SLYC is committed to preserving the environmental quality of our treasured lake. Ecological health is key to our continued enjoyment of this wonderful place.

Unfortunately, invasive species and pollution are currently active and threatening Stony Lake’s natural environment. But, if we all become aware of the dangers and how to deal with them, we can work to reduce the effects and get them under control.

Starry stonewort (SSW) is considered by SLYC to be at the top of the danger list. It is a type of algae that grows in dense mounds in water 0.5 to 10 meters deep. When present, it outcompetes other aquatic plants and renders the affected area unusable for sailing, paddling, swimming and other recreational activities, and, destroys the habitats of fish, wildlife and other plants.

SSW spreads easily and rapidly by the dispersal of plant fragments and bulbils (little white stars that grow on the plant like seeds) – a process accelerated when boats travel through infested areas, their propellers tearing strands of SSW and redistributing them throughout the lake.

As of May 2021, SSW is becoming established on Stony Lake in the areas highlighted on the ASLC Cottage Map in red:

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This is what SSW looks like:

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What can you do?

  • Starry stonewort is difficult to remove once it has taken hold because harvesting and herbicide have little to no impact.

  • CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY: If starry stonewort gets tangled in your prop, don't disentangle and throw it back into the water – this contributes to its spread. Instead, dispose of it away from the water, on land, and ensure that all boats, motors, trailers and fishing gear are CLEANED, DRAINED AND DRIED before moving to a new location.

  • If you spot starry stonewort (or think you might have but aren’t sure) please contact Michelle Newton at powdergal@hotmail.com. Michelle will be happy to help you identify and create a plan to reduce the risk of spreading. For more information on SSW, go to the Environment Council website at https://www.environmentcouncil.ca/starry-stonewort

Here is a quick primer. Click here for the PDF to share.

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