Lower Beverley Lake Association
P.O. Box 204, Delta, Ontario K0E 1G0
Spring 2000 Newsletter
click here to download the LBLA 2000 Newsletter in PDF format
(70 kbytes)
IMPORTANT
NOTE: The
web version of the newsletter (below) has been reformatted to make
it easy to read on screen. Material that appeared in the newsletter
that was already on the website has been omitted. Other editorial
changes have been made as well. To see the newsletter exactly as
it was printed, download the PDF file (above).
Greetings
We hope you had a pleasant winter and that you are looking forward
to the first summer season of the new millennium on beautiful
Lower Beverley Lake. [web editor's note: the first summer season
of the new millennium will actually be next year in 2001 - for
more info see The
21st Century and the Third Millennium]
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Annual General Meeting, 2000
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Date: Wednesday July 19, 2000
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Time: Registration 7:00 PM
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Place: United Church, Delta
The LBLA membership voted to change the annual meeting to the
third Wednesday in July. The format will be a brief business
meeting in the evening, to encourage wider attendance
and participation. Your representatives have been working on
many initiatives and concerns of the Lake community (see below)
and we will update the latest status and address new concerns
at the Annual Meeting.
Thanks to the effort, skill, and resources of Neil Herber and
Jan Reatherford, LBLA now boasts its own website. We plan to
post the annual newsletter, and update status on LBLA initiatives,
new concerns, etc. as the year progresses. Please give your
comments and suggestions to the Webmaster.
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Water Safety and Safe Boating
Work has continued since last summer to update
"Care of the Lake" and safe boating publications,
spearheaded by several members of LBLA. A Sergeant from OPP Rideau
Lakes Detachment and four OPP officers have provided advice and
assistance. Commercial Arts students at Smiths Falls Collegiate
did the graphics. One result is the three publications enclosed:
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SAFE AND CONSIDERATE BOATING ON LBL
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REPORTING BAD BOATING BEHAVIOR ON LBL
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DATABASE OF ALL WATERCRAFT OPERATED ON LBL
Please retain the first two and use them appropriately, and
provide the information requested on the Database and return
the information to LBLA.
A second result is a plan to greet campers entering the Lower
Beverley Lake Township Park on three peak arrival weekends.
The first two publications along with the "Safe Boating
Guide" will be distributed and Database information
collected. OPP Auxiliary Officers and members of LBLA will cooperate
in this activity. Our objective is to maintain and improve safe
and considerate boating by visitors to our lake and creeks.
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Operator Competency Requirements
The operator of a pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used
for recreational purposes must have proof of competency on board
by the following dates:
Operator born after April 1, 1983 Sep 15, 1999
All operators of craft less than 4m/13ft Sep
15, 2002
All operators Sep 15, 2009
Details of requirements are available in the "Safe
Boating Guide", which can be obtained by calling the
Boating Safety Infoline (1-800-267-6687) or visiting the Canadian
Coast Guard website (www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca).
For people who wish to prepare themselves to take the examination
for a boating Operator Competency card, LBLA has obtained copies
of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron "Boat Pro Manual",
available at the public libraries in Delta and Lyndhurst. In
Ontario, for approximately $20, a similar booklet may be obtained
from some motor vehicle license issuing offices, and at some
offices, for a fee of $30, it is possible to take the Operator
Competency exam and have a card issued. If you would like both
a course and exam, see your phone book Yellow Pages under "Boating
and Sailing Instruction".
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The tremendous response to Ontario’s Cottage Watch Program
is mirrored by the response on Lower Beverley Lake. More than
150 Cottage Watch groups have been formed throughout Ontario
in the first year of the program, and more than 110 LBL cottages
now have the Cottage Watch decals in their windows.
For those of you who have not yet been canvassed or are unaware
of the program, Cottage Watch is a program sponsored by a grant
from the Partners in Crime Prevention program, Ministry of Solicitor
General. The program itself is roughly a lakeside equivalent
to Neighbourhood Watch. It organizes lakeside residents to identify
valuables and assist each other to prevent crime. The Rideau
Lakes OPP Detachment reports that there has been only one report
of a Break & Enter on LBL this winter, compared to six in
1998.
A request for funding for large Cottage Watch road signs has
been submitted to the Police Services Board of the Township
of Rideau Lakes, and we are hopeful of consideration in their
budget for 2000. We have ordered smaller signs (9"x12"
dock signs) that will be available to individuals for approximately
$25.
If you are willing to canvass your particular part of utopia
or if you are interested in joining the program, please call
John Truyens at 928-3199.
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Water Level Monitoring and Control
LBLA representatives met with the Water Resources Technician
of the MNR at the Delta and Lyndhurst measurement points on
August 18, 1999. Dams at Delta, Lyndhurst, and Morton enable
water levels to be controlled more or less independently in
our watershed. During non-frozen months, MNR takes weekly readings.
For optimum benefit of residents and recreational users of the
waterways, MNR tries to keep the summer fluctuation to 15 cm/6
inches. However, many factors must be juggled to achieve an
optimum level, including snowfall, frost depth, seasonal rainfall/dry
spells, heat waves/evaporation, etc. We obtained a copy of guidelines
established some years ago with MNR regarding appropriate water
levels for LBL, and will work with MNR to monitor water levels.
Please report concerns regarding water level to Don Santos (928-3111),
and not directly to MNR.
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MNR was contacted expressing LBLA concern regarding netting
of coarse fish during late winter/early spring, lower creel
count of game fish, and requesting consideration of establishing
fish sanctuaries in LBL. The response from the MNR Area Biologist
indicated an assessment of the current fish population was desirable
before designing any fisheries management for LBL. MNR is considering
a netting program, which could be augmented by voluntary angler
creel/diary surveys. A meeting is being scheduled in June to
explore ways in which concerned members, persons licensed to
fish commercially in LBL, and MNR can cooperate in preserving
the fishery.
We are also gratified by Resolution #429-99 by the Council
of the Township of Rideau Lakes regarding LBLA fish netting
concerns. The LBLA Brochure on Fishing will be available again
this year.
A Fish and Wildlife Guardian Program has been inaugurated
by MNR to utilize local volunteers to provide positive information
and education to anglers and hunters. Volunteers will be given
two days of training, to prepare them for a non-confrontational
role in monitoring spawning areas, and assisting in understanding
regulations and sanctuary protection. This program enables concerned
LBLA members to play an active part in conservation and show
users of our resource that we care about the lake. We are grateful
that a few members have already applied to be Guardians starting
in the summer of 2000, and hope you can help. For additional
details, please contact Doug Kilpatrick at 1-613-283-9731.
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LBLA will participate in the area wide effort to eliminate
use of lead sinkers. Loons and other water birds with similar
feeding habits foraging for food can swallow lead when they
eat fish with sinkers or jigs attached. In Ontario, 30% of adult
loon mortality is attributed to ingestion of lead sinkers and
jigs. Clare Angermann (928-2683) will be leading this effort
for LBLA.
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We are pleased to report that work was initiated and continued
late into fall on the Delta town dock. The creek bank has been
completely stabilized and the mill pond has been dug out. The
Township Park staff is constructing a new dock that will be
ready for the upcoming boating season. There are still funds
available for repairs to the staircase to the parking lot, and
associated landscaping.
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Sewage Systems/Shoreline Survey
Only 24 property owners agreed to participate in the survey
offered in last spring’s Newsletter, too few to accomplish
an organized meaningful survey. LL Green ("Leeds and Lanark
Green Community"), a non-profit organization of people
trained, experienced, and dedicated to care of our environment,
was able to schedule visits to 15 of the properties. Conservation
of domestic water and energy was considered, in addition to
sewage and shoreline. Primary sewage related concerns included
lack of inspection (should be every two years), too long between
pump-outs (should be three to five years), and overloading.
In general, clients reported a high degree of satisfaction,
several receiving special shower heads and toilet flush water
conservation devices. LL Green is willing to try to do more
surveys this summer (they appreciate a $25 donation). A new
(1999) publication "A Guide to Operating & Maintaining
Your Septic System" is available from the Ministry
of Municipal Affairs and Housing (1-800-267-9438).
All of the properties were considered to be in need of further
rehabilitation of shorelines to varying degrees. Residents wishing
plants to rehabilitate their shorelines are invited to call
Doug Kilpatrick, who will coordinate obtaining them from MAPLE
(the Mutual Association for the Protection of Lake Environment).
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LBLA has been expanding water testing since
1994 to better evaluate water quality trends and potential problem
areas. As government funding has been reduced, we have aggressively
sought alternative sources for testing, and are making up the
shortfall to ensure continuing stewardship of the lake. Our current
testing includes weekly clarity measurements and limited phosphorous
testing at Oak Bay (the area beyond the Narrows by Morton Creek,
an unsettled area with infrequent input from the Rideau chain),
Kendricks Bay (LBL deep water basin), Black Jack Island (input
from Cooligan Creek), and Upper Beverley Lake dam (inlet to LBL).
Water clarity and algal level trends are displayed in the enclosed
Water Quality Exhibit.
In 1998, we were among the first lakes to participate in the
initial FOCA Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program. The analyses indicated
the presence of the first stage of Zebra Mussel activity in
4 of 5 areas sampled in LBL (Kendricks Bay, Marble Island, mouth
of Delta Creek, and Oak Bay).
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Donations to Fire Departments
Of the 106 replies to our Newsletter 1999,
51 donations to volunteer fire departments were made totaling
a very commendable $800. Individual contributors were identified
to the following:
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Bastard & South Burgess $665
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Rear of Leeds & Lansdowne $ 65
LBLA wants to take this opportunity to thank Doug Kilpatrick
for his dedication and devotion to the Lower Beverley Lake Association.
He has served as President since 1991, and has agreed to take
on a newly created position as Executive Secretary, with primary
focus on year-round liaison with governmental agencies and other
lake associations.
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Have a happy and safe season!
We look forward to seeing you
at the annual meeting on
Wednesday July 19, at 7 PM.
|
view
the web-based 1999 LBLA Water Quality Report (full colour)