Improving the water quality of Crescent Lake in Portage la Prairie to increase recreational and aesthetic value is the subject of a new report.

Portage la Prairie Mayor Irvine Ferris.

City Council was presented a summary of findings in the North/South Consultants report on water quality last week. The report made the recommendation for a desired outcome to be determined first with the lake -- considering community needs and available financial resources -- before then looking at possible paths forward.

"We do work on water quality, and that includes herbicides, vegetation and a lot of other things," says Mayor Irvine Ferris. "There's certainly been a lot of talk in our community over the years about how the (lake's) water quality could be improved and how it could be utilized more by our citizens."

The report explored various nutrient management options and mitigation tactics, such as waterfowl management, to help improve water quality. North/South Consultants rep Warren Bernhardt explained water quality problems in Crescent Lake are largely tied to water quality issues with its supply source, the Assiniboine River. He conceded many of the options for improving water quality for recreational use are not likely financially feasible for the city.

Mayor Ferris agreed with that assessment.

"One of the possibilities was dredging, and the estimated cost was $20-million," Ferris says. "I can tell you right here and right now, there's not going to be any discussion on that. Not by me, because we don't have that kind of money, and we won't have that kind of money in the near future."

"Some of the possible options ... these are probably not things you're really going to look at," continues Ferris. "There will be more discussion, and some during budget deliberations. But I can't tell you what the conclusions will be at this time."

The full report is available here.