The Beaver River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) has a six-step plan to enhance Jessie Lake.
Program manager Colin Hanusz approached the Town of Bonnyville asking them to support the five-year project.
"We're looking at doing a broad scale engagement program around Jessie Lake. It's a hot topic around here and we have already done a bunch of work on it," Hanusz said.
The airshed report identifying Jessie Lake as the reason for the foul smell in Bonnyville represented phase one of the plan.
Over the summer the watershed will move into the second phase by testing the water quality of Jessie Lake.
"That water has never been tested. We're going to take some samples and run tests in conjunction with other lakes we're testing in the region," he explained.
Following the sampling the watershed plans to move their focus to restoration. To start, they'll plant flowers and trees around the perimeter of the lake.
"It's known that putting vegetation along the shores of lakes improves water quality. There's a lot of opportunity to do that around Jessie Lake," Hanusz said.
Adding to the restoration will be updated signage along the Jessie Lake trail. Currently, the few signs left on their stands around the lake are in poor condition.
The BRWA hopes to fill every podium along the trail with a metal-plated sign guaranteed to last 10 years.
Included in the designs were maps and informative plaques on the lake and surrounding watershed.
Town council was on board immediately. Many councillors said it would be a much needed restoration to a busy trail.
"A lot of kids do look at those signs. If we restore them they'll all get the chance to go down there with their little groups and their parents and they'll make use of them," said Coun. Jim Cheverie.
Not only will the project revitalize the trail, it'll provide ground-breaking data on the water during the testing phase this summer.
With that information, the BRWA will be able to determine if the water in Jessie Lake is getting better or worse, a feat Coun. Nestor Kunec said has never been accomplished.
"With this assessment we finally have a benchmark figure for the lake. It's going to be vital for us to continue testing in the next two or three years, to see where the water quality is going," Kunec said.
For the work the watershed wants to complete this year, they need to raise $6,500. This would include the restoration, testing, and signage phases.
The town didn't waste any time in deciding to contribute $1,000 to the cost, and will discuss future contributions when drafting next year's budget.
