Water Sampling
The
Directors started taking water samples (phosphorus readings) and secchi
disc readings (for clarity) in 1993. These water samples (originally
sent to London Ontario) are now sent to the Ministry of Environment at
Dorset Ontario where records are kept as part of the “Lake partner
Program”. These readings continue to be taken annually and will be
useful tool in monitoring the water quality of Lake Manitou and any
changes that may result due to climate change, development on the lake,
etc.
Shoal Marking
Shoal
markers were positioned on “Acre shoal” and the “Narrows” during the
first year of the associations existence. Since then, additional
markers have been placed in other rocky locations around the lake.
Thanks to the efforts of member volunteers, these markers are placed
and retrieved each spring and fall.
Environmental Stewardship
Since
1993, the LMAA has been dedicated to educating its lake residents about
the benefits of environmental stewardship and sustainable water 
front
living. Early on in the association’s existence, the Manitou River’s
headwaters were identified as needing some restoration as it had
suffered from many years of neglect. It no longer provided adequate
habitat to support aquatic marine life and the spawning beds that were
so vital to the sport fishery of Lake Huron were in disrepair.
Association
volunteers worked a few days each summer for the next three years to
remove broken glass and all forms of rubbish from the river. The
following year, a Ministry Grant allowed the association to hire a local
contractor who provided large equipment as well as boulders & logs
necessary to provide fish protection and narrow the river in some areas
so the spawning beds could be reclaimed.
More
recently, association volunteers have been assisted by a number of
stewardship partners in an effort to restore perch habitat, and build
brook trout spawning beds in Lake Manitou.
