A reminder to watch our wakes!
A recent CBC article reported that paddlers have been swamped by passing boats on the Rideau Canal this summer. Click here to read the report.
Watershed Discovery Day - August 19th in Perth
To Members and Friends, of Friends of the Tay Watershed
Join the Friends of the Tay Watershed with your water questions - whether on floods, drought, wetlands or programs for the care of watershed resources - at the 17th Annual Watershed Discovery Day, Saturday, August 19, at Perth's Farmers' Market, Crystal Palace, from 8:00 to 1:00. Something of interest for the whole family; with interactive displays on the state of our watershed, with experts from Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Town of Perth, Watersheds Canada, Rideau Environmental Action League and Lanark Stewardship Council. For the children, Story Hour at 11:00, book table and draw, see the water critters, and interact with the Fish Pond and Wetland display. (More at http://taywatershed.ca/new.php)
Renew your membership, there or online, for 2017/18, and be eligible for the draw of two gift certificates to Maximilian's restaurant.
Asking for lake users input!
Important research is underway on Big Rideau Lake by Dr. Steven Cooke's team at Carleton University. Those of you who attended the BRLA AGM last month will remember the fascinating presentation Dr. Cooke made to us about this work - looking at the black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) populations, and their health and movement throughout the lake as affected by the seasonal changes and fishing tournament activities.
Dr. Cooke's lab is now conducting a social science survey to characterize and understand stakeholder perceptions of the black bass population and black bass management in Big Rideau Lake. They are seeking input from lake users, and we encourage all BRLA members to participate.
Please take the time to fill out this short survey (takes 10 min) and feel free to share with your fellow lake users!
Manotick Classic Boat Show in Westport Saturday August 12th
The Manotick Classic Boat Club's annual show which will be at the Westport docks on August 12th. If you have an old boat and/or an interesting boat, you are invited to participate in this year's show. The deadline for registration is July 31st. Susan Moir at sjmoir15@yahoo.ca is the contact for registrations and Chris Lucas at watercar822@gmail.com is the person to contact if you have questions regarding the show.
Check the club's website www.manotickclassicboatclub.ca and Facebook page for pictures and stories.
See the links below for notices:
Registration Package (Updated)
Tackling the issue of boat wakes
Big Rideau Lake cottagers and residents will likely be interested in the initiative of a nearby township in Eastern Ontario, which is petitioning the federal government to introduce new temporary rules restricting boaters' wakes along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Last week, the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands passed a motion calling for wakes to be restricted to 15 inches — or approximately 38 centimetres — within 300 metres of the shoreline.
Wakes have been causing significant damage to properties along the seaway this year, as heavy spring rainfall has meant the water level is about 75 centimetres higher than normal, said Jeff Lackie, the councillor who introduced the motion.
To read a recent CBC article about this initiative, click here.
Mississippi-Rideau Staff to Meet with Local Land and Business Owners
Media Release: "The Mississippi-Rideau Drinking Water Source Protection (MRDWSP) staff will be meeting with land and business owners this summer in the communities of Almonte, Kemptville, Merrickville, Montague, Smiths Falls and Westport who may be using chemicals that could pose a risk to the municipal drinking water systems.
This work is being done by MRDWSP staff on behalf of the local municipalities as they strive to meet the requirements of the Ontario’s Clean Water Act. The locally produced and supported Source Water Protection Plan sets out ways to ensure long-term protection of municipal drinking water supplies. Drinking Water Protection Zones are outlined in the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan and are areas where the drinking water source is more vulnerable and as a result has special protection.
Certain activities that take place within these zones can pose a risk to the municipal drinking water supply. Chemicals known as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) are heavier than water, meaning that they sink and do not dissolve in water. These chemicals are harmful to human health and are very difficult and expensive to clean up. DNAPLs may be present in dry cleaning chemicals, paints, paint strippers, degreasing and cleaning agents, lubricants and adhesives. If these chemicals are present, Mississippi-Rideau Staff will work with land and business owners to ensure that proper practices are established and recognized so that current activities do not pose a threat to the drinking water source.
MRDWSP staff will also endeavour to meet with municipal councils prior to starting their work in each of the six communities to outline provincial requirements and the value of these outreach projects to the long-term protection of local drinking water resources.
The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region is made up of the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley watersheds. The Source Protection Committee and staff are supported by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
For more information about Mississippi-Rideau Source Water Protection and Drinking Water Protection Zones visit mrsourcewater.ca."
More information:
Kaitlin Brady, Resource Technician, Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region, 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 115, kaitlin.brady@rvca.ca