Canal Maintenance

The Township of Ramara’s multi-faceted canal maintenance protects the health and navigability of Lagoon City’s canals through a variety of annual programs.

Aquatic Weed Harvesting

Due to fish spawning, no cutting may take place prior to July 1. After that time, the harvesters will follow a pre-determined route through the canals to cut the weeds underneath the surface of the water. The location of the Township's weed harvesters will be posted every Monday. Please note that routes and locations may change without prior notification due to weed growth, weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Map

Typical routes: Scoop Dogg & Harvey the Harvester

Please note aquatic weed harvesting routes and locations will be determined and modified during the 2023 harvesting season. Please note that routes and locations may change without prior notification due to weed growth, weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Cedar Lagoon
Windward Lagoon
Beaver Lagoon
Canoe Lagoon
Concord Pond
Leeward Lagoon South
Gondola Lagoon (East of Laguna)
Dry Dock Marina
Gondola Laguna (West of Laguna to Pier One)
Turtle Lagoon
Beach Cove
Harbour Lagoon
Entrance to Lagoon City from Lake Simcoe

Harvesting Location
Week	Lagoon
Please note that this table will be update after July 1, 2023

Other Canal Maintenance programs

Bioaugmentation (Spring & Fall)

Working in conjunction with the Oxygenation provided by Lagoon City’s Clean-Flo™ System, Bioaugmentation is the strategic, periodic application of nontoxic, natural, beneficial microbes, enzymes and minerals or ‘Muck Digestors’ into Lagoon City’s waterways. These Muck Digesters become live organisms and physically consume the muck found at the bottom of Lagoon City’s canals.

In combination, Bioaugmentation and Oxygenation work to reduce the accumulation of years of organic material from runoff containing grass clippings, leaves, branches, dead and decaying aquatic weeds and algae, fertilizers and waste.

Canal Skimming (Spring)

Canal Skimming occurs each spring prior to the July 1st commencement of aquatic weed harvesting. Canal skimming removes surface debris from Lagoon City’s waterways, and collected debris is transported by barge for removal at Lagoon City’s Off-Loading locations.

Clean Flo™ System (Spring, Summer & Fall)

Lagoon City’s Clean-Flo™ System is a laminar or smooth flow delivery method that directs a steady stream of gently moving microbubbles from the bottom of the water to the surface. The introduction of increased oxygen throughout the water column starts a sequence of beneficial events including aiding in reduction of odour and gases and with help from Bioaugmentation, organic muck.

In combination, Oxygenation and Bioaugmentation work to reduce the accumulation of years of organic material from runoff containing grass clippings, leaves, branches, dead and decaying aquatic weeds and algae, fertilizers and waste.

Dredging (as required)

Dredging, the physical removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of Lagoon City’s waterways, is accumulated when organic material from runoff containing grass clippings, leaves, branches, dead and decaying aquatic weeds and algae, fertilizers and waste, fill the canal bottoms decreasing canal depth.

Dredging projects are identified and budgeted in the year preceding when they will occur. Projects are determined through investigation completed by the Township of Ramara’s retained engineers and are typically scheduled during the early fall of the year following identification and investigation. Projects are budgeted on an as-required basis and operation of Lagoon City’s Clean-Flo™ System works to decrease the disruption of the canal bottoms Conventional Dredging causes.

Herbicide Application (Spring)

Each year after fish spawning and as weather permits, a licenced contractor performs a one- time water extermination of Weeds (Plants) by spraying the non-volatile, fast-acting herbicide Reward™ onto the surface of Lagoon City’s Canals.

Reward™ is applied to 10.5 hectares of Lagoon City’s canals at a rate of 25 litres per hectare’ Spraying typically takes one day to complete and during the time of spraying, and for 5 days following the application, residents are asked not to use the canal water for irrigation purposes as the herbicide could have a negative effect on laws and or gardens. Control of susceptible weeds generally occurs within 1 to 2 weeks.

Herbicide spraying is regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

Learn more about Reward™ at Syngenta Canada and view the Reward™ Label and Pamphlet

Shorewall Planting

Shorewall planting offers several benefits:

Prevents phosphorus leeching into the canals
Deters geese from entering properties
Provides habitat for bees and butterflies

Native plants also offer the additional benefit of being lower maintenance by thriving with less water and not needing pesticides or herbicides.

View the article, Shorewall Planting with Native Plants, written by former LCPWC member, Skip Beattie, for more information.

Water Movers (Spring, Summer & Fall)

There are two Water Movers located in fixed positions in Lagoon City’s Eastern-most Gondola Lagoon; one positioned to the North and the other to the South. Water Movement in Gondola Lagoon limits the possibility of free-floating, green algae growth that could otherwise be present in non-moving, stagnant water.

Blue-Green Algae

Movement of water in Gondola Lagoon through use of the Water Movers is particularly important to reducing the risk of stagnation causing the formation of Blue-Green Algal Blooms. Naturally occurring plant-like organisms, Blue-Green Algal Blooms are actually a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria.

Once algae are present in the water, there is little that can be done to remove it. The slimy consistency of green algae, doesn’t allow it to be raked or picked up by Lagoon City’s Harvesters as it slides through the screens of the equipment.

To learn more about Blue-Green Algae, track areas it affects by Blue-Green, read about the health effects that may occur from if contact, how to avoid exposure and where to report a sighting, please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Frequently Asked Questions

What hours does Weed (Plant) Harvesting Occur?

Harvesting occurs Monday - Thursday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Fridays until noon. Harvesting operations stop on the weekend to ensure the safety of the harvesters, their operators and passenger vessels accessing Lagoon City’s canals.

Will the Weed (Plant) Harvesters clean the area adjacent to my Shorewall?

Lagoon City’s Weed (Plant) Harvesters are limited to Harvesting no closer than 6’ feet from Shorewalls for the safety of the Harvesters, their operators and moored vessels.

What do I do with my Harvested Weeds?

Harvested weeds are the responsibility of residents who complete harvesting at their shorewalls.

How do I report debris in Lagoon City's canals

Debris in the canals can be reported by accessing the Township of Ramara's Report a Concern form and selecting 'Lagoon City Canal Maintenance.'

What are the benefits of Native Shorewall Planning?

Shorewall planting acts to:

prevents phosphorus from leaching into the Lagoon City’s canals,
deters geese from entering properties, and
provides habitat for bees and butterflies.

Native plants are lower maintenance and can thrive with less water than non-native. Native plants don’t require the use of pesticides or herbicides to promote their growth and health.

Visit the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to learn about 100 Natives Species You Can Source

I have Geese on my Shorewall, what can I do?

For information about the 2023 Pilot Goose Management Program in Lagoon City visit the municipal Goose Management Program where you’ll also find Government of Canada Resources and Legislation Governing Goose Management.