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NEWS FROM THE LAKE. Rather than winding down quietly, summer ended with a bit of a bang at Manitouwabing Lake: your associations lake water testing program confirmed unacceptably high levels of E.Coli at one location and the WyeRidge resort issue took a dramatic turn.
WyeRidge Decision Delayed
At the McKellar Council meeting on September 15, an Interim Control Bylaw was passed preventing new waterfront land severances for one year. Why? Because the Official Plan does not deal with fractional ownership developments such as WyeRidge, and new information, some gathered by concerned lake residents, suggests the lake is at or near capacity. There are other provisions in the by-law but the chief effect is to delay a decision by council until an Official Plan review is completed.
WyeRidge representatives at the September 15th meeting said the Interim Control Bylaw is a delay tactic that will not achieve its intended result. They reaffirmed their OMB appeal and said they would also appeal the Interim Control Bylaw and seek costs from the township. Council has been fooled by kindergarten math and misleading photographs, they contend.
The association has sent letters to the Council and the OMB opposing the development, as voted by members at the 2008 AGM.
The OMB has announced that a pre-hearing on WyeRidge will be held in the McKellar community centre on Tuesday, October 28, at 10.30am. You must attend if you want a position at future hearings.
E.Coli Readings High at Hardies Creek
The testing for E.Coli this summer showed an improvement in the areas of the lakes public beaches but we have found a very hot spot at the foot of Hardies Creek that is located between the Longhorn and Bailey subdivision areas. The tests showed in excess of 100 parts of E.Coli in mid-summer and lower in the fall but still very high. We have commenced testing up the creek to determine the source and have found that E.Coli and coliform tests at Centre road are in excess of 2000. As of mid September, rain has prevented the volunteers from conducting further tests but we do intend to locate the source, if at all possible, and take action.
We want to thank the Township of McKellar for their donation of $500.00 toward our testing program. (Councilors voted 4:1 to approve this grant). They have expressed an interest in our project and want to be kept fully appraised of our test results and will help out where ever possible in reporting problems and getting assistance to correct serious problems. As well, the Ridge at Manitou golf course has assisted us by correcting some beaver dam issues on their property and allowing us testing rights.
Testing for E.Coli is an important part of MLCAs lake monitoring program. Volunteers also take samples in the spring for the provinces phosphorous tracking and do Secchi disc tests throughout the summer for water clarity. Phosphorous readings average about 15 and are acceptable and similar to other lakes in the area. The Ridge golf course gets similar readings off their shoreline. Secchi results are stable in the 2 - 2.5 metre range.
Well water news: If you have a well on your cottage, check out www.wellwise.ca for information about well maintenance.
More Help for Fish Spawning
The McKellar Conservation Association has again been active improving fish habitat in the lake. They have added 18 tons of rock to over-silted walleye spawning beds in Jones Bay. MLCA donated $200 to help fund this project.
Private Buoys and Wakeboarding Rules
Wondering about the rules for placing private buoys in the lake? Wake Boarding ramps? Speed limits for skiers and boats? There are two excellent articles on these subjects, thanks to the Muskoka Sun, posted on www.MLCA.ca.
Support Your Local Snowmobile Club
Buy your snowmobile permit locally and 60% of the proceeds will go to the Dun-Ahmic Snowrider Club to maintain local trails. Buy at Northern Automotive or Cranberry Restaurant in McKellar. Also at the new Red Door bakery in Waubamik. Other locations: Magnetawan Bait and Tackle, Guitar Pickers, Reds General Store and Duck Rock.
Lake History Wanted
Do you have personal knowledge about the history of the lake? Or know someone who does? We are collecting recollections to post on the MLCA website. Can you help? Please provide a Word file to pandsgood@sympatico.ca. Old-timers are moving off the lake. Lets have your memories before you leave!
High Speed Internet
Net Spectrum has installed a tower near the Inn at Manitou to provide reliable high speed internet service to the lake. Seasonal and year round packages are available. This service is also available from other suppliers.
Details: www.netspectrum.ca.
Real Estate News
There have been just seven cottages sold on the lake this year, none on Taits Island, according to Tina Greig, Broker, Century 21 Properties Ltd Brokerage, quoting from MLS statistics that do not include any private sales. As of September 24 there are 67 listings. There have been 37 listings expire without selling. Highest sale was at $698,000 and the lowest, a lot for $170,000. Total sales volume on the lake as of September 24 was $3,496,000.
Thanks for being a member of the Manitouwabing Lake Community Association.
Your executive and directors appreciate your support.
WyeRidge Decision Delayed
At the McKellar Council meeting on September 15, an Interim Control Bylaw was passed preventing new waterfront land severances for one year. Why? Because the Official Plan does not deal with fractional ownership developments such as WyeRidge, and new information, some gathered by concerned lake residents, suggests the lake is at or near capacity. There are other provisions in the by-law but the chief effect is to delay a decision by council until an Official Plan review is completed.
WyeRidge representatives at the September 15th meeting said the Interim Control Bylaw is a delay tactic that will not achieve its intended result. They reaffirmed their OMB appeal and said they would also appeal the Interim Control Bylaw and seek costs from the township. Council has been fooled by kindergarten math and misleading photographs, they contend.
The association has sent letters to the Council and the OMB opposing the development, as voted by members at the 2008 AGM.
The OMB has announced that a pre-hearing on WyeRidge will be held in the McKellar community centre on Tuesday, October 28, at 10.30am. You must attend if you want a position at future hearings.
E.Coli Readings High at Hardies Creek
The testing for E.Coli this summer showed an improvement in the areas of the lakes public beaches but we have found a very hot spot at the foot of Hardies Creek that is located between the Longhorn and Bailey subdivision areas. The tests showed in excess of 100 parts of E.Coli in mid-summer and lower in the fall but still very high. We have commenced testing up the creek to determine the source and have found that E.Coli and coliform tests at Centre road are in excess of 2000. As of mid September, rain has prevented the volunteers from conducting further tests but we do intend to locate the source, if at all possible, and take action.
We want to thank the Township of McKellar for their donation of $500.00 toward our testing program. (Councilors voted 4:1 to approve this grant). They have expressed an interest in our project and want to be kept fully appraised of our test results and will help out where ever possible in reporting problems and getting assistance to correct serious problems. As well, the Ridge at Manitou golf course has assisted us by correcting some beaver dam issues on their property and allowing us testing rights.
Testing for E.Coli is an important part of MLCAs lake monitoring program. Volunteers also take samples in the spring for the provinces phosphorous tracking and do Secchi disc tests throughout the summer for water clarity. Phosphorous readings average about 15 and are acceptable and similar to other lakes in the area. The Ridge golf course gets similar readings off their shoreline. Secchi results are stable in the 2 - 2.5 metre range.
Well water news: If you have a well on your cottage, check out www.wellwise.ca for information about well maintenance.
More Help for Fish Spawning
The McKellar Conservation Association has again been active improving fish habitat in the lake. They have added 18 tons of rock to over-silted walleye spawning beds in Jones Bay. MLCA donated $200 to help fund this project.
Private Buoys and Wakeboarding Rules
Wondering about the rules for placing private buoys in the lake? Wake Boarding ramps? Speed limits for skiers and boats? There are two excellent articles on these subjects, thanks to the Muskoka Sun, posted on www.MLCA.ca.
Support Your Local Snowmobile Club
Buy your snowmobile permit locally and 60% of the proceeds will go to the Dun-Ahmic Snowrider Club to maintain local trails. Buy at Northern Automotive or Cranberry Restaurant in McKellar. Also at the new Red Door bakery in Waubamik. Other locations: Magnetawan Bait and Tackle, Guitar Pickers, Reds General Store and Duck Rock.
Lake History Wanted
Do you have personal knowledge about the history of the lake? Or know someone who does? We are collecting recollections to post on the MLCA website. Can you help? Please provide a Word file to pandsgood@sympatico.ca. Old-timers are moving off the lake. Lets have your memories before you leave!
High Speed Internet
Net Spectrum has installed a tower near the Inn at Manitou to provide reliable high speed internet service to the lake. Seasonal and year round packages are available. This service is also available from other suppliers.
Details: www.netspectrum.ca.
Real Estate News
There have been just seven cottages sold on the lake this year, none on Taits Island, according to Tina Greig, Broker, Century 21 Properties Ltd Brokerage, quoting from MLS statistics that do not include any private sales. As of September 24 there are 67 listings. There have been 37 listings expire without selling. Highest sale was at $698,000 and the lowest, a lot for $170,000. Total sales volume on the lake as of September 24 was $3,496,000.
Thanks for being a member of the Manitouwabing Lake Community Association.
Your executive and directors appreciate your support.
See you on the lake next summer.