ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT LAKE PARTNER PROGRAM

Todd Millar

If you've read this report before, you're probably familiar with the sampling format and our involvement in the Lake Partner Program. If not, here goes -

1) At the beginning of the summer cottage season, we take three water samples from each of our five sample sites around the lake. The samples are sent to the Environmental Science Centre in Dorset for analysis of total phosphorous.

2) In the second phase, every two weeks from Victoria Day through Labour Day, we measure water clarity, colour and temperature at these same five sites. For the 2008 season we took readings on nine occasions. These readings are averaged together and reported below.

Briefly:

• Water clarity is measured using a secchi disc. The 20cm black and white disc is lowered into the lake and the depth at which the disc is no longer visible is recorded. (Light actually penetrates to twice the secchi depth.)
• Water temperature is measured at a depth of 1 metre.
• Three water samples are taken at the secchi depth determined above to measure Total Phosphorus. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient that critically influences the growth of algae. Algae can be present in the water year-round and there are types of algae that can thrive in a variety of conditions.
• As phosphorus levels increase, algae growths increase and water clarity decreases. After heavy rains, clarity can also decrease and water colour change due to run off overland and dissolved organic compounds from swamps and wetlands which stain the water a 'tea brown' colour.

The first water temperature readings of the season on May 18th ranged from 9 degrees Celsius off FishPole Point to a balmy 13 degrees in Minden Bay. Over the five sample sites, the average temperature was 11.6 degrees. The warmest observed temperature for the summer was a cooler 24 degrees on August 24th.

Refer to Reflections 2009 for a view of historic secchi readings from our five sample points over the last seventeen years.

Your impact and how you can help?

How you use your cottage and your respect for the lake and land around it will impact the quality of the experience for you, your family, your guests and neighbours for generations to come. Your usage directly and indirectly impacts water quality and related lake attributes that makes Kawagama the lake that it is. Your usage includes activities on and near the water and back throughout the watershed.

Some basic principles:

• Maintain a buffer zone of trees and natural vegetation along the shore to contain erosion and assimilate nutrients before they reach the lake.
• Keep track of Household Hazardous Waste Days at the Landfill Site and dispose of batteries, paint, fuel and other related items accordingly.
• Maintain your septic system and have it pumped every three to five years.
• Keep land clearing to a minimum. Re-vegetate bare areas with native trees and plants to minimise erosion to the lake.

We hope that with the continued care and diligence of all KLCA members we can look forward to preserving truly one of the finest lakes in the province.

Full text printed in Reflections 2009

Todd Millar

Director, Lake Partner Programs