Where is rideau lakes

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority RVCA — an organization that works to conserve, restore, develop and manage the natural resources of the Rideau Valley watershed — also says the lake has experienced swells of development in recent years. The worry now is that the natural shorelines that ensure safe water quality may be crippled by development, while organizations protecting the lake struggle to keep up with a jurisdictional jigsaw puzzle.

A primary concern is the spread of phosphorus , a longtime foe of lakeside life. When phosphorus leaks into the water, high levels of the chemical leads to more algae. Blue-green algae — a type of bacteria commonly associated with algae blooms — has been linked to increased phosphorus levels in lakes.

It can release a number of toxins which can endanger not only the health of the lake, but those who live around it. It can harm people and pets, causing health problems ranging from skin irritation to neurological symptoms. This means that where concrete developments like docks and boathouses are built along the shorelines — which removes natural vegetation — water cannot be absorbed into the soil and can run directly into the lake instead.

That means pollutants are not filtered; more phosphorus enters the lake, causing weeds and algae to grow faster. Big Rideau Lake is part of the square kilometres of the Rideau Lakes sub-watershed, one of six major tributaries to the larger Rideau River watershed, an area of land that drains to a common water body. Yee said that pollution can be diluted by the vast amount of water in the lake.

That can make it appear as though there are not a lot of pollutants in large bodies of water. In , Kirkland saw algae blooms appear earlier in the season and in more places around the lake than usual. Property owners along the lake have an important role to play, ensuring their shoreline remains as natural as possible. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority recommends all development projects be built at least 30 metres back from the shoreline — a rule enforced by the township of Rideau Lakes.

This is intended to ensure that household water is absorbed into the earth before reaching the lake. Other recommendations to protect water quality are shorelines that contain natural vegetation, docks that allow fish to pass underneath and elimination of lawn fertilizers and soaps containing phosphates.

Nathan Young is an environmental sociologist at the University of Ottawa. He noted in an interview that cost-sharing programs can support environmental initiatives. Farmers and property owners can get a break through such programs to protect lakes. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority provides partial funding and technical expertise in shoreline naturalization, reforestation and rural clean water programs in partnerships with farms to reduce fertilizer and phosphorus runoff.

Its shoreline naturalization program includes technical support and financial assistance for waterfront property owners to improve the quality of their shoreline. Cottage associations are key to protection, too. The group traces its roots to a association formed by several families to serve as a voice for their lake.

So in , when a property owner wanted to build a controversial development on the lake, the association decided to take him to court. In , the township of Rideau Lakes granted a waterfront cottage building applicant exclusion from three zoning bylaws because the proposal was for an undersized lot. The township said the cottage could be built eight metres instead of the minimum 30 metres from the water; have a septic system set back only 15 metres from the water when the bylaw required 30 metres; and have a one-metre rear setback — the distance from the back of the structure to the end of the lot — when the bylaw required 7.

The Big Rideau Lake Association took the case to the Ontario Municipal Board OMB , a tribunal recently disbanded by the provincial government which previously handled appeals of development-related decisions. What followed was a dispute between the OMB and Brittany Mulhern, the town planner, over planning language. Subwatershed Report. Catchment Reports.

Flowing Creek. Catchment Facts. Surface Water Quality Conditions. Riparian Conditions. Land Cover. Stewardship and Protection. Full Catchment Report. Its initial primary focus was and remains water quality and in the primary issue it set out to address was the identification of a solution to the disposal of Westport sewage into the Upper Rideau Lakes. URLA was instrumental in the eventual resolution of the issue. The mission of URLA, drafted in July is: To promote a quality of social and ecological environment for property owners, residents and users within the Upper Rideau Lake and environs by identifying and facilitating the resolution of issues and undertaking initiatives for the common good.

Areas of emphasis are water quality and use, Lakeshore property, Advocacy, Liaison and Public Awareness. Currently, the people that take part in our activities, programs and use our services vary. We have approximately family memberships which belong directly to the Association but URLA serves a much larger clientele. All residents of the lake are encouraged to participate in programs and in addition, Westport and the Upper Rideau Lake, situated on the Rideau Canal are major tourist destinations, and the Association reaches out to both land-based and water-based visitors.

Water quality and use : Environmental Programs: Fisheries Studies, water Quality Monitoring, monitoring of aquatic vegetation and exotic weed growth, projects to address nutrient abatement and research programs that allow us to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the lake and the source of any pollutants.

Other activities related to use: navigational markers , boating regulations and safety , and the addressing of issues such as personal watercraft. Lakeshore Property: Shoreline restoration and planting, support of private stewardship through programs such as the Living by Water project, septic field inspections and monitoring, implementation of the Cottage Watch program, etc. Public Awareness and Education: Provide information to our members and the public via our newsletter and public meetings both AGM and special purpose meetings.

Graphic profile of Rideau canal Click image to make it larger This graphic is a profile longsection of the Rideau Canal, showing how the locks and dams regulate the water levels between Lake Ontario at