Phosphate Levels in Miller Lake

Thanks to Gerry Fisher and George Chester, we have some new data on water quality in Miller Lake.

FOCA offers a free lake-partnership program that determines phosphorous levels in water samples. Phosphates influence algae growth. Algal blooms can seriously harm a lake by depleting oxygen levels for fish and other inhabitants of that environment. In addition, algae will affect the aesthetics of the lake and/or cause taste and odour problems in the water.

The testing involves collecting several deep-water samples as well as a Secchi disk, which determines murkiness.

The 2009 results are posted on the FOCA web site:

Total Phosphorous - Mid Lake, deep spot 05-Jul-09: Sample 1: 8.3ug/L , Sample 2: 9.0ug/L
Clarity(Secchi depth): Mid Lake, deep spot : 2009 3.0 m.

As far as I can determine, "ug" is the equivalent of microgram - "mcg".

So, what do these results mean?

Lakes with less than 10.0 mcg/L phosphorous are considered unproductive lakes, i.e. algae will not flourish in this environment. Lakes with 10 - 20 mcg/L phosphorus are show a broad range of characteristics and can be clear and unproductive at the bottom end of the scale or susceptible to moderate algal blooms at concentrations near 20 µg/L.If your lake is over 30 mcg/L of phosphorous, you got serious trouble.

Miller Lake is doing well. According to George, phosphate levels in 2009 were slightly lower than previous results from 2002 - 2005.

Unfortunately, FOCA only tests phosphorous levels. Perhaps the association should consider some more thorough testing in future, checking for heavy metals, dioxins, agricultural chemicals, etc. Might be worth a discussion.

In the meantime, our thanks to George and Gerry for undertaking this task. The data is encouraging and we should all continue our efforts to keep phosphates out of our lake and our environment.

Protect Our Forests - DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD!

Ontario forests are being threatened by the presence of the Asian Long-horned Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer. These insects which are native to Asia have no natural predators in Canada and therefore have the potential to spread and kill millions of trees in our urban and rural forests.

Do your part by not moving any wood products such as trees, nursery stock, pruned branches, logs and forest products with bark attached to or from your cottage. What else can you do?  Buy firewood locally from farmers or foresters who are reliable sources.

Many cottagers bring firewood home from the cottage for their fireplace or fire-pit. Remember that you may also be giving a free ride to insect invaders. Help protect our forests and shop for wood at home.

Burned by Insurance Rates?

In December, the Municipality took the extraordinary measure of sending the following letter to all local ratepayers associations:

The Fire Underwriters Association is funded by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. It helps determine risk - hence, premiums - based on local conditions and safety practices. The change in criteria for fire-fighting equipment will directly impact insurance rates in cottage country.

What our local fire department is saying is that, in spite of their recent expenditures to meet FUS criteria, the yet-again new regulations renders their improvements moot. The implication is that insurance companies have decided to boost their profits by simply changing the rules of the game - their rules.

What can we do about this? Banding together with other cottage associations and encouraging the provincial government to investigate insurers' practices would be a good idea.

One thing for sure - our rates will be going up, and the Fire Underwriters will have had a hand in it. This is a 'heads up' for future action.
- Randy

November 2009

Nix the Terrafix!

Congratulations to the 16 volunteers who participated in lifting 24 large bags of garbage from Tammy's Cove, Barnett's Drive and Barney's Blvd.

When we say, "Keeping the Bruce beautiful" on our signs, we mean it! Special thanks to Sue Halliday and Barb Chester who, along with me, are the road captains who make sure the day is organized.

Cathy Addison, the Administrative Assistant/Deputy Clerk of the Municipality of Northern Bruce acts as our liason and has sent a formal card of thanks on behalf of the Municipality for our positive contribution to the community. She has been notified that the road crew has not removed the Terrafix from along the East Rd. This is the grey membrane used to prevent run-off during road construction. The Barnett's Dr crew dragged some of this out of the ditch but the job requires the Municipality works crew to complete. Two requests have been placed to have this done. Here's hoping it happens before the stuff is frozen into the ground.

While our group is not solely responsible for tidying the roads, our bi-annual commitment makes sure that the job is done regularly. Good job folks and plan on pulling on the gloves again in the spring.

Maggie Vaivods

Terrafix Gone

On Monday, Nov. 9, a municipal road crew was spotted removing the Terrafix barriers from ditches on East Road. This action was a direct result of "reminders" from Maggie Vaivods to the Works Department, and the support of Cathy Addison, Deputy Clerk. Our thanks to both ladies for their persistence in the face of typical Works Dept. indifference.