Rideau Canal Waterway - Water Quality Surveys


		Water Quality Surveys

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Water Sampling Programs

For the past several years, a water quality survey known as the Lake Partner Program (formerly known as the Cottagers Self Help Program) has been administered by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. It involves volunteers taking visibility depth readings and water samples on a regular basis throughout each summer. Visibility depths are measured with a Secchi disc and the water samples are measured for concentrations Phosphorus (prior to 1996 for Chlorophyll A). The collecting of this data is done by volunteers.

The table below shows how to interpret the results:

Lake Nutrient Status	Secchi Disc (metres)	Chlorophyll (ug/L)	Phosphorus (ug/L)
Oligotrophic (unenriched - few nutrients)	greater than 5	2 or less	10 or less
Mesotrophic (moderately enriched - some nutrients)	3 - 5	3 - 5	11 - 20
Eutrophic (enriched - higher levels of nutrients)	less than 3	6 or more	21 or more

Sand Lake - Data Table

Sample Date (year)	Secchi Depth (metres)	Chlorophyll A (ug/l)
1971	2.9	2.5
1975	3.7	5.7
1980	3.0	7.2
1983	2.7	3.3
1984	2.8	5.2
1985	3.4	5.1
1986	3.0	4.5
1987	3.5	3.0
1988	4.0	3.6
1989	3.5	4.2
1990	3.3	5.2
1991	3.5	3.1
1992	4.7	2.3
1993	3.6	2.4
1994	4.0	2.9
1995	3.4	3.9
		Phosphorus
1996	3.9	16.5 ug/L
1997	4.3	10.0 ug/L
1998	4.0	18.0 ug/L
1999	4.7	10.0 ug/L
2000	4.6	13.0 ug/L
2001	5.6	12.0 ug/L
2002	5.7	13.9 ug/L
2003	5.1	15.4 ug/L
2004	5.5	13.8 ug/L
2005	6.3	12.6 ug/L

Water Quality Charts - Sand Lake
		Secchi Chart The Secchi disk reading represent water clarity. A larger number means more (better) clarity. Yearly fluctuations are evident, presumably based on weather, however a trend towards clearer water is evident from the graph. Note the jump in 2001 due to Zebra Mussels.

Chlorophyll A Chart
The amount of Chlorophyll A in the water is a reflection of the amount of algae. A lower number means less algae. As with the Secchi disk reading, yearly fluctuations are evident, presumably based on weather, but a clear improvement trend is evident.

Rideau Region Lakes

Lake	1994	1995	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
	Secchi (metres)
Beverley - Lower	2.3	2.3	2.2	2.2	2.1	2.1	2.4	2.8	3.0	2.8	3.0
Beverley - Upper (outlet)				2.5	2.4	2.3	1.8	3.0	2.8	2.7	2.7
Big Rideau	4.2	3.9	4.6/5.5	?	6.0/5.5	6.4	6.4	6.2	--	--	8.0
Bobs	3.2	4.0	3.7	4.5	5.0	4.0	4.7	4.3	4.7	4.7	4.6
Buck - S. End	5.3	6.0	7.3	6.2	6.1	6.3	6.8	5.5	6.0	5.8	4.9
Buck - N. Bay	4.4	4.9	4.2	4.8	4.6	4.0	4.2	3.4	3.5	3.3	3.3
Charleston	3.8	4.0	4.0	4.6	4.7	4.3	4.4	3.9	4.3	4.7	5.5
Clear	3.8	2.0
Devil	5.4	6.2	6.2	6.6	6.7	6.5	6.8	6.1	6.8	6.6	7.0
Indian		4.4	4.7	4.9	5.4	3.8	4.8	4.9	5.8	5.6	5.6
Newboro			3.4	3.5	3.3	3.3	3.8	5.0	5.6	5.5	5.7
Opinicon			4.2	3.7	4.3	4.1	4.1	5.1	4.8	4.6	4.1
Otter	4.2	4.3	4.9	4.4	4.2	3.4	4.0	3.5	6.5	--	--
Otty	4.2	4.1	5.8	4.2	4.1	4.3	4.7	4.3	4.7	5.1	4.9
Sand	4.0	3.4	4.3	4.0	4.7	4.6	5.6	5.7	5.1	5.5	6.3
Troy	2.4	2.0	1.8	1.8	2.1	2.4	1.8	1.6	1.9	2.2	2.2
Upper Rideau	1.8	1.8	3.2	2.6	2.4	3.6	4.2	4.1	4.2	4.4	4.0
Wolfe	5.5	5.3	7.6	7.7	5.7	7.9	8.0	6.2	6.0	--	6.7
Secchi = bigger number = better clarity
Bolded names are lakes on the Rideau Canal Waterway

The poor values from Upper Rideau Lake in 1994 and 1995 represent sewage lagoon discharge from the Village of Westport. An innovative sewage treatment system, involving the freeze misting of sewage lagoon effluent was installed in 1996. The improved readings in 1997 are presumably a result of this treatment system.

In the Rideau Waterway, Big Rideau, which is a deep lake the top of the watershed, has some of the best values. Sand Lake, further down the waterway, and also shallower and warmer than Big Rideau, has poorer (though still good) water quality.

The growth of algae in the water depends on nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. A certain level of algae is desirable, it supports fish populations and other aquatic life. However, the introduction of excess phosphorus and nitrogen, primarily from agriculture and urban development, leads to excess algae growth, and instead of nurturing a lake, it chokes it. Improved agricultural methods and proper home environmental maintenance (properly maintained septic system, minimal use of fertilizers, non-use of phosphorus containing detergents) will over time, improve the water quality of our lakes.

One item that might change readings in the future is the presence of the Zebra Mussel in some of the Rideau Lakes. Zebra Mussels filter the water, removing algae, and greatly improve the clarity of the water. The first reported sightings of Zebra mussels in Sand Lake was in 1998. Zebra mussels showed a dramatic increase if several of the southern Rideau Lakes in 2000. The effect of the explosion of zebra mussels was clearly seen in Sand Lake and Indian Lake in 2001 with a 20%+ increase in water clarity.

Water Temperature

Water temperature is now being measured as part of the Lake Partner program. The chart below shows the 2000 to 2002 results from Sand Lake with temperatures taken at 1 metre depth in mid-lake. In the case of Sand Lake, the water temperatures reach a nice 20C by mid-June and stay that way until mid-September. The temperature peaks in mid-summer at 25C (77F).

Sand Lake - Temperature

Ice Out

Another item of interest to many waterfront dwellers and cottage owners is when the ice goes out on their local lake. The following chart is data collected for Sand Lake on the Rideau by Ann Wright over the last 20 years. In 2008 the ice went out on April 17. Of note is that participants in the Lake Partner Program are now being asked to participate in Canada's ice watch program. For more details about this program have a look at: www.icewatch.ca.

Ice Out 2006

Historic Ice Out

We're fortunate on the Rideau to have a bit of a glimpse into the past through the 1839 to 1850 diary of the lockmaster at Jones Falls; Peter Sweeney. While Peter did not normally record actual ice-out data, the figures can be somewhat interpolated. An easy one would be 1848 where he notes on April 8 - "ice nearly gone" and notes on April 10 "came by canoe from Davis". So my pick for ice-out in 1848 is April 9. Other years proved more difficult - in 1844 the first reference is April 9 "ice getting bad" and then the next is April 17 when Sweeney notes "Mr. Burrows came by water in a skiff". So for 1844 I use the entirely unscientific method of simply splitting the difference, and picked ice out to be April 13. Most other years are similar in their inaccuracy. The earliest ice-out was early April (on about April 7) while the latest was on about May 6 in the very cold spring of 1847.

Sweeney Diary Ice Out Data for Sand Lake

Sweeney Diary Ice Out Data for Sand Lake

The Lake Partner Program

Due to budget cutbacks within the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOEE) the program is being redesigned to be more economical and efficient. The program operate with four phases.

The Great Ontario Dip-In: The MOEE in cooperation with the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (FOCA) and other non-governmental organizations promotes a Canada Day week water clarity snapshot from lakes across the province. Cottagers collect a water clarity reading and a GIS map of provincial water clarity is produced once a year. In 1997 over 350 lakes in Ontario participated.
Lake Partner Program. Cottagers submit one sample from their lake as early in the year as possible for Total Phosphorus analyses and collect water clarity readings on a weekly basis for the summer season. In some areas an enhanced program is done in which cottagers are given six water sample bottles to submit for total phosphorus analyses. This is intended to give an idea of seasonal trends and annual means from which a general idea of water quality is determined.
Lake Partner Special/MOEE monitoring. Under this program the MOEE selects from five to ten lakes for full scale water monitoring to assess general lake health. A crew samples the lake bi-weekly for water clarity, oxygen and temperature profiles from top to bottom, and water chemistry analyses for over 30 parameters such as nutrients, general water chemistry and metals. In addition samples for algae and zooplankton are collected for food chain health assessment and general deterioration. These sets are conducted on lakes undergoing remediation and in the Lake Partner Enhanced area.

For more information on the Lake Partner Program have a look at their brochure: Lake Partner Program Brochure (117K PDF file) or visit the Lake Partner Program Website

You Can Help

Anyone can help out with the Lake Partners Program. If your lake is not being done, contact your local cottagers association and have them register with FOCA. If you do not have a local cottagers association, then contact FOCA or the MOEE directly and volunteer to participate. They will send you a kit to get started. In the Rideau area, some lakes notable by the absence of water quality sampling include Dog, Cranberry, Whitefish, Newboro (main lake), and Lower Rideau.. If you are not sure if your lake is being done, contact MOEE and they will tell you. At the very least participate in the Great Ontario Dip-In which is very easy to do, even for the casual cottager.

For more information contact:

Ministry of Environment and Energy
Lake Partners Program
P.O. Box 39
Bellwood Acres Road
Dorset ON P0A 1E0
Tel: (705) 766-2150
Toll Free: 1-800-470-8322
Fax: (705) 766-2254
email: lakepartner@ene.gov.on.ca
website: www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/water/lake_partner/

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association Inc.
156 Duncan Mill Road, Suite 18,
Toronto, Ontario, M3B 3N2
Tel: 416-429-0444
Fax: 416-429-4944
email: FOCA (info@foca.on.ca)
website: www.foca.on.ca

Note: all comments and analysis of the data were done by Ken Watson and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or data interpretations of the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Comments: send me email: kwatson@kos.net
URL: www.rideau-info.com/local/local_waterquality.html
© 1996-2008 Ken W. Watson

Water Quality Surveys