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Welcome to our August 2025 newsletter!
A Message from our President
As lake conditions continue to be a growing concern, our society remains committed to stewardship, protection, and the health of Nicola Lake and its watershed.
Your involvement makes a difference — thank you!
John Arnold, President
Quilchena on the Lake
Meet Your Board of Directors
1
Executive Committee
  • President: John Arnold – Quilchena on the Lake
  • Vice President: Dawne Tomlinson – Nicola Bay RV Resort
  • Treasurer: Brent Pascall – Harmon Estates
2
Directors at Large
  • Peter Schmid – Quilchena on the Lake and Jack Ranch; Merritt Resident
  • Dan Emerson – Nicola Bay RV Resort
  • Lisa Schlagintweit – Nicola Lakeshore Estates
Our board members are volunteers, and represent diverse areas around the lake, ensuring community voices are heard as we continue to focus our efforts on the health of Nicola Lake and its watershed. The Board plans to meet several times throughout the year in addition to an annual AGM where all members are encouraged to attend.
About Us
MISSION STATEMENT: To actively investigate, analyze, and safeguard the ecological integrity and health of Nicola Lake and its vital watershed for future generations.
What You Can Do: Protecting Our Watershed
At Home and On the Farm
  • Use phosphorus-free fertilizer or eliminate fertilizer use
  • Schedule regular septic system inspections and pump outs
  • Keep yard waste away from shorelines and water
On Your Property
  • Familiarize yourself with setback regulations. Plant or re-plant native trees and shrubs along shorelines
  • Install erosion barriers where needed
  • Minimize impervious surfaces that increase runoff
On The Lake
  • Avoid disturbing sediment in shallow zones/shoreline - gentle boating until estimated 8 meters depth
  • Report algae blooms or suspicious discharges
  • Follow responsible boating practices
On the Ranch
  • Install fencing to keep cattle away from water sources
  • Provide feed lots away from water sources
  • Plant riparian buffer strips to filter runoff before it reaches waterways
Click the PDF file at the bottom of this newsletter for more detailed information on how you can be a steward of your own land!
Lake Conditions: Urgent Concerns
Nicola Lake continues to face significant algal blooms, which pose serious risks to water quality, recreational activities, and wildlife habitat. These images taken this summer highlight the urgency of our watershed protection work:
Understanding Water Quality: Chlorophyll & Phosphorus
Chlorophyll-a Levels
What it is: A measure of algae concentration in the water.
Why it matters: High levels indicate excessive algae growth, often due to nutrient pollution. A 2012 report shows elevated levels — a clear sign of lake eutrophication that has continued to worsen.
Phosphorus Levels
What it is: A key nutrient that fuels algae growth.
Why it matters: Excess phosphorus leads to harmful algae blooms. Our testing shows concerning levels, especially in late summer. Major sources include fertilizers, failing septic systems, and soil erosion.
Understanding Water Quality: Nitrogen & Clarity
Nitrogen Levels
What it is: Another essential nutrient that algae require for growth.
Why it matters: In combination with phosphorus, nitrogen promotes excessive algae blooms. Testing shows moderate to high nitrogen levels throughout the watershed.
Secchi Depth (Water Clarity)
What it is: A measurement of how far light penetrates into the water.
Why it matters: Low clarity indicates high algae concentrations or suspended sediment. Recent measurements show concerning declines in water clarity throughout Nicola Lake.
Understanding Water Quality: Oxygen & Temperature
Temperature
Warm water holds less oxygen and encourages algae growth. Recent summers have seen surface temperatures reaching levels that help algae thrive while stressing native fish species.
Dissolved Oxygen
Oxygen is essential for aquatic life. Our monitoring shows fluctuating levels, with dangerously low concentrations in deeper areas of the lake. This creates "dead zones" where fish cannot survive.
These interconnected factors create a concerning cycle that threatens the lake's ecosystem and recreational value.
Exciting News! Moving to Level 3 Testing
The Testing Team formerly known as Stewards of Nicola Lake have been testing Nicola since May 2025, after being trained by the BC Lake Stewards Society (BCLSS). We have been doing Level 1 testing which measures temperature of the water and clarity. We were pushing to be bumped up to Level 3 testing which would include testing the nutrient level in the lake. This is very expensive testing as it requires much more equipment, couriering samples, and lab testing. Through the advocacy of BCLSS, we have been bumped up to Level 3 testing. We are now awaiting the equipment and training to do this work. We have a volunteer team of six people with boats ready to help out!!!

Merritt Herald

Nicola Lake fast-tracked for Level 3 water testing amid algae bloom crisis - Merritt Herald

In an unprecedented move, the province has fast-tracked Nicola Lake to Level 3 water testing, a level typically not reached for years, if at all. The decision, sparked in part by growing public concern and media attention, will allow for nutrient testing that community advocates say is urgently needed to address the lake’s recurring toxic […]

Level 3 Lake Testing – What We’re Testing and Why
If you are interested in volunteering for our Guardian Testing Team, please contact Dawne Tomlinson at 778-240-8758. You will require a boat and you will be trained by the Ministry for Level 3 Testing. We are particularly looking for volunteers who can test during the shoulder months of October/November and March/April (once the ice is off the lake).
Level 3 Lake Testing – What We’re Testing and Why
🔬 What’s Being Tested in Level 3 Studies
· Expanded physical and chemical sampling beyond surface-level metrics, including dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a.
· Focus on key ecological indicators such as dissolved oxygen (for aquatic life) and phosphorus/chlorophyll-a (for algae growth and eutrophication).
·
👥 Volunteer Commitment & Responsibilities
· Approx. 1 hour per sampling event, depending on number of sites and frequency - every 2-4 weeks.
·
✅ Why It Matters
· Detailed data supports more informed lake management decisions.
· Helps detect changes in nutrient levels, oxygen depletion, and algal blooms.
·
Be a "steward of your own land"
Click on the pdf below for more detailed information on how residents and local businesses can help reduce phosphorus pollution in Nicola Lake and its Watershed:

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How-Nicola-Lake-Residents-and-Businesses-Can-Help-Reduce-Phosphorus-Pollution.pdf

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Join Our Community Efforts
Stay tuned for more on how to become a member of the Guardians of Nicola Lake and Watershed Society.
The health of Nicola Lake depends on all of us working together. By joining the Guardians of Nicola Lake and Watershed Society, you'll help support:
  • Ongoing water quality monitoring programs
  • Community education initiatives
  • Advocacy for watershed protection policies
  • Restoration projects around the lake