Recreational users are being reminded that Levette Lake remains closed to all visitors, including those on day trips, due to the continued presence of three black bears in the area.
The Levette Lake Recreation Site, located north of Squamish, has been closed since July 4. This was prompted after several encounters with bears, which were attracted by the presence of human food and garbage. It is critical the lake is free of attractants for a period of time or the bears will come to permanently associate the site with food, according to officials in a press release. They said even short visits are potentially dangerous and will ultimately encourage the bears to stay in the area.
Signs have been posted in the area reminding people of the closure. The lake will remain closed until recreation officers have confirmed the bears have moved along. In the meantime, recreational users are reminded not attend the site, even for a short period of time.
Officials recommended a number of other recreation options within a 20-minute drive of Levette Lake that remain open. These include Brohm Lake, Cat Lake, Alice Lake Park and Murrin Lake Park.
Squamish is one of a handful of designated Bear Smart communities, and has undertaken an extra level of commitment to mitigate conflict between people and wildlife. The Bear Smart Community program encourages local governments, businesses and individuals to work together to address the root causes of human-bear conflicts, reducing the risks to human safety and private property, as well as the number of bears that have to be destroyed each year.
For more information on the Bear Smart program, visit www.bearsmart.com/Squamish.
