- Lake Windermere Bird Report
- Lake Management Report Card
- Water Monitoring and Restoration
- Lake Management Committee
- Watershed Governance
- Highlights of Directors Meetings
- Columbia Lake
- Local Zoning Bylaws
- Water Sustainability Act
Waterbirds of Lake Windermere
Here you will find more information about what birds can be found making a home on Lake Windermere. In September of 2018 a single-day bird count was conducted on the northern half of Lake Windermere. The one day count in combination with online research (eBird) determined that 165 bird species utilize the habitat on Lake Windermere, 17 of those being at-risk species.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insight into Water Birds of Lake Windermere | N/A | Download |
Lake Windermere Management Plan Report Card
Here you will find more information about the Lake Management Report Card, published in 2017 that includes recommendations for future lake management priorities for the LWA and local governments.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report Card Overview | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan Report Card | N/A | Download |
Water Monitoring and Restoration
Here you will find more information about our scientific monitoring work, including our Terms of Reference, water quality monitoring results and the details about our pilot shoreline restoration program.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Windermere 2018 Aquatic Invasive Plant Sampling Report | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2017 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2017 Aquatic Invasive Species Sampling Report | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2016 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2016 Aquatic Invasive Species Sampling Report | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2015 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2015 Aquatic Plant Survey Report | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2014 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2013 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2012 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere 2011 Water Quality Monitoring Results | N/A | Download | |
| Windermere Creek 2009-2012 Water Quality Monitoring Report | N/A | Download | |
| Shoreline Restoration Pilot Project 2013 - Kinsmen Beach | N/A | Download | |
| Shoreline Restoration Pilot Project 2012 - Kinsmen Beach | N/A | Download | |
| This is Our Watershed - April 10 Workshop Summary | doc | N/A | Download |
Lake Management Committee
These documents pertain to the Lake Windermere Management Committee. The Lake Windermere Ambassadors’ Board of Directors has been given the opportunity to work with two local governments (District of Invermere and Regional District of East Kootenay) as the Lake Management Committee. In this role they will help implement the non-regulatory recommendations of the Lake Windermere Management Plan.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Management Committee 2019-2021 Work Plan | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan (2010) | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Management Committee Terms of Reference (2011) | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan: The Basics | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan: Planning Process | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan: Surface Water Zoning | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Management Plan: Development Permit Areas | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Ambassadors Terms of Reference (2010) | doc | N/A | Download |
| Lake Windermere Ambassadors 5-Year Plan (2011) | doc | N/A | Download |
Watershed Governance
These documents highlight the role the Lake Windermere Ambassadors have played in local and regional watershed governance.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collaborative Watershed Governance - Lessons Learned from Lake Windermere | N/A | Download |
Highlights of Directors Meetings
The Lake Windermere Ambassadors Board of Directors meets every month. These documents summarize the highlights of those meetings, as well as Ambassadors’ activities during that month.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights - June 2017 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - December 16, 2016 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - September 30, 2016 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - May 25, 2016 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - April 1, 2016 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - December 16, 2015 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - October 28, 2015 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - May 27, 2015 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - March 25, 2015 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - December 23, 2014 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - April 23, 2014 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - February 26, 2014 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - August 14, 2013 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - May 22, 2013 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - January 23, 2013 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - November 28, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - Sept 26, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - July 30, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - May 23, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - April 25, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - March 28, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - February 22, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - January 18, 2012 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - November 23, 2011 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - October 26, 2011 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - September 21, 2011 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - August 24, 2011 | N/A | Download | |
| Highlights - July 20, 2011 | N/A | Download |
Columbia Lake
These Reports summarizes the results of water quality and water monitoring activities on Columbia Lake during the 2015 and 2014 seasons.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of 2015 Season Monitoring Program | N/A | Download | |
| Summary of 2014 Season Monitoring Program | N/A | Download |
Local Zoning Bylaws
These bylaws specify Lake Windermere’s water surface zoning requirements for the Regional District of East Kootenay and District of Invermere areas of shoreline.
| Document Title | File Type | Size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional District of East Kootenay - Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, Consolidation | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Water Zoning - North end | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Water Zoning - Middle | N/A | Download | |
| Lake Windermere Water Zoning - South end | N/A | Download | |
| District of Invermere - Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1460, 2012 | N/A | Download |
Water Sustainability Act
The Water Sustainability Act (WSA) initial set of regulations came into effect on February 29, 2016. The new Act was designed to replace the outdated Water Act of 1909.
Due to the number of proposed regulations and policies in the new Act, the provincial government is taking a phased approach to their development, and work in this area is continuing.
The WSA is the principal law for managing the diversion and use of water resources. The WSA provides important new tools and updates B.C.’s strategy for protecting, managing and using water efficiently throughout the province.
Among several changes, the new WSA has introduced new regulations that include:
»» New water rights and licensing requirements for non-domestic groundwater users (e.g., industrial, agricultural)
»» Stronger protection for aquatic ecosystems
»» New fees and rentals for water use
»» Expanded protection of groundwater including new requirements for well construction and maintenance
»» Increased dam safety and awareness, and compliance and enforcement
Much of the old Water Act has been brought into the WSA, and existing surface water rights (following the First in Time, First in Right (FITFIR) allocations) that were granted under the Water Act will continue.
In some circumstances, however, the WSA may change how these surface water rights may be exercised, such as during times of drought or water scarcity.
To learn more, read the following brochure from Living Water Smart: Water Sustainability Act overview brochure