LakeObserver
Information for volunteers who are sharing and recording observations about the lake.
Results
2023 so far…
This Spring was hot and dry. Little precipitation and lack of spring melt contributed to a lower water level at Pigeon, and the drastic temperature changes caused ice to push around the lake.
June brought a full week of some much-needed rain which helped raise the water level. Lots of people have commented on the vast amount of perch and minnows compared to previous years
July consisted of hot days and stormy nights. Some algal blooms were spotted around the lake but did not amass anything significant.
Thank you to the volunteers who are helping to collect monthly observations at the lake! As a result of their effort collecting information on lake and shoreline changes, we can better understand Pigeon Lake.
Secchi Dip-In
Information for volunteers who are sharing and recording data about the water clarity.
Results
2023 Results so far…
The July 2022 Secchi Dip-In had an average secchi depth of 258 cm from 27 readings.
Thank you to all our Secchi Dip-In volunteers who have helped us collect water clarity data at Pigeon Lake during out Secchi Dip-In event!
CreekWatch
Information for volunteers who are sharing and recording data about the creeks.
Results
Comparative Data (2013-2023)
Please keep in mind that CreekWatch is a new program (2022), and will take years of consistent sampling to determine a baseline and observe patterns and changes.
Map of sampling locations can be found here
*note TC#1 is no longer sampled, in lieu Zeiner Creek has been added
2023 Results
This year all samples will be analyzed by Bureau Veritas and Dr. Hanington
2022 Results
5 Sampling events took place in 2022 over March, June, July, August and September.
March freshet and June samples were sent to Bureau Veritas Lab to be analyzed for chemical concentrations adjunct to lake health
View the analysis from Bureau Veritas
Summary of Bureau Veritas Analyses: coming
June, July, August and September samples were sent to Dr. Patrick Hanington’s Lab at the University of Alberta to be analyzed for fecal pollution targets.
Summary of Dr. Hanington’s Findings: In 2022 water samples were taken from 9 creeks and outfalls around Pigeon Lake during 4 sampling events. Those samples were analyzed for 3 fecal pollution targets: Enterococcus - general fecal bacteria indicator, RumBac - ruminant fecal bacteria marker, and HF183 - human fecal bacteria marker.
Every sample possessed detectable enterococcus (general fecal bacteria indicator) which is expected for a natural water body. The generally accepted recreational water guidelines for enterococcus are 1280GE/100ml (genome equivalents/100ml). A single water sample collected in 2022 exceeded 1280GE/100ml. This sample (2243.4 GE/100ml) was collected from site TC-2 (Tide Creek - Range Road 22) in July.
Rumbac (ruminant fecal bacteria marker) was detected in several samples, most often SHC (Sunset Harbour Creek) and TC (Tide Creek). The amount is not quantified, just that the bacteria is present.
Hf183 (human fecal bacteria marker) was omitted from the results as it was not detected in any samples.
Thank you to the Summer Villages of Norris Beach and Poplar Bay for providing financial support to CreekWatch
Mussel Monitoring
Results
No invasive mussel species have been observed at Pigeon Lake
2022 Results: