T R E A D I N G W I S E LY
Lake ice needs our care BY ROSEMARY ROBERTSON There is magic in the winter ice. It is remarkable to walk on a surface that but a few weeks ago, you couldn’t. It is serene most days. You see with new eyes amazing scenery that you are familiar with in summer. Different pursuits await. One of our favourites is to track animals that are dependent on lake ice in their search for food. Ice allows them a larger territory in which to hunt. Watching the food chain operate in winter is fascinating. For the good of the lake, bring on the cold weather. The thicker the ice, the longer the spring melt. We may be anxious for spring to access our properties, but an earlier thaw plays havoc with lake ecology. Aquatic life relies on ice cover to reflect solar radiation to prevent overheating and reduce water loss through evaporation. We are all concerned about dropping water levels, which is becoming more prevalent as the climate heats up. For us humans, it is the inconvenience of high docks, exposed reefs and shallow submersible pumps. For aquatic life, it’s a matter of life and death. That makes the fight against pollutants and climate change imperative for lake lovers. There are pressures on freshwater ecosystems that are of our own creation. Those burdens challenge the integrity and sustainable
Pristine ice on the ice road shows the beauty of the water but is deceiving because the actual water content is not visible.
use of these resources. Ice that has been corrupted in any way can contaminate ice water. We value clean, safe water drawn from our lakes that were ice covered. We appreciate access to lakes and rivers for recreational use. Sadly, it seems the adage “leave no trace” disappears from some people’s vernacular in winter. A growing number of individuals who use the ice for pleasure or livelihood forget that looking after lake ice carefully will enable perpetuation of their chosen activity. Jim and I spend a lot of time walking the ice road and through the bush in winter. We always take a garbage bag with us, and it never comes back empty. Lunch garbage, replaced car windshield wipers, treated wood, parts off vehicles, cans and plastic bottles
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Living Lake of the Woods Area News Winter 2021
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