Summer 2022 "RSVL" water quality tests underway / 2021 test results released
Summer 2022 "RSVL" water quality tests underway
June 2022 — Our crew of testing volunteers has begun this year’s sampling to monitor the water quality in our lake. Enviro Lac Gauvreau is now fully supported by the "RSVL" Water Quality Sampling Protocol. As well, volunteers will continue our own sampling program.
2021 water quality test results released in a comprehensive report
June 2022 — The Enviro Lac Gauvreau Association has released the final results and interpretations of water quality tests, using the RSVL Protocol, that were conducted during the summer of 2021. It took until now to publish this report because the 2021 results are difficult to compare with results from earlier years, since samples were not taken in the same places as previously used. Consequently, RSVL has directed Enviro Lac Gauvreau to measure only at the deepest spot (the “pit”) starting in 2022.
Milfoil Task Force explores best practices and specialized tools to control milfoil
June, 2022 — Enviro Lac Gauvreau's Milfoil Task Force has been working on the best approaches to direct treatment of the pervasive weed. The Task Force had hoped to issue clear guidelines this Spring, but regulatory barriers have temporarily delayed this step forward.
Plans to control milfoil have followed two tracks: 1) measures designed to slow the spread of the weed—such as buoys, boating restrictions, etc. and 2) direct treatment.
Research indicates that clearing limited areas adjacent to the shoreline can best be accomplished in 2 ways:
May 2022 — Enviro Lac Gauvreau formed a sub-committee that included a cross-section of the Lac Gauvreau community to develop responsible boating guidelines to minimize further spread of Eurasian milfoil. Over the last ten years, the Association has made many efforts to deal with the milfoil issue and the role of watercraft in its spread. These efforts have included buoys delineating “no go” areas for all types of boats, signs to explain the buoys, direct communication with boaters found within the buoyed areas, membership education, professional assistance from ABV des 7 to explore remediation measures, and financial assistance from the Municipality to enhance the previously noted measures.
We hope that you will adhere to these guidelines in the spirit with which they were developed: to enable us to continue to operate our boats on the lake in a manner that is safe and environmentally friendly.
Report from ABV des 7 biologists recommends shoreline restoration strategies
April 9, 2022 —The non-profit environmental organization ABV des 7presented a well attended Zoom webinar for residents on the morning of April 9th. The objective was to present the rationale, and make recommendations, based on their recently released report on the condition of Lac Gauvreau and its shoreline.
Based on onsite observations and scientific evaluations, biologist Jean-François Ouellet, who is the General Manager of ABV des 7, presented their report that recommends actions focussing on the preservation and restoration of the lake's riparian (shoreline) buffer. The report was commissioned by the Enviro Lac Gauvreau owners association.
The report emphasized that restoration of the lake shoreline is one of the most important measures residents can take to avoid nutrients flowing into the water, a strategy that is vital to preventing further premature aging of Lac Gauvreau.
According to the report, Lac Gauvreau's eutrophication (lake aging) ranges from mesotrophic to the extreme end of the eutrophic classification, especially in Parent Creek and at its outflow. Eutrophication is the process in which lakes receive nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and sediment from the surrounding watershed, and become more fertile and shallow.
Mesotrophic lakes are commonly clear water lakes with beds of submerged aquatic plants and medium levels of nutrients. Eutrophic lakes, on the other hand, contain excessive nutrients—especially nitrogen and phosphorus—which promote the growth of algae blooms and aquatic plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil.
Phosphorus intake comes from agricultural drainage, non-compliant septic tanks, and impermeable infrastructures close to the lake (structures that prevent the free flow of water). A watershed map of the area clearly shows that much of the pollution entering Lac Gauvreau is from agricultural productivity.
ABV des 7 has been actively working with area lake associations, including Lac Gauvreau's, for several years as concerns mount about environmental issues. ABV des 7 consists of a team of five specialists in stakeholder engagement, geomatics, limnology, and ecology. Their activities and services include:
