Work at Marshall Lake almost finished
By Shara JJ Cooper
Work to reduce water levels at Marshall Lake (Providence Dam) is proceeding as planned and is expected to be finished by the end of the month.
City of Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle met with ministry officials in late August and explained they are currently reducing water levels. The next step is to breach the dam and taper down a 10-metre swatch in the centre.
There are still a core of people hoping that the dam will be preserved so the water level and wildlife in the area can be protected. They have contacted ministry officials and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Linda Larson regarding the subject. Larson decided she would not push for the dam to be repaired, but said she would work to increase tourism in the area in the future.
“I, personally, have not been up to Marshall Lake,” she said in an email interview. “Both of my CA’s (constituency assistants) did have an on-sight tour and did give me honest reports. The projected future look and use of the area that Fisheries has presented is a good one.”
John Greaves, a member of Facebook’s Marshall Lake Stewardship Group, was disappointed that the MLA wasn’t supporting their cause and felt the letter she sent directly to him was dismissive of the group’s concerns. He also raised doubts about the Ministry’s intension in protecting and promoting Marshall Lake in the future.
This issue is on the minds of all interested parties.
“My concern is with what we have left at this point,” said Kettle. “I am pushing to see some work done on the shoreline (reseeding) and was told the lake will be on (the Ministry’s) regular routine of restocking starting next year.”
He added that the Ministry has committed to building a floating dock for people to use if they want to fish without a boat.
Kettle said future plans need to involve the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) to find a way to maintain the lake. He suggested one possible route is getting a grant to support the maintenance while also starting a fishing or angling group to increase tourism in the area.
“It is unfortunate that it came down to this and I wish there was some other way,” he said.
Larson reflects his thoughts on the lake’s future.
“I also want to see this become an area that attracts visitors and locals,” she said, noting that it will take time for the lake to recover because nature can’t be rushed — greenery will grow at it’s own rate.
She said her office will follow the list of future plans proposed by the Ministry closely.
“I hope that over time both the safety of everyone below the dam and the desires of the users of this area for recreation will come together with the best for both,” she said. “I will personally visit Marshall Lake and follow the restoration process closely over the next four years.”
