 Lake System Health
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Because of the unfortunate Three Mile Lake situation, its Lake Association and various government groups performed frequent water sampling and analysis. They had septic inspections for all cottages, and spent a lot of time and energy on Dock Talk — that is, educating those on the lake through informal discussions. Only time will tell if these actions will be successful for the lake's future health.
Every person in Muskoka can make a difference. Anyone on the list of lakes and bays above needs to take special care and get their neighbours involved too.
What can you do:
- Maintain a natural vegetative shoreline buffer (not a manicured lawn) and keep your property well-treed
- Stop using fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides
- Use phosphate-free liquid soaps and cleaners and never wash in the lake
- Ensure your septic system is working properly and is pumped out regularly
- Spread your water usage over the day so your septic system is not overloaded
- Improve lot drainage so that stormwater runoff does not erode soils into our lakes.
Furthermore, you should read the excellent, educational book, "On the Living Edge: Your Handbook for Waterfront Living," put out by Muskoka Heritage.
OMB Hearing for Medora Lake
We were very disappointed with the recent OMB decision regarding redevelopment of a trailer park property on Medora Lake. It allowed the applicant's request for the full 32 units (3 bedrooms each) on this tiny lake that only has 32 cottages to begin with. Furthermore, Medora Lake is already designated as over threshold. This is a precedent that puts our smaller lakes at risk for large commercial developments.
That said, a number of important conditions were imposed that will reduce the impact of this fractional ownership development. These include: a reduced building height of 35-feet, increased set-back (150-feet) from the lake, controls on water source and sewage system, smaller docks, and limits on boats. We hope these conditions will all be enforced.
- Louise Cragg, President TMLRA
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