The City of Chestermere has invested in a user-operated boat-cleaning system in an effort to keep Chestermere Lake and other local bodies of water clean of aquatic invasive species this summer.
The City claims in a press release the waterless cleaning system is only the second of its kind in Canada. According to Rick Van Gelder, the manager of parks for the municipality, the technology was purchased through a grant funded by the Canadian Agriculture Partnership in collaboration with the Western Irrigation District (WID).
“We thought that this would be a good opportunity to aid in the control of aquatic invasive species as well as a great educational component for lake users,” he said.
The boat-cleaning system is free to use and will allow boaters to clean, drain, and dry their watercrafts. Cleaning your boat, according to Gelder, is an essential activity that will help to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.
According to the City’s release, aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and quagga mussels pose a significant threat to the Lake and the “entire irrigation network.” These species can be difficult to detect, and once they have established their presence in an aquatic ecosystem, are nearly impossible to remove.
They are also able to reproduce at a rate of up to a million new mussels per year, infesting irrigation pipes, which makes swimming in these areas dangerous due to noxious odours, according to the press release.
“This system provides an extra layer of protection for Chestermere Lake from the contamination of these destructive plant and animal species and we encourage all residents and visitors to use it whenever they visit the lake,” said Calvin Jukich, a plant health care coordinator, in the same press release.
Boats and other watercraft are able to carry these “aquatic hitchhikers” through the Lake, which can have a serious impact on the ecosystem, stated the press release. While Alberta has so far managed to keep its waterways clean of the invaders, the City of Chestermere hopes the new boat-cleaning system will keep these species at bay.
“These invasive species are not supposed to be here,” said Dan Shute, board chair of WID. “They can plug off infrastructure and choke off pipelines which would be devastating for the WID.
“This is a great way for citizens to do their part to protect both Chestermere Lake and our downstream infrastructure.”
Chestermere Lake is an irrigation reservoir that is part of a much larger system of reservoirs, pipelines and canals that serve farms within the Western Irrigation District. The district provides the source for irrigation water to more than 400 farms and 96,000 acres of land, and supplies municipal water to more than 12,000 people in four different communities, according to its website.
The City hopes the new system will protect and enhance water security for farmers, businesses, families and others who rely on the irrigation network.
“Chestermere Lake is the centerpiece of our community and we recognize the importance of preventing aquatic invasive species from taking over the lake,” said Mayor Marshall Chalmers in the press release. “We are pleased to collaborate with the WID to preserve and protect the lake for future generations.”
The boat-cleaning unit will be located in the municipal boat launch parking area near John Peake Memorial Park. Users will be allowed access to the unit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for public day use. Residents who have a seasonal pass to the lake will be able to access the system until 10 p.m. each day.
If you are interested in learning more about how to clean your watercraft, visit chestermere.ca/boats
Carmen Cundy, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy
