1.
2015
Analyzing
Water
Quality
Parameters
to
Assess
Lake
Health
on
Kushog
Lake,
Ontario.
Community
Based
Research
in
Geography
4030Y
Trent
University
in
partnership
with
U-­‐Links
Haliburton.
2014-­‐2015
Prepared
for:
Kushog
Lake
Property
Owners
Association
Township
of
Algonquin
Highlands
Halliburton
Ontario
Prepared
by:
Caitlyn
Bondy
and
Emily
McDonald
Trent
University
Peterborough,
Ontario
K9J
7B8

2. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
1
Table
of
Contents
Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................3
Contact
List………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
1.1 Project
Overview
and
Scope………………………………………………………………………………….5-­‐6
1.2 Research
Questions……………………………………………………………………………………………….6-­‐7
1.3 Framing
Research
and
Defining
Lake
Health
…………………………………………………………7-­‐9
2.0 Background………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10
2.1 Location
and
Physical
Characteristics
of
Kushog
Lake……………………………………………..10
2.2 Hydrology
and
Watershed
Characteristics………………………………………………………………10
2.2.1
Gull
River
Watershed………………………………………………………………………………..10-­‐13
2.2.2
Kushog
Lake
Watershed
………………………………………………………………………………..14
2.3 Climate
and
Precipitation………………………………………………………………………………….14-­‐17
2.4 Residential
and
Recreational
Uses
of
Kushog
Lake…………………………………………….17-­‐19
2.5 Fisheries…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….19-­‐20
3.0 Current
State
of
Knowledge
on
Lake
Ecosystems
……………………………………………………………...21
3.1 The
Lake
Environment…………………………………………………………………………………………….21
3.1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………….21
3.1.2 Lake
Thermal
Structure……………………………………………………………………21-­‐22
3.1.3 Lake
Habitats
and
Food
Chains…………………………………………………………23-­‐24
3.2 Nutrient
Dynamics………………………………………………………………………………………………….24
3.2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………….24
3.2.2 Phosphorous……………………………………………………………………………………24-­‐26
3.2.3 Nitrogen……………………………………………………………………………………………….26
3.2.4 Calcium…………………………………………………………………………………………….26-­‐27
3.2.5 Dissolved
Organic
Carbon
and
Wetlands………………………………………....27-­‐28
4.0 Lake
Health
and
Water
Quality
Assessment……………………………………………………………………….28
4.1 Synthesis
of
Kushog
Research………………………………………………………………………………..28
4.1.1 Reports…………………………………………………………………………………………….29-­‐31
4.1.2 Data
Collection…………………………………………………………………………………31-­‐33
4.1.3 Summary
Table………………………………………………………………………………..34-­‐35
4.2 Regional
Comparison
of
Lake
Water
Quality
Parameters………………………………………..35
4.2.1 Gull
River
Watershed……………………………………………………………………….35-­‐42

3. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
2
4.3 Water
Quality
Guidelines
Comparison……………………………………………………………………42
4.3.1 Recreational…………………………………………………………………………………….42-­‐44
4.3.2 Protection
for
Aquatic
Life
………………………………………………………………44-­‐45
4.3.3 Drinking
Water
Standards
……………………………………………………………….46-­‐47
4.4 Benthic
Invertebrates
and
Biological
Indicators………………………………………………...48-­‐51
5.0 Interpretation
and
Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………....51
5.1 Interpretation
of
Lake
Water
Quality
Parameters……………………………………………..51-­‐53
5.2 Water
Quality
Guidelines
Interpretation……..……………………………………………………......53
6.0 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………………………..54-­‐55
References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....56-­‐58

4. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
3
Acknowledgements
The
authors
of
this
report
would
like
to
thank
Norma
Goodger
and
Dagmar
Boettcher
for
proposing
this
project
and
allowing
us
to
put
our
best
efforts
into
the
assignment,
as
it
has
proven
to
be
an
excellent
experience
for
both
of
us.
We
would
also
like
to
thank
the
entire
U-­‐
Links
team
that
has
essentially
made
this
all
happen,
with
a
special
thanks
to
Emma
Horrigan
who
has
provided
support
throughout
the
project.
Lastly,
we
would
like
to
thank
the
Trent
University
Geography
staff,
particularly
Professor
Cheryl
McKenna-­‐Neuman
and
Catherine
Eimers
who’s
expertise
and
encouragement
was
highly
valuable
for
the
completion
of
this
work.
It
is
our
hope
that
this
research
will
help
the
Kushog
Lake
Properties
Owners
Association
continue
the
excellent
stewardship
of
their
lake
environment.

5. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
4
Contact
List
Host
Organization:
Dagmar
Boettcher
Kushog
Lake
Property
Owners
Association.
dagmar@interhop.ca
705-­‐457-­‐5968
Norma
Goodger
Kushog
Lake
Property
Owners
Association.
norma.goodger@sympatico.ca
705-­‐489-­‐2966
U-­‐Links
Host:
Emma
Horrigan.
Box
655
Minden,
Ontario
ehorrigan.ulinks@bellnet.ca
1-­‐877-­‐527-­‐2411;
705-­‐286-­‐2411
Trent
Faculty:
Cheryl
McKenna-­‐Neuman.
Department
of
Geography
at
Trent
University.
cmckneuman@trentu.ca
Catherine
Eimers
Department
of
Geography
at
Trent
University
c.eimers@trentu.ca
Benthic
Monitoring
Scientist:
Chris
Jones
Dorset
Environmental
Science
Centre.
f.chris.jones@ontario.ca
705
766
1724

6. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
5
1.0 Introduction
In
fulfillment
of
the
requirements
for
a
course
based
project
(GEOG
4030Y)
at
Trent
University,
Emily
McDonald
and
Caitlyn
Bondy
in
partnership
with
the
Haliburton
Center
for
Community
Based
Research,
were
retained
by
the
Kushog
Lake
Property
Owners
Association
(KLOPA)
to
conduct
a
review,
summarization,
consolidation
and
interpretation
of
various
water
quality
monitoring
programs
and
the
data
produced
by
them
for
Kushog
Lake.
KLOPA
expressed
a
desire
to
understand
what
the
monitoring
data
indicate
in
terms
of
the
health
of
their
lake.
The
key
sources
of
Kushog
data
in
this
project
include
those
from
the
Lake
Partnership
Program,
in
addition
to
supplementary
data
and
reports
from
the
Ministry
of
Environment,
Glenside
Ecological
Services
and
KLOPA.
The
documents
and
data
sources
which
have
been
produced
specifically
for
Kushog
and
which
serve
as
the
foundation
for
this
project,
are
outlined
in
full
within
section
4.0
of
this
report.
The
KLOPA
expressed
interest
in
this
work
as
part
of
their
mandate
to
be
responsible
stewards
of
their
lake
environment
and
to
ensure
the
continued
sustainability
of
the
environment
for
generations
to
come.
They
have
expressed
concerns
over
potential
impacts
related
to
shoreline
development,
water
level
fluctuations
and
regional
water
quality
trends.
In
addition
to
interpreting
the
current
monitoring
data
and
geographic
reports
available,
KLOPA
was
interested
in
receiving
recommendations
for
prioritizing
future
water
quality
monitoring
efforts.
1.1
Project
Scope
and
Overview
This
report
aims
to
address
the
following
key
research
questions:
• What
do
existing
water
quality
data
for
Kushog
Lake
suggest
in
terms
of
current
lake
health?
How
do
we
define
lake
health?

7. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
6
• Is
there
any
evidence
in
the
existing
water
quality
data
for
Kushog
Lake
that
would
suggest
(1)
an
overall
pattern
or
trend
leading
to
decline
in
lake
health,
or
(2)
a
current
issue
with
lake
health?
• Using
peer-­‐reviewed
literature,
government
documents/established
guidelines,
can
we
identify
any
upcoming
concerns
for
which
it
would
be
prudent
to
include
or
establish
new
water
quality
parameters
to
monitor?
• What
water
quality
parameters
or
indicators
should
be
prioritized
for
continued
monitoring
on
Kushog
Lake
to
ensure
the
conservation
and
preservation
of
the
natural
lake
environment?
To
focus
the
analysis
of
Kushog
Lake
water
quality
data,
a
methodology
was
designed
to
explain
and
answer
the
aforementioned
research
questions
in
the
context
of
background
information
about
Kushog
Lake,
general
lake
ecology
and
water
quality.
This
report
does
not
directly
address
the
issue
of
water
level
draw-­‐downs
and
fluctuations.
It
is
likely
that
this
should
be
an
area
of
further
research,
using
if
possible
the
foundation
established
by
this
report.
There
is
additional
information
related
to
sediment
profiles
for
the
lake,
which
are
not
covered
in
detail
in
this
report,
but
have
been
discussed
in
other
documents.
1.2
Research
Goals
and
Deliverables
The
research
goals
and
deliverables
for
this
project:
• Conduct
a
review,
summarization,
consolidation
and
interpretation
of
existing
water
quality
monitoring
data
on
Kushog
Lake
as
related
to
lake
health
• Create
a
‘Lake
Fact
Sheets’
which
aid
in
interpreting
the
water
quality
data
and
serve
as
a
communication
tool
to
inform
KLOPA
on
the
status
of
lake
health.

8. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
7
• Provide
recommendations
for
the
prioritization
of
future
monitoring
efforts
aimed
at
ensuring
the
conservation
and
preservation
of
the
natural
lake
environment.
1.3
Framing
Research
and
Defining
Lake
Health
Since
there
is
no
singular
definition
of
what
‘lake
health’
or
a
healthy
lake
is,
a
methodological
approach
which
allowed
for
qualitative
interpretation
of
the
monitoring
data
in
terms
of
‘lake
health’
was
established.
A
visual
conceptualization
of
this
methodological
approach
is
presented
in
Figure
4.
This
establishes
Kushog
within
its
geographical
context
and
serves
as
a
basis
for
comparison
of
what
is
typical
or
‘normal’
for
Ontario
Precambrian
lakes.
Key
elements
include:
• Comparing
average
values
of
chemical
and
physical
water
quality
parameters
for
Kushog
Lake
to
other
lakes
within
the
Gull
River
Watershed
in
order
to
determine
if
differences
exist
or
if
the
water
quality
of
Kushog
is
typical
for
the
watershed.
• Comparing
average
values
of
chemical
and
physical
water
quality
parameters
for
Kushog
Lake
with
Canadian
Environmental
Quality
Guidelines
(EQGs)
including
the
Recreational
Water
Quality
Guidelines
and
Aesthetics,
Canadian
Water
Quality
Guidelines
for
the
Protection
of
Aquatic
Life
and
Guidelines
for
Canadian
Drinking
Water
Quality.
These
EQGs
are
nationally
endorsed,
science-­‐based
goals
for
aquatic
ecosystems
which
are
intended
to
aid
in
the
protection,
sustainability
and
enhancement
of
the
quality
of
the
environment.
They
are
numerical
values
for
chemical
and
physical
parameters
in
ambient
water
(CCME,
2001).
By
comparing
the
numerical
values
of
water
quality
parameters
of
Kushog
Lake
to
these
protective
guidelines,
we
can
establish
if
any
exceedences
occur,
which
may
indicate
if
there
is
impairment
of
lake
health.
Conversely,
if
no
exceedences
occur
we
can
attest
there
is
no
impairment
of
lake
health
relative
to
the
guideline

9. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
8
• Creating
a
Kushog
Lake
‘Fact
Sheet’
which
presents
and
interprets
key
water
quality
parameters
including;
phosphorus
concentrations
through
time
relative
to
the
trophic
status
it
represents;
secchi
depth
and
dissolved
oxygen/temperature
profile.
It
also
includes
key
geographic
descriptors
such
as
lake
depth,
shape,
size,
%
wetlands
and
watershed
area.
• Creating
a
‘Kushog
Lake’
which
presents
information
about
the
use
of
benthic
invertebrates
as
biological
indicators,
including
a
description
of
the
general
methodology
• All
water
quality
parameters
are
also
interpreted
in
the
context
of
current
peer
reviewed
literature
and
related
to
lake
health.

10. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
9
Figure
4.
Visual
conceptualization
of
project
scope
and
methodological
approach
with
regard
to
defining
and
assessing
lake
health
Section
4.1
serves
as
summarization
and
a
consolidation
of
the
known
available
reports
and
data
specific
to
Kushog
Lake.
These
reports
and
data
are
the
foundation
for
our
assessment
of
the
water
quality
and
lake
health.
Additional
resources
which
were
obtained
that
are
applicable
to,
but
not
directly
derived
from
Kushog
lake
are
also
described
in
this
section.

11. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
10
2.0 Kushog
Lake
Geographical
Background
2.1
Location
and
Physical
Characteristics
of
Kushog
Lake
Kushog
Lake
is
situated
within
the
Precambrian
Shield
at
N
45
°5’,
W
78°
47’
at
an
elevation
of
332.8
meters
above
sea
level.
By
car,
it
is
situated
approximately
1hr
45
min
NW
of
Peterborough
ON,
45
min
SW
of
Algonquin
Provincial
Park,
E
of
Haliburton,
ON
and
N
of
Minden,
ON.
Kushog
Lake
lies
on
right
on
the
border
between
Haliburton
and
Muskoka
countries
and
the
townships
of
Minden
Hills
and
Algonquin
Highlands.
It
is
a
long
and
narrow
water
body,
oriented
north
to
south
with
a
mean
depth
of
9.1
m
and
maximum
of
38.1
m.
The
lake
spans
17.2
km
with
a
maximum
width
of
1.6
km.
The
water
surface
area
of
Kushog
Lake
is
approximately
600
hectares
with
a
shoreline
perimeter
that
spans
approximately
38.2
to
40.6
km.
For
reference,
see
Figures
1a
and
1b.
The
lake
holds
a
total
volume
of
63
200
000
m³
(MOE,
2003;
Heaven
and
Brady,
2011).
Table
1
provides
a
summary
of
this
information.
Table
1.
Summary
of
physical
characteristics
of
Kushog
Lake.
Physical
Characteristics
of
Kushog
Lake
Lake
Surface
Area
679
ha
Shoreline
Perimeter
38.3
to
40.6
km
Maximum
Depth
38.1
m
Mean
Depth
9.1
m
North
to
South
Length
17.2
km
Maximum
Width
1.6
km
Elevation
332.8
mASL
Total
Volume
63
200
000
m³
2.2
Hydrology
and
Watershed
Characteristics
2.2.1
Gull
River
Watershed
The
Gull
River
Watershed
(Figure
2)
is
situated
at
the
most
northern
part
of
the
Trent
River
basin,
lying
to
the
west
of
the
Black
River
Watershed
and
east
of
the
Burnt
River
Watershed.

12. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
11
Altogether,
there
are
17
lakes
within
the
Gull
River
Watershed
that
contain
21
dams
operated
by
the
Trent
Severn
Waterway
(TSW).
Of
the
17
lakes,
Kushog
resides
in
middle
of
the
watershed.
Kushog
is
managed
as
a
headwater
for
the
Trent
Severn
Waterway
(TSW),
which
is
an
important
economic,
environmental
and
recreational
resource
that
consists
of
interconnected
series
of
lakes,
as
well
as
artificial
canal
cuts
stretching
for
386
km
(Parks
Canada,
2014).
This
subjects
Kushog
to
water
level
fluctuations,
which
are
managed
seasonally
to
accommodate
Lake
Trout
spawning
activity.
Sherborne
Lake
resides
directly
north
of
the
Kushog
Watershed
and
connects
Lake
St.
Nora
to
Kushog
Lake.
The
most
northern
lakes
within
the
Gull
River
Watershed
are:
Sherborne,
Red
Pine
Lake,
Kennisis
Lake,
Redstone
Lake,
and
Percy
Lake
(Map
1).
All
five
of
these
lakes
sequentially
flow
southwards
into
the
remaining
lakes.
Moore
Lake
is
the
most
southern
lake
within
the
watershed,
which
flows
directly
into
the
Kawartha
Lake
watershed.
Of
particular
interest
to
this
report
are
the
lakes:
Big
Hawk
Lake,
Eagle
Lake,
Halls
Lake,
Twelve
Miles
Lake,
and
Gull
Lake.
These
lakes
will
be
analyzed
in
conjunction
with
Kushog
Lake
to
distinguish
any
differences
or
consolidate
any
similarities.

13. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
12
Figure
1.
Aerial
Photograph
Image
of
Kushog
Lake.
Retrieved
from
Scholars
GeoPortal

14. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
13
Figure
2.
Gull
River
Watershed;
consists
of
21
large
named
lakes
connected
by
the
Gull
River.
Source:
adopted
from
www.redstonelake.com.
Retrieved
April
1st
,
2015.

15. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
14
2.2.2
Kushog
Lake
Watershed
Nested
within
the
Gull
River
Watershed,
as
delineated
by
Glenside
Ecological
Services
(GES)
G.I.S.
analysis,
is
Kushog
Lake’s
own
drainage
basin
or
watershed.
The
total
watershed
area,
including
the
water
bodies
of
St.
Nora
and
Kushog
is
approximately
8,656
hectares
(ha).
Lake
St.
Nora
has
an
area
of
276
ha
and
Kushog
Lake
has
an
area
of
679
ha.
Other
important
waterbodies
within
the
watershed
include
Margaret
Lake,
Kabakwa,
and
Plastic
Lake.
The
watershed
is
further
divided
into
terrestrial
sub-­‐watersheds
representing
land
units
draining
separately
into
Kushog
(Map
3).
There
are
46-­‐subwatersheds
which
range
from
approximately
9
hectares
to
475
hectares.
Collectively
these
sub
watersheds
have
an
area
of
7701
ha
excluding
the
area
of
Kushog
and
Lake
St
Nora.
From
these
sub-­‐watersheds
there
are
approximately
34
streams
identified
in
the
watershed,
as
well
as
12
culverts.
The
areas
of
each
sub-­‐watershed
are
summarized
in
detail
in
the
GES
document
‘Kushog
Lake
Watershed:
Wetland
and
Stream
Desktop
Analysis,
Final
Report,
2011’.
There
is
an
existing
body
of
research
(e.g.
Adkinson
et
al.,2008,
Eimers
et
al.,
2008,
Watmough
and
Dillion,
2003),
which
has
been
carried
out
by
Trent
University
researchers
on
Plastic
Lake
involving
legacy
effects
of
acidification
and
recovery
quantification,
dissolved
organic
carbon
and
nutrient
dynamics,
calcium
weathering,
metal
release
from
wetlands
and
phosphorus
budgets.
We
mention
this
since
Plastic
Lake
resides
within
Kushog’s
catchment.
Plastic
lake
is
a
sustainably
smaller
lake
(32
ha)
and
its
catchment
area
represents
only
257
ha
or
3.5
%
of
the
terrestrial
catchment
of
Kushog.
2.3
Climate
and
Precipitation
Precipitation
events
and
temperature
fluctuations
contribute
to
variable
water
quality.
Frequent
precipitation
events
can
lead
to
greater
runoff
flowing
into
the
lake,
which
may
carry
a
multitude
of
contaminants
ranging
from
agricultural
nutrients
or
pesticides
to
road
salts.
Over
the
past
several
decades,
road
salts
have
been
a
major
concern
as
they
have
had
an
adverse
effect
on
freshwater
organisms
as
well
as
the
chemical
composition
of
lakes.
As
more
highways
are
constructed
in
relatively
undeveloped
regions,
particularly
on
the
Canadian
Shield,
and
rural

16. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
15
ecosystems
become
incorporated
within
the
urban
region,
aquatic
ecosystems
located
near
these
roadways
may
be
adversely
impacted.
In
particular,
species
shift
may
occur
and
some
lakes
can
become
chemically
stratified.
These
salts
naturally
enter
surface
waters
through
pathways
of
the
water
cycle,
which
include
precipitation,
stream
inflow,
overland
runoff,
and
groundwater
inputs
(Evans
et
al.,
2001).
The
same
processes
apply
to
the
transportation
of
agricultural
nutrients
or
pesticides.
Runoff
water
associated
with
storm
events
can
cause
a
flush
or
‘pulse’
of
contaminants
to
enter
aquatic
systems
(Richards
et
al.,
1992).
Furthermore,
agricultural
runoff
can
carry
sources
of
phosphorus
and
contribute
to
the
eutrophication
of
freshwaters.
Although,
most
freshwater
lakes
are
phosphorus
limited,
continued
inputs
of
fertilizer
and
manure
in
excess
of
crop
requirements
have
led
to
soil
phosphorus
levels
that
are
of
environmental
concern
and
can
threaten
water
quality
(Sharpley
et
al.,
1994).
There
are
several
actions
that
have
been
suggested
within
relevant
research
to
reduce
the
transport
of
road
salt
and
agricultural
runoff
input
into
aquatic
ecosystems.
These
actions
include
modifying
application
rates,
improving
operation
of
road
salt
storage
depots,
using
safe
waste-­‐snow
removal
methods,
and
incorporating
buffer
strips,
riparian
zones
and
terracing
surrounding
the
lake
(Evans
et
al.,
2002;
Sharpley
et
al,
2001).
Temperature
fluctuation
also
has
profound
effects
on
lake
health,
as
a
warmer
climate
can
increase
lake
temperatures
and
exert
major
influence
on
biological
activity.
Freshwater
fish
are
directly
affected
by
the
temperature
of
their
surrounding
environment
and
can
be
grouped
into
three
thermal
guilds:
1)
warm-­‐water
(E.g.,
smallmouth
bass);
2)
cool-­‐water
(e.g.,
northern
pike,
walleye,
yellow
perch);
and
3)
cold-­‐water
(e.g.
brook
trout,
lake
trout,
lake
whitefish).
Fish
species
that
spawn
at
low
temperature
generate
larvae
that
do
best
at
low
temperatures
and
fish
species
that
spawn
at
high
temperatures
generate
larvae
that
do
best
at
high
temperatures
(Chetkiewicz
et
al.,
2012).
It
is
also
imperative
to
be
aware
of
the
fact
that
increasing
concentrations
of
greenhouse
gases
are
expected
to
increase
surface
temperatures,
lower
pH,
and
cause
changes
to
vertical
mixing,
upwelling,
precipitation,
and
evaporation
rates.
The
potential
consequences
of
these
changes
can
lead
to
harmful
algae
blooms
(Moore
et
al,
2008).
A
study
performed
by
Winter
et
al.
(1994)
revealed
that
most
of
the
increase
in
the
number
of

17. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
16
cyanobacteria
bloom
reports
was
associated
with
lakes
on
the
Canadian
Shield.
Winter
et
al
attributed
these
trends
to
(1)
increased
nutrient
inputs
that
promote
algae
growth,
(2)
factors
associated
with
climate
change
that
exacerbate
bloom
conditions;
and
(3)
an
increase
in
public
awareness
of
algal
issues.
Irrefutably,
climate
change
correlates
with
increased
temperatures
and
algae
bloom
growth
and
is
an
important
factor
to
consider
when
discussing
a
lakes
overall
health.
Figure
3
displays
the
30-­‐year
climate
normal
for
the
Haliburton
region
with
both
precipitation
and
temperature
averages.
“Climate
normal”
refers
to
the
arithmetic
calculations
based
on
observed
climate
values
in
a
given
region
over
a
specific
time,
usually
30
years
(Government
of
Canada,
2015).
The
climograph
displays
monthly
averages
for
precipitation
(mm)
and
daily
temperatures,
with
maximum
and
minimum
daily
temperatures
in
Haliburton
for
the
years
1981
to
2010.
Kushog
Lake
is
located
within
the
Haliburton
region,
which
has
a
temperate
continental
climate.
A
temperate
continental
climate
is
usually
characteristic
of
short
and
warm
summers
and
winters
that
are
long
and
cold,
which
is
exhibited
in
Figure
3.
This
figure
displays
that
the
highest
daily
average
temperature
is
in
the
month
of
July
with
18
°C.
The
lowest
average
temperature
occurs
in
January
at
approximately
–
11
°C.
For
this
climate
period,
precipitation
is
at
its
highest
level
in
the
month
of
November
with
approximately
116
mm.
Throughout
November,
the
most
common
form
of
precipitation
is
light
to
moderate
snow
and
rain.
The
precipitation
amount
is
lowest
in
February
with
73
mm
and
is
predominately
in
the
form
of
snow.

18. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
17
Figure
3.
Monthly
averages
for
precipitation
(mm)
and
daily
temperatures
(°C),
with
daily
maximum
and
minimum
temperatures
in
Haliburton
for
the
years
1981
to
2010.
Source:
Government
of
Canada:
Canadian
Climate
Normal
for
1971-­‐2000
Station
data.
2.4
Residential
and
Recreational
Uses
of
Kushog
Lake
Kushog’s
property
and
shoreline
development
primarily
consists
of
seasonal
and
permanent
residences.
A
total
of
576
residential,
commercial
and
government
properties
are
established
on
the
lake,
in
addition
to
crown
land.
The
Kushog
Lake
Spring
Newsletter
of
2011
summarizes
the
approximate
percentage
that
each
development
occupies
on
the
shoreline.
Residential
properties
total
543,
where
73
or
13%
are
permanent
and
438
or
78%
are
seasonal;
however,
in
terms
of
frontage
65%
or
26.6
km
belong
to
the
permanent
residential
properties
and
only
3.8
km
or
10%
of
total
frontage
belongs
to
the
438
seasonal
residences,
with
another
5%
or
1.9
km
of
vacant
lots.
Additionally
another
17%
or
7.2
km
is
considered
Crown
Land.
This
has
important
management
implications;
the
7.2
km
of
Crown
Land,
1.9
km
of
vacant
lots
and
26.6km
of
permanent
residents
make
up
35.7
km
of
40.6
km
or
88%
of
the
total
frontage

19. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
18
on
Kushog.
Crown
Land
is
generally
undeveloped
and
may
remain
in
relative
pristine
condition
compared
to
residential
properties,
and
thus,
can
be
considered
to
have
a
nominal
or
positive
contribution
to
the
lake
environment.
Vacant
lots
currently
not
occupied
by
humans
do
not
have
active
anthropogenic
contributions,
but
depending
on
the
legacy
of
individual
sites,
may
have
an
historical
influence.
They
can
be
considered
as
neutral
sites,
undergoing
possible
succession
or
natural
restoration.
Since
65%
of
the
shoreline
is
occupied
by
permanent
residences,
focusing
on
best
management
practices
(e.g.
proper
septic
and
lawn
maintence)
and
stewardship
efforts
(restoration,
naturalization,
monitoring)
within
these
properties
could
have
a
highly
effective
outcome.
Other
impacts,
such
as
recreational
uses
including
boating
and
overfishing,
combined
with
sewage
disposal
and
alteration
of
natural
landscape,
can
effectually
harm
the
lake
(Kushog
Lake
Newsletter,
2011).
Research
on
the
effects
from
recreational
activities
have
acknowledged
that
activities
such
as
boating
can
result
in
a
decrease
in
water
quality
through
fuel
spills,
and
thereby
damage
lake
ecology,
as
well
as
introduce
invasive
or
non-­‐native
species.
Additionally,
boat-­‐generated
waves
act
to
simplify
aquatic
communities
through
a
reduction
in
the
diversity
of
habitat
types,
ultimately
reducing
species
diversity
(Hall
et
al,
2014).
The
duration
over
which
people
occupy
the
shoreline
(seasonal
vs.
permanent)
directly
increases
the
amount
of
sewage
being
disposed
of
annually.
As
residential
occupancy
increases,
the
potential
amount
of
phosphorus
that
leaches
into
the
lake
will
also
increase
(Kushog
Lake
Newsletter,
2011).
There
is
a
relationship
between
unmaintained
septic
systems
and
phosphorus
accumulation;
it
has
been
demonstrated
that
phosphorus
accumulation
occurs
within
sediment
zones
that
are
very
close
to
infiltration
pipes
and
this
is
observed
to
be
a
common
occurrence
around
septic
systems
(Zanini
et
al,
1998).
These
relationships,
however,
are
highly
dependant
on
the
types
of
soils
present
and
the
pH
of
the
surrounding
environment.
In
watersheds
where
the
pH
is:
1)
lowered
by
historical
acidification
through
acid
rain,
and/or
2)
naturally
low
because
of
soil
or
vegetation
type,
the
phosphorus
will
more
readily
combine
with
aluminum,
iron
or
manganese
forming
insoluble
salts
contained
within
the
soils.
In
these
catchments,
phosphorus
in
runoff
is
reduced
(Jansson
et
al.,
1986).
This
is
likely
the
situation

20. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
19
present
on
Kushog
Lake
owing
to
its
location
within
the
shallow
acidic
soils
of
the
Precambrain
Shield
which
are
calcium
limited
(Jeziorski
et
al.,
2008;
Wetzel,
2001).
Conversely,
phosphorus
is
most
bioavailable
and
readily
leeched
from
soils
at
pH
values
between
6
to
7.
It
is
always
advisable
to
follow
best
management
practices,
including
the
proper
and
continual
monitoring
of
aging
septic
tanks.
This
is
an
important
practice
to
implement
on
Kushog
Lake
cottages
in
order
to
prevent
the
potential
release
of
phosphorus
into
the
lake.
Another
consideration
is
to
manage
and
mitigate
the
possible
erosion
of
soils
laden
with
phosphorus
salts
into
the
waterbody,
preventing
loading
in
this
manner.
The
destruction
of
fish
habitats
from
environmental
abuses
mentioned
above
is
further
augmented
by
inappropriate
fishing
practices.
It
is
imperative
that
lake
managers
enforce
time
periods
on
when
it
is
appropriate
to
fish
certain
species;
otherwise,
overfishing
can
result
in
declining
populations.
Research
has
suggested
that
lake
trout
can
tolerate
substantial
losses
in
spawning
habitat,
but
natural
populations,
especially
in
small
lakes,
must
be
protected
from
excessive
exploitation.
(Gunn
et
al,
2000)
2.5
Fisheries
Kushog
supports
recreational
fishing,
where
a
majority
of
the
fish
are
caught
and
consumed
locally.
The
Glenside
Ecological
Services
Desktop
Analysis
Report
recognizes
16
fish
species
in
the
Kushog
Lake
Watershed
that
were
identified
in
1975.
These
consist
of:
bluntnose
minnow
(Pimephales),
brook
stickleback
(Culaea
inconstans),
brook
trout
(Salvelinus
fontinalis
fontinalis),
brown
bullhead
(Ameiurus
Nebulosus),
burbot
(Lota
lota),
creek
chub
(semotilus
atromaculatus),
golden
shiner
(notemigonus
crysoleucas),
lake
trout
(salvelinus
namaycush),
largemouth
bass
(micropterus
salmoides),
northern
pike
(esox
lucius),
pumpkinseed
(lepomis
gibbosus),
rainbow
smelt
(osmerus
mordax),
rock
bass
(ambloplites
rupestris),
smallmouthbass
(micropterus
dolomieu),
white
sucker
(catostomuc
commersoni),
and
yellow
perch
(perca
flavescens)
Heaven
and
Brady,2011)
In
contrast
a
current
document
developed
by
the
Ministry
of
the
Environment
in
2003,
identified
12
out
of
the
16
fish
species
in
both
the
north
and
south
end
of
Kushog
that
are
classified
in
the
Desktop
Analysis
Report.
Therefore,
4
species
are
either
missing
from
the
most

21. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
20
current
fish
species
data
or
they
are
no
longer
present
in
Kushog
Lake.
These
fish
include:
the
bluntnose
minnow
(pimephales
notatus),
brook
strickleback
(culaea
inconstans),
creek
chub
(semotilus
atromaculatus)
and
golden
shiner
(notemigonus
crysoleucas).
Furthermore,
the
Ministry
of
Environment
2003
document
identifies
three
additional
fish
that
were
not
listed
in
the
Desktop
Analysis
Report.
These
fish
include:
cisco
(coregonus
artedi),
muskellunge
(esox
masquinongy)
and
bluegill
(lepomis
macrochirus)
(MOE,
2003).
It
is
important
to
recognize
these
changes
in
the
ecology
of
the
lake,
as
fish
species
are
an
excellent
biological
indicator
of
lake
health.
Kushog
Lake
is
managed
as
a
cold-­‐water
fishery
with
a
lake
trout
population.
Lake
trout
are
favourable
biological
indicators
of
cold-­‐water
lake
health,
because
they
tend
to
be
vulnerable
to
factors
such
as
warmer
temperatures
and/or
oxygen
depletion.
Research
has
shown
that
lake
trout
have
a
more
fixed
physiology
limit
and
cannot
tolerate
warmer
temperatures,
whereas
other
species
are
more
tolerant
of
temperature
increase
(Chetkiewicz
et
al.,
2012).
In
fact,
the
suitability
of
the
lake
trout
as
a
biological
indicator
has
been
researched
and
used
for
oligotrophic
waters
of
the
Great
Lakes.
The
lake
trout
was
selected
as
an
exemplary
organism
for
the
detection
of
a
healthy
system
for
the
Great
Lakes
because
the
species
occupies
a
sensitive
and
integrative
part
at
the
top
trophic
level
of
the
system.
Additionally,
the
lake
trout
acts
as
a
major
controlling
factor
over
the
remainder
of
the
cold-­‐water
community
because
it
plays
a
vital
role
as
a
terminal
predator
(Edwards
et
al,
1990).
Overall,
the
lake
trout
represents
a
vital
component
to
northern,
cold-­‐water
lake
systems.
There
continued
presence
can
be
understood
as
an
indication
of
health
and
well
being
of
Kushog
Lake.
Conversely,
if
a
fisheries
assessment
indicates
that
numbers
decline
or
they
were
to
be
extirpated
from
the
lake,
this
would
indicate
a
change
in
the
health
and
well
being
of
Kushog
Lake.

22. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
21
3.0 Current
State
of
Knowledge
on
Lake
Ecosystems
3.1
The
Lake
Environment
3.1.1 Introduction
It
is
important
to
understand
a
lake
as
a
dynamic
environment.
There
are
a
multitude
of
interactions
between
the
physical,
chemical
and
biological
properties
of
the
waters
and
surrounding
environment.
Therefore,
it
is
necessary
to
view
a
lake
as
it
own
ecosystem,
with
consideration
of
relationships
between
organisms,
and
changes
in
organism
populations
in
response
to
variable
physical,
chemical
and
biological
conditions.
Elements
of
a
lake
environment
may
act
in
synergistic,
additive
or
reductive
ways
with
one
another.
One
modality
for
engaging
this
thinking
is
considering
how
the
watershed,
and
all
the
activities
contained
within,
determines
the
metabolism
(i.e.
productivity
through
time)
of
a
lake
through
nutrient
inputs.
The
lake
ecosystem
does
not
just
represent
the
water
held
within
the
lake,
but
rather
it
extends
into
its
littoral
banks
and
wetlands,
up
the
inflow
streams
and
associated
riparian
zones,
and
into
the
entire
terrestrial
landscape
which
drains
into
the
lake.
Therefore,
if
a
specific
concern
is
identified
within
a
lake,
consideration
of
both
the
cause
and
interactions
between
these
compartments
must
be
investigated
in
order
to
devise
a
management
response.
The
intent
of
these
next
sections
is
to
highlight
some
of
these
properties
and
interactions
which
occur
within
lakes,
to
inform
and
interpret
the
nature
of
Kushog
Lake.
3.1.2 Lake
Thermal
Structure
Temperate
deep
lakes
thermally
stratify
during
the
winter
and
summer
and
mix
during
the
spring
and
fall.
During
summer,
increased
insolation
and
associated
energy
increases
the
temperature
of
water
at
the
surface,
while
deeper
cooler
and
thus
denser
water
do
not
receive
as
much
light
and
are
not
warmed
to
the
same
extent.
The
orientation
of
a
lake
in
relation
to
prevailing
winds
changes
the
fetch
and
wave
action
occurring
on
the
lake.
This
in
turn,
changes
the
depth
to
which
wave
action
mixes
the
upper
layer
and
the
depth
of
the
warmed
layer

23. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
22
termed
the
‘epilimnion’.
In
the
winter,
however,
water
which
is
directly
beneath
an
iced
surface
is
cooled
to
0°C
and
deeper
waters
are
warmer
and
denser
at
4°C.
In
the
summer
stratification
below
the
hypolimnion,
often
there
is
a
rapid
temperature
drop
or
themocline.
This
zone
can
have
variable
temperatures
at
depth
and
is
a
transition
zone
to
the
‘hypolimnion’.
The
hypolimnion
is
the
densest
and
coolest
section
of
the
lake
with
water
temperatures
around
4
ͦC
and
provides
critical
habitat
for
cold
water
fishes.
Essentially,
it
is
the
seasonal
differences
in
water
temperature
and
the
associated
density
changes
which
cause
these
layers
to
form.
In
the
spring
and
fall
as
temperatures
warm
and
cool
respectively,
the
difference
in
temperature
between
the
surface
layer
and
deeper
layers
is
significantly
reduced
which
results
in
a
turn
over
or
mixing
event.
The
summer
thermal
stratification
separates
the
water
of
the
lake
into
distinct
parts;
a
zone
where
relatively
high
levels
of
solar
illumination
give
rise
to
warm
waters
where
phytoplankton
add
to
primary
productivity
through
photosynthesis
and
a
deep
dark
and
cold
environment,
where
decomposition
takes
place.
The
winter
season
is
also
generally
marked
by
increased
rates
of
decomposition
relative
to
production;
anoxic
conditions
can
manifest
if
large
amounts
of
organic
matter
are
generated
in
the
previous
summer,
which
will
impact
deep
water
species
such
as
Lake
Trout.
This
thermal
stratification
and
the
associated
mixing
events
are
important
features
of
lakes
with
implications
for
nutrient
dynamics
and
habitat
selection
by
aquatic
organisms,
as
well
as
for
potential
for
algal
blooms
and
the
speciation
of
them
(see
section
3.1.3).
For
example,
it
is
best
to
sample
a
lake
for
phosphorus
immediately
after
the
spring
turn
over
event
to
get
a
homogenous
representative
sample.
The
lake
at
this
point
is
well
mixed
and
can
give
the
best
indication
of
the
phosphorus
concentration
of
the
water
and
its
associated
trophic
status.
In
the
summer,
stratification
can
lead
to
thermally
isolated
or
induced
algal
production
which
is
not
representative
of
the
whole
lake.

24. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
23
3.1.3 Lake
Habitats
and
Food
Chains
Within
the
lake
environment
itself
there
are
a
number
of
different
habitats
including
the
pelagic
(open
water),
littoral
(lake
margin)
and
profundal
(bottom
water
and
sediment)
zones.
Each
zone
has
its
own
set
of
unique
inhabitants,
structures,
interactions
and
processes.
This
leads
to
complex
interfaces
of
energy
exchange.
The
pelagic
zone
is
where
most
of
the
primary
production
is
generated
through
the
photosynthetic
activity
of
phytoplankton.
This
acts
as
the
base
of
a
food
web
within
a
lake
ecosystem,
resulting
in
a
transfer
of
energy
up
through
trophic
levels.
Phytoplankton
and
cyanobacteria
are
limited
to
zones
in
which
they
can
carry
out
photosynthetic
activity
and
mixing
within
the
epilimnion
through
wind
generated
wave
action,
will
generally
keep
them
suspended.
However,
cyanobacteria
responsible
for
so
called
‘blue-­‐green’
algae
blooms
have
the
ability
to
ascend
and
descend
within
the
water
column
to
adjust
to
variable
light
and
nutrient
conditions.
Small
and
unicellular
phytoplankton
and
bacteria
are
in
turn
consumed
by
zooplankton.
Species
of
Daphnia,
an
abundant
type
of
zooplankton,
are
generalist
filter
feeders
which
can
ingest
most
algae
encountered,
but
prefer
nutrient
dense
types
over
less
nutritious
types
like
cyanobacteria.
Zooplankton
is
then
consumed
by
invertebrate
species
and
planktivorous
fish,
which
are
then
consumed
by
piscivorous
fish,
which
cap
the
top
of
the
food
chain
within
the
lake.
Of
course,
these
fish
can
then
be
removed
and
consumed
by
birds,
bears,
foxes
or
humans,
to
name
a
few.
The
littoral
zones
of
lakes
are
also
quite
productive;
however
productivity
here
is
dominated
by
macrophytes
(rooted
plants),
which
provide
structure
for
colonization
of
attached
submerged
algae
species.
This
habitat
is
then
well
suited
for
invertebrates
and
benthic
invertebrates
which
feed
by
scraping
or
grazing,
and
fish
species
which
prefer
sheltered
habitats
for
foraging,
cover
and
breeding.
The
littoral
zone
is
also
an
important
interface
between
the
upland
terrestrial
communities
and
the
open
water;
it
will
often
capture
chemical
or
organic
matter
laden
sediment
or
runoff
from
the
watershed.
Transformation
of
these
materials
are
of
paramount
importance
to
maintaining
open
water
ecosystem
integrity.

25. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
24
The
profundal
zone
is
the
sediment-­‐
water
interface
at
the
bottom
of
the
lake.
The
key
processes
occurring
here
are
variations
in
reduction
and
oxidation
reactions
(redox)
involving
the
transformation
of
key
nutrients
and
trace
elements.
The
pH
and
oxygenation
of
the
water
within
these
zones
will
govern
the
type
and
scope
of
process
that
occur
here,
a
complete
discussion
of
which
are
beyond
the
scope
of
this
paper.
A
crucial
point
however
is
that
when
the
oxygen
demand
of
bacteria
dwelling
within
sediments
is
greater
than
that
which
is
present
in
the
water,
dissolved
oxygen
is
depleted,
thereby
forming
hypoxic
or
anoxic
conditions
which
can
have
deleterious
effects
on
sensitive
fish
species
such
as
lake
trout.
3.2
Nutrient
Dynamics
3.2.1 Introduction
This
following
section
reviews
a
selection
of
papers
and
general
information
which
may
provide
insight
into
some
of
the
water
quality
conditions
on
Kushog
Lake,
aid
in
interpretation
of
existing
data,
and
be
utilized
in
consideration
of
future
monitoring
efforts.
3.2.2 Phosphorous
Phosphorus
is
the
limiting
nutrient
within
a
freshwater
system,
due
to
relative
scarcity
in
bioavailable
forms
when
compared
to
nitrogen
and
carbon
(Schindler
et
al.,
1974).
The
only
natural
source
of
phosphorous
from
the
watershed
is
in
the
form
of
the
phosphate
ion,
which
has
poor
water
solubility.
Phosphorus
has
a
strong
affinity
for
soils
and
sediments.
This
means
that
under
‘natural’
conditions,
the
bioavailability
of
phosphorus
in
lakes
is
quite
low
and
any
available
amount
will
be
rapidly
up
taken
by
phytoplankton
(Currie
and
Kalff,
1984).
Additionally,
when
waters
are
well
oxygenated
and
contain
of
certain
iron
species,
phosphate
can
combine
with
these
elements
to
form
insoluble
salts
which
precipitate
out
of
the
water
column
and
sink
to
the
bottom
sediments,
further
limiting
availability.
If
however,
anoxic
conditions
are
initiated
there
can
be
a
release
of
the
phosphorus
back
into
the
water
column;
these
are
termed
‘internal
loading
events’.
This
can
then
in
turn
stimulate
algal
blooms
through

26. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
25
mixing
events.
In
terms
of
management
considerations
for
fresh
water
lakes,
there
is
a
general
consensus
that
preventing
anthropogenic
inputs
of
this
limiting
nutrient
is
essential
to
preventing
excessive
algal
blooms.
Phosphorus
Characterization
in
Sediments
Impacted
by
Septic
Effluent
at
Four
Sites
in
Central
Canada
(Zanini,
Robertson,
Ptacek,
Schiff
and
Mayer,
1998).
A
relevant
article
that
pertains
to
perceived
phosphorus
issues
on
Kushog
is
the
1998
article
by
Zanini
et
al. The
article
serves
to
explain
how
phosphorus
content
in
sediments
is
impacted
by
septic
outflows.
They
look
at
four
particular
sites
in
central
Canada,
one
area
being
Muskoka.
This
article
has
significant
relevance
to
Kushog
Lake
specifically,
because
a
majority
of
the
cottages
located
on
the
perimeter
of
the
lake
have
septic
systems.
Moreover,
there
is
concern
over
whether
the
cottage
owners
are
maintaining
these
systems
regularly.
The
authors
conclude
that
phosphorus
accumulation
occurs
within
sediment
zones
that
are
very
close
to
infiltration
pipes.
This
is
observed
to
be
a
common
occurrence
at
septic
system
sites
(Zanini
et
al,
1998).
The
authors
cite
an
example
in
Australia,
where
enriched
Phosphorus
concentrations
were
observed
to
occur
within
14
cm
of
the
infiltration
pipes
at
a
29
year
old
septic
system.
Furthermore,
the
findings
suggest
that
the
physical
and
chemical
characteristics
of
the
sediments
will
affect
phosphorus
attenuation.
The
quantity
of
phosphorus
that
is
immobilized
is
likely
to
be
controlled
by
a
number
of
specific
factors,
including
the
composition
of
the
effluent,
particularly
speciation
of
iron,
nitrogen,
and
alkalinity;
the
amount
of
reductive
dissolution
of
iron
that
occurs
in
the
sub
tile
sediments
prior
to
oxidation;
and
the
degree
of
oxidation
of
the
effluent
and
the
buffering
capacity
of
the
sediments
(Zanini
et
al,
1998).
The
important
point
here,
is
that
phosphorus
has
a
strong
affinity
for
the
soil
and
is
fairly
immobile
in
this
form.
Preventing
phosphorus
laden
sediments
from
entering
waters
should
be
prioritized.
Another
key
point
is
that
accumulation
of
phosphorous
seems
to
occur
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
infiltration
pipes;
this
suggests
that
phosphorus
is
not
leaching
into
sediments
meters
or
tens
of
meters
away
from
the
infiltration
pipes.
We
want
to
stress
however,
that
best
practices
management
and
the
maintence
of
septic
systems
should
still
be

27. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
26
prioritized
to
ensure
raw
or
partially
treated
sewage
is
not
entering
the
lake,
which
would
contribute
to
elevated
phosphorous/
nitrogen
concentration
and
bacterial
counts.
3.2.3 Nitrogen
Nitrogen
is
often
naturally
available
in
higher
quantities
in
lakes,
and
present
in
both
organic
and
inorganic
forms,
in
both
dissolved
and
particulate
forms.
It
is
often
not
the
limiting
nutrient
to
primary
production
in
healthy
lakes.
Nitrogen
can
become
a
limiting
nutrient
when
phosphorus
levels
are
high;
that
is,
when
the
ratio
of
phosphorus
to
nitrogen
is
high,
but
in
healthy
lakes
this
will
not
occur.
Algal
cells
require
nitrogen
to
synthesize
proteins
and
take
up
this
nutrient
in
the
form
of
ammonia
ions
(NH4
+
)
or
NO3
-­‐
(nitrate).
Cyanobacteria
have
a
competitive
advantage
in
that
they
can
fix
N2
(nitrogen
gas)
from
the
air-­‐water
interface,
so
that
in
possible
nitrogen
limited
situations,
they
are
still
able
to
obtain
the
nutrient.
Again,
nutrient
limitation
by
nitrogen
is
generally
not
a
common
observance,
but
it
can
occur
when
phosphorus
levels
far
exceed
nitrogen
levels.
3.2.4 Calcium
Calcium
concentrations
in
surface
waters
on
the
Precambrian
Shield
are
determined
by
the
supply
of
calcium
originating
from
the
terrestrial
pool
and
to
a
lesser
extent
atmospheric
deposition.
The
supply
is
contingent
on
the
calcium-­‐weathering
rate
in
soils
and
extractions
of
calcium
from
the
catchment
through
activities
such
as
timber
harvesting
(Watmough
and
Aherne,
2008).
A
number
of
mass
balance
studies
of
forest
ecosystems
have
indicated
that
calcium
losses
are
exceeding
the
inputs
(i.e.
weathering
rates)(
Likens
et
al.,
1998;
Watmough
and
Dillion
2003,
2004).
Additionally,
the
acid
sensitive
soils
of
this
region
have
likely
suffered
calcium
losses
from
historical
acid
deposition,
which
caused
extensive
leeching
of
the
already
naturally
limited
pool.
This
has
resulted
in
a
corresponding
decline
in
the
calcium
concentration
of
surface
waters
within
these
catchments,
raising
concerns
that
Calcium
limitation
will
pose
a
threat
to
aquatic
biota.
Calcium
is
a
nutrient
which
is
required
by
all
lake
dwelling
organisms

28. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
27
and
is
particular
concern
for
the
calcium
rich
zooplankton,
Daphia
sp.
Dr.
Norman
Yan
(now
retired)
and
colleagues
at
York
University
demonstrated
that
most
lake
dwelling
Daphnia
species
suffer
reproductive
stress
with
lake
calcium
levels
below
concentrations
of
1.5
mg/L.
A
large
proportion
of
the
Canadian
Shield
lakes
that
have
been
examined
have
calcium
concentrations
approaching
or
below
the
threshold
at
which
Daphnia
populations
suffer
reduced
survival
and
fertility
(Jeziorski
et
al,
2008).
Watmough
and
Aherne
also
elaborate
on
this
current
issue;
they
predict
that
calcium
concentrations
in
individual
lakes
will
decline
by
10%
-­‐
40
%
as
compared
to
current
values.
3.2.5 Dissolved
Organic
Carbon
and
Wetlands
Effect
of
Landscape
form
on
Export
of
Dissolved
Organic
Carbon,
Iron
and
Phosphorus
from
Forested
Stream
Catchments.
(Dillon
and
Molots,
1997).
Dillon
and
Molot
(1997)
present
dissolved
carbon
(DOC),
total
phosphorus
(TP),
and
iron
(Fe)
export
data
for
20
undisturbed
forested
catchments
draining
into
seven
lakes
in
central
Ontario.
They
provide
regression
models
of
the
chemical
export
as
functions
of
landscape
composition.
The
chemical
composition
of
surface
waters
depends
upon
in
situ
processes,
the
external
supply
of
substances,
their
loss
rate
from
the
lake
or
stream,
and
the
modifying
effects
of
factors
such
as
climate.
Furthermore,
the
flux
of
metals,
nutrients
and
DOC
from
a
catchment
significantly
affects
water
chemistry.
These
factors
determine
the
chemical
composition
of
waters
in
Ontario
and
can
be
related
back
to
the
water
quality
of
Kushog
Lake.
DOC
plays
a
vital
role
in
lake
chemistry
because
it
complexes
many
metals
and
nutrients.
DOC
often
controls
transparency;
the
organic
acids
that
comprise
a
portion
of
DOC
affect
pH
and
alkalinity.
Iron
is
also
an
important
factor
to
consider
in
the
chemistry
of
lakes
and
rivers.
Iron
is
important
because
it
enhances
phosphorus
complexity
with
DOC,
reduces
DOC
export
from
podzolic
soils,
and
reduces
TP
export
from
mineral
soils
when
oxidized
(Dillon
and
Molot,
1997).
Hence,
DOC
and
Fe
are
extremely
important
factors
to
consider
in
regard
to
surface
water
quality
because
they
influence
biological
productivity
in
phosphorus-­‐limited
waters.
Consequently,
it
is

29. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
28
important
to
take
these
parameters
in
account
when
analyzing
the
current
data
pertaining
to
Kushog
Lake.
4.0 Lake
Health
and
Water
Quality
Assessment
4.1 Synthesis
of
Kushog
Monitoring
The
intent
of
this
section
is
review,
summarize
and
consolidate
of
the
data
sources
and
literature
that
are
either
1)
derived
directly
from
Kushog
Lake,
including
data
collected
from
field
work
and
reports
created
therein,
or
2)
directly
applicable
to
Kushog
including
water
quality
guideline
documents
and
alternate
data
sources
we
retrieved
to
use
in
the
Lake
Health
and
Water
Quality
Assessment.
It
should
be
noted
that
while
the
Kushog
research
we
are
aware
of
is
summarized
and
consolidated
here,
not
all
of
it
pertains
to
or
is
used
in
the
Lake
Health
and
Water
Quality
Assessment.
The
majority
of
this
information
can
be
considered
as
grey
literature
including
personal
communications,
government/NGO
reports
and
data,
student
produced
reports
and
data,
consultant’s
reports
and
maps,
and
community/KLOPA
produced
documents.
We
believe
that
by
having
these
documents
summarized
and
consolidated
in
one
location,
it
will
be
more
accessible
for
possible
future
projects.
In
each
section,
the
relevant
titles
are
listed
along
with
a
brief
summary
of
the
content
and/or
data
type
contained
within.
Also
provided
are
the
citations
where
appropriate
for
the
Kushog
related
reports.
We
have
also
provided
a
USB
with
this
report
which
contains
all
known
research
and
data
for
Kushog
Lake.

30. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
29
4.1.1 Reports
and
Documents
Christie,
A.
E.
Ministry
of
Environment,
Waste
Management
in
Ontario:
Water
Resources
Commission
(1968).
Nutrient-­‐phytoplankton
relationships
in
eight
southern
Ontario
lakes
(No.
23.
).
Toronto,
Ontario:
Queen's
Printer
for
Ontario.
Published
in
1968
this
is
the
earliest
consolidated
report
and
data
available
for
Kushog
Lake.
It
was
produced
by
A.
E.
Christie
in
partnership
with
MOE
and
the
Water
Resources
Commission
of
Waste
Management
in
Ontario.
This
study
evaluated
the
relationships
between
the
nutrient
availability
and
the
algal
production
of
eight
shield
lakes
which
reside
within
the
Trent
River
Basin.
It
appears
this
study
was
initially
undertaken
as
a
mode
to
understand
controls
on
algal
growth
in
the
interest
of
preventing
excessive
algal
growth.
There
was
interest
in
these
aspects
with
regard
to
problems
of
filter
clogging,
taste
and
odours,
and
recreational
impairment,
which
was
and
still
is
fundamental
to
proper
water
management.
This
is
a
lake
sampling
study
for
which
a
number
of
chemical
variables
were
determined
and
relationships
explored.
The
most
valuable
part
of
this
report
is
the
water
chemistry
and
chlorophyll
data
it
contains.
The
data
provide
the
earliest
known
record
of
water
quality
data
on
Kushog
Lake
and
other
lakes
within
its
physiographic
region.
Ministry
of
the
Environment
(MOE)
(2003).
Water
data
for
Kushog
lake.
Produced
in
2003
it
is
a
summary
of
water
quality
data
for
2002
and
2003.
It
includes
measurements
for
“North,
Middle
and
South”
basins
for
the
variables
of
Secchi
Depth
(m),
Total
Dissolved
Phosphorus(reactive),
Ammonia,
Nitrite,
Nitrate,
Total
Kjeldahl
Nitrogen,
Dissolved
Organic
Carbon,
Dissolved
Inorganic
Carbon,
pH,
Total
Alkalinity
and
Conductivity.
Other
key
aspects
include
dissolved
oxygen
and
temperature
at
depth,
as
well
as
a
summary
of
fisheries
in
the
lake
(no
population
level
data,
only
occurrence
of
species).
Heaven,
P.,
&
Brady,
C.
(2011).
Kushog
lake
watershed:
stream
and
desktop
analysis
final
report.
In
Project
Number:
11019.
Minden,
Ontario:
Glenside
Ecological
Services
Limited

31. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
30
This
report
was
produced
by
the
ecological
and
GIS
consulting
company
Glenside
Ecological
Services
Limited
at
the
request
of
KLOPA
to
better
understand
the
lake’s
watershed
and
hydrological
characteristics.
The
report
presents
a
delineation
of
lake
watershed
and
the
nested
sub-­‐watersheds
obtained
through
ArcGIS.
Within
the
sub-­‐watersheds,
wetland
complexes
(including,
area
and
type)
and
streams
(inflows)
were
also
delineated
and
mapped.
Using
information
based
on
the
size
of
the
wetlands,
this
report
also
provides
recommendations
for
the
prioritization
of
wetlands
for
further
investigation,
as
possible
provincially
significant
wetlands
or
Species
At
Risk
habitat.
The
report
also
contains
a
review
of
the
Ministry
of
Natural
Resources
lake
management
files,
Aquatic
Habitat
Inventory
studies,
and
1970’s
fish
species
surveys.
Finally,
report
provides
recommendations
for
the
further
investigation
of
streams
(inflows),
and
that
early
spring
field
investigations
be
conducted
to
confirm
the
findings
of
the
GIS
analysis.
See
page
35
of
the
report
for
a
full
outline
of
their
recommendations.
Goutos,
D.,
Hawkins,
A.,
Jansen,
K.,
&
O’Halloran,L.
(2012).
Kushog
lake
subwatersheds
1-­‐10:
Ground
truthing
inflows
and
establishing
long-­‐term
monitoring
sites
final
report.
In
L.
O
(Ed.),Credit
for
Product,
Ecosystem
Management
Technology
.
Lindsay,
Ontario:
Fleming
College
Burns,
R.,
Ciancio,
M.,
Gavrilova,
M.,
&
Keegan,
M.
(2013).
Ground
truthing
inflows
in
subwatersheds
1,
10-­‐14,
26-­‐31:
Phase
2,
north
of
the
ox
narrows.
In
Credit
for
Product,
Ecosystem
Management
Technology
.
Lindsay,
Ontario:
Fleming
College
In
response
to
the
Heaven
and
Brady
report
listed
above,
a
partnership
between
KLOPA
and
the
indentified
Fleming
College
Credit
for
Product
program
was
developed
to
“ground
truth”
the
inflows
that
were
delineated
by
the
GIS
analysis.
They
also
recorded
using
GPS
the
location
of
culverts
and
streams
which
did
not
appear
in
the
maps
produced
by
Heaven
and
Brady
(2011).
At
inflows
where
there
was
significant
flow,
a
measurement
of
the
flow
rate
was
obtained
as
well
as
measurements
of
the
conductivity,
pH,
alkalinity,
temperature
and
dissolved
oxygen.
Additionally,
at
select
inflows,
rapid
bioassessment
of
benthic
invertebrates
was
completed
following
the
Ontario
Benthic
Biomonitoring
Network
protocols.
The
report
contains
a

32. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
31
description
of
the
methodology,
as
well
as
interpretations
of
the
results
concerning
the
benthic
data.
KLOPA.
(2010).
Kushog
lake
plan
summary.
The
Kushog
Lake
Property
Owners
Association
This
document,
which
is
a
summary
of
the
larger
200+
page
Kushog
Lake
Plan
document,
was
created
with
the
intention
to
be
widely
distributed
to
Kushog
Lake
residents.
Components
of
it
regularly
appear
in
KLOPAs
newsletters.
It
is
a
comprehensive
document
containing
information
on
the
general
geography
of
the
lake,
historical
development,
social
elements,
natural
history/
heritage,
physical
elements,
and
land
use,
as
well
as
an
agenda
for
adaptive
management.
It
gives
good
insight
into
how
KLOPA
perceives
the
status
of
the
lake’s
health
and
what
their
priorities
and
concerns
are
for
its
maintence.
It
should
be
noted
that
it
was
created
from
the
contributions
of
numerous
individuals,
and
it
is
not
always
clear
where
the
information
contained
within
the
document
originates
from.
Collection
of
Miscellaneous
Memos
This
was
provided
to
us
by
KLOPA
in
an
email;
it
is
a
pdf
document
containing
a
number
of
emails.
They
are
mostly
centered
around
the
discussion
and
interpretation
of
data
and
environmental
conditions
on
the
lake,
including
secchi
and
phosphorous
concentrations.
It
gives
insight
into
how
these
results
have
been
interpreted
by
the
host,
and
those
organizations/individuals
they
have
partnered
with
such
as
the
MOE
and
representatives
from
the
Dorset
Environmental
Center.
There
is
also
a
pdf
that
was
provided
in
one
memo,
which
outlines
a
record
of
MOE
involvement
in
1988.
It
provides
a
record
of
low
pH
from
the
legacy
of
the
acid
rain
era,
and
acknowledges
the
positive
impact
that
reductions
of
bathing
and
dumping
of
had
on
phosphorus
concentrations
within
the
lake.

33. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
32
4.1.2 Data
Collection
Lake
Partnership
Program
(LPP).
Ministry
of
Environment,
Dorset
Environmental
Science
Center
(DESC).
(2014).
Ontario
lake
partner
program:
Monitoring
data
The
Lake
Partner
Program
is
a
volunteer
based
water
quality
monitoring
program.
It
is
coordinated
by
the
Ontario
Ministry
of
the
Environment
through
the
Dorset
Environmental
Center.
The
program
was
initiated
in
1996.
Volunteers
from
the
partner
lakes
collect
water
samples,
which
are
evaluated
for
total
phosphorus
concentrations,
and
perform
secchi
depth
measurements.
The
data
are
available
in
an
online
repository
which
can
be
accessed
through
the
Dorset
environmental
center
website
or
at
the
Ontario
Ministry
of
the
Environment
(MOE)
website
(http://desc.ca/programs/lpp
and
http://www.ontario.ca/data/ontario-­‐lake-­‐partner).
The
quality
and
resolution
of
these
data
varies
by
lake.
Phosphorus
and
secchi
data
can
be
retrieved
by
using
an
interactive
map
or
by
searching
the
lake
of
interest.
Data
are
returned
to
the
investigator
in
either
Excel
spread
sheets
from
the
MOE
or
a
combination
of
Excel
and
pdf
files
from
DESC.
This
data
are
available
from
2002-­‐2013
and
in
future
as
new
data
are
provided.
Also
available
from
the
DESC
website
are
pre-­‐2002
data
for
LPP
lakes.
The
concentration
of
calcium
was
added
to
the
monitoring
program
in
2008,
in
acknowledgement
of
its
critical
importance
in
the
metabolism
of
lakes
and
trends
that
suggest
it
may
be
in
decline.
Kushog
has
participated
in
all
of
these
sampling
initiatives
and
has
good
temporal
and
spatial
coverage.
Sampling
has
occurred
in
the
Northern,
Middle
and
Southern
basins
of
the
lake.
There
is
variability
in
the
timing
of
the
samples
were
taken,
however,
early
May
samples
are
always
taken.
Goutos,
D.,
Hawkins,
A.,
Jansen,
K.,
&
O’Halloran,L.
(2012).
Kushog
lake
subwatersheds
1-­‐
10:ground
truthing
inflows
and
establishing
long-­‐term
monitoring
sites
final
report.
In
L.
O
(Ed.),Credit
for
Product,
Ecosystem
Management
Technology
.
Lindsay,
Ontario:
Fleming
College

34. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
33
Burns,
R.,
Ciancio,
M.,
Gavrilova,
M.,
&
Keegan,
M.
(2013).
Ground
truthing
inflows
in
subwatersheds
1,
10-­‐14,
26-­‐31:
Phase
2,
north
of
the
ox
narrows.
In
Credit
for
Product,
Ecosystem
Management
Technology
.
Lindsay,
Ontario:
Fleming
College
Raw
2014
data
provided
to
us
in
Excel/Word
format
from
Emma
Horrigan
at
U-­‐links
Haliburton
The
field
component
of
these
reports
involved
the
collection
of
water
chemistry
and
benthic
invertebrate
data
at
inflows
to
Kushog
Lake.
The
water
chemistry
measurements
consist
of
conductivity,
pH,
alkalinity,
temperature
and
dissolved
oxygen,
consistent
with
what
is
required
for
the
OBBM
protocols.
Benthic
invertebrate
data
are
available
for
Hindon
or
‘Lost
Creek’
(2012),
Fleming
(2012),
Bennett
(renamed
in
2014)(2013,
2014),
Harrison(2013,2014),
Margaret
(2013,2014),
Kanawa
(2013),
Kabakwa
(2014)
inflows.
The
sampling
was
performed
to
the
coarse
27
group
level,
consistent
with
OBBM
protocols
for
streams.
Sediment
Data
for
Kushog
Lake
2013
&
2014
Sediment
core
data
were
collected
by
Fleming
students
under
the
guidance
of
Dr.
Eric
Sager
for
the
analysis
of
metallic
ions;
with
a
total
of
19
analyses
evaluated.
These
data
were
received
from
Dr.
Eric
Sager.
Sampling
locations
are
consistent
with
other
monitoring
programs
that
have
been
carried
out
in
the
lake,
in
locations
that
include
North,
Middle
and
South
basins
of
Kushog.
It
should
be
noted
that
there
were
also
student
reports
created,
and
one
in
particular
by
a
Mr.
Sean
Whitten,
which
provides
an
excellent
dissemination
and
interpretation
of
these
data.
He
also
compared
the
2014
data
to
the
Canadian
Environmental
Quality
Guideline
(EQG),
and
Sediment
Quality
Guideline
for
the
Protection
of
Aquatic
Life.

35. Kushog
Lake
Monitoring
Assessment
34
4.1.3 Summary
Table
Table
2.
Summary
of
known
data
sources
and
reports
specific
to
Kushog
Lake
as
of
September
2014
Document
Title,
Year
Source/Author
Type
Brief
Summary
of
Content/Data
Type
and
Usage
Total
Phosphorus,
2013
(excel)
Ontario
Lake
Partner
Program(LPP)
Volunteer
sampled
monitoring
data
-­‐total
phosphorus
data
from
2002-­‐2013
sampled
at
4
locations
in
the
lake,
in
Spring,
Summer
and
Fall.
Phosphorus
Pre
2002
Averages
(excel)
Dorset
Environmental
Center
Unverified
-­‐presents
the
pre
2002
annual
means
of
total
phosphorous
data
for
entire
lake.
Water
Clarity
(secchi),
2013
(excel)
Ontario
Lake
Partner
Program(LPP)
Volunteer
sampled
monitoring
data
-­‐secchi
depth
data
from
2002-­‐2013
sampled
at
4
locations
in
the
lake
Calcium,
2013
(excel/pdf)
Ontario
Lake
Partner
Program
Volunteer
sampled
monitoring
data
-­‐calcium
data
from
2008-­‐2012
samples
at
4
locations
in
the
lake
Sediment
Data
2013
&
2014
(pdfs)
Fleming
College
Students
and
Prof.
Eric
Sager
Credit
for
Product
Field,
Lab
and
Reports
-­‐sediment
core
sampling
and
analysis
of
19
metallic
ions
at
depths
of
0-­‐15
cm
and
15-­‐30
cm
into
sediment.
-­‐also
students
reports
which
provided
a
comparison
of
data
values
to
EQG
sediment
quality
guidelines
for
the
protection
of
aquatic
life.
Nutrient
Phytoplankton
Relationships
in
Eight
Ontario
Lakes
1968
Waste
Management
in
Ontario,
Water
Resources
Commission,
A.E.
Christie
Government
Report,
data
-­‐provides
oldest
record
of
study
on
Kushog
Lake
in
comparison
to
other
lakes.
-­‐has
historical
total
active
phosphorus
data,
which
differs
from
the
LPP
measurement
of
total
phosphorus.
Kushog
Lake
Watershed:
Wetland
and
Stream
Desktop
Analysis,
2011
Glenside
Ecological
Consultants
Inc.
(Heaven
&
Brady)
Consultant
Report/
GIS
desktop
analysis
and
final
report
-­‐provides
maps
of
Kushog
Lake
Watershed
and
Kushog
Lake,
wetland
complexes,
inflows
-­‐%/hectares
of
wetland,
watershed
area,
%
wetland
by
type
-­‐delineated
inflows
and
wetland
complexes
on
Kushog
Lake
-­‐provided
summary
of
fisheries,
species
level
Ground-­‐
truthing
Inflows,
2012
&2013
Fleming
College
Students
Credit
for
Product
-­‐
Field
work
and
Reports
-­‐in
response
to
the
Glenside
desktop
analysis,
ground-­‐
truthing
of
the
inflow
data
was
performed
by
two
groups
of
students
in
2012
and
2013.
-­‐they
recorded
GPS
location,
and
water
chemistry
data
where
possible
(pH,
temperature,
alkalinity,
conductivity,
dissolved
oxygen)
Benthic
Invertebrate
Sampling
(excel-­‐data,
Reports-­‐pdf)
Fleming
College
Students
Credit
for
Product-­‐
Reports
and
data
-­‐students
performed
rapid
bioassay
of
benthic
invertebrates
at
streams
on
Kushog
Lake
(Fleming)
(2012),
Hindon
(2012),
Kanawa
(2013),
Bennet
(2013
&
2014),
Harrison
(2013
&
2014),
Margaret
(2013
&
2014),
Kabakawa(2014)