Parks Canada Launches Water Management InfoNet
Parks Canada has recently launched the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet.
The InfoNet offers a variety of information related to water management on the Rideau Canal, including background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along the Rideau Canal.
The new water levels tool within the InfoNet will be of particular interest to our members; it provides lake levels data from the last 30 days and graphic representation of levels for the current year. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways, including two locations at either end of Big Rideau Lake.
Click the link below to access the InfoNet home page.
Celebration of Life for Bill Belanger
The following invitation has been issued by the children of the late Bill Belanger:
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Bill Belanger on Sunday July 29, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 pm, at the Timber Run Golf Course, 154 Caldwell Street in Lanark.
At 1:00 we will have short presentations from: Bill's cherished sister Ann Belanger, an old friend since his Christie Lake days (Ron Ensom), a beloved former student (Don MacGregor), his dear water-safety friend of more than 50 years (Jim O'Brien) and a longtime friend and former elementary student (Tom Ritchie). After, we invite you stay and visit with old friends and new.
As many of you know, our father had a deep love of log buildings. Timber Run is a beautiful log structure that is almost equal driving distance from Ottawa and the Big Rideau Lake: the two communities that he called home.
We are honored to have you join us. Our father touched many lives and we encourage you to attend. Please register on this website if you plan to attend. Your registration will help us to plan the event and to ensure that this invitation has reached all those who may want to attend.
We look forward to spending time with you while we collectively remember Bill.
Thank you,
Kristine and Jeff Belanger (Bill's children)
The photo above was taken in the summer of 2017 on the Big Rideau Lake; Bill was 81 years of age and in his happy place. Bill's Obituary appears below:
Obituary - William Allan (Bill) Belanger
February 10, 1936 - December 20, 2017
William Allan (Bill) Belanger passed away suddenly en route to visiting family in Calgary on December 20, 2017. Although ill with cancer, his zest for life and his search for purpose was unwavering. He was passionate about education , being a teacher, principal and Ottawa Teacher's College master. He spent the last 25 years of his professional journey as a professor at the University of Ottawa in the faculty of Education. His professional contributions echoed his life outside work. He was intrigued with the idea of perspective and found value in what others brought to a situation, regardless of their age or position. He embraced innovation and creativity. He was generous with his time, having a long history of volunteering with numerous organizations, such as the Red Cross (Water Safety), Christie Lake Camp and more recently the Big Rideau Lakes Association. Towards the end of his life, he realized a life-long dream of living in a log home he built in a community where, in his words, "the houses were farther apart but the people were closer together". Bill will be deeply missed for his generous spirit, his quirky sense of humour, his youthful outlook and his desire to pursue the "road less travelled". He is survived by his wife Donna Belanger and is cherished by their two children, Jeff (Ottawa) and Kristine (Calgary). He is lovingly remembered by his granddaughters (Shaelin and Raia of Calgary), his treasured sister Ann Belanger (Uxbridge) and his brother Paul Belanger (Tuscon). Bill valued and enjoyed his friends and his community; please know you were very important to him. The family thanks Dr. Peter Kuling for the outstanding medical care he offered to Bill over the years; Bill was grateful for your humanity and support.
In memory of Bill, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Update on Poonamalie Lock 32 Repairs
Historic masonry repairs are progressing at Poonamalie Lock 32; click here to read the Parks Canada information update.
Opportunity for Grad Students
BRLA has partnered with several research and environmental organizations to conduct significant research focussed on the Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterways, including Big Rideau Lake. This offers an opportunity for a number of graduate students to become part of some very important and interesting research work.
The projects are very diverse in nature (e.g., turtles, fish, macrophytes, water quality, hydrological mapping, sedimentology, social sciences, and more!), and there is flexibility for students to help define the scope of each project. These projects will be part of up to eight graduate student theses work, and the work will be based out of Carleton U, Ottawa U, or the Université de Sherbrooke depending on the project.
These positions offer very exciting and interesting work with a great group of collaborators; as one of these projects' sponsors, we would appreciate our members help in spreading the word!
For full details on the projects, click the link below.
Updated In-Water Work Timing Guidelines Announced
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Kemptville District Office has recently reviewed and updated its In-water Work Timing Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to provide the timing for in-water work related to an activity, in order to protect fish during spawning and other critical life stages.
The timing restrictions on Big Rideau Lake (in the areas covered South Burgess and South Elmsley Townships) cover the period from October 1st to June 30th.
Click here to read the detailed announcement.
Temporary Closure December 18-21 at Narrows Swing Bridge
County Road 14 at Narrows Swing Bridge will be closed for repairs due to an issue found on one of the swing bridge abutments. Parks Canada staff and engineers from Public Services and Procurement Canada reviewed the issue and noted that, while there is no immediate public safety concern, repairs should start as soon as possible.
Detour Route
The closest alternate vehicle route around the Narrows Swing Bridge is along North Shore Road. Travel North Shore Road to Highway 10, then south on Highway 10 to Highway 42. Highway 42 will take you south-east into Crosby.
Click here for more information.
Explaining Black Bass Management on our Lake
With the support of our association, an ongoing project is working to collect information to help improve the management of black bass on Big Rideau Lake. For some great insights into this project - how it works and what it could mean for lake stakeholders, take a look below at the video the team has recently released.
Big Rideau Lake is among the most heavily “fished” water bodies in all of eastern Ontario with bass fishing tournaments occurring from season opener to late fall. Dr. Steve Cooke’s lab at Carleton University, led by MSc. student Alice Abrams, utilizes fish tracking devices to monitor post-tournament dispersal and seasonal distribution of largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Have you taken the survey yet? One component of the research is soliciting feedback from lake users. Click the link to give your input about bass populations and management on Big Rideau Lake.
