Environmental Meeting – This Saturday!!

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Saturday July 20nd 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon   Sturgeon Point Church

SPA is hosting the third annual Environment Information Session to present topics we think will be of interest to the residents of Sturgeon Point.  The Kawartha Lakes has a diverse environment from the Canadian Shield to the St Lawrence Lowlands, “The Land Between”, and the quality of this environment is of major importance to us all.  This session will feature the following guest speakers and topics

Mr David Pridham  Kawartha Lakes Conservation  Up-date on the Sturgeon Lake Management Plan

            This is a very ambitious program to document the lake and near-shore characteristics and to develop recommendations that will guide land-use planning in the area.

Ms Samantha Burke  Graduate student Trent University  Benthic macro invertebrates as indicators of water quality plus a brief introduction to the Kawartha Lakes Steward Association document ‘The Algae of the Kawartha Lakes’

            Copies of the ‘The Algae of the Kawartha Lakes’ will be available at the Session.

Samantha will describe how studying the critters in the water tells us a lot about the health of the lake.  There will be a quiz at the end to see how many know what Benthic macro invertebrates are.  Hint  GOOGLE it

Chris Appleton  Treasurer of Kawartha Lakes Steward Association and Resident of Sturgeon Point Outline of the Objectives and Activities of the Kawartha Lakes Steward Association (KLSA)

            KLSA is involved in many interesting environmental studies and programs, such as the Sturgeon Lake Management Plan and is a valuable source of information on the issues and health of our local environment.  

Lucas Tyukodi  Invasive Species Community Outreach Liaison – Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters  Discussion of invasive animals and plants: Rusty Crayfish, Round Goby, Garlic Mustard and Emerald Ash Borer.

Open houses a chance to guide plans for your lake

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These open houses are organized by Kawartha Conservation

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You are invited to attend one of five open houses on lake management plans being developed for Balsam, Cameron, Pigeon, and Sturgeon lakes.  

The plans involve developing and implementing best practices for restoring and protecting the health and sustainability of your lake, and dealing with various issues such as aquatic plants, contaminated runoff, development pressures, E.coli, sediments, invasive species, and others. 

Each plan is in a different stage of development, and will be completed in upcoming years, and then implemented following completion. 

  • STURGEON LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2014) – Review and provide comments on an early draft of the plan
  •  BALSAM & CAMERON LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2015) – Get an update and provide input on plan development
  •  PIGEON LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN (2016) – Identify the issues to be addressed in the plan, including impacts to lake health and your enjoyment of the lake

Each open house is from 7 to 9 p.m., and will include information about each of the plans, and an opportunity to comment. There will also be special guest presentations on various topics, starting at 7:00 p.m. Check our website for details.

Wed, July 24 – Omemee Coronation Hall – 1 King St W. (Hwy 7 and Sturgeon Rd. N.)

Mon, July 29 – Fenelon Falls Community Centre – 27 Veterans Way (next to Royal Canadian Legion)

Tues, July 30 – Ops Community Centre – 2569 Hwy 7 (1 km east of Hwy 35), Lindsay  

Wed, July 31 – Coboconk Community Centre – 9 Grandy Rd 

Thurs, Aug 1 – Bobcaygeon Community Centre – 51 Mansfield St. (upstairs, above arena)

Special guest presentation on algae in the Kawartha Lakes by Colleen Middleton 

 

For more information, please contact Brett Tregunno at Kawartha Conservation, 705.328.2271 ext. 222 or [email protected].

Blue-Green Algae – Get to Know its True Colours

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The article below was published by The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit: 

GET TO KNOW ITS TRUE COLOURS
– Season For Blue-Green Algae Arrives, Bringing Reminder to Beware – and Be Aware – of Potential Risks to Public Health –

People who swim, drink and use water from area lakes are being reminded to be on the lookout for blue-green algae (BGA), and to change their habits accordingly if they detect it.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging residents, cottagers and visitors who use area lakes and waterways to educate themselves about BGA to reduce their potential health risk. In the past few summers, BGA has surfaced in local lakes, particularly in shallow, still water and during extremely warm temperatures.

“Reports of blue-green algae in our region have been more common in the summer months, so it is important to beware of the risks associated with BGA and be aware of what to look for in the water,” says Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Environmental Health with the HKPR District Health Unit.

BGA, also known as cyanobacteria, are primitive microscopic organisms that occur naturally in lakes, bays and inlets around the world. Normally, the algae are barely visible, but during warm weather the algae can rapidly increase in shallow, still waters to form a large mass called a bloom. Dense blue-green algae blooms can make the water look like a bluish-green pea soup, or a shiny paint slick. Most algae blooms are short-lived and will break down in a few days or weeks.

While many forms of blue-green algae are harmless, some forms produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. This means that any exposure to the water, be it drinking, swimming, bathing, cooking or washing, can lead to health problems. The extent of how sick people can get depends on the type of BGA and how long they are exposed to the toxins, Ovcharovich says.

“If you see or detect serious signs of blue-green algae in a lake or local waterway, avoid using the water at all costs,” he says. “Boiling the water won’t help either, as this kills the algae resulting in the release of more toxins into the water.”

The Health Unit is helping raise awareness about BGA through an information campaign called Blue-Green Algae: Get to Know Its True Colours. The goal is to help people who use area lakes recognize BGA and take appropriate precautions.

175th Civic Regatta – Running & Swimming Races!

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This August long weekend, Sturgeon Point will be celebrating that the first Sturgeon Point Regatta was held 175th year ago!

Part of the events held this weekend are the annual Swimming/Water and Running Races.

The Swimming/Water Races will be held on Sunday, August 4th, 2pm at the Public Beach.

The Running/Novelty Races will be held on Monday, August 5th, 10am at the lawn of Swananoa.

We are looking for volunteers to help with races.  If you are interested in being a race judge or can help with water actiities, please let me know!!  [email protected] or 887-1989

Thanks!

Patricia