Scroll down to read the January Board report.
Next WLLID Board meeting, 11th February at 7pm, Community Hall, lower level. Public welcome to attend.
After time away, the WLLID Board is back meeting and preparing for the 2026 water season.
On 17 January, the snow pack at Floe Lake (in the upper Kootenay Park) was 144% above the 30-year average.
Wasa open water 17 Dec 2025
The snow pack at Floe Lake accounts for almost 80% of the summer water level at Wasa.
While it’s still four months away from Spring freshet, this snow pack suggests a water year ahead that will exceed that of last year. Good news for water lovers.
We will release a 2026 summer peak water forecast on June first.
As far as the ice goes, there was almost 100% coverage on November 30th, which is about two weeks later than normal. Then an ice melt began on 12 December with almost 100% open water by the 17th.
Slush began forming on 24 December.
Wasa open water + slush + party platforms 24 Dec 2025
Long-time residents said they couldn’t remember a time when there was open water on Christmas Day.
Full ice cover returned 28th December. The mostly smooth clear ice provided excellent skating over the holiday season.
Its very interesting to observe the lake bottom through clear ice. What becomes apparent is the amount of scarring on the soft bottom, particularly in the shallow areas.
On 16th January, the estimate ice thickness was 4 inches or 10cm. The forecast for colder weather will firm up the ice and again make it great for gliding on blades.
Up-coming in 2026, WLLID is planning for the second annual Water Day. We are targeting July 25th. More details in early June.
The return of the Shoreline Clean-up was a great success last October. Trustees plan for a September 2026 clean-up. Details on the website closer to the event.
Hired by the WLLID Board to evaluate potential risks to Wasa’s water quality, Larratt Aquatic is working to complete the final report on its findings. WLLID expects to receive the report by early Spring. We hope to have the researchers present their findings in an online webinar. When a date is confirmed, it will be on the website and sent out through the newsletter. The full report will be available online.
Key parameters covered in the Larratt study include deep water sediment and E. coli tests, shallow lake bottom sediment gathering, video showing the impact large boats have on the soft bottom, and cyanobacteria, algae and zebra mussel testing.
During 2026, the Board will create several ways for WLLID taxpayers to provide feedback on the organizations mandate, scope of water testing and monitoring and how they feel about its activities. We also want to hear what taxpayers think about the future of the WLLID.
Check the website, www.wasalake.ca, for more information and details on all these projects and water related issues.
If you would like to volunteer for water testing (late May to mid-September 2026), other WLLID activities, or you just want to raise a concern or tell us about your best experience at Wasa, please email admin@wasalake.ca.