The white sandy shallows in a secluded bay of Langford Lake might look inviting, but paddlers beware, a surprise lurks beneath.

B次元官网网址淯ntil you step in it and your foot comes out with white muck all over it,B次元官网网址� says Clayton Leachman, one of a handful of residents leading the charge to raise awareness of the lake's plight.

The B次元官网网址渨hite muckB次元官网网址� at the bottom of the lake is a collection of pale yellow sediment, described as a potential by-product of rock and mineral stripping in an upland area under development, which has been flowing into the lake since late 2023.

Entering the lake via a stream, fed by a upstream culvert at the end of Wenger Terrace, next to Highway 1, the sediment creates a brown-beige foam, which last year Leachman described as a B次元官网网址�toxic bubble bath.B次元官网网址�

Downstream, the sediment looks more like a fine sand, which as well as leaving an unwelcome residue on unsuspecting paddlers, also impacts the health of the lakeB次元官网网址檚 ecosystem.

A City of Langford funded environmental investigation has found that in areas where the sediment is accumulating, conditions are B次元官网网址渘ot currently suitable for supporting a diversity of aquatic invertebrate life.B次元官网网址�

Results from two sampling locations where sediment deposition is most apparent, were found to have the least number of invertebrates when compared to other sampling sites.

Aquatic invertebrates are B次元官网网址渒ey indicators of water qualityB次元官网网址� due to their sensitivity to pollution and habitat changes, explains Corvidae Environmental Consulting in its December 2024 report.

B次元官网网址淭heir presence, abundance and variety can reflect the health of aquatic habitats and the impacts of contamination,B次元官网网址� they say.

The smaller number of bottom-dwelling invertebrates in these areas could be attributed to the anaerobic decomposition of plant life, explains the report, which also notes the sediment has created a layer covering aquatic vegetation, "completely obscuringB次元官网网址� the lake bottom.

B次元官网网址淎naerobic environments, where oxygen levels are extremely low or absent, are challenging for most benthic invertebrates,B次元官网网址� says the report.

The B次元官网网址榖enthic invertebrate investigationB次元官网网址� is the second report carried out by Corvidae on behalf of the city.

While heavy metals were found in the water at the Wenger Terrace culvert, a June 2024 water quality report said the lake posed no threat to human health or aquatic life, and advised removal of the accumulated sediment was not needed.

The most recent investigation recommends ongoing testing and monitoring of the situation; a B次元官网网址渨ait and seeB次元官网网址� attitude that has baffled Leachman and other concerned residents.

"Why should I have to go to City Hall kicking and screaming over an environmental issue that should have been resolved on the first day," said Leachman.

Brian Belcher, a professor at Royal Roads University and former aquatic researcher, whose home overlooks the lake, says he too is frustrated and disappointed by the lack of action taken by the city to stop the flow of sediment at its source.

And now Langford is also questioning the recommendations made by the the environmental consultants.

B次元官网网址淭he initial findings and recommendations from the original biologist were not satisfactory to the city,B次元官网网址� said a Langford spokesperson in an email statement. It notes they have engaged "multiple qualified environmental professionals" to investigate the source of the sediment and explore remediation options.

After reaching out to the province for a second opinion, the city says it has been recommended they engage the service of a geochemist, which they are B次元官网网址渁ctively working on.B次元官网网址� 

B次元官网网址淭his ongoing investigation is a priority of the city with the goal being an action plan for source control and remediation,B次元官网网址� the spokesperson said.

But time is of the essence, says Belcher.

Since samples were taken in August last year for the B次元官网网址榖enthic invertebrate investigationB次元官网网址�, Belcher estimates the amount of sediment on the lakeB次元官网网址檚 bottom has B次元官网网址渁t least tripled,B次元官网网址� which he attributes to the rainy season. 

The wet fall/winter weather has caused a surge in the volume of water flow, resulting in the increased accumulation of sediment, he says.

B次元官网网址淚t's certainly changed the ecology because the diving ducks aren't coming B次元官网网址� they used to congregate in this area and feed, now they don't go there at all, thereB次元官网网址檚 no point, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing there for them,B次元官网网址� he said.

While the deposits are greatest near the outflow into the lake, Belcher fears finer particles are being transported much further into the lake.

B次元官网网址淭he basin is being smothered with this sediment, itB次元官网网址檚 not stopping,B次元官网网址� he said.

The only solution he says is to identify the source of the sediment and stop the flow into the underground water system. "I would expect the area to be repopulated quickly after it is remediated."