August 26, 2021

Eugenia Lake in need of some environmental intervention, blue-green algal bloom confirmed

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Sweltering heat preceded by the wettest July on record, have made this Ontario summer one for the history books. While these conditions may have caused some inconvenience for recreational plans, there could be more serious environmental consequences as well. Invasive plants like Phragmites australis are absolutely loving the weather of 2021. Likewise for blue-green algae!

In the case of Phragmites, seed germination rates tend to be low, but this increases where plants are growing in high nutrient conditions facilitated by our recent weather. Nutrients also promote and support the growth of algae and Cyanobacteria in our waterways.

algae in Eugenia Lake

According to the Centre for Earth and Environmental Science, excessive rain leads to turbidity in the water, creating optimal conditions for plant and algal growth. That growth is encouraged by water temperatures above 25°C, which are optimal for the growth of Cyanobacteria. The result can be an unwanted proliferation of invasive vegetation and algal blooms in waterways that have been previously enriched with phosphorus and nitrogen.

Runoff and soil erosion from fertilized agricultural areas and lawns, erosion from river banks, river beds, land clearing (deforestation), and sewage effluent are the major sources of these algae nutrients.

While these problems may be more noticeable this year, they are not new to our area. Many lakes in Ontario have suffered from excessive Phragmites along their shorelines and toxic algal growth in their waters. These invaders severely alter native habitat complexity and diversity and can be a threat to our own health and wellbeing.

phragmites

For many years, Conservation Authorities like Grey Sauble and Saugeen Valley have been concerned about these and other threats to the environment. At the same time, volunteers from the Lake Eugenia Property Owners Association (LEPOA) don their hip-waders every summer to remove Phragmites from the shores of Eugenia Lake.

In 2019, Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) warned of rising phosphorus levels leading to an increase in algae growth in Wilder Lake in nearby Southgate Township but noted that growth of blue-green algae in Ontario waterways has been increasing for years. While Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) does not monitor for algal blooms, they are aware of reports made to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

On August 20-21, a suspected case of toxic blue-green algae in Eugenia Lake was made to MECP and the Ministry has confirmed there is a blue-green algal bloom in Lake Eugenia.

According to Lindsay Davidson, Senior Issues and Media Relations Advisor at Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry has an action plan to address blue-green algal blooms, and works with municipalities, local medical officers of health and other partners to address blue-green algal blooms and their impact to the Great Lakes and other inland lakes and rivers.

In addition to the action plan, the government has undertaken a number of actions that will help address blue-green algal blooms, including establishment of Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy, renegotiation of the Canada-Ontario Agreement, implementation of the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan, and commitments to protect other lakes and waterways. The ministry will continue to collaborate with the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, the Municipality of Grey Highlands and Grey Sauble Conservation Authority to assess and monitor the situation.

MECP issues advice on what to do when you come across a large blueish-green mass or scum on the surface of the water:

• Assume toxins are present
• Avoid using, drinking, bathing or swimming in the water (call your local health unit for swimming advisories)
• Restrict pet and livestock access to the water
• Contact your local health unit for information on health risks associated with blue-green algal blooms.

Phragmites is also a major problem for the environment. It's an aggressively spreading grass that can reach heights of more than five metres and densities of over 200 plants per square metre. In 2005 it was recognized as Canada’s worst invasive plant by scientists at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. After many years spent battling this invasive species, LEPOA hopes to win the war once and for all. Toward that end, they have called in the help of Green Stream, a vegetation management company that specializes in custom programs for noxious and invasive species control.

On August 24, Green Stream, accompanied by LEPOA volunteers embarked on their mission to end the Phragmites blight on the lake and surrounding properties. Their team, armed with phrag-busting equipment, headed out on boats Tuesday August 24, in the morning to provide a low environmental impact, custom wet blade zero drift mowing and herbicide combination service. Follow-up treatments may be required in coming years but LEPOA expects that this will be the beginning of the end for this invasive plant on the shores of Eugenia Lake.

 

---

At South Grey News, we endeavour to bring you truthful and factual, up-to-date local community news in a quick and easy-to-digest format that’s free of political bias. We believe this service is more important today than ever before, as social media has given rise to misinformation, largely unchecked by big corporations who put profits ahead of their responsibilities.

South Grey News does not have the resources of a big corporation. We are a small, locally owned-and-operated organization. Research, analysis and physical attendance at public meetings and community events requires considerable effort. But contributions from readers and advertisers, however big or small, go a long way to helping us deliver positive, open and honest journalism for this community.

Please consider supporting South Grey News with a donation in lieu of a subscription fee and let us know that our efforts are appreciated. Thank you.