As we relax enjoy summer at the cottage it is easy to dismiss the changes which may be affecting the climate and are having current and potential effects which can change the experience. With changes in temperature regimes and precipitation, cottagers country is experiencing more extremes – days over thirty, nights which stay above 20 and heavy thunderstorms, some with tornados. Floods are also becoming an issue to those near the water or who need access across streams. This year, one of the roads to Patterson lake was flooded by record lake levels. Extreme highs and or lows are expected to become more frequent and unpredictable.
As we experience warming, the ecozones are also shifting. Climatic conditions which a few decades ago were found south of the St Lawrence are now experienced regularly in the Ottawa valley. As a result, we are finding species of animals and birds which lived there arriving farther north. A very serious element in this is disease – and we now know that the ticks carrying Lyme disease are now frequent in Lanark and there is also a chance of West Nile virus.
To help residents deal with these issues we have an article on this site about Lyme disease and ticks. Lyme Disease Prevention and have also linked to a new publication on how to prepare to deal with the effect of the uncertainty in the climate. Plan-to-Survive-First-Editiont-July-12-2019 The Lake Association is also planning to update the Lake Management Plan to include information on changes to the Lake and on risks which may affect enjoyment of our special environment.
Ted Manning
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