A small lake with a lot of importance

This body of water is named after foreshore tidal flats from which it came. Some 40 years ago, this small lake did not exist; instead it was borne out of various human efforts over the years leading to its evolution.

Raymond Fréchette, engineering coordinator for the Department of Public Works in Verdun Borough is familiar with its history. He has followed the lake’s evolution since he was hired by the city of Verdun in 1975. During the 60s, tons of materials were spilled into the island’s foreshore tidal flats, which were then zoned off as a park to prevent floods and to connect them to numerous islets in the area. This paved the way for the considerable expansion of the entire southern section of l’île des Sœurs. Before this was done, the waters of the river could still reach the edges of the forest and when the tide was very high.

The island’s residential development plans were to initially accommodate 45,000 people. The St. Paul forest and the area in which Lac des Battures was located were reserved for the construction of houses. To build the foundations for some of these constructions, an immense hole had to be dug in the spot where the lake eventually took shape. When plans were modified and the decision to protect a part of the forest was taken, this immense “water hole” over the years became the lake that we know today.

Mr. Fréchette confirmed that the lake is part of a whole ecological effort; the St. Paul forest and the future golf course are also integral parts of this effort. The marsh in these lands will be connected to each other and their full capacity will be spilled into Lac des Battures by a network of AWCs (available water capacity) and pipes extending up to the river. The waters of the lake presently originate from the soil run-off in the forest and the neighbouring land surfaces. The development of the golf course which involves the addition of a one-meter layer of clean earth, an irrigation system, and future lakes will limit drainage into Lac des Battures.

When the maximum level of Lac des Battures is reached, its excess capacity will be emptied into the river via the Hérons brook. This highly visible water course flows along a large section of its trajectory in underground canals. It passes under boulevard de la Forêt and reaches the river just above boulevard Marguerite-Bourgeoys.

If the majority of island residents are aware of the importance of Lac des Battures, some are less respectful of this ecological treasure. People frequently come to the area and free red fish and other animal species that they want to get rid of. Given that the water surface is rather thin and seldom goes higher than two to three meters, the people who commit these acts compromise the fragile ecological balance of this natural milieu.

One has to see if Lac des Battures can manage to resist these types of “invasion.” It receives sufficient amounts of oxygen from the neighbouring forest and will benefit from the contributions of the future golf course so it is hoped that it will survive indefinitely, as it is one of the island’s most treasured possessions. The Borough is also planning for a fresh water supply from the river to ensure the perpetuity of the biological quality of the area.

Photo à venir : de Martin