These rules apply to all residents and their guests; it is the responsibility of each property owner to ensure all property occupants and guests are aware of all posted LCRA rules and regulations and follow them accordingly.
All members and their guests are solely responsible for any loss, accidents, or injuries to themselves or others as a result of access to, or use of, the LCRA property and facilities. All park amenities and activities are unsupervised.
Beach & Swimming
- The LCRA does not provide any form of supervision or lifeguards; all swimming and beach activities are done at the risk of the members and guests.
- Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times.
- Floatation devices (e.g., inner tubes, air mattresses, beach toys, etc. are only permitted inside the marked swimming area; lifejacket rules apply (see Boating, below).
- The backyards, houses, and associated private docks across the lake are privately owned; access to these areas is considered trespassing.
- Members and guests wanting to distance swim the lake are required to sign in and out at the LCRA Office as a safety precaution.
- Changing and disposal of used diapers must be completed in the Lakehouse washrooms, where receptacles are provided; diaper disposal in garbage cans is prohibited.
- Clothing is required for everyone accessing the beach and lake.
- Water depth off the beach area can vary; the float balls indicate the swimming area boundary and an average depth of 10 feet.
- Diving (non-scuba) is not permitted in the lake or associated waterways.
Boating
- The LCRA does not provide any form of supervision or lifeguards; all swimming and beach activities are done at the risk of the members and guests.
- The LCRA Boathouse provides lifejackets; any equipment rented from the Boathouse is to be returned immediately after use.
- Rentals are restricted to members only; members must provide a valid LCRA membership card at the time of rental that matches the person signing out equipment.
- Usage of boats and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) requires at least one member on the boat/SUP; only members 16 years and older are permitted to use the boats alone.
- Boating, fishing, and swimming are only permitted in designated areas; wind-surfing is not permitted on LCRA property.
- In conjunction with the City of Calgary bylaw, lifejackets are required while using any floatation device or watercraft, including those owned by members.
- All boats are to be operated in a safe manner; reckless or dangerous operation of any equipment will result in membership restrictions, suspensions, or bans.
- Gas motors are not permitted for use on any watercraft (except for the LCRA safety motorboat); only electric trolling motors are permitted (MAX 30 lbs of thrust, 7-8km/hr).
- Battery-operated toys/boats may be operated off the shoreline between the docks and the first stream bed; these devices are not to exceed 20 lbs of thrust (4-5 km/hr).
- Any rented LCRA equipment must not be pulled up onto the shoreline, rocks, beach area, lake access area, private properties, or docks.
- All boats must come ashore immediately when potentially hazardous conditions exist, such as lightning, high winds, storms, or other inclement weather.
- If the water conditions are deemed hazardous by LCRA staff, announcements will be made in addition to three marine air horn blasts to notify all boaters to come to shore. Click here to watch the video for Lake Chaparral’s Weather Warning Procedure.
- During busy times, boat, SUP, and equipment rentals are restricted to 1/2 hour (30 mins); rentals are not provided after 8:00pm.
- All boats, SUPS, and rental equipment must return to the Boathouse no later than 8:30pm.
- All boats, SUPS, battery-operated toys/boats, and other equipment must stay at least 12 feet away from any scuba dive-down flag/float to avoid endangering the divers.
Scuba Diving
- All members and teaching divers must sign-in at the LCRA Office and show current proof of certification before any diving activities can commence.
- The underwater course was designed for scuba diving; any other activity in this area is considered an extremely hazardous safety risk.
- Management suggests calling the LCRA Office 12-48 hours prior to diving to book dive dates and times; availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Certified members can dive during operating hours on weekdays, weekends, and holidays; this is only permitted if the waterfront is open and if there are no events.
- Certified members may bring up to 5 guests if all are certified.
- Diving is not permitted along the west shoreline fishing area or inside the marked swimming area.
- Only 20 certified divers are permitted to be diving in the lake at any given time.
- Dive gear is only permitted to be temporarily stored on the grass area on the north side of the walkway by the beach area, before the bridge.
- Any certified divers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a certified adult diver.
- No scuba diving lessons or programs are permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.
- All scuba divers are required to:
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- Present lake membership card
- Sign in and out at the facility office and must provide proof of their certification card at each dive
- Sign current waiver form
- Use a diver down float and flag
- Dive with a certified partner
- Exit the water one hour prior to park closure (or sunset, whichever is sooner), or if signaled to come in by LCRA staff