Category Archives: Water Quality

New legislation would give Minister of Housing “absolute power and discretion” over all planning and development in Halifax 13Oct2023

UPDATE: Halifax considers taking Nova Scotia to court over controversial housing Bill 329 – Suzanne Rent in the Halifax Examiner, Oct 18, 2023. Intro in in Morning File ———— This is not good news, and is eerily eerily reminiscent of … Continue reading

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Please keep an eye out for possible dead eels in Sandy Lake and other lakes 15Sep2023

It’s a request from Chris Kennedy of the LakeWatchers program sent to Karen Robinson of the Sandy Lake Conservation Association who forwarded it to me. Says Karen R: “Chris Kennedy sent a request that we keep an eye out for … Continue reading

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Who is monitoring water level in Sandy Lake? 2Sep2023

UPDATE  Sep 4, 2023: There is still – a month and more after the Big Precipitation Events –  a lot of water being held back by the intact landscape. See below ——— Sandy Lake fan and top Sandy Lake iNaturalist … Continue reading

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Sandy Lake (Bedford, NS) limnological profiles reveal freshening and oxygenation of the water column after extreme rain events; and a worrisome “Metalimnion Oxygen Minimum” 2Sep2023

After  extreme precipitation events earlier in the summer of 2023, the entire  water column had lower conductivity values ( a measure of salt content) on Aug 14 compared to May 22  and bottom waters on Aug 14 were better oxygenated … Continue reading

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“Here’s what Halifax wants you to know about blue green algae” 28Jul2023

That’s the title of an article in the Halifax Examiner by Zane Woodford, July 28, 2023. The article describes what to look out for, how to distinguish BGA (Blue-green algae) from pollen or even an oil spill. “The difference is … Continue reading

Posted in Recreation, Sandy Lake, Water Quality, watershed | Leave a comment

Regarding Case 23307 – Bedford West subareas 12 & 1 Special Planning Area 25Jul2023

Initial Comments  in reference to the request for public feedback on Case 23307 – Bedford West subareas 12 & 1 Special Planning Area. I have spent some time in this area as a retired Biology Prof/naturalist looking at the landscape … Continue reading

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Public input sought Wed July 26 regarding Bedford West subareas 12 & 1 (within Sandy Lake watershed) 24Jul2023

UPDATE: “ – Public Open House is Postponed. Please note that due to the ongoing storm recovery, the Public Open House will be rescheduled to another day in the near future. We will update this page once a date is confirmed.” … Continue reading

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“Wastewater Pump Station – Sandy Lake, Bedford Until further notice there is no recreational activity in Sandy Lake, Bedford” 23July2023

UPDATE JULY 26, EVENING:

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Beach at Sandy Lake (Bedford, NS) closed due to high bacteria levels 13Jul2023

Update ug 2, 2023: E. coli results from the Beach Monitoring program at Sandy Lake indicate very low levels of E . coli at 5 locations across Sandy Lake Beach, ranging from ‘Non-detect to 4.0 CFU/100ml. Samples were taken on … Continue reading

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Deep water oxygen levels in Sandy Lake (Bedford, NS) fall to precariously low levels 21Mar2023

  UPDATE June 21, 2023: A set of Independent observations I have just learned about are consistent with our observations of low oxygen at depth, and additionally provide evidence of internal P loading. See below UPDATE June 17, 2023: Clarification … Continue reading

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