The days of large powerboats and Jet Skis on Elk Lake could be numbered.
"I'm not sure how long they're going to be compatible [with other uses]," said Oak Bay Mayor Chris Causton, who is also Capital Regional District parks committee chairman.
"Certainly rowing is getting more and more popular on that lake and quiet enjoyment, I think, people are looking for."
Causton said it's an issue that will probably have to be dealt with in the coming year.
"It's not just the waves from Jet Skis; quite frankly, it's the noise," Causton said.
"I know Shawnigan Lake is having problems with loud, noisy not only Jet Skis but fast boats and the noise from those engines. I suppose there's a question about the tranquillity of the lake and the relatively peaceful lake with fishing and rowing and families and picnicking vis-à-vis the noise and general waves from Jet Skis and high-speed boats."
Causton was responding to a recent visitor use study of Elk/Beaver Regional Park that found many users believe the lake is too small for large motorboats and should be restricted to small electric motors and non-motorized watercraft.
Other key findings include:
- Of all the activities at Elk Lake, the most concern is with motorboating including water-skiing, tubing, personal watercraft and the associated speed and safety issues.
- Some user groups often express frustration with other activities in competing zones and times.
- Some visitors commented that inconsiderate behaviour on the part of a few users may negatively impact their own experience, but the activity itself is not a problem.
- There are conflicts between rowers and other watercraft users who share the under-10-horsepower zone.
- Some visitors feel there is insufficient parking at the motor boat launch site; that cars without boat trailers often park there and some people take too long to load and unload causing delays for others.
- The fishing dock is often crowded. Some would like to see it expanded or another dock installed. Some visitors are frustrated by motorboats ignoring buoys and posted speed limits around the docks.
- Dog regulations are regularly broken at Hamsterly and Beaver Beaches.
Currently powerboating with over 10 horsepower is permitted only in the western portion of Elk Lake and not within 10 metres of the north shore.
Boats towing skiers, boarders or tubers are prohibited between sunrise and 11 a.m. All vessels are prohibited on the eastern half of Elk Lake during swimming events and over-10-hp vessels are prohibited during rowing events.
Rick Spencer, a former Cowichan Valley Regional District director for Shawnigan Lake, says there's no doubt that further restrictions on powerboaters on Elk Lake would push more boaters over the Malahat and onto an already busy Shawnigan Lake.
"It would add to the pressure. What do you do then, make it the same and move them up to Lake Cowichan?" said Spencer, who runs ski charters on Shawnigan and operates a dock and marine business.
"I still think more education and better policing is the answer rather than limiting your options," Spencer said.
Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, whose municipality is home to Elk/Beaver park, and who walks around the lake regularly, said he's received no complaints about powerboats.
"I've had some people who water-ski who feel there might be a move afoot to ban them, because they say there's not very many places you can go in the region other than salt water, and a lot of people don't want to put their boats in salt water and they find salt water too cold," Leonard said.
