Cumberland BC: The Cumberlander Articles Section
Regional · 3rd December 2009
Janet Thomas
Have you ever been to Langley Lake? If not, please take a look at the photo below as well as clicking here for video.
It is mind-boggling that such a small, shallow lake Langley Lake is going to service the drinking water needs of Kensington, a mega-development of nearly 3500 homes, several hotels, and 160,000 square feet of retail space.
Reports have been made by local residents of the Union Bay area that extensive logging has been done in the Langley Lake watershed recently. The view in the photo below and video confirm the tremendous amount of logging and changes to the watershed that have taken place over the past few years.
Previous aerial photography from 1994 to 2005 showed the percentage of logging in the watershed growing from 7% to 40%. It is now more than that with evidence of new logging north and west of the Langley Lake dam, and also on the north side--about 100 metres from the Lake, and extensive logging being done on the south side, the most important part of the watershed.
WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?
Logging will not allow the watershed to act like a sponge and retain water for the drier months of summer. Without the existence of trees in the watershed, there is flash flooding during rainy months so that rainfall just bounces off the soil like rain falling on porcelain. Then there's very limited rainwater stored in the watershed in the summer months which could easily lead to severe water restrictions.
None of this data has been presented in Kensington water reports. It is a crucial piece of the drinking water puzzle, especially for such a small, shallow lake like Langley Lake. Approximately 3/4 of the lake is 5 metres or less in depth. And those peat islands reduce the storage even more.
Will the water supply needs of the Kensington development drain Langley Lake dry?
Even with raising the Langley Lake dam (and will that even be possible?) at 3.8 million dollars or whatever the latest estimate would be, the water supply won't last for more than a few more years at best. And then where does the community go for water? The Regional Water plan is a long way off.
The citizens of Union Bay are bound to end up "high and dry".
It is mind-boggling that such a small, shallow lake Langley Lake is going to service the drinking water needs of Kensington, a mega-development of nearly 3500 homes, several hotels, and 160,000 square feet of retail space.
Reports have been made by local residents of the Union Bay area that extensive logging has been done in the Langley Lake watershed recently. The view in the photo below and video confirm the tremendous amount of logging and changes to the watershed that have taken place over the past few years.
Previous aerial photography from 1994 to 2005 showed the percentage of logging in the watershed growing from 7% to 40%. It is now more than that with evidence of new logging north and west of the Langley Lake dam, and also on the north side--about 100 metres from the Lake, and extensive logging being done on the south side, the most important part of the watershed.
WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?
Logging will not allow the watershed to act like a sponge and retain water for the drier months of summer. Without the existence of trees in the watershed, there is flash flooding during rainy months so that rainfall just bounces off the soil like rain falling on porcelain. Then there's very limited rainwater stored in the watershed in the summer months which could easily lead to severe water restrictions.
None of this data has been presented in Kensington water reports. It is a crucial piece of the drinking water puzzle, especially for such a small, shallow lake like Langley Lake. Approximately 3/4 of the lake is 5 metres or less in depth. And those peat islands reduce the storage even more.
Will the water supply needs of the Kensington development drain Langley Lake dry?
Even with raising the Langley Lake dam (and will that even be possible?) at 3.8 million dollars or whatever the latest estimate would be, the water supply won't last for more than a few more years at best. And then where does the community go for water? The Regional Water plan is a long way off.
The citizens of Union Bay are bound to end up "high and dry".
resident
Comment by Bunny Shannon on 11th April 2011
Great photos, Janet! Thanks for all your diligence!
Great photos, Janet! Thanks for all your diligence!
Mr
Comment by Thorn on 5th December 2009
Many thanks for the aerial footage. I wish everyone could not only see the video but also understand the implications of logging. There is a property next to mine that has been cleared recently and has thus become a runway for water. The natural fauna held the water prior and now it is a complete mess. We humans just never seem to learn. Sit on your hands - you don't have a chance, present the facts - you are a radical. We Canadians really need to start to thinking seriously for ourselves, following the sheppard is like going to the guillotine. Sooner or later enough people will get it and there will be a huge public display and outcry. Lets hope it's soon.
Many thanks for the aerial footage. I wish everyone could not only see the video but also understand the implications of logging. There is a property next to mine that has been cleared recently and has thus become a runway for water. The natural fauna held the water prior and now it is a complete mess. We humans just never seem to learn. Sit on your hands - you don't have a chance, present the facts - you are a radical. We Canadians really need to start to thinking seriously for ourselves, following the sheppard is like going to the guillotine. Sooner or later enough people will get it and there will be a huge public display and outcry. Lets hope it's soon.
The other reason for clear cutting
Comment by Ron on 5th December 2009
You didn't mention the other reason for clear cutting - open pit or UG coal mining.
No lake, no trees: easier to do the mining, no water in the tunnels. On the other side where to get the water to wash the coal? Some other watershed!! an empty lake would hold many ,000,000 tons of tailings
You didn't mention the other reason for clear cutting - open pit or UG coal mining.
No lake, no trees: easier to do the mining, no water in the tunnels. On the other side where to get the water to wash the coal? Some other watershed!! an empty lake would hold many ,000,000 tons of tailings
Thank You
Comment by Mary Reynolds on 5th December 2009
Anyone living in Union Bay knows our water supply is questionable. Unfortunately, our own local government, the Union Bay Improvement District, is determined to push Kensington Island Properties through, no matter what the cost to residents.
Brian McMahon, VP of KIP has the UBID in his pocket (and bed) with 2 of the sitting Trustees publicly endorsing this project even though these same trustees are to "negotiate" with McMahon.
It doesn't matter what McMahon promises regarding jobs, amenities, etc. if we run out of water. What community can exist without water?
How can the Regional District consider this massive development when none of this data has been presented in Kensington water reports?
Anyone living in Union Bay knows our water supply is questionable. Unfortunately, our own local government, the Union Bay Improvement District, is determined to push Kensington Island Properties through, no matter what the cost to residents.
Brian McMahon, VP of KIP has the UBID in his pocket (and bed) with 2 of the sitting Trustees publicly endorsing this project even though these same trustees are to "negotiate" with McMahon.
It doesn't matter what McMahon promises regarding jobs, amenities, etc. if we run out of water. What community can exist without water?
How can the Regional District consider this massive development when none of this data has been presented in Kensington water reports?