ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WOLFE LAKE (WESTPORT) ASSOCIATION
SATURDAY 26 JULY 2008, 1:30 pm
AT CAMP IAWAH
Mark this date on your calendars. It is your opportunity to meet and dialogue with your Wolfe Lake neighbours and exchange ideas on how Wolfe Lake can best be preserved for your future enjoyment. You can also catch up on the latest news on Lake Association activities, political and environmental issues which affect lake property values.
Your concerns and ideas on the possibility of developing a Lake Plan will also be solicited. Susan O’Brien Mactaggart, who was largely instrumental in co-coordinating the development of the Greater Bobs and Crow Lake Plan, will be our key note speaker. Our local municipal mayors and councillors have also been invited.
The meeting starts with an informal meet and greet from 1:30 to 2:00 pm followed by the AGM business meeting from 2:00 to no later than 4:00 pm.
All Wolfe lake property owners, visitors and guests are cordially invited.
Lake Plan Preliminary Planning
Your directors are considering the possibility of developing a lake plan for Wolfe and Green Lakes. While a lake plan is not a legally binding document, it does show township councils, planners and developers the vision and commitment of cottagers for Wolfe and Green Lakes. A number of your neighbouring lake associations have already completed or are in the process of completing their individual plans. Collectively these lakes plans could have a strong influence on the decisions affecting our lakes made by both the Rideau Lakes and the South Frontenac Councils.
It is our intention to introduce a proposal for developing a lake plan at the next Annual General (AGM) meeting 26 July 2008. In preparation for discussion at the AGM the following gives brief background information; what is a lake plan, what are its objectives, how is it prepared, what resources are required and how the completed lake plan would be used.
Briefly a lake plan is an action-oriented document prepared by the members of a lake association with the objective of describing the unique characteristics and commonly shared values of their lake and what actions are needed for its long-term protection. The plan can evolve and change over time as required. The lake plan should describe how cottage owners, visitors and business enterprises can be good stewards of the lake. These characteristics may include: water quality, fishing, natural landscapes and shorelines, biological diversity, sustainable economic development, safe and responsible recreational activities, a sense of lake community, and peaceful enjoyment of the lake.
The lake plan would be prepared in consultation with all property owners by means of a questionnaire delivered to every cottage and property owner. There would also be consultation with municipal planners and councillors and any other authorities having jurisdiction over any aspect of the lakes. This would include, for example, Parks Canada who control water levels at the Wolfe Lake Dam. A draft questionnaire will be available at the AGM to allow for membership comments and contributions.
A lake plan requires considerable commitment from the membership and from volunteers who would be responsible for researching and writing the various components of the lake plan. A summer university student could be hired to deliver the questionnaire, interview each owner and to record their responses to the questionnaire.
When completed the lake plan would be considered a living document to be kept current. It would be delivered to each authority having any jurisdiction or commercial interest in the lake. By this means the widely held concerns of lake property owners regarding the protection and preservation of the lake environment and characteristics would be clearly communicated and authenticated. The lake plan would therefore become the basis for discussion for any changes in municipal official plans, development and lake use.
Zebra Mussels Proliferate in Wolfe Lake
What Can We Do?
Last year we reported the inevitable, zebra mussels had been discovered in Wolfe Lake in 2006. In the spring of 2007, monitoring stations were set up in various locations in the Lake and counts of adult zebra mussels in the order of 116 to almost uncountable numbers per square foot were made by the end of the summer. In addition many observations were made of zebra mussel infestations on the under water parts of docks and rocks. The long-term impact of this infestation is unknown. As mentioned in Duncan MacDougall’s article on water quality, the environmental conditions for rapid growth of zebra mussel in Wolfe Lake are almost ideal. Last year there were few reported incidences of serious damage or injury caused by zebra mussels. This year unless precautions are taken, we are unlikely to be so fortunate. To date there have been no reports of zebra mussels in Green Lake.
In lakes where zebra mussel infestations have been reported for over ten years, there has been pronounced clarification of the water. This has enabled sunlight to penetrate much deeper into the water promoting more weed growth thus forcing many fish to deeper water. Food sources for some fish may be reduced as zebra mussels take out many nutrients because each mussel can filter over one litre of water per day. Many natural lake species such as clams and crayfish may suffer as the mussels take over their natural food, habitats and even attach themselves to their shell surfaces. More directly the mature zebra mussels attach themselves to any hard surface such as foot valves, boat motors (particularly cooling water intakes) boat hulls, docks and even some aquatic plants. Contact with cottage associations on nearby zebra mussel infested lakes indicate problems with weeds due to water clarification and relatively minor problems with lake water intakes, particularly foot valve blockage. They report no problems with clogged water pumps or pipes. In some cases, zebra mussels have encrusted boat hulls. My research on the internet reveals serious problems with reports of zebra mussels clogging water pipes and pumps, outboard motors and any underwater surfaces. In some cases, I suspect, the worst case scenarios are presented in order to sell expensive zebra mussel filters. In addition, some lakes may be more susceptible to zebra mussel growth.
While the mussel infestation may take some years to stabilise and create a noticeable impact on marine and plant life, some adverse impact on our marine hardware will likely be seen this summer. Fortunately, there are a number of precautions which can safeguard our boats and motors and our water systems.
The following information has been taken from The Ontario Government “Guide for Boaters and Cottagers” produced in co-operation with Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters and has been supplemented with details gleaned from my research:
Boats and motors: Zebra mussels on submerged surfaces of boats increase water friction and reduce fuel efficiency. They are very difficult to remove and the removal process could damage the painted surfaces. They can also cause blockage of internal engine-cooling surfaces and damage to water pump impellers. These problems would normally be experienced in the summer and early fall when the zebra mussels settle. The safest protection procedure for both boat and motor is to remove them from the water when not in use. The mussels will die within a few days when removed from the water. Those who use boatlifts have the problem licked. Others should run their boat at high speed for about 15 minutes. At speeds in excess of 6 km/hr young zebra mussels cannot attach themselves to surfaces and at speeds above 8 km/hr recently attached mussels start to flush off. Repeating this process at least twice a week should prevent any damage from the mussels. Even if your boat cannot be conveniently removed from the water, the outboard motor should be tilted out of the water when not in use. This allows the water to drain from the cooling passages of most motors. It would also be prudent to check for any reduction in cooling water discharge at each start- up. If water discharge is reduced or engine overheating is experienced then screens should be removed and any mussels removed.
Lake water intakes: As many of us take our cottage water from the lake, growth of zebra mussels inside our water pipes, pumps and foot valves could be a concern. Commercial filters for foot valves are available ranging in cost from $25.00 to over $300.00. I have inquired at a number of local and Ottawa commercial outlets on availability and cost of filter arrangements. Some caution is in order; if your water filter clogs up with mud, mussels or other materials, it could lead to pump failure. The same problem will occur if an unprotected foot value becomes encrusted and blocked with zebra mussels. Make sure you check your water intakes every few weeks during the summer and early fall months.
At least three low cost possibilities for protections of your water system exist:
--Use a sandpoint covered with fine grade garden cloth. Sandpoints are devices normally measuring 1 ¼ “ in diameter and 4’ long which are used in driven wells to filter well water. By covering with garden cloth, the sand point does not clog and the cloth can be changed once or twice a year as required. At the Pump House in Ottawa, a suitable sandpoint can be purchased for about $20.00 and a roll of garden cloth can be purchased at any garden or hardware store for nominal cost. You will also need an adapter to connect the sandpoint to your foot valve. Bruce Erler is the contact at the Pump House at (613) 722-4226. Sandpoints should also be available at any local plumbing store specializing in cottage water supplies and wells.
--Make your own using regular cartridge water filters attached to ABS pipes and fittings. Bill Zwier at the Home Hardware in Perth has devised such a device using three water filters that costs less than $50.00 for the components. You can call him at (613) 267-3545. A pack of three replacement cartridge filters will set you back between $12.00 and $20.00. The components for these filters are also available at Pro Hardware in Westport. See picture. Alternatively you might experiment with fitting garden cloth or other suitable filtering material over your existing foot valve. You might also exchange your underwater foot valve with a second cleaned valve every few weeks. This will prevent a heavy build up of zebra mussels and ease the cleaning process.
--Install a commercial filter There are many of these on the market costing up to $300.00 plus and that probably work no better than the first two devices. Hanflo make a sock filter which fits over the included foot valve and it sells for about $25.00 at some Home Depot Stores. Most plumbing and hardware stores in cottage country should have zebra mussel filters in stock.
These precautions may be necessary in the worst case scenario. Our experience with zebra mussels in Wolfe Lake is limited, but the risk, with possible damage to expensive water pumps and boat motors, is too great to ignore.
Glen Ewen
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