Newsletter Spring/Summer 2009

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Get Involved! Protect Our Lake!

Welcome to Summer 2009! This newsletter is focused on one of our most loved resources – water and Lake Kamaniskeg. As a community, we’ve got issues to discuss water quality, water levels and invading species. All issues are covered in this newsletter. Importantly, this summer the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will be holding an important public meeting for all stakeholders concerned about Kamaniskeg Lake. Your participation at this meeting is important to demonstrate to MNR and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) that control of the lake levels is an important issue to all of us. As you know, a very challenging balancing act exists between producing hydro electricity and ensuring the needs of fish and wildlife, environment and property owners are met. It is the hard work of past KAPOA community and executives that has led to the excellent lake levels we enjoy today. George Newton has been participating on the Advisory Committee for the Madawaska River and has written an excellent article explaining the situation on page 3. If you care about the lake and the future operating levels, you should plan to attend the meeting. The exact date has not yet been announced – they are targeting early July – but we will email everyone and ensure it is covered by “This Week” once it is confirmed.

We will be moving the annual general meeting to coincide with this important public meeting. We are hoping this will boost attendance and provide a forum for the KAPOA community to discuss the water levels, water quality and other important issues to all stakeholders.  We will also be holding elections for the vacant positions on the executive and it is important that these roles be filled so that the association can continue to represent all of us.

We need your help to monitor and improve our lake. Please GET INVOLVED.

I look forward to working with you and seeing you at the AGM.

Sean Capstick, KAPOA, President

Action Required and Help Needed:  KAPOA Water Quality Initiative

What do you know about the water quality of Lake Kamaniskeg? In the 70’s, our family used to drink the water directly from the lake – no filtration and no purification tabs. My aunt would brag that the annual test results once again showed that the lake was in great shape and clean enough to drink.

Today, our family still drinks the water from lake – thanks to the help of our 3 level filtration system. However, a few recent news stories have got me thinking about the water quality of Lake Kamaniskeg and what the future holds:

• In April, leachate from a Hastings County landfill site was treated at the Barry’s Bay wastewater treatment plant and then flowed into Kamaniskeg
• Alarming rise in phosphorus levels in some Ontario lakes – almost doubling since the late 1990s.
• Blue-green algae reports surfacing more frequently in Ontario

Some lake communities have rallied a small army of volunteers and resources to monitor and protect water quality of their lakes. The most impressive example I’ve uncovered is the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA) which today has more than 100 volunteers monitoring 200 sites spanning 19 lakes and rivers.  They produce thorough annual monitoring reports that are broadly accessible. Not only does MLA understand the quality of their lake water, they also have a history to watch for changes in quality over time. Most importantly, they work to protect the quality of their water and educate businesses and residents of water quality threats.

Today, I have no recent data to help me understand the water quality of our lake. These recent stories have awakened me from my suspended disbelief that nothing has changed since the 70s. We’d like to start a “KAPOA Water Quality Initiative” but need your help. We need to pull together a working group that will understand the factors affecting water quality on Kamaniskeg, assess the current water testing program, develop a plan and take action on what needs to be done.

So, please help our community answer the question: “What do you know about the water quality of Lake Kamaniskeg” and protect the water system we all love. If you’d like to participate in the working group or contribute funds to support the work, please email kapoawaterquality@gmail.com

Additional Resources:

• Toronto Star Article: How Climate Change is Hurting Lakes: www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2009/04/21/how_climate_change_is_hurting_lakes
• Ontario Lake Partner Program www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakepartner/index

Planning Future Kamaniskeg Lake Water Levels

Madawaska River Water Management Plan Update

The headwaters of the Madawaska River consist of a network of streams and lakes located in and near the south-eastern portion of Algonquin Provincial Park. The river cuts its way across the Precambrian Highlands of the Canadian Shield in its 225-kilometer journey to where it joins the Ottawa River near Arnprior. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) owns 5 hydroelectric generating stations and 4 dams on the Madawaska River system. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) operates a number of dams along the system. Among the other Operators on the river system that has an impact the lake is Bancroft Light and Power which operates a generating station on the York River. The York River joins the Madawaska in the Conroy Marsh which is located up river from Palmer Rapids where the Kamaniskeg Lake dam, which controls the outflow from the lake, is located Inflow to the lake is controlled at the Bark Lake dam.

A very challenging balancing act exists between the objective of producing hydro electricity, and ensuring the needs of fish, wildlife, property owners, environment and other users are met.

As a result of concerns expressed both locally and to the Ontario Hydro Chairman and the Minister of Natural resources, an agreement was reached in June 1995 between the MNR and Ontario Hydro (now the Ontario Power Generation OPG) to form a partnership to conduct a review of water management of the Madawaska. The result was the first Madawaska River Water Management Review (WMP), approved in 2000, was the first WMP in place on a river system in Ontario. The water management planning process call for periodic reviews of approved plans. The first review of the Madwaska River WMP is nearing completion and will be available for public review this summer. George Newton is the Standing Advisory Committee representative for KAPOA.

George reports that the Kamaniskeg Lake water levels are managed in three distinct periods throughout the year. They are:

1. The period from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving when the difference between high and low lake level is controlled to within 0.18 meters, this is called the “Summer Range”;
2. The period from when the ice cap forms over the Conroy Marsh (mid December) until Spring thaw (early April) when levels are controlled to within 0.12 meters (The Muskrat Range); and,
3. The rest of the year when the high and low water levels are allowed to vary by a greater amount. This is necessary to allow for other river activities such as: the fall draw down of Bark Lake Reservoir and the spring refill; spring thaw, etc (“The Normal Operating Range”).

There are other operating criteria such as the rate at which water flows on the river between the Bark Lake dam and the lake, the out flow from the Palmer Rapids dam, and etc.

It is expected that the Draft WMP2009 will be available for review at a Public Meeting currently planned to be held in Barry’s Bay sometime in early July. You will have ample opportunity to discuss these and other operation criteria, as well as what has been done to answer concerns raised about the impact of river operations at the meeting. You will receive advance notice of the meeting once the date is finalized.

To learn more, you can also visit: www.opg.com/safety/water/madawaska.asp

Invading Species Found in Kamaniskeg

To minimize the threat to our waterways, continued diligence is needed to control further infestation of invading species. The spiny water flea has already been found in Lake Kamaniskeg. Boaters, anglers and operators of personal watercraft must take precautions to avoid transporting invading species either to or from Kamaniskeg.  KAPOA will be posting large red stop signs at the three public boat launch locations on Kamaniskeg. Hopefully, these signs will remind boaters and anglers to INSPECT, DRAIN and WASH/DRY all equipment, boat and engine as well to EMPTY BAIL BUCKETS ON LAND.

What is the impact of the spiny water flea? The spiny water flea feeds on small animal life called zooplankton. When populations of this invader are high, zooplankton consumption can be significant. Compared to native zooplankton species, it eats up to three times as much food. Unfortunately, this prey is also the preferred food of native predatory zooplankton and native species of juvenile fish, resulting in direct competition. Research on the impact of the spiny water flea has shown changes in both the abundance and the diversity of zooplankton species. However, it is still too early to determine if spiny water flea will alter our aquatic ecosystems to the detriment of fish populations.

You could be a lake steward and help KAPOA fight invading species leader, if interested please email: kapoawaterquality@gmail.com. For more information, visit: www.invadingspecies.com

Great Day!! KAPOA Regatta 2008

Fortunate for all involved, the regatta was a beautiful day of fun and enjoyment!

Participation in all events continued to grow and 2008 saw 4 teams of 10+ in the children’s Tug-of-war. Isn’t that what it is all about? I think that is a sure sign that the next generation is climbing up the ranks!

The weather held up, making it a busy day on Hinterland Beach. Events ran smoothly from the tough competition in the Sand Castle building, to the Sailing, Swimming and Canoe Races, to the 40 + children taking part in the tug-o-war.

Kayak demonstrations gave all kids a chance to paddle around the shoreline. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and pride as they got the kayaks moving under their own power!

Congratulations go to this year’s winners!

• Best Female Swimmer – tie between Laurel Kazazian and Nicole Buchanan
• Best Male Swimmer – Gordon Minty
• Overall Competitor- tied between Jim Beecroft and Nicole Buchanan
• Sailing -1st place- Bill Cahoon

I would like to take moment to thank you the volunteers for their vital assistance and sponsors for their support in making the regatta such a success. Thanks to:

• Sponsors: The Pyz Family, Millar Ski School and Steepe Financial
• Bill Cahoon:  sailing coordinator
• John Michalecki:  photography and uploading photos to KAPOA.net
• Nancy Steepe: running the BBQ
• Glenelda St. Amand, Ian Doyle, & Vince Steepe: Membership and prep
• Chris Pyz and family: generous donations for the BBQ
• Cathy Pitts: generous donations to the BBQ
• Ryan Mallany and Rachel Michalecki: judging the Sand Castle competition
• Rachel & Angie Michalecki: 50/50 ticket sales – great job ladies!
• Dianne Stuart: Set-up and Registration
• Paddler Co-op:  kayak demonstrations
• Jim Beecroft: tremendous assistance at the finish line all day!

And a special thank you to these men without whom this day couldn’t have happened

• Tom Supra: Registration, Tabulation and Set-up
• Sean Capstick: dock set-up, event/race organizer, and tug-o-war
• Mike Steepe: set-up and break down, event assistance and tug-o-war
• George St. Amand: dock set-up/break down and transportation assistance

Georgeen St. Amand,  2008 Regatta Chair

Volunteers are needed for the 2009 Regatta and as always many hands make for light work! If you can spare a bit of time on the day of the regatta, please contact Georgeen @ 613-756-6412 or by email at: gstamand@rogers.com

Well Water: Inspection & Maintenance

If you get your water from a well, then it is a good idea to inspect your system annually in order to protect you and your family from possible contamination. Follow these easy steps:

• Check to make sure that your well is accessible.  Keep your well head clear.
• Check the well cap for signs of damage, and get it fixed or replaced immediately if there is a problem. The well cap should be firmly attached to the casing.
• Clean the air vent regularly to remove debris and moisture. The vent should face the ground and be properly screened to keep out insects. Only air should enter.
• Check that the well casing is firmly in the ground.  Other problems include a depression in the ground around the edge of the casing that can indicate that the sealant has shrunk, collapsed, or cracked.  Look for any external signs of damage, cracking, or dislocation of your well casing, e.g., due to vehicle damage if you can move the casing around by pushing it, that’s a bad sign.  Cracking and gaps allow run-off and surface water to move down the outside of the well casing and contaminate your drinking water and should be repaired by a licenced well water technician immediately.
• If you have a well pit remove the cover and look for water, debris, etc. Do not enter the pit, or breathe the gases which may fill the pit. The pit should be clean and dry. If water or other material has entered the pit, your water is at high risk of contamination. Clean out the pit. Consider upgrading or constructing a new well.
• Check to make sure your septic system is operating properly

If you have a well that is no longer used or maintained then it can become a direct pipeline for surface water or run-off to reach the aquifer. Unused and unmaintained wells threaten the groundwater that supplies your well, and possibly your neighbours’ wells.  It is your responsibility under the water well regulation to ensure that your unused wells are properly plugged and sealed.  Don’t try to seal your own well.  If you simply fill up your unused well with sand, gravel, stones, debris, or garbage, you won’t prevent the flow of surface water or run-off into the well. The material in the unused well may even contribute to contamination of your groundwater source. If you think you have a problem, information on water well testing is avaliable at www.wellwise.ca

For more information visit: www.foca.on.ca, www.wellaware.ca, www.ene.gov.on.ca/water.htm