By Steve Hubrecht
A survey released by the Lake Windermere Ambassadors (LWA) points to concerns over the waterbody’s capacity to accommodate all of its recreational activities when it comes to safety and water quality.
The month-long survey, conducted in late summer and early fall 2023, is part of a larger two-year project studying recreational impacts on Lake Windermere. Last year a report on recreational impact and sediment quality in Lake Windermere — an earlier part of the same two-year project — showed elevated levels of arsenic, copper and lead in the lake, as well as very high densities of an algal bloom-forming and potentially toxic phytoplankton cyanobacteria at Kinsmen Beach.
The 2023 public survey shows community concern over the recreational carrying capacity of Lake Windermere, said the Ambassadors in a press release accompanying the survey results.
Among the key findings, the group explained that the survey “revealed a strong preference for non-motorized activities, with swimming — 85 per cent (of respondents) and paddling/stand up paddle boarding (SUP) — 80 per cent (of respondents) — being the most popular. Activities like fishing and boating also featured prominently, but to a lesser extent.
More specifically, the survey data showed 30 per cent of respondents choosing boating as a preferred type of recreation on Lake Windermere, and 30 per cent of respondents choosing fishing.
“A significant 77 per cent of respondents believe there should be a maximum number of boats allowed on the lake at any one time. Safety concerns were highlighted by 56 per cent of respondents who feel the lake is already over capacity, with many reporting issues with aggressive boating and wake impacts,” continued the Ambassadors.
In the survey data, 23 per cent of respondents believed there should not be a maximum number of boats on the lake at any one time. Aside from the 56 per cent who feel the lake is already over capacity, 28 per cent feel it does sometimes reach capacity; six per cent feel that the lake is indeed busy, but that there is room for more boats; three per cent have no concerns at all; and seven per cent chose ‘other’ as their answer.
For safety concerns, respondents were asked to rate their concern on a scale of ‘one’ to ‘five’, with ‘one’ indicating you never feel unsafe on the lake, and ‘five’ indicating you very often feel unsafe on the lake. A total of 48 per cent chose ‘four’ or ‘five’ (25 per cent ‘five’ and 23 per cent ‘four’), showing they either very often or at least somewhat frequently feel unsafe on the lake; a total of 24 per cent chose ‘one’ or ‘two’ (10 per cent ‘one’ and 14 per cent ‘two’); showing they never or only infrequently feel unsafe; and 27.5 per cent were in the middle, choosing ‘three’ on the scale.
“The community expressed considerable concern (in the survey) over the ecological health of the lake. Key issues include shoreline erosion, with 68 mentions (in the survey); water quality, including drinking water safety; and the impact of large boat waves on the ecological values of the lake,” said the Ambassadors. “While there is strong support for new bylaws to regulate boat activities, respondents emphasized the need for effective enforcement. About 87 per cent would adhere to voluntary codes of conduct to protect the lake’s sensitive areas and water quality.”
Lake Windermere Ambassadors board chair Taoya Schaefer told the Pioneer that “our survey shows an overwhelming majority of people prefer non-motorized water sports.” This she said confirms the findings of the third Vital Signs report released by the Columbia Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) in early 2023. That report found that 83 per cent of second home owners in the valley preferred non-motorized water sports.
“Between the two surveys, it seems that clearly people would love a quieter lake,” said Schaefer. She hastened to add, however, that the survey does not show — and the Ambassadors are not raising – objections to all kinds of motor boats on Lake Windermere. “The problems seem to be related very specifically to really large wake boats. And really that is just a small number of the boats on the lake. Most of the smaller boats don’t make such large wakes or so much noise.”
The Ambassadors’ online survey ran from August 31 to October 1 in 2023 and garnered 222 responses. The nonprofit group combed through names and email addresses of respondents to make sure some respondents were not filling it in more than once. Of the 222 respondents, 71 per cent were full-time residents; 27 per cent were second home owners or otherwise part-time residents; and two per cent were visitors.
“The high response rate and detailed input highlight the community’s vested interest in maintaining the lake as a safe and sustainable resource,” said the Ambassadors.
