Since the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation (MIT) took over operation of the Snow Creek Lake Control Structure several years back, residents who live along the shore of Snow Lake have been concerned about the government’s slowness to react to rising or dropping lake levels.
Having brought this concern to the office of the MLA Clarence Pettersen, his executive assistant Colleen Ford recently advised (after she spoke with MIT) that the government has no plans to upgrade the structure.
She relayed that MIT believes the structure is in good condition, having had a new operational platform installed a few years ago to enhance worker safety.
(Actually, the design of the structure is archaic and involves workers having to physically remove or install logs in order to control the lake level.)
With respect to an increase in the monitoring of water levels at the control structure, Ford says MIT will be monitoring lake levels and water going over the structure daily during critical periods.
This will be done by local staff, with additional staff brought in from The Pas or other locations as well.
Ford says MIT staff from Snow Lake will be trained this year in the basic operation of the control structure.
Many Snow Lakers are hopeful this will alleviate erosion of the shoreline and docks either under water or high above it.
My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
