Greetings from the editor
By Tony VanDuzer
Despite this stop and go Spring, summer will soon be upon us. That means lots to look forward to around Lake Heney and the other lakes in the watershed. Your Association is working to ensure that we can all enjoy the things we love to do on the lakes now and in the future. In this note, we describe some of the Association’s activities and ways you can help make them a success.
Attend the 2026 AGM
Please join us for the Association’s AGM on Sunday July 19, 2026 beginning at 10:30 am and stay for the BBQ afterwards. The AGM is an opportunity for you to hear about what the Association has been doing for you and to tell what you are concerned about.The minutes of the 2025 meeting are available on our website as well as the 2025 AGM presentation: https://bvlacheney.ca/association/minutes/.
Help Us Tackle Eurasian Milfoil
The Milfoil Working Group was set up to help us understand and respond to the growing presence of Eurasian Milfoil in our lakes. This invasive plant is spreading in the region and we need a clear, practical plan to manage it. As part of our public education and outreach on Milfoil, we have gathered information regarding what individual waterfront property owners can do and made it available under the Resources tab on the Association Web site. The Working Group is investigating the cost and feasibility of lake-wide strategies and we will be reporting on what we have found at the AGM. We will also discuss some best practices for boating that will reduce the risk of further spreading.
Dealing with Eurasian Milfoil is a complex issue. Unfortunately, two of our directors who had been leading the Working Group had to step back from their roles. We could use a few volunteers from the membership to deciding how best to move forward. If you are interested in finding out more regarding Eurasian Milfoil and the activities of the Working Group, please contact Tony VanDuzer at javanduzer@gmail.com.
Help with the Association Website
Our website is the main way that the Association communicates with Members and other users of the watershed. We need some help implementing some overdue updates and are looking to hire someone for 30 hours or so. Experience with WordPress would be an asset but is not essential. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact Tony VanDuzer at javanduzer@gmail.com.
What Else is in the Spring Newsletter?
Sowing Native Plants This Spring
Wild plants, including trees, shrubs, flowers, play a key role in preserving the health of your lake and the ecosystem of our watershed. In her note below, Chantal Landry explains the benefits.
Take Advantage of Our Wildflower Program
An easy way to get started with wild plants is to pick up some free wildflower seeds from the Association at the Lac-Sainte-Marie Fête des voisins on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or the Gracefield Marché des saveurs on June 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chantal Landry will be there and, in addition to seeds, she will be distributing information on the important roles wild vegetation play in protecting the watershed.
New Waterfront Rules
On March 1, a new regulatory framework for water environments came into effect in Québec. Chantal Landry describes below what it is all about and how it may affect you.
The Bay Captains Program for Summer 2026
As reported in the Fall Newsletter, the Bay Captains program is being re-launched this summer. The idea is simple: have someone in each bay or specific area of the watershed who can connect with their neighbours to share information from the Association and bring ideas and concerns back to the Board. Ashwin Shingadia and Jane MacIntyre are leading the refresh. They describe what to expect from your local Bay Captain this summer in their note below.
Interested in Getting Involved in the Work of the Association?
We are still looking for a couple of new Board members. Joining the Board is a great way to learn more about the issues that affect your lake and to help shape the work we do together.
We are also seeking volunteers for our Spring and Fall newsletters. If you’re interested in editing or have story ideas, we would be glad to hear from you.
To enquire about either opportunity, please contact Tony VanDuzer at javanduzer@gmail.com. Thank you to our readers and to all our collaborators on this issue of the Newsletter: Chantal Landry, Tom McKenna, Jane MacIntyre, and Ashwin Shingadia.
Now is the time to sow trees, shrubs, flowers, and other native plants
By Chantal Landry
The delightful weather is finally here. It’s time to sow plants to improve and beautify your land. Consider wild plants. They play such an important role for your lake and the ecosystem of our watershed. For example, native vegetation on your shore and in the littoral zone (the shallow water) offers the following benefits:
- A barrier against soil and shore erosion
- A filter against water pollution
- A barrier against debris, sand, mud, rocks, and other solid matter flowing into the lake
- A regulator of the water cycle (lake water and excess water from plant roots evaporate due to heat and wind; the water vapor then rises to higher altitudes and forms clouds, and the water falls back to earth as rain and snow, replenishing lakes, streams, and other waterways, the soil, groundwater, and the ecosystem)
- A habitat for wildlife and plants
- A source of food for wildlife, pollinating insects, and birds
- A shield against excessive water warming by creating shaded areas
- A natural windbreak.
So plant trees, shrubs, flowers, and other native plants, and let as many as possible of those that naturally appear on your shore and property thrive. Share your land with nature and reduce your impact. Grass is a species that does nothing to help nature. Consider opening up and creating spaces for wild plants. There are so many species to suit your taste. Why not take advantage of them? They are easy to grow, perennial, and well-suited to our climate. You can find seeds and wild plants online and at specialized garden centers. Happy gardening!
Wildflower Seeds to Help Your Lake
By Chantal Landry
ou can help your lake and improve water quality by planting wildflowers along the shore. For the fourth year, the Association du Bassin versant du lac Heney Watershed will be at the Lac-Sainte-Marie Fête des voisins on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the opening of the Gracefield Marché des saveurs on June 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to information on the important role wild vegetation play in protecting waterways, you will receive wildflower seeds that will benefit your lake and the watershed ecosystem, while also beautifying your property. It is important that every waterfront property owner participates in improving the health of our lakes. By collectively supporting the work of your Association to conserve and protect the watershed, we can continue to enjoy our properties and the lovely nature that surrounds them. So it’s a date and we hope to see many of you there.
New Rules for Shorelines
By Chantal Landry
A new regulatory framework for water environments came into effect on March 1st in Quebec. This update is necessary to protect the environment and respond to the effects of climate change, including floods like those recently experienced in the Outaouais and Vallée-de-la-Gatineau regions. Regarding the protection of the water, shores, and littoral zones of our lakes, which concerns us all, a new Regulation outlines the rules and the powers and responsibilities of municipalities to enforce them. For example, it sets out
- when permits are required for work on our property,
- what work is prohibited on shores and littoral zones,
- a maximum clearance for lake access of 5 metres from the water’s edge, and
- the vegetation to be preserved on the remaining shore to a depth of 10 or 15 metres measured from the high-water line.
When planning work on your property and before starting it, you should contact your municipality to find out about the regulations and conditions that you may be required to comply with.
Reference: Government of Québec, Regulation respecting regulatery measures for activities under the responsibility of municipalities carried out in bodies of water and on flood protection works, https://www.legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/document/rc/Q-2,%20r.%2017.2?langcont=en
Bay Captains: Building a Stronger Lake Community
By Jane Macintyre and Ashwin Shingadia
The BVLHW Association’s Bay Captain Program plays an important role in keeping our watershed community connected and engaged. Designed to strengthen communication throughout the watershed, the program helps foster a well-informed community while building the collective spirit of each bay.
We are grateful that many property owners have volunteered to be a Bay Captain. The Association has filled the Bay Captain position for all bays except for 2. We are currently seeking two volunteers to serve as Bay Captains for:
- McInnes Road – west side of Lake Heney
- The Central East Side of Lake Heney – Ch. Oyen south to the end of Ch. Du Lac Heney
The success of this program depends on community involvement. By volunteering as a Bay Captain, you can help strengthen communication, support stewardship of the lakes, and contribute to maintaining the vibrant sense of community that makes our watershed special. Bay Captains act as a valuable resource for residents regarding issues affecting the lakes and serve as a direct liaison with the BVLHW Association, helping ensure that property owners stay informed about important matters impacting both the lakes environment and property values. If you are interested in volunteering as a Bay Captain for either vacancy, please get in touch with Ashwin at ashwin@ashidor.ca or Jane at macintyre.jane@gmail.com.
Each Bay Captain’s goal is to communicate with all property owners in their bay area, helping gather feedback and stay connected with local concerns, ideas, and emerging issues. As a vital link between residents and the Association Board, Bay Captains:
- Share information and updates from the BVLHW Association
- Relay concerns, questions, and ideas from residents back to the Board
- Help keep neighbours informed on key issues such as:
- Mining claims
- The spread of Eurasian milfoil
- Watershed and environmental concerns
- Community events, including the annual AGM and post-AGM BBQ
When your Bay Captain reaches out to introduce themselves this summer, we encourage you to welcome them and engage openly with them, helping strengthen connections within your bay community.
Is Your Boat Secretly Fertilizing the Lake?
The Surprising Truth About Prop Wash Effects of Propeller Wash and Boat Speed on Lake Sediment Disturbance
By Tom McKenna
While it might seem like your boat is just moving through the water, the powerful force of a propellor, especially in shallower areas < 5M, acts like a massive underwater blender. This agitation stirs up the soft sediment at the bottom of the lake, which acts as a massive storage bank for decades of accumulated nutrients.
When these sediments are disturbed, they release phosphorus and nitrogen directly into the water column. For a cottage owner, this is important because those nutrients act as a high-powered fertilizer for weeds and algae. Instead of staying buried safely on the lake bottom, these “fuel” sources are brought up to the sunlit surface where they can trigger unsightly algae blooms and decrease the overall clarity of your shoreline. In short, your boating habits can unintentionally feed the very weeds and algae that are a detriment to your lake enjoyment.
This sediment disturbance is undoing all the efforts of the Association and Foundation to reduce phosphorus and the eutrophication of Lac Heney. The iron chloride treatment in 2007 precipitated the phosphorus in suspension which was then bound in the sediments on the lakebed helping reduce phosphorus in the lake. You can see a video of the lake treatment here: WGI 2007 Lake Heney Rehabilitation Video English
Boat speed also influences sediment resuspension. As speed increases, wake energy and turbulence generated by the hull and propeller increase, causing greater erosion of bottom sediments and shoreline areas. In shallow water, where the distance between the propeller and lakebed is reduced, these effects are amplified. Sediment disturbance is generally greatest during acceleration, turning maneuvers, and operation in water depths less than approximately three meters depth.
Repeated sediment resuspension can negatively affect fish habitat, aquatic vegetation, and benthic organisms by reducing light penetration, smothering habitat, and altering substrate conditions. Minimizing boat speeds and avoiding rapid acceleration in shallow areas can substantially reduce sediment disturbance and associated environmental impacts.
So…. GO SLOW when in less than 5 M of water and within 50 M of shore. Both the lake and your fellow cottagers sitting on their dock will truly appreciate your consideration.
