Call for Activity Leaders & Participants for 2018 Youth Water Festival, Nelson B.C.

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The Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society in partnership with the City of Nelson is hosting the first annual Youth Water Festival on May 23, 2018.

This festival is aimed at educating and inspiring local youth on the importance, function, history, and stewardship of freshwater in the Kootenays, specifically Kootenay Lake.

Various activity booths will be set up at Lakeside Park in Nelson, BC for children and youth to rotate through. Each booth will focus on different aspects of water importance and health. We will host various school groups ranging from grade school to high school.The morning will be focused on education, engagement, and fun activities for younger groups while the afternoon will be focused on discussion around careers and volunteering for older groups.

Currently, we are doing a call for activity leaders to host booths as well as school groups that would like to attend.

Participation in this event is free but sign up is mandatory.
Sign up today as spots are limited!

Please contact us to sign up either as an activity leader or school group to attend:
nina@friendsofkootenaylake.ca
(250)777-3858

Call for Activity Leaders & Participants for 2018 Youth Water Festival, Nelson B.C.

For the love of the lake!

 

I Clean, Drain and Dry My Boat – Boating Best Practise

photo from https://odis.homeaway.co

Other important things to note as you take your boat out of the water so we can keep Kootenay Lake waters clean and free of invasive species

Do your part to help protect BC’s precious aquatic ecosystems, recreation opportunities and boating industry!

Boating industry, volunteers and clients should incorporate best practices to prevent and control aquatic invasive species into all plans and operations where boats and/or equipment will be moved from one body of water to another.

CHECKLIST OF BEST PRACTICES FOR BOATING INDUSTRY

o Take extra care to Clean, Drain, Dry (see diagram above)

o Remember to pull the plug!

o Wash the exterior and interior of the boat

o Always ask if arriving boats have been inspected by a BC Provincial Mussel Inspection Team

o New boats also need inspecting! Many are tested in a lake or pond

o If a boat has not gone through provincial inspection, determine if it has come from an area where zebra and quagga mussels are present.

o If a boat is coming from a high risk region, call the BC provincial government RAPP hotline: 1-877-952-7277. Note: there is no charge for decontamination

o If you are bringing a boat to B.C. from an infested region, ll out the Out of Province Watercra Form and follow instructions www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels

 

CLEAN all plant parts, animals and mud from boat, trailer, and equipment (e.g. boots, waders, shing gear).

DRAIN onto land all items that can hold water (e.g. buckets, wells, bilge, and ballast).

DRY all items completely before launching into another body of water.

» Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels www.gov.bc.ca/invasivemussels

» Report-a-Species APP www.gov.bc.ca/invasive-species

» Clean Drain Dry Program www.bcinvasives.ca/commitments/ clean-drain-dry

» Any suspected transport, possession or release of invasive mussels should be reported immediately to the Conservation Of cer Services RAPP HOTLINE 1-877-952-7277

http://bcinvasives.ca/documents/ISCBC-Aquatics-BMP-170814-WEB.pdf

 

 

It’s Time for Winterizing your Boat

It’s that time of year again!  The snow has fallen all around Kootenay Lake.  While the water on the Lake does not freeze and boaters can still coast along with their fishing lines i the water, most boats get tucked away or taken away for the winter season.

Regardless,  it’s good practise to winterize your boat and keep it in good condition so it’s ready to put in the water next spring.  Here is a link with an indepth check list of things to consider.

Inboard Engine(s)

Stern Drive(s)

Outboard Engine(s)

Fuel

Bilges

Fresh Water System

Head

Interior

Out of Water Storage

In Water Storage

Click on the link below for details on each item. http://www.discoverboating.ca/owning/maintenance/winterizing.aspx

Photo from http://boatingsafetycourseny.com

 

The 5th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit

The 5th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit

Saturday, November 4 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Wynndel Community Hall

Spend a day with local experts from the Kootenay Lake area. The morning will be filled with informative and engaging presentations on topics such as; steps to creating a regional park, how to fund your next stewardship project and a comprehensive update on fish in Kootenay Lake. The afternoon will include workshops on water conservation, trail access, invasive American Bullfrog identification and what to do if you find one and how to use the shoreline guidance document.  It is FREE to attend!

Results of the Woodbury Rainbow Derby In October 2017

The Woodbury derby happened on the Thanksgiving weekend, Oct 7 – 9th, 2017.  
$2500.00 for the first prize of a 3 lb plus fish is a pretty good weekends work as well as time out on the lake well spent.
These were the final winners of this falls derby:
  Woodbury Resort 2017 Rainbow Derby!
1st place Jean Rioux 3.13 lbs
2nd place Steve Gutsche 3.12 lbs
3rd place Larry Poland 3.6 lbs

Info compliments of the Gill & Gift :  http://gillandgift.com/fishing.html

Gray Creek Sailing Regatta

The Gray Creek Sailing Regatta 2017

Each Labour Day weekend, the Gray Creek Sailing Regatta takes place; a 4 to 5km race in Crawford Bay with different classes of sailboats. Lions pancake breakfast on Sunday at 10 am at the Gray Creek Store and a trophy presentation in the afternoon. This event has been taking place for at least 30 years. Sponsored by the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association and hosted by The Lakeview.

Watch this wonderful video from the regatta in 2013 compliments of Leona Lund.  Mark your calendars to attend the Gray Creek Regatta 2018 (September 2 & 3, 2018)

Pump out feasibility study

Pump-out feasibility study now finished!

We are pleased to announce that the feasibility study for Kootenay Lake marine pump-outs is now complete. This study contains data on moorage capacity on the lake, technical information regarding different types of systems, costs estimates, as well as environmental impacts. Our thanks to Masse Environmental Consultants and research and survey contractors who assisted. We very much appreciate the contribution by Columbia Basin Trust’s Environmental Initiative Program.

View the reports  

Pump-Out Research Project for Kootenay Lake

The Kootenay Lake Sustainable Boating Society is pleased to announce approval of its application for funding of  “Kootenay Lake Sustainable Boating Sewage
Pump-Out Project
” through Columbia Basin Trust Environmental Initiatives Program.

Boaters, please take a moment to complete our on-line survey http://www.klsb.org/kootenay-lake-sustainable-boating-society-boater-survey/

During the proposed time frame from December, 2011,  through April, 2012, the KLSB will:

1. in consultation with the boating community, research and select  suitable sites for 6-8 pump out locations on Kootenay Lake,

2. develop cost estimates for pump out installation at these sites,

3. develop cost recovery and public/private partnership models.  The project will begin the establishment of a pump-out station network.

Objectives include:

1.establish the feasibility of pump-out stations along the entire Kootenay Lake and West Arm,

2. include resultant information on our website, future Kootenay Lake Boater’s Guide, and broadcast on the Marine channel,

3. use the information gathered to determine potential public/private partnerships for pump-outs,

4. use the information collected for future funding pursuits.

Be sure to check back often as there will be more information regarding this project coming soon, you can also email us at info@klsb.org

Clean and Green Boating Tips

Clean and Green Boating Tips

Clean and green boating is a way we can ensure that our lake remains a great place to live, work and play.

1.  Prevent oily discharge from the bilge: Keep your engine well tuned to prevent fuel and oil leaks. Place oil absorbent pads where drips may occur and in your bilge. Check
the pads often and dispose of them at your marina or waste collection center.

2.  Spill-proof your oil changes: Use an oil change pump to transfer oil to a spill proof
container. Wrap a plastic bag or absorbent pad around the oil filter to prevent
oil spills.

3.  Spill-proof fuelling practices: Fill fuel tanks slowly and carefully and use absorbent pads or rags to catch drips and spills. Don’t “top off” or overflow your fuel tank
and leave 5% empty to allow fuel to expand as it warms.

4.  Don’t add soap: Using soap to disperse fuel and oil spills will harm water quality even more.

5.  Minimize boat cleaning and maintenance in the water: If possible save maintenance
projects for the boatyard. When performing work on the water minimize your
impact by containing waste using tarps and vacuum sanders, and collect all drips and debris for proper disposal.

6.  Stow it, do not throw it! Keep your trash on board. Never throw cigarette butts, fishing line, or any other garbage into the water. Take advantage of shore-side facilities to recycle.

7.  Reduce toxic discharges from bottom paints: Use hard, less toxic, or nontoxic antifouling paints and follow non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Dry storage reduces the need for antifouling paints
and saves money.

8.  Dispose of hazardous waste properly: Recycle or dispose of paints,  recyle
batteries, antifreeze, cleaning products, oil, oil filters and other hazardous wastes at a hazardous waste collection facility or event.  Call the BC Recycling Hotline at
1-800-667-4321, go to productcare.org or ask your marina for a location.

9.  Plan ahead to manage toilet wastes properly: Check with the marina for locations of pump out facilities. If you don’t have an installed toilet use a port-a-potty and
empty it at pump out station or shore-side bathroom.

 

Eco-friendly Boat Cleaning

Eco-friendly Boat Cleaning

We can all help to keep harmful chemical cleansers out of Kootenay Lake by cleaning our boats with eco-friendly options, not only are these household mixtures environmentally friendly but they do a great job of cleaning your boat and are easy on your pocket book too!

  • Mix baking soda and salt in some water to clean fibreglass.
  • Clean your decks with one part vinegar to 8 parts water.
  • Clean aluminum with 1 tbsp cream of tartar mixed with one litre water.
  • Clean brass with a solution of Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and salt.
  • Clean chrome with a mixture of vinegar and salt.
  • Copper cleans with a mixture of lemon juice and salt.
  • Clean clear plastic and windows with one part vinegar and two parts water.