Home / Environment / Saint John Tackles Drought Fears with Lake Dredging
Saint John Tackles Drought Fears with Lake Dredging
11 Feb
Summary
- Saint John Water is dredging lakes to secure water supply.
- Dredging removes sediment to improve water flow to the city.
- Measures aim to prevent drought conditions experienced last summer.
Saint John Water is proactively dredging sections of its Loch Lomond watershed, the source of the city's drinking water. This initiative focuses on a shallow channel between First Lake and Robertson Lake, aiming to enhance water flow during dry periods.
The utility is removing accumulated sand and gravel from lakebeds to prevent obstructions. This preventative maintenance is crucial to avoid emergency measures like digging new channels or pumping water between lakes, which are costly and disruptive.
Last summer, parts of New Brunswick, including Saint John, experienced severe drought conditions. The Canadian Drought Monitor reported extreme and exceptional drought ratings, with some areas receiving only 25 percent of normal precipitation. Saint John recorded its fourth driest August on record.
While current lake levels are full, these dredging operations are a safeguard against future water supply issues. Residents are advised to monitor private wells, especially older, shallower ones. Environmental consultants will oversee the work to minimize wildlife impact, with only minor water cloudiness expected.
