Information and Notices
for the Summer Village of Kapasiwin
Regular Council Meeting
Our Regular Council Meeting Information Will be Posted Here:
July 15th, 2023, at 9:00 AM
** The Agenda and Attendance details will be posted here before the meeting.
______________________________
Special Council Meeting
The Annual Information Meeting will be held after the Regular Council Meeting on
July 15th, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Village Office Closed Monday
The Administration Office will be Closed on Monday,
May 29th, for the Alberta 2023 Provincial Election.
The Office will re-open on Tuesday, May 30th, at 8:30 AM.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you,
Council and Village Administration
Fire Restriction
This is to advise you that we are updating the Fire Rating in the Summer Village of Kapasiwin to a FIRE RESTRICTION. Website messaging and AlbertaFireBans.ca is in the process of being updated over the next 24 hours. See the following key messages related to this status change:
Fire Restriction:
Fire hazard conditions are at a level where fires can start and grow quickly. No open burning fires or major burn operations are allowed. Safe fires in approved fire pits, burn barrels/incinerators with screens, as well as gas/propane stoves, barbeques, and fire pits are allowed. Limited fire permits will be issued but may be suspended or canceled at any time. Please call the Village Office if you have any questions at all.
Apple App Store: Alberta Fire Bans • Google App Store: Alberta Fire Bans
Thanks,
Council and Village Administration
Kapasiwin Celebrates National Volunteer Week 2023!
The Summer Village of Kapasiwin would like to celebrate National Volunteer Week, by thanking all Volunteers, near and far, past and present! There are so many residents and friends of Kapasiwin that have helped out in the Community and many who will continue to support our beautiful Community for years to come.
The History of National Volunteer Week!
The National Volunteer Week officially took root in the U.S. in 1974, many thanks to the 37th U.S. President, Richard Nixon, who established it with an executive order. It has since become a tradition followed by other emerging presidents to date, growing to incorporate different willing participants and featuring a variety of projects and events that span throughout the week. The National Volunteer Week is organized by the U.S. organization — Points of Light Foundation whose mission is “to inspire, equip, and mobilize people to take actions that change the world” and Volunteering Canada — a charity initiative that provides expertise on volunteerism with the lens on increasing participation and quality of volunteer experiences.
The Points of Light Foundation’s formation was inspired by President George H.W. Bush’s January 1989 rousing speech to the nation and volunteers, calling on them to become “a thousand points of light.” The Points of Light Foundation was created in 1990, while Volunteer Canada, established in 1977, draws from the establishment of the National Volunteer Week in 1943 to recognize the contributions of women on the Home Front during World War II. It aims to provide national leadership and expertise on volunteer engagement, to increase the participation, quality, and diversity of volunteer efforts.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/national-volunteer-week/
Thanks for all you do;
Summer Village of Kapasiwin Council & Administration
Attention: New Residents!
The Land Title Office is currently experiencing a substantial increase in real estate transactions, which has created a backlog.
Therefore, if you have recently purchased a property in the Summer Village of Kapasiwin (in the past 3 months), we may not have received notification and ask that you contact the Administration Office as soon as possible to provide the new owner and address details.
Please call us at 780.691.4465 between 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
Wabamun Watershed - A Plan For All Seasons
Let's Go Outdoors says:
It was an absolute pleasure to work with the fantastic volunteers at the Wabamun Lake Watershed Council. In this video, I continue my understanding of the Wabamun Lake Watershed plan and how many partners representing various levels of government and volunteers have come together to work towards a common goal. As you will see, the work required to maintain a healthy watershed is a year-round process.
Click to Watch the video from Youtube: Wabamun Watershed - A Plan For All Seasons
Let's Go Outdoors is based in Alberta, Canada. Host Michael Short runs a fully integrated media company that provides outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists with news and info about Alberta's outdoors.
A Watershed For All
Take a look at the work being done by the volunteers of the Wabamun Lake Steering committee. These folks have been working on behalf of all of us who enjoy spending time at this wonderful Lake just west of Edmonton. Recently a Watershed Plan was released by the committee that worked closely with other stakeholders within the watershed. This is just a brief overview of some of the issues Wabamun Lake faces.
Watch the video: A Watershed For All
Let's Go Outdoors is based in Alberta, Canada. Host, Michael Short runs a fully integrated media company that provides outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists with news and info about Alberta's outdoors.
Wabamun Watershed Management Council
November 17 at 10:08 AM · Written by Neil Fleming
Environment Canada reported that during construction this past spring, the lake level reporting unit near the Wabamun marina was damaged resulting in no reporting data for Wabamun Lake being available. The unit has been relocated near the Sundance Power plant and is again operational. The bad news is that the current level is 724.04M above sea level, or about 51cm (20”) below the level of the weir, (724.55M). For perspective, the current level is still about 20cm above the record low in 2003 and about 1.13M below the record high in 1927. This low level means that no water has flowed from the lake for almost 2 years, making the lake stagnant and more susceptible to nutrients and pollution entering it.
Whenever the issue of lake level is discussed, the conversation inevitably turns to the TransAlta water treatment plant (WTP). In recent posts, I have attempted to explain the purpose and function of the WTP, which maybe bear repeating.
Firstly, the purpose of the WTP was never to artificially control the lake level.
As a condition of their license to operate the Highvale mine, on the south side of the lake, TransAlta is required to contain all the precipitation falling on the mine site to prevent contaminated water from entering the lake. The water is diverted to their cooling ponds from where water is drawn and treated before being pumped to the lake. The amount of water to be pumped is calculated to be equal to the amount of water that would normally have reached the lake had the coal mine not existed. The goal is to mimic as closely as possible, natural inflows to the lake. So, when operating as designed, the net effect of the WTP is zero.
A major storm event resulted in the WTP being offline for about 1.5 years, but it has now been repaired and operational since August. Our very rough calculations suggest that the WTP contributes about 2.5 vertical inches to the lake level on an average year. We estimate that the lake level would be about 4 inches, (10cm) higher had pumping not been interrupted. The “water debt” that accrued during the period the WTP was not operating will be “repaid” by incremental volumes over the next two years (approximately).
In dry periods, like we are currently experiencing, evaporation results in water loss and greater nutrient concentrations which contribute to increased aquatic vegetative growth and algae blooms.
The cyclical nature of the water level is displayed by the graph on the Water Level page of our website WWMC.ca and emphasized by the fact that only 2 years ago, many were complaining that the lake was too high!
You are encouraged to visit our website, WWMC.ca to get a better understanding of the factors contributing to lake level.
Written by Neil Fleming
The Science Behind the Ribbon of Life
Why Vegetated Shoreline Buffers Matter
What is the Ribbon of Life and why is it essential to the health and sustainable use of waterfront properties?
The ‘Ribbon of Life’ is the natural shield protecting our freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. It is what mitigates erosion, protecting the beauty and property values of waterfront properties. It is a haven for wildlife. It is a key natural feature increasing resilience to climate change for people and wildlife.
Watersheds Canada’s survey of nearly 200 Ontario freshwater stakeholders found that the science of inland water ecosystems was the least understood area of shoreline stewardship.
Please view Watersheds Canada’s Chris Dennison on November 28, 2022, as he discusses the scientific literature supporting the restoration and maintenance of native vegetation on shorelands and the importance of informed policies that protect both properties and the environment.
Please click the link: The Science Behind: Vegetated Shoreland Buffers
Notice of Blue Green Algae Health Advisory
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom advisory was issued for Wabamun Lake
August 26, 2022
EDMONTON ZONE – A blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom has been identified in areas of Wabamun Lake, located within the Edmonton Zone of Alberta Health Services. Residents living near the shores of this lake, as well as visitors to this lake, are advised to take the following precautions:
- Avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
- Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
- Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
- Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake).
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water, including Wabamun Lake, at any time. Boiling this water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.
Blue-green algae are naturally occurring and often become visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz, or globs on the surface of the water, blue-green algae can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.
People who come in contact with visible blue-green algae or who ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms.
Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. Due to this, the advisory will remain in effect for Wabamun Lake until further notice.
Please note that areas of Wabamun Lake in which the blue-green algae bloom is NOT visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this blue-green algae Health Advisory is in place.
If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information on health concerns and blue-green algae, please call Health Link at 811. Additional information is also available online, at ahs.ca/bga.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health support and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans
Land Use Bylaw Update
The Summer Village of Kapasiwin is embarking on a project to update the Land Use Bylaw!
The Land Use Bylaw, or LUB, is one of the Summer Village’s primary planning documents that regulate the use and development of land and buildings in the Summer Village.
Check out the Project Newsletter to learn more about what a Land Use Bylaw is, the project timeline, and opportunities for you to get involved.
Click here: Project Newsletter
Highvale Mine Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan February 2022
Waste Management Documents
Lakeshore Guidelines
The Government of Alberta Environmental Protection Officer has issued a Warning Notice to all Municipalities around Lake Wabamun that numerous activities have been potentially done in contravention of the Water Act. Please read the attached PDF for details.
Residents who disregard the health of lake ecosystems may be subject to enforcement action under the Water Act.
Guidelines for Lakeshore Development Use can be found at the following Alberta Government Web page "www.srd.gov.ab.ca/".
Further information is also available at the Wabamun Watershed Management Council Web Page "www.wwmc.ca/".
A Homesite Consultation program is available to residents around Lake Wabamun by sending a email to "info@kapasiwinalberta.com"