Minutes August 8, 2004

Minutes of the 5th Meeting of

The Patterson Lake Association

636 Fairs Lane

August 8, 2004

Present: Bill Brooks, Lorne Bowerman, Dave MacCrimmon, Martyn Howard, Terry Wilkie.

Regrets: Rhodena Bell.

In Attendence: Carm Cook (Parsons), Jim Neelin (Fairs), Lionel Pauzé (Parsons), Howard Stanley (Fairs), Mike Stanley (Fairs), June Tyrrell (Fairs), Shawn Tyrell (Fairs).

1. Lorne opened the meeting at 2:00 PM. Martyn moved seconded by Dave that the minutes of the last meeting on June 13^th be accepted. Carried. Lorne welcomed those in attendance.

Lake Level

2. Lorne noted that the prime purpose of the meeting was a discussion of lake levels to see if we could reach a consensus on a mid summer level. Lorne opened the discussion by reviewing a number of accepted facts about the lake level: These were:
   • The water level is about 3 feet higher now then it was before 1975-1980.
   • The present culverts set the minimum lake level through outflow.
   • The installed two culverts are nominal 36″ in diameter each.
   • Flow through the culverts and evaporation are the only factors that reduce lake level.
   • If not restricted, the lake level in spring is about 18″ above the bottom of the north culvert and gradually falls until about mid to late August to zero, then rises again to about 18″ by mid October.
   • Ice breakup in the Spring is about the 3^rd week in April. Freeze up is about the first
     week in December.
   • There are about 110 residences on the shores of the lake.
   • Fish spawning occurs for: pike – just after ice out; walleye – just after ice out; largemouth bass – late spring at 15°C (mid May); smallmouth bass – late spring at 13° to 20° C (mid to late May); pumpkinseed – late spring and early summer at 20°C (late May to early June); perch – early spring at 6° to 12°C (late April to early May); rock bass – late June to early July at 15° to 20°; and minnows – June to July.
3. Lorne and Dave reported the present level was about 8″. A good open discussion took place with many points of view expressed. Lionel said that he wanted the lake level left to God. He also noted that he has been regularly removing beaver dams. Jim expressed his concern about shore erosion and thought the proposed 10″ mid summer level was a bit high. Carm thought that the Lake Association had no right to discuss lake levels as it was beyond our jurisdiction. Bill reviewed some of the history of the changing face of Patterson Lake. Howard expressed concern about high levels as it affected his dock, particularly in the spring and fall, and he was worried that a higher summer level would increase the fall level too much. Lorne gave an opinion that the culverts were operating at 50% capacity and that they could accommodate the proposed mid summer level. June wanted the level lower with no interference from the Lake Association. Shawn was of the same opinion. Dave was worried that if we could not reach agreement, then it would be back to a tug of war with some removing the debris and some putting it back. Mike supported the position taken by his father, Howard.
4. Sensing a compromise, Lorne asked for motion that the acceptable July and August lake level be proposed as 8″. Bill moved seconded by Dave that the proposed July and August level be 8″. Carried.
5. The general feeling of the meeting was that we should move forward with the proposal to authorities who have jurisdiction in the area. Martyn moved seconded by Terry that Dave investigate the process of water control based on the support of the Lake
   Association. Carried.
6. Lorne noted that it would be the last meeting for Terry and Martyn. Dave moved seconded by Bill a motion of thanks to Terry and Martyn for their work in founding the Association. Carried. Howard Stanley will be replacing Terry. A replacement for Martyn has yet to be named.
7. The next meeting was set for October 3 at 151 Lakeside Rd at 2:00 PM. The meeting adjourned at 4:15.