Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park

Alberta Parks

Advisories

  • Blue-Green Algae - Swimming Not Advised - Sir Winston Churchill

    Effective:  June 29, 2023

      General precautions
      • Avoid all contact with blue green algae blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water ASAP.
      • Do not swim or wade in any areas where blue-green algae is visable.
      • Do not allow your pets to swim or wade in these areas or to eat fish or fish trimmings from the lake.
      • Consider limiting human consumption of fish from the lake.

      For detailed information, go to Alberta Health Services Blue Green Algae Health Advisories. Please refer to the specific advisory for this lake.

      Blue-green algae bloom advisories are issued and rescinded by Alberta Health Services. Typically, advisories are lifted in late autumn, when water temperatures are so cool that blue green algae growth is no longer supported.

    • Fecal Water Quality - Camper's Beach - Swimming Not Advised

      Effective:  June 28, 2023

        Due to elevated levels of fecal bacteria currently present in the water, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is advising the public not to swim or wade at this beach area, effective immediately.

        Elevated levels of fecal bacteria were detected via testing of the lake water at this beach location.

        At current levels, gastrointestinal illness may result from ingestion of the water. As well, there is the possibility of skin, ear, and eye infections with water contact.

        As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

        AHS Environmental Public Health officers will continue to monitor the water

        For detailed information, visit AHS Health Advisories.

        Affected Areas
      • Causeway Bridge Load Reduction

        Effective:  June 23, 2023

          A recent inspection by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors identified structural issues on the bridge on the causeway leading to SWCPP. The identified issues require immediate load reductions to ensure the safe use of the bridge:

          LOADING TYPE

          JUNE 2023

          REDUCTION

          CS1

          11.4 tonne (25,100 lbs)

          CS2

          19.9 tonne (43,800 lbs)

          CS3

          25.8 tonne (56,800 lbs)

          CS1 is defined as an axle spacing of less than 4.5m. This means that any truck / car towing a trailer that has less than 4.5m from the towing (rear) axle to the trailer axle must be less than 15 tonne (total vehicle/trailer weight).

          CS2 is defined as an axle spacing over 4.5 m. So if the spacing from the towing axle to the trailer axle is over 4.5m, the weight can be up to 25 tonne (total vehicle/axle weight).

          CS3 is defined as a truck and a full trailer with 2 tandem axles, in the case where the inter-axle spacing between the tandem axle groups is 5.0 metres or more.

           

          What does this mean for campers? You may be unable to bring your motorhome to SWCPP. Class A and Class B motorhomes fall under loading type CS1. Without water and sewage, a Class A motorhome can weigh up to 16 tonnes and a Class B motorhome can weigh up to 10 tonnes.

           

          We are working with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to find solutions; however, upcoming reservations will need to be cancelled if your vehicle exceeds the identified weight limits. Please call 1-877-537-2757 or visit to www.Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca to cancel or change your reservation. Alternate sites that can accommodate your vehicle and camping unit are available in the area.

           

          We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. For more information about load ratings, visit http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype260/production/trans-restricted-bridge-list-for-provincial-highways.pdf.

      • Trails

        Effective:  May 18, 2023   Updated:  June 1, 2023

          Kinglet Trail (part of the interior loop of the island trails) near the entrance of Big Island, as the boardwalk is not passable. Please obey all signage for closed trail. 

      • Closure - Pelican Viewpoint

        Effective:  October 28, 2022   Updated:  June 1, 2023

          Due to high water in previous years, upgrades are required to the Pelican Viewpoint platform and stairway that provides lake access, this structure is closed for public use for the 2023 season.

      Safety Links

      Provincial Sources for Advisories