July 18, 2026: Guided Hike at Sandy Lake

Posted on July 5, 2026 by admin

‘Received this info today:

Click on image for larger version

“Save Our Old Forests and the The Dirt Gang both recently joined the Sandy Lake – Sackville River Regional Park Coalition. We’re excited to co-host a guided hike at Sandy Lake Regional Park to help our members get to know this area! Coalition member Karen McKendry will lead the hike through the park, exploring the trails and waters of this incredibly biodiverse area. On the hike you will learn more about the threats to the area and who to engage with to have your say about the fate of Sandy Lake.

“Register by emailing Karen McKendry at karenmckkendry@ecologyaction.ca

“Karen will provide final details and directions to registered participants.”

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On the use of electrical conductivity measurements in citizen science monitoring of “pollution” of surface waters in the Halifax NS region 24Jun2026

Posted on June 24, 2026 by admin

Volunteer Bruce S. measuring stream EC and Temperature on Oct 2, 2020, upper Johnson’s Brook (Sandy Lake watershed)
Click on images for larger versions

At a get-together of volunteers in the Halifax LakeWatchers program earlier this year, a participant asked what observations could be made by volunteers outside of the prescribed limnological sampling.

I suggested that a lot can be learned from measurements of electrical conductivity & temperature using inexpensive “pocket meters”; I commented that I always carry one in the field and routinely measure surface water EC (electrical conductivity) and temperature any time I cross a stream or walk by a lake. In the ensuing discussion, there was general agreement that such measurements can indeed by very informative. Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Sackvile River Watershed, Sandy Lake, Water Quality, watershed | Leave a comment

On our Wabanaki Forest & National Indigenous Peoples Day 21Jun2026

Posted on June 21, 2026 by admin

Wbanaki Forest by Peverill’s Brook where it opens up onto Marsh Lake

On June 21, 2026, we in the northern hemisphere celebrate the summer solstice, as our ancestors have done since prehistoric times.

Since June 21, 2017, the day is also known as Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day:

In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many Indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

Just over the last 5 years, the day has gained a deeper meaning for Canadians of settler lineage  as we began to seriously reflect on a dark truth about the country most of us have viewed as so embracing of peoples of all races and cultures: our collective role historically and ongoing in the debasement, indeed attempted genocide, of our indigenous peoples. Continue reading →

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Developer to Premier: Sandy Lake limnological observations are “pseudo-science” 23May2026

Posted on May 23, 2026 by admin

Deep water oxygen levels in Sandy Lake towards the end of the summer stratification period.  (Click on image for larger version.) These data, and other Water Quality data we collected or compiled were “ignored” in the  NS Gov/HRM Background Studies for Sandy Lake released Jan 27, 2025. View Post of July 25, 2025 for details. 

In a message to the Premier in the fall of 2024, revealed in a FOIPOP, a senior executive with Clayton Developments Ltd contended that the Sandy Lake limnological observations are “pseudo-science” conducted “on behalf of the residents currently residing on Sandy Lake”.

In addition to the observations that were conducted entirely under my supervision in  2017 and 2019,  the pseudo-science  includes, apparently, observations conducted under the direction of and according to the protocols of the Halifax’s LakeWatchers program (2022 onwards) and observations obtained entirely independently by Dalhousie University researchers in 2021.

Coincidentally or not, the NS Gov/HRM sponsored Sandy Lake Watershed Study and Stormwater Management Plan, released Jan 27, 2025, cites none of these limnological observations while  the consultants’ limnological profiles, obtained in 2023 ,  extended to only 10 m depth, not sufficient to characterize this dimictic lake  of max. depth 21 m.

Read more

Posted in Community, Sackvile River Watershed, Sandy Lake, Water Quality, watershed | Leave a comment

Apr 23 on Sandy Lake: Spring LakeWatcher sampling, pair of loons sighted 23Apr2026

Posted on April 24, 2026 by admin

A mass of mussel shells by the shore
Click on images for larger versions

I wasn’t looking forward to conducting the spring limnological observations today on Sandy Lake; rain, cool temps and winds were forecast.

However, it turned out to be a near ideal day. There was no wind – that really helps when we’re trying to stay in one place; and no rain. Even the sun came out for a short period.

Where we – the “Sandy Lake Volunteers” – set our boat into the west side of  Sandy Lake, there was a mass of mussel shells in the shallows; they’re likely the work of otters which are often seen on the lake. Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, natural history, Sandy Lake, Water Quality | Leave a comment

Concerns about flooding at the the Eisner Cove Wetland development project are ongoing 26Mar2026

Posted on March 26, 2026 by admin

Screenshot of the CH article heading. Reads the caption: “Lil MacPherson is seen in front of a drainage ditch at the Eisner Cove Wetland, which some have said is experiencing drainage and flooding issues since being developed. She originally campaigned against its development. There are now two pumps seen at the location. PHOTO BY TIM KROCHAK /THE CHRONICLE HERALD”

View One battle after another: Activists raise concerns about flooding at Dartmouth development project
By Josh Healey in the Chronicle Herald Mar 26, 2026.

Some extracts, bolding inserted:

“Lil MacPherson can’t help but feel disappointed whenever she sees the Eisner Cove Wetland development project. “I drive by all the time, look in and just shake my head,” the local business owner and environmental activist told The Chronicle Herald. “It’s just a shame, a real shame.” Several groups originally opposed the development of the 12-hectare wetland situated near the Southdale area of Dartmouth. They fought to preserve the area, citing the positive impacts of the wetland on the wildlife and waterways… Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Halifax Green Network, Sandy Lake, watershed | Leave a comment

“Hammonds Plains to Highway 101 Connector Project Begins” 19Mar2026

Posted on March 19, 2026 by admin

Extract from figure in Premier’s Office/Public Works News Release Oct24,2024 Inserted light blue coloration of Sandy Lake (SL)

So reads the heading for a NS Public Works News Release of Mar 16, 2026.

Among other impacts it would (will), with the Sandy Lake SPA,  take out what currently remains of a significant wildlife corridor between the Chebucto Peninsula and the greater NS mainland.

 

From the News Release: Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conservation, Halifax Green Network, Sackvile River Watershed, Sandy Lake, watershed | Leave a comment

SMU Group collects more info. on Sandy Lake, now through the ice! 3Mar2026

Posted on March 3, 2026 by admin

Sampling zooplankton

‘Just received from Jessica Yonker at SMU in an e-mail sent to the Sandy Lake Volunteers who facilitated their obtaining observations on Feb 20, 2026.

The SMU observations are a contribution to the “Thin Ice Network” project, run out of U of Missouri.

The Sandy Lake component developed following earlier observations conducted on Sandy Lake by the SMU group in collaboration with the Sandy Lake Volunteers, some of it documented in a recent scientific paper.

Writes Jessica: Continue reading →

Posted in climate Warming, Sackvile River Watershed, Sandy Lake, Water Quality, watershed | Leave a comment

“Advocates call for greater protection for lakeshores amid growing development” – CBC News 30Dec2025

Posted on December 31, 2025 by admin

Surely pertinent to Sandy Lake!

See Advocates and residents say stronger regulations are needed to protect N.S. lakeshores
by Moira Donovan · CBC News Dec 30, 2025

The article describes the efforts of two lakeside residents on Molega Lake in SW Nova Scotia to do what they thought was the right thing to protect the lakeshore, bringing in fill and planting it with tall grasses.  They followed all of the rules… but it didn’t work, and they called on Transcoastal Adaptations, a research group called  based at Saint Mary’s University, to help them correct it all.

The article goes on to describe the growing concerns about impacts of shoreside  developments in watersheds of the South Shore. Continue reading →

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Wed Nov 12,2025 Public Open House on Sandy Lake Special Planning Area

Posted on October 27, 2025 by admin

Deep water oxygen levels in Sandy Lake towards the end of the summer stratification period.  (Click on image for larger version.) The latest measurements, by St. Mary’s University limnology folks, recorded the lowest values yet observed. All of these data, and other Water Quality data we collected or compiled were “ignored” in the NS Gov/HRM Background Studies for Sandy Lake. View Post of July 25, 2025 for more details.
Click on image for a larger version
Update Nov 13, 2025: For the SL Volunteer observations, I modified the symbols to show which observations were conducted in collaboration with and according to the protocols of the HRM LakeWatchers Program. That followed a discussion with a Clayton Developments rep. at the open house in which he expressed concerns about our methodology and commented that their own observations (which he said were confidential and could not be shared) have not shown similar low oxygen values. Note that all of the very low oxygen (hypoxic) values (2 mg/L and less) in the diagram were observed by currently active (as opposed to retired) academic researchers (*Doucet and SMU observations)  or by Sandy Lake Volunteers in collaboration with and following the procedures of the Halifax LakeWatchers program; those data are also reported on the Halifax LakeWatchers website.  The anomalously high value in 2023 occurred following heavy precipitation/flooding which disrupted the summer stratification; the values dipped again the next year. Even in 2023, the peculiar “Metalimnetic Oxygen Minimum” in shallower waters was retained, and was recorded (but not commented on) by Stantec in their Watershed Report – see  Comments Doc, Fig 1, page 3, and Section 5B, pages 13-15

UPDATE NOV 13, 2025:
View:
– Halifax residents raise traffic, environmental concerns with Sandy Lake development
Haley Ryan · CBC News
– 8,000 housing units on the shores of Sandy Lake in Bedford? Neighbours have their say
Jen Taplin for the Chronicle Herald
– Residents raise concerns about proposed development near Halifax’s Sandy Lake
By Jesse Thomas CTV News, with Video.

ORIGINAL POST
Received via a local resident of Sandy Lake:
—-Notice of Public Open House—-

A public open house is taking place on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 at Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Highway, Bedford. The purpose is to share information on the planning process and development proposals by landowners, and to collect public feedback. Three sessions are being held at the following times:

10am to 12pm
2pm to 4pm
6:30pm to 8:30p.m. Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Conservation, Halifax Green Network, Regional Plan, Sackvile River Watershed, Sandy Lake, Water Quality, watershed | Leave a comment