PATTERSON LAKE
NEWSLETTER
September 2005
www.pattersonlake.bowerman.ca
Invasive Species
This year Patterson Lake was sampled by
Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) for
invasive species. The two main types of
invasive species that were sampled for were
Spiny Water Flea (Bythotrephes cederstroemi)
and Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
which were introduced to Canada in the Great
Lakes with the releasing of ship ballast water.
Sampling is done by hauling a fibre mesh net
from a depth of 9 m and then taking the
collected micro organisms and concentrating
them into a bottle and preserving the sample
with 70% rubbing alcohol. Terry Wilkie
arranged a meeting date to do the sampling and
Lorne Bowerman took us out on his boat to
sample. The results for the invasive species
test have been analyzed by the Ontario
Federation of Anglers and Hunters and neither
spiny water flea nor zebra mussels were found
in Patterson Lake. Tanner Whyte MVC
Lake Level
The lake level is being measured weekly and
the graph is up on the website, off the Lake
Level button.
Our present lake level is just above the bottom
of the north culvert. There is no water flowing
out of the lake. We had planned to leave about
8″ to 10″ above the north culvert bottom in the
lake but someone in the period from July 16 to
July 20 came in and cleaned the culvert
completely clear so that the lake level just kept
going down. This irresponsible vigilante
action completely destroyed the careful plans
of the Lake Association. We all lose.
East End Soft Bottom
It was finally time this summer to try to touch
and sample the bottom on the east end. Trevor
Dee and Lorne Bowerman rigged up a 18′
sapling with a small can and a plug. The
sapling was forced down and samples were
taken of the soft material at the 14′, 7′, and 5′
depths below the surface. (By the way, the
only place we could touch bottom with the 18′
sapling was just out from the creek mouth.)
The samples were a tinged pink gelatinous
substance homogenous in appearance from all
levels. It has a faint swamp smell. There was
no noticeable particulate such as from sawdust.
Samples were dropped off at the MVC for
testing. Susan Lee (MVC) kept the subject
alive until we had an answer. (Many thanks!)
A scientist from the Museum of Nature in
Ottawa said that “this is an organic mat (floc),
biologically created mainly by cyanobacteria.
In the floc are many things from pollen to
diatoms. Although you cannot see the
cyanobacteria easily in these micrographs, they
are small colonies of spherical cells contained
within mucilage (organic floc). These colonies
mass together to form the large mass you have
collected. This type of matter is commonly
found in the bottom of lakes. The “pink”
colour is most likely the breakdown products
from the biological matter and not Fe like I
had suggested earlier. I don’t know what the
specific chemical is, but I can say that I have
not read anything about this being toxic.”
Floc or floccules are formed by the
flocculation process which is defined in a
reference as “the process by which suspended
colloidal or very fine particles, are assembled
into larger masses or floccules which
eventually settle out of suspension.”
The collective scientific staff at 151 Lakeside
Rd think the algal floc has been there for
hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In the ice
age the lake bottom was probably dug out to
over 18′ at the eastern end, but the outlet, Fairs
Creek, upstream from the present culverts is
only 3′ deep in mid-summer, and the bottom is
very solid. This coupled with the absence of
any hint of a gorge suggests that only the top
of the lake drains leaving a basin at the bottom
with little movement.
The algae is alive from top to bottom. The
whole mass is quite porous.
It poses no risk to fish or humans.
If you Google the word “floc” or “floccules”
you will see it is world wide.
We still do not have the actual lake depth at
the east end. It needs a 30′ steel rod (like 3/8″
rebar or a chimney cleaning rod) and a stable
platform to sink it down. It may be a good job
for the winter through the ice. It could give
Dave MacCrimmon, Tom Hill, Martyn
Howard, Doug Love, and Larry Heide
something to do during the winter.
Loons
Another year and no chicks! It seems to be the
ability of our mated pair to do the job as there
were lots of chicks in other area lakes. Our
pair did not apparently even attempt to build a
nest this year. There was also nothing
happening on the lake during the nesting
season to prevent nesting.
Patterson Lake is a one-pair lake. Loons are
very territorial at mating season and our lake is
only big enough to support one pair. They
cannot stand to see any other mated pair.
Loons nest in our area about mid-June to mid-July and always on island shorelines very close
to the water because they cannot walk on land
– they just flop along.
Now you may see more than two loons on the
lake from time to time, and indeed this
summer we saw up to seven loons, but the
extra were visitors, family, or immatures.
The biggest danger during nesting season is
changes in lake level or high waves from
passing boats. Please reduce motorboat speed
when passing islands or keep motorboats away
from the island shores during nesting season.
Nothing defines a lake in Ontario more than a
loon. We need to keep this heritage safe.
Lanark Highlands Official Plan
We received correspondence directed to area
lake associations on the Official Plan of the
Township in regard to lake properties.
Specifically, the letter asked to spread the
word about “The Ribbon of Life” concept in
regard to lakeshores. Section 3.6.3.11 states:
“It is the intent of Council to require the
establishment and/or retention of a natural
vegetation buffer on lands within 15 m (49.2 ft.) of
the shoreline of a lake or a tributary (referred to
as the “ribbon of life”) which is developed or 30
m (98.4 ft.) on a lake trout lake, a sensitive lake or
a lake which is undeveloped. In situations where
the natural vegetation buffer will be reduced to
accommodate the expansion of an existing
building, the replanting of an area equivalent or
greater than the area required for the expansion,
will be required (see illustrations). [See also
Section 3.6.4
(4)] In addition to the vegetation
buffer, Council will encourage property owners
and developers to retain as much of the lot in its
natural state as is possible.”
A 9 metre lake access area is suggested for
each property for docks, decks, boats, picnic
areas, etc. .The plan can be viewed at:
http://www.twpoflanarkhighlands.com/
P>
and using the Link to The Official Plan, then
bringing up Section 3, pages 36 to 41.
Newsletter
This Newsletter was produced by Lorne
Bowerman. Comments, suggestions, or articles
are welcome. (I live in hope!)
Get ready. Next year I am going to ask for a
contribution from each area.
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