Don’t Invite Bears to the Cottage Most problems between black bear and humans occur when bears are attracted by the smell of and rewarded with an easy meal. When bears pick up a scent with their keen noses, they will investigate it. If they are rewarded with feasts of garbage, pet food or bird food, they will return. You can reduce the risk by putting the garbage in a bear resistant container and cleaning the outdoor grill after every use. For more information, click on http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Bearwise/ Be Tick Smart: Lyme Disease is in Ontario

Ticks carrying Lyme disease are found around Pike Lake. These black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks) attach to birds which migrate from place to place, bringing this health risk. While Lyme disease is easily treated when detected early, it can have serious and permanent health consequences if left untreated. Ticks can affect your pets as well as yourself.
For more information, click on Lyme on line

Share Our Lake with Loons and Other Waterfowl

Remember to view loons and other waterfowl from a distance. They need space to breed and raise their young. Slow your boat as the wake can drown the nest. For more information, click on www.rideaufriends.com/loonaware/ www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=53

Help Reduce Green Algae

The “green slime” normally seen in the lake in the early summer is a form of algae. It occurs when there is a lot of rain washing nutrients from the land into the water and flourishes in the cooler damp weather we often have early in the year.

We can help reduce the amount of green algae by reducing the nutrients getting into the lake by avoiding the use of fertilizers, using phosphate-free soaps, ensuring our septic systems are working properly and by establishing well-vegetated natural shoreline buffer strips to help filter what enters the lake.

For more information, click on RVCA Algae Information Sheet

Think Before You Cut Eurasian Water Milfoil

Eurasian water milfoil is a non-native, invasive water plant which reproduces by rooting fragments of existing plants. Harvesting the weeds is like mowing the lawn – they’ll grow back thicker than before. If you choose to cut Eurasian milfoil, it is essential that you capture any and all fragments, however small and dispose of them at least 90 feet from shore. If any fragments escape, they will root nearby on your water front or that of your neighbour’s.

Remember, you may need a permit from the Kemptville Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources to remove / manage water weeds. Both the MNR and the RVCA can provide you with advice.

For more information, click on www.invadingspecies.com/Invaders.cfm?A=Page&PID=12

Be Septic Smart: Understand Your Septic System

Septic systems are on-site waste water systems. Everything that goes down the drain and down the toilet goes into your septic system. Poorly maintained septic systems can be a source of E.-coli as well as weed causing nutrients in the lake.

You can reduce these risks by having your septic tank inspected and pumped out every three-five years.

For more information, click on www.rvca.ca/osso/things_to_know/septic_information.html

Naturalize Your Shoreline

Native plants and shrubs are available at cost for your shoreline and they won’t block the view. Moreover, a natural shoreline will protect your shoreline from erosion and trap the runoff of excessive nutrients that cause weeds and algae blooms. Natural shorelines improve water quality, wildlife habitat and fish stocks.

The program provides a visit by an experienced biologist with the know-how to consult with you, order the plants you need, and provide extra muscle for the planting. Best of all, the program has grants of up to $1,000 for shoreline planting.

For more information, contact Andrea Klymko, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, at 613-692-3571 or andreaklymko@rvca.ca to set up a no-obligation visit.

Water Quality Reporting and Interpretation

We now have over a decade of data from the Watershed Watch Program managed by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. Although there has been a modest decrease in nitrogen and phosphorous levels, it is essential that each of us do what we can to maintain, ideally improve, the water quality of Pike Lake.

For more information, click on

www.rvca.ca/programs/wwatch/watershed_watch.htm

Interpreting and Using Water Quality Results

Shoreline Work Restrictions for Fish Spawning

The Ministry of Natural Resources establishes timing restrictions for construction activity in or near the water on rivers, streams and lakes in our area. The purpose of these restrictions is to allow an appropriate time and stress-free environment for fish to spawn and raise their young. While the timing restrictions vary each year, the following will provide you with a rough idea when there are restrictions on construction

· warm water fish communities: from March 15 to June 30

· mixed fish communities: from October 1 to June 30

· cold-water fish communities: October 1 to May 31

For information on the shoreline work restrictions on Pike Lake call the RVCA Biologist at (613) 692-3571 ext 1176 (1-800-267-3504 ext 1176) or the MNR Area Biologist (Kemptville) at (613) 258-8204.