Importance of Wasa Lake

Wasa Lake is a kettle lake, formed thousands of years ago in a depression left by retreating glaciers. The lake has no continuous inflows or outflows, meaning its water levels are closely tied to the Kootenay River and fluctuations in the surrounding groundwater table. During spring freshet, rising river levels often lead to higher lake levels through underground flow.

The Wasa Lake watershed covers 12.15 km², with a mix of forested areas, private lands, agricultural uses, and wetlands. Every component of this watershed — from trees and soil to wildlife — plays a key role in maintaining the lake’s water quality and ecological balance.

Good watershed management is critical. Even land-use practices far from the shoreline can affect the lake over time. That’s why stewardship and community monitoring remain important in protecting Wasa Lake for future generations.

Often promoted as the “warmest swimming lake in the Kootenays,” Wasa Lake draws families, paddlers, anglers, and campers every summer. Wasa Lake Provincial Park offers 104 campsites and a large day-use area, making it a hub for outdoor activities.

The lake is also a favorite among anglers, with species such as Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, and more.

Wasa Lake is part of the BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program, a collaborative effort between the BC Lake Stewardship Society, the Ministry of Environment, and local volunteers. This program monitors water quality and provides valuable data to help protect the lake.

Local efforts continue to focus on education, monitoring, and sustainable land-use practices to keep the lake clean, safe, and healthy for years to come.

• Elevation: 772 m
• Surface area: 1.1 km²
• Perimeter: 6.98 km
• Maximum depth: 15.8 m
• Average depth: 3.8 m
• Community: 391 properties — 33% full-time residents, 67% seasonal

Because the lake has no steady inflows or outflows, its flushing rate is very slow, making it sensitive to changes in water quality.

• Minimize the disturbance of shoreline areas by maintaining natural vegetation cover.
• Minimize high-maintenance grassed areas.
• Replant lakeside grassed areas with native vegetation.
• Do not import fine fill.
• Use paving stones instead of pavement.
• Stop or limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Do not use fertilizers in areas where the potential for water contamination is high, such as sandy soils, steep slopes, or compacted soils.
• Do not apply fertilizers or pesticides before or during rain due to the likelihood of runoff.
• Hand pull weeds rather than using herbicides.
• Use natural insecticides such as diatomaceous earth. Prune infested vegetation and use natural predators to keep pests in check. Pesticides can kill beneficial and desirable insects, such as lady bugs, as well as pests.
• Compost yard and kitchen waste and use it to boost your garden’s health as an alternative to chemical fertilizers.

• Inspect your system yearly, and have the septic tank pumped every 2 to 5 years by a septic service company. Regular pumping is cheaper than having to rebuild a drain-field.
• Use phosphate-free soaps and detergents.
• Don’t put toxic chemicals (paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oils, photographic solutions, or pesticides) down the drain because they can kill the bacteria at work in your onsite sewage system and can contaminate waterbodies.
• Conserve water: run the washing machine and dishwasher only when full and use only low-flow showerheads and toilets.

• Use a drop cloth if you fix problems yourself.
• Recycle used motor oil, antifreeze, and batteries.
• Use phosphate-free biodegradable products to clean your car. Wash your car over gravel or grassy areas, but not over sewage systems.

• Do not throw trash overboard or use lakes or other waterbodies as toilets.
• Use biodegradable, phosphate-free cleaners instead of harmful chemicals.
• Conduct major maintenance chores on land. • Use absorbent bilge pads to soak up minor leaks or spills.
• Check for and remove all aquatic plant fragments from boats and trailers before entering or leaving a lake.
• Do not use metal drums in dock construction. They rust, sink and become unwanted debris. Use polystyrene (completely contained and sealed in UV treated material) or washed plastic barrel floats. All floats should be labeled with the owner’s name, phone number and confirmation that barrels have been properly emptied and washed.
• Untreated cedar is the best choice for dock construction. In some places, pressure-treated wood is banned for waterfront use because it can leach chemicals into the environment. For more information, refer to “On the Living Edge” (listed in references on the back page)
• Remember: when within 150 m of shore adjust your speed accordingly to prevent waves from eroding banks.
• Adhere to British Columbia’s Universal Shoreline Speed Restriction which limits all power-driven vessels to 10 km/hr within 30 m of shore. Exceptions to this restriction include:
  • vessels traveling perpendicularly to shore when towing a skier, wakeboard, etc.
  • rivers less than 100 m wide
  • buoyed channels