People in Saskatchewan bid farewell to a long-standing landmark as an excavator, stranded in Quill Lakes for over a decade, was finally removed from the water this summer. The excavator had become a point of interest since it sank into the lake 11 years ago, approximately 160 kilometers east of Saskatoon.
Janice Reynolds, a resident of Nokomis near Quill Lakes, expressed the sentiment of losing a significant landmark in a region with limited attractions. The excavator’s saga began in March 2014 when it fell through the ice during a highway project. Over the years, it evolved into a sort of memorial, even earning a spot on Google as a former historical site with humorous five-star reviews.
Nokomis locals, like Reynolds, recalled the excavator’s accident coinciding with challenging times for farmers dealing with excessively wet conditions, sympathizing with the machinery mishap. Reynolds mentioned that the excavator’s removal brings closure but also takes away a piece of the past.
A team from Raptor Picker Services and Hotshots Inc. ventured to Quill Lakes in late July to undertake the challenging task of extracting the excavator. Previous attempts by eight different groups had failed, but Lance Lund, the company’s owner, was determined to succeed. Using a specially designed system and equipment, including heavy pickers and flatbed trucks, the team worked tirelessly for five days to hoist the excavator, weighing nearly 100,000 pounds, out of the water.
While some may lament the loss of the landmark, Lund emphasized the environmental concerns, citing the excavator’s oil content as a threat to the lake’s ecosystem. The Ministry of Environment confirmed no environmental damage during the recovery operation, ensuring the preservation of the Quill Lakes’ significance for shorebirds.
Despite mixed emotions surrounding the excavator’s removal, Lund expressed gratitude for the collective effort that successfully concluded the long-standing saga.