For the past few decades, Bob Cole has fought flooding at Sproat Lake by working to improve conditions that lead to winter floods.
He has worked with Catalyst to restore the winter removal of weir plates to increase water flow out of the lake.
One of his latest challenges is the removal of what Sproat Lake residents have affectionately named Bob’s Rock.
The rock is above the river most of the year, but when winter storms hit, water levels rise significantly, and the rock creates a hydraulic choke to the water flow.
Cole asked the ACRD for help towards a $40,000 hydrology study to prove its removal won’t affect properties downstream, and $15,000 to actually get rid of the rock.
Cole also asked that the log sweep above the weir be replaced, after it was swept away this past winter.
He said the log-chain sweep acts as a catch for boats, logs, and docks that break loose and are heading towards the Sproat River.
Cole said no one has taken responsibility for the sweep for the past few years and it was plugged with docks, logs, and debris before a winter storm caused the cables to snap, releasing tonnes of debris down the river.
He says it would only cost a few thousand dollars to rebuild the sweep and institute an annual maintenance plan to keep it clear.
He says he’ll continue to push the regional district and forest companies for help in restoring the log sweep, and clearing Sproat River of his namesake.