Lake Stewards' Report 2011
Lake Stewards, Angie and Peter Heydon report:
1. Oxbow Lake water quality monitoring
•The news is good – Oxbow continues to be a very healthy lake.
•Oxbow volunteers in the Ministry of the Environment Lake Partner program have been tracking 2 measures for 20 years:
-Secchi depth measures water clarity. Fluctuations are within normal range.
-Phosphorus: total phosphorus remains under10 μg/L. At this level a lake rarely experiences nuisance algal blooms.
2. Let’s keep our lake great!
2.1 Keep phosphorous out of the lake:
•Maintain your septic system
•Avoid using fertilizer
•Maintain a buffer zone along your shoreline.
•Use native plants for sustainable landscapes. They’re best adapted to the climate and conditions, and therefore avoid the need for fertilizer, pesticide and watering (and therefore leave a LOT more time to enjoy the cottage!)
•Use phosphate-free detergents
•Limit use of dishwashers
•Avoid washing anything in the lake – dogs, kids, etc.
•Even “biodegradable” soap won’t cut it—- biodegrading process absorbs oxygen, and oxygen loss is bad for the lake.
•Take the opportunity to help others learn
2.2 Avoid transporting invading species into our lake environment:
•We know we have spiny water fleas already.
•Two new threats are bloody red shrimp, and a disease called the “Ebola of the fish world” – viral hemorraghic septicemia.
•The key message here is the same one we’ve been saying for years—don’t move baitfish around, and power wash or thoroughly dry (5 days in sun) your boat and fishing equipment before moving from one body of water to another.
2.3 Preserve the tranquility
•Be conscious of speed – for safety and to minimize shoreline damage from wakes.
•Keep the noise in check.
2.4 Help you, your family and guests learn more about healthy lakeside living. Try visiting:
-http://www.muskokawaterweb.ca
-http://www.foca.on.ca/environment
-http://www.watersheds.ca
-http://www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed/index.asp
-http://www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/index.php/reports