Read arrow marks the Crean Channel. (Google Maps)

By Ian Gustafson

Rocky Project

Crean Lake Channel rock removal set to move forward

Jun 20, 2020 | 1:00 PM

A project to remove hazardous rocks from a channel in one of the lakes at Prince Albert National Park is expected to happen within weeks. Despite some concerns about boat activity and the environment, officials say their assessment concluded it can proceed.

The Crean Lake Channel, which connects Heart Lakes and Crean Lake will see the modification because water levels have receded and the rocks pose a danger to boats.

In the fall of 2019, a group of concerned lake users approached Parks Canada with a proposal to do the work. The rocks in the channel are to be removed to the sides.

Resource Conservation Manager for Prince Albert National Park, Ken Kingdon, told paNOW they were unsure of the precise timeline for the start of the job but didn’t see any reason why it couldn’t move forward.

“There’s some timing in terms of operation and organizing the logistics of it but in general, there aren’t any restrictions on going ahead in terms of environmental assessment,” Kingdon said.

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Before proceeding with the project Parks Canada conducted an assessment. There was then an opportunity for public comments January 30 to February 29.

Kingdon said they approached the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and did receive some mitigations back from them. While he said there was not anything there to stop them from doing the work there were some guidelines such as having to complete the work before the end of August.

He said the large rocks will be moved by a mounted mini excavator placed on the Parks Canada barge and would be lifted out by a hook to the side of the channel. He did not expect any adverse effects to wildlife or vegetation.

“It won’t do any damage to any animals or plants within the work area,” Kingdon said. “It’s a slow process. For example, if there is fish in the area they’ll just be basically scared away by the activity.”

paNOW has heard some concerns from the public regarding the short timeframe for public feedback on the proposed project and the fact it was posted online in the winter. Kingdon said it is important to hold these public comments, but it is also something they have not been required to do for a project of this magnitude in the past.

“In terms of adequate length of time I’m maybe not the best one to answer, but in terms of opportunity and getting it on the website it is actually an improvement over the past,” he said. “Personally, I take those type of comments seriously and it does come to my mind that one of the objectives for doing basic impact assessments is making sure people are aware of projects that are ongoing. We always appreciate people expressing their concerns.”

In 2003, a partial modification was done to move smaller rocks from the middle and side of the channel by hand. Now that the water levels have further receded, more rocks have become hazardous to boats. Asked why these could not be removed by hand again, Kingdon explained it is because they were larger and impossible to remove without a machine.

The Waskesiu Foundation was included in bringing this project forward and they needed to raise the $12,000 for it to happen.

Chair of the Foundation, Derwin Arnstead said they have reached that goal.

“It’s a good time to do it because Crean Lake is closed to boat traffic, so it’s actually a very safe time to do it; there won’t be any other boats up there,” he said.

Arnstead said the project would happen in the next few weeks if weather allows, noting it should not have an impact on wildlife.

“The water level will remain the same whether the rocks are there or not and that’s kind of the primary consideration on the impact of waterfall,” he said. He added boats will be moving slowly through the channel as there are speed signs posted there.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12