Lake Wabamun Quality and Ecosystem Survey 2002 Report BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Wabamun Lake, approximately 60 km west of Edmonton, is large, shallow, and the water is generally well mixed. Sport fish in the lake include northern pike, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. There are also diverse populations of microscopic plants (diatoms, blue-green algae, phytoplankton), invertebrate species (zooplankton, worms, larvae, snails), waterfowl (ducks, grebes, swans, osprey), and big game animals (deer). There is a unique mix of land uses in the lake watershed, which include undisturbed bush and forest, agriculture, two coal mines with active and reclaimed areas, three coal-fired power plants, major transportation (road and rail) corridors, residences, and recreation. The mines supply fuel for the power plants, operated by the TransAlta Utilities Corporation (TAU). Industrial wastewaters, runoff and cooling water from the Whitewood mine and Wabamun power plant are discharged to the lake. According to the 2001 Census, Wabamun Village has 601 residents living in the community The village, which is situated on the northern shore of Lake Wabamun, offers services such as shopping, restaurants, gas bar and auto service, car wash, laundromat, drug store, grocery store, post office, bank, beauty centre, tourist attractions and accommodations, as well as other service professionals. The community is surrounded by 62 acres of park space, which includes a paved nature trail system, provincial campground, and group camping sites. SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS: The water quality of Wabamun Lake from 1982 to 2001 was similar to other freshwater lakes of central Alberta. Ongoing monitoring of groundwater and drinking water in the area show no sign of metal contamination. Microscopic plants: Diatoms are usually dominant in Spring and Fall; Blue-Green Algae is usually dominant in the summer. Invertebrate populations are different in the industrial run-off areas because of higher water temperatures snails and worms are the predominant species in the warm run-off areas. – CONCLUSIONS: Alberta Environment continues to work closely with Alberta Health and Wellness and the local Health Authority to ensure that the health of lake users is not affected. No health advisories are in place for recreational use of the lake or consumption of fish.
Lake Wabamun Quality and Ecosystem Survey 2002 Report BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Wabamun Lake, approximately 60 km west of Edmonton, is large, shallow, and the water is generally well mixed. Sport fish in the lake include northern pike, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. There are also diverse populations of microscopic plants (diatoms, blue-green algae, phytoplankton), invertebrate species (zooplankton, worms, larvae, snails), waterfowl (ducks, grebes, swans, osprey), and big game animals (deer). There is a unique mix of land uses in the lake watershed, which include undisturbed bush and forest, agriculture, two coal mines with active and reclaimed areas, three coal-fired power plants, major transportation (road and rail) corridors, residences, and recreation. The mines supply fuel for the power plants, operated by the TransAlta Utilities Corporation (TAU). Industrial wastewaters, runoff and cooling water from the Whitewood mine and Wabamun power plant are discharged to the lake. According to the 2001 Census, Wabamun Village has 601 residents living in the community The village, which is situated on the northern shore of Lake Wabamun, offers services such as shopping, restaurants, gas bar and auto service, car wash, laundromat, drug store, grocery store, post office, bank, beauty centre, tourist attractions and accommodations, as well as other service professionals. The community is surrounded by 62 acres of park space, which includes a paved nature trail system, provincial campground, and group camping sites. SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS: The water quality of Wabamun Lake from 1982 to 2001 was similar to other freshwater lakes of central Alberta. Ongoing monitoring of groundwater and drinking water in the area show no sign of metal contamination. Microscopic plants: Diatoms are usually dominant in Spring and Fall; Blue-Green Algae is usually dominant in the summer. Invertebrate populations are different in the industrial run-off areas because of higher water temperatures – snails and worms are the predominant species in the warm run-off areas. CONCLUSIONS: Alberta Environment continues to work closely with Alberta Health and Wellness and the local Health Authority to ensure that the health of lake users is not affected. No health advisories are in place for recreational use of the lake or consumption of fish.
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