SKELETON LAKE NEARING POINT OF NO RECOVERY

The water level of Skeleton Lake is on the decline, according to the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association, and they want action taken before it is too late. SLSA representatives went before the Boyle Village Council at the Nov. 16 council meeting, and before the County of Athabasca council on Nov. 24, to present statistical information detailing the decline, what they believe is causing the decline, and what action needs to be taken before it is too late. The declining lake level, over-development of the Skeleton Lake area, water quality, the protection of riparian areas and fish habitats were the primary concerns listed by the SLSA.

The group maintains that the lake level started to decline in 1987 and has dropped five-and-a half feet over the past eight years. Precipitation levels over that time period have not dropped significantly enough to account for the decline. Records, beginning in 1965, show that water levels in the lake were stable until 1987. Precipitation levels have not changed significantly, as has been previously reported. According to the statistics presented by the SLSA, the Boyle/Lac La Biche/Athabasca area received 422 mm of precipitation per year from 1974-1985, and 393 mm per year from 1986-2004. Water levels in nearby Amisk and Long Lakes have corresponded with precipitation changes. According to the SLSA, the lake's fragile watershed is vulnerable to changes in outflow, and once the lake reaches a certain point of decline, there will be no reversing that decline and the lake level will drop drastically.

"At that point it will be too late ... the lake will not be able to recover," said SLSA spokesperson Brian Curial. Two major factors that the SLSA believes account for the declining water level are the diversion of water from Skeleton Lake for use by the village of Boyle, and significant over-development around the lake. Curial maintained that it is a myth that, "Boyle's consumption of water is about equal to the amount that evaporates, therefore it is OK to continue diverting this water." Boyle removes 48 million gallons of water from the lake each year, said Curial, an amount well over the licensed amount of 41 million gallons. "This manmade diversion cannot be sustained because the lake cannot and is not able to keep up to that pace."

Curial indicated that in 1992, Boyle applied to increase their water diversion to 60 million gallons, but Alberta Environment refused their request and recommended Boyle find another source of water. The SLSA believes that if Boyle continues to divert water from Skeleton Lake, the narrows, which were seven feet deep eight years ago, and are presently two feet deep, will be dry by 2008. Once the narrows are cut off, Boyle would be drawing water from the south basin only. "We believe it's critical that Boyle finds an alternate source of water," said Curial. "We are not blaming Boyle for the drop in the lake, (but) you are one of the factors that concern us."

The SLSA has indicated a willingness to assist Boyle in obtaining a connection to the regional water supply system by 2007. Village Mayor Bob Clark commented that the Town of Athabasca has to be included in the plans to connect Boyle to the regional water supply system by 2007, as upgrades to the water treatment plant are necessary to supply water to Boyle. In addition to having Boyle connected to the regional water supply system by 2007, and restricting development around the lake, the SLSA feels it is important to develop a watershed management plan, and to begin pumping water into Skeleton Lake by the summer of 2006. County council responded that Boyle is being strongly encouraged to tap into the regional waterline after it is extended from the town of Athabasca to Colinton, but the County is unable to do any more than that. "We can not force Boyle to say yes to the regional waterline," stated county councillor Roy Jones.

Over-development
In the past 20 years "development on the lake has exploded," said Curial. Over-development around the lake has affected the fragile watershed to the point that the lake cannot recover. According to the SLSA, Alberta Municipal Affairs imposed development restrictions around Skeleton Lake in 1980. When the County of Athabasca took over subdivisions shortly afterwards, 411 additional lots were permitted around the lake. Curial indicated that there are now 920 lots and RV sites on Skeleton Lake.

The group also listed several other developments around the lake that have disrupted the normal water flow into the lake. Clark and Boyle deputy mayor Ray Tannas both shared the SLSA's concerns with the County's over-development around the lake. "The trend is very worrisome," said SLSA spokesperson Hugh Harper. "If we don't do something about it soon, there's not going to be a lake. The impact on the Village of Boyle is going to be dramatic. The impact on the County of Athabasca is going to be dramatic."

The SLSA believes that implications of inaction to the decline in Skeleton Lake water levels include the loss of recreational value for the lake, the abandonment of cottages, the loss of fish and wildlife habitat, and severe economic repercussions for the area.