Sensitive areas

Oversized waves and the passage of motors in the seagrass beds or in the shallow bays have direct as well as visible effects which can be seen by the naked eye.

On an experimental basis, Blue Massawippi has identified sensitive areas and encourages boaters to avoid them or to use them at low speeds with great moderation. In most sensitive areas, these rules also ensure greater safety.

To find out where you are in real time on the lake and in what zone, download the Ondago app to your phone. 

Awareness

Intelligent Boating is first and foremost a vast awareness operation. Courtesy, safety, and respect are the bases of boating management.

To harmonize boating and the environment, the rules are the same.

Respecting the lake, its weaknesses, and its vulnerabilities goes without saying. Blue Massawippi works tirelessly to pass on this message by informing boaters of the dangers.

The Blue patrol is on duty about twenty hours a week during busy periods. Blue Massawippi informs boaters at the boat launches, in the parks, through its publications, and via social media.

Scientific Research

To support its findings, Blue Massawippi maintains a strict research protocol. Phase 2 studies the impact of waves on turbidity.

In simple terms, we believe that the cumulative energy of the constant waves caused by the boats would cause the suspension of sediments in the water column.

We know that the sediments trap a significant concentration of phosphorus, the main enemy of the lake, however, it is the waves that release it.

A lake, in theory, is not agitated other than in stormy weather.

After 2 years of analysis, we are suggesting that the large boat circulation causes a permanent artificial storm within the lake, which has consequences. We are working to find solutions.

Recommendations

This research would be useless if we did not have the objective of improving things.

We know that navigation is under federal jurisdiction, so that's where we have to work.

Blue Massawippi sits on the Regional Recreational Boating Council (Quebec Chapter), attends meetings of the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) and maintains, with the support of the Federation of Quebec Municipalities, the Union of Quebec Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, its support for the initiative to modernize the federal regulations. This change will allow municipalities to manage their lakes more quickly and adequately.

With this experience, we have the ear of Transport Canada and our results are being heard. Our recommendations, the proposed solutions, will be able to bring details to phase 2 of the modification of the regulations which are expected to be completed in 2022.

Cameras count traffic at 15 selected locations.

Using the Van Dorn cylinder, water samples are taken at the same location, morning and evening on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The anemometer allows us to consider the impact of the wind.

The information, including the weather conditions, is rigorously noted on laboratory sheets.

The visual examination, the nature of the soil, the presence or not of cyanobacteria completes the visit report of each location.

The collected water is bottled for analysis.

In our lab, each sample is tested with a turbidimeter and then put in the refrigerator.

Final step, the samples are sent to the GRIL UQAM, for phosphorus analysis.