Accomplishments

We are implementing actions and activities to achieve our mission. Raising awareness among all stakeholders is essential to prioritize the preservation of the water quality of Lake Davignon and its watershed.

Photo : ©Paul Collette

Since the creation of the Lake Davignon Watershed Protection Committee in 2007, several actions have been undertaken that have allowed us to both deepen our knowledge of the lake and its watershed and to mobilize everyone who cares about water quality. Our activities, combined with the Lake Davignon Watershed Action Plan adopted by the City of Cowansville, allow us to pursue our mission with confidence in the future. In this regard, monitoring the progress of the action plan is a priority for our Committee

Awareness. Information.

Raising awareness and sharing information about our lake are essential elements in mobilizing and empowering all users. Here are a few examples:

The CSBVLD has produced a poster listing the main aquatic species found in the lake. One has been installed at the Nature Centre beach, and another is planned for the boat launch.

Depending on the occasion, CSBVLD members attend popular events to share their knowledge and concerns about the lake with various target audiences. Promotional tools have been developed to maximize the CSBVLD’s visibility (booths with pull-up banners, posters, brochures, etc.).

The CSBVLD newsletter, published four times a year, keeps our members and partners informed of the latest news and progress. Would you like to receive our newsletter? Become a member, and we will be happy to add your name to our mailing list.

Shoreline cleanup

Every year, once spring is well underway, a shoreline cleanup is organized with the help of a group of generous volunteers. These are citizens dedicated to keeping the banks clean and litter-free. Numerous bags of debris are collected, preventing this waste from ending up in the lake.

Are you interested in participating in the Shoreline Cleanup?

Invasive species and sediments.

The issue of invasive exotic species is not unique to Lake Davignon. This is why the Regroupement des Associations Pour la Protection de l’Environnement des Lacs et des bassins versants (RAPPEL), a Quebec-based solidarity cooperative for water protection, launched the Alliance for a National Management Program for Eurasian Watermilfoil. The CSBVLD supports this initiative and invites everyone concerned about water protection to do the same.

For its part, the CSBVLD has formed a working committee to study data and reflect on actions that can be implemented to reduce the presence of invasive exotic species in Lake Davignon, particularly the Eurasian watermilfoil, as well as the various contaminants that feed this invasive plant and trigger cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms. We are working with our partners (the City of Cowansville, OBV Yamaska, and the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi ) to find potential solutions.

The influx of sediment into Lake Davignon is another major issue we are addressing. It is essential to work upstream to minimize sediment coming from the watershed as much as possible. Much work remains to be done on this file, and we must have the support of the municipalities within the watershed territory to achieve our goals.

Aquatic wildlife inventory.

In 2016, an aquatic wildlife inventory of Lake Davignon was conducted to establish a profile of the fish and other aquatic fauna (crayfish, mollusks, turtles, and anurans) found in the lake. This initial inventory aimed to detect the presence of invasive species and species at risk, to compile a list of the ichthyological fauna (fish life) present, and to locate observed spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds.

The inventory identified more than 17 species of fish, two species of turtles, one species of crayfish, three species of anurans and three species of freshwater mussels. The only species at risk identified was the snapping turtle, designated as a species of special concern in Canada (COSEWIC, 2017). The data collected provided a fairly comprehensive portrait of the lake's fish community and will allow for better planning of the interventions or developments necessary to improve its protection.

Isabelle Picard, a biologist, authored and presented her report to the Lake Davignon Watershed Protection Committee (CSBVLD) in 2017.

Canada Goose population control

Photo : ©Raymonde Boyer

The overpopulation of Canada geese in urban areas causes significant headaches for Quebec municipalities, and the City of Cowansville is no exception. Each of these impressive birds produces nearly 1 kg of droppings per day, a problem that affects water quality and can lead to the closure of beaches, playgrounds, and parks. To avoid this, prevention is the best approach. Several simple actions are recommended: do not feed the birds, install fencing near bodies of water (which you have likely noticed at the Centre de la Nature beach), or allow tall grasses to grow along shorelines. To deter them, some municipalities use dogs (a method the City of Cowansville has also trialed) or even birds of prey. The goal is not to harm or eliminate them, as they are a protected species, but to prevent overpopulation in urban settings. The Canadian Wildlife Service also issues permits for egg addling (sterilization). This procedure leaves the egg intact, and the geese continue to incubate without the eggs hatching. This measure helps reduce the number of goslings. Since geese return to nest each year where they were born, their numbers eventually decrease. The CSBVLD holds a permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service and periodically carries out egg addling in nests located around Lake Davignon.

Sampling campain.

On May 23rd, the 2023 water quality sampling campaign for the watershed and Lake Davignon officially began.

This year, Léa Couture from OBV Yamaska was responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of field outings, supported by Gérard Houle, who manages this vital project for the Lake Davignon Watershed Protection Committee.

Funding

We are pleased to announce that Desjardins - Caisse de la Porte-des-Cantons-de-l'Est and Mr. Guy St-Louis have confirmed financial contributions to the project in the amounts of $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.

We are moving toward finalizing the funding for this campaign. A notice to interested donors: we are still accepting contributions!

For more details, please visit our project page.