Lake Banook weed problem decision delayed

Lake Banook has a weed problem and the city is still unsure how it wants to deal with it.

Over the past few years, thick weeds have taken over the paddling course.

Councillor Darren Fisher wants to see the matter resolved.

“Every group that uses that lake wants these weeds gone this summer. We wanted them gone last summer and the summer before,” he said.

A study came up with three options for tackling the problem. The options are to continue cutting the weeds with an underwater weed whacker or a mechanical harvester, applying a herbicide or dredging the bottom of the lake.

City staff feel the best way to deal with the problem is using a mechanical harvester. The city’s environment committee considered the recommendation, but put off a decision because it wants more information on a herbicide option.

Herbicides are the cheapest solution, but at a previous public meeting, the community made it clear it wasn’t interested.

The cost of using a harvester would be $182,000 per year.

Councillor Barry Dalrymple says a recent request by a biologist to provide new information on a herbicide has to be considered before a decision can be made.

“There are some risks and issues with each of the options, but we simply want to make sure we have every bit of information possible,” he said.

Before it can carry out any work on the lake, the city must get permission from the province.