LWCA Quarterly

Given last summer's large number of wildfires in Ontario, LWCA directors have decided to focus on fire awareness and prevention during the 2024 cottage season. Thus far Melissa has created an excellent resource on wildfires on our website. In addition we will be:

• providing information on fire pump operation and maintenance,
• offering support for those who need some assistance with their pump,
• having demonstrations of fire pump assembly and operation,
• inviting a representative from Fire Smart to speak at the AGM, and
• running contests that encourage members to test their fire pump.

Each year the LWCA participates in a province wide sampling initiative called the Lake Partner Program (LPP).

Contributors to this large scale water-quality monitoring program are all volunteers, just like us. It is the largest of its kind in Canada. Each year, hundreds of people collect water samples and make water clarity observations on their lakes. This data, collected now for almost two decades, can alert us to changes that could be problematic, such as the nutrient status and the water clarity of the lake.

Our Water Quality director, Claire Vandervoort, takes water samples from 4 locations in May (see map) and sends the samples for scientific analysis (conducted at the Inland Waters Section of the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch of the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks). Samples are tested for total phosphorus, calcium, chloride, and water clarity.

You can learn more here: https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-program/

Hugh led an amazing life: he was brought up in the Great Depression, he studied architecture at

U of T, married and had four children, built numerous large buildings for NORR, wrote books on architectural practice and building management, lived and worked in two of the richest countries in the world, and one of the poorest (where he oversaw the construction of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and met JoAnn Duffy). Once back in Canada, they searched for cottages and spent a weekend at Hugh’s cousin, Jody Roblin’s cottage (Mackie Bay). At that point they decided that Lake Weslemkoon was the place for them. They enjoyed many years at cottage 196 in Squally Bay, where Hugh sailed and hiked and enjoyed all his young grandchildren on summer vacations.

Hugh was lavish and generous in sharing his time, knowledge and possessions. He loved life and didn’t squander a single moment of his ninety years. Hugh was a highly respected life-time member of Toronto’s venerable Arts and Letters Club, where many of us were lucky enough to celebrate his life - sharing memories and accolades. When Hugh’s daughter, Paula Mortimer, and her husband, Steve Blakeley, decided to buy a cottage, they definitely wanted to be on Lake Weslemkoon - even though they live in Guelph! They bought cottage 634, up on the hill in West Bay, where they, too, blend into the environment.

Climate Stripes

The concept of climate stripes was created by Professor Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading.

The coloured stripes in this particular image illuminates changes in temperatures in Toronto ON from 1850 to 2023. Each stripe represents the temperature averaged over one year. Red stripes are years that were hotter than the 1971-2000 average; blue stripes are years that were cooler.

Climate stripes images are fascinating. You can look at global temperatures, and temperatures for various countries and cities. It really is jaw dropping to see the shift from blue to red stripes in recent decades as carbon pollution has warmed the planet.

For more information about the climate stripes concept, visit Climate Central.

To search climate stripes for various locations in Canada (and the world), go to #showyourstripes.

In late May we posted this photo in the LWCA's Facebook group. The boats are blocking the trailhead and access to the lake. We asked if anyone knows the owners, to please ask them if they could move them aside so that hikers can easily access the trail and lake.

Note: Cached boats are allowed on crown land, as long as "The public lands that are occupied are not part of a road, trail, parking lot or boat launch." (Public Lands Act, section 19)

New members receive a "new member pack" that is filled with helpful information. If you are a new member and haven't received a new member pack, please let us know! info@weslemkoon.com

There are several differences between a lifejacket and a Personal Floatation Device (PFD).

A lifejacket comes in three colours only: yellow, orange and red (for visibility). Lifejackets typically provide more floatation than a PFD and are designed to turn you onto your back. They typically have a reflective strip and a whistle attached. They come in two styles: vest and keyhole.

A PFD comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. For example, you would choose a short PFD for kayaking. It is recommended that you choose a PFD in a highly visible colour, and with 3 buckled straps.

Inflatable PFDs are only approved in an open boat if you are wearing it. If your boat has an enclosure, then you only need to wear the inflatable lifejacket while you’re on deck or in the cockpit. Inflatable PFDs are not approved under the following conditions:

• anyone under 16 years old;
• anyone who weighs less than 36.6 kg or 80lbs;
• use on a personal watercraft (e.g., jetski); and
• white water paddling activities.

Photo credit: Canadian Safe Boating Council

Transport Canada is exploring amendments to the Small Vessel Regulations that would:

• introduce requirements for manufacturers and importers of new pleasure craft to ensure vessels are compliant with ISO Standard 14509 Small Craft - Airborne Sound emitted from powered recreational craft for pleasure craft which are manufactured, rebuilt, or imported into Canada after the amendment date;
  
• introduce further requirements for pleasure craft in operation not to exceed a set decibel limit when tested in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers Standard (SAE) J2005 Stationary Sound Level Measurement Procedure for Recreational Motorboats;
  
• harmonize decibel limits with those in place in other jurisdictions; and
  
• support field enforcement measures that are proportional to the issue.
  

They expect any changes to come into force by the Fall of 2025.

Please be sure to check regularly on the Ministry of Transportation Let’s Talk Transportation webpage in order to join the conversation and comment on issues such as these that are relevant to our lake community.

If you rely on a generator to keep the power flowing when the lights go out, safe operation of your equipment becomes paramount. Click on the following link to read some essential steps to ensure the safe operation of your generator during extended outages: Generator Safety

What is Oak Wilt?

Oak wilt is a fungal infection that prevents water transport in the tree. It is similar in nature to Dutch Elm disease that decimated the population of the species.

Why is the HWA a problem?

Oak wilt can rapidly kill oak trees (in a single season).

Where is it?

Oak wilt is known to be found in the Eastern US, but has moved into Ontario, with reports in the City of Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Township of Springwater.

What does it look like?

Symptoms of oat wilt include discolouration, defoliation, wilt, and death.

What do we do about it?

- do not move firewood (prevent the spread)

- avoid pruning oak trees between April and November

- if you think you have seen an infestation, report to the CFIA.

Photo credit: CFIA

In our zone, bass fishing season opens on the third Saturday in June (15th) and runs till December 15th (smallmouth and largemouth) .We are in Fisheries management zone 18 which is a part of the Southern Bait Management Zone. This means that baitfish or leeches, whether live or dead, may not be transported into or out of a Bait Management Zone.

important reminders:

- dispose of bait fish 30 metres from shore, never in the lake

- when moving from one body of water to another, make sure to clean all gear, boats and trailers to avoid transporting invasive species

Check out the Destination Ontario website for some more helpful information.

The LWCA provides a referral perk!

If you refer someone to become a Member or Friend of the Lake, you will receive a discount on next year's membership dues ($10 discount if you refer a "new" member and $5 discount if you refer a Friend of the Lake). Just pass on our website to your friend and direct them to the membership tab. weslemkoon.com

On Saturday July 27th, you can haul your extra stuff to your dock, put a price on it, and watch it go to a happy cottager. To sign up, click here. You'll be asked to fill in your name, cottage number and email. We will let members know all of the docks that have "got stuff" prior to the sale on the 27th.

The following is an excerpt from FOCA's April 24th Elert:

A FOCA member was recently contacted by Transport Canada (TC) about a non-compliant in-water buoy in front of their property that stated "No Wake Zone". TC directed that the buoy be removed, as there is no such designation under TC regulations. Our member investigated further, read the TC Private Buoys Guide, and sourced a local company to design and print a new label suited to TC's standards. (image seen in this article) Members can login for more information about the sign design, costs, and list of potential buoy suppliers on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/boating/#shoal. Thanks to member Ken H. for sharing his research!

The following is an excerpt from Safe Quiet Lake's spring newsletter:

"In our ongoing efforts to mitigate destructive wakes on the waters, we have our NO WAKE signs are available. Created in consultation with Transport Canada, we hope to encourage boaters to make the responsible wake choices this summer. Signs cost $20.00 + shipping. Please contact crystal@safequiet.ca to place an order."

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NOTE: When you click on the above FOCA link you may get a message saying "members only content". In order to access resources that FOCA has developed / gathered, you need to follow this link to get your own individual password. Once you have a login and password you can access member's only resources by going to their website and then signing in with your login and password.

July 27th, 2024 - dock sale (sign up with the link above)

August 10th, 2024 - AGM, 9:30am to 12 noon - Weslemkoon Marina

August 11th, 2024 - AGM rain date, 9:30am to 12 noon - Weslemkoon Marina

August 17th, 2024 - Maker's Market, 11:00am to 1:00pm - Weslemkoon Marina

August 31st, 2024 - Treasure Hunt, 2:00 to 5:00 pm - Tanglewood Marina

Email: Info@weslemkoon.com
Website: http://www.weslemkoon.com
Location: Weslemkoon Lake, Ontario, Canada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1847905442182189/