AGM, & Director's Reports

Transition of duties to the new Treasurer have been completed and banking signing authorities have been updated to reflect the changes in the Board of Directors members. The appropriate Board resolutions have been completed to reflect the changes. 

2025 Financial Report: 

See attached Financial Statements for the year ending 2025 (above). In total, expenditures and annual membership fees were basically unchanged from the prior year. There was a drop in other sources of income. 

Surplus funds are currently invested in high interest savings and a GIC. Interest income on the GIC is shared with the Catherine Rathburn Environmental Fund (CREF) on a weighted average basis. 

The CERF fund grew by individual contributions of $185 ($725 in 2024) and allocated interest of $463 ($600 in 2024). Expenditures from the fund were for water quality testing in the amount of $1,295 ($2,445 in 2024).

The remaining unrestricted surplus of $44,451 is available for the general purpose of the association.

Our efforts to communicate with the membership continue to take a variety of forms. Social media reaches many members via Facebook and Instagram, but our communiques and links to the newsletter (sent via email) ensure that all members are getting the information. If you are not getting communiques, please check your spam / junk folder. We have sent 10 communiques since January 1st. See below for details on each platform. 

New this year is a dedicated Bulletin Board and Lending Library located at Weslemkoon Marina. Many thanks to Ian Sine and Chris Bell who built the bulletin board and shelving unit over the winter. The library has 5 bins that are filled with conservation related books: Fiction, Non Fiction, Children’s Books, Nature, Canoeing / Camping. There is also a spot for brochures on top of the bookshelf. When you have a chance to look at the bulletin board you will notice that it has a lovely LWCA sign at the top. Board members will endeavour to keep it up to date. 

Some details on our communication platforms: 

Facebook

• we have 431 members in our LWCA Facebook group (all have required approval to join)
• Please send any content that you wish us to share 

Instagram 

• we have 223 followers
• if you take photos at the lake and would like to post, send to info@weslemkoon.com or if you’re on instagram and come across a post that would be interesting to our members, send it to @lwca_ontario

Mail Chimp (communiques)

• open rate of approximately 50-60% on most posts, which is down from previous years - please check your spam folder if you’re not getting emails from the LWCA (since January 1, 2026 we have sent 10 communiques)
• if you are not receiving emails, or would like to receive your email communications at another email address, please let us know info@weslemkoon.com

Website

• thanks for the feedback - we try to respond to suggestions info@weslemkoon.com

Newsletter 

• This September will be volume 15 - our 4th year of the newsletter
• Each newsletter gets approximately 400 views, often more 
• There has been a lot of good feedback, thank you
• Send ideas and requests for content via info@weslemkoon.com 

Here is a summary of 2026 membership details: 

Memberships: 

• 217 Registrations to date (July 28, 2026)
• 204 members (202 returning + 2 new)
  • ·174 paid $55
  • ·30 paid $60
• 13 Friends of Lake (paid $30)
• 27 Members not renewed as of July 28, 2026
  • ·21 members and 6 Friends

Payment Method:

• 147 paid by e-transfer
• 47 paid by paypal
• 13 paid by cheque
• 1 paid cash

Payment Timing:

Of the 217 (204 members + 13 friends)

• 193 PAID BEFORE March 1
• 10 PAID during March
• 14 paid on or after April 1

Communications:

• 1st Membership email sent on January 29th, 2026
• Reminder email sent on February 15th, 2026

Of note: Membership has fluctuated over the years. Here are some stats. Can you help us to get some more members? 

Past Registrations as of AGM date 

2025: 223 (203 members / 20 friends of the lake)

2024: 208

2023: 219 

2022: 232

2021: 242 

2020: 246 members (224 members / 22 FOL)

2019: 230 members (214 members / 16 FOL)

2018: 230 members ( 207 members 4 new members / 15 FOL)

2017: 242 members (221 members, 5 new members)

2016: 218 members (189 members, 9 new members / 20 FOL)

There were 275 Newsletters mailed (including advertisers) in May 2026!

Thank you once again to our contributors, authors, advertising supporters and photographers who have helped fill our Loon Call pages. Please remember to share via info@weslemkoon.com: your lake stories, memories, announcements, fun facts, or simply ideas and we can take it from there. It only gets better with content! 

I would love to have another willing Editor take over or/ a second co-editor step-up. New perspectives and experiences are always welcomed, and it is a fun role in engaging in the community. If you are interested in becoming Editor/Board Member) or Co-Editor of the Loon Call, please email info@weslemkoon.com.

Many of us, along with the more than human living things in our communities have been feeling, and dealing with the effects of climate change this year. 

3 main messages for 2026- 

1. Stay informed - subscribe to independent journalism (like Canada’s National Observer, and The Narwhal) and trusted sources (like the LWCA!).
2. Be prepared and build resilience at both the personal and community level. Follow the actionable guidelines such as those from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation and FireSmart Canada to prepare your home and property for extreme events.
3. Take action to reduce emissions - every action matters, every fraction of a degree of warming matters, every ounce of emission pollution avoided matters. Every fraction of warming avoided translates into less destructive wildfires, fewer catastrophic floods and fewer lives lost to extreme heat and hopefully fewer dead red pine trees. 

Use Project Drawdown’s scientifically based SHIFT Super High Impact guide for Fixing Tomorrow tool to create a personalized list of actions that you can take. 

These actions, and others which help to strengthen our lake community can be found listed in our Protect our Weslemkoon program. 

Location: Ashby Township, ON (Madawaska River Watershed / Little Mississippi River Flow)

Governing Body: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)

Governing Plan: Madawaska Water Management Plan

After a generational drought in 2025, lake levels are back to normal this year. We had an exceptional winter for snow and the runoff in the spring brought things back. In April, the lake briefly ticked over the “upper target” set by MNRF but we did not experience flooding like other areas of Southern Ontario.

• Target Summer Operating Range: 317.80 m to 318.05 m CGD. NOTE that the gauge link on the is out by 1M and shows currently 316.9m.
• Target Range Section: Mid-to-Late Summer Range (Upper half targeted early summer, gradually adjusting toward minimum summer level by Thanksgiving weekend).
• Dam Stop Log Configuration: Currently, 8 of the 9 stop logs are in place as confirmed by a dam tour with MNRF on July 29th.

• Downstream Outflow Limit: Maximum discharge capacity is restricted to 34 m³/s.
• Downstream Bottleneck: Outflow is deliberately capped to prevent structural damage to the low bridge in the McArthurs Mills downstream area.
• Outflow Adjustment Limitations: In the event of heavy mid-summer precipitation, discharge rates cannot be increased without risk to downstream infrastructure.

• Late Summer / Fall Transition: Water levels will slowly decline toward the target minimum summer level (317.80 m) ahead of the Thanksgiving drawdown.
• Winter Holding Level: Levels will be drawn down slightly around late October and maintained at ~317.80 m using 6 to 7 stop logs through the winter months.

Shoal Markers 

All markers are installed and operational. 

Thanks to all of those who report missing or found markers. We have had a few that have gone astray. It's always helpful when someone can let us know where they can be found. We do our utmost to get on these missing buoys as soon as possible.

Custodial Visits 

All cottage visits took place in late March of this year. There were no major damage incidents. For the few small issues encountered, I contacted the cottage owners.  Just a reminder, for the safety of our custodian, these checks will be done at a time he deems the ice is safe. It seems that for the last decade or so Mother Nature has adjusted our schedule.

We will be recruiting a new custodial visit person in the near future, so if you know someone who may be interested, keep them in mind. At this year's AGM we need to discuss the viability of continuing with custodial visits. It is on the docket for "New Business". 

A note on the Water Quality partnership: Jared stepped into the role of Director of Water Quality after assisting Claire (outgoing director) with 2024 sampling, then completed field data collection and sampling for the 2025 season. Claire continues to assist Jared with data analysis and report writing. An excellent partnership! 

The detailed 2025 Water Quality report, which includes tables and analysis, can be found above in the section Downloadable Files (WQ Final Report 2025). The following is the final section of the report, which indicates what we can do to maintain our lake: 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR COTTAGERS 

These are repeated in this report year after year, but they remain relevant, so here are some things to consider to help protect the water quality of Lake Weslemkoon. According to FOCA, in recreational lakes that do not have a large point source of phosphorus (e.g., sewage treatment plant), domestic waste from septic systems is the largest human source of phosphorus. The concentrations of phosphorus in septic wastewaters are roughly 200-300 times higher than the concentrations needed to stimulate significant algal growth in lakes! Therefore, as cottage owners, we have a shared responsibility to maintain the health of our lakes by limiting the inputs of phosphorus. Below are some ways that you can help reduce the effects of shoreline development on water quality: 

1) Maintain a properly functioning septic system. Have your septic system pumped every 3-5 years to remove the build-up of solids and scum, and take this opportunity to have the system inspected by a qualified individual for any required maintenance. If you are converting a cottage into a permanent  dwelling be sure to check the capacity of your septic system. Exceeding the capacity of your septic could result in the remobilization of phosphorus in the soil. 

2) Implement septic inspections. Arrange for an inspector to come inspect your current septic system to ensure it is operating properly. 

3) Reduce your water use at the cottage. Excessive water use is the most common cause of septic failure. Cut down on the amount of water entering your septic by installing low flow toilets and showerheads, and taking laundry home to wash. 

4) Naturalize your shorelines (e.g., vegetated buffer strips, wetlands) to help control soil erosion and the runoff of nutrients to the lake and nearby rivers and streams. Aim to keep natural areas natural! 

5) Limit the amount of impervious surfaces, including roofs, parking areas, and patios, to reduce runoff to nearby waterbodies. 

As always, the guidelines referenced through this report are pulled directly from the Provincial Water Quality Objectives 

Updates from the Municipality: 

1. Re Cottage numbering By-law—No movement on this whatsoever. At this year's AGM we will discuss generating a new lake map. It's on the docket under "New Business". 
2. Re O.P. review —A communique was sent to members in July urging interested members to read the OP draft and provide comment. Several Board members have gone over the OP draft and provided comment. The LWCA has been involved in the O.P. review process and will likely be submitting further comments to the Township.
3. The LWCA continues to receive development applications from the Township and provides comments as the LWCA considers appropriate.

Forestry Harvest Management Plans - Ongoing

Current Annual Work Schedule (2026-2027)

The Mazinaw-Lanark Forest Annual Work Schedule for 2026-2027 continues to implement the approved 2021-2031 Forest Management Plan, with harvesting, road maintenance, tending, and monitoring activities proceeding under the same environmental safeguards established in previous years. For the Lake Weslemkoon area, the closest active forestry operations remain along the southeast road network near Effingham Lake. No significant new harvesting has been scheduled immediately adjacent to Lake Weslemkoon itself. Much of the forestry effort over the past several years has continued to focus on salvaging timber damaged by the 2022 derecho and subsequent windstorms, resulting in lower levels of new harvesting than originally planned in many operating areas as resources have been directed toward cleanup and recovery efforts. The primary silviculture work for 2026-2027 is tending existing regeneration, with no tree planting or site preparation scheduled on the Mazinaw-Lanark Forest this year.

The Annual Work Schedule also places continued emphasis on environmental protection, road maintenance, compliance monitoring, and wildfire preparedness. Fire prevention measures remain a priority, requiring contractors to maintain trained personnel, fire suppression equipment, communication capabilities, and immediate response procedures throughout the operating season. Forest operations continue to be monitored through regular inspections, with particular attention given to activities near sensitive areas such as water crossings and Areas of Concern to ensure harvesting is completed in accordance with the Forest Management Plan and provincial standards. Overall, the current schedule indicates that forestry activities near Lake Weslemkoon remain concentrated away from the shoreline while maintaining established protections for the watershed and surrounding forest ecosystem.

Current Red Pine Carnage on Weslemkoon Lake's Shorelines

Red pine decline continues to be a significant concern around Lake Weslemkoon, with the most heavily affected trees concentrated along the shoreline. Research and discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources Planning Forester indicate that the primary cause is Diplodia Tip Blight, a fungal disease that predominantly affects trees already weakened by environmental stress. Shoreline red pines are particularly vulnerable because they typically grow in shallow soils over exposed granite bedrock, making them more susceptible to drought and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. These stressed trees are unable to produce sufficient sap to naturally defend themselves against fungal infections and native bark beetles, leading to widespread crown dieback and tree mortality around the lake. In contrast, only a small percentage of inland forest stands have been affected, as trees growing in deeper soils are generally healthier and better able to withstand these stresses.

The LWCA continues to encourage shoreline property owners to improve the long-term resilience of their properties by removing hazardous dead trees, pruning infected branches where appropriate, protecting healthy mature trees during prolonged drought, and restoring natural shoreline vegetation with a diverse mix of native trees and shrubs. These stewardship efforts will help improve shoreline health, support future forest regeneration, and enhance the resilience of Weslemkoon's forests as climate-related stresses continue to increase.

Campfire Awareness

A campfire is one of the best parts of cottage life—but only if it stays in the fire pit! Before lighting a fire, always check current burn restrictions and ensure fires are permitted. Keep your fire small, never leave it unattended, and always burn in a well-established fire pit away from overhanging branches and dry vegetation.

When it's time to call it a night, remember the "Soak it. Stir it. Feel it." rule. Drench the fire with plenty of water, stir the ashes and coals, then add more water until everything is cool to the touch. The golden rule is simple: if you can't comfortably place your hand on the ashes, the fire isn't out. A few extra minutes spent putting out your campfire could prevent the next wildfire and help keep Lake Weslemkoon beautiful for everyone.

Condition of Trails:

• Every year the trails on the lake have to be cleared of small vegetation that encroaches on the trail, and trees that have fallen over the trail. Below is some information about the condition of our trails.
• Mink Lake trail cleared of small branches etc. early May 2026.  When last checked, there are a couple of small trees across the trail that require clearing with a chainsaw – it is easy to step over these trees in the meantime.
• Canoe Lake trail was mostly cleared in July 2026.  There were many trees down on the trail this year including several large trees near the trailhead (see photo).  We were unable to clear the larger trees, but we have cleared things out enough that the trail is passable. 
• High Dam Lake trail was checked/cleared October 2025 and again in July 2026. Trail markings in red paint were made on trees.  See picture of trailhead.  A short article on the trail, including how to find the trailhead, will be shared on the LWCA Facebook page in August 2026. 
• The Green Lake trails and MacKenzie Lake trail have not been checked this year.
• Shiner Lake trail has many trees down from a wind event a few years ago.
• Please reach out to us at info@weslemkoon.com if:
  • you are out on trails on the lake that have not been checked (e.g. Green Lake trails) - we would love to hear what shape they are in!
  • you see at trail that requires some work OR if you have cleared a trail or would like to help with some trail clearing
  • you have other ideas or questions about trails on the lake.

Trail Signage:

• Some signs are worn/weathered and need replacing including Mink Lake, High Dam Lake, Canoe Lake).  The June LWCA Quarterly included a call out to any Junior Loons who might be interested in creating a sign for one of the trails. Anyone who is interested in helping with trail signage can reach out to us at info@weslemkoon.com

Thunderboxes (Like an outhouse without walls):

• A couple of years ago, thunderboxes were installed at some of the most popular lakes/trails – Mink Lake, Canoe Lake and Little Long Lake.  The thunderbox at Canoe Lake is in good shape as of summer 2026.  Repairs needed to the lid of the thunderbox at Mink Lake.

A big thanks to those that have helped us with trail clearing this year!