Foca Friday #3 by Eleanor Young (Tasso Lake)

FOCA Fridays No. 3
Well this past week brought us some intense rainfall events that sent our lake levels up to those seen only occasionally during spring runoff and never usually during the height of summer.
As noted in other posts in this group, MNR Water Management is aware of the concerns and the Tasso Lake dam will be (has been?) adjusted as needed.
All this got me to thinking about preparing for climate change. As impacts begin to take hold, more of our rain will arrive in the form of more intense storm events, increasing the risk of flooding and elevated lake levels. Since MNR has to manage water levels throughout the watershed, it may not always be possible to release water from the dam because this may cause more severe flooding downstream. (In this sense we on the TTCB Lakes are fortunate to be relatively far upstream in the watershed and don't have a large area draining into our lakes.)
So waterfront property owners may want to think about getting ready for what's ahead. Once again, FOCA has valuable information available to members. They produced a report in 2016 (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://foca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/FOCA_ClimateChange_ManagingYourShoreline_FINAL_2016.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjqtZLVhZuAAxXrhIkEHdAIAW0QFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3U1psPqNDBH9hQEZthzjvs) that includes the following Top 5 Actions that shoreline owners can take:
1. Keep your shoreline natural and enhance it if possible
2. Keep aquatic plant populations intact
3. Maintain and improve your waterfront property’s health and biodiversity
4. Manage pests and disease
5. Stay informed