Lake Lisgar dredging project given approval by council

Silt is impacting the north end of Lake Lisgar, reducing the depth and creating small islands. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Lake Lisgar should be a better environment for fish, fowl and all types of wildlife with the completion of dredging and installation of a silt trap this fall.

Council approved sole sourcing the installation of an access road, dredging and the silt trap at Monday night’s meeting.

The issue is in the north end of the lake, where Stony Creek flows into it. As it crosses sandy soil, the creek transports sand and silt, which deposit in the lake. The lake was formed more than 100 years ago when Thomas Hardy dammed the creek for a mill pond. The town then purchased it for firefighting purposes.

The Lake Lisgar Revitalization Committee first identified the work needed to stop the siltation of the north end of the lake.

“The sediment infiltration at the north end of the lake has decreased water levels to the point of being impassable by small watercraft. The infiltration has created a number of small islands and continues to intrude further south through the lake,” the report to council on the subject stated.

A silt trap, which requires a clean out every three to four years, will trap the sand from going further into the lake. The report identified one of the challenges is building a maintenance platform on the bank for a long-arm excavator to operate from for dredging and ongoing silt trap maintenance. The access laneway will allow the equipment to be moved into place.

The report to council Monday night requested approval for sole sourcing the work and not following the town’s normal tendering process due to limited availability of the long-arm excavator needed for the work.

“They have extensive site knowledge of the lake. They know the requirements, they know the history. They also have the equipment they need to reach the area we need reached,” Director of Recreation, Culture and Parks Andrea Greenway told council.

The report also identified challenges of scheduling two companies to complete the work within their schedule and the timelines allowed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Long Point Region Conservation Authority.

The proposed work is included in the 2026 mayor’s budget approved by council at $150,000. Estimates are it will cost $141,802.

Answering a question from Deputy Mayor Dave Beres on the timeline involved, Greenway said the work will be done as soon as possible.

Councillor Chris Rosehart questioned if the road will be left in place or restored. Greenway answered it will be left in place to allow ongoing work as necessary.

Council approved the work with sole sourcing.