Stanstead Township takes decisive action to combat cyanobacteria in Fitch Bay
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In a press conference held on Oct. 7 in Fitch Bay, Stanstead Township Councillor Constance Ramacieri addressed concerns about the persistent cyanobacteria problem in Fitch Bay, a northeastern branch of Lake Memphremagog. Ramacieri emphasized that the Township has proposed to formally request navigation restrictions from Transport Canada to mitigate the environmental and public health risks posed by boating activities in the bay. The details of the request are not yet final.
“We understand the impact that such restrictions may have on the residents and boaters who enjoy activities in Fitch Bay,” Ramacieri said. “However, in light of the ongoing threat from cyanobacteria, we must act decisively to protect the health of our community and the integrity of this precious body of water.”
A growing concern
The issue of cyanobacteria, often referred to as blue-green algae, has been a concern for several years in Fitch Bay. Cyanobacteria thrive in nutrient-rich, shallow waters where phosphorous levels are high. The bay, with an average depth of just 3.12 meters, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of boating. Motorized boats stir up the sediment on the lakebed, releasing phosphorus into the water column, which in turn promotes cyanobacteria growth.
Fitch Bay is not unique in facing this problem. Similar issues have been observed in other lakes, such as Lac Noir in Lanaudière, where research shows that motorboats can disturb the sediment even in deeper waters. A 2017 study of Lac Noir found that boats, particularly those used for wakeboarding, can cause significant turbulence that stirs up sediments, releasing nutrients like phosphorus that contribute to harmful algal blooms.
“The impact of wakeboats and other watercraft in shallow waters like Fitch Bay is undeniable,” Ramacieri explained. “When boats stir up sediment, they effectively feed the cyanobacteria by releasing more phosphorus into the water.”
The Township’s request
The Township has been working on this issue since 2019, when it first began preparing its request to Transport Canada for new navigation restrictions. The request includes three primary measures:
- A speed limit of 10 km/h across the entire surface of Fitch Bay.
- A ban on towing people on any sport or recreational equipment, including wakeboarding.
- A ban on allowing people to surf in the wake of a boat.
Ramacieri was clear that these measures are aimed at reducing the physical disturbance to the bay’s delicate ecosystem, particularly its sediment-rich floor, which is a known reservoir for phosphorus.
“We’ve chosen these restrictions because they strike a balance between preserving recreational use of the bay and protecting its environment,” Ramacieri said.
