By rdnewsNOW staff

three available for recreational use

Lacombe updates stormwater use policy

Nov 10, 2020 | 12:26 PM

Lacombe city council approved an updated Stormwater Pond (SWP) Policy, which officials say accurately maps out public use and service levels provided at the various ponds throughout the community.

Three stormwater ponds in Lacombe are available for recreational use at Cranna Lake, Iron Wolf and Royal Oak.

The City of Lacombe will not manage all other ponds in Lacombe, so city officials say use of them will be at the user’s own risk.

The approved policy will manage public use of the SWPs, inform the public of restrictions and criteria for recreational use, and reduce the potential health and safety risks associated with the ponds’ public use.

The City’s Operations and Planning department will continue to manage stormwater ponds in Lacombe, including evaluating conditions, providing repairs and decommissioning them when necessary. Public use will be dependent upon measuring ice thickness, and City staff will measure ice weekly. In the summer months, City staff will also monitor water currents to gauge safe use.

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High-risk zones will also be consistently evaluated to ensure public safety.

“The City of Lacombe is one of the rare municipalities that allows residents to use Stormwater Ponds for winter recreational use,” Director of Community Services Deborah Juch said. “It was essential to City Administration to create a policy which allows for this winter pastime, while also informing the community of the inherent risks associated with frozen ponds.

“We ask that citizens stay up-to-date on the ice thickness and stability of these three ponds.”

Lacombe residents are asked to obey all warning signs related to ice thickness and access. Additionally, vehicles must not be driven on SWP – excluding City-approved snowblowers and other ice-cleaning equipment.