Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the preservation of shorelines important?

• Shorelines provide food, homes, shelter, breeding grounds and spaces to live in for plants and creatures large and small - from the tiniest of organisms, to insects and grass, to bigger animals like beaver, otters and deer, and all sorts of birds.
• The riparian zone, a strip of land along the water's edge, acts like a giant sponge. All of the plants that grow in this area help to filter out pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers that would otherwise degrade the quality of the water. This sponge also sucks up extra water that seeps into the lake from rain and run-off. By doing this, shorelines help prevent flooding.
• Algal blooms can be caused by excess runoff from soil disturbance, sewage (leaky septic systems), chemical detergents, and fertilizers. Cyanobacteria can harm humans and kill off fish and other wildlife due to a huge increase in toxins.

Are Float Planes allowed to land on Cusheon Lake?

No. It is illegal since Cusheon Lake is a schedule 3 lake under the Canada Shipping Act 2001, Vessel Restriction Regulations. These regulations are enforced by the RCMP and BC Conservation Officers. It is an electric motor only lake. This helps to perserve the shoreline.

Why is it important to preserve our trees?

The lake's trees serve many roles.

• They provide oxygen for all of the lake's teeming life-forms, including humans.
• They are nature's natural air conditioners, blocking out the sun to shade and cool the homes of humans and wildlife.
• They prevent soil erosion, which is crucial to reducing the threat of potentially dangerous algal blooms. A 2001 study by Dr. Ellie Prepas, states "following an average of 15% tree removal, phosphorous concentrations increased by an average of 40% in lakes with a two-fold increase in cyanobacterial biomass and a ten fold increase in cyanotoxin concentration." This is a very dramatic increase.

What Causes Algal Blooms?

Too much phosphorous in lake water causes algal blooms and thick beds of waterweeds. These contaminants clog drinking water filters; require ever-increasing levels of chlorination and causes unpleasant odours and unpleasant tasting drinking water. Some types of algae can be toxic to humans and animals, alike. Phosphorus gets in the water system through all the ways mentioned on the pollution problems page.

 

Beware
The Ribbon of Life