Victoria Hub: End of Summer Update
As the cooler autumn season gains momentum, we’re excited to offer an update on the Victoria Hub’s inaugural three months at the Power To Be base camp by Prospect Lake. It has been a memorable start for the Hub, marked by the establishment of our lab and office space, the commencement of weekly sampling off the dock, joining a network of passionate water stewards, and engaging community members at events and workshops.
Having completed the 12th consecutive week of sampling from the Power To Be dock, we have collected a considerable amount of information pertaining to water quality and shifting environmental conditions. Our monitoring has revealed potential issues of concern, including algal blooms and waterfowl waste, which contribute significantly to our understanding of the lake's long-term health and water quality. Numerous wildlife sightings have been documented including Canada geese, kingfishers, seagulls, bass, and even a beaver! During the warmer months, we observed people swimming, boating, fishing, and paddle boarding within the monitoring area, underscoring the importance of the lake as a source of community recreation.
Results
Initial sampling results revealed elevated E.coli levels, exceeding the single sample maximum threshold set by British Columbia’s Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. After reassessment, resampling took place the following week, and the results revealed remarkably low levels. Given that water quality changes like the weather, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause for this extreme outlier result, particularly since it was collected during initial sampling.
Subsequent samples collected have consistently displayed excellent results with minimal E.coli levels, a clear indicator of the need to safeguard this cherished watershed. We are excited to be releasing our year-end report for the Victoria Hub at the start of December. This comprehensive report encompasses water quality results and provides recommendations for monitoring in the upcoming season.
Highlights from the Water
Power to Be has been an incredible partner for the Swim Drink Fish Victoria Hub. In addition to holding space for us to conduct 4 workshops and teach in their programs, Power To Be invited us to attend 3 events hosted on-site including their 25th Anniversary celebration, Have A Go Days, and the the BC Lake Stewardship Society Conference. Having a presence at these events facilitated connections with community groups and organizations conducting similar initiatives that work to promote water stewardship in the region. These connections strengthen our role in collectively working towards safeguarding our waters, providing support, and resources where it is needed.
To date, the Victoria Hub has engaged in water literacy training with 183 people, 41 of whom were youth, and interacted with 289 community members participating in events and activities throughout the 2023 season.
Looking Forward
As we enter the final month of sampling for the season, there is much to look forward to with continued monitoring and community engagement. With the shift in weather, we will see more rainy days which is good news after a prolonged drought. Yet, more rain means more stormwater runoff, so we are curious to see how the water quality changes and whether there are any significant differences in E.coli levels within the lake.
We are also thrilled to announce the delivery of 4 sampling workshops this coming month which will see youth and community engaged in hands-on activities focused on expanding water literacy. We anticipate the rollout of our volunteer portion of the program next season, which will offer community members the opportunity to contribute through community science.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful partner, Power To Be, for being so instrumental to our success in running the program and to all of the staff for welcoming us into your space.
If you would like to hear more about the Victoria Hub and learn how you can become involved, reach out to Katie via email at katiewilson@swimdrinkfish.ca.
