Lake Wilcox Hypolimnetic Withdrawal Study
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Water
Project value$100,000
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
Watershed Management
Grant amount$50,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Richmond Hill, ON
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
202,022
Project timeline
2002 - 2011
Project number
2189
Description
This feasibility study will evaluate the current condition of Lake Wilcox, one of the town's most important recreationalamenities. The study will also assess the possibility of using different technologies to withdraw and treat thehypolimnetic, or bottom waters of the lake. This treatment continuously removes phosphorus deposited in the lake fromfertilizers and septic systems. That phosphorus has accumulated in the bottom sediments. Over the long term, the townbelieves hypolimnetic withdrawal will reduce the excess phosphorus, improve the water quality and reduce the nuisancealgae and weed blooms currently consuming oxygen as they decay in the lake's bottom waters. The study will select apreferred treatment technology and will conduct an environmental assessment. The project's benefits include improvedwater quality and a resulting increase in recreational use of the lake.
Applicant
City of Richmond Hill, ON