The District of Invermere wants the federal government to take ownership of Lake Windermere’s rock groyne.

District council last night (Feb. 28) unanimously agreed on a resolution directing district administrative staff to notify the federal government that it does not wish to assume ownership of the groyne, better known as the weir at the north end of Lake Windermere. In addition, the federal government is to be advised “that the district does not oppose the removal, re-establishment or for it to remain in its current state.”

District chief administrative officer Chris Prosser reported the town has been working with the feds for over a year on the weir, seeking ideas on what to do with the commonly impacted lake hazard.

“The Lake Windermere Rock Groyne (the Weir) was constructed between 1889 and 1890. The purpose of the weir was to divert the water flow leaving Lake Windermere towards the east bank to promote scouring and maintain a deep, navigable channel to allow steamboats and barges to pass,” Prosser stated in his report to council.

“The weir itself was constructed from wooden timbers, rock, cobles and boulders.  In all likelihood, the timbers were probably treated with creosote and are classified as a contaminating material.  That being said, over time this contamination has decreased and is minimal at this time. It is approximately 205 metres in length and is located on the north end of the lake at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Documentation indicates that since the 1960s, the weir has become a navigable hazard to recreational boat users and has not seen any maintenance since it was constructed.  Based upon the reports submitted, no hydraulic effect is being achieved with the weir in its current state,” he outlined.

“The weir has played some role in this community for 122 years.  From being a functional piece of infrastructure to a boating hazard, it is an identifiable piece of our community that provides a connection to the historical settlement of the region.  That being said, staff is recommending that the district not accept the downloaded responsibility of ownership of the weir in its current state.  Ownership would increase the district risk and liability associated with boating accidents and damage to personal property if not adequately maintained and signed.  The federal government is responsible for navigable waters and boating hazards and it is their responsibility to deal with the weir.  If improvements were proposed by the federal government, including re-establishment of the weir or a boardwalk funded by the federal government, the district would need to re-consider ownership of an improved structure that could be used by the public for passive recreation,” Prosser informed council.

The idea of a boardwalk running atop the weir has been bandied about by different councils and community leaders for several decades.

However, such an endeavour would be costly and difficult to achieve, as each end abuts private land, Prosser said.

Without funding from outside agencies, he said, the district could not afford to construct a boardwalk “for a very, very long time,” he added.

“It doesn’t seem to be a reasonable proposition at this point,” agreed Coun. Spring Hawes.

Mayor Gerry Taft said the idea falls under the category of “it might be nice to have” but isn’t realistic.

Above photo: The weir runs roughly along the line where the water and ice meet.

For a more detailed look go to: https://invermere.civicweb.net/FileStorage/0BD60B998D94495FBEA3DB61CFBDB369-WorkspaceRock%20Groyne%20backup.pdf

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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