News & Events

Lake Associations, your community's voice

Muskoka Sun

Whether they are big, small, old or new, their purpose remains the same — to maintain, protect and improve the quality of a lake, its fisheries and watershed.
“A lake association is one of the most important tools in building a strong sense of community and well being for a lake,” says Nadya Tarasoff, lake steward and archivist for Menominee Lake Association, established in 1972.

Although the Menominee Lake Association is relatively small (85 members) compared to some, such as the Muskoka Lakes Association at well over 1,000 members, Tarasoff says, “Its role in shaping the community is just as important. It’s not about its size but about the quality and dedication of its members.”

Tarasoff decided to get involved to build a closer connection with the surrounding community, as well as to lend a helping hand in preserving the area’s natural environment and history.

“Being with a lake association is a great way to stay informed about local issues,” she says. “It is also a great way to keep personal contact with community members and know what their concerns are.”

Lake associations have been around for many years and there are now more than 100 scattered across Muskoka.

“Having an association is important. We help to bring cottagers up to speed and keep them acquainted with what’s happening, what the issues are and what they should be concerned about,” says Ryan Kidd, president of the Mary Lake Association.

“We are there to react to issues that are unique to the lake. We respond on behalf of the cottagers and try to be proactive and think in advance of issues we can help with, to head off future problems,” he adds.

Many lake associations work to keep the lakes healthy through a variety of environmental programs. Water quality testing is one of the Lake of Bays Association’s largest components and they continue to expand the program each year to build an awareness and understanding of the biological, chemical and physical properties of the lake, says executive co-ordinator Wendy Gibson. Phosphorus, coliform and E. coli levels are some of the concerns that may be monitored at both near shore and deep water sites.

“We have testing nodes in all of the lake’s big bays and with a dedicated group of volunteers, the goal is to continue gathering and analyzing samples so we can recognize and respond quickly to any changes,” she says.

Other environmental programs lake associations in Muskoka are associated with include: Cedar Watch, which monitors birds at winter  feeders; Loon Watch; ice monitoring; benthic testing; and Ontario’s FrogWatch and Turtle Tally Adopt-a-Pond programs, which track amphibious populations to monitor trends in climate change.

To start a lake association, the first thing to do is decide what’s important to the community, says Terry Rees, executive director for the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA).

FOCA helps lake associations get organized and have a voice, both locally and provincially.  

“A lake association can be started over anything a community wants to maintain and protect,” explains Rees. “Lake associations are often the result of some looming problem or some common vision on what the lake ought to be. It is usually when a few people feel strongly enough that they believe there should be some formality.”

Three Mile Lake Association was originally formed to lobby against a proposal to build locks at Lake Rosseau and to prevent sewage from being spread on local farmland, but after those initial issues went away, so did the association. Later, in 2005, it was revived to address concerns over a potentially toxic blue-green algae bloom on the lake.

“The bloom was the reason to bring it back to life again. Now we are 220 members strong and are continuing to gain more membership so we can address any concerns that arise,” says current president Wayne Snow.

Forming a lake association is as easy as getting people together to see if they are interested in having something more organized.

“An association can be as formal or as informal as you want,” says Rees.

If the reason for starting an association is a specific issue, call a meeting and look at the nature of the issue. Find out what members of the group know or don’t know about the issue and what resources are available to resolve it. At the same time, outline the longer term benefits of a lake association and decide if it is the right route to take. If so, call another meeting and start the process.

“No matter what the reason is for having or starting a lake association, they are extremely helpful venues to be more organized and come together as a community. Therefore, when things do arise, you are more prepared to deal with them,” says Rees.

The Lake of Bays Association monitors “local and district council meetings with the intent (to) ensure our tax dollars are being spent wisely and in the best interest of the people in our community,” explains Gibson.

Another benefit to starting or becoming a member of a lake association is the possibility of lower insurance rates. Some insurance companies will offer discounts to cottagers who are a member of a lake association that is part of FOCA.

Annual memberships to associations across Muskoka are open to all permanent and seasonal residents, and prices vary.

Although they deal with a lot of serious issues, lake associations also bring communities together for fun events. They are well known for their summer regattas, annual barbecues and a variety of other social gatherings.

“It is such a wonderful feeling to be part of something that helps in the development of responsible planning principals for the lake,” says Gibson. “The value and benefits of being part of or forming a lake association are endless.”

For information on what lake associations do or how to start your own, visit foca.on.ca or huntsville lakescouncil.org. To find out more about local lake associations, go to muskokawaterweb.ca under the heading Lake System Health.

Why you should get involved


• Support water quality testing.
• Help minimize your carbon footprint.
• Ensure your tax dollars are used wisely and appropriately.
• Have a say in growth and development of the community.
• Be informed of current news and events.
• Get connected with your neighbourhood.
• Deal with the unexpected.

— Source: Lake of Bays Association