CENTRAL MANITOULIN—Lake Mindemoya Stewardship Association chair Stan Drystek and vice-chair Jeff Wahl delivered a report on the lake’s water quality to Central Manitoulin’s Water, Waste and Education Committee recently, noting the pilot program instituted by the volunteer organization has set a baseline that will enable the lake water to be monitored effectively in the future.
The association’s mandate is “To protect and look after the present and future water quality of Lake Mindemoya by addressing and ensuring that the lake quality and lake experience for all concerned will not be compromised as a result of any additional pollution or development without necessary approvals or permits and due diligence.”
The association’s report cited water samples test results from seven locations all around Lake Mindemoya, with GPS locations recorded so that future tests can be carried out at the same sites to provide longitudinal data.
“All the samples were sent to Testmark, the same lab that conducts the tests on our company’s samples,” said Mr. Wahl. “All were done according to protocol.” Mr. Wahl shared that all the samples were taken as equally as possible.
The samples showed marked fluctuations in bacteria levels. “Sometimes they showed excessive bacteria, while other times not so much,” said Mr. Wahl. The Island’s seasonal population fluctuations were likely a major factor.
The Lake Mindemoya Stewardship Association was developed in 2022 and the association is continuing to build its membership. Mr. Wahl noted that the land surrounding the lake is heavily developed.
The good news is that the nitrate and nitrite levels in the lake, a factor influenced by septic systems and agricultural runoff, do not appear to be excessive. “There were virtually no readings,” said Mr. Wahl.
Phosphorus, on the other hand, showed increased levels in the latter part of the season, but were not significant in earlier testing—which Mr. Wahl noted was also “a good thing.”
Coliform and E. coli counts were high in the month of August, which is of concern. The lake has been the site of a number of blue-green algae warnings during the late summer.
Also of concern to the association are the water levels in the lake, which are controlled via a dam monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
