We believe the following comprehensive six year program could stabilize Swan Lake as a eutrophic lake and provide a basis of assessing whether attaining mesotrophic status is feasible. The proposed plan is based upon a 3-year Phoslock treatment cycle supported by continued efforts to reduce incoming phosphorus and nitrogen through aggressive geese management. In parallel,
Technical assessments by Markham have ident1fied four underlying factors that are impacting the poor water quality conditions in Swan Lake: excessive levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, chloride (from road salt) and low oxygen levels. Excessive Phosphorus Levels The primary issue impacting water quality is considered to be the excessive levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus is a nutrient
In June 2020, Friends of Swan Lake Park outlined a proposed action plan for the city of Markham that would restore both Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. Short Term Action Plan Reverse the policy that defines Swan Lake as a Stormwater Pond Swan Lake was designed as a community recreational centre with a robust
Most of the excess phosphorus entering Swan Lake is attributed to Canada Geese with only 30% -50% coming from runoff from adjacent areas and stormwater. Staff has conclude that there is little that can be done to reduce stormwater and park runoff so the focus is on what, if anything, can be done to reduce
Good news! Markham Council and city staff have initiated a program to address the comprehensive needs of both Swan Lake and Swan lake Park. You may have noticed a number of changes in the Park over the summer including the planting of 32 new trees near the windmill and the installation of “toxic algae” warnings
The following submission was made to the General Committee of Markham Council by Friends of Swan Lake Park Submission_Friends of Swan Lake Park_General Committee Meeting_June 15 2020_Agenda Item 9.2
The following presentation was made by Fred Peters, member of Friends of Swan Lake Park Friends of Swan Lake Park_General Committee Meeting_June 15 2020_Agenda Item 9.2_Presentation
The following presentation was made by Rob Grech, Manager Stormwater Management, City of Markham Markham Staff Report_Swan Lake Water Quality Improvement Program
Swan Lake is essentially a stagnant pond, without any surface levels inflows of freshwater. The local aquifer adds about 15% in freshwater each year with the balance of freshwater rising from rainfall. Dissolved Oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in lake water. Living organisms breathe in oxygen that is dissolved in the water. Dissolved
The original design of Swan Lake included environmental elements to support a healthy fish habitat. Early reports cite Swan Lake as supporting pumpkinseed sunfish, fathead minnows and largemouth bass (believed to have been stocked prior to 1992 by TRCA). Many fish died prior to the Phoslock treatment in 2013. Establishing a healthy aquatic environment for
