Posted originally May, 2014. Due to misinformation being spread in the community we have reposted this valuable information.
Musselman’s Lake Is A Healthy Lake And Not A Swimming Pool. Rooted Plants (weeds) And Algae Are An Integral Part To Its Health And Delicate Ecology.
The Results are in…The Lake Is Doing Fine!
The Geranium Corporation sponsored Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report has been completed by Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., and the findings are very positive.
Please take time to view both videos below as they are very enlightening. You will learn how both rooted plants (weeds) and algae play an integral part in the health of the Lake’s delicate ecology. The first video is a short summary and the second one is Dr. Neil Huthchinson’s full presentation on the Lake. Dr. Neil Hutchinson does such a great job of explaining how there is more to our Lovely Lake than meets the eye. It is a very complicated ecosystem that goes through some pretty amazing seasonal changes that most of us are unaware of. The full video is well worth taking the time to watch.
Also below are links to related posts about the Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report.
Dr. Neil Hutchinson’s Earth Day Presentation Summary Video “The Lake Isn’t A Swimming Pool”
Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. making his Earth Day presentation of the much anticipated Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report.
Mussleman’s Lake is not only looking good but she is feeling good as well. Photo – Dan Wigmore
Not only is Musselman’s Lake looking good, she is feeling good as well based on the results of the much anticipated Geranium Corporation sponsored Lake environmental report. This extensive study was completed by Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. and presented to the MLRA on Earth Day.
Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. with Cheryl Shindruck, Executive Vice President Geranium Corporation presenting the Lake Report at Earth Day
Musselman’s Lake Is A Healthy Lake And Not A Swimming Pool. Rooted Plants (weeds) And Algae Are An Integral Part To Its Health And Delicate Ecology.
The Results are in…The Lake Is Doing Fine!
The Geranium Corporation sponsored Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report has been completed by Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., and the findings are very positive.
Please take time to view both videos below as they are very enlightening. You will learn how both rooted plants (weeds) and algae play an integral part in the health of the Lake’s delicate ecology. The first video is a short summary and the second one is Dr. Neil Huthchinson’s full presentation on the Lake. Dr. Neil Hutchinson does such a great job of explaining how there is more to our Lovely Lake than meets the eye. It is a very complicated ecosystem that goes through some pretty amazing seasonal changes that most of us are unaware of. The full video is well worth taking the time to watch.
Also below are links to related posts about the Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report.
Dr. Neil Hutchinson’s Earth Day Presentation Summary Video “The Lake Isn’t A Swimming Pool”
Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. making his Earth Day presentation of the much anticipated Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake report.
Geranium Homes, The Sponsor Of The Musselman’s Lake Water Quality Report, Wins Numerous Awards.
Geranium Homes sponsored an extensive Water Quality Study of the hidden jewel known as Musselman’s Lake
With a history spanning more than 35 years, Geranium Homes take great pride in being recognized both locally and nationally for their groundbreaking work as a home builder committed to design innovation, construction excellence and dedicated after sales service.
And The Award Goes To…
Click on image to see a list of the many awards that Geranium Homes has won
Photo of a very large Bull Frog at Musselman’s Lake. The Lake’s frog and turtle population has been making a comeback in recent years.
I had an interesting conversation with longtime resident Bob James on Earth Day. Between the two of us there are over one hundred years spent at the Lake. Bob noted he had never seen such an algae explosion in the spring with which I concurred. We will definitely monitor this situation to see what happens as the rooted weeds begin to grow again. We got to talking how the Lake report and Dr. Hutchinson has really pointed out that our Lake is in a good place and maybe that’s more due to us not reacting to environmental trends and depending more on nature to take its course. At the MLRA we always receive plenty of resident advice and the biggest one by far is for a weed harvest. But now Dr. Hutchinson has pointed out in his recent report that there is a constant war going on between algae and rooted weeds in the Lake. If you harvest the rooted weeds you stand a chance of not only ruining fish habitat but tipping the balance of power from rooted weeds which are basically harmless, to algae of which some varieties can be toxic to pets and swimmers. There is proof of this phenomenon. “When do we have the most trouble with algae?” The early spring and late fall is when we see algae blooms and this corresponds with the lack of rooted weeds which die off late fall and return late spring. We also talked about Phoslock which at one time was touted as the panacea to too many rooted weeds. Lake Wilcox launched an aerator on their lake with great fanfare as the answer to weeds and stagnant water and ended up with a red bloom problem. It seems the older you get, the more you realize these so called short term solutions seem to always lead you to a problem you never had before.
Delicate Balance Image http://www.lifehack.org/
Probably the greatest example of leave well enough alone and let nature take its course occurred right here at Musselman’s Lake in the Spring of 2009 with the “great crappie die off”. If residents knew that crappie, an invasive bait fish probably introduced to the lake by ice fishermen, was knocking the stuffing out of the bass population there would have been a large hue and cry to do something. As it was, no one knew. Then one day we woke up to thousands of dead and floating fish. After the initial shock, we investigated and lo and behold the fish were all crappie. No bass, no pike, no sunfish just crappie. Mother Nature had sent a virus that just attacked the crappie population and in one fell swoop put the whole fish population back in its proper balance. Mother Nature can do a much better job of managing the environment without man’s interference in its delicate balance.
Water Quality & Management Of Musselman’s Lake Report Has Positive Findings
Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. with Cheryl Shindruck, Executive Vice President Geranium Corporation presenting the Lake Report at Earth Day
The Geranium Corporation sponsored Lake environmental report has been completed by Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., and the findings are very positive which means that the residents of Musselman’s Lake have been doing a great job of managing the Lake.
Since its inception back in 2006, the MLRA had noticed positive environmental indicators such as the return of frogs and turtles to the Lake in numbers. This led the MLRA to implement projects such as The CUPPEL (Controlling Unwanted Phosphorous and Pollution Entering Lake) Project. Until a full comprehensive study could be funded and completed, a weed harvest or other even more drastic measures to reduce the amount of weeds on the Lake were shelved.
We now have that report and it supports the position of non-intervention.
See Summary Letter, Executive Summary and link to full report below.
Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake – Summary Letter
Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake – Executive Summary
Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake – Full Report
This is a great time to be living at Musselman’s Lake…talk about exciting times!
After enthusiastic volunteers did an exceptional job on the cleanup, everyone who attended the MLRA Earth Day Spring Clean Event was treated to a great BBQ lunch and to one good announcement after another.
Residents have been given saplings every Earth Day to take home and plant. Some of the trees from the MLRA’s first event are now over 6 feet tall
A clean-up crew heading back in for the BBQ lunch after a job well done
The first announcement came from Cheryl Shindruk, Senior Vice President of Geranium Corporation, the developer for the Copperstone Project on Lakeshore. Geranium as part of their community involvement not only agreed to sponsor a $40,000 study of Musselman’s Lake but provided the services of a leading Ontario limnologist. Cheryl told the residents how pleased Geranium was to participate in this study for the betterment of the community and how excited they were to be building here.
Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. with Cheryl Shindruk, Senior Vice President Geranium Corporation
Along with Cheryl was Dr. Neil Hutchinson of Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., who together with Dr. Tammy Karst-Riddoch conducted the 1 year study and prepared the report, titled “Water Quality and Management of Musselman’s Lake”. This unique report is filled with complete scientific data and analysis which you would expect but also explains in layman’s terms what happens to the Lake with each season. Plus, the report explains how seasonal changes that we as residents have observed are completely normal for a kettle lake. Dr. Hutchinson made an excellent often humorous presentation on how the lake changes and what they found. (Short version: lake is in very good shape but Chloride numbers should be monitored as they are a little high.) Both Cheryl Shindruk and Rick Wigmore were presented with bound copies of his report by Dr. Hutchinson. (Executive summary and full report will be posted on this web site)
Councillor Phil Bannon, who as everyone knows by now is running for and would make an excellent or should we say “most excellent” mayor stepped up to the podium with more exciting news for our community.
Rick Wigmore, President of the MLRA & Councillor Phil Bannon celebrate the unveiling of the Coultice Park sign
It’s Official…the community park “Coultice Park”, after 8 long years of negotiation is finally going to be a reality. Besides our community, no one can be more jubilant than Councillor Bannon about the announcement. Councillor Bannon had made it his personal quest to ensure the Community of Musselman’s Lake got the park that it so deserved. There will be an official announcement at Town Council May 6th. Phil thanked the Coultice Family for their perseverance in seeing this amazing land deal through to a close. Mayor Emmerson and Town Councillors were also thanked for their part in seeing this dream become a reality. In this case reality exceeded the dream as not only are we getting the 5 acre community park of our dreams but…also an additional 136 acres of prime ecological land to be managed by the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority. This park deal is a legacy that can be handed down from generation to generation.
Councillor Bannon continued with the exciting announcements. A new restaurant is coming to our Lake. Opening up soon at Cedar Beach will be the Fishbone Bistro that many are familiar with in Stouffville. This will be a great new addition to our community.
Another announcement was made by Phil Bannon that is going to have a positive impact on our community. The town had reached an agreement with the owners of the Water Tower property to erect barriers and fencing to keep ATV and motocross bike trespassers off the property and return this area back to the peace and quiet that we had there before the invasion of trespassing off road vehicles and the noise associated with them.
All in all it was quite an eventful Earth Day and one to be remembered! Everyone left tired but feeling good about themselves and our community by what we had accomplished.
MLRA Earth Day Community Spring Clean Event Videos and Photos
CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE FOR MLRA EARTH DAY PHOTOS
THANK YOU
Can’t remember when we had another Earth Day with so much to be thankful for and so many people and companies to THANK!
A big THANK-YOU goes out to everyone who showed terrific community solidarity by coming out to spring clean, the roads, ditches, and the shoreline in our community on such a wet cold miserable day. There were around 100 residents who did our community proud by actively participated in the massive spring clean-up with around 50 who stayed for the BBQ lunch and announcements.
Kyle Jenkin of Cedar Beach for location and equipment
Geranium Corporation for sponsoring the Lake Study
Mike Feld and Most Excellent Productions for the venue set up including microphone, speakers, tents and musical entertainment
Ian Feld of AquaVantage Marine who took care of picking up the Food and Tim Horton’s, plus providing a truck and trailer for the clean-up,
Stouffville Tim Horton’s for coffee, hot chocolate and Timbits
Alec Cloke and United Soils Management who provided the food and the “most excellent” hot dogs
The Town and Town Staff for the bird houses, the trees, the gloves, the road sign, the bins, etc.
The Musselman’s Lake Residents Association who organizes and promote Earth Day and especially all the residents who eagerly gave of their time on a cold damp day.
Ravenshoe Group who supplies the MLRA website and event photography.
Gibson Printing who supplied the flyers, the new MLRA banner and signs
P.S. Would like to send out a special THANK YOU to Kevin Wigmore and the residents that helped him using their own pontoon boat. This Musselman’s Lake Marine unit laboured on and in the very cold water to pull debris of all types out of Lake. Your extra efforts were very much appreciated.
JOIN THE FUN…MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND HEAR FIRST HAND THE RESULT OF THE MOST COMPLETE & IN-DEPTH ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ON MUSSELMAN’S LAKE. ALSO SURPRISE GUESTS WILL BE MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
Cedar Beach Park, Musselman’s Lake – Sat. April 26th, 2014 from 9am to noon. Rain or Shine! (please plan to bring your raincoat if necessary)
Yes, it’s that time again. Time to come out and “Spring Clean the Community”. Join the fun…meet your neighbours. Most Excellent Productions will once again be supplying music and entertainment to energize and enlighten you. There will be coffee, donuts and a BBQ lunch provided to those who help “Spring Clean The Community”. Councillor Phil Bannon has also arranged to have some free tree saplings available for volunteers to take home to plant.
Earth Day Special Guest
Cheryl Shindruk, Executive Vice-President of Land Development-Geranium Homes, Shauna Dudding, Vice- President of Land Development-Geranium Homes, Rick Wigmore, President-MLRA, Dr. Neil Hutchinson. President-HESL. Councillor Phil Bannon
This year we are going to have a special guest at our Earth Day Event. Dr. Neil Hutchinson, Ph.D. President, Principal Aquatic Scientist Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. will be presenting to us the much anticipated Geranium Homes’ Sponsored Lake Environmental Report. This report is the most complete and in-depth environmental study of our jewel of a Lake that has ever been undertaken to date.
Dr. Neil Hutchinson is a highly qualified limnologist (a scientist who studies bodies of fresh water such as lakes and ponds with reference to their physical, geographical, biological and other features), who is well respected both locally and internationally. We are estremly lucky to have someone of his caliber not only prepare the Lake Environmental Report but also to present it to us personally at our Earth Day Event.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY FROM LAST YEAR’S EVENT
Upon seeing that site preparation was underway, the MLRA executive contacted Geranium Homes for an update regarding the Copperstone development on Lakeshore Road . Geranium Homes immediately addressed our concerns and supplied us this update for area residents.
Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd (HESL) continues study funded by Geranium Corporation.
Scientists from Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. (HESL) were back on the Lake again on Thursday August 1st.
Dr. Tammy Karst-Riddoch and an associate were able to continue the testing of the Lake in part thanks to resident Kevin Wigmore who made his aluminum boat available to the scientists. The HESL company boat was tied up on another assignment and threatened to delay this project. Kevin graciously said he would be glad to loan them his boat if it meant keeping the study on track. THANKS KEVIN!
Dr. Karst- Riddoch and her associate were focused once more on water quality with samples being taken from specific locations on the Lake. GPS is being used to ensure each time water samples are taken they are from the exact same locations as previous sampling.
Dr. Karst-Riddoch indicated there would be another group on the water from HESL taking a weed census. They will be taking samples, identifying varieties of weeds and their location on the lake.
Once again, THANK-YOU to Geranium Corporation for funding this study and we look forward to the results of the study and recommendations in November.
08 May
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