Common Sense, Survival & Good Neighbour Suggestions
Although the items mentioned below seem like common sense, some renters,
visitors and a few cottagers seem to be oblivious to basic etiquette concepts.
SWIMMING and GENERAL WATER ACTIVITIES
Please tell your children to refrain from screaming. It is annoying and
disconcerting to your neighbours. Worse - if they are continually screaming,
no one can tell when they really are in trouble.
Please refrain from loud talking and using foul language. Voices can be
heard for great distances over water. They can easily be heard over the
sound of a boat motor.
BOATING
Clean and flush all motor boats, canoes and personal water craft coming
from other lakes with a bleach solution to prevent the introduction of
invasive species such as Zebra Mussels and Spiny Water Flea.
PLEASE DON'T MAX WAKE! The "nose high" cruising (see picture below)
of any boat, and particularly larger and deep hulled boats, causes huge
waves that can wreak havoc on docks, float loon's eggs out of their nest,
and erode the shoreline. Please be observant and adjust your speed to minimize
the size of wake your boat generates. Go slow enough to be flat in the
water or fast enough to be flat on the plane, and make the transition quickly.
THANKS.
All boats and personal water craft are requested to follow the 10 km/h
rule within 30 meters (100 feet) of the shore
ALL boats, peddle boats, canoes and kayaks must have a flashlight after
dusk. A fast boat won't see you until it's too late.
Right of way goes to unpowered craft, sailboats and wind surfers.
Common courtesy is to be extended to canoeists, fishermen & peddle
boaters - if you slow down, make sure you are not Max Waking, which is
worse than going by at full speed!
There is a movement to make the wearing of life jackets mandatory at all
times. While this may be unreasonable in many situations on Stormy Lake,
it is recommended that non swimmers and children always put them on. Even
good swimmers should put them on in the following situations:
-
if the lake is too cold for swimming
-
in high traffic situations
-
if you are boating at night
It is difficult if not impossible to put them on after you are in trouble!
PERSONAL WATER CRAFT (PWC)
No one under the age of 16 is allowed to operate a PWC
Due to annoying noise levels, operate your PWC in the middle of the lake
and avoid prolonged operation in any area
Stay well away from the shoreline unless you are docking
Respect water fowl and keep your distance
OUTSIDE LIGHTS
Many Stormy Lake residents enjoy watching the night sky and
observing stars, meteors and northern lights. High intensity and misdirected
outdoor lights (and some indoor lights too!) obliterate the night sky.
Please help reduce light pollution and keep Stormy Lake natural at night!
Please direct flood lights away from the lake and neighbouring cottages
Motion sensors are preferable to timers for security as well as safety
The OPP advises cottagers to leave lights off when away
Inconsiderate lights can get you charged with disturbing the peace
Are those yard lights really necessary?
Give the environment and your neighbours a break.
Take 'em down.
Get rid of them.
Please see Night Skys for more lighting
information.
SECURITY & CRIME
Note license plate number and description of suspicious vehicles
Watch for strangers in your neighbourhood
Watch for persons taking "shortcuts" through your property
Watch for unknown vehicles making repeat visits
For more tips go to the OPP's Crime
Prevention site
ROADS
Keep your speed down! Be aware that the car, truck or ATV coming towards
you is probably going too fast so you must over compensate in order to
avoid a collision. NOTE: There have been several head on collisions
on private Stormy Lake roads!
Stay well over to the right, especially when cresting hills and rounding
sharp curves
Please yield right of way to large vehicles and vehicles with trailers.
When the road is too narrow for vehicles to pass, the driver with the best
opportunity to pull over should do so even if it means reversing
SHORELINE CONSIDERATIONS & WEED HARVESTING
There is a $1,000 fine for placing any foreign material in the lake, and
your neighbours will probably report you
If you must clear a swim area please remove harvested weeds from lake.
Loose weeds floating on surface will foul boat propellers, fishing lines,
and your neighbor's swim area. Use a floating rope to corral the floating
weeds so you can remove them from the lake
Don't groom your property right to the shore line. Leave the last few meters
natural. It is good for the lake, the snakes, the frogs, the fish, and
for the critters
FIRES, BON FIRES, CAMP FIRES
Don't burn when it is windy!
Burning is usually permitted between dusk and dawn only.
Why...?
- there is less chance that an unexpected wind will come up
- its easier to see where problem sparks are going when
it is dark
- people report fires when they see smoke during the
day
- our volunteer fire brigade is at work during
the day
NOTE: Total fire bans are common during dry spells
Always soak the area around your fire pit
Have lots of water available to douse
sparks
Drown the fire thoroughly (3 or 4 buckets) before
leaving it
Always have a full bucket of water or hose nearby when you burn
NEVER burn anything outdoors during dry times!
WATER QUALITY & SEPTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Fertilizers and sprays are the worst things for the lake
Make sure your septic system meets current regulations
Use of soaps & shampoos in the lakes and rivers is prohibited
Use of phosphate based fertilizers near the water is prohibited
Wastewater disposal should be at least 50' from high water.
FISHING
The small mouth bass population on Stormy Lake has been damaged
by rock bass and over fishing. Areas where rock bass have been aggressively
harvested during the rock bass derby are already showing a return of sport
fish.
Please kill the red eyed rock bass at every opportunity.
Practice catch and release of sport fish such as perch, trout and small
mouth bass.
Tell people who are fishing out of season to stop then call the authorities.
PETS
Keep your dogs leashed at all times when off your property.
Keep your cats indoors. They are hard on our song bird population and foxes
love them.
WILD ANIMALS
Do not intentionally feed wild animals
Do not leave garbage where it can be found by wild animals
Use an old fridge to cool/store garbage until you can take it to the dump
Composting is not recommended in cottage country
GARDENING
Many common plants and trees are harmful in the north
Don't plant it if you are not absolutely sure it is non invasive
For example: up here honey suckles are invasive!
To find out more go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-ontario
ENVIRONMENT
Don't litter anywhere
Don't trespass on private property
If you don't know, don't go
GENERATORS
They are great during power failures but:
Please use only when absolutely necessary during the day
Please turn them off overnight (11pm to 7am)
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