November 2021 Newsletter
Included in this issue:
The Water is Stiff
Further Observations on Lake Turnover
A Data Logging Light Meter
Our Winter Visitors
Bits & Pieces
The Water Is Stiff
“Thumper,” the cute little bunny character from the 1942 Disney movie, explained to Bambi that the ice that covered their pond was just “stiff water”. From the picture above you can see that our lake has also gone “stiff”. It developed a skim coat this past Saturday (27th) and it is beginning to look like it may stay. While people have sense enough to stay off thin ice, pets often will not realize they are in danger until they break through. Rescue attempts can then often turn tragic. Prevention is key!
Some Further Observations on Lake Turnover
Because of the mild fall, I held off pulling my boat out and did one more profile on November 12 at the deep spot on our lake. It was windy and I needed a heavier anchor to stay in place so I was forced to use my trolling motor to remain on station.
As a result I didn’t take as many readings as I would have liked. My depth sounder said we had 53-55 feet of water. Temperature remained consistent at 8 C degrees down to 12 m. Below that it dropped to 7.9 C and remained at that temperature to 16 m which was just above the bottom . The DO (Dissolved Oxygen) went from 8.25 mg/L at the surface to 8.49 at 9 m – remained at that value down to 11 m then slowly fell to 8.25 mg/L at 15m. At the 16 m point both the temperature and DO started to fall off quickly due to bottom effect.
It would appear that the lake was now thoroughly mixed and at this time of the year there was ample oxygen throughout the water column for most fish which wasn’t the case back in August. I will try to get out this winter to this same spot, drill a hole in the ice and check it again.
Data Logging Light meter
After a discussion with a gardener about the lack of sunny weather we had this past summer, I realized that this was another area where we could gather useful accurate data and not have to depend on recollection. After some searching, I was fortunate to be able to acquire a Reed Instruments Data Logging Light Meter that will allow us to accurately record the hours and intensity of the sunlight each day.
Much like the automatic rain gage and temperature data loggers, the cost over the last few years has plummeted and the increased capabilities are amazing. Since plant and algae growth and water temperature are linked to the amount of sunlight this could help explain some of the variations we might see year over year.
Our Winter Visitors
It is always interesting watching the change in our wildlife population throughout the fall. Our migrating birds start leaving in September and even with an open Fall most stragglers have left by the end of October. We then notice the winter crowd stopping by to see if we have our feeders out yet. If they are empty there is much consternation. The Jays are not the least bashful about peering in the windows at us and the Chick-a-dees will softly bump against the windows repeatedly to remind us the feeders are empty. In past years, these actions continue throughout the winter whenever a refill is required.
Once the feeders are filled it only takes a short while for word to spread throughout the neighbourhood. We even have Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkeys come strolling by to see what is on the menu. About 2 weeks ago I realized I hadn’t seen any chipmunks lately. Sure enough – the entrances to their burrows were plugged shut – their do not disturb signs were up. With the first snow it is also again easy to see the tracks of all our wild visitors that manage to slip through the yard without us even catching a glimpse.
Its amazing how many insects survive the winter in the caterpillar or larvae stage in a dormant suspended state. Some move down into the earth to avoid freezing – others actually produce a chemical called a cryoprotectant which functions much like antifreeze to protect their organs from damage from the freezing temperatures. Come spring they come back to life and continue with their life cycle. If you uncover one of these sleeping insects just leave it be. The heat from your fingers if you handle them can trigger the awakening process prematurely, which will mean they then won’t survive. The fuzzy Woolly Bear caterpillar with its brown & black bands is one such creature that awakens in the spring to spin a cocoon and then transform itself into the Isabella Tiger Moth to start the cycle again. There is an old myth that the width of the black bands predicts the severity of the coming winter. Science actually discovered that the size of the band was related to the length of the summer growing season & how much they had to eat.
Bits & Pieces
Thanks to all our LPP (Lake Partner Program) volunteers who sent me a copy of their secchi readings. Those readings will become part of our long term trend data. I am also interested if we will see correlation between similar lakes. It is handy to keep a copy of those secchi readings in your file because occasionally they do go missing in the mail or at DESC (Dorset Environmental Science Center) and don’t get reported. If you have a copy you can always re-submit them.
Made a trip to our sampling sites near the mine for the last time this year on Nov 13. Site #2 pH was 6.76 and conductivity was 482 uS. Background pH at site #1 just above Site #2 was 6.65 and conductivity was 36.7 uS. With all the additional rain this fall I was curious how the automated system was handling all that extra water. The conductivity at site #2 was less than half the Sept reading which is good. The water in the stream appeared clearer and less “milky” looking. The white residue on the stream bank and bottom was also less evident. As mentioned previously these sampling sites are not on mine property – they are at
culverts and bridges beside Forestry Tower Road and the road that goes to Magnetawan Lake. Site #2 is on the stream that carries the effluent from the Polishing Pond down to the Magnetawan River. Site #1 is the old reference or control site that is just above site #2. Several years ago, we introduced a second reference point (site #6 - pictured below) well above the mine that we monitor in case surface and ground water from the mine site might impact site #1 - especially if the mine went back into production. All but site #2 are on the actual Magnetawan River.
Thanks to everyone who took a moment to give us feedback on the Newsletter. It provided us with both guidance on the topics of interest and encouragement to continue.
In our December newsletter we will talk about what we managed to accomplish this year despite all the Covid restrictions and our plans for 2022. Climate change and the need to move to a more sustainable way of living to protect the environment and our planet will require some major changes We will talk about the small things we can do as individuals that will help change attitudes.