Soyers Lake

News


It's All About the Water (by David Pengelly)
I guess that’s obvious to the members of the SLRA: for the most part that’s why we are here, and why we love our lake. But we grumble from time to time because the water level in the lake is “too high” or “too low”. For the greatest part of the 75 years I’ve been “on the lake” I just assumed the level changes were due to the vagaries of nature, but in the last decade or two I learned otherwise.

Turns out that in 1906 an Order-in-Council (OiC) was enacted which set the legal framework for the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) to establish control over water flow and levels throughout the watersheds draining into the canal system. Thus a Federal agency (now Parks Canada) controls the flow out of (and thus the water level in) Soyers Lake. Its primary mandate is to deal with public safety (flooding, etc), but second only to this is its responsibility to maintain navigation through the canal system, but not through so-called “reservoir” or “flow-through” lakes such as ours.

In 2006, a private member’s bill was passed which requested the Federal Government to revisit the 1906 OiC, and to develop a new approach to water management in the Trent-Severn watersheds. A review Panel was set up to engage the various stakeholders, including the public, and to bring forward a Report on their findings. Also in 2006, the Coalition for Equitable Water Flow was created, under the dynamic leadership of its founding Chair, Bonnie Fleischaker, and at that time SLRA became one of the founding members. In 2007, SLRA was one of the 225 organizations (including CEWF) to make a written and oral submission, to the Panel, which is in the public record. The Panel did an excellent job in bringing all these views together in its report, the title of which is: “It’s All About the Water”. There has been some slow progress by Government agencies in response to the Report, and this can be found, along with more material on this topic on the CEWF website: www.cewf.ca

Additional Resources:
CEWF 2012 Position Paper
Map of Trent-Severn Watershed (Soyers Lake is shown with a star)
Original 2007 SLRA Presentation to the Panel

(Added January 29, 2012) Top

High Speed Interent Access Update
According to an article on the Haliburton Echo website, Haliburton County residents are expected to have high speed access in 2013 or sooner.

To read the full article CLICK HERE or visit http://www.haliburtonecho.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3312484
(Added September 28, 2011) Top

Soyers Lake Summer 2011 Newsletter
The Summer 2011 Newsletter as well as past newsletters are available in the MEMBERS ONLY / NEWSLETTERS area. CLICK HERE to go to the MEMBERS ONLY / NEWSLETTERS area (make sure you have your login information handy).
(Added August 24, 2011) Top

Distressed Loon Shatters the Serenity of a Cottage Afternoon
The following August 2, 2011 article was reprinted with permission from Durham Region.com The author, Margaret Carney, is an outdoor writer and has three thousand species on her lifelist of birds, seen in far-flung corners of the planet. (Margaret can be reached at: mcarney@interlinks.net)

 It was the perfect summer evening at the lake. A friend of mine, a fellow student at the Haliburton Summer School of the Arts, had invited me for supper at the cottage her family was renting last week on Soyers Lake. After a refreshing swim, my first all summer in a real lake, not a swimming pool, we sat on the dock and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine.

Looking out across the sheltered bay at the green, forested hills beyond, I decided I'd found heaven. And of course there was a loon out there, floating on the glassy water. With so many small fish jumping, making circles of ripples, we figured the regal bird must be hunting for food for one or two cute, fluffy babies tucked somewhere in the shallows, tended by their devoted mom.

It was the quiet of midweek, so few boats were chugging about. One big cruiser came in and circled the bay, fishing rods at the ready, then went out again. We were going for a boat ride, too -- with my friend's cousin, who lives on the lake -- and after a tasty spaghetti supper on the cottage deck, trooped back down to the shore just as our ride showed up.

The loon had made its way over to our corner of the bay. Disturbed by the approach of a motorboat on one side and laughing, chattering humans on the other, it dived under the pier. And as it swam beneath us, we could see a tangle of fishing line caught tight around its body, compressing its feathers and restricting its wings.

The perfect summer-at-the-cottage idyll was shattered.

Wild animals are killed by plastics all the time, from whales, sharks, dolphins and turtles caught and drowned in synthetic drift nets floating endlessly throughout the world's oceans, to diving ducks swallowing balloons people release into the sky at celebrations right here in Durham Region. Seeing this beautiful loon entangled in fishing line brought the tragedy home to us.

We spotted three other loons, Ontario's provincial bird, during our hour-long sunset tour of the lake, and cut the engine to listen to their laughing, haunting calls. Back at the cottage at dusk, we found our loon at water's edge on a thin strip of beach between docks, working away with its bill, trying to free itself. My soft-hearted friend, Dianne Pazaratz, couldn't rest until we'd tried to help, but though we crept within two feet of the entrapped bird, it slipped away into the water before her son, David, and I could catch it in a blanket.

I stopped by the MNR office in Minden the next morning to report the distressed loon, and my friends watched for it the rest of the week. They never saw it again.

Distressed Loon Part 2
The following message was sent to Margaret on August 8, 2011:

 Thanks for your article in the Oshawa paper. My name is Case Bassie and I live on Soyers Lake.

The loon you mention is still floating around in Poverty Bay minus the fishing line. She has been up and down the shoreline feeding on anything she can find (snails) in two feet of water. A couple of the cottagers were able to catch her mid week and remove almost all of the fishing line. I say almost because I was also within 2 feet of her on Sunday and am pretty sure that I saw one small piece stuck in her feathers. She had obviously suffered some injury and was still not able to dive deep so is still hanging around close to the shoreline. We were concerned that maybe she had a fish hook or lure stuck in here but probably not because the guys who removed the line would have seen it.

As of this morning, she appeared to be recovering so there probably is not a whole lot we can do for her except leave her alone to get better. However, we will keep an eye on her to see how she does. Loons tend to mate for life or at least long periods. The male was with her for a while on Friday evening keeping an eye on her and keeping her company. I got the feeling that, had we tried to catch her, he would have had something to say about that.

Case Bassie
Soyers Lake.
(Added August 10, 2011) Top

As the Temperature Rises
David Pengelley spoke briefly at our Annual General Meeting about the likelihood of more frequent extreme weather. He also forwarded the following July 17, 2011 article from CATCH (Citizens at City Hall - from Hamilton, Ontario).

As the temperature rises (July 17, 2011)
The city’s heat response plan kicks into higher gear today as southern Ontario heads into a week of multiple plus 40C humidex readings. But despite a deepening drought (after record spring rainfalls), Hamilton’s situation pales beside the weather affecting much of the continent, with fully half the US population under a heat advisory or heat warning earlier this week.

Half way through July, it has already been a year of extreme weather – demonstrated most dramatically in a four minute video released last month. In June there were over 2700 high temperature records set in the United States, versus 251 locations that established new one-day lows. Two-thirds of the heat records occurred in the first ten days of the month, a period when records also fell across southern Ontario, and by more than a full degree in places like Windsor and Toronto.

The US National Weather Service is currently warning of “a massive heat wave” that threatens over half the lower 48 states with plus 100F temperatures (nearly 38C). And fully one quarter of the US is now officially in drought, with a particularly extreme situation in Texas with 70 percent of that state in the highest category (“exceptional”) and another 20 percent classified as “extreme”.

In Hamilton, maximum daily temperatures have averaged 28.9C so far in July, with no significant rainfall since June 24. Yesterday’s heat advisory called by the city’s Medical Officer of Health was the third this year, but it was upgraded this morning to a heat warning.

The advisory is stage one of a three-stage warning system. It is issued when a humidex reading of 40C is expected. Stage two is the heat warning – when there are two consecutive days over the 40C mark – with a “heat alert” issued for four or more days, or if any single humidex is expected to exceed 45C.

The first level warning invites people to use nearly 50 air-conditioned public buildings such as recreation centres during their business hours. Efforts are also initiated by over two dozen social service agencies to reach and assist vulnerable elderly and low-income residents.

More “cool places” are opened at stage two and hours are extended for some city swimming pools. The Salvation Army begins water distribution. The Hamilton system has been in place since 2008. Toronto began its warnings in 1999. They were initially based on humidex readings, but two years later changed to a system based on anticipated health effects. “A Heat Alert is called when a hot air mass is forecast and the likelihood of deaths is more than 65 percent,” says their Hot Weather Response Plan. “An Extreme Heat Alert is issued when the heat has become more severe or is expected to last longer and the likelihood of deaths is more than 90 percent.”

Today, Toronto has extended the heat alert is issued yesterday.

Global average surface temperatures have risen nearly 1C over twentieth century averages, but that translates into wide variations. Canada’s average has climbed 1.6C while parts of the arctic are up more than 5C. Many climate scientists believe there’s little hope of preventing at least a 2C global average increase and perhaps as much as 4C by as early as mid-century.

Last year tied 2005 for the hottest ever on a global scale. This past June was the 316th consecutive month with a global temperature above the twentieth century average

The Canada-wide average temperature in 2010 hit a record level – 3.0C above the norm – concentrated particularly in the north-eastern part of the country including Baffin Island and northern Quebec. Extreme heat records were set in 19 countries (itself a record amount) including Russia where temperatures averaged 10C above normal for most of a month contributing to 56,000 additional deaths and devastation of the country’s wheat crop.
(Added July 24, 2011) Top

Lakeland Alliance 2011 Shoreline Advisor Program
The Lakeland Alliance is providing free consultation services to shoreline property owners who are looking for inexpensive, effective and natural ways to protect their shoreline and their waterfront investments.

  • How It Works:
  • At the invitation of the owner, a trained and qualified Shoreline Advisor is lead on a tour of the property providing advice and guidance pertaining to:
  • shoreline protection
  • erosion mitigation
  • best management practices for septic systems
  • pollution prevention
  • invasive species
  • fish and wildlife habitat enhancement
It is up to the discretion of the property owner as to what aspects of their site is addressed by the Advisor. At the end of the visit the Advisor provides a list of recommendations, a resource kit containing information on topics covered during the visit, and a list of local service providers to help them take action.
  • Participation in the program is:
  • Free: There is no charge to you for this service.
  • Voluntary: It's up to you to participate.
  • Strictly Confidential: We do not share any information about your property with anyone.
  • Non-Regulatory: We do not report to any level of government.
  • Friendly and Non-Judgemental: We understand that not every property is perfect and that when it comes to doing our part for our lakes, we all have to start from somewhere.
CLICK HERE to find out more on their website or visit http://www.lakeland.greenup.on.ca/index.html .
(Added July 24, 2011) Top

Informational Cottage Posters
The CHA (Coalition of Halibutron Property Owners Associations), U-Links and Trent University have developed the following informational posters for use in homes/cottages where renters, owners or visitors may not understand septic systems etc.. These posters are designed to printed on 8 1/2 X 11 paper, laminated and then hung prominently in the appropriate area.
The posters are for the: Bathroom, Laundry, Kitchen and Garbage

You can also access these posters in the OTHER RESOURCES area of this website.
(Added June 16, 2011) Top

2010 Annual General Meeting Minutes and Financial Statments
The Soyers Lake Ratepayers Association 2010 Annual General Meeting Minutes and Financial Statments are available in the MEMBERS ONLY / MINUTES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS area. CLICK HERE to go to the MEMBERS ONLY / MINUTES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS area (make sure you have your login information handy).
(Added April 19, 2011) Top

New Swap Shop area on the Soyers Lake Website
The Soyers Lake website now has its very own "swap shop". Do you have things you would like to sell or just get out of your house? Now you can go to our Soyers Lake web site and list all those unwanted items you have been trying to get rid of. It is easy to use and you can even post pictures.

Just go to the MEMBERS ONLY section and check out the Swap Shop (make sure you have your login information handy).

Some of our members felt it would be a great feature especially for cottage items, water toys and used furniture. People would not have far to travel to see and purchase items. The other good thing is that some hard to reach places could have items brought in by boat.

So if you are looking to free up some space or sell some things you no longer need, check out this new feature on our website and remember, "One person's junk is another person's treasure". As well it is a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle.
(Added November 3, 2010) Top

October 25, 2010 Municipal Election Results
Results for Minden Hills:
   Reeve - Barb Reid
   Deputy Reeve - Cheryl Murdoch - Acclaimed
   Concillor at Large - Larry Clarke
   Councillor Ward 1 - Briggitte Gall and Lisa Schell
   Councillor Ward 2 - Ken Redpath
   Councillor Ward 3 - Jean Neville
   School Board Trustee - Gary Brohman

To view the Township of Miden Hills website, election information CLICK HERE or visit http://www.mindenhills.ca/election.html . (Make sure to scroll the inside page down)
(Added November 3, 2010) Top

Donation to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation


Once again the SLRA made its annual donation of money collected at the corn roast, which was topped up to $1,000 by the SLRA to the HHHS Foundation. This donation elevated Soyers Lake ratepayers to Bronze Status as having donated over $5,000 in past years. The money will be used to purchase equipment for the hospital. The Foundation raises funds for both the Minden and Haliburton hospitals. Pictured above from left to right are Art Ward, Kim Stamp and Case Bassie from the SLRA, Dale Walker of HHHSF and nurses Lesley Akey and Michelle Douglas and Dr. Scott Coles.
(Added November 3, 2010) Top

New Members Only Features on the Soyers Lake Website
Now you can update your address information, check you membership dues payment history and more. All you need to do is LOGIN to the MEMBERS ONLY area using your email address and your individual password. The old Username and Password still work but will provide fewer features.

If you don't know your individual password you can have it sent to the email address we have on file.

If we don't have an email address for you, please contact info@soyerslake.ca.
(Added August 9, 2010) Top