The water flow through the beaver baffler has been inadequate to keep up with the precipitation during the past months and with more rain anticipated we examined options for improvement.
In May we wrote to the Ministry of Natural Resources to suggest that we add two more 8″ pipes to improve the flow. Their response was:
“Thank you for your inquiry regarding the potential to add pipes to the existing beaver baffler at Little Silver Lake.
Under our Ministry’s provincial legislation, permission or approval is not required from our office for the construction of a beaver baffler. It is noted that Little Silver Lake is not an ideal setting for a beaver Baffler due to the large size of the natural watershed (approximately 1026 hectares). Beaver Bafflers function best in very small watersheds, where there is not a large variance in flows. The size of Little Silver Lake watershed has the potential to develop flows in excess of a reasonably sized beaver baffler system.
While having natural water levels at Little Silver lake would be our preferred option, any additions to the baffler structure would be at your own risk on the basis of the above information.”
While the Ministry does not think a beaver baffler is ideal (and we agree that it is a compromise), one has been installed on the stream just before the railway tracks for many years with excellent results. The flow downstream there is the same as that from Little Silver Lake. Our system works well if the precipitation is modest, but we determined last year that during times of exceptional precipitation the time to restore the level could be protracted and some properties remain flooded for extended periods. Several residents are unable to install their docks at the moment.
The Executive decided this morning to add one or two extra pipes to the existing baffler to improve the flow and mitigate flooding that is occurring on some properties around the lake. A small team did this during the afternoon and one 8″ black pipe has been added in a position that should not be visible from any neighbouring property. We still need to install a cage on the inlet to the new pipe. Flow was increased. We noted that the level in the culvert is quite high.
If you have any concerns please let me know as soon as possible.
Frank.
Frank Johnson
Lake Steward Report July 2016