In 2003, Agrium’s Kapuskasing Phosphate Operations (KPO) confirmed that ore reserves they were mining extended under the small lake called Cargill Lake. In order to access these additional reserves, the lake needed to be removed. After much discussion it was decided that Cargill Lake could be relocated 300 metres south.

The plan to move the lake required a design, approval from the government and eventually a knowledgeable construction crew. An environmental impact assessment was completed and members of the surrounding community and local First Nations were consulted. When this process was complete, KPO received approval to remove Cargill Lake and construct the new lake.

The new lake was constructed to span 25-hectares, or 400 by 300 metres, with an average depth of three metres. In developing the new habitat, Agrium had the opportunity to improve on nature by adding a fish ladder that connected the lake to the downstream creek. This allows for better movement of fish between the downstream environment and the new lake.

When the lake was ready for aquatic life, crews trolled the shoreline to capture and transport microscopic aquatic life as well as forage fish like minnows. When the team was assured these forage fish had survived to provide a food base for the larger fish, the rest of the fish were moved to the new lake in stages. In total over 52,000 fish were relocated from Cargill Lake including more than 10,900 yellow perch, 40,000 golden shiners and 575 northern pike.

As Cargill Lake will eventually be returned to the area when the pit is closed, the relocated lake needed a name. JoAnne Mooney, Environment, Health and Safety supervisor at KPO called out to Agrium employees for suggestions. The winner was Lake Pitama, one of several dialects in Cree meaning “for now.”

Today, Lake Pitama is thriving. Plant and fish communities appear to be healthy and are reproducing at normal rates. Agrium continues to monitor the health of the ecosystem each year to ensure its continued success. Moving a lake was no easy task for this group of miners but everyone is proud of a job well done.