Development and Cottage Country – Opportunities for Lake Health Improvement Project
Submitted by Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist, Kawartha Conservation
Local residents that might have otherwise worked or vacationed elsewhere are hunkered down. Remote working or va(stay)cationing is not unusual anymore - it has been the norm. I’ve never seen so many people as I have this past winter out enjoying the frozen lake conditions. Who knew snowboarding behind a snowmobile was a thing?!
Is it just me or is there now a new universal rule… spending more time along our waterfront inevitably leads to more work!
Stop me if you’ve heard this before… “I think it’s time we do something about our shoreline”. Or maybe you’re just a little jealous of the neighbours: “doesn’t their new stone wall look so nice”.
Perhaps you’re delusionally optimistic but nowadays 100% correct in saying: “did you see what that wreck-of-a neighbours place went for? Just imagine how much our place could be worth!?”.
Next thing you know the lawn is ripped up, your neighbours down the lake are sipping morning coffee to the sound of ‘beeeep….. beeeep….. beeeep’, and you are double-checking that the quote for your lumber didn’t include that extra zero by mistake!
Cue the renovations.
As we spend our hard-earned money on these projects… investing in our properties, our families, and our future, given it’s Earth Week it’s also a great time to consider opportunities within your reno on how to contribute to maintaining good water quality and wild natural habitats… investing in our lake’s future.
For starters, begin by asking yourself (or your contractor) these questions:
How can I prevent this bare soil from washing into the waterway or storm drain after a rain? - Where can I plant trees and shrubs to stop my shoreline from eroding into the lake? - Where is our septic and should we get it pumped more often because we’re using it more? - How can I learn to live with aquatic weeds given they are the best hiding spots for fish? - Where along the waters edge can I leave a no-mow zone? I cut enough already!
The average family wants to do something good for their lake but might not know where to start, how much it will cost, or how best to make a positive impact. Fortunately, just as you would seek advice from local contractors for your reno project, there are lots of local resources available that provide advice, assistance, and financial support for lake health improvement projects. Don’t be shy to reach out for support.
Lake improvement projects likewise lead to positive economic spin-off in your community, as they typically involve contractors, technicians, landscapers, nurseries, or other local businesses. Your
investments into these projects pay dividends down the road into your property, your community, and ultimately your lake.
A pair of Common Loons in the open waters of Four Mile Lake. Loons tend to nest in thick vegetation right near the water’s edge. Are their opportunities along your shoreline to create an attractive nesting site for Loons?
