Safe Boating Awareness Week Starts This Weekend!

May 17th to 23rd is Safe Boating Awareness Week.  This is a week-long annual event that is recognized by boating communities not just on Horseshoe Lake and across Canada but worldwide.   In Canada more than 16 million people enjoy recreational boating.  This number continues to increase as many people new to boating are taking to the water for the first time. Jim Carnegie, Safe Boating Director, HLPOA has put together a handy document that outlines great safe boating tips.  He's even included some quizzes to test your knowledge and encourages you to share this vital information with guests and renters who may not be aware of the rules of safe boating.

2025 CEWF Priorities.pdf

From recent Safe Quiet Lakes newsletter.

Transport Canada Boating Safety Survey About Life Jacket Usage - Have your Say Until November 4

 

Transport Canada has created a survey to gather input on the mandatory use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) to reduce boating fatalities. Their proposal would require PFD’s to be worn only while a vessel is in motion so that activities such as fishing or swimming while anchored would not be affected. They would like your input to mandatory PFD’s for specific age requirements, vessel type and vessel length.

International jurisdictions with mandatory PFD regulations have reported notable reductions in boating fatalities. On average Canada sees 111 recreational boating deaths per year and approximately 89% were not wearing a PFD or life jacket. Transport Canada would like your thoughts on the potential positive impact of introducing mandatory PFD’s.

How to provide feedback:

You can share your thoughts with Transport Canada in three ways:

1. Complete TC’s survey to share your views.

https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/VFZGJVC

2. Submit written comments through the "have your say" feature on the Let’s Talk webpage.

https://letstalktransportation.ca/lets-talk-making-personal-flotation-devices-lifejackets-mandatory-for-recreational-boaters

3. Email your feedback to: MSSRegulations-ReglementsSSM@tc.gc.ca

The consultation period is open until November 4, 2024.

March 5 2024 

Parks Canada is Actively Operating Dams in the Reservoir Area of the TSW

Expect Rising Water Levels and Changing Ice Conditions

March 5, 2024

Levels in most reservoir lakes are near normal right now however, we’re attentive to the combination of a very low snowpack, subnormal winter precipitation and unseasonable temperatures. Recent surveys have shown that the snowpack in the watersheds is less than 60% of normal in northern areas ranging down to near 0% further south. Additionally, total precipitation has been below normal in Haliburton each month since September and in February was just 35% of normal. The TSW recognized this developing situation early and has been adding logs to reservoir dams. By the end of February almost all reservoir dams have had logs added to store water and reduce the risk of very low spring water levels. As a result, most lake levels will slowly rise; flow-through lakes will see lower levels; and river flows will be reduced. As lake levels rise, changes in ice conditions may include breaking up and away from the shore and creating a risk of shoreline ice damage, particularly under high winds. Be attentive to local conditions via local news and/or municipal channels. While logging operations this early is unusual, TSW has been proactive on behalf of the reservoir lakes.  TSW staff continually monitor weather forecasts, lake levels and flows in their daily evaluation of options. Their future actions will depend on melt and rainfall events over the next two months. CEWF works closely with TSW to ensure its membership has the latest information on lake levels; and we will continue to do so. Click the following Water management Update Issued on March 4 from the Trent-Severn Waterway.

We have added a Poster that highlights the impact of Lead on wildlife and encourages your family and friends to use Lead-Free while fishing on Horseshoe Lake. You can find the poster on our website under Lake Health/Fishing https://horseshoelake.ca/Fishing-on-Horseshoe-Lake/

Looking to hand down the family cottage?

There's lots to think about and consider.  Cottage Life magazine is offering a free series of weekly emails titled "Family Matters".  

Click here to sign up.

All Fireworks at anytime require a permit as per Minden Hills bylaw.

For more details click here: Fireworks in Minden Hills

Minden Hills now requires residents to have a permit in order to set off fireworks. 

Please click here for details.

We are very lucky to have a Provincially Significant Wetland, also known as a "PSW', on our lake!  You can probably guess where it is -- it's that shallow, "weedy" area behind Shuyler's Island.

Check out more info about our PSW by clicking here.

Algal blooms are of concern to all Horseshoe and Mirror Lake property owners.  Environment Haliburton recently sponsored an Enviro-Cafe on the subject.  Dr. Elizabeth Favot, PhD, Assistant Lake Stewardship Coordinator, Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) gave the presentation on February 9th.  Participants had the chance to ask questions.  

Check out this link to a YouTube recording of the presentation:  

https://youtu.be/tDQAyZ8XB34