December 01, 2014
Effect of Nutrients on Lake water
Have a look at this brief report which describes the effects of different levels of nutrients on water properties.
August 29, 2014
A Glimpse of Desert Lake History
Courtesy of Mary Clark
In 1922, William and Emma Pierce
(grandparents of Mary Clark and Bill Pierce) came from East Aurora, N. Y. to
fish at Desert Lake. They stayed at the fishing camp owned by Edmund and Edna
Page. It was located at the south end of the lake (across the road from present
day Lazy Acre).
The second floor of the fishing camp was sectioned into bedrooms by
hanging sheets between the beds. In the morning Edna cooked a massive breakfast
for all the guests. Each fishing group was supplied with a guide who rowed the
boat, and with enough pans, bread and vegetables for a shore dinner at noon,
augmented by the catch of the day. At suppertime, they all returned to the
Pages for a large dinner prepared by Edna.
During that time the Pierces’ favourite shore dinner site was the point
on which they built their cabin in 1925. It was the first cottage on Desert
Lake built for the purpose of fishing.
Looking from the Page’s Fishing Camp (at the south end of the lake) toward
present day Desert Lake Family Resort.
The bridge at the south end of Desert Lake
Because the water level in Desert Lake is controlled, these rocks off
the point of the Pierce cottage are now under water.
In 1948, Edison brought a team of carpenters, plumbers and electricians
from East Aurora. From July 15-20 they built an addition to the cottage,
installed a septic system, and electricity. The crew worked all morning, fished
in the afternoon and had all the beer they could drink.
The septic crew
The first septic tank
Mary and Bill have been coming to Desert Lake for as long as they can
remember. Here they are with their mother, Dorothy.
August 12, 2014
August 01, 2014
Citizen Water Watch – Report a Sighting
Algae Bloom |
Whether you are an angler, boater, paddler, swimmer or any water enthusiast, we are asking you to report what you are seeing on the water that you use. Information about when, where and how often algal blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth are occurring will help develop future research on the causes of green algal blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth in local lakes and rivers. This information will also help us gain a greater understanding about the algae and aquatic plant growth in the waters that we cherish.
The first phase of the Citizen Water Watch website has been created as a part of The People, Aquatic Plants and Healthy Lakes: Finding the Balance in Eastern Ontario’s Lake Country Project. This project, being done by a collaborative group consisting of Friends of the Tay Watershed, Carleton University, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, is being funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Algae and aquatic plants are a part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem but in excess they can put stress on other organisms in our lakes and rivers. Many local recreational water users have noted an increase in algae and aquatic plant growth, despite little observed change in nutrient concentrations which are often the cause of algal blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth. Reporting observations of algae and aquatic plants will help us better understand the excessive plant growth and find ways to improve aquatic environments.
To report a sighting go to www.citizenwaterwatch.ca, create an account and click on the “Report a Sighting” tab, fill out the form and hit submit. Knowing the name of the waterbody and nearest town where your observation took place as well as a picture will be helpful information to include.
For more information about this project, visit http://rvca.ca/programs/algae_watch/index.html or contact Kaitlin Brady, RVCA Algae Watch Project Coordinator at 613-692-3571 ext. 1154 or kaitlin.brady@rvca.ca or Mike Yee, RVCA Biology and Water Quality Manager at 613-692-3571 ext. 1176 or michael.yee@rvca.ca.
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