Hi from Angie and Peter Heydon, and Marc Lichtenberg, Oxbow’s volunteer Lake Stewards,
Since our Annual Meeting has been postponed indefinitely this year due to Covid-19, we are sharing updates about our lake environment by email. We do two types of tests as volunteers through the Ontario Lake Partners Program:
Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Algae increases when there are too many nutrients entering the lake. This can also lead to algae blooms that produce algal toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health. Typical sources are lawn fertilizers and septic leakage. You will never have to use fertilizers if you scatter clover seed over a third of your lawn! Valley Feeds at 233 Main sells clover seed. If you do fertilize, keep it well back from the lake shore. East Arm is still experiencing a decline in visibility due to higher algae levels. Where the disc used to disappear at around 19 feet down (2004), last year it disappeared at 12 and a half feet. West Arm is holding steady around 11 and a half feet. So far this year our disc readings are better, showing an extra 3 feet of visibility on both arms!
LOON REPORT Sadly, for the first time in Cottager memory, we did not have a pair (or two) of loons on the lake through the summer of 2019. I haven't seen chicks in over 20 years. Loons are in decline in Ontario. Some migrated through in May but as of June 17, 2020, a pair hasn't been seen. What can we do about this? Responsible boating. Please do not create any wakes in the small bays on the east arm, especially in the month of June! Watercraft wakes swamp loon nests, which are right at the shoreline, and the chicks die of exposure. (This is in addition to Oxbow’s “No Wake” zone through the narrows, to avoid hurting swimmers and damaging docks and boats in that zone.) Let's hope we’ll see the loons return - how can you have a northern lake without those haunting calls? It's estimated that call has been around for 25 million years. Great health to everyone, have fun and to share one of the best quotes I've read on what our purpose on this planet is: “To witness creation and help it in every way we can". Tune in to our Preserving Oxbow menu option on the Oxbow Lake Cottagers’ Association website (http://oxbowlake.weebly.com/preserving-oxbow) for more enviro info. If you need any input on things natural around the lake, please feel free to contact us: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] .
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SHORELINE PRESERVATION
One of the most critical areas to maintain native vegetation is along your shoreline. Shoreline vegetation benefits water quality by reducing the amount of sediment, nutrients, organic matter and pesticides that enter our rivers and lakes. There is no better way to prevent soil erosion that to leave your shoreline in its natural state. Plant roots anchor the soil, preventing it from being washed away by currents, waves and rain. This preserves fish spawning beds, which can become destroyed by sediment accumulation due to erosion. Overhanging branches from trees and shrubs shade the waters to prevent overheating and provide cover for small fish and other aquatic organisms. Debris such as logs and boulders also provide cover for many species, spawning areas for fish, and will serve to reduce the impact of waves on your shoreline. Herbaceous Plants for Shoreline Projects • Cattail (Typha latifolia) • Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) • New England Aster (Aster novae angliae) • Swamp Milkweek (asclepias incarnata) • White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) • Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) • Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) • Wild Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa) • Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) • Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) • Blue Big Stem (Andropogon gerardii) • Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus) • Indian Grass (Sorgastrum nutans) • Fringed Sedge (Carex crinite) Top Shoreline Trees and Shrubs • Steeplebush (Spirea tomentosa) • Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) • Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) • Sweet Gale (Myrica gale) • White Birch (Betula papyrifera) • Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) • Red Maple (Acer rubrum) • Tamarack (Larix laricina) • Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) • Willow (Salix spp.) LAWNS • Take a kettle of boiling water and pour it on weeds that are growing between patio stones and on driveways. Save the environment from herbicides and save yourself the cost. • Spread clover seed on an area of about a third of your lawn and you will never have to fertilize. Clover naturally puts nitrogen into the soil and can be bought as seed for a couple of dollars at the Agro-Centre 223 Main W. just north of Rolston Home Hardware. SEPTIC – Ways to extend the life of your system and save money • Reduce water flow to your system by setting toilets on low flush and using low flow showerheads. • Dishwasher detergents can add a huge load of phosphates to your septic. To lower phosphate loading: Consumer Reports found that Finish Quantum (30 cents per load) performed best, followed by CR Best Buy, Finish Powerball Tabs (22 cents per load.) Cascade Complete All In 1 (28 cents per load) and Cascade with Dawn ActionPacs (23 cents per load) earned a score of Very Good. • Laundry detergents should be phosphate free to prevent algae growth. • Only biodegradables should be flushed, e.g., toilet paper. WILDLIFE LOONS – Sadly we see very few young loons on Oxbow any more. To improve breeding success it is important not to create a wake in the bay on the west side of the east arm (half way down) between May 15 and June 15. Jet skis should avoid going near those shores. Loons nest on the water’s edge and chicks can die of exposure to cold water or drown. There are only 2 max per nest. If we do get young it is important not to separate the young from the parents out on the lake. The young are poor divers, exhaust easily and become available to predators. COUGARS – We can only hope. The last record of a cougar “in the hand” in Ontario is from 1884! They were poisoned and shot into local extinction. There are rare sightings and all have been found to be escaped pets – mostly in southern Ontario. The MNR finds most sightings to be deer of different sizes. BEARS – To stop resident bears from becoming a “nuisance” we need to reduce attractants. How To Keep Bears Away From The Cottage • Keep garbage in a secure place and take it to the landfill station regularly. • If you compost, do it in a sealed and controlled manner. • Bag fish guts for garbage disposal. • Keep the BBQ clean at all times. • Wash your recyclable cans, bottles, and jars thoroughly. How To Avoid Bears When Hiking • Carry a bell, horn and bear pepper spray when hiking. • Stay far away from a mother bear with cubs. • Be mindful around patches of blueberries and raspberries in the summer. To report a “nuisance” bear around your property, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Bear Wise hotline at 1-866-514-BEAR, TTY 705-945-7641. In an immediate emergency call 9-1-1. |
Archives
June 2020
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Oxbow Lake Cottagers' Association
Respecting, Preserving, Enjoying! |
Pollution Reporting for the Public
Please report immediately if you witness any of the following:
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