Protect our lakes
The catchment basin (watershed) of the Township of Gore is not only an ideal place for recreational activities, it is also the main source of potable water for more than 12000 residents in our region.
Therefore water quality is a primary concern for the municipality. Certain factors contribute to the pollution of our lakes and watercourses, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation of shorelines, navigation and poorly functioning septic systems.
- In a watershed with multiple uses where all the owners are interdependent, protecting lakes and watercourses has to happen on many levels and everyone involved must work together:
- the owners and residents in the watershed;
- recreational boaters:
- lake associations;
- governments
Protecting our lakes has to start now and everyone has to contribute.
Here is some basic information about our lakes, watercourses and watershed, as well as important information and concrete actions everyone can do to effectively reduce their personal impact on the condition of our watershed.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
Gardening and landscaping
Navigation
Waste
Motor pollution
Bilge
Prevent fuel spillage
Boat maintenance
Dock maintenance
Shore erosion
Conclusion
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
Cyanobacteria are part of a group known as eubacteria, or true bacteria. For a long time we called them blue algae and refused to consider them as bacteria. They differ from other bateria in that they contain chlorophyll and take their energy from sunlight. We currently call them blue-green algae because the first cyanobacteria that were identified were blue-green in colour. However, all cyanobacteria are not blue-green. They can be olive green or dark green or even purple.
Over the last few years a growing number of watercourses and lakes in Quebec have had to be closed for swimming and recreational boating due to the proliferation of cyanobacteria. The effects of the bacteria on humans are:
- if you drink water, eat fish or products that contain high cyanobacteria toxin levels, you may develop headaches, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
- if you swim in contaminated water, your skin and eyes may itch and become irritated, or you may have other allergic reactions that are similar to hay fever.
If you suspect that you have been in contact with cyanobacteria toxins and you have some of the above symptoms, rinse your skin and see a doctor immediately.
For most people, their home is the most important investment of their life. Residents with waterfront property are those who are most directly at risk from the spread of cyanobacteria.
The MRC of Argenteuil, municipal inspectors and the mayors of the nine municipalities that are part of the MRC of Argenteuil created a committee for the protection of lakes. We are sure that this committee will have a significant impact in protecting our lakes and watercourses from the spread of cyanobacteria. This is an issue that affects our environment, our quality of life, health, and public safety, but mainly our personal and collective assets.
Although governments must draft legislation and municipal and provincial inspectors must strictly enforce these laws, this is not the solution. The solution lies in the hands of citizens, property owners and residents. And what is more, the concrete actions that must be taken are quite simple:
- At home, use products that won’t harm the environment (without phosphates).
- Plant shrubs and hedges on the shore of your lakefront property.
- Have your septic installation inspected and replaced it if necessary.
It is evident that protecting our watershed comes at a financial cost. But that cost is insignificant when compared to the losses we will suffer if we allow cyanobacteria to invade the watershed. We have to mobilize, and citizens and governments must act together to protect our future.
Gardening and landscaping
The use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers is strictly prohibited within 150 meters of the watershed. Owners who contravene the rules are liable for fines up to $3 000.
Responsible management of your property and garden can considerably reduce pollution levels from your property’s water runoff. The best choices are natural vegetation and permeable surfaces.
Natural vegetation along streams or around ponds and lakes is essential, because the vegetation provides shade and a cooling effect, and acts as a filter for sediments, chemical products and nutriments from runoff and rainfall.
Here are some things you can do to make a difference:
- Maintain a 10 meter buffer zone around our watershed.
- Consult an arboriculturist or another knowledgeable person to maintain the health of your mature trees.
- Reduce the areas you use for storage, placing derelict material and making fires to a minimum within the buffer zone.
- Limit backyard lawns and play areas.
- Grow plants with similar growing requirements together (sun, soil type, humidity).
- Do not cut or prune any vegetation in the 10 meter buffer zone. You can maintain an opening for access up to five (5) meters wide to get to the water. Grass cuttings and decomposing leaves reduce the oxygen levels in the watershed. Grass cuttings also contain phosphorus, which promotes the growth of cyanobacteria.
- Plan your landscaping to promote the absorption of rainwater and create a favourable environment for fauna and flora. Use landscaping surfaces that reduce surface runoff such as rock gardens and woodchips.
- Be sure you have a thick enough layer of compost to promote soil permeability and healthy plants.
Navigation
During the summer season, many residents and visitors use the lakes and watercourses for recreational activities and one of the main activities is navigation, with motorized or non-motorized crafts. Navigation has an evident impact on the ecosystem of the lake, the quality of the water, the flora and fauna of the lake and on population.
This section will provide boaters with advice to help reduce the negative impact on water quality. Please note that Lake Barron is the only lake in Gore where motorized boats are allowed.
These are the rules and recommendations that all boat owners should follow. Your participation is essential and important in the fight against pollution of our lakes and watercourses.
Waste
To begin with it is illegal to throw waste overboard. This is not only unacceptable, but the waste is extremely difficult to clean up. All garbage must be kept on board and brought back to your home.
- Do not throw anything overboard, including cigarettes and cigars.
- If you drop something into the water, retrieve it.
- Store food in recyclable containers.
- Buy products without plastic packaging or with the least amount of packaging possible.
- Purchase drinks in recyclable containers and dispose of them in recycling bins.
- Bring all your waste back home.
- Recycle or reuse fishing line.
Motor pollution
- Use an electric motor if possible.
- When purchasing a motor choose a non-polluting energy-efficient motor.
- Do not run your engine at full throttle.
- Avoid running your engine needlessly.
- Well-tuned and well-maintained motors are less likely to leak.
- If you have a two-stroke engine, mix the exact ratio of fuel and oil, and be sure to do it far away from the dock and the shore.
Bilge
Many boats have a bilge where fuel, water, hydraulic fluid and antifreeze collect before being evacuated by the bilge pump. Before running the bilge pump, check for the presence of contaminants. Use absorbent pads to remove as much petroleum products as possible so they do not enter the lake. This simple action is a great help in protecting the water.
Bilge cleaners are bad for the environment and should never be dumped into our watershed. Many of these cleaners are toxic and are not biodegradable. Even if the product is harmless, once it is mixed with petroleum products, the result is a toxic cocktail for the lake water. The best thing to do is to clean the bilge when the boat is out of the water and far from the shore. Many smaller boats do not have a bilge but are equipped with a well for fuel tank storage. Be sure to use an absorbent pad under the fuel tank in the well to collect any small leaks.
Prevent fuel spillage
Filling your boat’s fuel tank on or near the water is a potential risk for spilling fuel into the lake. Effective prevention begins by taking your time when refuelling. Here are some tips on safe refuelling:
- Make sure your tank is easily accessible.
- Bring your boat or your fuel tank to a marine service centre.
- Fill with oil or fuel when far from the water.
- Pump or pour the fuel very slowly.
- Be aware of how much fuel your tank holds before refuelling.
- Do not fill the tank to the rim to allow room for the fuel to expand.
- Always have an absorbent pad on hand in case of a spill.
- Install an air/fuel separator.
- Use a reservoir that you can hold and handle easily.
- Use a funnel or a pouring spout with an automatic shut-off to prevent overfilling.
- Mix your oil and fuel for your two-stroke motor far away from the dock and the shore.
- Remember that storing your fuel container on the dock or on the shore is an ongoing risk for an accident.
Boat maintenance
- Do boat maintenance far away from the lake, the tributaries of the lake and ditches.
- Rinse your boat regularly with plain water. This way you will need fewer cleaning products.
- Limit the use of soap by rinsing and waxing your boat after each use.
- Choose non-toxic, biodegradable products without phosphates or bleach.
- Tow your boat through a commercial car-wash.
Dock maintenance
Equipment such as docks, floating docks and boat houses allow many people to enjoy our lakes. However, depending on how they were built, they can also damage the ecosystem and the shores. Paint residue, wood preservatives and other chemicals can find their way into the water when maintaining this equipment. The use of these products on the water or near the shore is prohibited. If your dock or boathouse is already painted, you must be very careful when repainting. Be sure to use tarps and prevent scrapings, fresh paint or other toxic products from coming into contact with lake water.
Pressure washers or compressors, often used to remove old paint, are powerful and it is very hard to prevent residue from entering the watershed. The best method is to scrape off the paint with a metal blade or steel wool, using a tarp over your work area to catch any toxic residue. Bleach, herbicides and pesticides must never be used near your dock.
Bank erosion
Natural erosion occurs due to the action of wind-generated waves. But too much erosion can be very costly. Your property may become devaluated and there can be costs to restore the banks. Boats are frequently operated too close to shorelines and in shallow water at excessive speed. Small boats in particular can cause additional erosion because they are often put into the water directly from the beach. Waves from boats reaching the shore accelerate the erosion of the banks.
If you use your boat on other watercourses and return it to Gore, be sure to follow these procedures before putting it back into our watershed:
- Remove any plants, algae, or aquatic animals that may be attached to the boat, the trailer or the motor.
- Empty your cooling system, your bilge and your bait containers and rinse everything with hot water (between 110 and 140oF).
- Let your boat, motor and trailer dry off for at least five days.
Restoring the shoreline is the best way to give our lakes the protective buffer zones they need. Many people think that a nice lawn right down to a stone wall at the water’s edge is inoffensive and even charming. But when it rains, all the contaminants and nutriments flow freely over or through the wall into the lake to create an ideal environment for the growth of cyanobacteria.
What should you do with an existing wall?
It is best not to dismantle the wall because this deposits a lot of sediment and organic matter suddenly into the lake. The best thing to do is to plant vegetation to create a natural sunshade over the wall. When planting, consider your soil and sun conditions as well as the distance from the lake. A band of shrubs at least 2 meters high is recommended.
Once they are planted, this vegetation will absorb the nutriments and contaminants in the lake and will also keep the wall cool during summer and prevent the lake from heating up.
For more information, see the segment about restoring shoreline in the Environment section.
Conclusion
We want to thank the following people for their help:
- Lake Whatcom Management Program
- The MRC d’Argenteuil
- Julien Béliveau
- Luc Matter
- Chantal Rochette
- Abrinord
- Cré Laurentides
AND DON’T FORGET:
PROTECT your buffer zone
PROTECT your watershed
PROTECT your investment
PROTECT your quality of life
