Welcome to the Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan Website
  • A Place to Cherish
    A Place to Cherish
  • Working Together
    Working Together
    The Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan is all about working together for a common cause: a clean and healthy Pigeon Lake. Together we can make a difference!
  • Clean Runoff
    Clean Runoff
    Runoff from the land contains nutrients which enters the lake and increases the blue green algae. Collectively we can improve runoff water quality with a variety of actions.
  • Fertilizers and Soil Management
    Fertilizers and Soil Management
    Nutrients make the lake productive, which includes the promotion of algae including cyanobacteria, also referred to as Blue-Green Algae. 1 lb of phosphorus = at least 500 lbs of algae.
  • Riparian Restoration and Protection
    Riparian Restoration and Protection
    Transitional zones around the Lake and alongside tributaries are the last chance to filter nutrients before they run into the lake. A healthy shoreline protects the lake and is required for 80% of all the living organisms in the watershed!
  • For Future Generations
    For Future Generations

The health of Pigeon Lake is at risk in large part because of how we have lived, worked and played around the lake.

The Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan (PLWMP) Goal: 

To improve the watershed’s natural environment and water quality by recommending action-oriented watershed policies and best practices that support the long-term health, protection and restoration of the watershed.

Endorsed by the watershed community, this collaborative initiative is producing a series of action recommendations, created with the input of local leaders and watershed experts and the Alberta Government.  Taking action is a responsibility of each Pigeon Lake resident, business and municipality. Together we can make a difference!  (see About).

This process marries the science and social considerations as practices and regulations are identified that people will support.  PLWA members, subscribers and PLWMP subscribers receive updates, notices and  on-line surveys to voice opinions and help shape the plan.  See “How to get Involved” below.

Email plwmpinfo@gmail.com or go to www.plwa.ca and sign up.

Progress:

10-10-2015 PLWMP Progress

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Draft – Clean Runoff Action Guide

for Pigeon Lake Residents

View Guide related Information and References

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PLWMP TOPICS & Progress  

Topic by topic, the committees work on its watershed measures to improve the health of Pigeon Lake and its watershed.   Find the list of potential topics:  the topics completed, in progress and not-started-yet. 

Learn about each topic, the committee work, progress, research collected, survey results, and depending on how far along, the recommendations and best practices.

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What’s New:

    2016 – July – Preliminary Clean Runoff Action Guide!

2015 – July – EcoAction Funding for the Clean Runoff Topic!

2015 – Spring – Working hard to find funding to kick off Topic 3.

 2015 – Spring – Learned that other Alberta watershed municipalities are also starting to use the PLWMP Model Land Use Bylaw as intended to review their regulations for new and redevelopment in the watershed.  YEAH!

August 2014:  PLWMP Cosmetic Fertilizer Survey Results

July 2014:  Pigeon Lake Phosphorus Budget or Executive Summary

June 2014 – Model Land Use Bylaw:  Lakeshore Environmental Development Provisions

May 2014 – What, why and how…. to care for you lawn is being posted in the Cosmetic Fertilizer Topic and on the www.plwa.ca.

The PLWA keeps members and subscribers informed.  If you are not already connected sign up now!

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Read The PLWMP 2013 Engagement Report: What We Heard, Conclusions & Next Steps, read the results & quotes from the 1st PLWMP Survey OR   A Few Highlights (Email sent)

know-your-watershed   Know Your Watershed Find maps and other information here that may become part of the updated Pigeon Lake Atlas. Read more… plwmp-sunset   Brief Explanation of the PLWMP Learn a little more about the PLWMP or use the link for the full Terms of Reference here. Read more… plwa-box   Your PLWA The watershed members association working to educate, advocate, inform and protect the lake. Read more…
 
plwmp-event   PLWMP Events Overviews and pictures of key PLWMP events that have taken place.       Read more… plwmp-sunrise   Water Quality A critical part of the PLWMP work. Read more… how-to-be-involved   How to get Involved Want a healthier lake?  Find out the different ways to support and/or participate.  Read more…

Announcements, Key Items & Events

Science Updates . . .  Extensive water studies in 2011-13 have been undertaken to guide the work of improving the water quality.

1.  A 2013 Overview of Pigeon Lake Water Quality, Sediment Quality & Non-fish Biota Report  Released August 2014.  Authored by the Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS) it summarizes all of studies done and the findings.  

2.  The Pigeon Lake Phosphorus Budget.  July 2014  The Full Report and an Executive Summary are now available. Keeping in mind that the nitrogen correlation to chlorophyll-a (including algae) is very similar to that of phosphorus, it shows the sources of nutrients going into the lake and in the lake.

The PLWMP 2013 Engagement Report: What We Heard, Conclusions & Next Steps

 

 

PLWMP Public Events:

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Healthy Watershed  •  Healthy Lake  •  Healthy Communities