A recent evaluation of Wasa Lake is prompting concerns about the capacity for powerboating activities on the small East Kootenay lake. The initial assessment of water and sediment quality, conducted by Larratt Aquatic Consulting for the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District, indicates that limited sampling in 2025 confirmed the lake’s water quality is suitable for recreational purposes. Wasa Lake, situated within Wasa Lake Provincial Park approximately 30 kilometers north of Cranbrook, spans an area exceeding one square kilometer.
The study reveals that laboratory-analyzed sediment samples exhibited widespread contamination of petroleum-based hydrocarbons in the lake’s sediment. It highlights that powerboating in shallow waters has the potential to disturb sediment from the lake bed. These findings have sparked discussions regarding boating, water quality, and the appropriate authorities to determine potential restrictions on Wasa Lake.
According to the report, Wasa Lake has been classified as “high risk” in a lake suitability index for powerboating. Only 13% of the lake meets the minimum depth and distance criteria considered suitable for powerboating. The report estimates that the lake can accommodate a maximum of two powerboats or wake-surfing boats simultaneously, taking into account water quality and environmental factors.
The issue has been a point of contention among residents in the vicinity of Wasa Lake for an extended period. The Wasa Lake Stewardship Volunteers, a local group dedicated to the lake’s well-being and water quality, emphasize that Wasa Lake is shallow and enclosed, leading to limited water circulation. Consequently, pollutants and disturbances may accumulate more readily compared to larger water systems with continuous flow.
Shauna Mabey, a longstanding volunteer in the Wasa Lake area, expressed concerns about the stirring up of sediment by large boats rather than advocating for the elimination of motorboats entirely. She suggested potential measures such as speed limits, boat size restrictions, or other controls to mitigate risks. The Regional District of East Kootenay board recently agreed to request Transport Canada to establish science-based guidelines for identifying when powerboat activities could threaten the lake’s health.
Kimberley Mayor and RDEK Director Don McCormick emphasized the importance of Transport Canada’s support for any future actions regarding the issue. Mabey voiced apprehensions about the potential deterioration of the lake if no changes are implemented, expressing a sense of urgency to address the situation before irreversible damage occurs.