Clean your boats, boards, and floating objects every time you visit another lake. The aim is to preserve the quality of the aquatic environment environment and the integrity of the banks by preventing the introduction and spread of invasive alien species from one lake to another. An invasive alien species (IAS) is a plant, animal, or micro-organism (virus, bacterium, or fungus) that is introduced outside its natural range. Its establishment or spread can pose a threat to the environment, or society and it sometimes becomes very difficult to get rid of these intruders. Thorough cleaning of boats and electric motors of any soil, leaves, plants, or roots before they are launched minimizes the risk of contamination from one lake to another. The same applies to canoe, kayak, paddle board or another floating object.

The application of fertilizers on land near streams and lakes is very harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Indeed, these fertilizers contain a lot of phosphorus, a nutrient for plants of all kinds. Rainwater carries phosphorus directly into the lakes and thus feeds the algae and aquatic plants that proliferate. A high level of phosphorus also helps to accelerate the aging of the lake (eutrophication). Having a green grass and free of weeds is too much to pay if it also leads to a green lake of algae and harmful plants!

It is also important to note that organic fertilizers (compost) are not indicated for land adjacent to water bodies. Even if they do not leave chemical residues in the soil, these organic fertilizers contain phosphorus that can enrich the lake in the same way as chemical fertilizers.

Pesticides and herbicides also play the same harmful role for the environment since they are rich in phosphorus. In addition, they contain chemicals that can be dangerous to health and are potentially carcinogenic. The use of pesticides in Québec is overseen by the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC).

In short, it is essential not to use any kind of fertilizer, whether natural or chemical, or any pesticide or herbicide to protect our lakes and prevent them from deteriorating further.

Fertilizers contain nutrients, including phosphorus, which promote faster plant growth. Unfortunately, they also promote the growth of aquatic plants and blue-green algae in lakes and streams.

Several municipalities have already legislated to this effect by banning or strictly controlling the use of chemical or organic fertilizers and pesticides on their territory.

The application of fertilizers on land near streams and lakes is very harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Indeed, these fertilizers contain a lot of phosphorus, a nutrient for plants of all kinds. Rainwater carries phosphorus directly into the lakes and thus feeds the algae and aquatic plants that proliferate. A high level of phosphorus also helps to accelerate the aging of the lake (eutrophication).Having a green grass and free of weeds is too much to pay if it also leads to a green lake of algae and harmful plants!

It is also important to note that organic fertilizers (compost) are not indicated for land adjacent to water bodies. Even if they do not leave chemical residues in the soil, these organic fertilizers contain phosphorus that can enrich the lake in the same way as chemical fertilizers.

Pesticides and herbicides also play the same harmful role for the environment since they are rich in phosphorus. In addition, they contain chemicals that can be dangerous to health and are potentially carcinogenic. The use of pesticides in Québec is overseen by the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC).

In short, it is essential not to use any kind of fertilizer, whether natural or chemical, or any pesticide or herbicide to protect our lakes and prevent them from deteriorating further.

The riparian strip is the edge of natural vegetation that borders a lake. It constitutes a transition zone between the aquatic and terrestrial environments. It is very important not to disturb the riparian strip of vegetation around the entire perimeter of the lake. This strip is a filter against pollution and acts a bit like the filter of an engine by retaining all the sediments, impurities, detritus that would otherwise flow directly to the lake. The mixture of roots and soil produces a natural barrier that plays several extremely important roles for water quality and filters all the runoff that comes from roads, land, the upstream watershed. Provincial regulations exist and are applied by Quebec municipalities. If the tape is disturbed, restoration techniques exist.

Making a campfire too close to the lake, in the riparian strip or on the beach generates residual ash that will eventually be washed away by rainwater or waves. In doing so, the ash generates significant amounts of nutrients such as phosphates, nitrates, and potash as well as pollutants such as heavy metals. These nutrients promote the proliferation of algae and aquatic plants and contribute to its aging. It is for this reason that it is strongly advised to avoid making a campfire on the coast (where the waters of the lake can submerge the land). Several municipalities have already legislated to this effect. To avoid the risk of fire and pollution of waterways, it is therefore strongly recommended to use metal fireplaces specifically designed for wood fires away from the riparian strip. It is not recommended to make open fires, directly on the ground and spread the ashes or leave them on the spot.

The easiest way is to dispose of the ash in an environmentally friendly way by depositing the cooled ash in a paper bag or in a certified biodegradable bag and putting it in the garbage.

Behind the bright colors of the fireworks, it’s a whole cocktail of chemicals exploding. A fireworks display consists essentially of black powder used as fuel, composed of coal, sulfur and saltpeter, as well as an oxidizing agent (most often potassium perchlorate). There are also fine metal particles that give their colors to fireworks. Blue comes for example from copper, red from strontium or lithium, and bright green or white from barium. These substances can cause significant health problems.

When it exploded, the bomb released millions of fine particles of heavy metals into the atmosphere that generate significant pollution, much higher than that caused by car traffic. The particles thus released are deposited in the environment and in our lakes. Phosphorus is another released substance that persists in our lakes and affects vegetation and fish. The combustion of the black powder also leads to a significant release of CO2.

The studies to date on the subject are not yet numerous and do not all agree on the impacts on human and environmental health. The big difference between fireworks for urban or competitive shows and private fireworks is that the latter are often fired at low altitudes. Not having time to disperse into the atmosphere, their metal and chemical compounds fall very quickly into the water and line the sediments at the bottom of our lakes. Added to this is noise pollution for our neighbors, the risk of fire and stress in animals. For these reasons, several waterfront municipalities now prohibit the use of fireworks or the regulation of strict regulations requiring permits or limiting the use to certain holidays. It is therefore better to abstain because the short-lived pleasure provided by fireworks has consequences on the quality of the water that they are not short-lived.

Since wood is an organic substance, it enters a biological cycle that will irreparably lead to degradation of its substance. This degradation occurs when the wood is exposed to mold, insects, or bacteria. To counter and slow down this phenomenon, various treatments involving the use of chemical substances can be carried out. The purpose of these treatments is to preserve and protect the pieces of wood to slow down their biological degradation. However, all chemicals used in the treatment or preservation of wood have toxicological characteristics because of the substances they contain (including arsenic, chromium, copper, boron, pentachlorophenol [PCP] and creosote).

The main concerns about the use of treated wood in the aquatic environment concern the effects of leaching of preservatives on aquatic organisms and water quality. To limit the release of deleterious substances into surface waters, the use of any chemically treated wood in the aquatic environment is not desirable where alternatives exist. As indicated in the “GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TREATED WOOD” of the MDDLCC, works arranged in an aquatic environment must be made with materials other than treated wood, either with wood naturally resistant to putrefaction such as cedar (cedar), larch and hemlock, or with plastic materials, metal, cement, or composite materials.

When in contact with water, it happens that a microscopic parasite, called a cercaria, penetrates under the skin and causes rashes and itching. Its presence comes from waterfowl carrying the parasite. Feeding the ducks encourages their presence and increases the risk of contact with this parasite during our swims