Transcript What you can do - Muskoka Lakes Association

Water Quality Initiative
Summer 2011
Outline
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Overview of ‘Water Quality’
Monitoring programs
Stewardship
Action
Muskoka’s Watershed
Muskoka Lakes
Lake Joseph
Lake Rosseau
Lake Muskoka
Lake Classification:
• Sensitivity – based on Natural Factors (flow, etc.)
• Threshold – based on the impact of the
development, irrespective of sensitivity
Eutrophication
• Natural process of plant growth
and decay.
• Development accelerates the
process.
• Can result in lower oxygen levels,
affect fish habitat and water
quality .
Phosphorus
Overload = Algae Bloom
Thresholds
Lake X
10
9
8
7
TP (ug/L)
6
5
4
3
2
No Development
Threshold
Measurements
1
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
Sources of Phosphorus
Natural
Septic
lawns
Urban
Upstream
Potential development
Internal load
Bacteria – E. coli
• It is natural and its is
everywhere!
• Levels increase after
rainfall events.
• Treat all drinking water
taken from the lake and
have wells tested.
• Install proper septic
systems and maintain
them.
• Pick up dog poop and
encourage municipal
involvement.
Benthic Monitoring
WQI Objectives
1.Determine sources of P in Areas of Concern
2.Data to support regulation of vulnerable areas
3.Monitor bacteria
4.Remedial Action
5.Support stewardship in other areas
Logistics
• Began in 2001
• 170 sampling sites in 45 areas
• 15 lakes/rivers – Muskoka, Rosseau, Joseph and
surrounding
• 100 volunteers
• Currently supported by RiverStone Environmental in
Bracebridge
Water Dynamics
http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/elements/turnlakes.htm
Monitoring Activity/Study Design
• Total Phosphorus
o
o
Spring turnover
Seasonal
• Bacteria
o
o
Total Coliform
E.Coli
• Clarity (secchi depth) • Temperature
o
At deep water site
o
With every sample
Study Design
Methodology
• Samples taken monthly from Victoria Day to Labour Day
• Phosphorus
o
o
Victoria Day samples are TPso
Analysis done by Dorset Environmental Science Centre
• Bacteria
o
o
Total coliform and E.Coli analysis done by the team leaders for
each area
ColiPlates and incubators within 24 hours of the samples being
taken
Community Monitoring & Action
Areas of degradation
– Spring Turnover Total Phosphorus
Sources of Contamination
– Stream Study
Develop plans to remediate
- by community members, based on what they have
discovered through monitoring
Action Plan
What you can do
- Gather relevant data
- Contact the MLA
- Preliminary meeting with reps
- Set up community seminar
- Community Stewardship Action Plan
Relevant Data
1. List main concerns:
-E.coli, Phosphorus, other
2. Identify area on map or sketch:
- Length of shore, number of cottages
and MLA members
3. Contact information for two reps
4. Previous monitoring data
5. Other influences: construction,
golf course, marina, garden centre
Action Plan
What you can do
- Gather relevant data
- Contact the MLA
- Preliminary meeting with reps
- Set up community seminar
- Community Stewardship Action Plan
STEWARDSHIP
• Everyone’s responsibility!
Maintaining Natural Areas
Shoreline Vegetation
•Intercept run-off
•Prevent erosion
•Provide food and shelter for
animals
Forested Corridors
•Intercepts run-off
•Source of other nutrients
•Removes carbon dioxide
Advantages of Native Plants
• Tolerant of variable conditions and our
harsh Muskoka extremes
• Can outcompete most annual weeds
• Habitat and food benefit for wildlife
• Resistant to pests and disease
• Blend in with the natural environment
Herbaceous Plants for Shorelines
Swamp
Milkweed
Big Blue Stem
•Cattail (Typha latifolia)
•Blue Flag Iris (Iris Versicolor)
Fringed
Sedge
•New England Aster (Aster novae angliae)
•Swamp Milkweed
Cardinal Flower
(Asclepias incarnata)
•White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
New England
Aster
•Joe Pye Weed
(Eupatorium fistulosum)
•Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
•Wild Beebalm (Monarda fistulosa)
Joe-Pye Weed
•Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
•Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
•Big Blue Stem (Andropogon gerardii)
Blue Flag Iris
Goldenrod
•Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)
•Indian Grass (Sorgastrum nutans)
•Fringed Sedge (Carex crinita)
Stormwater
• Rain barrels
• Gardens
• Pervious
surfaces
Maintain Septics
• Pump regularly (3-5 years)
• Don’t overuse an old or undersized system
• Make sure there are no visible (or smellable)
leaks yourself
• If you are replacing a system, make sure it is
technically superior, not the minimum
required
What You Can Do
• Monitor water quality to see if there is a
problem
• Develop an Action Plan to address the
problem
• Practice good stewardship on your own
property
Muskoka Lakes Association
65 Joseph Street, 2nd Floor,
Box 298, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
Phone: 705-765-5723
Fax: 705-765-3203
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mla.on.ca
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST !