Lake Dalrymple Management Plan year one update

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 – Kawartha Conservation’s Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) team has wrapped up the first year of the Lake Dalrymple Management Plan.

The plan, being completed for the City of Kawartha Lakes, is a four-year (2021-2024) science-based plan that will look at the pressures and challenges currently facing Lake Dalrymple and its surrounding watershed, and develop recommendations and next steps based on those findings in consultation with members of the watershed community.

Throughout the spring, summer and fall months, Kawartha Conservation’s IWM team has been monitoring a number of lake health parameters to develop a baseline for the project. Among the areas the team has been focusing on is water quality and quantity, evaluating aquatic habitat, classifying land and more.

“We’re in the very early stages of gathering the necessary data to help inform decisions moving forward,” said Brett Tregunno, Aquatic Biologist with Kawartha Conservation. “Some of the results we are seeing from the first year of data collection indicates there are lake health challenges related to dissolved oxygen, salt, invasive species, fish populations and shoreline development in particular.”

“Ongoing testing and data gathering in 2022 will be critical in helping to paint a more complete picture,” Tregunno added. “Multiple years-worth of data is necessary to identify average conditions and to get a better idea of how conditions fluctuate.”

As the second year of the lake management plan begins, Kawartha Conservation will continue to focus on monitoring key water quality and quantity parameters, as well as continuing to work closely with the local community to strategize on the best way to identify and address lake health issues and opportunities for improvement.

“Community engagement is vital for the success of the Lake Dalrymple Management Plan,” said Tregunno. “During the first year of the project we have been able to connect with a number of watershed community members virtually, and it’s their first-hand knowledge, experience, and history which helps to provide key information.”

“The community-based information we gather is equally as important as the science-based information we collect through our water sampling. Collectively, this will help to prioritize management actions to ensure a healthy Lake Dalrymple for future generations”.

To learn more about the Lake Dalrymple Management plan please visit the Lake Dalrymple page on the Kawartha Conservation website at kawarthaconservation.com/LakeDalrymple.

Additionally, if you’re interested in providing input or getting involved in the planning process for the plan, please contact Brett Tregunno by email at btregunnno@kawarthaconservation.com or by phone at 705-328-2271 ext. 222.