In the Thomson – Nicola area there are many lakes and some of them are shallow, muddy, and alkaline, many not suitable for fishing. We can kayak them, but the best season is spring while the water is clearer, before the lake turns over, and before aquatic plant growth and algae multiplies. Some lakes turn a muddy-green and have a summer stink (skunkwater). This often coincides with feeder streams and creek water dwindling and the water becomes stagnant. The water warms up and naturally occurring nutrients (mostly phosphorous and nitrogen)also build up, feeding blue-green algae growth. Lakes that are red by streams that go through farm areas can also carry fertilizer. Any lake next to a highway can also be contaminated with road salts spread in summer and leached down into the lakes.
Trapp Lake is a good paddling lake in spring, but in June it turns a muddy green and by mid-summer is like kale soup. By that time, the texture of the water, the smell, and the general sense of decay makes these types of lakes poor for paddling. In early June I paddled the lake, and it was just starting to change, but won’t return until next spring.
No wind left the lake water mirror-like. This is a scenic lake, but the highway noise detracts from the natural beauty.
I paddled half the lake on this day, about 6 km, taking about 70 minutes.
It is best to paddle Murkwater Lakes in the spring. Some of the lakes to avoid in summer include Bleeker Lake, Mamit Lake, Napier Lake, Louis Lake, Inks Lake, and any lake that has low water levels from evaporation and dry inflow streams.
