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Inukshuks Standing Proud Marking Dangerous Boating Hazard Below
For over fifty years I have been brazenly driving boats across Kamaniskeg having once paddled my long shaft outboard over every underwater peak I could find throughout the rock shoals far offshore between the two islands and Chippewa Lodge. Check out the size of the Inukshuk compared to a six year old. The Inukshuk is the aboriginal greeting indicating someone has passed this way before.
At the shallowest spot I could find and with the lake below summer minimum level, estimated at about 6 inches below ‘normal’, I measured the water at 18 inches or 46 cm, or my knee level, whichever measurement you prefer.
In addition to the two substantial Inukshuks measuring about a metre above the water, there are currently about four javex bottle sized markers. This works fine for the vigilant boater in the day but night or poor visibility might create a very unpleasant surprise.
My GPS indicated coordinates of ‘ 45.383799,-77.681996 ‘ and if you copy and paste that latitude and longitude into Google Maps, exactly as you see it here, a green arrow should appear centred in the map right over the dangerous rocky shoal. Beware! Google Map
Is Kamaniskeg Colder Due to OPG Modernization?
Further to our earlier item, OPG has placed temperature measuring & recording devices throughout its system with a concentration in Kamaniskeg and the river down from the Bark Lake dam. Please note that these are not lighted, solar or otherwise, so that they represent a boat traffic hazard given that several are located directly in traffic areas where knowledgeable boaters would not be inclined to avoid at night such as they would for known shallow rocks, similarly marked with white buoys.
With water levels and flows so low, the one day a week (Monday) testing has been cancelled for the present time. With so little water available, MKC currently operates rafting trips only three days per week, rather than their normal four.
Now that there are no days of cold water (because the Monday test day cold water release has been cancelled for now, due to low Bark Lake supply availability), the validity of any water temperature tests is suspect since no cold water is entering Kamaniskeg presently.
The purpose of these tests was intended to justify exclusive use of the bottom gates if temperature changes are below some threshold, say the requirement for rafters to wear wet suits. Since river and lake temperatures are now expected to be apparently unaffected, OPG will likely conclude that introducing cold bottom water does not affect temperature. After all, OPG did install thermometers, yet should expect to see no unusual temperature changes, given there was no cold water released during much of the test period.
It should be pointed out that even during initial tests, OPG was combining some warm top water, consistent with supplying continuous minimum flows, along with the variable peak flow colder bottom water as & when required by contract to generate flows sufficient for rafting rapids.
KAPOA was contacted for volunteers to provide locations for temperature sensors but our considerable response appears to have been totally ignored. So much for cooperation and transparency !
KAPOA Regatta
The 2012 regatta was again a big success with gorgeous hot sunny weather contributing. New regatta signs may have helped build the attendance.
A couple of sail boats flipped in the substantial gusts to the embarrassment of their captains, but other than that, most everything went smoothly. Swimming, canoeing, noodle races were all closely contested as was the sand castle contest.
Two tents were erected this year so childrens’ awards could be separated from membership & advocacy efforts.
The new tug-of-war rope performed perfectly so the avid contestants provided the entertainment rather than watching teams land on their collective butts when than the rope broke, several times last year, we might add.
A participation ribbon was added this year so any child performing in one or more events would leave with at least a memento for the day.
I think it safe to say that a good time was had by all. I’m already looking forward to the regatta again next year!
Kamaniskeg Lake Appetizer Party
It’s a meet and greet get-together where everybody brings some pot luck appetisers to be shared and their own beverages, typically not to be shared 😉
The Wilmers hosted two years ago, and last year it was the Jurevjicz family. This year, KAPOA President Dave Wilson, and Joanne, his much better half, hosted at their 668 Kamaniskeg Lake Road residence.
Some folks came by boat and tied up to the boat hitching post (aka wake-board rail) after disembarking passengers at the dock. Others came by car, ATV, or even walked, all contributing to a great day. With people arriving from so many parts of the lake, it would be hard not to meet someone new.
Group pictures were taken and made available for purchase for a nominal price by Bev & Roy Coe. It’s always a humorous exercise as the photographer runs to join the picture before the camera countdown completes. We have the picture on the KAPOA web site as well so you can see who all you recognise.
Please feel welcome to join in next year!
St Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) (Barry’s Bay)
Did you know that SFMH is bigger than Bancroft’s hospital yet Bancroft is a larger community? Did you also know that SFMH has a 6 bed Dialysis unit; a Telemedicine facility whereby a person can videoconference with remote medical professionals; a brand new mammography unit; a half million dollar digital image transmission capability; a heliport; among many other features comparable to larger hospitals. Folks can retire in our KAPOA area reassured by the great medical care available nearby.
KAPOA VP, Kerra Wylie and her regatta team suggested that monies they generate at the regatta from the 50:50 draw be donated to SFMH. All funds are allocated to the purchase of new equipment and will not form part of any operating budget.
Kerra hopes the 2012 KAPOA Regatta donation of approximately $265 is seen as bringing KAPOA ‘closer to the community’ and that this modest donation will inspire individual KAPOA members and other newsletter readers to make their own donations to SFMH as well, especially during August when the Weston family generously agreed to match donations.
Please note that no membership dues were donated.
KAPOA Events Calendar
This calendar is included to let everyone know what is going on whether they participate in any particular event themselves or are simply want to be informed that something has already happened or is yet to occur.
Membership Meeting: April 28, 2012
Bay Day: May 19, 2012
Directors Meeting: May 20, 2012
MKC Raft & BBQ: Friday July 6, 2012
KAPOA AGM: Saturday July 21, 2012
KAPOA Regatta: Saturday August 4, 2012
Appetizer Lake Party: Saturday August 11, 2012
Hospital Foundation: Wednesday August 15, 2012
Directors Meeting: Sunday September 1, 2012
Wind-up Get Together: Sunday Septemer 1, 2012
Interlake Cottage Association Meeting: Saturday September 29, 2012
