After spending over a decade submerged in Quill Lakes, an excavator that had become a Saskatchewan landmark was finally removed from the water this summer, prompting emotional farewells from locals. The excavator had fallen into the lake 11 years ago while attempting to cross the frozen surface during a highway project near Saskatoon. Janice Reynolds, a resident of Nokomis, described the excavator as a notable feature in the region, noting the scarcity of landmarks in the flat landscape.
The excavator’s saga began in 2014 when it sank through the ice before the spring thaw, becoming a peculiar attraction over the years. It even gained recognition as a historical landmark on Google, with amusing five-star reviews. The incident occurred during a period of challenging conditions for farmers, with many machines getting stuck in the mud, providing a relatable experience for the local community.
Efforts to extract the excavator intensified in late July when a team from Raptor Picker Services and Hotshots Inc. ventured to Quill Lakes for the rescue mission. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts by eight other groups, Lance Lund, the company owner, expressed confidence in their approach. Employing a specially crafted system and a range of heavy machinery, including pickers and flatbed trucks, the team successfully hoisted the 100,000-pound excavator out of the water over a five-day operation.
While some may lament the loss of the landmark, Lund emphasized the environmental importance of removing the excavator due to its oil content posing a threat to the lake’s ecosystem. The Ministry of Environment confirmed that no environmental impacts were reported during the recovery operation. Lund expressed relief at the successful extraction and praised the collaborative effort that led to the excavator’s removal, noting the unity and determination displayed by the team throughout the endeavor.
