Healthy lakes support biodiversity, provide clean water, and offer year-round recreation for nearby communities. In a province home to over 600 lakes, these freshwater gems make up just 2% of North Saskatchewan River watershed's (NSRW) landscape - and they need our protection.
Understanding and conserving these lakes is key to maintaining the health of the entire watershed. On the Lake Stewardship Page, access lake-friendly resources, information about the NSRW's lakes, and learn about the lake stewardship groups working to make a difference.
Most of the NSRW's lakes don't have the postcard-perfect sandy beaches you might expect. That’s because many of them were formed from glacial depressions and are naturally shallow, with soft, vegetative shores.
- In the Alpine and western-Foothills Reaches, deep, clear lakes are fed by glacial water. They tend to range from oligotrophic (low nutrient levels, highly oxygenated and clear) to mesotrophic (moderate clarity and oxygen levels).
- Shallow Parkland Reach lakes warm up faster and are more prone to oxygen shortages and algae growth—especially when excess nutrients are introduced through runoff. These lakes are eutrophic (low clarity, high phosphorous levels & algal growth)
- A unique cluster of lakes lie nestled in the Parkland Reach's Carvel Pitted Delta. These lakes show a diversity of trophic levels within a relatively small area. Some are deep kettle lakes formed following glacial retreat, and have significant groundwater connection.
- In the central-Parkland and Prairie Reaches, many lakes are shallow and eutrophic. Some of these conditions are natural for the region’s geology and climate, however, human activity also plays a big role.
Search Lake Resources
For general lake reports, studies, presentations.
External Lake Resources
(contacts, links, funding) related to:
- water quality
- lake care
- blue-green algae
- invasive species
- riparian health & shoreline regulations
Info Sheets for Lakeshore Residents & Stewards
Lake Stewardship Community of Practice
The LSCOP is hosted by the Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS). NSWA gives in-kind support by helping organize the meetings and facilitate discussions.
The objectives of the Community of Practice are to connect, invigorate, and engage Alberta’s lake watershed stewards.
Join the Lake Stewardship Community of Practice Facebook Group
This project showcases how to naturally restore the green belts along rivers, creeks, and wetlands, called riparian areas. These vegetated areas do a lot of heavy lifting for water quality, wildlife and ecosystem health.
This project also supports lake stewards and regional groups by looking at where they may have gaps in their communications materials. The project supports lake monitoring and the Lake Stewardship Community of Practice that is spearheaded by the Alberta Lake Management Society.
This project is generously supported by Pembina Pipeline.
Learn more about the project Regional Lake Stewardship Project.
WHAT: An extensive water quality study of lakes west of Edmonton
WHERE: The Carvel Pitted Delta in the Parkland Region
WHO: Citizen scientists, Mayatan Lake Management Association (MLMA), Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS), University of Alberta water scientists, and other experts
WHY: Many of these unnamed and named lakes had never been studied, but are amazingly clear, like lakes usually found in foothill and mountain regions.
FUNDERS: Land Stewardship Centre (Watershed Stewardship Grant Program)
Read the inspiring story behind this collaborative and citizen science project.
The results of these studies are included in reports on the ALMS website.
Check out some footage of these lovely lakes!
WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP GROUPS
Lake stewardship groups are the superheroes and guardians of our water sources. They're made up of people from all walks of life, coming together to protect our local lakes. From individuals to big companies, rural to urban, these volunteers work together to set goals so our lakes stay healthy and vibrant for years to come.
- Not-for-profit organization made up of concerned lakeside citizens
- Committed to the health of Antler Lake, and the Antler Lake watershed and ecosystem
- Work toward healthy lakes, water quality, and watersheds for Baptiste and Island Lakes
- Recognize the importance of living within the capacity of the natural environment to provide sustainable recreational, residential, agricultural and industrial benefits
- Regional non-profit whose members mainly live in the four neighbouring municipalities
- Conserve the Big Lake wetlands, through advocacy, public education, stewardship, and data collection programs
- Promotes local stewardship and protection of lake ecosystems and water quality
- Focuses on the impacts of current and future development
- Committed to keeping the lake healthy for both residents and visitors for over 25 years
- Works closely with Parkland County and the Government of Alberta to address lake ecosystem challenges for long-term sustainability
- A non-profit society promotes the preservation of Lake Isle and Lac Ste Anne Lake
- Maintains and improves the quality of these lakes
- Address issues affecting the interests of the Mayatan Lake community
- Advocate, take action and educate the public and residents about local lake issues
- A community that shares its collective responsibility to be good stewards of the Wabamun Lake environment
- The Council guides development, management, and stewardship of Wabamun Lake through collaborative watershed planning, research, and public education
- This stewardship group works towards enhancing and protecting the sustainability and enjoyment of Wizard Lake for the benefit of all its users and watershed inhabitants