A representative from the authority and 3 residents met on Island View Beach and we had a great meeting. The authority received the registered letter we sent requesting the meeting so they went to the farm in question prior with 2 officers from the MOE and saw NO problems at all so all 3 said "whats the problem"? That's how the meeting started. This was expected so I produced a video taken in June 2015 showing clearly sediment flowing from farm into creek and flowing down the creek out into the lake. Officer was shocked and replayed the video multiple times. I produced the 3 letters and suggested we visit each complaint.
We walked the yard of one resident where 2 inflows from farm have been cut into the creek and this happens to be where the creek makes a 90 degree turn to the west. One inflows drains north and the other 10 yards from it drains west so when we have a major rain event or high water it's creating a whirlpool eating away the banks of the creek which is why he is loosing property. Officer noticed this as well and took some pictures. He stated maybe a environmental impact study should have been done before permit was granted. We also showed a fish dam there which was installed years ago by an environmental group but banks collapsing into creek and weed growth the fish population is almost non existent.
Next we went to where the video showed sediment entering the creek but with the water table down 14" all that showed was a mud bank where the rocks are and I stated when a major rain event happens the rocks will be useless as the water will wash the bank away below the rocks. Also stated directly opposite inflow land in private park being eroded due to current. He said he will look and compare satellite photos so see amount of changes on creek banks. The question why "wouldn't farm owner drain into his attached wet land acreage on north side of property?". Reply was he would have had to cut multiple smaller inflows on north side so not to damage the wet lands, Hmmmmm.
Then off to the neighbour who lives on east side of river mouth. This showed the saturation of weeds and sediment building up. You can almost walk on the weeds and boats have to be now walked out of creek as sediment built up. This creek has a community marina where residents keep their boats and use the creek as a means of entering the lake. So it's having a negative effect on a watercourse and diminishing values of lakefront properties. He said the harvesting the weeds is only a band aid solution and what has to be done is dredge and remove the loose sediment and weed roots. I wonder who pays for this as 2 years ago no problems? Heavy sediment is dropping at the mouth but lighter sediment flows all the way east to McRae Beach. Over 500 meters from source and if we add loss of depth and the drop of water level in the lake residents summer enjoyment ends mid August. The neighbour 2 doors east of mouth stated his grandson use to lay on dock and watch the perch and small bass under his dock when he was 2 years old. He is now 4 and weeds plus sediment have eliminated this pleasure as no fish so explain that to a 4 year old. He also asks why can't we swim here anymore and it is explained it not nice. Private community swimming beach on east side of that neighbour is closed due to concerns of whats flowing down the creek. Some have complained that after being in the water your skin itches. Not sure if this is due to years of bad septic deposits on creek bottom now being flushed out with influx of rushing water?
Officer stated he would bring our concerns to his superiors on Tuesday Sept 7th and hopefully we will get a positive solution. Not being an expert on solutions but I can see the the banks of creek having to be restored and secured, dredging and possible re-directing the 3 inflows from farm into farmers own wet lands which are on north side of his property vs creating a negative effect on fisheries, boat navigation, property vales and health concerns in a community.
Below are a few pictures which I hope helps in understanding the concerns...
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| The start August 2013 |
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| The source and exposed land |
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| Sediment entering the lake flowing west as creek mouth 60 feet to the east |
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| June 2015 |
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| June 2015 |
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| June 2015 and this resident use to fish off his property and now complains 0 fish |
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| One source June 2015 |
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| Just north of one source June 2015 |
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| June 2015 |
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| Weed growth at mouth |
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| Creek bank erosion damaged by whirlpool event |
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| Low water in August shows exposed fresh banks of creek and once water comes up with whirlpool event more sediment into creek and lake |
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| Bank collapsing on private property by inflow |
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| Banks washed away and trees falling into creek. One neighbour actually had to cut a tree that blocked the creek to avoid flooding |
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| Facing one inflow and in foreground bank has collapsed into creek |
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| Bank collapsed on private property |
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| Inflow where creeks makes the 90 degree turn showing fish dam in foreground |
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| Bank collapsing by fish dam due to current from inflow |
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| Looking north from 1st inflow on south side of creek |
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| More erosion so more loose sediment waiting for high water 2016 |
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| Banks of creek near 2 inflows |
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| New weed growth on left side is where bank collapsed from private property as directly opposite one inflow |
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| This shot is looking west from creek showing dry fish dam as water level way down (Sept) but in spring water rushes over and fish did use the ladder to spawn |
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| From fish dam facing inflow so when high water rushes this creates a whirlpool eating banks away |
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| Bank eroded away and again fresh sediment waiting for high water and off to the lake it goes |
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| Another property showing bank collapsed right where whirlpool occurs |
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| Same as previous |
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| Private Park beach closed for kids |
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| Weed Growth and empty boat left |
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| Weed growth and this resident uses waders to enter water to push his boat out. He complains about itching when no waders and his son not allowed to swim here. |
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