To ensure the long-term sustainability of Turtle Lake, a team of professional planners and scientists are conducting a Lakeshore and Watershed Management Study on the waterbody’s overall health. 

Brenda Wallace with Wallce Insights says similar studies were conducted in 1984, 1993, 2004, and 2016. A 2025 study will provide up-to-date information on the state of the lake, as well as determine how human activity has affected the area.  

“Back in 2016, the last study talked about how much high-capability development lands were left, and all of those have now been consumed. Now, they’re consuming less-capable lands for development. Well, that could be a real concern if not managed well.”

As part of the study, the lake will undergo testing of nutrients, oxygen levels, pH level, bacteria, algae blooms and temperature. They will look for indicator species such as fish, loons and pelicans that would suggest the lake environment is healthy. She says that Turtle Lake has been known for great water quality, however recent years have brought some concerns.  

“One of the stories we heard from residents through our participatory mapping, is that the first algae bloom on the lake happened three weeks after the ice came off.”

Area residents can attend an information cafe on August 10th at the Livelong Community Centre or fill out an online survey linked here to share their concerns, thoughts, values, and suggestions.

The results of the study will be finalized in spring 2026 and presented to municipal leadership.

“This report will help inform the decisions they may want to make to ensure they are protecting what’s special about Turtle Lake.”

She says one of the earliest recommendations that the report is going to make is the necessity for a means of cooperation between the local leadership from the RM, nearby resort villages, and the Thunderchild First Nation.