About
History
Davidson Lake, once called Prince William Lake and renamed Davidson Lake after John Davidson, has been in existence since it was created by glacial action about 10,000 years ago. Plots of land were granted around the lake in the late 1700′s to Loyalist John Davidson, Hon. John Saunders and William Christie, with some settlement taking place near the lake at that time.
The map below shows the early land grants of Davidson Lake:
INTRODUCTION
Davidson Lake has been in existence since it was created by glacial action about 10,000 years ago. Plots of land were granted around the lake in the 1800′s, with some settlement taking place near the lake at that time. Since that then, the number of homes and cottages on or near the lake has steadily increased to the point that most of the accessible lands are occupied. Over the course of time, the water of Davidson Lake and its watershed and ecosystem, has been impacted by the increase of this human presence.
At the present time, it could be said that the quality of the water in Davidson Lake is acceptable if not good. Nevertheless, there are conditions in today’s environment that affect the health of water in Davidson Lake and its watershed, and consequently affect the conditions that life must exist in. These include:
- acid rain
- global warming
- changes in water level due to human and natural influences
- extension of roadways around the lakeshore
- development of new lakeshore lots
- new and increasing use, of septic systems
- deterioration of existing septic systems
- use of insecticides and pesticides adjacent to the lake
- erosion of the lakeshore
- human induced changes to shoreline features
- irresponsible use of motorized aquatic craft and boats
- possible increase in the amount of phosphates and nitrogen in ground water
- tree cutting adjacent to the lakeshore
- staking of mineral claims that could lead to mine development
In many jurisdictions in North America, the problems of healthy water in lakes and watersheds have been addressed with the formation of a ” Lake Association “. In New Brunswick there are over a dozen such Associations, in Maine there are 163.
A watershed is the area where all the water including ground water and surface water flows to a common body of water. The substance of a freshwater ecosystem requires an integrated effort to safeguard, protect and monitor all aspects of the watershed including inlets, outlets, surface water, ground water, as well as lake water.
PURPOSE OF THIS SITE
The purpose of this site is to promote awareness of the necessity of forming a lake association for Davidson Lake, to protect the quality of the water in the lake and accompanying watershed, for present and future generations.
Presently there are efforts being made to address road conditions particularly on the North side, however, there is a push to become more active on the South side as well. At this time it is not intended that the Davidson Lake Association replace these existing groups; rather, the formation of a lake association for the Davidson Lake Watershed area would address the need for an integrated approach to safeguard the health of the water in the watershed area.
There are three questions that need to be answered:
QUESTION ONE: Why is there a need for the formation of an association for Davidson Lake at this time, when things seem to have been ok up to this point?
An Association is defined as a nonprofit group of residents / volunteers who work together with public and private agencies to ensure the health of the water in the watershed area. The continued good health of the Davidson Lake Watershed is a concern of all residents. To have a group of residents actively involved in this process can only prove beneficial for present and future generations who make their homes on or near the lake or who enjoy it during the summer months.
We are fortunate that we are not currently faced with major problems around the lake like clear cutting, pollution or invasions of foreign species of plants. That said we do not know the intentions of those who could develop major projects that could impact the lake. By taking this step now we will be in a position to speak with a united voice should the need arise. Did you know that there are over 70 uranium claims staked in and around the lake right now? Imagine what the impact of the development of a uranium mine would be on our lake and our way of living with nature at our door step.
QUESTION TWO: Who is initiating this process and what work has been done to get us to this point?
In the summer, fall of 2008, a group of interested individuals from different parts of the lake got together to discuss issues concerning the road maintenance and snow removal which lead to discussions on the water quality of the lake. As a result of discussions with the LSD Commission for Dumfries and MLA Carl Urquhart and others in the Department of Local Government that there really was no voice that could speak for all the residents (full & part-time) of the lake on issues. In fact part-time residents do not have a vote in any decisions as they are not permanent residents. There was agreement that it was time to form a group or association that could best represent the collective interests of all the residents.
This group of individuals was expanded to try to include all of the geographic areas of the lake which are defined by access roads. This group was called the ” Davidson Lake Association Steering Committee” Members of that committee are:
Ken Donald, Andy Morton, Pam Hughes, Steven Stairs, Wayne Carnell, Denis McQuarrie, Lyle Saunders, Rolly Lagacy, Shyanne Pangburn, Jacques Leblanc, Aubrey Trail, Don Veysey, Bill Nason, Simon Dickinson and Arnie Wilkins.
Through the research of existing Lake Associations in particular, near by Lake George, the committee gained much knowledge about the structure and function of such an association. A decision was made by this group to explore the idea of forming an association for the Davidson Lake Watershed area. It was decided to gather and print this newsletter and begin the process for forming an official association.
It was also decided that this information would be shared with:
- residents of cottages and homes on Davidson Lake;
- residents of cottages and homes on the Davidson Lake Road; and
- residents of homes on Route 102 which passes by Davidson Lake.
