Water level drop prompts marina closure at popular central Alberta lake

Summer looks different this year for Pelican Point, a lakeside community located on Buffalo Lake.

Typically bustling during the warmer months, the hamlet is now seeing a shift in activity as low lake levels have disrupted boating plans at the popular central Alberta destination.

"I've lived here all my life, I've never seen it this low," said longtime resident Neil Kostenuk.

The lake previously had a water stabilizing system to help manage water levels, but it was shut down years ago due to concerns over the invasive Prussian carp. Now, some who live in the area want the pumping to resume to help restore water levels. 

The sharp drop in water levels forced the closure and dismantling of the community marina for the season. 

The low water levels mean Pelican Point, which offers a destination for summer tourists, is seeing a big decrease in visitor traffic, as are neighbouring communities like Bashaw.

Erin Elder, president of the Pelican Point Community Association, said the community is split on what the best solution is.

"Some people feel that those pumps should be turned back on and that we should maintain our lake level," Elder said. "Some people feel like we just really need to, at this time, focus on our access to the lake."

Pumping projects

About 90 kilometres west, Gull Lake has been grappling with similar water level concerns.

Pumping from the Blindman River into Gull Lake was suspended in 2018, due to the risk of introducing Prussian carp into the ecosystem.

But plans are now underway to install a filtration system at the lake's pumphouse to prevent invasive species from entering the lake. The province approved the move after the government found overwhelming support for the project in a community survey. 

Norval Horner, president of the Gull Lake Watershed Society and a professional engineer involved in the research for the filtration system said he's glad the province stepped in.

"At this point, the provincial government has taken the lead on it and they're going to pay for the installation of the pressurized filtration and the restarting of stabilization," something he said he's "grateful for."

Construction of the filtration system on Gull Lake has begun with the goal of resuming pumping by spring 2026.

"I believe their plan is to move to Buffalo Lake and install the system there as well," he said. "They also have a stabilization system, which is also shut down. And so they're hopeful to get the same pressurized filtration installed on their stabilization system."

CBC reached out to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, and Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas to ask about whether a similar plan could happen at Buffalo Lake, but the province has not yet responded.  

Ron Metro, director of the Pelican Point Community Association, said the filtration system would work but it's unclear what the timeline is for the project. 

"We understand that same process could be used for Buffalo Lake, the only problem we have is the red tape we're seeing in order to get it approved," said Ron Metro, the director of Pelican Point Community Association.

Elder said she has had encouraging conversations with local MLA Jackie Lovely about the issues. 

A temporary fix?

While a long-term pumping solution remains in the works, some residents are asking for more immediate fixes to be able to use the lake, starting with a new or extended boat launch.

"Either we pump the lake, or we gain access somehow through a boat launch," Metro said. 

Kostenuk said community members have been in talks with government officials to install a temporary launch and it's looking "real promising."

Elder said another option could be increasing lake access through new launch points.

Camrose County had a special council meeting on Thursday to discuss whether a temporary boat launch should be constructed. Administration told council that the county should not pursue the launch, due to potential damage of the shoreline and the levels being low enough to cause concern for boaters. 

But following concerns shared by community members, councillors passed a motion to further investigate the option.

In the meantime, the beach area will be fenced off to restrict unauthorized vehicle access, and additional signs and fencing are expected to be installed next week.

A climate-driven problem

According to experts, Buffalo Lake's issues are part of a wider trend playing out across Alberta.

David Barrett, a research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Calgary, said climate change is significantly affecting lake water levels — particularly through rising temperatures that increase evaporation rates.

"This is a pattern that we've seen over the last five to 10 years. We've seen again a draw-down or a lowering of that of that water level pretty broadly across the province."

Lower water levels also come with additional risks, including warmer temperatures, reduced oxygen, and the potential for harmful algal blooms.

Back at Pelican Point, the community is hoping to find some solution, whether it be a temporary boat launch or a return to pumping. 

"It's just unfortunate that we couldn't keep things where it belongs," said Kostenuk. "But Mother Nature isn't always friendly to us."