Embedded Files
Environment Committee
March 2026
Committee members: Kari Lie, Jeff Chalmers and Murray Miskin
The environment committee is focussed on:
Coordinating and cooperating with associated environmental organizations, e.g., The Environment Council of Clear, Ston(e)y and White Lakes https://www.environmentcouncil.ca/ ; the Kawartha Lake Stewards Association https://klsa.ca/ ; Watersheds Canada https://watersheds.ca/ etc.
Monitoring water quality in association with KLSA.
Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen in Clear Lake
Clear Lake Near Surface Water Temperature
Lake Partner Program (LPP) -Phosphorus, Secchi Depth, Calcium, and Chloride
Water Quality Testing (E. coli)
Responding to issues with impact on our water quality and environment, e.g., septic reinspections, short term rental regulations, expansion of the Lovesick Lake trailer park, reductions in the powers of conservation authorities, etc. Responses take the form of letters, attending information sessions and input to Douro-Dummer council meetings.
Communicating with our membership information about issues that impact our water quality and environment (see above). This also includes providing information about programs such as the Natural Edge and Love Your Lakes programs that may be of interest to members. Both programs are delivered by Watersheds Canada in conjunction with KLSA.
Supporting associated environmental organizations with financial donations. This includes donations to the Environment Council of Clear, Ston(e)y and White Lakes, KLSA, and Camp Kawartha.
UNESCO World Water Day
UNESCO World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. UNESCO leads global efforts to understand, protect and sustainably manage this vital resource.
BPOA, in conjunction with Kawartha Lake Stewards Association and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, does water testing on Clear lake every summer and monitors water temperature year round.
https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-water#
Water Quality Testing (E. coli)
March 2026 - Water samples were collected by Kari Lie, with the assistance of Larry Nash, five times over the summer of 2025. Each time three different sites were sampled. The samples are taken immediately to the SGS lab in Lakefield for analysis. Results are usually received within a couple of days.
The publicly acceptable safe swimming level is considered to be 200 E. coli CFU per 100 mL, but Kawartha Lake Stewards Association (KLSA), which operates the program, feels that this is too high and has set the trigger for retesting at 75 E. coli CFU per 100 mL. Our results were generally in the 0 to 2 range, with one date having a reading of 20 at one of the sites and 19 at another. This was attributed to very high concentrations of waterfowl on that day.
BPOA paid $250 to KLSA for this testing. The balance of the cost for the program is covered by KLSA.
Clear Lake Near Surface Water Temperature
by Jeff Chalmers -Lake Steward
March 2026 - For six years the Kawartha Lake Stewards Association (KLSA) has been studying water temperatures in a variety of ways and BPOA volunteers have been part of that program.
Two things stand out for me, and one is the high temperature reading on July 29 where the water temperature exceeds 28.6 C (83.5 F). The other was that in the winter the temperature of the shallow water is around 0.1 C (32.2 F) barely above freezing. Read the report to get more information
Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen in Clear Lake
by Jeff Chalmers -Lake Steward
March 2026 - For eight years BPOA has worked together with our Ston(e)y Lake volunteers, to study the water temperature and the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels from the surface to the bottom, at the deepest part of the lake.
The water temperature and the level of DO in the water are critical factors in what kind of marine life is present. Warmer water holds less oxygen and ideal levels are 8 mg/L or higher for optimal health. As DO levels drop, the range of tolerance for different species of fish becomes a factor that can affect the type of fish in the lake.
Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) Lake Partner Program (LPP) - Phosphorus, Secchi Depth, Calcium, and Chloride
By Jeff Chalmers -Lake Steward
The Ontario wide lake water quality program that BPOA has been involved in the longest is now called the LPP and it tracks water clarity and nutrient levels throughout Ontario.
That program evolved into the present day LPP where nutrient levels of Phosphorus (P) are tracked along with Calcium (Ca) and Chloride (Cl). We continue to take Secchi Disk readings to track water clarity.
Read Jeff’s detailed report on the Program…
Natural Edge Program
March 2026 - The Natural Edge is a program provided by Watersheds Canada and administered locally through Kawartha Lake Stewards Association (KLSA). The goal is to help waterfront property owners to naturalize their shoreline. This has a positive impact on water quality, wildlife habitat, promotion of native plant species and reduces shoreline erosion. Two board members, Kari Lie and Murray Miskin, have taken part in this program and would be happy to share their experience with anyone who is interested.
Property owners interested in taking part in the program first receive a site visit. Based on measurements that are taken a site plan is developed and shared with the property owner. Native plants and shrubs suitable for the site are suggested if the property owner agrees a planting session is booked. All plant material is covered by a flat rate (it was $250 in 2024). Volunteers arrive to help plant. It is up to the property owner to water and maintain the plant stock.
The Environment Council will be compiling a list of people interested in taking part in the program over the 2026 season. You can contact them directly or Kari Lie via BPOA.
Love Your Lake Program summary
February 2026 – A presentation about the Love your lake program was given at the 2025 BPOA AGM. Read a short summary of the program, and if you haven’t downloaded your customized report, you can do so at https://loveyourlake.ca/
Invasive Species Awareness Week - Feb 23 to March 1, 2026
Invasive species can cause significant damage to our lake and lands.
Read the recommendations from invasivescanada.ca in our summary of some simple actionable actions we can take to protect our lake and lands from invasive species.
These include steps to:
Protect Forests from Invasive Pests.
Stop Aquatic Invasive Species
Prevent the Release of Harmful Species
Garden and Landscape Responsibly
Stop Invasive Species in Their Tracks
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