Skootamatta District Ratepayers Association

S.D.R.A.


LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN NEWS

Genesis

The idea of a formal Lake Management Plan was discussed and endorsed by the directors early in 2008., Many lake and cottager associations across Ontario have already found that developing and implementing a formal plan has been a positive experience for ALL users of our freshwater resources.

The proposal obviously has wide appeal with members and was enthusiastically received by attendees at the 2008 AGM, where Ken Hook and Rosemary Teed got things off to a great start with their presentation of exactly what is involved.

Thanks to the large group of members that have quickly volunteered to assist with the many aspects of this multi-year task.

Ray Angers, Gordon Birnie, Bob Blatchford, Jane Jefferys Cooke, Rhonda Cummings, Patrick Falby, Anne & Bill Franchetto, Bill Garnish, Cheryl Glecoff, Bruce Goodale, Don & Barb Hall, Joan Hudgin, Louise Middleton, Derek Mendham, Mike Vaughn, Gay Viggers, Thelma Washburn

First Steps

  • The SDRA-sponsored Septic Seminar was well publicized and drew a good (~ 35) crowd of interested property owners. The event was covered in the local SHIELD newspaper
  • Signs warning of danger from invasive species have been obtained and posted at the Trail's End boat ramp and the upper lake access
  • The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters with the assistance of the SDRA, will be conducting a one day spot survey of boats launched Trail's End ramp.

It's all about the water ...

For several years, dedicated SDRA volunteers have participated in the Ontario government's Lake Partner Program, created to monitor water clarity and phosphorus levels in lakes across the province. All data is available on the Lake Partner website.

Gord McCullough has been our liason with the program recently and passes along a historical synopsis, as well as the latest results. Gord notes, Our overall average over the last few years is about 10.5 ul/L. This year's average is 8.5 ul/L of phosphorus. The 9 readings taken in July were not as accurate but averaged below 10 ul/L in July. Readings taken in July are normally higher than ones taken earlier (May).

2008 Secchi disk readings are also now complete. All readings were taken in the middle of the channel between Big Island and the Henniger Road shoreline, (44.50.506N, 077.14.106W):
26 May 10:40 am 3.9 metres
21 June 09:00 am 4.1 metres
22 July 09:30 am 4.8 metres
19 Sept 09:00 am 4.0 metres

Gord comments again, Secchi disc readings are rough measure of water clarity. Many things affect the readings. The reader's eyesight is, of course, a factor. Ken has good eyesight. Even gentle waves affect the depth of vision. Bright sunlight affects the results. Large temperature differences affect readings. Clearer water is basically good. It is an indication of less suspended matter or (ed. algae) "blooms". Readings of 6 or 7 metres could indicate a dead lake, (high acidity). In the years from 1999 to 2003, (the years when our readings were recorded), observations averaged just under 3.2 metres. We have no readings recorded from 2004 to 2007. The new readings average 4.2 metres. This is good. The better readings in both Secchi discs and Phosphorus are most likely due to flushing of our lake with much greater precipitation and run off. These descriptions of the results are a layman's explanation.

This year, for the first time, the SDRA has contracted a private laboratory to do more comprehensive testing, including sampling for E-Coli, (the common bacteria from human and animal waste that is a major hazard in drinking water). The 2008 Lab results are available, as well as some additional details, and a map of the sampling sites. While the lake water generally appears in very good shape, all three areas sampled for E-Coli returned measurable readings - indicating that lake water should not be used directly for drinking. (Public water sources must have NO measureable E-Coli content per latest Ontario government regulations).

We have also received a reading of 5 ppm of calcium in lake water tested this year. Calcium is one of the salts that makes water 'hard' but it is also the critical element that sustains colonies of zebra mussels - which have invaded our great lakes. Current thinking seems to be that at least 12 ppm of calcium is necessary for the mussels, with some indications that they may not be able to thrive at less than 20 ppm. These figures suggest that even if mussels were accidentally introduced into Skootamatta, they would not be able to establish themselves permanently, at this time.

For a whole raft of information on water quality parameters, surf over to the BASIN in Boulder. If you're up for a longer voyage, you can try paddling upstream through 101 pages of the Government of Canada's treatise on 'Recreational Water'.

The SDRA will continue to do enhanced water testing in coming years as one measure of the effectiveness of our overall Lake Management Plan.


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