The Next Project

Today, Bob C, Bill J and I spent a short time examining the insulated box that encloses the water line between the lake and the top of the cliff. It was identified as one project that needed urgent attention this season.

The pictures tell the story. The plywood covering the box is in a sad condition and badly needs replacing. So too are many of the supporting timbers and posts around the box. The 30-year-old structure is certainly showing its age.

The inside of the box was even worse than we had expected. You can see the exposed pipe. This is how it appeared as we opened the box up. Rodents have moved so much material that much of the pipe, in this location, at least, is exposed and not insulated. The only thing that keeps it from freezing in the winter is the "heat tape" that circles the pipe along its length.

The plan here is to start at the bottom and slowly work our way up the cliff, reinforcing and replacing where needed and, hopefully, encasing the pipe and insulation with a material that the rodents can't get through.

The nice thing about this project is that it doesn't all have to be done at once. We're planning a few days of a couple of hours each, working away in the sun, until it's finished. Anyone who can donate some time to help should contact us and be part of the fun.

We need to paint/stain/preserve the wood on the box and the stairs, replace insulation, install rodent-proof wire, reinforce/replace the wood members and plywood covers, and construct a concrete anchor to facilitate removal of pumps when necessary. We have until fall to get this finished.

Forecasts of a Dry Summer

The CBC Radio noon show (CBC Almanac) had a story on Monday about fears of a summer drought in many parts of BC.

Lower than average snow pack and little real rain so far this spring has the province and many municipalities and regional districts scrambling to bring in measures to conserve water. Some areas have already enacted water rationing.

There were also some brief comments about the cost of water and how to encourage water users to conserve, given that BC has the highest water use in the country. Mention was made of water meters, a practice that many local governments are starting to install. This will be an interesting story to follow this season.

Intake Extension - Part 5 & 6

After having to cancel one attempt to attach the new intakes on Saturday because of high winds, we were hoping to complete the job on Monday.

A large group of neighbours answered the call and gathered in the early morning on the beach to launch the assembled pieces. The water was a bit cold, but within a few minutes, the new pipe support and the assembled pipes were afloat and began their short trip over to the intake location.

Unfortunately, as we came out of the bay, we met the wind, coming straight down the Lake from the north. We managed to get the pipes delivered to their new location, but attaching them was quite impossible with the boat being tossed around by the waves.

After a couple of attempts, we tied everything off to the shore and went home for the day.

At 4:45 pm, we got the call from the diver. The Lake is almost mirror calm and we collect our tools, call a few neighbours and meet at the Lake for 6 pm. Within 2 hours, all the connections are made and the cage is lowered to it's spot on the bottom. It was quite a contrast to our experience earlier in the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support this project, help launch the pipe assembly, drive the boat, go for parts, wade in the water, provide moral support, get up early in the morning and, later in the day, give up their evening to finish the job. It's the kind of help that makes a community-owned water system possible and it is all greatly appreciated.

Intake Extension - Part 4

The new intake lines are ready and now we wait for calm weather so they can be towed out into the Lake and connected to the ends of our old lines.

The original plan was for Saturday morning, but there was a strong north wind and whitecaps were zipping along on the Lake. Not the kind of weather we were hoping for.

All we need is a few hours of calm weather (warm would also be nice...) and a crew of volunteers, all to happen at the same time.

Intake Extension - Part 3

The diver removed the old intakes the other day. As the photo shows, they were certainly showing the effects of being in the lake for 30 years.

Some of the protective mesh has come off and there was much algae and muck on the pipes.

Two large metal flanges were installed so we can bolt on the new intake lines as they are connected, hopefully in a few days.

I was struck by how shallow the pumps are, even considering the low water level in the lake. Right now, they are probably no more than 5 feet below the surface.

Intake Extension - Part 2

The pipe for our intake extension arrived on Friday. Two-hundred feet of HDPE pipe complete with welded flanges and miscellaneous parts.

We were able to have the trucker meet our group of helpers at Mirror Lake to unload, allowing us to carry the pieces down to the Lake where we tied them to several flotation devices. Later in the morning, we towed the assembled flotilla around to Beauty Beach where they will be assembled in readiness for being attached to our existing pipes.

Thanks to the group of neighbours who helped unload and to another neighbour for the loan of a boat and motor for the tow around the corner.

The project continues.