Swimmers and boaters have been complaining about the excessive amount of weeds and vegetation growing in two Dartmouth lakes forseveral years.
After learning more about why the problem persists, councillors Darren Fisher and Gloria McCluskey want to see a solution to the weed problem at Lake Banook and Lake Micmac.
“There is a lot of silt that got into the lake, and some gravel, and that’s the base for them to take hold,” says McCluskey.
Three options have been put forth for removing the weeds. The first would be to use herbicides to kill them. The second would be to dredge the lake. The third would be to either buy or rent a harvester that would rip up the weeds and then collect them.
A report is being put together for city council to help members decide which option is most viable.
McCluskey says she is in favour of the harvester option.
“We have to do something to clear the lakes of the weed, or we’re going to lose our world class paddling course,” says McCluskey.
In the meantime, Fred Van Horne, facility manager for Canoe Kayak Canada, is busy clearing weeds from Lake Banook’s race course in time for the national qualifier this weekend.
“We will go out and check any weeds that are getting close to the surface and we cut them off, ideally three to four feet below the surface,” says Van Horne.
Van Horne is hoping city council will find a solution to the lake’s weed problem before they interfere with any more races.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Matt Woodman.
