End of Season Summary
Just Some of the Work of the MLA
While some of our work has been constrained again this summer, we have not been idle. Aside from our ongoing work maintaining the cautionary buoy system and advocating for water safety, our Environment Team has been hard at work.
Loon Survey Results
- Surveys conducted in June, July and August by MLA volunteers and volunteers from the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists
- Results are being compiled and submitted to Birds Canada
- Loon counts for both adults and chicks were down very slightly this year in comparison to last year, but there is no alarming trend of continued decreases to be concerned about. Overall, the results indicate, once again that we have stable populations and a healthy lake with good fish stock
- Once final results are tabulated and sent in to Birds Canada, we will publish the official report on our website
Invasive Species Survey
- Surveys were conducted in August by volunteers over a two week period
- Volunteers came from the MLA Board of Directors and community members from around the lake
- The predominant species found was European Frogbit in multiple locations around the lake
- Fortunately, very little Eurasian Water Milfoil was found
- The final results are being tabulated and mapped. Once completed, an official report will be published on our website.
Water Rangers Water Quality Testing
- 14 volunteers, comprised of MLA Board members and individuals from our lake community, conducted water quality tests throughout the summer
- Multiple locations were tested around the lake using the Water Rangers citizen science test kits purchased by the MLA several years ago
- Testing was done, for the most part, on a weekly basis
- Results are being tabulated at present; however, a cursory look at the data indicates that our water quality remains healthy
- Once final results are completed, information will be made available on our website.
Many thanks to all our volunteers who helped make these projects possible. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and look forward to engaging with you all next summer.
Doreen Donald
Chair of the MLA Environment Team
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Lyme Disease - Tick Testing Change
If you were previously able to submit ticks for testing via your local Public Health Unit, that may have changed. FOCA received notice from Peterborough Public Health that the National Microbiology Laboratory is no longer accepting tick specimens for testing, effective September 20, 2021. The public is being directed to citizen-science initiatives such as www.etick.ca for image identification instead. Details and links are here.
For the latest info from our local health unit check out this link.
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 Cautionary Buoys
The boat traffic on our lake has been dropping off considerably through the autumn, so after Thanksgiving we will remove our cautionary buoys for the winter. They need to come out because the ice on our lake shifts substantially during spring break-up.
Our Lake Association pontoon boat, the "Mississippi Belle" will be out to pick up the buoys, plus their cinder-blocks which hold them in place. We'll be lifting the buoys on to the boat, taking them to dry land, pressure washing them and refurbishing their signage and reflective tape. If you are interested in helping the Boating Team with this work contact contact Brian Smith at boating@mlakes.org. It can be a fun day on the water.
There are 50 buoys around the lake and into the river approaching the Carleton Place boat launch. The buoys mark any known shoals that are away from shore and less than 3 feet below the lowest summer lake level. The MLA does not mark any obstacles in the channel to Innisville, or in the Carleton Place channel downstream of the Lake Avenue Boat Launch.
The yellow buoys are manufactured by Go Deep International, a firm based in New Brunswick. These cautionary buoys are approved for use by private groups to mark various obstacles in the water. Each buoy has a label identifying it as an MLA float, with our address and email coordinates.
Our buoys will go back in the lake in time for the May long weekend!
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 Blue-Green Algae Testing
By Rob Bell
Blue Green Algae (or cyanobacteria) occurs naturally in waterbodies around the globe and thank goodness, because it has had a tremendously important role in the evolution of life on earth. There is evidence of its existence 2.7 billion years ago (Oxygen, Nick Lane). It is a miraculous plant which helped create and maintain the oxygen rich atmosphere we have on planet earth. However, when cyanobacteria cells die, toxic by-products such as microcystin LR and anatoxin-a are released which can be harmful to health for humans and animals. For this reason, cyanobacteria blooms on our lake are of concern when they occur.
Should a bloom occur, it needs to be reported to the Ontario Spills Action Center due to the risk of toxicity. A biologist will come and sample the water and the test results are reported to the local health unit. The information is then passed along through various media to alert the public if necessary. This is an important process, however wouldn’t it be helpful to know just how safe your water was during a bloom?
Simple to use test strips (like pool test strips) are available. Try the simple google search: test strips for cyanobacteria. You will discover links to test strips for sale as well as YouTube videos on how they are used.
To summarize the challenge: We need to ensure safe use of lake water for recreation or consumption during algae bloom season. For that, we need local testing capabilities for toxins produced by cyanobacteria that are quick to provide results.
We hope you find this information helpful. Drop me a line with any questions or pass your comments/suggestions to info@mlakes.org -Rob
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 Private Roads Update
Your MLA Roads Team would like to remind you of some of the programs we are currently running for the many road associations (RAs) on our lake.
Our most successful program is called the Private Road Equity Program (PREP) that is currently in place with Beckwith Township. This program was the result of a study group commissioned by Beckwith council in 2008 and it produced a document that proved the inequity of private road ownership. As a result Beckwith has directed tax revenue to some RAs to try to offset this inequity. The MLA is hoping to work with RAs in the other townships of DNE, Mississippi Mills, and Town of Carleton Place to develop similar programs.
Other programs of interest to our RAs are access to their properties during flooding, snow storms, and weather events. This affects both seasonal and year round residents for 911, mail delivery, hydro, and other services.
The MLA has information on many studies already done, like the PREP program mentioned above, private road grants, and flood events. With this information, we can help the 30+ private road associations get the fair treatment they deserve. All the MLA would ask is that you contact us at roads@mlakes.org.
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If You Missed it in the Last YMM Issue
Be sure to check out the 2021 Lake Stewards Newsletter. There is a lot of great info from the Federation of Ontario Cottagers (FOCA).
The annual Lake Stewards Newsletter is here! This year's edition is filled with hot topics including night light and boat wake concerns, association liability considerations during the pandemic, septic system tips, updates on invasive moths and carp invaders, ... and more.
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Spread the Word
If you enjoy receiving this newsletter please share it and invite others to sign up to receive it directly. Your support for the MLA is appreciated.
Thank you. |
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Our Lake Association Needs Us!
We all want to protect and improve our lake as a healthy and sustainable environment that provides a great place to live and play.
To accomplish this, the Mississippi Lakes Association needs our help and support. The MLA is looking for people who are willing to contribute a bit of their time to support their lake. Volunteering is also a great way to meet other friendly people on the lake.
Would you be willing to help with any of the following areas: finances, communications, writing, membership, fundraising, monitoring water conditions, tracking invasive species, photography/video production, event planning and more.
Some of our volunteers help from their homes. Some are part of discussion groups. Some explore the lake to track what is happening. Some sit on the Board of Directors.
Can you help your lake? Send us a note and we can discuss how you can best fit into the team. Reach us at: info@mlakes.org
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LDD* Update
 Lymantria Dispar Dispar (LDD), formerly known as the Gypsy Moth, has been an issue of concern for many of us who live in Eastern Ontario and for those of us who live on Mississippi Lake. Last year we saw the beginnings of infestations on our properties and this past summer, the caterpillars and moths seemed to be everywhere causing significant damage to many of our trees and shrubs.
The MLA began providing information on LDD last year to our community and continues to do so as new information becomes available. The Environment Team has researched the topic, written articles, and has attended numerous webinars and meetings in order to provide you with this information. A number of people on the lake also helped the Environment Team test pheromone strips to attract and kill the male moths in the latter part of the summer.
Aerial Spraying? One topic of recent conversation has been about aerial spraying as a means to combat the effects of the infestation next year. Zimmer Air sprayed many areas in Ontario last year and they recently launched their new application portal through the Ontario Centre for Forest Defoliator Control (OCFDC) website. The OCFDC has been actively engaged in the delivery of private programs to combat a number of invasive species for individuals, cottage associations and maple syrup producers since the early 1980s.
There are several key differences between last year and this year in terms of how Zimmer Air plans to respond to the many requests for aerial spraying. First and foremost, if you are interested, you need to submit an application as soon as possible. This application is available on the OCFDC website. Once the application is reviewed and if successful, each property involved in applying for aerial spraying (even if you are applying on behalf of a number of properties such as a Road Association) will need to complete contractual and liability documents with Zimmer. Secondly, Zimmer Air is not likely to be spraying individual properties in the 2022 season unless they involve a significant acreage.
If you are interested, please go to the OCFDC website at your earliest opportunity and complete the application. Zimmer has indicated that spots are filling up very, very quickly.
In the meantime, the MLA will continue to provide information and guidance to you as it becomes available.
And please remember - this is the time of year to begin scraping egg masses from your trees and around your properties. Each egg mass can contain up to 500 or more eggs, so removing the masses can help. Look for the masses on your tree trunks, in your wood piles, on outdoor furniture, and on and under your decks. Scrape the masses into warm, soapy water and leave them for 48 hours, then dispose of them. While this effort may seem small, every little bit helps.
*LDD - Lymantria Dispar Dispar
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Join us at Lake Links on October 23, 2021
We look forward to meeting up with you at this virtual conference
Lake Links is celebrating its 20th anniversary! This year's theme is:
“Take the Challenge: Connecting what we say and actually do in order to protect our lakes and rivers”.
The online event will be held from 10am-12:30pm EST on Saturday, October 23rd. This event is free, with donations gratefully accepted.
This event is generously funded by the S.M. Blair Family Foundation, Cataraqui Conservation, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations.
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CPR in Action: a 3D look inside the body
As rural and remote residents, FOCA and the MLA encourages you to watch and share a new resource from FOCA's safety partners at Action First Aid, that explains the importance of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and tips to doing it right. This 3 minute animated video could make a difference in the life of someone you love.
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MLA Seeks Treasurer
Would you like to get involved with the Mississippi Lakes Association as a board member in a in the specialized role of treasurer? The MLA is looking for an engaged individual, with bookkeeping or previous small organization treasurer experience, who would enjoy supporting the lake community as the treasurer of the MLA. For more information on what is involved contact Anne Gourlay-Langlois the current treasurer or reach out at info@mlakes.org. Minimum time commitment is 10 hours per month. |
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Autumn Boating Safety
 With the lake getting cooler and the water level rising, many of us are moving post-docks and boat-lifts back on shore at this time of year. Some do the work in September, while many wait until Thanksgiving or even later.
The job may be a bit more challenging than usual this month, because the recent rains have already raised the lake to the usual winter levels. Keep track on our online lake level chart: www.mlakes.org/lake-water-levels
A few of our more hardy neighbours keep boating right through the autumn. But if you do, keep a few things in mind:
- The temperature of the water is dropping quickly, so wear a lifejacket.
- The buoys will have been removed so go slow in known danger areas.
- There are fewer people on the lake to notice you or rescue you, so wear a lifejacket.
- And if you're boating alone, or ever standing up in your boat, wear a lifejacket!
Many drownings happen when people fall out of their boat, or their boat overturns. Rescuers usually find your boat long before they find you.
Lifejackets may satisfy the legal requirement when they're stashed away in your boat. But if you need them, we all know they won't magically fly out and wrap themselves around you in the water.
Stay safe out there!
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Fed Up With Loud Boat Motors?
You still have time to have your say!
 In the last issue of the YMM we highlighted some of the issues surrounding boat noise and the work of the Decibel Coalition to get decibel limits in place for boat motors.
What has been happening?
- On September 15 The Decibel Coalition launched its petition to deal with excessive boat motor noise across Canada
- The Decibel Coalition is meeting with Transport Canada’s Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) between November 23 through to December 3rd
- There is still time for you to show your support for decibel level legislation and to share your excessive noise stories. Just use this link to get started
- You can also write to the Transport Minister and your local MP to express your support for legislation on decibel levels for boat motors
For a more information on this issue check out the latest MLA blog
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NEW Survey
Water Quality & Environmental Stewardship
How much do YOU know about what affects water quality?
Please respond by October 30th.
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