Echo Dale boating lake to close, prep for 2023 season

Medicine Hat – The boating lake at Echo Dale Regional Park will close following the last day of summer operations on Sunday, August 28.

“Earlier this summer, after receiving regulatory approval, staff installed a temporary pump that runs from the South Saskatchewan River directly to the boat lake. However, the river level has dropped to a point where we can no longer continue pumping from the river. This, combined with the high temperatures this last month, means we are unable to sustain an adequate water level due to a suspected leak in the liner,” said James Will, Director of the Parks & Recreation Department. “We will work to inspect the lake and begin making repairs before the end of the year.”

While the lake will remain open for fishing this weekend, it remains closed to non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.

The picnic areas east of the boat lake, which include a portion of the east parking lot, also remain closed due to significant hazards.

“It’s humbling to see how eager the community is to utilize the park and all of the open space,” Will said. “We are glad we were able to reopen the lake to fishing and allowing additional access to the park, even though it was for a shorter period of time than originally anticipated.”

As previously announced, the last day of summer operations of the swim lake is Sunday, August 28. Once both lakes have been inspected, crews will take the opportunity to better access these areas and begin work ahead of the spring 2023 season. This work will include potential liner repair, stump removal and turf repair as well as repairing any structures, including benches, tables, gazebos, which were damaged in the July storm.

“We want to share a sincere thank you with our residents and park visitors for their ongoing cooperation as we continue to clean-up areas of the park,” Will added. “While the park won’t look quite the same as it has for anyone who visited it in the last few years, we are eager to continue making repairs and improvements and are looking forward to the 2023 season.”

Numerous amenities and park facilities will remain open through the September long weekend, including Echo Dale Campground, Echo Dale Farm, the trails and off-leash areas

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