Water Quality (WQ) testing was performed in March (under ice), May and September in 2024. The results showed that the Kennisis lakes are still in relatively good shape from a water quality perspective with respect to nutrients (Total Phosphorus – one of the nutrient indicators). The spurious measurements that we had in 2023 were suspected to be an anomaly or resulting from contaminated samples did not repeat in 2024.
The Total Phosphorus (TP) results in the east bay of Little Kennisis once again showed more reasonable levels in 2024 than in the recent previous years.
However, historical results for both Water Clarity and Total Phosphorus have shown signs that the Kennisis Lakes Water Quality is degrading (see charts below). The water clarity has decreased in both lakes since the initial Secchi Depth measurements were taken in 1992. Total Phosphorus was trending higher (worse) over various periods in the last 20 years, until the past few years where lower TP (better) has been found in both lakes. This is perhaps good news and will be monitored closely. See the Water Clarity and Total Phosphorus charts below for details. Total Phosphorus levels below 10mg/l are considered good for our lakes and Lake Trout lakes in general.
These results remind us that that we need to continue to focus on preserving our water quality on the Kennisis Lakes. As the representative from the MECP explained, it’s entirely up to us to maintain the health of the water in our lakes – no one will do it for us.
The two most important actions that we can take to keep our lakes healthy are practicing proper maintenance of our septic systems and maintaining natural shorelines on our waterfronts. Both of these are within every property owner’s control, and both are effective at reducing the nutrients entering our lakes.
The KLCOA WQ testing partnership with Woodlands and Waterways EcoWatch (WWEW, a subsidiary of U-Links) continued in 2024. In 2024, the program expanded significantly across Haliburton County where 60 sites and 38 lakes were sampled by WWEW and Lake Association citizen scientists including a reference lake in Haliburton Forest (Stocking Lake). This program represents a broadscale monitoring objective of having water quality data that is comparable across lakes within the County and with neighbouring regions.
See the full 2024 KLCOA WQ report HERE!