By Kellah Lavoie

Beaches affected by high water

Aug 16, 2011 | 6:25 AM

High water levels are shrinking the beaches at Candle Lake.

At Minowukaw Beach the water is very close to a fence that protects the park’s sand dunes — it means there isn’t much beach left for patrons.

“The water is very high because of all the rain we’ve had this year, the beach is still open and usable at this point,” said Tiffany Stephenson, Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport spokeswoman.

“There is nothing the park can really do until the water recedes to fix the beach or to make more beach. They just have to wait for water levels to go down.”

A nearby dam is fully opened and the water level has slowly begun to drop, it’s something should start to be more noticeable soon. She said the water drops and then it rains so it is a “two steps forward one step back” type of situation.

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At this point it is not clear what type of damage the beach had incurred due to the flooding.

“There will be some clean-up for sure because high water you get more debris, sticks and logs and those sorts of things. (Park staff) do not foresee any permanent damage, any major damage, but until they can actually see the beach again they won’t know that for sure,” Stephenson said.

Neither Candle Lake campground — Minowukaw or Sandy Bay — have had any complaints about the size or quality of the beach. Both parks are completely full and people keep coming, she said.

“I think most people realize with a wet year you are going to have some fluctuation with your water level and it’s not really something the park can control.”

klavoie@panow.com