Shoreline Life Restored at South Portage Beach
Erosion Protection and Reduction of Pollutants Entering the Water Have Begun
Several residents and cottagers around Portage Bay had expressed concern about the erosion along the shoreline between South Portage Road and the small but busy beach and boat launch area. It was clear that salt and phosphorus were being washed from the roadbed into the lake. Penny Thomas (above right) decided to step up to the plate and do something about it.
Thomas contacted the Muskoka Watershed Council and The Natural Edge Program and worked diligently with them to have the free shoreline evaluation and planting plan done for the area. The Lake of Bays Association contributed $250 for the 50 plants and materials needed to complete the project.
On October 8, Thomas arranged for a crew of eight volunteers to get all 50 plants in place. Along the beach and by the entrance to the area there are now indigenous plants such as red osier dogwood, meadowsweet, snowberry, Indian grass, fragrant sumac and others. These plants will be well established before the ground freezes and will be ready to start growing and working on protecting the lake water at the first sign of spring next year.
