Trout Lake closed for swimming or wading
Trout Lake is closed to the public due to an elevated coliform count.
Update: July 24, 2010. For current information to plan your trip to the beach, check out the Beach Water Quality Report from Vancouver Coastal Health.
Original post on July 2, 2010:
Well… at least we can still make sandcastles.
That’s the positive spin we put on the situation when we arrived at Trout Lake with bathing suits and towels – only to be greeted with this disappointing sign.
We asked the lifeguard why and he said it was because of the coliform count. He said it was only one point over the maximum level and that another test would be done on Monday (July 5). If the level is down, Trout Lake may reopen on Wednesday.
The kids got busy making sandcastles, while I Googled a little more information and learned about the Canadian Recreational Water Guidelines.
“Vancouver-area receiving waters are sampled throughout the swimming season to determine compliance with the Canadian Recreational Water Guidelines,” reads the Vancouver Coastal Health website’s Beach water quality report.
“These guidelines establish a level of 200 coliform bacteria (an indicator organism associated with sewage contamination) per 100 mls of water for ‘primary contact’ recreational activities.”
Trout Lake’s water same was at exactly 200 at the last reading on June 29. I asked the lifeguard if it was because of bird poo and he said he didn’t think it was, since the number of birds in the water had not increased. He said he suspected it might be caused by sewer upgrades in the neighbourhood and added that his coworkers disagreed with this theory.
Fun times at Trout Lake, even with the swimming / wading ban
Regardless of the cause, it is as it is – and no one is allowed to swim in the lake. In fact, while the kids sat building sandcastles, a young guy stepped over the rope and entered the water – much to the shock of the young kids building sandcastles on the shore (using water from the shower taps, not the lake).
“Ewwww! He went on the poo poo!” tattled one little boy, as the lifeguard walked to the water’s edge and told the guy to get out of the water.
“Didn’t you see the sign?” the lifeguard asked him.
This made me wonder if it’s actually “illegal” to ignore the warning, and, if so, what would you be charged with?
In any case – personal freedoms aside – I’m glad enough to heed the warning because I definitely don’t want to go on the poo poo.
It’s open! As of 1:30 this afternoon (July 6).
I just got in from a walk around the park (and play in the play areas/sand) That sign is still posted up, however the ropes are gone. The sign is now posted under the “rules” sign.
I love TL, especially since I live so close but I don’t wanna swim in the “poo poo” either. LOL
aug 24th the beach is closed we went there and still upseeeeeeettttinnnnnnnnnnnng poor kids with nothing to do
So disappointing!
I left my sprinkler there at the lifeguard station where all the left behind toys are kept.they have a hose.
We took our dogs to Trout Lake today – haven’t been for years. Orange construction fencing everywhere, two parking lots closed, beach closed, dozens of signs everywhere – don’t swim, no dogs, no balls etc etc – Trout Lake must must be the kill joy zone of the year. Anyone know what’s going on?
I regularly swim in Trout Lake despite the signs. The lifeguards have admitted that they have no authority to prevent me from doing so. Some actually hinted that they were pleased because I was validating their job (having a lifeguard when no one swims seems unnecessary right?).
Last time I was there I was informed that the coliform count was about 400, double the recommended. But I was also told by one lifeguard that California closes its beaches at the 1000-2000 range. Kind of puts things in perspective.
Also, I tend to swim in the vicinity of the giant fountain of fresh water, which has *much* lower counts.
Anyway, I do rinse off in the shower nearby afterwards, I try not to swallow any water, and I don’t swim for long periods, but as yet I haven’t gotten the least bit sick. Oh also I don’t recommend it as much if you have any cuts etc, and if you want to swim underwater I’d recommend goggles.
In the end I love getting wet when it’s hot out, and Trout Lake is too close and awesome for me not to have tested the boundaries of this “safe water” issue.