INNISFAIL – After nearly a seven month wait the new all-season floating dock for Dodd’s Lake has been installed.
The new recreational amenity was finally put in the lake on Sept. 17 by volunteers and members of the Innisfail Fish and Game Association (IFGA).
The new dock is located in the boat launch area in the southwest part of the lake; about 20 metres west of the smaller existing dock that was installed many years ago by the Innisfail Water Ski Club.
The installation actually began with prep work on Sept. 15. Two days later it took four hours of heavy lifting and precision fitting of four large donated cement anchor blocks from Lafarge Canada to get the job done.
The new floating t-shaped dock, extending 40-feet into the lake, is now ready for boaters, kayakers, anglers and even swimmers.
There is even a ladder attached for users, notably for swimmers who want access to deeper water and have an easier way to get out.
The dock also has anchoring points for kayakers and boaters, as well as side bumpers to protect boats from damage.
Last February Bob Leney, past-president of IFGA, made a presentation to Innisfail town council that his group was spearheading a plan to add a larger floating dock to Dodd’s Lake at a cost of under $20,000.
He said the dock project was a partnership between his association and Alberta Fish & Game Association (Zone 3), Innisfail Lions Club, Safari Club International and the Alberta Conservation Association, and Link Contracting.
Council was told in February the plan also envisioned the dock’s installation in spring, with it then officially donated to the Town of Innisfail. With the installation now complete the town now assumes all future responsibility for the dock.
However, while the dock was purchased in late spring getting the necessary regulatory approvals from Alberta Environment took more time than expected.
“Part of our donation was to ask the town to do the permitting of a permanent dock because they would be the owners and it's their land on the border. It's easier for them to apply,” said Leney. "It turned out to be a little more onerous than we thought, so it took a bit more time.”
He said the idea for a new dock came after it was noticed there was a dramatic increase in user popularity at the lake, especially with anglers eager to test the rising numbers of Prussian carp.
Three years ago the Innisfail Lions Club began its annual trout stocking program, which also increased the number of users at the lake.
“After going down numerous times and seeing the shoreline quite packed with all the anglers, and with there being limited shoreline down there, probably the best way to go out onto the lake is from a decent sized dock,” said Leney, adding there has also been increase usage from kayakers.
“It (new dock) gives people more shoreline, more areas to fish or boat. It’s to ease some of the congestion that’s happening down there.”
