LE RELAIS April 2015 Volume 24, number 1

Phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon,

chlorophyll « a », transparency;

more details inside

The results of water quality monitoring

2014

New: Code of ethics. We need your

opinion.

An English version of Le Relais is being made available through the avec- cameron website: http://avec-cameron.ca Scroll down and click on the tab: English version of Le Relais available here. You can find the full version of Le Relais in English. The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Holmes and Mrs. Sarrazin for making the publication of the English edition of the Le Relais possible.

President Robert Cardinal tel. : 819 687-2045 Courriel : robertcardinal17@hotmail.com Vice-president Jacques Brunet tel. : 819 687-3299 Courriel : jacquesmarjo@hotmail.com Treasurer Ana Dalmau tel. : 819 687-2504 Courriel : dalmau.ana@gmail.com Secretary Monique Leduc tel. : 819 687-8704 Courriel : leduc_monique@hotmail.com Board Members Brian Basanda tel. : 613 834-7853 Courriel : basandabrian@gmail.com Katherine Kane tel. : 819 687-9247 Courriel : katherine.kane1@outlook.com Michel Mont-Briant Courriel : m.montbriant@videotron.ca Daniel Noiseux tel. : 819 687-2662 Courriel : danielnoiseux@hotmail.com David Spanner tel. : 819 687-9247 Courriel : david.spanner@live.com Collaborator Robert Laperrière

Committees

Publicity : Brian Basanda Robert Cardinal Ana Dalmau Katherine Kane Monique Leduc David Spanner Courriel pour publicité : lerelaisweb@hotmail.com Water quality: (RSVL follow-up and septic systems) (Transparency measurements) (quality of tributaries) Robert Cardinal Le Relais : Brian Basanda Jacques Brunet Robert Cardinal Ana Dalmau Katherine Kane Monique Leduc Daniel Noiseux David Spanner With the collaboration of: Robert Laperrière English translation : (Available at : www.avec-cameron.ca/communications.html) Karl Holmes & Pauline Sarrazin Email for : la page du riverain :

lerelaisweb@hotmail.com

Acces ramp : (Locking up and boat washing) Now managed by the municipality of Amherst

Wood cutting : Jacques Brunet Analysis of tap water: Jacques Brunet Impact of boats: Jacques Brunet Coordination with the municipality: Monique Leduc Coordination with RSVL and Bleu Laurentides: Robert Cardinal Program of shore restoration: Robert Cardinal Program of fish restocking : Robert Cardinal Analysis of watershed : Robert Cardinal

Program of Rsvl/Periphyton Michel Mont-Briant

Coordination Proma (Société pour la Protection du bassin versant de la rivière Maskinongé) Jacques Brunet Robert Cardinal Website (avec-cameron.ca) Brian Basanda _____________________________________ The distribution of files was amended on July 12 2014. In this paper, we adhere to the rule that allows the use of the masculine with the neutral value. The use of the masculine to designate people has no other purpose than to lighten the text.

To reach us

L’association des villégiateurs des environs du lac Cameron

Mailing Address 1808, chemin du Village Vendée, Québec J0T 2T0

E-mail lerelaisweb@hotmail.com avec.cameron@gmail.com info@avec-cameron.ca

website www.avec-cameron.ca

Cloud site http://www.mediafire. com/avec-cameron

S U M M A R Y Composition of the Board. ............... P.2 Summary .......................................... p.2 Follow up on Water Quality ............. p.3 Phosphorus, DOC, etc ..................... p.4 Tropic State ...................................... p.5 Limnology 101 .................................. p.6 Shoreline 101 ................................... p.6 Clean up Day 2015 ........................... p.7 2014 Subscriptions ........................... p.7 Code of Éthics .................................. p.7 Code of Ethics (Draft) ....................... p.7 Sponsors .......................................... p.8

Composition of the Board 2013-2014

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Transparency, station 46 A

(depth of lake) in metres

Follow up on water quality, summer 2014 The association participated in a follow up pro-gram on water quality for the voluntary lake surveillance network for a third consecutive year in 2014. The results compiled by the Ministry of DDELCC arrived this winter. We are now in the fifth year of data collection, those being the years 2004, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014. All the data accumulated over the years show we have stayed within the limits of normal multiyear variability, which means that conditions are stable at Cameron. As in past years, the data set of physicochemical variables measured at station 46 A place the trophic state of Cameron in the oligotrophic class.

The conclusion of the MDDELCC is essentially the same as past years. This lake shows few or no signs of eutrophication. This body of water is to be protected. To preserve its condition and usage, the Ministry recommends the adoption of preventative measures to limit the input of nutritive material arising from human activity. We have shown the data in chart form. These charts come from the report of RSVL (réseau de surveillance volontaire des lacs) under the aegis of the MDDELCC. Please note that the measurements were taken at two places on the lake and that the data collected at the two stations are similar. Source : MDDELCC

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Phosphorus: Phosphorus is the nutritive element par

excellence for algae growth. There is a link

between phosphorus and the lake’s trophic level.

Chlorophyll a: Chlorophyll a is an indicator of the

quantity of microscopic algae in the lake and its concentration increases

with the concentration of nutritive material. A lake in poor health produces

lots of algae.

Dissolved organic car-bon (DOC): DOC comes from the decomposition of vegetational residue and dead animals from

the lake’s watershed. This measurement refers to

the concentration of wet substances in the water which contributes to the yellow-brown water col-

oration

The average summer concentration of total meas-ured phosphorus is at 3.8 µg/l, which indicates that the water is only slightly enriched by this nutritive

element. This variable places the trophic state of the lake at station 46 A in the class ultra-oligotrophic.

The average summer concentration of chlorophyll a is 1.4 µg/l which shows an environment with a low

suspended microscopic algae biomass. This variable places the lake’s trophic level at station 46 A in the

oligotrophic class

The average summer concentration of dissolved organic carbon is at 3.9µg/l, which indicates that

the water is lightly coloured. The colour has a slight impact on water transparency.

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Here in chart form, is the ranking (arrows with yellow) of the trophic level of Lake Cameron for the summer of 2014. This chart shows the state of Lake Cameron for the variables of transparency, phosphorus and chloro-phyll a. The trophic state and the recommenda-tions of MDDELCC are as follows: The data set of physicochemical vari-ables measured at station 46 A places the trophic state of the lake in the oligotrophic state. The integration of data collected at each sur-veillance station (46 A and 46 B) allow us to place the trophic state of Lake Cameron in the oligotrophic class. This lake shows few or no signs of eutrophica-tion. This body of water is to be protected. In order to conserve its state and use, the min-istry recommends the adoption of preventa-tive measures to limit the input of nutritive materials arising from human activity.

The ministry underlines the following facts: For as long as the data accumulated over the

years stays within the limits of normal multiyear variabil-ity, we’re speaking of stable conditions (which is the case at Cameron). It takes several years of data collection to determine the normal variability of a lake. It’s the data set of measure-

ments collected over the course of years that allows the documentation of the variability of a lake’s water quality. (Chlorophyll a, phosphorus, etc.) fluctuates according to climatic conditions. For example, a measurement of transparency taken in calm

conditions can differ from one taken after a time of water turbulence caused by strong winds. Source: MDDELCC and RSVL N.B.: All these charts are available on the AVEC site, at the bottom of the welcome page.

http://0101.nccdn.net/1_5/30a/13d/274/R-sultats-compil-s-46A-46B-2014.pdf

Cameron shows few or no signs

of eutrophication.

This body of water is to be protected

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Limnology 101, the science of lakes From the Greek limnê which means lake and logos which means science, a limnologist is interested in the characteristics of water, the organisms that live there and their interrelationships at all levels. The enrichment of water with nutritive elements, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, which cause an excessive of aquatic plants, algae and cyanobacte-ria, is known as eutrophication. Eutrophication is divided into three classes. Eutrophic,from the Greek, eu (good, true), and trophein (to feed), mesotrophic, from the Greek, mesos (in the middle) and oligotrophic, from the Greek, oligo (little). Natural eutrophication takes place over thousands of years while eutrophication accelerated by human presence takes place over several dozen years. Although seen as being the villains, phosphorus and nitrogen are indispensable to life. Water of good quality without the influence of human activ-ity has a low concentration of nutritive elements. It has a high water transparency which depends on suspended matter, COD and algae. It has a high content of dissolved action which comes from the exchanges with the atmosphere and photosynthesis. There is an absence of fecal coliforms. Water of poor quality due to human influence has a high concentration in nitrogen and phosphorus, low water transparency, low dissolved oxygen content and the presence of fecal coliforms. The main natural source of phosphorus comes from dissolved rocks and the main natural source of nitrogen comes from the air we breathe. Bacteria that assimilate nitrogen reject it by excretion during their decomposition. The sources of nitrogen and phosphorus caused by human activity come from fertilizers, septic sys-tems, clearing of shorelines, etc. The nutritive elements, (nitrogen and phosphorus) cling to sedi-ments that run off to rivers and lakes. These sedi-ments silt up the bottoms of lakes and provide a favourable substratum for the growth of aquatic plants.

Shoreline 101 The natural shoreline is generally made up of local species of 3 stratum of vegetation, the strata of grasses, bushes and trees, all within ten meters of shoreline Since land plants need phosphorus and other ele-ments to live, the shoreline acts as a natural filter or a buffer zone. It’s the last filter before the water body. The shoreline keeps the soil in place, prevents land erosion, slows runoff and encourages infiltration in the soil. It acts as a natural filter against erosion. It is also a shaded zone which prevents warming. Therefore to prevent accelerated eutrophication we must: • Insure a natural shoreline around the lakes.

Letting the vegetation go wild is the best way.

• Make sure septic systems conform. • Avoid spreading fertilizer along the shore-

line. • Use phosphate free dishwashing detergents

(Today the majority of detergents are phos-phate free,)

• Avoid paved and permeable embankments. (Promote permeable surfaces)

A return to better conditions won’t happen until phosphate and nitrogen are stopped at source. The return of revegetated shorelines will certainly bring improvement, but these will be limited if the phosphorus persists.

These two articles are a résumé of a workshop given at the « Forum national sur les lacs » at Mt-Tremblant on June 11 2014. For more information see the slideshow of GRIL by presenter Mme Marie-Andrée Fallu, Ph. D. here: http://forumnationalsurleslacs.org/wp-content/uploads/Fallu.pdf

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Clean up Day 2015 As in past years, AVEC will be doing our cleanup on ditches and roads around Lake Cam-eron. This day will be held on May 16 2015 at 9:00 am, rain or shine. The goal is to pick up the garbage left on the side of the road since last fall. Residents of Lac De la Décharge are welcome to join. The meeting point will be the Vendée Commu-nity Centre. Black garbage bags and gloves will be supplied for the volunteers. It is important for your safety that you come with a visible safety bib. The town will supply the black garbage bags which will be placed in well-marked strategically located spots. Everyone is welcome. Monique Leduc Program coordinator: Cleanup Day

2014 Subscriptions The involvement of volunteers is important if we wish to fulfill our environmental mandate. But we can’t forget the monetary side if we are to successfully carry out all our plans. That’s why, every year, we ask your help. For the year 2014/2015, we received 154 sub-scriptions. This represents two thirds of all the residents of Lake Cameron. Our thanks to you for keeping the protection of Lake Cameron’s environment close to your hearts. Board members of AVEC

Code of Ethics A draft of a code of ethics has been produced and can be seen at right. We ask for your advice on this proposed code. All constructive suggestions are welcome. This draft will be proposed to you during the next general assembly of AVEC.

You can send your suggestions to this address: Avec.cameron@gmail.com lerelaisweb@hotmail.com

Lake Cameron Code of Ethics (Draft) Together let’s make a simple gesture

To protect the health of our lake

1) Conserver and/or maintain a natural shoreline protective strip up to15 m from all bodies of

water using indigenous species.

2) Conserve a natural protective strip along all municipal ditches.

3) Keep a septic system that conforms to mu-

nicipal bylaws.

4) Not use pesticide or fertilizer on lawns.

5) Use soaps and biodegradable cleaning prod-ucts, without phosphate.

6) Wash any boat before putting it in the water if

it has been in another body of water.

7) During the launch, only the boat and the trailer can enter the water, not the vehicle

8) Motor boats should stay 50 metres (150 feet)

from the shoreline.

9) Avoid making large waves which create prob-lems for the shoreline and docks.

10) Use wakeboards, surf boards and watercraft

only in the centre of the lake away from and perpendicular to the shore

Ouverture le 16 mai 2015 Prix spéciaux sur membership

avant le 17 mai. Informez-vous.

Information et réservation 819 687-3838

2122, chemin de lac Cameron, Vendée Qc