​Buffalo Lake is a special place that many of us enjoy for its natural beauty, peaceful water, and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, it’s easy to feel connected to this place.
Over time, we’ve all used the shoreline in different ways—clearing brush for views, making trails, driving ATVs on the beach, and shaping the shoreline to suit our needs. These activities have helped people enjoy the lake, but they’ve also had effects that we’re only now fully understanding.

Expectations vs. Reality: Not a Resort, but a Living Shoreline

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​Many Albertans vacation in places with wide, white-sand beaches—tropical resorts or lakes with highly engineered shorelines—and understandably hope for the same here. But Buffalo Lake is not a manufactured environment; it’s a living system shaped by seasonal cycles, native plants, and wildlife.
Buffalo Lake's shoreline:
  • Naturally fluctuates in width and character depending on the year’s water levels, precipitation, and wind patterns.
  • Is home to native grasses, willows, and aquatic vegetation that stabilize the shore, clean runoff, and provide vital habitat.
  • Includes public lands—such as Environmental Reserves and Crown-owned bed and shore lands—which are protected under the Municipal Government Act and Public Lands Act, and not meant for clearing or private landscaping.
These features are not signs of neglect—they’re essential for maintaining the lake's health. Removing vegetation to create a “tidy” or “beach-like” shoreline can actually:
  • Accelerate erosion
  • Harm fish and bird habitat
  • Lead to degraded water quality
  • Violate environmental legislation like the Water Act or Wildlife Act
In other words, the lake can’t—and shouldn’t—be forced to look like a resort. A natural shoreline may appear “messy,” but it’s working hard to protect the lake’s long-term health.

Why Are Things Changing

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​We now better understand the impact of shoreline use. Some practices that were once common—like mowing to the water’s edge or using ATVs along the beach—are now discouraged or restricted, because:
  • Natural shoreline vegetation filters runoff, prevents erosion, and supports fish and wildlife.
  • Disturbing bird nests or aquatic habitat can violate the Wildlife Act or Fisheries Act.
  • Public lands such as Environmental Reserves and Provincial ROWs are legally protected, and unauthorized clearing may contravene the Public Lands Act or Municipal Government Act.
Our increased awareness has led to changes in regulation, but also in stewardship expectations—from both government and the public.

Rethinking Our Relationship With the Shoreline

This isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about understanding and adjusting.
Let’s ask ourselves:
  • Is our vision of a “perfect beach” based on resort marketing or on what’s best for the lake?
  • Can we learn to appreciate the wild beauty of native vegetation and wildlife?
  • How do we make sure Buffalo Lake thrives for generations, not just one summer?

How We Can Help Today

You can support the health of Buffalo Lake by:
  • Resisting the urge to “clean up” natural shorelines—they are functioning ecosystems.
  • Leaving vegetation in place in public lands and along the water’s edge.
  • Avoiding ATVs on beaches and sensitive areas.
  • Using only designated access points and respecting seasonal water levels.
  • Supporting local initiatives that protect habitat and follow the Water Act, Wildlife Act, and other key laws.
  • Helping shift the community expectation: from manicured beaches to meaningful stewardship.

A Different Kind of Beauty

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Buffalo Lake doesn’t need to look like a postcard beach to be worth loving. Its value lies in its natural rhythm, its role as habitat, and the clean water it supports for all of us.

Let’s reshape our expectations and recognize that a shoreline full of birdsong, wildflowers, and waving reeds is not something to remove—but something to protect.

Thank you for being part of this shared responsibility.

Helpful Links:
Monday to Thursdays
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on Statutory Holidays
Office Location
#8 Front Street
White Sands, AB
Mailing Address:
Box 119
Stettler, AB  T0C 2L0