Lakes Data
HRM Lakes Water Quality Sampling Program
(Note that Halifax Harbour Water Quality is also available)
The following results should be taken as an indication of lake water quality at the time of sampling, and may not reflect the average over time. Conditions may change rapidly. Fecal coliform levels above 200/100ml are not recommended for swimming. Lakes may be contaminated for various reasons at any time, and only supervised swimming beaches are tested weekly. Click here for health information.
Please Note: HRM only tests those lakes named on this List of Lakes for the 2009 sampling program (PDF, 14KB). Click here for a map of 2009 sampling locations (JPG, 454KB).
The HRM Lakes Water Quality Sampling program began in May 2006 with 52 lakes. Additional lakes were added in 2007. The intention is to sample these lakes 3 times per year on an ongoing basis.
Bacterial Data 2001 - 2006
- HRM Receiving Water Baseline Sampling Program - Fecal Coliform Results (PDF, 23KB) The Receiving Water Baseline Sampling Program began in August 2001 with the objective of establishing a baseline level of fecal counts in lakes and watercourses that are in proximity to HRM's wastewater infrastructure. The data also provides a potential indication of a wastewater release from HRM or from private sewer infrastructure. Fecal coliform levels above 200/100ml are not recommended for swimming. Click here for health information. Water samples were collected and analysed three (3) times per year, typically during the spring, summer and fall seasons, from the outlet of sixty-two (62) lakes. The bacterial sampling program was merged with the lake sampling program in 2007.
If you have any questions about these programs, please contact Cameron Deacoff, 490-1926.
Invasive Aquatic Species
An invasive aquatic plant, Yellow Floating Heart, has been noted in Little Albro Lake, Dartmouth. This plant resembles native water lilies, but is an invasive Asian species used as a pond ornamental, which can rapidly take over lakes which it invades. It is important not to allow this species to spread to other lakes, which can happen through transport of leaves, roots or flowers. Please refer to the following Fact Sheet (PDF, 174 KB) and the Report to Council (PDF, 523 KB). If you see this plant in other locations, please take a sample for identification and contact your local office of the Provincial Department of Natural Resources.
River Daylighting
HRM has a Policy on River Daylighting. Daylighting (restoration of a natural watercourse which has been enclosed in pipes) will be considered according to criteria in the Policy.
Water Resources Management Strategy
As a foundation for developing a Water Resources Strategy for HRM, a study has been completed on a wide range of water resource issues. HRM is now implementing the recommendations from this study. Details are available through this link:
Water Resources Management -
Study Recommendations and Action Plan
As part of the Water Resources Strategy, HRM has created a Stormwater Management Guidelines Manual (PDF, 4.5MB), which may be used by developers, planners and engineers to help create stormwater management systems which provide protection for waterbodies. See the Staff Report to Council (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Watershed Advisory Boards
HRM has three appointed boards whose mandate is to advise HRM Council on various aspects of lake and watershed management. Details are provided through the links below:
Watersheds
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH of our lakes, rivers and Halifax Harbour is a key priority for
our residents. With the Halifax Harbour Solutions Project, HRM
has come a long way towards addressing the critical problem of
sewage treatment for the harbour. However, lakes, rivers and the harbour are not just affected
by what comes out of our sewer pipes. The surrounding watersheds also provide significant inputs into all waterbodies.
The quality of the water which drains from these watersheds can be affected
by a large range of human activities, such as: clearing of land; siltation and
sedimentation; nutrient runoff from lawns and pet wastes; oil and chemical
runoff from streets and roads; and any other contaminants which people
discharge into streams, rivers and storm drains.
Most storm sewers drain to
the nearest surface water, a stream or lake. These waters all drain into the ocean, and large urban areas within HRM drain into Halifax Harbour. The major
harbour drainage is the Sackville River and it’s tributaries, covering much of Bedford,
Lower and Upper Sackville, and surrounding communities. Large areas of south Dartmouth drain into the harbour or into Cow Bay, while mainland south drains to the outer harbour through Macintosh Run. Areas surrounding the east and western shores of Bedford Basin drain directly to
the Basin.
All of our activities which affect the land also have indirect effects on our lakes, rivers and the ocean waters they drain into. Simple individual actions
can help to preserve and improve the quality and health of these waters:
- Avoid pouring used cleaners, paints, chemicals or other materials down your drains or into stormwater systems such as gutters, ditches, storm
sewers, or streams.
- Remember to pick up after your pet, and dispose of the waste in the trash.
- Limit your use of
lawn fertilizers, or try alternatives such as compost. Remember, “Only
Rain in the Storm Drain”, and that the harbour is connected to all the lands which drain into it.
|
