Updates

WLLID Board Report

(March 2026)

The WLLID Board met on 11 March to carry out its activities pertaining to the quality of water here at Wasa.

So far, this has been the winter of non-winter.

Starting 4 March, open water appeared in the central west section of the lake. Full open water (at least 90%) happened on 8 March. According to WLLID ice on/off records, ice melt and open water this early in the year has never occurred before.

This past winter saw open water on 25 December, with full ice on happening the next day. There was only nine (9) weeks where there was ice covering the whole lake.

Open Water 8 March 2026

Usually in early March, ice fishing is still going on. On 9 March, the fishers were back in their boats.

The WLLID will issue its estimate peak water level on June 1, 2026. It will be posted on the WLLID website, www.wasalake.ca.

As of 12 March, the Floe Lake snow pillow was at 125% of average, with 30.52 inches of snow water equivalent. This bodes well for summer water levels.

Due to damage sustained last summer, the WLLID Board will be purchasing a new electric motor for the boat used in water testing. As well, we will be adding a solar panel battery re-charger.

The next WLLID Board meeting will be 8 April 2026, 7pm at the office, lower level Wasa Community Hall.

WLLID Board Report (March 2026)

The WLLID Board met on 11 March to carry out its activities pertaining to the quality of water here at Wasa.

So far, this has been the winter of non-winter.

Starting 4 March, open water appeared in the central west section of the lake. Full open water (at least 90%) happened on 8 March. According to WLLID ice on/off records, ice melt and open water this early in the year has never occurred before.

This past winter saw open water on 25 December, with full ice on happening the next day. There was only nine (9) weeks where there was ice covering the whole lake.

Open Water 8 March 2026

Usually in early March, ice fishing is still going on. On 9 March, the fishers were back in their boats.

The WLLID will issue its estimate peak water level on June 1, 2026. It will be posted on the WLLID website, www.wasalake.ca.

As of 12 March, the Floe Lake snow pillow was at 125% of average, with 30.52 inches of snow water equivalent. This bodes well for summer water levels.

Due to damage sustained last summer, the WLLID Board will be purchasing a new electric motor for the boat used in water testing. As well, we will be adding a solar panel battery re-charger.

The next WLLID Board meeting will be 8 April 2026, 7pm at the office, lower level Wasa Community Hall.

WLLID Board Report (Feb 2026)

On February 11th, the WLLID Board met for the second time in 2026.

Trustee’s spent time preparing a draft of the 2026 Budget. After gathering some additional budget information, they are planning to finalize it at the March Board meeting.

Last summer, the electric motor used with the WLLID boat for water testing sustained sand and moisture damage. The Board is looking to get a quote for its repair. If that is not feasible, the Board will buy a new electric motor. In addition, the purchase of a solar powered battery charger is part of the Budget.

Larratt Aquatic Consultants are working to finalize a report on the results from water tests conducted during summer 2025. The Board is planning for one of the reports authors to present the findings at an in-person meeting sometime in early May.

An online forum is also planned, however, at this time there is no WIFI service at the Community Hall. The Board is exploring options for a temporary WIFI set-up to facilitate the online portion of the presentation.

Details will be posted on www.wasalake.ca when they are finalized.

Tax Bylaw #80 for 2026 was finalized. The Board voted to keep the rate at $50 per parcel. Tax notifications for 2026 will be mailed out in early June.

Taxpayers are reminded that on March 1, 2026 a late penalty, as prescribed by the Provincial government, will be applied to all outstanding balances.

The Board reminds all residents, it is your responsibility to provide WLLID with contact information and a valid address where the tax notice can be mailed.

If you would like to make a presentation to the Board, please send a request at least one week in advance of the meeting to admin@wasalake.ca.

The next Board meeting will be on 11 March, 7pm, lower level at the Community Hall. Residents are welcome to attend.

WLLID Board Report      (Feb 2026)

On February 11^th, the WLLID Board met for the second time in 2026.

Trustee’s spent time preparing a draft of the 2026 Budget. After gathering some additional budget information, they are planning to finalize it at the March Board meeting.

Last summer, the electric motor used with the WLLID boat for water testing sustained sand and moisture damage. The Board is looking to get a quote for its repair. If that is not feasible, the Board will buy a new electric motor. In addition, the purchase of a solar powered battery charger is part of the Budget.

Larratt Aquatic Consultants are working to finalize a report on the results from water tests conducted during summer 2025. The Board is planning for one of the reports authors to present the findings at an in-person meeting sometime in early May.

An online forum is also planned, however, at this time there is no WIFI service at the Community Hall. The Board is exploring options for a temporary WIFI set-up to facilitate the online portion of the presentation.

Details will be posted on www.wasalake.ca when they are finalized.

Tax Bylaw #80 for 2026 was finalized. The Board voted to keep the rate at $50 per parcel. Tax notifications for 2026 will be mailed out in early June.

Taxpayers are reminded that on March 1, 2026 a late penalty, as prescribed by the Provincial government, will be applied to all outstanding balances.

The Board reminds all residents, it is your responsibility to provide WLLID with contact information and a valid address where the tax notice can be mailed.

If you would like to make a presentation to the Board, please send a request at least one week in advance of the meeting to admin@wasalake.ca.

The next Board meeting will be on 11 March, 7pm, lower level at the Community Hall. Residents are 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 30^th, which is about two weeks later than normal. Then an ice melt began on 12 December with almost 100% open water by the 17^th.

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 28^th 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 16^th 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 25^th. 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.

The 2025 water year kept the WLLID Trustees busy monitoring water levels, drawing E. coli water samples and reporting results. Additional dissolved oxygen, temperature and Seechi readings were conducted by a hearty group of volunteers.

The first Water Day (July 26th) was a great success bringing together WLLID, EKISC and Living Lakes to provide people with clear, concise and relevant information about water quality here at Wasa.

The big news on 21 December is that there is no ice, just open water. After consulting several long time residents, it’s save to say there has never been “no ice” this late in December.

From all of us on the Board,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The 2025 water year kept the WLLID Trustees busy monitoring water levels, drawing E. coli water samples and reporting results. Additional dissolved oxygen, temperature and Seechi readings were conducted by a hearty group of volunteers.

The first Water Day (July 26th) was a great success bringing together WLLID, EKISC and Living Lakes to provide people with clear, concise and relevant information about water quality here at Wasa.

The big news on 21 December is that there is no ice, just open water. After consulting several long time residents, it’s save to say there has never been “no ice” this late in December.

From all of us on the Board,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

On behalf of the WLLID, a big thank you to all volunteers who helped out on Saturday October 18th picking up litter along the Wasa shoreline.

Not included in the photo were Sherry Shields, Wendy Davis, her daughter Alecia, and grandchildren Chase, Simon, and Arthur as they were still devoted to their task when the photo was taken.

Every piece of trash removed from the shoreline means one less piece of garbage that will pollute our lake!

Everything that is collected is recorded and submitted to Ocean Wise and becomes important data used to inform governments and clean water advocates to help address pollution at its source.

Ocean Wise is a global conservation organization on a mission to build communities that are taking meaningful action to protect and restore our earth’s water bodies.

This year the two most frequently picked items were styrofoam and plastic pieces.

WLLID thanks Trustee Jan for organizing this event.

On behalf of the WLLID, a big thank you to all volunteers who helped out on Saturday October 18th picking up litter along the Wasa shoreline.

Not included in the photo were Sherry Shields, Wendy Davis, her daughter Alecia, and grandchildren Chase, Simon, and Arthur as they were still devoted to their task when the photo was taken.

Every piece of trash removed from the shoreline means one less piece of garbage that will pollute our lake!

         Everything that is collected is recorded and submitted to                 Ocean Wise and becomes important data used to inform               governments and clean water advocates to help address               pollution at its source.

         Ocean Wise is a global conservation organization on a mission to build communities that are taking                             meaningful action to protect and restore our earth’s water bodies.

        This year the two most frequently picked items were styrofoam and plastic pieces.

        WLLID thanks Trustee Jan for organizing this event.

The WLLID Board hosted the AGM last night at the Community Hall library. A great space for the meeting.

Several residents attended to hear the Chair’s yearly over-view of ID activities. A Water report and tax report were also presented.

The Board approved the 2024 financial statements. Budget preparations will begin in January 2026.

All five past Board Trustee’s are returning for another year. They are Jan Barbeau, Shauna Mayby, Luke Anderson and Phil Godsave. Nowell Berg returns as the Board Chair.

The next Board meeting will be held on January 14th, 2026, 7 pm at the Community Hall, lower level WLLID office.

Until our next update, have a great day.

The WLLID Board hosted the AGM last night at the Community Hall library. A great space for the meeting.

Several residents attended to hear the Chair’s yearly over-view of ID activities. A Water report and tax report were also presented.

The Board approved the 2024 financial statements. Budget preparations will begin in January 2026.

All five past Board Trustee’s are returning for another year. They are Jan Barbeau, Shauna Mayby, Luke Anderson and Phil Godsave. Nowell Berg returns as the Board Chair.

The next Board meeting will be held on January 14th, 2026, 7 pm at the Community Hall, lower level WLLID office.

Until our next update, have a great day.

With the Wasa water season mostly over, the WLLID slows its activity around the lake.

This summer was highlighted by the lowest peak water level, reached on 23 June, at 767.84 masl (meters above sea level), since 2014. this year was the second lowest in the last 25 years. Only 2001 saw a lower peak level, when the water only reached 767.50 masl.

To give you an idea of how low the water was, on 26 July, 2025, the level was 767.55 masl, 53cm lower than on the same day last year.

Last year, the peak water level was 768.40 masl. That’s 56 cm or just over 22 inches more water compared to this year.

The chart below shows peak water levels since 2014.

Water testing has finished for the season. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and Seechi readings, along with E. coli sampling, will resume in early June 2026. We hope to undertake one or two winter (ice-on) tests depending on volunteer availability, ice and weather conditions.

A detailed review of the E. coli events this past summer was published in last months Buzz. It will be re-addressed at the up-coming AGM.

WLLID has a new website, same address – wasalake.ca.

The Board thanks Shawn at Eggplant Studios for his work on creating the new look and navigation. This makes it easier for the Board to post current news, water data and testing alerts. It will be the public source for verified WLLID Board information.

Past material such as Board agendas, minutes, financial statements and historical reports are still available.

The WLLID AGM is set for 15 October, 2025, 7pm, at the Wasa Community Hall. The Board will present a number of reports outlining the past years activities along with the 2024 financial statements.

Just a few days later, on 18 October, WLLID will lead the return of the shoreline cleanup.

A great day of community activity. Fun for youth and adults alike, roaming the public beaches and bagging garbage.

It all starts at 2pm, meet at the Main Beach parking lot.

Use this link to register https://app.ocean.org/app/cleanup/explore. Search for Wasa Lake under the Join Cleanup tab. Please share this link with other interested parties.

Or, just show up on the day.

A WLLID tote bag will be given to the person with the weirdest item found.

Sur-prizes inside.

Check WLLID website for up-to-date information closer to the date.

The WLLID sends out a big thank you to Becky for her continued volunteer work on sampling water for E. coli testing around Wasa Lake. This testing will resume in June 2025.

The dissolved oxygen, Seechi and temperature testing has also finished for 2024. It will resume in June 2025.

If you have any concerns, please contact WLLID at admin@wasalake.ca.

The WLLID sends out a big thank you to Becky for her continued volunteer work on sampling water for E. coli testing around Wasa Lake. This testing will resume in June 2025.

The dissolved oxygen, Seechi and temperature testing has also finished for 2024. It will resume in June 2025.

If you have any concerns, please contact WLLID at admin@wasalake.ca.

With the Wasa water season mostly over, the WLLID slows its activity around the lake.

This summer was highlighted by the lowest peak water level, reached on 23 June, at 767.84 masl (meters above sea level), since 2014. this year was the second lowest in the last 25 years. Only 2001 saw a lower peak level, when the water only reached 767.50 masl.

To give you an idea of how low the water was, on 26 July, 2025, the level was 767.55 masl, 53cm lower than on the same day last year.

Last year, the peak water level was 768.40 masl. That’s 56 cm or just over 22 inches more water compared to this year.

The chart below shows peak water levels since 2014.

Water testing has finished for the season. Dissolved oxygen, temperature and Seechi readings, along with E. coli sampling, will resume in early June 2026. We hope to undertake one or two winter (ice-on) tests depending on volunteer availability, ice and weather conditions.

A detailed review of the E. coli events this past summer was published in last months Buzz. It will be re-addressed at the up-coming AGM.

WLLID has a new website, same address – wasalake.ca.

The Board thanks Shawn at Eggplant Studios for his work on creating the new look and navigation. This makes it easier for the Board to post current news, water data and testing alerts. It will be the public source for verified WLLID Board information.

Past material such as Board agendas, minutes, financial statements and historical reports are still available.

The WLLID AGM is set for 15 October, 2025, 7pm, at the Wasa Community Hall. The Board will present a number of reports outlining the past years activities along with the 2024 financial statements.

Just a few days later, on 18 October, WLLID will lead the return of the shoreline cleanup.

A great day of community activity. Fun for youth and adults alike, roaming the public beaches and bagging garbage.

It all starts at 2pm, meet at the Main Beach parking lot.

Use this link to register https://app.ocean.org/app/cleanup/explore. Search for Wasa Lake under the Join Cleanup tab. Please share this link with other interested parties.

Or, just show up on the day.

A WLLID tote bag will be given to the person with the weirdest item found.

Sur-prizes inside.

Check WLLID website for up-to-date information closer to the date.

Wasa Lake Land Improvement District

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Wednesday October 15th at 7pm

Wasa Community Hall

Purpose of Annual General Meeting

The purpose of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to provide an opportunity for the board to present financial statements and report on the activities of the past year, and for landowners to discuss activities and ask questions. There will be no election for trustees this year.

The agenda and financial statements will be available at www.wasalake.ca prior to the meeting. For more information, please contact admin@wasalake.ca

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Wasa Community Hall

Purpose of Annual General Meeting

The purpose of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to provide an opportunity for the board to present financial statements and report on the activities of the past year, and for landowners to discuss activities and ask questions. There will be no election for trustees this year.

The agenda and financial statements will be available at www.wasalake.ca prior to the meeting. For more information, please contact admin@wasalake.ca

Everyone is welcome to attend!