BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) 206 - 1889 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 5V5 Phone: 250.717.1212 Fax: 250.717.1226 Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES E-mail: [email protected] Visit us on the web: www.bclss.org
Volume 15, Issue 1 April 2012 2012 Conference Explores the Deep, Dark and Blue
T he BCLSS and the Slocan Lake Stewardship Society (SLSS) are pleased to announce that registration for this year’s confer- ence is now open! The conference will be held on June 8 - 10, 2012 in the beautiful villages Silverton and New Denver. Silver- ton is located on the eastern shore of Slocan Lake, approxi- mately 96 km north of Nelson and 51 km south east of Nakusp. New Denver is located 5 km north of Silverton.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Deep, Dark and Blue: Exploring the Mysteries of Lakes”, and reflects the mysterious side of lakes and will address issues surrounding but not limited to large lakes such as Slocan Lake and Kootenay Lake.
The weekend will kick off with a Friday night wine and cheese social at the Heart’s Rest, featuring organic wines from Summer- Photo credit: Emma Rose Lesnik hill Pyramid Winery. Saturday is a full day of presentations, discussions and displays. The conference agenda (see page 2) will feature presentations on a variety of topics including the unique nature of Slocan Lake, invasive species, lake classification and mapping project and land use management. These presentations will provide attendees with insight into challenges faced by both large and small lakes across the province. The conference will feature an open discussion with a panel of experts involved in In this issue... different aspects of lake management plan- ning. The day will conclude with an intriguing talk from John Pollack on uncovering under- APRIL‘S FEATURES PAGE water secrets of shipwrecks in Kootenay
Lake, as well as a variety of local entertain- 2012 BCLSS Conference 1 - 4 ment organized by the SLSS group. Volunteer Nomination 5 2012 Earth Day 5 Two Sunday field trip will be offered to atten- dees: the north option will be led by local fish New Zealand Mud Snails in BC 6 - 8 biologist David DeRosa and will include a tour Living Lakes Canada Gathering 9 of the Bonanza marsh/wetland area; the Ice-Off 2012 11 south option will be led by local Streamkeep- ers Director Jennifer Yeow and will include BCLSS BUSINESS UPDATE PAGE stops at Slocan City, mill site beach restora- tion and the spawning sites at the mouth of BCLSS Membership / Sponsorship Form 10 the Slocan River. Announcements 12
Sunset at Lac La Hache (Photo credit: Wendy Paré) continued on p. 3….
1 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 continued from p. 1….
continued on p. 3….
2 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 continued from p. 1….
Thank you to our generous funders and donors: Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Director Walter Popoff (Area H) and the Corporation of the Village of Slocan.
To download additional registration forms, or if you have any questions or require more information, please feel free to A visit the BCLSS website (http://www.bclss.org/newsevents/events/186-conference-2012.html),7 or call 1-877-BC
LAKES. y 9 w H We look forward to seeing you there!
Conference Venue Location
Heart’s Rest: (6912 Hwy 6, New Denver, BC, 250-358-7904) Located on an unmarked dirt road off Hwy #6 in New Denver. Turn east immediately south of the Carpenter Creek Bridge on the unmarked dirt road. Take an immediate right away from the creek. Follow the road up the hill; when it splits, stay to the left, following the signs to “6912, Meier- DesCamp”. At the crest of the hill, the road splits again; the Meier-DesCamp sign is on the left. Take that left-hand fork down the driveway to Heart’s Rest.
Silverton Memorial Hall: (203 Lake Avenue, Silverton, BC) Silverton Memorial Hall is located on Hwy 6 (also known as Lake Avenue) in Silverton BC. Silverton is approximately 5 km south of New Denver.
Accommodation
Vlla Dome Quixote: (602 6th Avenue, Hwy 31 A, New Denver, BC, 250-358-7242, www.domequixote.com) The Villa Dome Quixote has a number of room options in the main dome, as well as private cottage domes (that are pet friendly!). They are offering BCLSS conference attendees accommodations at a reduced rate, based on last season’s prices. Please book your room as soon as possible as they are only available on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE basis!
William Hunter Cabins: (303 Lake Ave., Silverton, BC 250-358-2647, www.williamhuntercabins.com) Located within walking distance to the Silverton Memorial Hall, the William Hunter Cabins are also offering a 10% discount to BCLSS conference attendees. Please note, there are only 2 cabins (divided into four suites) available, so book early!
Billeting Option: The Slocan Lake Stewardship Society has graciously offered to coordinate billeting for conference at- tendees! If you are interested in the billeting option, please contact Sally Hammond at [email protected].
Sweet Dreams Guesthouse: (702 Eldorado St., New Denver, BC, 250-358-2415, www.newdenverbc.com) The Sweet Dreams Guesthouse has 5 rooms, which can accommodate a number of guests.
Glacier View Cabins: (corner of Hwy 6 and 8th Ave., New Denver, BC, 250-358-7277, www.glacierviewcabins.blogspot.ca) Various cabin options are available.
New Denver Municipal Campground: (1-3rd Ave., New Denver BC, 250-358-2316) Located on the south side of New Denver. Offers 8 serviced and 36 unserviced campsites, flush toilets, showers, etc. No reservations. Rates range from $20-25.
Rosebery Provincial Park: (Hwy 6, New Denver, BC, http://www.westkootenayparks.com) Located on the shores of Slocan Lake, 3 km north of New Denver. Drinking water, pit toilets, fire rings. Rate is $16/night.
Silverton Campground: (at the foot of Leadville Street, Silverton, BC, 250-358-2472, http://www.silverton.ca/rec/ Camping.html) Separated into two locations, Lakeside and Creekside. Lakeside is primarily for tents and smaller camp- ers, while the Creekside location can accommodate RVs and trailers. Washroom and shower facilities available. Book- ings can be made through the Village of Silverton Office (phone number listed above). Rates are $18-25/night.
continued on p. 4…. 3 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 continued from p. 3….
Overview Map New Denver, BC
Silverton, BC Partner Program
T he Slocan Lake Stewardship Society will be organiz- ing activities for the spouses and partners of conference attendees who do not wish to attend the conference themselves. These activities will include: Self-guided arts tour Walking/hiking tour (light to moderate intensity) Guided boat tour of Slocan Lake ($20 per per- son)
If you are interested in participating in the Partner Pro- gram, or for more information, please contact Mike Lesnik at 250-358-7956 or [email protected].
More details will be posted on the BCLSS website as they become available. Stay tuned!
Thank you to our Generous Sponsors: Regional District Central Kootenay (Areas D and H), Village of Slocan
4 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 2012 Volunteer Awards: Submit Your Nomination!
I ndividuals and/or groups are recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts that demon- strate the Society’s fundamental values - preservation, protection and restoration of lakes throughout British Columbia. The BCLSS Volunteer Award elevates the awareness and impor- tance of how education, monitoring programs, restoration projects, and “environmentally friendly” living contribute to the BCLSS’s success in achieving its mission and vision for BC lakes.
Nomination forms are available at: www.bclss.org/newsevents/. The deadline to receive nomi- nations is Friday May 25, 2012.
Please submit nominations to the BCLSS office by mail to #206-1889 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 5V5, or by email to [email protected]. Earth Day Celebrations: April 22nd, 2012
C elebrated every April 22nd, Earth Day is the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. More than 6 million Canadians join 1 billion people in over 170 countries in staging events and projects to address local envi- ronmental issues. Nearly every school child in Canada takes part in an Earth Day activity. Environmental challenges abound as our daily actions pollute and degrade the fragile environment that humans and wildlife depend on to sur- vive.
Earth Day provides the opportunity for positive actions and results. First launched as an envi- ronmental awareness event in the United States in 1970, Earth Day (April 22) is celebrated as the birth of the environmental movement.
Earth Day is a powerful catalyst for change. The first Earth Day, spearheaded by Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson and Harvard University student Denis Hayes, involved 20 million par- ticipants in teach-ins that addressed decades of environmental pollution. The event inspired the US Congress to pass clean air and water acts, and establish the Environmental Protection Agency to research and monitor environmental issues and enforce environmental laws.
In 1990, two million Canadians joined 200 million people in 141 nations in celebrating the first International Earth Day. In many countries, the global event brought pressure on heads of state to take part in the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to address issues such as cli- mate change and the world wide loss of species.
In Canada, Earth Day has grown into Earth Week and even Earth Month to accommodate the profusion of events and projects. They range from large public events, such as Victoria’s Earth Walk (5,000 partici- pants), Edmonton’s Earth Day Festival at Hawrelak Park (30,000 participants), and Oakville, Ontario’s Waterways Clean-up (2,000 participants) to the thousands of small, private events staged by schools, employee groups and community groups.
If you are interested in participating in an Earth Day event, or are involved in planning an event and would like to register your event on the Earth Day website, please visit www.earthday.ca. So far, there are 35 events listed on the Earth Day website, though there are likely many more occur- ring within your community!
Do your part to protect our environment through partici- pating in or organizing an Earth Day event this year!
5 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 New Zealand Mud Snails Appear in BC
Source: New Zealand Mud Snail brochure (see end of article for full reference) A vacationing Oregon researcher recognized the sinister snail in the Somass River estuary last June. He found a small population (less than 20) under woody debris in the midlow intertidal area. Its pres- ence was later confirmed by scientists at the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. Potamopyrgus an- tipodarum, the New Zealand mud snail (NZMS), had arrived in B.C.
In many ways, the NZMS is the perfect invader. Introduced populations typically consist of cloned females. They are born with developing, fertile eggs. A single snail can produce a new population. The young emerge as fully-formed snails, about 1 mm long; they may look like sprinkled black pepper among the adults. At 3 mm, they are sexually ma- ture. The NZMS may grow only to 6 mm in size, but their strength is in numbers. This miniature men- ace can quickly reach densities of more than New Zealand mud snail. One snail can produce a new colony 100,000 per square metre. Densities as high as 800,000/m² have been recorded.
NZMS can live practically anywhere. They inhabit large rivers, small streams, lakes, wetlands and estuaries. Their habitats encompass wide ranges of temperature, flow conditions, substrates, salinities (up to 24%) and disturbance regimes. They have been documented emerging through domestic water taps and blocking water pipes.
NZMS graze on diatoms (a microscopic algae), detritus (decaying plant and animal material), and periphyton (attached algae). These are also choice foods for caddisflies and other invertebrates which support our treasured fisheries. Introduced NZMS have no known predators or parasites. They are known to pass through fish intact and alive, providing no nutritional value and catching a ride to a new home. continued on p. 7….
6 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 continued from p. 6….
ATTACK OF THE CLONES Port Alberni represents the northernmost record for NZMS in western North America. Indigenous to New Zealand and its adjacent islands, the snails have found their way to Australia (1895), Japan, western Europe including Great Britain (1859), and North America (1987). Three different clones have been identified in the United States. Two clones in the western states are presumed to have originated with commercial movement of aquaculture products from New Zea- land or Australia to Idaho. The eastern U.S. clone probably came from Europe to the Great Lakes in ballast water (1991). There are now 59 infected drainages in the U.S. The nearest is the lower Columbia River.
VECTORS AND PATHWAYS OF SPREAD There are numerous vectors, or carriers of NZMS, which contribute to their introduction and spread. Fish hatcheries and stocking operations Boats, trailers and anchors Anglers, swimmers and other recrea- tional water users and their gear. These include users who cross watercourses with horses, ATVs and mountain bikes. Natural resource management activities such as riparian area assessments and snorkel surveys Equipment and personnel engaged in in -stream work (Water Act Section 9 “Changes in and about a Stream”) such as culvert or bridge installations. Firefighting equipment, particularly wa- ter bucket transport Commercial shipping – discharge of Relative size of NZ mud snails ballast water or attached to surfaces Aquatic plant trade and collections Transport by fish, wildlife, pets and livestock Storm drains, when infected equipment, etc. are washed. Transport by water flow. NZ mud snails can float at the surface or cling to the underside of the surface film. They can raft on floating algae or woody debris, and may exhibit “drifting behaviour” in flowing conditions. Volitional or deliberate movement. NZMS is capable of moving at speeds exceeding 1 metre per hour.
Introductions across broad landscapes are most likely to stem from human mechanisms of transport, rather than from natural modes of dispersal.
INSPECT AND CLEAN BOATS AND ‘IN-STREAM WORKS’ EQUIPMENT Remove all vegetation, mud and visible organisms, before leaving an infected area. Since NZMS may have already dis- persed into areas outside of the Somass River estuary, habitual cleaning of boats and equipment will go a long way to preventing the spread of NZMS in British Columbia. Thorough drying between uses is recommended.
continued on p. 8….
7 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 continued from p. 7…. CLEAN FISH ONSITE Clean fish before leaving the vicinity, and destroy any snails found in the digestive tract. Alternatively, note the catch site (e.g. on a map or with GPS) and preserve snails in alcohol for scientific data collection.
BRUSH, THEN FREEZE OR HEAT FIELD GEAR Infected field gear (e.g. waders) is one of NZMS’ best ways to get around. Avoid allowing infected gear to come into contact with interior surfaces of vehicles or camping gear. NZMS can be transferred to any surface they come in con- tact with and they could later by transferred back to cleaned gear. After removing all mud and debris with a stiff brush, field gear can be de-snailed in a number of ways.
A. Freeze for 8 hours or more. B. Place in 120°F or 49°C for a few minutes. Snails can survive at 110°F or 43°C, so the water temperature needs to be accurate. C. Dry at 86°F or 30°C for at least 24 hours or at 104° F or 40°C for at least 2 hours. When most clean- ing solutions reach con- centrations high enough to kill NZMS, they tend to damage gear.
BRUSH AND WASH YOUR PETS Use water as warm as they can tolerate.
INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT IN YOUR AREA The green dots on the map be- low show where New Zealand Mud Snail (NZMS) presence has been confirmed. They are thought to have been introduced by a boat travelling overland from infected waters in the U.S.
However, this is based on limited survey information. More data is required to determine the extent of NZMS in the Somass River system and nearby drainages. The urgent need to find out where they are must be balanced with precautions to reduce the risk of spread. Please read the Invasive Species Alert bulletin before you look for NZMS and ensure you will not be inadvertently moving them to new locations. If you think you have found NZMS, please note their location, collect a few individuals and immediately preserve them in alcohol. Do not transport live snails. Please contact Gra- ham Gillespie or Tom Therriault at Pacific Biological Station 250-756-7000 Mary Lake for further information.
Source: DFO. 2008. New Zealand Mud Snails. Invasive Species Alert. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo. 3 p.
8 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 Living Lakes Canada Gathering and Red Zone III Community Forum
Source: www.livinglakes.ca O n May 22nd - 24th, 2012, lake stewardship groups will come together in Winnipeg, MB to inspire change for the most eutrophic large lake in the world.
The Living Lakes Canada gathering is being held in conjunction with the Red Zone III Community Forum. Past panels have drawn noteworthy public attention, featuring internationally respected authorities such as Dr. David Schindler and Dr. Robert Hecky.
The Lake Winnipeg watershed covering nearly 1 mil- lion square kilometers, stretches from the Rocky Mountains to Lake Superior. The watershed drains agricultural fields, livestock farms, and has 6.5 million residents living in it.
Excess nutrients from human activities in the water- shed enter Lake Winnipeg, contributing to eutrophica- tion and symptomatic toxic algal blooms.
Living Lakes Canada is part of an International network of more than 80 Non-Governmental Organizations who have been working to maintain and restore the health of lakes around the world.
The gathering will be held at the Radisson Hotel downtown Winnipeg and will cover topics such as: The Panel will feature experts such as Hank Venema, Greg McCullough, Shannon Stunden Bower, and Dave Lobb Red Zone III forum will examine causes and impacts of the increased frequency of Red River and Assiniboine River flooding on Lake Winnipeg, and the substantial challenges to alleviate the situation Screening of The Nature of Things episode “Save My Lake” and talk with producer Paul Kemp Launch of the “I Love My Lake” campaign Local field site visits An opportunity to network and exchange ideas with Living Lakes Canada and Living Lakes International members
Featured Speaker: Allan Casey, journalist and author of the Governor General’s Award Winning book, Lakeland: Ballad of a Freshwater Country.
Living Lakes Canada is hoping to offer travel bursaries for their members.
To view the full agenda or to register, please visit: http://www.livinglakes.ca/gathering.
If you have any questions, please contact the Living Lakes Canada office at 250-341-6898.
Lakeshore Environmental Ltd. Don Holmes, MSc., RPBio., QEP 2008 Paul Lake Rd. Kamloops, BC V2H 1N8 Phone: 250.573.2928 Cell: 250.371.1472
9 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 Thank you to our generous funders...
BC Gaming Commission
Become a BCLSS Member or Sponsor
Sponsorship Information Benefits of Becoming a Member:
Corporate sponsorship of the BCLSS has many benefits! Donations will be gratefully acknowledged with either a tax- Quarterly newsletters deductible receipt or a non-tax-deductible receipt with the Monthly e-newsletter, the Loonie News following benefits: Training and support Assistance from Director in local region Platinum ‐ $1000 Monitoring insurance for volunteers Advertisement (1/2 page) in quarterly newsletter Annual conference and workshops Logo, link, company description on BCLSS website, Part of an extensive network of lake stewards and 4 full memberships (if desired) Access to extensive limnological library Exhibition space and 2 full BCLSS Conference reg- istrations Listing at events attended by BCLSS Don’t delay—sign up today! Framed certificate
Gold ‐ $500
Advertisement (1/3 page) in quarterly newsletter To become a BCLSS member or sponsor, fill out this form Logo, link, company description on BCLSS website and return it to BCLSS with a cheque or money order, and 3 full memberships (if desired) payable to BC Lake Stewardship Society: $10 student, Exhibition space and 1 full BCLSS Conference reg- $20 individual, $40 group or your sponsorship amount. istration Listing at events attended by BCLSS Name: Certificate suitable for framing Mailing Address: Silver ‐ $250 Phone: Advertisement (1/6 page) in quarterly newsletter Logo, link on BCLSS website, 2 full memberships Fax:
Exhibition space at BCLSS Conference Email: Listing at events attended by BCLSS Other information: Bronze ‐ $100
Listing, link on BCLSS website, 1 full membership Listing (business card size) in quarterly newsletter
10 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 Spring 2012 Ice Off Data
A re you planning on recording ice-on and ice-off dates this year? To download ice data sheets and protocol, please visit the BCLSS website at http:// www.bclss.org/library/library/cat_view/95-data- collection-forms-and-protocols.html. The ice data forms are provided in printable PDF or Microsoft Excel formats. If you are planning on submitting your data by email, please use the Microsoft Excel format.
Please submit your data to the BCLSS office by mail at #206 - 1889 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 5V5, or by email at [email protected]. Thank you!!
A.G. Appel Enterprises Ltd. A business that supports and promotes lake stewardship
1145 Gordon Drive Kelowna, BC
250.860.1211
11 Volume 15, Issue 1 BC Lake Stewardship Society April 2012 Share Your Regional BCLSS Contacts
Information With Us!! Cariboo Bonnie Winter, 108 Mile Ranch 250.791.9240 Norm Zirnhelt, Williams Lake 250.392.7995 O ne of the primary objectives of the BC Lake Steward- ship Society is to provide a public forum to discuss infor- Kootenays mation on specific lakes and watersheds, lake conserva- Brian Nickurak, Invermere 250.341.3738 tion issues/concepts and educational programs relevant Susanne Ashmore, Wasa Lake 250.422.3547 to British Columbia’s freshwater resources. Lower Mainland The BC Lake Stewardship Society Board of Directors wel- Irene Calbick, Burnaby 604.522.0024 comes written submissions, whether short articles, adver- tisements, or photos/figures relevant to British Columbia’s Okanagan lakes from both BCLSS members and the community at Darryl Arsenault, Kelowna 250.860.8424 large. If you have information on BC’s lakes, please for- ward it to us for publication in our quarterly newsletter. The Smithers/North Coast BC Lake Stewardship Society Editor will be pleased to as- Lisa Torunski 250.847.1484 sist you with your submission upon request. Thompson-Nicola Please send articles and lake information to: Don Holmes, Kamloops 250.573.2928 Marge Sidney, Kamloops 250.371.6346 206 - 1889 Springfield Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 5V5 Vancouver Island Dr. Rick Nordin, Victoria 250.656.7191 Phone: 250.717.1212 Eric Bonham, Victoria 250.474.5252 Toll Free: 1.877 BC LAKES Kevin Rieberger, Victoria 250.387.1188 Fax: 250.717.1226 Deborah Epps, Nanaimo 250.751.3146
Email: [email protected] Announcements
LakeKeepers Manuals Available
The BCLSS office has a lim- ited number of LakeKeepers manuals available for pur- chase ($45 for members, $75 for non-members). Addi- tionally, we plan to finalize and print Chapter 6 (Aquatic Plant Surveys) in the coming months. This chapter will be distributed to all previous Welcome New Members purchasers of the manual.
Please join us in welcoming our new BCLSS members: We have just recently completed another printing of Judi McIntosh, Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association the LakeKeepers manual. Please contact the BCLSS office if you are interested in purchasing a manual for yourself of your group!
12