BBLA has been supporting and promoting Citizen Science initiatives on Big Basswood Lake for approximately 23 years. The Lake Partner Program has built a network of volunteers to sample water from over 550 lakes across Ontario. 

Testing includes phosphorus levels, calcium and water clarity. Volunteers over the years have consistently submitted water samples and secchi disk readings. This citizen science program represents the largest and longest standing one of this kind in North America. FOCA partners with the DESC. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks coordinates this program. 

Welcome to the Big Basswood Lake Association’s Spring 2022 newsletter. 

We sincerely hope that all of our members and their families are safe and well. 

It sure is wonderful to see everyone back enjoying Basswood Lake again after two years of noticeably reduced activity due to the pandemic. I’m sure everyone shares my enthusiasm that the worst is behind us and we are all able to enjoy the lake again. 

However, in spite of the restrictions of the pandemic emergency, the board has continued to work extremely hard on your behalf. I’m very pleased that we have welcomed 4 new members onto the board after last year’s AGM:

• Bobby Swain
• Dave Bascomb
• George Craigie
• Matthew Aho 

Transcribed from the February 1909 edition of Rod and Gun and Motor Sports in Canada—italics notes by Basswood Lake Outfitters

The winter of 1907-08 was spent by me on Lake Waquekobing (Big Basswood Lake), at the club house of the Canadian Camp Club of which I had charge.

Readers of ''Rod and Gun" who live in lower latitudes than this may be interested in winter conditions here. Not that our latitude is so very high; we are about in line with the middle of France and some three degrees farther south than Vancouver. We have, however, no warm ocean currents to temper the boreal breezes that come from the icebound Arctic seas. Our elevation, too, of over a thousand feet above sea level has its influence in lowering the general temperature.

We are very thankful that, in 2021, we saw the return of many neighbours and friends who fall were unable to enjoy time at basswood in 2020 due to covid-related restrictions. Summer seemed to fly by and were now enjoying a beautiful, colourful and somewhat cooler autumn. As the seasons change, the lake association board looks ahead to 2022, and the goals we need to achieve in fulfilling our commitment of informing and educating members.

As many of you know, there are always topics of interest and changes in government programs that can affect cottage owners, and we endeavour to keep you updated as news becomes available. We strive to increase our number of members each year, so that we can reach a wider audience.

In 2019 the federal government announced the initiation of a process to create a "Canada Water Agency' intended to provide a formal management structure of coordinated oversight on freshwater issues across the country.

The government's 2021 budget proposed to provide $17.4 million to establish the agency - expected to be started up in 2022. Currently, freshwater management in Canada is a responsibility shared between federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and indigenous governments.

This new agency will be expected to coordinate the efforts of all levels of government to eliminate gaps in management and avoid duplication. These efforts would include responsibility for managing the authorizing of water use and distribution, inland fisheries and habitat, drinking water quality and wastewater systems.