Balsam Lake Association – What We Do
A partial list of recent initiatives undertaken by the Balsam Lake Association is as follows:
• Purchase and install/remove hazard markers at six areas around the lake
• Work closely with Kawartha Lake Stewards Association on various water quality projects. We are currently working on Near Shore Water Test that consists of testing water samples 4 times per year at 20 locations on Balsam Lake over a three-year period.
• The BLA offered a seminar on cottage succession this past June in conjunction with Federation of Cottage Owner Associations. About 70 people attended in Coboconk.
• The BLA canvassed Mayoral and Council candidates in the 2018 municipal election for their views on lake- related issues and passed on their responses to Balsam Lake road associations for distribution to their membership.
• In 2018, the BLA initiated an ongoing aquatic plant study on Balsam Lake.
• The BLA publishes and distributes an annual newsletter every May addressing topics of interest to waterfront owners including aquatic plants, oil tanks near water, etc.
• The BLA administers a Facebook page to keep supporters updated on local events and lake-related issues. We have over 400 followers.
• The BLA supported the Kawartha Land Trust in its 2019 acquisition of the Cation Property, a now- protected 600 acre parcel of land at the north end of the lake.
• The BLA is a member of and supports the Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association, a non-profit organization which monitors the water quality of lakes across the Kawarthas.
• The BLA is a member of the Coboconk and Norland Chamber of Commerce and supports local initiatives (e.g. Freshwater Summit in June).
• The BLA monitors Parks Canada and Trent-Severn Waterway-related issues including water levels.
• The BLA monitors Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry issues, including fish studies.
• The BLA monitors City of Kawartha Lakes planning and development issues with respect to policies that may affect Balsam Lake.
• The BLA worked closely with the Kirkfield and District Historical Society to promote film screenings of the film Brotherhood – the story of the 1926 Balsam Lake tragedy.