Elk Lake - Eagles Beach

Elk Lake is visible from the Patricia Bay Highway and is the home of the local rowing centre. In addition to rowing, people use the lake for swimming, sailing, fishing and wind-surfing. The lake is surrounded by trails used by hikers, bikers and the equestrian centre.

AMENITIES:
Nature centre
Picnic areas
Fishing float that is wheelchair accessible
Public washrooms open May to October
Boat launch
Drinking fountain

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COVID-19

Keep your distance from other people.

Practicing social distancing is essential right now. Follow the advice of the health experts. If your community has asked that you remain indoors and away from others, do so. Heading to the beach should only be considered an option if social distancing practices can be followed. Spending a day in any crowded place is the worst thing we can do for our most vulnerable right now and will counter the efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization public resource on COVID-19.

Water Quality

Passed water quality tests 60-95% of the time
Historical Status
This status is based on the latest sample, taken on June 29th, 2020. The Swim Guide updates the status of this beach as soon as test results become available. These results were posted to Swim Guide on July 6th, 2020 at 1:53 PM.

For water quality icon legend, click:

Current Weather

18°C

Mostly clear

Report Pollution

Monitoring Frequency

Source Information

Approximately 100 beaches are monitored by Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority). Island Health is split into three service delivery areas: North (20 beaches), Central (39 beaches), and South (40 beaches). Sampling is conducted from the beginning of May until Labour Day (September 4th, 2017).

Island Health follows the Canadian Recreational Water Guidelines.
E. Coli Guidelines

200 E. coli / 100 mL – geometric mean (usually 5 samples)

400 E. coli / 100 mL – single sample maximum

Beaches are automatically posted when a sample result exceeds 1000 E. coli / 100 mL.

Island Health states that consideration is given to posting a beach advisory when the geometric mean exceeds 200 E. coli / 100 mL or a single results exceeds 400 E. coli / 100 mL. However, posting a beach advisory when samples exceed the geomean and/or single sample maximums are not automatic, and depend on the circumstances.

Enterococci Guidelines

35 enterococci / 100 mL – geometric mean at least 5 samples

70 enterococci / 100 mL – single sample maximum

Beaches are automatically posted when a sample result exceeds 175 Enterococci/ 100 mL.

Consideration is given to posting a beach advisory when the geometric mean exceeds 35 Enterococci / 100 mL or a single results exceeds 70 Enterococci / 100 mL.

Beach advisories will be automatically posted when a sample result of over 1000 E. coli or 175 Enterococci per sample is received, as studies indicate there is an elevated risk associated with these bacterial levels.

Water Quality Graph