benefit from the lake to talk to officials that actually affect the lake,” he said.
Everything and anything that can potentially affect the watershed will be discussed during the event, he added; topics will include, but won’t be limited to, water testing, restrictions around the lake and research findings.
“If there’s a no-swimming warning, it’s an opportunity to understand why that is, and the process behind it,” said Hanger. “When it comes to lake management, there are a lot of factors and people involved, and this is an opportunity for us to bring those people together at the lake.”
As well, the invasive species threat — including zebra and quagga mussels and blue-green algae — will be discussed, as will the many initiatives being undertaken to maintain the watershed’s health.
“People want to see that there is response to lake issues,” said Hanger. “People will be able to learn more about the programs that have been put in place by various Alberta agencies to manage the lake.”