THUNDER BAY -- The city is looking at options to improve water quality at the main beach of Chippewa Park, including removing the break wall.
The city has tabbed a biologist and an engineering company to study the effects of the dock and break wall on the water in the swimming area.
The main beach has frequently been the subject of swimming advisories from the Thunder Bay Health Unit, with a permanent advisory being issued last year because “historical water quality testing results have constantly exceeded acceptable E. coli bacterial levels.”
Swimming in waters with high E. coli levels can lead to skin, eye, nose and throat infections as well as gastrointestinal illness.
Werner Schwar, the city’s parks planning coordinator, said the safety of the swimming area is a frequently raised concern.
“I think a lot of people say they want the water quality improved at Chippewa Park,” Schwar said.
“It’s an area of concern in the remedial action plan for Lake Superior so it’s a good thing.”
Options include completely removing the break wall, reducing it or leaving it as it is.
The break wall separates the swimming area from Lake Superior. It controls and limits the water from the lake that enters the swimming area, which calms waves and results in warmer water temperature.
The walkway also provides people with a view of the Sleeping Giant.
The Friends of Chippewa Park were disappointed by the permanent swimming advisory label issue by the health unit and said measures have already been taken to help remedy the problem.
Those included dredging, installing storm sewers and changing the configuration of the beach. A falcon was also introduced to keep geese away.
Schwar said the results of the study will help the city in developing their master plan for Chippewa Park.
