A fecal (enterococcus) advisory has been declared for Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park – Camper’s Beach.
Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria currently present in the water, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is advising the public not to swim or wade at this beach area, effective immediately.
Elevated levels of fecal bacteria were detected via testing of the lake water at this beach location.
At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water. As well, there is the possibility of skin, ear, and eye infections with water contact.
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water
For detailed information, visit AHS Health Advisories.
An inspection by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors identified structural issues on the bridge on the causeway leading to SWCPP. The identified issues require immediate load reductions to ensure the safe use of the bridge:
|
LOADING TYPE |
JUNE 2023 REDUCTION |
|
CS1 |
11.4 tonne (25,100 lbs) |
|
CS2 |
19.9 tonne (43,800 lbs) |
|
CS3 |
25.8 tonne (56,800 lbs) |
CS1 is defined as an axle spacing of less than 4.5m. This means that any truck / car towing a trailer that has less than 4.5m from the towing (rear) axle to the trailer axle must be less than 15 tonne (total vehicle/trailer weight).
CS2 is defined as an axle spacing over 4.5 m. So if the spacing from the towing axle to the trailer axle is over 4.5m, the weight can be up to 25 tonne (total vehicle/axle weight).
CS3 is defined as a truck and a full trailer with 2 tandem axles, in the case where the inter-axle spacing between the tandem axle groups is 5.0 metres or more.
What does this mean for campers? You may be unable to bring your motorhome to SWCPP. Class A and Class B motorhomes fall under loading type CS1. Without water and sewage, a Class A motorhome can weigh up to 16 tonnes and a Class B motorhome can weigh up to 10 tonnes.
We are working with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to find solutions; however, upcoming reservations will need to be cancelled if your vehicle exceeds the identified weight limits. Please call 1-877-537-2757 or visit to www.Shop.AlbertaParks.ca to cancel or change your reservation. Alternate sites that can accommodate your vehicle and camping unit are available in the area.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. For more information about load ratings, visit http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype260/production/trans-restricted-bridge-list-for-provincial-highways.pdf.
The boardwalk portion of Kinglet Trail (part of the interior loop of the island trails) near the entrance of Big Island, is not passable. Please obey all signage for closed trail and use detour.
