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Lacombe County has launched a new community science initiative that invites residents and visitors to help monitor environmental changes on three of our major recreational lakes—Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, and Lacombe Lake.
Through the use of Chronolog, a time-lapse photo monitoring system, participants can contribute to ongoing environmental stewardship by simply snapping a photo. The County’s Environmental Services team has installed three Chronolog stations at:
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Burns Nature Park (Sylvan Lake)
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Sandy Point (Gull Lake)
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Lacombe Lake
How it works
Each Chronolog station features a fixed photo bracket above a sign with directions. Visitors can place their phone into the bracket, take a photo, and submit it using a quick and easy QR code found on the sign below.
Over time, the photos are compiled into a public time-lapse, showing how the landscape changes throughout the seasons and years.
Why it Matters
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Sylvan Lake (Burns Nature Park): This location helps track water levels, shoreline dynamics, and erosion patterns—key indicators of climatic and environmental change.
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Gull Lake (Sandy Point): Chronolog images from this point will help monitor lake levels and shoreline conditions, supporting the lake’s ecological balance and recreational use.
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Lacombe Lake (Trans Canada Trail): In addition to capturing seasonal shifts, this photo point plays a role in tracking the spread of invasive species like pale yellow iris, a prohibited noxious weed found at the lake.
This initiative supports sustainable lake management and provides a powerful visual tool for understanding long-term environmental changes. Plus, it gives the public an easy and meaningful way to get involved in local conservation.
Be Part of the Picture
Next time you're at one of these beautiful lakes, stop by the Chronolog station, take a photo, and contribute to a growing archive of environmental history.
To learn more about how Chronolog works, visit www.chronolog.io/how-it-works.