Ellison’s take home 2008 Shoreline Award

Mary Ellison and her husband Tony have lived on their lakefront property at Ten Mile Lake for 10 years.

Richbar Nurseries landscaped it and the Ellisons left the property along the lakefront mainly as is.

“We liked the wildlife and preventing erosion was big,” Mary said.

They must have done something right.

Saturday, Baker Creek Enhancement Society presented the Ellisons with the 2008 Shoreline Landscape award.

Every year since 2004 an assessment is done on a different lake in the Quesnel area. It was Ten Mile Lake’s turn this year.

BCES believe residents of lakeshore property have a huge responsibility since they are some of the most productive and sensitive areas. What they do along the waterfront has a huge impact on the entire riparian ecosystem and it’s why BCES recognizes those who undertake that responsibility with enthusiasm.

Bo Mills of Quesnel River Environmental, Dorie Havens and Burt Sturt volunteered their time as judges this year.

They cruised the lakeshore properties from the lake and looked at docks, how lake structures impact it and riparian vegetation and how they [residents] manage it.

“We looked at bank stability and how some might anchor it with large wooded debris which breaks the energy up when the waves crash,” Miller said.

“There were a lot of interesting properties. The whole process is to bring awareness to adjacent landowners.

“We have noticed improvement from four years ago. A lot of properties are making an effort.”

The assessment was based on a number of criteria.

Riparian Condition

A good riparian zone acts as a buffer zone.

That includes vegetation along the waters edge. Rocks, fallen trees and root wads also act as buffers.

A good riparian zone prevents pollution from entering the lake, keeps the water temperature from getting too high, protects against erosion, provides valuable habitat for birds, fish and other animals and prevents spawning beds from being covered with siltation.

The Ellisons have left their riparian area encouraging it to return to its natural state.

Lakeshore stability

This is directly related to riparian condition, as properties with good riparian zones usually don’t have problems with lakeshore stability.

Erosion control measures

For properties that had poor stability, judges looked to see if residents had tried to install fallen trees or other natural objects to create a stable shoreline.

In lake structures

In lake structures on Ten Mile Lake were docks. Judges looked at size (small better than large) and material the dock was made out of. Environmentally friendly materials received higher points than non-friendly products.

Judges looked at how wide of an access was used.

A narrow path of a few feet is a much more friendly access than a wide path.

The Ellisons share a dock with a neighbour which really decreases individual impact.

Lawn impacts

Lawns set back from the water’s edge received high marks.

Lawns that meet the water’s edge lead to problems with erosion.

Lawns that have weed and feed and other products applied to them add pollution to the lake.

In the end it all goes back to riparian zone.

A healthy ecosystem leads to a healthy environment for residents, their family, neighbours, fish, wildlife and vegetation.