Newly Asked Questions - Updated February 27, 2024:
1. Will the surface of the breakwater be accessible to foot traffic?
Yes. The surface of the breakwater will have a 30 foot (9 metre) wide, flat walking surface bounded by a sheet steel pile retaining wall facing the creek and heavy rock rip rap facing the lake. The height of the new surface will be approximately one metre higher than the existing surface.
2. What if the contract bids come in over budget?
The contract budget includes a 15% contingency allowance and the proposed interim financing by bank loan or debenture also contains a contingency amount.
3. Are the required permits in place?
Of the six federal, provincial, and municipal permits required, four have been issued and two have been applied for. We do not anticipate any delay in approval.
Frequently Asked Questions - January 26th, 2024
1. What is the best way to access information about this project?
Go to the Jackfish Breakwater Project page on Facebook or Cochin’s website at cochin.ca. Please direct any questions or comments to the Breakwater Facebook site.
2. What is the purpose of the breakwater?
The breakwater prevents siltation of Lehman Creek mouth as a result of wave action and ice movement which, before its initial construction in the late ‘30s or early ‘40s, resulted in the creek mouth being reduced to a delta with rivulets of water.
Early in Cochin Council’s first term, Council members examined the state of disrepair of the breakwater and determined that something had to be done to prevent total failure of the structure which could result in a return to the historically restricted creek flow.
3. How did the Breakwater Steering Committee come into existence?
A Committee of Council, designated as the Project Steering Committee, was struck and it created a Project Charter which is posted as a stand-alone document on both the Cochin website and the Jackfish Breakwater Project Facebook site.
4. Who is on the Project Steering Committee?
The steering committee is comprised of Harvey Walker, Mayor of Cochin as Chair, Peter Wiesner, Cochin Councillor, Sherry Jimmy, Reeve of the RM of Meota, Ruth Seime, Chair of the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, and Moosomin First Nation and Saulteaux First Nation representatives. Rob Wiebe is a technical advisor. The Communications Sub-Committee consists of Alexis Christensen along with David and Joy Regnier.
5. What will this cost and what about funding?
The estimated total cost of the project Is $1.8 M and has been developed by our contracted consulting engineers WSP. A funding report entitled “Friends of Jackfish Lake” has been posted on the Jackfish Lake Breakwater Project Facebook page and on Cochin’s web site. All monies received are held in trust and will be independently audited. Currently approximately $500K remains to be raised.
6. Are Government permits required?
There are numerous federal, provincial, and municipal government approvals required for this project to proceed, and WSP has already begun applying for those permits.
7. Are the committee members being paid?
No Committee member is being paid from any funds raised to support this project. All funds raised through donations or grants will be used for this project only.
8. Why is the Committee seeking funds from other lake communities and not just from Cochin where the breakwater is located?
The Committee members see this as a lake communities’ challenge and not just a Cochin issue.
The RM, the Organized Hamlets, the Resort Villages, and the Village of Meota each have a vested interest in maintaining a viable water passageway between the two lakes. Failure of the breakwater may seriously affect water levels in both lakes with water levels in Murray Lake and the Creek rising and those in Jackfish Lake falling. A failed breakwater will interfere with fish migration and negatively affect recreational activities on both lakes impacting property owners, daily users and tourists, all of whom spend huge sums in businesses in the area. In addition, the “flushing” effect of a good water flow will be lost.
9. Why is the committee seeking donations from individuals and private corporations?
The Committee members are of the view that there are individuals and private corporations who have the resources to support funding of this project and have an interest in contributing to the health of our lakes in addition to any donation by their respective community.
10. Are donations tax deductible?
All donors will receive a charitable tax receipt for donations over $25.00.
11. What is the timeline for this project?
The construction tendering and contract process will be underway in the next month or so for supply and installation of materials. It is anticipated that we will have shovels in the ground in August 2024 with construction being complete before the end of 2024.
12. How can I get project updates?
Updates to this report will be sent to those on Cochin’s email list. Additionally, information will be posted to cochin.ca as well as Jackfish Breakwater Project Facebook site.
If you wish to be added or removed from the Cochin’s email list, send an email to cochinadmin@sasktel.net .
Please see the following videos re: Jackfish Breakwater Project
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bZIsh_ZPBUv1QxT0LCmqnNN7Tem_Eq5N/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pY03W3GW7stFU4fspPQfiPeTBcb5fSAp/view?usp=sharing