Stormwater Lakes - Boating
Stormwater lakes help control flooding during heavy rainstorms. Water quality cannot be guaranteed because the lakes collect street runoff. Water quality deteriorates during and following rainstorms and remains deteriorated for approximately 72 hours after the storm.
The Sewers Bylaw #9425, section 28(1) states "No person shall wade, swim, boat, canoe, surf, sail, fish or conduct other recreational activities which may result in contact with the water in City-owned stormwater management facilities, unless permitted by the City Manager."
Uses permitted by the City Manager:
- For public safety, any activity that may result in direct contact with water in stormwater lakes is prohibited.
- Direct contact activities, which are prohibited, include swimming, wading, fishing, board-sailing, waterskiing, kayaking, scuba diving, and the use of inner tubes and small inflatables. An exception is employees or agents of the City scuba diving for facility maintenance.
- Children should be supervised to make sure they do not make direct contact with the storm water.
- Any interested group or individual will be allowed to use stormwater lakes for non‑direct contact activities at their own risk.
- Non‑direct contact activities include boating activities with boats propelled solely by human power such as paddle boats or canoes. Instructional classes for inexperienced boaters, however, are prohibited.
- No person shall use or operate on any stormwater lake a boat powered by a motor unless such boat is a scale model reproduction no more than 10 kg in weight operated between the hours of 10am-10pm. An exception is employees or agents of the City engaged in water quality monitoring or facility operation and maintenance.
- Sailboating on stormwater lakes is prohibited due to the relatively small water surface area available on most stormwater lakes and because of the possibility of direct contact.
- Signs will be posted by Drainage Operations when stormwater lakes are treated with herbicide for the purposes of algae control. Signs will remain in place for 48 hours after treatment, during which time boating is prohibited.
- Public vehicular access to stormwater lakes is prohibited. Vehicles must remain on public roadways when launching boats.
- Boating as specified in these guidelines will not be permitted on wetlands to avoid damage to aquatic vegetation.
- Boating as specified in these guidelines will be permitted from the beginning of the Victoria Day weekend until the end of Canada's Thanksgiving Day.
- These guidelines should not be considered permanent policy. They are subject to review and reinstatement on an annual basis.
For more information:
Parks - General Information, River Valley Park Rangers
In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
311@edmonton.ca
