While we are all dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, KLSA chair Bill Napier has been busy getting this report on climate change ready. Climate Change and the Kawathas report. This Report was prepared by the KLSA Board of Directors for the benefit of our members and the seasonal and permanent residents of the Kawartha Region. Board members Dr. M. Dolbey, Ms. S. Gordon-Dillane, Ms. C. Lee, Messrs. T. McAllister, B. Tregunno and E. Leerdam provided their review and comments on the Report. We are appreciative of the external reviewers; Drs. P. Sales, E. Spence, B. Cumming and L. Hulett, and Ms. A. Currier and Ms. S. Fera for providing their valuable comments.
The Cloudy Future of Our Clear Waters
Come to Trent University Gzowski College Rm 114, Thursday Mar 12 at 7:30 PM for a presentation by Dr. Paul Frost and others on the threats to our water bodies. More info.
Kawartha Woodland Conference 2020
KLSA has been asked by the Kawartha Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association to help getting information to the public about the Feb. 8, 2020 Conference at Fleming College Frost Campus in Lindsay. Additional information on the poster.
Invasive Starry Stonewort in Ston(e)y Lake
Starry Stonewort, an invasive form of algae, is affecting two areas on Ston(e)y Lake. This algae, that looks like a weed, forms a tangled mat and can take over shallow areas of a lake. Fragments can spread and be transferred to other areas by boat traffic. For more information and map of infested areas, see this Special Alert.
KLSA Fall Meeting Oct. 5, 2019
The Kawartha Lake Stewards Association will hold its fall meeting on Saturday, October 5, 2019, 10:00 am until noon at the Lakehurst Community Hall, 979 Lakehurst Circle Rd., only 10 minutes from Buckhorn ON. For details see notice.
2019 Water Testing Volunteer Instructions and SGS Chain of Custody Form
Instructions for this year’s volunteers are available here and from the Resources link above. There is also a separate SGS Chain of Custody form for printing on page 14 of 16, near the end of the document. This form must be submitted with your water samples when delivered to the SGS Lakefield Lab.
KLSA Member Survey -Spring 2019
KLSA wants to know what you as members think is important to the Kawartha Lakes and is seeking your input. Your comments will help us develop projects and materials relevant to the needs, interests, and concerns of those who utilize the Kawartha Lakes. Go to the survey here.
KLSA Spring Meeting May 11th
The KLSA Spring Meeting is May 11th from 10:00 – 12:00 noon at the Bobcaygeon Arena and Community Centre, 51 Mansfield St, Bobcaygeon.
We are pleased to have Dr. Jim Buttle whose topic will be: “Lake Ice Dynamics and the Kawarthas: Climate Change at your Dock”. Hear about what other residents and Lake Associations are doing to protect and enhance the Kawartha Lakes. Printed copies of the 2018 Lake Water Quality Report will be available at the meeting, for pick-up and distribution. For an electronic view of the report “Our Kawartha Lakes: Past, Present and Future”, go to the Published Material link.
All are welcome to attend the meeting and the agenda is attached.
Lake Partner Program Support by KLSA
The Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations (FOCA) expressed concern that the MOE Lake Partner Program (LPP) may be in danger of the Ontario Government streamlining and cost cutting efforts, threatening the continued efforts of the LPP program. FOCA asked for support of Lake Associations and other organizations like KLSA in the form of letters to the Minister outlining support for the LPP program. See this link for the KLSA letter of support.
KLSA strongly supports the decades old, low cost programs that the LPP runs with volunteers and volunteer organizations throughout the Province of Ontario. KLSA was started after the Walkerton tragedy, in 2000/2001, by the volunteer Lake Stewards throughout the Kawartha Lakes that were already doing lake water sampling and testing through the LPP program in our area. KLSA supports the continuation of the LPP and the long term data collection on lake water clarity, temperature and nutrient loading (phosphorus concentration) in Ontario Lakes. This ongoing water quality information is critical in our area for monitoring changes in the Kawartha Lakes that could impact local businesses, tourism, property values, municipal market value taxes and tax assessments, lake capacity, and development projects throughout the area.
Fleming C4P Dissolved O2 Study
The report on the Status of Dissolved Oxygen Levels in Pigeon, Lovesick, and Stony Lakes, by the Fleming College students Credit for Product (C4P) team, has been added to the Published Material page. This report looks at the current dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, total Phosphorus (TP) concentration, and benthic communities in Pigeon Lake, Lovesick Lake, and Stony/Clear Lakes.
