Response from Fairy Lake
Fairy Lake Report on Water Levels
June 10, 2007
Fairy Lake Property Owners:
Huntsville Lakes Council has been trying to form a co-operative effort with various lakes in the Huntsville area that have been experiencing problems due to high water levels. Earlier this year, HLC contacted all member lake associations, asking if they wished to be involved in this process. Mary Lake's issues have become public through the press over the past year. District Councillor, George Young also has concerns about the erosion on the Muskoka River in the Brunel Locks region of the river. He has offered to be involved in this quest for change.
Elaine Jackson, Huntsville Lakes Council co-chair, has gained the ear of Patricia Arney of the Muskoka River Water Management Plan Board (MRWMP). She would like to hear back from Elaine regarding each lake's specific concerns/issues with how the water levels are being managed now and any negative effects being experienced. She would also like to know of any communication difficulties the lake associations or individuals have experienced in dealing with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on this issue. She has already initiated some communication with MNR/MRWMP Board on lake level concerns and has agreed to follow through in helping the lakes to try and resolve this environmental issue.
If you have experienced any detrimental effects from the higher water levels over the past two years or have any knowledge or proof of shoreline damage or have been rebuffed by MNR when you have called with your concern, the Fairy Lake Association Board would like to have your story/report. We will use the information you provide to substantiate our appeal for MNR to reevaluate their water level management in the Huntsville lakes.
Email your concern to me for the Fairy Lake Report on Water Levels, at
Kathy Hunter, President
Responses:
1.
Thanks again for all the good work the association is doing. Re the high water level, I have the following concerns:
1. I have heard several theories about why the water level has been raised. What is the real / official reason and the rationale behind it? Does the benefit justify the safety risk and repair cost to property owners?
2. Three years ago, at considerable expense, I lined the edge of our property with small granite rock to stop erosion (tree loss) on days of high wave action. (This was done with full approval of the MNR and Fisheries) Thankfully this was just ahead of the higher water levels. With higher water levels, it is still a concern on days of high wind and wave action.
3. We have observed an unusual amount of floating debris. Last year and this year we have seen several large chunks of sod (some as much as 30 feet long) floating down the lake. They will eventually reach and could plug the dam. This spring we have had 3 large timbers (the size of telephone poles) float up in front of our property. Some have nails and bolts protruding. What do I do with them? I have them tied to the shore at present but I do want to keep them here. Will the MNR come and remove them? It is just a matter of time before a serious accident occurs in which a boat or a water skier hits one of these floating objects. In that event, I would think the MNR might be facing a large law suite or perhaps a class action.
Best Regards
Hugh Holland
2.
Kathy:
I haven't thought about why my shoreline is eroding but I have lost trees and experienced serious erosion this year which is placing some trees that are right at the water in danger. I was considering having to install a stone wall to prevent it.
I would be prepared to assist as necessary and would welcome help as to how to fix the problem.
Thanks for the email.
Regards, Bill Rogers
3.
Dear Kathy.
I have no specific problem on Fairy Lake, except for the increased level of debris on the lake, which from my experience on Penlake comes from the increased destruction of docks and erosion of shoreline due to the higher water level that has been constantly maintained this Spring (about half a foot higher than at the equivalent times in past years). By copy of this message to the Penlake executive I urge them to participate in this joint effort, because I am aware of their frustration with identifying the government body with effective control of the water level.
John Brenciaglia
Grandview Hilltop
4.
Hi Katherine,
I have been a fishing guide on the Huntsville Lakes for 19 years now. The past few years I have noticed a change in the fishing conditions. Usually by June water levels have dropped to "almost" summer time water levels. Now the water levels are still at spring flood heights, causing many shores to be damaged by erosion. The old pike spots I used to fish are now muddy. The wind action and boat traffic in June has ruined these places where pike used to lay and sun themselves.
During the past few seasons, the marsh in Grandview Bay, has started to break up due to the high water levels. I now see chunks the size of small islands floating around Fairy Lake.
I was told that only five percent of docks would be under water due to this change. I can tell you that half the docks on my shore line are under water right now! If we get any rain that % of docks rises dramatically.
The beach at Golden Pheasant has all but disappeared. I am not concerned about my shoreline or dock, they are high enough.
But the erosion and irreversible damage happening on Fairy and Penn Lake and the canal in between the two lakes is something that has to be looked at immediately.
I would like to help in any way possible, please keep in touch.
Thanks,
Mike Bertelsen
Captain Action Charters
705-789-3126
5.
To whom it may concern;
The record high water levels of Fairy Lake over the past two years have had a detrimental effect upon Timber Bay Resorts located on the south shore of Fairy Lake. We have completely lost our sand beach as it is now under water and we can no longer offer a safe place for very young children to play and build sand castles. Heavens knows what the long term impact is upon our local beach and wading birds. Our local reeds are submersed as well and I have noticed the ducks do not have them for shelter. Our grassed dock area is experiencing erosion due to the high levels of water, with wave action now reaching up and draining the earth from the crib. The local turtle did not appear last season, and I am concerned his habitat has been ruined by the gross mismanagement of water levels in Fairy Lake.
I do not understand why our water levels are so high. If this is a result of some new system, please revert to the old system where the water levels were dependable. These current levels are unacceptable as they damage the habitats of many animals, the tourism industry, and the quiet enjoyment of the lake for many.
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Curtis, cottager, Timber Bay
6.
Our waterfront has been eroding terribly the last few years so we re-did the area where it was washing away the worst, at some expense! The water level is so high this year that the first layer of rock is completely covered (where we used to have a sandy beach) and it is eroding behind the second layer of rocks we just put in. The rest of the waterfront is also being affected because the water that used to just splash up is now going over and eroding behind the wall. We repaired this last year but it needs repairing already again this year. Needless to say, we are pretty frustrated. I appreciate that people have been working to correct this problem. Thanks.
Lynne Newell
Echo Bay Rd
7.
On April 17, 2007, James King wrote to Steve Taylor at Ministry of Natural Resources:
Subject: Lands and Waters
Comment: Why is the water level in Fairy Lake, Huntsville so high?
Subsequent correspondence:
-----Original Message-----
From: NRIC, MNR (MNR)
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 2:33 PM
To: Taylor, Steve (MNR)
Subject: FW: Email regarding Lands and Waters
The following e-mail was received at the Natural Resources Information
Centre. Please respond directly to the client and cc this office for our information and files. Thank you.
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:47 PM
To: King, James
Cc: NRIC, MNR (MNR)
Subject: RE: Email regarding Lands and Waters
Dear Mr. King,
Thank you for your April 17, 2007 e-mail concerning water levels on
Fairy Lake.
As you may know, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Parry Sound District operates the Huntsville MNR dam to control lake water levels in the Huntsville lakes (Vernon, Fairy, Peninsula) and downstream flows through the North Branch, Muskoka River.
Water levels on the Huntsville lakes rose to the top of the spring-time operating range over the Easter long weekend (April 6th-9th). Heavy rainfall (60 mm) over the period of April 2nd to April 5th, coupled with a remnant snow pack and saturated ground conditions in the headwaters caused river flows and lake levels to rise. This is not an unusual occurrence during the spring following rain events and the loss of the snow pack.
With the passing of the early April rainfall and snow pack, water levels in the Huntsville Lake quickly returned to average late-spring levels a few days later.
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Steve Taylor
Water Resources Coordinator
Ministry of Natural Resources
Parry Sound District
(705) 646-5531
