A perceived green color in Quesnel Lake is continuing to be investigated since its initial observation by residents about two weeks ago.
In an email Friday, Media Relations David Karn with the Ministry of Environment says staff attended the site Thursday and recorded turbidity in the .3 to .5 NTU range-well below drinking water guidelines of less than 1 NTU.
Experts from Golder Associates are also investigating and said on Wednesday there could be a number of possible reasons for the color including tailings resuspension, copper concentrations, seasonal algae, and seasonal solar radiation.
The Ministry says at this time they believe the likely cause is the redistribution of fine sediments as a result of fall lake turn over.
A third party physical limnologist for Imperial Metals had advised on Nov. 10 that the current velocities at the lake’s seasonal overturn would not be strong enough to suspend the sediments on the bottom.
Residents according to the Ministry of Environment have noted that the green tinge has since reduced.
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