Blue-green Algae Bloom

 The Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit has identified a blue-green algae bloom on our lake.

The causes of this type of bloom are many but here we provide some basic information.

One primary cause is the availability of nutrients in the water to feed the algae.  In Ontario, the main culprit is phosphorous with nitrogen running a close second.  Another potential cause is runoff from leaky septics.  Part of the testing the SSEA conducts on our Lake involves monitoring levels of these nutrients.

There are preventative measures that go a long way toward preventing blooms, and contribute greatly to lake health in general.  These include:

• using phosphate-free detergents, personal care and household cleaning products
• avoiding use of fertilizers on lawns, especially fertilizers that contain phosphorus
• maintaining a natural shoreline on lake and riverfront properties
• reducing agricultural runoff by planting or maintaining vegetation along waterways and minimizing fertilizer use
• checking septic systems to ensure they do not leak into the water source

The bacteria that creates blooms is normally present in water bodies.  Blooms occur when the amounts of bacteria are high.  Blooms are not permanent and, with proper care of our lake, will not necessarily recur in future.

There are potentially harmful toxins present when blue-green algae blooms appear.  Avoid use of lake water for bathing, drinking and swimming.  This applies to humans and pets.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae#:~:text=Causes,as%20leaching%20from%20septic%20systems.

SSEA Lake Conditions Report July 19, 2021

 

Severn Sound Environmental Association Lake Condition Updates

 

Cottage Country & Covid19

Hello all,

Hope you are all coping successfully in these troublesome times. To our seasonal property owners, we ask that you follow the advice of Dr. Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, to refrain from visiting your cottages during Covid19 quarantine and/or self-isolation.

“Urban dwellers/Cottagers should RESIST THE URGE to head to the cottage and rural properties as these communities have less capacity to manage COVID-19,” she said.

“'COVID-19 time is NOT cottage time.' Stay home in the city and DO NOT put rural communities at further risk during the COVID-19 crisis,” Dr. Tam warned.

While Canadians are being urged to avoid heading to their rural properties to avoid overloading local health care systems, it’s also to help stop the spread of the disease into smaller communities.

“These places have less capacity to manage COVID-19," Dr. Tam said at a press conference in Ottawa on Sunday.

"Even if you have not heard of cases in your community, that does not mean that there are no cases or no exposures waiting to happen," Tam said.

Additionally, as shortages of groceries and toilet paper have been seen across Canada, there are concerns that an influx of cottagers could put even more pressure on suppliers in rural communities.

Year round residents appreciate your assistance in slowing the spread within our rural community, and look forward to seeing you back again when this is over.

Stay well!

Spring Update

Hello all,

Now that we’ve made it through this long winter, it’s time to think spring. Usually it’s also a time to start planning OLRA activities. This year, with regret, we share the news that all Ratepayers activities are indefinitely suspended. The OLRA has a long and rich history and a place in the hearts of several full time and seasonal residents. This is not a conclusion we came to lightly.
Many factors contributed to the decision.

Most of you know that the Woodcocks kept things afloat for a very long time. When they opted for a well deserved retirement many board members had already given up their positions. Susan Eccleshall and I soon found ourselves alone at the meeting table. Both of us have other obligations that make it very difficult to consistently devote the time required to manage things well.

Many times you’ve heard us call for volunteers, and we deeply appreciate those who did make themselves available, but without steady, reliable leadership and unfailingly dedicated volunteers every aspect of the Association’s activities suffered - except one.

Thanks to almost superhuman effort on her part, Susan continued to organize the annual picnic, an event that she has been involved in for most of her life. While those who attend invariably enjoy a wonderful day, attendance has been steadily declining. A great deal of work goes into planning and executing a day of fun for less and less people each year.

The ability to host this, or any other, event depends on funds derived from the membership drive. This is a large undertaking, and we simply haven’t been able to recruit enough bodies to visit every property in Orr Lake. The option to pay for membership online was provided but very few chose it. Success has been achieved only by making the trek up and down each of our long laneways to knock on doors.

The mission of the OLRA, in short, is to monitor the health of the lake and its environment. This requires regular communication with Township staff, our local environmental associations, and residents. It also means conducting tests and investigating any and all activities that could potentially impact the environment such as road work, ditch maintenance, shoreline development and septic inspections to name just a few. Available time is an issue here as well. Additionally, when the issue of water level could not be resolved after the Township took over management of the dam, we noticed a significant decrease in resident interest in the Association. Without the participation of our citizens we are not an Association at all but merely a board with input from a handful of concerned people. To read about the steps taken to address lake levels, please visit orrlakeratepayers.blogspot.com and refer to the ‘Top 5 Questions’ page.
The blog and Facebook pages will remain as they stand to provide information and allow residents to communicate with each other but will not be updated.

Once, the OLRA was a vibrant part of life in Orr Lake and it could be again. If anyone is interested in revitalizing the Association we would be happy to help in an advisory capacity. Many hands truly do make light work. Should you wish to offer yours, please call or text Lynne at 905-716-2571 or email orrlakeratepayers@gmail.com.

We hope you understand why we have taken this measure and wish you all a safe, happy spring and summer.

It's Picnic Time Again!

It’s almost time for the Orr Lake Ratepayers’ Annual Picnic and we can’t wait to see you there! For many families the picnic is an annual tradition and there are plenty of new faces around the lake to welcome as well. This is a great chance to have a day of outdoor family fun as you meet and spend time with neighbours.

 Each year attendees share memories of picnics past and their joy in recalling such good times is clear. One long-time resident asked us to share her story of a great climax to the 2017 event. Ruth Woodcock writes, ‘As always, everyone at the OLRA Picnic last year had a wonderful time. I gave my 5 year old grandson, Kai, a strip of tickets for the donated prizes and he put almost all of them in the bag for the "Water Fun" prize. Later in the day when the winners were announced Kai waited patiently to hear his name. His disappointment was on his face when another name was announced. The winner was Tom Deas. Without hesitation, Tom walked over to Kai and handed him the prize. He said, "I watched Kai put so many tickets in the bag and knew he really wanted it so I put my tickets in too in the hopes that between the two of us, Kai could have that prize.” What a wonderful, generous teen we have living in our Orr Lake community!! Thank you again, Tom, for your caring gesture. It made a big impression on Kai and me. Also, a big thank you to Helen Gibb for having a camera handy to record the deed in such good pictures!’

 Mark Sunday, August 5, 2018 on your calendars and plan to attend this year’s picnic from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. You’ll find us at the park on South Orr Lake Rd enjoying contests, games and races, winning prizes, feasting at the BBQ, and discovering new identities courtesy of the artistic face painting of Mabel Moon (you can preview her talents here: http://www.mabelmoon.com/gallery.html).

 All are welcome, and just one $10 Ratepayers’ membership covers picnic admission for the entire family, including the grandkids. You can buy your membership either online at orrlakeratepayers.blogspot.com or at the park on the day of the picnic. Most events are free with admission but bring a wee bit of spending money for some fun activities, drinks and treats.

 If you have questions, or would like to donate prizes or volunteer (hours credited for students), please call Susan at 705-725-4120.

 Come out and enjoy a day of old-fashioned fun by the lake!

Dealing with Unwanted Plant Life

In our last post, we talked about invasive and/or problematic plants both in and out of the lake. This time, we’d like to share a little more on this subject, based on information and guidance received through our partnership with Severn Sound Environmental Association.

Their wetland biologist identified samples of two types of grasses taken from the lake as wild rice and hard-stemmed bulrush. We have received reports that one or both of these are crowding the shoreline of some properties. Before we continue, we must stress that there are legal and safety factors involved in dealing with both native and invasive plants and state that we do not advise anyone to proceed without professional, educated consultation.

Residents may be able to do some selective clearing to make a path wide enough for boat passage, however there are some rules to follow from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). DFO rules take precedence over the MNRF rules since they’re federal, but the best plan is to go with whichever is the more restrictive regulation.

Based on our location, a permit from the MNRF is not needed but there are some rules to follow. You must be the property owner, or conducting removal on behalf of the owner. You may only remove plants directly in front of your own property. You must dispose of removed plants on dry land, and any wheeled or tracked machinery or equipment used must be used, operated and/or stored on dry land as well. You may only use mechanical devices such as a rake or cutter bar, or bare hands to remove plants – dredging the bed of the water body is not permitted. There are also rules regarding the maximum dimensions of removal sites allowed, and about clearing during fish spawning seasons. To ensure that you are compliant should you wish to remove native aquatic plants, we strongly recommend that you contact the MNR district office before proceeding. They are located at 2284 Nursery Rd in Midhurst, or you can reach them by phone at 705-725-7500. To determine whether a DFO permit may be necessary, please contact them by writing Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 520 Exmouth Street, Sarnia, ON N7T 8B1 or you can call 1-866-290-3731 toll free.

The MNRF rules for removal of invasive aquatic plants such as invasive phragmites or purple loosestrife are very similar to those for non-invasive plants. There are currently a few patches of phragmites in the area that are not in the lake. The OLRA will look into the identifying whether these are native or invasive and, if necessary, their removal before the problem becomes more widespread. If you do see phragmites on your property it is important that they be removed or, at the very least, the seedheads should be cut off and burned to prevent windborne spread. Invasive phragmites grow through an extensive underground rhizome system so a single control method may not be effective.

Giant hogweed contains a phototoxic sap which reacts with ultra-violet (UV) light once it has come in contact with the skin. It can cause second degree burns. There are four species of giant hogweed but not all are found in North America. It is important to get to know this plant – and its “look-alikes”. Due to the health risks associated with giant hogweed, it is extremely important to become educated and seek consultation in dealing with it should it appear on your property.

We have added pdf files on the top left of the blog that detail best handling practices for both phragmites and hogweed. This is a good first step toward understanding what you are up against in trying to remove and/or control these plants.

Cruel September

As I write, the first day of school is just a few hours away. Once I craved this return to routine. When my days didn’t unfold in an orderly fashion I felt unglued and out of sorts. It was harder to focus and accomplish things that would leave me feeling satisfied with my small contribution to the spinning of the planet at the end of the day. I used to welcome fall and the return of schedules with open arms. Now it seems to me, despite what T.S. Eliot had to say about April, that September is the cruelest month.

These days, clocks and calendars seem more like unwanted guests in my home than beloved members of the family. There are a few exterior reasons for my change of heart. The kids who used to spend weekends in my basement are hanging out in post-secondary residences now. The first child I brought into this world is expecting the arrival of his own soon. My daughter, who has been occupying that basement since the younger kids expanded their horizons, is planning to move out on her own. All these events are exciting and evoke a ton of positive thoughts and feelings but also bring on retrospection and a pesistent desire to turn back the hands of time. Yet, simultaneously, retirement skips just a few steps ahead of me and I want to run to catch up. I can’t wait to have the freedom from the demands of a job and kids to plan my days around things that I never have time for. Essentially, I want things that are polar opposites and, for the moment, can have neither.

Then along comes September. Contradictory, deceptive, demanding September. It offers lovely, sunny hours free of humidity while slamming the door shut on the lazy days of summer. In the evenings we’re reaching for sweaters we haven’t even thought of for months but wishing we’d worn shorts in mid-afternoon. The geese are gathering as the leaves begin to turn colour but corn and pumpkins are still growing. On the surface, it looks as though September can’t make up its mind what it wants. It seems to both mock and mimic my own state of mind. Sure, April has its own back and forth dance but spring seems more like a playful child following any given whim. September is more like Grimm’s witch that builds a lovely gingerbread treat just so she can stuff you in her oven. It’s purposefully messing with us. September can be a real jerk.

We can’t force it to be a more decisive month any more than I can change my adult children back to babies or quit my job today. The next best thing, I suppose, is to just roll with it. Tidy up what we can, put a few things on hold and start fresh all at once.

For the OLRA, the annual general meeting tidies up issues that have previously arisen and presents new concerns that need attention. In the area of closure, we heard a report on lake testing conducted by the SSEA during 2015 and closed the effort to have waste collection day changed after we were unable to achieve a majority in favour. Still in progress are an update on septic re-inspection and investigating obstacles to providing a kayak and canoe lock-up at the park. New business focused on plant life both in and out of the water with discussions regarding expanding lake grasses and the recent appearance of phragmites and hogweed in our area. Residents who have already purchased their 2016-17 membership should already have received a full copy of the meeting minutes. If yours didn’t arrive in your inbox, please let us know. For those who would like to review the minutes but are not current members, please see the membership section on the right to purchase your membership online or contact us to use an alternative method of payment.

With the writing of this post, I’ve finished taking care of what I need to do today and I’m heading outside to enjoy a few more hours of freedom. Maybe I’ll stick my tongue out at September while I’m at it.

Another Successful Picnic!

While there’s still lots of summer left to enjoy, the OLRA recently wrapped up the 2015-16 season with our annual picnic and general meeting. We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the picnic and it was wonderful to see both familiar and new faces joining in the fun.

As always, Susan Eccleshall did an outstanding job of organizing an event that has long been a fun-filled summer tradition for many Orr Lake families. Some of those families - the Moffitt and Woods families in particular – consistently give of themselves and we owe our sincere thanks for their donations of prizes, funds and time. We are also indebted to local businesses that sponsored the raffle. Please be sure to reward their generosity with your patronage. These include A’s Fish & Chips, B2’s Pizza, Coffee Time, Corner Cut Salon, Elm Flower Shoppe, Elmvale Foodland, Elmvale McDonald’s, Food Forest, G&S Computers, Georgian Bay Living, Nanny’s Bloomers, Orr Lake Golf Club, Steeler’s Restaurant and Pub, TD Canada Trust, The Village Shoppe, and Twice Around Thrift Store.

A special thank you to Elmvale Home Hardware for their donation of materials for the ever popular nail drive, and to Stefaniuk Precision Carpentry Design & Renovations for providing ice and propane supplies for the BBQ.

Music plays a huge part in setting the festive mood, and the microphone is a necessary component too. Many thanks to Joe Boffo and family who kindly allow use of their hydro to power our sound system.

We are able to share the big-heartedness of all these great donors only with the help of a hardworking team of volunteers. We would be well and truly lost without their contributions of time and effort. A greatly deserved pat on the back to community helpers Jack Beyfuss, Paul Byrne, Charlie Digaudio, Tony & Margaret Eccleshall, Betsy MacDonald, Ernest Stefaniuk, and Ruth Woodcock. The help of local students is also invaluable. Thanks to Tom Deas, Scott Huggard, Colby Scott, and Delaney Scott for proving that the spirit of giving is alive and well among the younger people in our community. The success of this year’s picnic is a credit to you all!

Last but certainly not least on our list of those to thank are our executive volunteers. Their efforts this season brought us increased membership and more frequent communication through various media, which helped to raise attendance numbers at the picnic. They also gave their time to canvassing for raffle donations, shopping for food supplies, staffing the races, and more. A huge thank you to Sonia Kadela, Nick Heintz, Matt & Stephanie McKeown and Louise McGonigal for helping to make our annual event run so smoothly.

A new addition to this year’s line-up was the presence of Mabel Moon Face Painting. Nearly all the kids and a few adults waited patiently for their turn and soon filled the park with Ninja Turtles, kitty cats, dragons, flower children and more. Mabel’s work is outstanding and we’ve already booked her to return next year. Be sure to check out her website, mabelmoon.com to add a fun twist to your next event.

If you missed this year’s picnic, just remember that it is always held on the Sunday of the August long weekend. Residents and cottagers alike often host family and friends at this time, and the picnic is a great way to let us help you entertain.

At this year’s AGM we were pleased to welcome our guests Mayor Bill French, Councillor Perry Ritchie, and Aisha Chiandet of the Severn Sound Environmental Association. Be sure to watch for our next post when we’ll recap the highlights of the meeting.

See you at the Picnic!

It’s time to celebrate summer in Orr Lake at the Ratepayers Picnic! Residents and cottagers from Orr Lake are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun to remember as you meet or reunite with neighbours and friends on Sunday, July 31 beginning at 12:00 noon at Orr Lake Park on South Orr Lake Road. Admission is just $10 per family which includes your 2016-17 OLRA membership.

When you first arrive, visit the Welcome table where you can purchase your membership, raffle and 50/50 tickets, or enter to win with your best guess regarding the candy jar’s contents. We’ve received some wonderful donations from many local businesses and families in our community so don’t miss your chance to take one home. We’ll also have Orr Lake t-shirts available for purchase.

Bring the kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and we’ll be happy to wear them out for you with a variety of games and races such as the ever popular egg toss and shoe kick. There are events for those who excel individually, and lots for those who work better as part of a team. Races are divided into age categories with a huge variety of prizes for all, plus medals and ribbons that make great additions to the summer scrapbook. Don’t forget to start working those biceps in preparation for the horseshoe and nail driving competitions.

When you’re expending all that energy, you’ll need to fuel up. Enjoy grilled burgers and dogs flipped and served up hot by our barbecue volunteers. Cash only please – no cheques, plastic or trading of children, mothers-in-law, or burnt-out boat motors.

If you’re more of a worker bee than a competitor, we can always use an extra body or two to help out with spotting during races, supervising competitions and so on. Volunteer hours are given to high school students. Please get in touch to find out how you can lend a hand.

This all adds up to a day of great fun on the shores of our lovely lakes so mark your calendars now. We look forward to another terrific turn-out of neighbors to make this year’s picnic the best ever!