President’s Report

2025 President’s AGM Update

2025 spring update Dear Fellow Members,

I write to you following the Spring Board Meeting of the DLA, held at Devil Lake on Monday,

April 21. We covered a lot of items, and have an exciting Summer ahead. Through your support,

the DLA continues to represent its members in fulfilling its objectives, namely;

• uniting all persons interested in the conservation of water quality, flora and fauna, and

the natural beauties of Devil Lake, Frontenac County, Ontario;

• gathering and exchanging ideas, data and statistical, scientific, horticultural and botanical

information;

• promoting the protection and appreciation of the environment

The lake is alive with arrival of Spring. Buds are emerging, wildflowers popping through, and

loons and ducks are beginning their annual mating rituals. On a “tour de lac” last week, I counted

7 pairs of loons and dozens of ducks (merganser, bufflehead, wood, mallard). Flocks of juncos

are around and phoebe’s are building nests. The lake looks in great shape, with water levels on

the low side given the drawdown last Fall for the Bedford Mills dam maintenance. Here are a

few items to update you on;

Membership

In 2024, our membership totaled 89 Landowners members, and 10 General members. If I could

ask everyone to please renew your membership for 2025, and encourage your neighbours, and

others, to join the Association. DLA only exists because of you and your continued support and

interest! Let’s keep our positive momentum, and not get complacent especially given the

important initiatives the Association continues to undertake. Membership dues are unchanged

from last year and details for joining/renewing are on the website, http://www.devillake.org .2025 AGM

The date for the 2025 AGM has been set for Saturday, August 2 at 3pm. Roger and Tony Jones

have kindly offered to hold the AGM at their house and we will follow the AGM with a potluck

social as in previous years. We are very pleased that our guest speaker this year will be Dr. Dave

Philipp, Professor Emeritus from the University of Illinois, and co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO

of the Fisheries Conservation Foundation. Locally, Dr. Philipp has directed almost 5 decades of

fisheries research, especially bass, at the Queen’s University Biological Station on Opinion Lake.

Just a gentle reminder that you need to be a DLA member in good standing to attend and vote at

the AGM.

Please consider joining the DLA Board! Terms are just 2 years and it is a great way for you to

give back to the lake we all love!! Let me thank our current Board for the time it volunteers on

your behalf;

Roger Brice, Tim Gardiner (President), John Gray, Chuck Higgins, Tony Jones (Treasurer), Dave

Little, Tom Myatt, Paula Nichols (Secretary), Andrew Perrett (General Member), Ingrid Sauve

(WDLPOG liaison), and Jana Svec.

Financial Position

With DLA now moving into its 6th year as an Association, I could not be happier about its

financial position and governance. We are in the midst of finishing up our Lake Eco-System

Project financials, following which I expect our cash position to be +/- $10,000. This was a goal

I always hoped to achieve as we move forward. A big thank you to Tony Jones for overseeing our

finances, and Chuck Higgins for making sure our bylaws and registrations are what are required

by the Province of Ontario.

South Frontenac Lake Eco-System Grant Project

At last year’s AGM, Dr. Shelley Arnott of Queen’s University’s Biology Dept spoke to us about

the study of Devil Lake’s Littoral Zone that DLA was able to undertake through South

Frontenac’s Lake Eco-System Grant Program. This program is offered to not-for-profit

community associations such as DLA, to apply for grants toward projects that “support and

encourage the preservation, restoration, monitoring and analysis of lake ecosystems within South

Frontenac”. DLA was awarded an Eco -System Grant at the end of 2023, and the main study

took place in 2024, in addition to salinity tests the beginning of 2025 of parts of the lake close to

County Road 10. The final Report will be ready for distribution to DLA members in the next

couple of weeks. As you are aware, Queen’s biology researchers found evidence of various

invasive species which was sobering to say the least, but also allows DLA to explore future

solutions to get these invasive species under control. DLA is very appreciative of the Townshipof South Frontenac for its Lake Eco-System Grant assisting in the feasibility of this important

Project.

Coalition for Innovative Fisheries Conservation (CIFC) – Bass Spawning Sanctuaries

(BaSSs)

Your Board is pleased to announce that at the Spring Board Meeting, it approved membership of

the DLA in the CIFC, paving the way for Devil Lake to set up its own BaSS’s in the Spring of

2026. This is an extremely exciting initiative for DLA!

Overseen by Dr Dave Philipp (our AGM speaker this coming Summer) and Dr. Steven Cooke,

Professor of Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology and Canada Research Chair, Institute of

Environmental Science and Department of Biology, Carleton University, the CIFC is set up to

bring together lake associations interested in innovative strategies for fish conservation “to

improve and maintain the abundance of fish and the quality of recreational fishing”. After

collecting baseline data of potential areas this Summer, we expect sanctuaries to be set up on

Devil Lake targeting black / smallmouth bass in 2026.

Of note, 2025 will be the second year sanctuaries go into effect on both Charleston and Opinicon

Lakes with these sanctuaries now a part of Ontario’s Fishing Regulations, regulated by Ontario’s

Ministry of Natural Resources. According to CIFC data, the Charleston/Opinicon sanctuaries

have seen reproductive rates 5-8 times higher than other parts of those lakes. The sanctuaries are

closed to fishing from 15 April to the first Friday in July, giving bass an approximate 3 extra

weeks to reproduce.

Our joining donation to the CIFC will be matched 2x by the Natural Sciences and Engineering

Research Council of Canada. In addition to Charleston, Opinicon, and Devil, some 15 other lake

associations in our area have expressed interest in joining the CIFC. The preliminary DLA Lake

Team for this project is Matt Bain, Roger Jones, Jim Ludden, and Jana Svec. If you want to be

involved, please let us know!

Dam Repairs, Bedford Mills / Buttermilk Falls

I have been in contact with Portage Power for an update on repairs to the dam at Bedford Mills.

You will remember the lake was drained to very low levels in late September/early October 2024

to allow an inspection of the dam and evaluate what repairs are necessary. Portage Power is coy

about the extent of the necessary repairs, but said to expect lake levels to drop after Labour Day

this year so the required work can commence. I asked that DLA be given plenty of notice

regarding water level changes so we can pass on this information to our members.Frontenac Provincial Park Trail Maintenance – Gibson Lake “The Litsky” Loop

In 2023, DLA volunteered to help with trail maintenance in Frontenac Provincial Park. Since

then, we have looked after the Gibson Lake Loop, affectionately known as the Litsky Loop in

honour of Dave Little who overseas this initiative. We walk the trail at least once a month from

April thru October, clearing it of brush and tree limbs, fixing trail markers and notifying Park

staff of needed maintenance. https://www.ontarioparks.com/pdf/maps/frontenac/frontenac-park-

overview-2022.pdf This 11km loop passes through lakes and wetlands following the contour of

Hardwood Bay and the head of the lake towards the Kingsford Dam. Dave is looking for DLA

volunteers to help this Summer and Fall. If interested, please contact Dave at

davidjwlittle@gmail.com It is a fun way for the Devil Lake community to give back to the Park,

and it’s beautiful part of the Frontenac Arch! As a reminder, FPP makes up over 10% of our

lake’s shoreline.

Water Testing

Barb Fisher continues to head up our annual water testing. Since 2020, DLA has been testing

locations on the lake (Salmon Island, Parker Bay, Perth Road boat ramp, entrance to Buce Bay,

and the Mill Pond), supplementing the 3 locations done by the West Devil Lake Property Owners

Group. We send our samples and clarity data to Ontario’s “Lake Partner Program”, supervised by

the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks. Attached, please find a Summary Report

from the Lake Partner Program and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association with results

through 2023, although not all testing locations are included. Overall, results are trending

positively in absolute terms, and when compared to other lakes.

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D6&id=60AAB6666AF287D6!

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DLA Swag

After taking a break from sales of DLA branded merchandise last year, we are thinking about

getting some samples ready for the AGM that members can order in time for Labour Day

delivery. We will be in touch about this in the coming weeks and hope to continue getting items

embroidered locally in Westport.Spring Clean Up the Lake Day

We will again be doing a Spring (and Fall) clean up of Devil Lake Crown Land shoreline, the 3

Crown Land campsites, the Perth Road boat ramp, Perth Road culvert, etc. Our Spring date is

Saturday, June 10 and we are looking for volunteers. I will do the co-ordinating of locations so

email me at gizgardiner@gmail.com if you are able to help. South Frontenac’s assistance in

hauling the garbage we pick up is so appreciated and I’ll be in touch with SF in advance of the

date.

Other Items

• Congratulations to the St Stephen’s Church, Bedford Mills fundraising team! The church has

been restored and services are planned again for Wednesday mornings in July and August.

• Rogers has erected a new cell tower on Devil Lake Road at Shipton Lane. Not operational yet

but, we understand, it will be soon!

• The DLA Facebook page now has over 300 members. Thank you to Matt Bain who helps

maintain our website!

That’s it for now! As always, let me know if you have questions or suggestions. Thank you for

making a difference.

All the best – see you at the lake!!

2024 President’s Fall Update

1 November 2024

Hello Fellow Members of the Devil Lake Association!

I trust my note finds you well. Record warm temperatures in the north east, but snow is falling in the Rockies and winter is on its way. We held our Fall Board Meeting on 15 October and dis-cussed a myriad of issues. It made me realize how important it is to have an Association repre-senting Devil Lake residents. Speaking of, with the last of the 2024 membership dues coming in, our Association remains healthy and strong, with membership of almost 100 Landowner and General members, so a big THANK YOU for your continued support. Please continue to lobby your friends and neighbours on the lake to join! As an aside, the Board has decided that going forward, our distribution list will only include members in good standing.

I would like to remind you of the Board Members elected at the AGM, or continuing their 2 year terms. Please thank them for the time and effort they volunteer to the Association!

Roger Brice, Perth Road, permanent resident

Tim Gardiner, President Perth Road, seasonal resident

John Gray, Mill Pond, seasonal resident

Chuck Higgins, Hardwood Bay, seasonal resident

Tony Jones, Treasurer Perth Road, permanent resident

David Little, Green Bay, permanent resident

Tom Myatt, Buce Bay, permanent resident

Paula Nichols, Secretary Perth Road & Group of Islands, seasonal resident

Andrew Perrett, Kingston, general member

Ingrid Sauve, WDLPOG liaison Hayes Bay, permanent resident

Jana Svec, Perth Road, seasonal resident

We have 5 directors whose term expires in 2025. Please consider volunteering and joining the Board in future!

Here is my Fall Update;

AGM

Our 5th AGM was held at the Gardiner cottage on July 13. We had a great turnout (70?) fol-lowed by potluck and drinks. Of special significance was our keynote speaker, Dr Shelly Arnott, Professor of Aquatic Ecology, Dept of Biology, Queen’s University. Shelley went over the specifics of Littoral Study of Devil Lake that took place over this Summer. This was made pos-sible through DLA being awarded a Lake EcoSystem Grant from the Township of South Fron-tenac. What a great partner we have in South Frontenac! I was so pleased that our Bedford District Councillor, Steve Pegrum, could also attend the AGM. I encourage you to sign up for South Frontenac’s monthly newsletter via https://www.southfrontenac.net/news/

The 2025 AGM date has not been set but if will be a Saturday in mid July and we hope to hold it at a different venue, to change things up!

Not-for-Profit Corporations Act

Chuck Higgins, our legal expertise on the Board, has confirmed that DLA is now in compliance with Ontario’s new NFP Corporations Act. Bylaws and Articles, etc were updated and approved by members at the AGM and I thank Chuck on behalf of the Association. Good governance is a good thing!

Financial Update

I am so pleased to report on the financial health of the Association. Our surplus now exceeds $10,000, a level many of you know I feel very strongly about maintaining. Our Treasurer, Tony Jones, does a wonderful job with our accounts and we are so lucky to have her! A surplus of cash allows us to fund projects like the EcoSystem Study, and we are well positioned to con-sider future expenditures as opportunities present themselves down the road. Congrats to all!

South Frontenac Lake EcoSystem Grant – Littoral Study of Devil Lake

This time last year, Jana Svec and I were in the process of submitting our request to South Frontenac for a Lake EcoSystem Grant. This is a terrific program that started in 2021, available to lake associations like ours “to support and encourage the preservation, restoration, monitor-ing and analysis of lake ecosystems within South Frontenac”.Grants cover project expenses on a 3:1 SF:DLA basis. SF awarded us $7,500, meaning DLA put up $2,500. We solicited interest from Dr Shelley Arnott and this Summer, two Queen’s biology students studied the littoral part of Devil Lake – basically from the shoreline to where sunlight no longer reaches the lake bot-tom. The students worked for almost 3 months this Summer swimming 100m transects of Devil Lake, in high residence density, low residence density, and protected areas of the shoreline. Obviously, given our circumference of 58km, we could not cover all parts of the lake, but the students ended up swimming/studying a total of 60 randomly selected transects, 20 in each sector. The project assessed coarse woody habitat size and abundance, macrophyte composition and coverage, and the presence/absence of invasive species. The Board was given a preliminary report, and we will have a final report available for distribution in the Spring. However, here is a quick summary of invasive species found; Starry Stonewort; 7 times in 6 transects; Buce Bay, Group of Islands, Vanderbilt Island, Perth Road boat ramp Eurasian Milfoil; 87 times in almost all transects Mystery Banded Snails; 32 times in most transects Zebra Mussels; 14 times in 5 transects; Perth Road, Buce Bay Quagga Mussels; 5 times in 5 transects; Perth Road, Perth Road boat ramp, Frontenac PP To finish the Project, Queen’s will be doing some salinity tests to check the effect of winter road salt on water quality. Monitors have been placed at the Perth Road boat ramp, and Perth Road culvert (Highway 10). Obviously, the results of the preliminary Report were disappointing, but not surprising. It is a wake up call to all of us who love Devil Lake and want to protect its ecological health. Simply speaking, if boats are allowed to be put in at our boat ramps and campgrounds without any decontamination standards, invasive species will be introduced over time. The Board has au-thorized me to follow up with South Frontenac about where to go from here. Numerous prov-inces (but not Ontario) and states effectively combat invasive species through decontamination programs and I would like South Frontenac, and Devil Lake, to become an Ontario leader in this area. Proven models exist.

Water Quality

Barb Fisher once again volunteered her time to oversee our participation in the Ontario Lake Partner Program. In early Summer, Barb samples 5 areas of the lake and sends these samples in for chemical analysis. She then monitors clarity using a secchi disc in these locations each month through October. The areas are; Salmon Island, beginning of Buce Bay, beginning of Parker Bay, opposite the Perth Road boat ramp, and the beginning of the Mill Pond. West Devil Lake Property Owners Group does the same for another 3 areas at the head of the lake. The 2023 results were recently released and, overall, phosphorus/calcium/chloride levels are remaining stable. Please don’t use fertilizer and other chemicals on your properties!

Water Levels

I know many residents struggled with low water levels in October. As previously advised, this was due to Portage Power (who regulates the Canoe/Kingsford/Bedford Mills dams) purposely lowering water levels to perform an inspection of the Bedford Mills / Buttermilk Falls dam. That engineering work work took place between Oct 15 and Oct 31, and is now going to “next steps”. The preliminary information I received is that up to 3 months of repair work may be re-quired and if so, that would take place after Labour Day 2025. As usual, I will be contacting Portage Power in the Spring and will share more information as it becomes available. If work needs to be done (that dam is old!), I have asked that DLA members be given plenty of advance notice.

Clean Up the Lake Days

Every Spring and Fall, volunteers clean up any garbage found on the shorelines of Crown Land, the Crown Land campsites, and the Perth Road culvert and boat ramp. I am pleased to advise that while we still find amounts of trash around, the quantity is slowly decreasing (esp styro-foam)! South Frontenac continues to haul what we collect to the dump which is such a help. Homeowners may want to do a good clean up of their shorelines given low water levels.

Gibson Loop – Frontenac Provincial Park

Dave Little continues to lead our trail maintenance of the Gibson Lake Loop in FPP. This is a 13km trail starting at the end of Hardwood Bay that heads through beautiful wetlands and small lakes. Once a month, DLA is responsible for clearing the trail, replacing signs, notifying the Park Office of downed trees, etc. It is our way of giving back to our big neighbour on the lake! The trail has affectionately become know as “The Litsky Loop”

Wildlife

Ingrid Sauve reports 6 new loon chicks surviving the Summer, up from just 2 last year. My opin-ion is that the lake’s fauna continues to be stable. The Board may consider a volunteer exten-sion of the opening of bass fishing on parts of the lake e.g. Hardwood Bay following positive studies that have taken place on Charleston and Opinion lakes.

Social Media

Matt Bain provides us with valuable technical support for our social media! I am pleased to an-nounce a new historical article that will shortly be posted to the DLA website on commercial shipping on the lake, by our very own Dr John Gray! There is a reason we have a Steamboat Island! Look for that soon. Following our Littoral Project results, we will also look to expand the website’s section on invasive species. Our FaceBook page continues to gain members, now over 300! I think that about covers things. It has been another very successful year for Devil Lake Associ-ation, made possible by your continued participation. Many thanks!!

Cheers

Tim Gardiner President, DLA 

2024 President’s Spring Update

22 May 2024

Hello Fellow Devil Lake Assn Members!!

Another winter has flown by and we are more than half way through Spring. I hope this update of the Assn finds you well as we enter our 4th year representing all parts of Devil Lake. Recent weather at the lake has been gorgeous, and early May black flies have now departed. Water levels look to be more or less normal for this time of year, and the lake temperature last weekend was 20C/68F.

Your Board met on Sunday and had a very productive meeting. The Assn has another busy year ahead and we look forward to your continued support. As in past years, please kindly renew your membership by using the link on the Devil Lake Assn website;

MEMBERSHIP

Please encourage your neighbours to become members! Last year, our numbers were almost 100 and we would like to exceed that in 2024!

2024 AGM

We have set the date for this year’s AGM for Saturday, July 13 at 3pm. The AGM will be held at the Gardiner cottage (60 Cottontail Lane) and we will organize a potluck social for after the meeting. Details to follow closer to the date! I am very pleased that Dr.

Shelley Arnott, Queen’s University, Dept of Biology, Professor of Aquatic Ecology will be our guest speaker. Shelley and students will be studying the shoreline area of Devil Lake this Summer, as we initiate the South Frontenac Lake Eco-System Grant we were awarded last Fall. More on that later in the update.

Board Members

We are always looking for more DLA members to join the Board. Please consider vol- unteering your time and if interested, let me or our Secretary Paula Nichols know. The

Board is currently 11 with 6 Director terms concluding at the AGM. Indications are that Directors whose terms are expiring would like to continue serving the Assn. As a re- minder, our Directors are;

Roger Brice     (Perth Road, permanent DL resident) Tim Gardiner     (President, Perth Road, seasonal) John Gray      (Mill Pond, seasonal)

Chuck Higgins   (Hardwood Bay, seasonal)

Tony Jones     (Treasurer, Perth Road, permanent) Dave Little     (Green’s Bay, permanent)

Tom Myatt     (Buce Bay, permanent)

Paula Nichols    (Secretary, Perth Road & Group of Islands, seasonal) Andrew Perrett   (Kingston, General Member)

Ingrid Sauve     (West Devil Lake, WDLPOG liaison, permanent) Jana Svec      (Perth Road, seasonal)

So, we are well represented from all parts of the lake, with permanent and seasonal residents. If you see a Director, please thank him/her for the time volunteered to the DLA!

Financial Update

With a big shout out to Treasurer Tony Jones, the Assn finances are in great shape! Lake Eco-System funds received from South Frontenac were put towards a GIC and cash and GIC balances are $14k. We anticipate $7k of this to go towards the comple- tion of the Lake Eco-System project.

South Frontenac Lake Eco-System Grant Update

We are so excited to move ahead with the Devil Lake Littoral Region* Study, using 3:1 South Frontenac : DLA funding. As previously mentioned, the Study is being headed up by Queen’s University Biologist Shelley Arnott. She is being assisted by two, 4th year Queen’s Biology students. Together, they will be snorkeling designated sections of the shoreline of Devil Lake to check on the health of the eco-system, look for any signs of invasive species, and provide a report to DLA members on Devil Lake’s condition and how we can improve and protect its eco-system going forward. This is such an impor- tant step for the Assn, although I admit I am a bit anxious about the results!

*The shallow down-sloping shelf of a lake or pond is commonly referred to as the lake’s “littoral zone”. The zone is an area where the water meets the land. Plants here support wildlife such as wading birds, turtles and crabs. Littoral Zones are crucial components of healthy ecosystems.

Water Quality Monitoring

We will continue to sample 5 areas of the lake, under Ontario’s “Lake Partner Program”. This is headed up by Barb Fisher who samples the water, sends the sam- ples in for analysis, and then does monthly secchi water clarity readings through the Summer/Fall. Areas we test are; beginning of Buce Bay, Salmon Island, Parker Bay, Mill Pond, and opposite the Perth Road boat ramp. We co-ordinate with West Devil Lake Property Owners Group, who tests 3 areas at the head of the lake. Thank you, Barb Fisher!! We are now establishing a good series of data on water quality.

Frontenac Provincial Park – Gibson Lake Trail Maintenance

This is our 2nd year looking after one of FPP’s trail loops, nicknamed the “Litsky Loop” after DLA Director Dave Little, who heads up this initiative. Gibson Lake/Litsky Loop is a 12km hike from the Hardwood Bay campsites and takes about 3 hours. Our respon- sibility is to walk the trail at least once a month, make sure trail markers are visible, clear any fallen brush, and provide a report to the Park Office of any extraordinary maintenance required.

Dave is looking for volunteers to help out. If interested, please email him directly; davidjwlittle@gmail.com

Clean Up the Lake Day

We will be doing a lake clean up on Sat, June 1. This will include Crown Land, espe- cially the 3 campsites (Lost Bay, Salmon Island, Group of Islands), and the Perth Road boat ramp. If you would like to help, please let me know directly; gizgardiner@gmail.- com

Other

• Director Ingrid Sauve reports that loons are just now starting to nest so we hope for stable water levels and low boat wakes!
• the bald eagle is back, and the peregrine falcon
• lots of turtles out sunning!
• Lake trout opens this Saturday, bass opens June 15 (early!)
• St Stephen’s Church, Bedford Mills, will be opening again this year for Wednesday morning services July/August

Think that is all for now! Look forward to seeing you at Devil Lake!! Thank you for being a member of the Devil Lake Association of Frontentac County!

Cheers

Tim