NANAIMO REGION
Bethlehem Retreat Centre property sale is completed The Bethlehem Retreat Centre was sold to a group of friends and supporters who came together last year when they learned the Benedictine sisters wanted to retire. A3
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Thursday, July 16, 2015 CITY
Westwood Lake beach reopened City announces that most recent tests show E. coli levels are at an acceptable level for swimming SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
Nanaimo has reopened Westwood Lake for swimming after the lake had been closed last week due to high E. coli levels. The city closed the man-made lake to swimmers last Friday after testing from Island Health showed the level of E. coli in the water exceeded safety limits. The city announced Wednesday that the most recent tests by Island Health showed E. coli levels were at an acceptable level
and that the lake was safe to swim in again. Parks operations manager Al Britton said bacteria levels will continue to be monitored on a weekly basis. The main culprit for the lake closure were the roughly two dozen Canada geese that live in the park, whose feces is believed to have contaminated the water. The birds’ feces has also covered the park’s benches and walkways. Britton said low water levels due to the heat as well as a lack
of water circulation were contributing factors in allowing bacteria to flourish. The city took the step of capturing all but one of the geese and releasing the birds in the Cottle Lake area last Thursday. It was the first time in approximately 10 years the city took the step of relocating geese from the park. However, as of Tuesday, approximately eight of the birds had returned to the park. Britton said if more of the birds
return to the park, “it could become an issue again.” “There’s always that possibility,” he said Wednesday. City park staff had initially believed the birds — many of which were juveniles, while others were molting — would be unable to fly back to the lake for at least a month. On Monday, Britton had said he would hope that less than half of the birds would return to the lake. Goose excrement has shut
down portions of a Nanaimo park before. Britton said Departure Bay Beach has had to be temporarily closed due to high fecal contamination in the area. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
» Weather Vandalized downtown art piece causes concern Carved from Western Red Cedar by local artist Joel Good, the artwork — titled Spindle Whorl — was broken in half on Friday and its carved spindle stolen. » Nanaimo Region, A3
Loonie falls as key rate cut by Bank of Canada The bank cut its target for the overnight rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.5 per cent, sending the Canadian dollar tumbling to its lowest levels in years. » Nation & World, A8
Iran deal averts MidEast nuke race, says Obama Remarks appeared aimed squarely at Congress, where lawmakers are discussing legislation to try to stop the deal’s implementation. » Nation & World, A9
» Use your smartphone to jump to our website for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
Mainly sunny High 22, Low 13 Details A2
Concerns for fish increase as rivers on Island reach historic low levels SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
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rought conditions are expected to continue over the next several weeks, and the ongoing heat and lack of precipitation is taking its toll on the region’s rivers. Some are concerned if current conditions continue, spawning salmon in the fall could face low potential lethally water levels. A provincial ban on fishing throughout a large network of streams throughout the province, including southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, continues in an effort to protect vulnerable fish populations, such as trout. Provincial biologists are monitoring another 75 streams, according to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The Nanaimo River is seeing low water levels. The latest stream flow data from the province is 2.7 cubic metres per second, “which is slightly above but close to the recorded minimum flow for this period of time,” the ministry says. The Nanaimo River Hatchery is keeping an eye on conditions with a mind on the fall when Chinook and Pink salmon return to spawn. A number of juvenile Coho salmon have made their way upstream so far, as well as some adult Chinook. Hatchery manager Brian Banks said minimum stream flows have been maintained. “The temperature is what was alarming to us,” said Banks, add-
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Nanaimo River Hatchery manager, Brian Banks, by the shoreline of the Nanaimo River Wednesday afternoon. [AARON HINKS/DAILY NEWS]
ing staff members at the Hatchery have noticed an uptick in fish deaths. He said the fish have taken refuge in small pockets of deep, colder water throughout the river system. Banks said the hatchery is not actively monitoring trout populations in the river, but said they face the same challenges as salmon if current drought conditions persist.
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“It’s going to be hard on anything,” he said. “There’s only so many deep pockets to rear in.” Banks said the salmon have evolved to anticipate low stream levels and will “probably stay out and wait and long as they can” before returning in the fall to spawn. But provincial officials are also worried about how the current dry conditions could impact fish stocks.
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“It definitely puts us on a track where we are concerned,” said Michael Stalberg, head of the province’s Fish and Wildlife Section. Stalberg said some streams will dry up during a normal year anyways, but added conditions are currently beyond what is normal. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
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