WC137 JulyAug 2024 - Magazine - Page 12
WATERSHEDS
The littoral zone of a lake extends from the water’s edge to where sunlight no longer reaches to the bottom of the water. This is where docks are built and people swim.
Humans share this area with an incredible array of biodiversity as up to 90 per cent of lake species, including the common loon. As part of the Love Your Lake program,
assessors will work through a detailed protocol sheet that goes through different factors on the property.
How the program works
Picture this: a small boat carries a trained assessor around a lake.
The boat is parked in front of each property that has opted into
the voluntary program, allowing the assessor to work through a
detailed protocol sheet that goes through different factors on the
property. The property is broken down into three zones: riparian,
shoreline, and aquatic. Within each zone there are many different
factors to assess, such as aquatic vegetation, docks, building
setback, erosion, eavestroughs, special habitat, slope, invasive
species, and shoreline lighting.
The assessor works through the protocol sheet, noting what
is or is not observed on the property. This information is then
compiled into an individualized and confidential property report
for the landowner. The report is filled with voluntary recommendations the landowner can take to protect the long-term health
of their property and waterbody. Then the assessor moves in
front of the next property, until the whole lake community has
been assessed. Community groups like the local lake or property
owner’s association receive a generalized summary report for their
lake which offers voluntary lake-wide recommendations and
priorities for the community.
The zones of a property
Each zone on a property has a critical influence on the overall
health of the freshwater body. Furthest from the water is the up-
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WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2024
land zone, a drier forested area with better drainage compared
to the riparian zone. The deep roots of trees stabilize the slope,
the foliage buffers the effects of wind, the canopy cools its
surroundings, and plants provide habitat for deer, birds, porcupines, rabbits, and many other creatures. This is often where
the main dwelling is found.
Going a bit closer to the water, the next zone is the riparian
zone, also known as the “ribbon of life.” This zone extends
inland from the shoreline for at least 15 metres and may be
flooded during high water periods. It is a natural buffer protecting the shoreline, water quality, and natural habitat both
on-land and in the water. It is made up of trees, shrubs, and
grasses that absorb excess nutrients (e.g. fertilizers) and pollutants (e.g. seepage from septic systems, oil, gas and pesticides)
before they can contaminate the water.
Next is the shoreline itself, which is the edge where the land
and water meet. The mix of plants, shrubs, and trees form an
intricate web of roots, foliage, and fallen limbs that hold the
waterfront together and fend off erosion from wind, rain, boat
wakes, and ice.
Finally, there is the littoral zone, which extends from the
water’s edge to where sunlight no longer reaches to the bottom
of the water. This is where docks are built and people swim.
Humans share this area with an incredible array of biodiversity
as up to 90 per cent of lake species such as pike, ducks, otters,
and turtles are born, raised, fed, or live in the littoral zone.
Loving our lakes
Love Your Lake property reports discuss the many different
parts of a shoreline property and give detailed descriptions of
how different human actions and activities can either benefit
or harm the freshwater ecosystem. To truly love these areas, we
must look at what role our actions play in the relationship, and
how we can stay in a healthy relationship for years to come.
To see if your waterbody has already been assessed through
Love Your Lake, or to nominate your waterbody to participate
in the program, please visit loveyourlake.ca.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Simon Lunn, Watersheds Canada
Shoreline stewardship and education
One program that allows waterfront property owners and community groups to connect their values and actions is Love Your
Lake. This program has been delivered nationally since 2013 and
is coordinated by Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife
Federation, with funding support from the Rogers Foundation.
Love Your Lake is a “program-in-a-box” that breaks down the
science of freshwater ecology into actionable steps individuals
and communities can take to protect their freshwater body.
Though the name of the program has lake in the title, the program has also been delivered on rivers and bays.
