The City of Lacombe needs a permanent solution to stabilize water levels in Elizabeth Lake and Lake Anne.

According to a report from administration, levels have risen in the last 10 years and interim CAO Matthew Goudy said the city has had to re-establish trails, and has seen ecosystem change due to shoreline erosion.

Goudy adds private property has also been affected, with slumping decks and backyards.

The city had been pumping water from the lakes into Cranna Lake, which is connected to the stormwater system, which flows out to Wolf Creek.

A permanent fix could include a gravity pipe, which would carry an estimated construction cost between $720,000 to $840,000. The report says that would be the most cost-effective solution.

Council has yet to decide if it will include such a project in its 2018 capital budget or leave it in its 10-year capital plan.

The issue of rising water levels was brought to light when Alberta Environment denied a stormwater licence for a residential development called Bowett Ridge and Rosemont Estate.

That development depends on the city’s ability to stabilize water levels, Goudy said. Alberta Environment has not set what the levels need to be, but he’s confident that current levels would be sufficient for approval.

Looking long term, he added that if the development proceeded, it would provide an ideal route to run services to Rosedale Valley, a county area that could be annexed one day.