Driftwords
The Newsletter of the Big Rideau Lake Association

LBW is modeling the principle that our health, enjoyment, and property values will also be maintained through proactive learning and sharing of appropriate knowledge with our neighbours. Unlike the doom-saying approach of some environmental advocacy groups, the LBW project is inviting us to take a deep breath, appreciate what shoreline assets we have, and see how we can get from here to ecological sustainability while respecting the intelligence and initiative of the waterfront property owner. Many products are already available in various formats on a great variety of topics, such as workshop modules, videos and self-assessment shoreline workbooks and checklists. An excellent example is the enclosed Living By Water Shoreline Checklist, in this mailing of Driftwords.

The demand for workshops has been greatest for modules on controlling shoreline erosion, septic systems, planting native species, and constructing water gardens and ponds. Callaway feels that significant opportunities are still to be explored in the area of small-scale on-site wastewater management solutions, such as the Wastewater Garden being offered by the BRLA. Soon to be published is the comprehensive On the Living Edge: Your Handbook for Waterfront Living. Information on the Living By Water Project is available at the Rideau Lakes Environment and Information Centre at Dry Dock in Portland and the BRLA outlet at the Rideau Ferry store & gas bar.

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), as the name suggests, are dark/light-striped mussels. Although they can grow to a maximum length of about 5 cm, most are smaller in size. The shells are slightly pointed, and can be distinguished from native mussel species with a simple test. The concave base of the shell allows the mussel to stand upright when placed on a flat surface, unlike the native species.

Zebra mussels will colonize any remotely solid underwater surface. This can include other native mussels and clams. Zebra mussels have the ability to secrete fibrous threads and cement themselves to hard objects. It is this ability which allows zebras to hold fast to structures in a current. Some residents of the lake are now seeing reduced water flow through water intake systems due to fouling by zebra mussels. This is consistent with zebra mussel behaviour. The water intake systems provide increased water flow, circulating nutrients to the mussels and providing excellent growing conditions. Female zebra mussels can produce many thousands of eggs per year. These eggs hatch into a vertically free-swimming larval stage called veligers. They float through the water column in search of suitable habitat for colonization. If the veligers have not found a suitable substrate within a few weeks of hatching, they die. A typical zebra mussel can become sexually mature in as little as one year. Thus the explosive cycle continues.

The most obvious effect of zebra mussel infestations can be seen in the Great Lakes. The increased clarity is due to the efficient ability of the mussels to filter water. Filtration levels can be as great as 8.5 liter of water per day. This combined with dense populations, creates a biological filter that effectively removes particles less than 1mm in diameter from the water. Although this particulate matter can include organic debris, it also contains phytoplankton and zooplankton, the bases for many food chains throughout the lake. Most larval fish rely on these planktonic populations to sustain them until they graduate to larger prey. The problem in decreasing an entire section of the food chain, is that the higher levels of the food chain are stressed. Long-term data on the effects on fish populations are presently being studied, although it may take precious time to determine the outcome. Just as water intake systems provide excellent growing conditions, so do native bivalves (clams). It is not uncommon to find zebra mussels clustered on native clams, taking advantage of the native clam's filtering of the water, essentially capturing the nutrients before the native clam can utilize them. The fate of native clams is of particular concern.

There are several species that will prey on the zebra mussels. These include many diving duck species such as the Goldeneye. Some species of fish, such as the freshwater drum and some sunfish will also eat the mussel. There is also new evidence that many different crayfish species may prey on zebras. It is unlikely, however, that those predator species will exert enough pressure to control zebra mussels.

Renowned Canadian wildlife artist Robert Bateman is supporting the Big Rideau Lake Association again this year. Bateman's partnership with the Association began last year when he expressed an interest in backing the BRLA's environmental actions on the Rideau. This is part of his continuing efforts to support environmental and preservation issues around the world.

On a more regional scale Bateman is well aware of the environmental efforts and the scope and concerns of the BRLA. His understanding of environmental impacts on lakes comes from maintaining a family cottage on Lake Boshkung near Haliburton.

Bateman's print will be the grand prize in the BRLA's art raffle. Only a limited number of tickets have been printed for the raffle, so make sure to purchase yours well before the September 2nd draw. We encourage all Rideau area residents to drop by the Dry Dock in Portland at 30 Colborne Street to view this beautiful piece of artwork and buy a ticket.

The BRLA would also like to extend its gratitude, once again, to Robert Bateman for this generous donation and continued support.

With help from Len's Cove Marina, Mercury Canada and a contributing partner our old fuel-hungry, outdated, outboard motor was replaced late last summer by a state-of-the-art 75 HP Mercury four stroke motor. This motor conforms to emissions standards that will be mandatory in Ontario by 2006.

Mercury is the largest marine engine manufacturer in the world. They lead major competitors in marine innovations, creating quiet, durable, and most importantly clean outboard motors.

In addition to having an excellent low emissions rating, the 75 hp four-stroke Mercury outboard motor offers an average of 23% better fuel economy than comparable two-strokes. Also, Mercury's four-stroke outboard cuts emissions by up to 91% over carbureted and electronic fuel injected two-stroke outboards.

These low emissions motors, now available from most manufacturers, are law in California and will spread to include all US States and Canadian Provinces in future years. In 2006, all new motors will have to satisfy the law. Up until then boaters can still purchase the older two-stroke technology but a majority of sales at area marina's are now of the four-stroke variety.

A number of people still like two-stroke technology because of its relative mechanical simplicity. The four-stroke technology or two-stroke fuel injected varieties cost 10 to 15 percent more but a number of people change their minds when they learn more about four-stroke technology. If being environmentally friendly isn't enough to make them part with the extra money, the increased fuel economy of the new technology should do it. In addition to reducing waste fuel, much of which goes into the water with the old technology, four stroke motors use less gas then two-stroke motors.

The fair will provide members and the public with a broad perspective of what environmental technologies are available to support eco-friendly and sustainable living. Representatives from various organizations will be on-site to provide valuable information. The band" Lock, Stock and Barrel", featuring April May Davidson, will provide a evening full of dancing and fun starting at 7:00 PM.

The local Kinsman Club will operate a beer garden, with all proceeds going to support current Kinsman programs. Scouts from the Portland area will have a BBQ set up and will provide a full range of food items. As well, CARE Canada will have a booth on-site for donations of any old hand or power tools that donors are no longer using, to assist world relief where natural disasters have hit.

Don't miss out on this exciting event. We'll see you there!

Let the games begin! Join BRLA Interpretive Recreation staff this summer in a variety of activities for all ages. The programs are designed to be fun, informative and invigorating. They will also maintain a focus on increasing awareness of the local natural
environment and how we can minimize our impact on it.

The schedule and descriptions of the individual Interpretive Recreation Programs (IRP) for July can be seen below or opened in a separate window. Please call or e-mail to reserve a spot as spaces are limited. The schedule for August will be available in mid July and can be viewed on our website. It will also be published in our IRP brochure available at the Dry Dock in Portland as well as a variety of stores in Portland , Smiths Falls, Perth Westport & Rideau Ferry.

Some canoeing/paddling experience is required for the canoe excursions. Please bring your own canoe. If you do not have one please call ahead to book equipment. If you would like to brush up on your strokes or want to learn the basics, join Corey on July 21st from 9-11 for basic paddling instruction. The cost will be $10/person and we will meet at the Dry Dock (please pre book). Corey is a certified O.R.C.A. canoe instructor with both CPR and First Aid training . For more in -depth canoeing instruction, we will be offering O.R.C.A. Basic Canoe Certification . Please call for dates and times.

This program focuses on self-guided family oriented education. BRLA will provide a backpack filled with everything a family or individual will need to go on an informative nature excursion. The packs will include an instruction manual, field guides, identification books, binoculars, magnifying glass, dip nets, and observation plates. A rental fee of $5.00 will help cover the start up costs of the program. Please call to book.

Join Krista and Corey on Sat. July 28th at the Stewart Park Festival in Perth for a children's workshop. We will be exploring the various ecosystems of Stewart Park and learning how they co-exist. See the Stewart Park program for times.

Take A Little Lead Out is being held again this year by the BRLA to help make people aware that lead sinkers and jigs poison and KILL loons, ducks, swans and that there are non-toxic alternatives such as bismuth and tin tackle. The lead for bismuth sinker and jig exchange program was initiated by the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan committee in 1995. BRLA decided to join this program in 1998 to help minimize the incidence of lead poisoning in waterfowl.

Lead is FATAL! Lead has been identified by the International Joint Commission as a toxic substance that continues to be present in our lakes and environment at unacceptable levels. Because of its detrimental effects, lead is no longer used in paint, gasoline, and other products. Lead poisoning is a major cause of waterfowl deaths in North America. An estimated 3.8 million waterfowl in North America die from lead poisoning each year! Lead has been discontinued in many products except jigs and sinkers.

Approximately 500 tonnes of lead enter Canadian waters each year because of lost fishing jigs and sinkers. Lead in sinkers, jigs and shot can pose a serious threat to waterfowl. Loons, ducks, and swans can swallow the lead when they scoop up pebbles from the bottom of the water to help grind their food, or they can ingest it from contaminated fish. The lead is broken down in the gizzard and absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to lead poisoning and eventually DEATH!

DRY DOCK in Portland (30 Colborne Street)
Murphy's Barber & Sport Shop in Westport (Church Street)
Maple Crest Motel & Cabins in Rideau Ferry

Discussions with Upper Rideau Lake Association (URLA), the necessary legal process, and review by Revenue Canada over the last two years have led to the "new" RLEF.

URLA has joined RLEF. In response to common water and other regional environmental concerns, the RLEF board is pleased to announce a new linkage that broadens the geographical base of our mandate. The board will now include two members from the Upper Rideau, including one of its past presidents, David Donaldson.

This cooperative approach to fundraising will strengthen the environmental future of both lakes and their hinterlands. The wider funding base will support common initiatives. However, regular donations from residences of each lake will be maintained for lake-specific projects, just as special donations for a local concern within either lake shed will be channeled to those designated purposes.

One thing remains the same there is no substitute for ongoing individual contributions to RLEF. Mail your contribution by cheque or VISA to PO Box 159, Portland, Ontario K0G 1V0, or directly at Dry Dock. Tax receipts will be issued promptly.

We are happy to report that last year's giving will again allow RLEF to pass over about $10,000 for BRLA environmental projects.

RLEF continues to benefit from in-kind donations whose value can be reflected in a tax receipt. Thanks to a recent gift of a 16 FT Grew runabout to serve as a back-up boat, BRLA now is in the position to accept the donation of a reliable 60 HP motor to power it!

We hope that everyone has a most enjoyable and safe summer season.

This year the BRLA has initiated a Voluntary Bass Sanctuary program. It has been initiated on many lakes in Eastern Ontario and has had great success. The goal of the voluntary sanctuaries is to help protect bass during the nesting and parental guarding period. The selection of six areas has been chosen based on bass nest concentration and from BRLA's bass spawning study. This year five signs with a map of the lake (designating the six locations) were placed at the sites. They remind anglers that it is illegal to fish for bass until the last Saturday in June. These signs ask anglers not to fish in the conservation zones from the opening day of Pike to the opening day of Bass. The success of the bass conservation zones on other lakes in eastern Ontario was ultimately dependent on the goodwill of the anglers. A study conducted by Mark Ferguson from the Ministry of Natural Resources illustrated that with proper awareness of the program, voluntary compliance rates are high, ranging from 90-99%. The BRLA would like to take this time to thank Cedar Cove Cottages, Eastern Ontario Bassmasters, and Ottawa Valley South Bassmasters for their purchase of the signs in support of the Voluntary Bass Sanctuary program.