Strongly oxidizing conditions released silver, copper, lead, zinc and nickel and the residual phase released aluminum, iron, manganese, arsenic, cobalt, mercury, nickel and zinc. Total concentrations of aluminum and iron were high in the residual fraction followed by lesser amounts of zinc and arsenic. Lake biota were examined in considerable detail. Benthic invertebrate densities are low and the community is dominated by oligochetes and dipteran larvae. Phytoplankton density and community structure characterize the lake as mesotrophic to eutrophic with higher densities than two oligotrophic lakes situated nearby.
Diatoms are the predominant phytoplankton.
Zooplankton densities are slightly lower than other Manitoba lakes and the community is dominated by rotifers, cladocerans and copepods. Aquatic vegetation in the lake was mapped and samples collected for metals analyses. Since 1975, the vegetation community in the tailings area has become more diverse and comparable to other areas in the lake. Fish sampling revealed a healthy fish population comprised of northern pike, white sucker, lake whitefish, yellow perch and spottail shiner. Metal levels in fish tissues are generally low compared to other Manitoba lakes and are within background levels observed elsewhere in Canada.