Ramsey Lake Subwatershed Study and Master Plan – Phase 2 Report

On May 1, 2020   /   Blue Green Algae, Climate Change, Concerns, Drinking Water, Heavy Metals, Junction Creek, Natural Heritage, Ramsey Lake, Septic Systems, Stormwater, Studies, VRS Comments, Water Quality, Watershed Studies  

If the design objective is to meet and provide peak flow control for storm events, it is necessary to plan beyond the 1:100-year peak flow, and instead plan for the new norm of a 1:1000-year flood event.  Planning for the appropriate peak flow is crucial to building climate resilience and meeting the demand over the full lifecycle of the infrastructure.  If an inadequate peak flow formula is used it could result in significant additional costs to the City if it has to repair or tear up failing infrastructure to rebuild and increase capacity before it has reached its end-life.  “Even a 1000-year return period has a 5% risk of being equalled or exceeded in a 50-year period.”

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Official Plan Review – Phase 2

On June 17, 2019   /   Blue Green Algae, Climate Change, Drinking Water, Natural Heritage, Septic Systems, Stormwater, VRS Comments, Waste Water, Water Quality  

The extremes of climate change will affect the operation of critical infrastructure such as water and wastewater treatment plants, sewers, the electrical grid, public transport and roads that are sensitive to temperature and weather thresholds.  Beyond these thresholds, infrastructure may have reduced capacity or may not function at all.

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Lower Vermilion Source Water Quality Monitoring Project – Final Report, by VRS

On March 31, 2016   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Drinking Water, Heavy Metals, Mining, Sediment, Studies, VRS Comments, VRS Water Quality Study, Water Quality  

This is the result of a 3 year water quality sampling project on the Lower Vermilion River, within the Vermilion River Watershed.

A big thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding this important Project!!

Another big thank you goes out to KGHM International Ltd. for their generous donation and for Conservation Sudbury’s in-kind contribution towards the extension of our Project into the 3rd year!!

 

 

 

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Sudbury needs better model to evaluate lake health, manager says – Morning North, CBC Radio

On March 26, 2014   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Media, Studies, Water Quality  

 

Simon Lake - Park

Simon Lake – Park

Mar 25, 2014 10:11 AM ET

The City of Greater Sudbury says it has started a long process toward more safeguards for city lakes, including how it can more accurately pinpoint water quality.

At a meeting Monday night, Sudbury’s environmental planning manager gave his report on lake quality. One of the big problems, he said, is the guide used by the province to determine water quality doesn’t work very well….  Read the full article and listen to the interview:

Sudbury needs better model to evaluate lake health, manager says

RELATED CONTENT BELOW:

Sudbury Lake Water Quality Report – Vermilion River Stewardship’s letters of concern

Posted:  25 March 2014

Sudbury lakes report questioned over omissions

Posted: Mar 24, 2014 1:37 PM ET

Posted: Feb 21, 2014 9:06 AM ET

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Sudbury Lake Water Quality Model Report

On March 25, 2014   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Drinking Water, Water Quality  
Blue-green algae on Ella Lake - November 2012

Blue-green algae on Ella Lake in November of 2012

Excerpt:  We have had an opportunity to review this Report in detail, and feel that it falls far short of its purpose, which is to provide technical guidance for the development and redevelopment of unserviced shoreline lots in support of Official Plan policies that are protective of water quality, technically sound, defensible, and which meet the intent of the Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) and Provincial Policy Statement.

To view the Lake Water Quality Model Report in a PDF document click here.

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Lively/Walden Wastewater Treatment System – Part II Order Request

On November 22, 2013   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Drinking Water, VRS Comments, Waste Water, Water Quality  
Algae1

Algae on Simon Lake – Lively, Ontario

The City of Greater Sudbury is proposing to decommission the Lively Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and upgrade the Walden WWTP.  Vermilion River Stewardship (VRS) has requested tertiary treatment, which is a third means of effluent treatment, to improve water quality on the lower Junction Creek, Simon Lake, McCharles Lake, and the lower Vermilion River.  VRS is making a request to the Minister of Environment to issue a Part II Order to elevate this proposal to an Individual Environmental Assessment.  See attached letter – Click to Download.

SimonLake12Sep09 (16)-Web

Park Beach on Simon Lake

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Interview by Vocal Vibes – Deep Waters

On July 8, 2013   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Life on the River, Media, Waste Water  

Deep Waters – the latest edition of Vocal Vibes Podcast

Vocal Vibes recently interviewed Linda Heron, Chair of the Vermilion River Stewardship and the Ontario Rivers Alliance.

We all live in a watershed.  That’s not something most North Americans think about, even though we turn on our taps many times a day, wash our cars, fertilize our lawns, or throw away toxic substances.  The Deep Waters edition of Vocal Vibes dives into water quality, a type of bloom that you don’t want, and small victories.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Ella Lake - Blue-green Algae Bloom

Ella Lake – Blue-green Algae Bloom

 

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Green Energy be Dammed!

On April 2, 2013   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns, Costs, Dams, Green Energy, Life on the River, Media, MethylMercury, Wabagishik Rapids, Water Quality  

We all want green energy, but let’s ensure it is truly green.

Wabagishik Rapids is a beautiful 1 km stretch of rapids on the Vermilion River, about 1/2 hour west of Sudbury, Ontario.  A developer is proposing to build a modified peaking hydroelectric dam that would only produce enough power to supply about 1,600 homes.  These types of dams have numerous negative impacts associated with them, and are very harmful to the riverine ecosystem.  Check out this film to find out more.

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Blue-green Algae on Ella Lake – Update

On March 31, 2013   /   Blue Green Algae, Concerns  

Update – 31 March 2013:

An Ella Lake resident has just reported that the Blue-green Algae bloom is still persisting. So all local residents, cottagers and fishermen should continue to refrain from drinking, boiling, or using the water for the sauna.

Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, Faculty of Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology has taken a special interest in our winter outbreak, and has offered to examine a sample to determine the strain of blue-green algae present in Ella Lake.

Vermilion River Stewardship and the Beaver Lake Sports and Cultural Club are very concerned about public safety, and have requested signage warning of the blue-green algae to be posted at Ella Lake and Wabagishik Lake boat launches. Read more →

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