South Frontenac Council - Oct 17/23

Wilma Kenny | Oct 25, 2023

14 Island Lake Dam Needs Repair

Mary Rae, President of the Fourteen Island and Mink Lakes Watershed Association (FIMLA) made a presentation to Council regarding the Fourteen Island Lake Dam, which has an unusual history and is currently in need of major repairs. Located on south side of Fourteen Island Lake, the dam controls water flow into Spring and Verona Lakes, and under Hinchinbrooke Road. Legally, it is owned by the property owners on each side of the dam. However, its failure would not only lower Fourteen Island Lake by two metres, leaving several small water bodies and stranding many cottages, but would have an impact on the downstream lakes and threaten to flood Hinchinbrook Road. Originally built in the 1800’s, the dam had a major rehabilitation in the 1950’s; the last documented repair was in 1994. In 2019, an inspection by Quinte Conservation rated its condition as “fair to poor”. The Lake Association has been fundraising aggressively, as well as seeking a long-range solution for ongoing upkeep of the dam. They currently have raised over $100,000 through private donations as well as community events such as golf tournaments, clothing sales, etc. Most of these funds have gone to engaging DM Wills Associates to assess the condition of the dam and provide the scope of the required work. Wills has finalized the design of the dam replacement and will provide full specifications to be included in a tender package.

Rae asked for Township assistance with capital repairs and help to develop a sustainable solution for the future, involving Quinte Conservation, South Frontenac Township and the Lakes Association.

Deputy Mayor Sleeth asked if there were any issues with the current landowners around gaining access to the dam site; Rae said they were cooperative. Mayor Vandewal said this was a good time to ask for dam repair assistance in the upcoming budget, but cautioned it might be more difficult arriving at a long-term plan for future maintenance. Council voted to provide $200,000 support toward the current repairs.

Conservation Authorities Receive Memo of Understanding

Council authorized the mayor and the clerk to enter into Memorandum of Understandings with the Cataraqui Conservation Authority, Quinte Conservation Authority and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in order to ensure that services identified under Category 2 – municipal services and/or Category 3 – other programs of the Conservation Authority inventories, continue to be provided for South Frontenac. This is in response to changes to the Conservation Authorities Act enacted by the Provincial Government late in 2021.

An Assortment of Brief Items:

• Mayor Vandewal was chosen as a member of the Frontenac Municipal Service Corporation’s Board.
• Xplore received permission to erect a wireless Communication tower on the property of 2102 Rutledge Road.
• Frontenac Farmers Holiday Market on December 9, 3:00-7:00 was designated as municipally significant, in order to permit sale and consumption of locally-produced mulled wine and craft beers. The usual security measures wil be put in place.
• Three Lake Ecosystem grants were approved: Devil Lake Association received their requested $9,939.90 to complete a survey in collaboration with the Queen’s Biology Dept, of the shoreline of the lake (which will include identification of presence of invasive plants and mollusks), and will be used by the Lake Association to identify shoreline areas that should be restored and monitored in the future.
• Frontenac Arch Biosphere received $10,000 to collect data and provide educational events and communication materials for the local residents of Dog and Cranberry Lakes relating to identification, remediation and prevention of blue green algae blooms.
• Fourteen Island and Mink Lakes Watershed Association received the remaining funds in the amount of $10,060.10 for a detailed design of the dam, as part of the project to complete structural repairs on the Fourteen Island Lake dam, before it fails.
• A ‘housekeeping’ bylaw completed the transfer of a closed portion of road allowance which had been sold to the applicant, Terrance Leclair, but never fully transferred.
• A proposal to greatly expand Skycroft Campground at 2827 Opinicon Road was denied, due to potential impact on the natural environment and conflict with adjoining properties.
• Councillor Leonard reported that the Hartington subdivision had final approval and can now move ahead.
• Deputy Mayor Sleeth reported that Battersea’s Pumpkinfest had an attendance estimated at between 3,000 and 4,000. The recently completed sidewalk connecting the village with the fairground was much used by pedestrians and appreciated by both pedestrians and vehicles. Sleeth thanked Township Public Works staff for their help in ensuring events went smoothly.