Assessment of Ritchie Lake in Quispamsis reveals water-quality concerns

A new assessment of Ritchie Lake in Quispamsis has revealed sedimentation and water-quality issues, as well as a desire from residents to see the lake's historical value preserved.

"The water quality issues really focused around phosphorus, pesticides, fertilizers — this chloride influence," said Gary Losier, director of engineering and works for the town, on CBC Radio's Information Morning Saint John.

The results, which were presented to town council earlier this week, show that chlorine levels in one part of the lake exceeded the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's long-term concentration guidelines for protection of aquatic life. Losier said road salt could be to blame. 

The same section where chlorine levels were elevated also had the highest levels of E. coli.

The presentation was delivered by Tim Ryan and Angela Dick of Fundy Engineering, which conducted the assessment after the town put out a request for proposals.

The company also found that turbidity increased and clarity decreased after a significant rainfall event in October.

Total phosphorous and nitrogen levels exceeded the New Brunswick Department of Local Government's limit for algal growth, Dick told council.

A survey using a metre stick revealed that sediments were deepest in the northern part of the lake and near the outlet.

"Anything that exposes the soil, whether it's digging for a foundation or digging for a subdivision, or even just a trench in a backyard, would cause loose soil to travel in the flow," said Losier. 

Ritchie Lake Park on Cedar Grove Drive in the heart of Quispamsis features a 300-metre walking trail and unsupervised beach area. Council was also told the number of roads and homes surrounding Ritchie Lake has increased since 1953, as has the population of Quispamsis in general. 

The project also involved surveying residents about the condition of the lake.

"The folks are very vested, you know, it's one of the better survey results that we've had in the town," said Losier.

They had "over 60 people at an open house, well over a couple 100 responses online and mail-out surveys, and they've been pretty consistent with what was found with the actual testing."

The residents' feedback is based on a September open house, 57 mail-out surveys that were returned and 262 online survey responses. 

Council was told that residents do not feel safe swimming in Ritchie Lake because of the amount of silt, the number of beach closures because of E. coli and the risk of getting tangled in marine plants.

Residents have used the lake for swimming, boating, fishing and ice skating historically, the assessment found, and the name Quispamsis is derived from a Wolastaqey term for "little lake."

Information Morning - Saint John8:00Health of Ritchie Lake

Results of a study of the health of Ritchie Lake were shared with Quispamsis council last night. Gary Losier is the Director of Engineering and Works for the Town of Quispamsis he speaks with host Rachel Cave about the results and what they mean for the sustainability of the lake.

But they were mostly concerned about passive uses of the lake, such as a natural habitat for animals and a retention area for storm water, Losier said.

The town now wants to look at applying for provincial funding to do an in-depth survey of the sedimentation, he said, and they also want to conduct regular water monitoring at different times of the year.

But the biggest step, said Losier, is that council has authorized the creation of a community awareness group that will be made up of residents, professionals, town staff and council members.

"That way, we can have an action plan that can be reviewed by this committee, make reports and recommendations back to council, and then council can take that and apply it in the budgets every year."