Lake Beaumaris is the largest of 60 storm water lakes maintained by the city of Edmonton. It is situated north of 153 Avenue and east of Castle Downs Road, in behind the Lakeside Landing Mall.
Storm water lakes control/minimize flooding during heavy rains. Truth to tell, Edmonton has expanded far beyond the capabilities of its core storm-sewer system. If waters from heavy storms are not detained in the outlying districts serious flooding will result.
Beaumaris is home to a multitude of finned, furred and feathered critters. Fish (sticklebacks, chub and sometimes goldfish) thrive here. The presence of those fish brings mergansers, cormorants, loons, gulls, herons, pelicans, several varieties of grebes and the occasional kingfisher.
The waters support cattails and bull rushes as well as several grasses and sedges. That growth provides nesting cover for red-winged blackbirds, mallards, lesser scaups, rails, coots, grebes, ruddy ducks and geese.
Crows, magpies, blue jays and grackles, along with a number of songbirds, nest nearby. They forage along or near the lake.
2.6 kilometres, give or take a metre or two, of concrete sidewalks have ringed the lake since 1978.
Come and bring the kids. It's a great place for a Sunday walk and as this was written, there are 4 geocaches including this one along the walkway.