Water Levels
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has a new online tool for showing water levels for different bodies of water within its territory including Black Lake. It is an interactive tool that lets you chose different date ranges that show precipitation as well as the water level during any period of time going back several years. Data has been collected from 2014 forward.
Water levels range from a low of around 140.21m (recorded 20 Sept 2018) above sea level (mASL) up to a peak of 141.57m (recorded 3 June 2014).
The link to this site is: https://his.rvca.ca/rvcafwl/charts/PERIODIC_HG/BLACK_PUBLIC_HG.html.
Water Quality
In a 2008 survey, lake property owners identified “water quality” as the most important factor contributing to their enjoyment of Black Lake. (The BLPOA Newsletter Fall 2009 issue provides a summary of survey results.)
The BLPOA executive receives annual updates from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority on the quality of water in Black Lake and reviews the findings at the annual general meeting. Read the latest report:
Ticks and Lyme Disease
Ticks carrying Lyme disease are found around Black Lake. These black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks) attach to birds which migrate from place to place, bringing this health risk. While Lyme disease is easily treated when detected early, it can have serious and permanent health consequences if left untreated. Ticks can affect your pets as well as yourself. Learn more about ticks and Lyme Disease:
- A one page poster about ticks, suitable for posting at the cottage
- Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/lyme/
- Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/disease/lyme.aspx
- Ticks, people & pets – PDF format
- CDC, Centres for Disease Control and Protection: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
- A medical view from 2015 on ticks/Lyme, symptoms and treatments.
Septic Systems
If you a home or cottage at Black Lake, you will have a septic system. Septic systems are onsite treatment units that eliminate the need for municipal sewers in rural areas. Anything that goes down the drain — every shower drip and every toilet flush — flows to the septic system. Poorly maintained septic systems can be a source of E.-coli as well as weed causing nutrients in the lake. You can reduce these risks by having your septic tank inspected and pumped out every three-five years. Learn more about your septic system.
- Read information provided by the Ottawa Septic System Office (OSSO): (http://www.rvca.ca/osso/things to know/septic information.html).
- View presentations from the Perth Septic Savy Workshop, held Aug. 17, 2012: (Septic Systems 101, Terry Davidson, Ottawa Septic System Office, RVCA; What Have We Done and What Have We Learned by Eric Kohlsmith, Mississippi Rideau Septic Inspector)
Naturalizing our Shorelines
Natural shorelines (often called the Ribbon of Life) are critical to keeping our lake clean and healthy. They act like natural filters catching and holding all kinds of nutrients and contaminants running into the water from the upland area. They are the water’s best protection against erosion and provide free valuable habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife. In the fall of 2009, the BLPOA, in conjunction with RVCA (Rideau Valley Conservation Authority), completed an initial analysis of our lake shoreline.
- Read the Shoreline Analysis Report, which was first published in the BLPOA Fall 2009 Newsletter.
- For more information on naturalizing shorelines, look at RVCA Making Shorelines Natural Project, available at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority website (http://www.rvca.ca/).
- See Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s offer for RVCA Free Shoreline Projects.