Special presentation at our AGM from FYTO on proposed invasive Milfoil control strategies

When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST
Where: Complexe sportif La Pêche, Salle Desjardin
20, chemin Raphaël
Ste-Cécile-de-Masham

A zoom link will be provided for those unable to attend in person.

Enviro Lac Gauvreau thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers. Whether you have a few hours or can make a longer-term commitment, there are many ways to help.

We are always looking for:

• Board members to help guide strategy, decision-making, and key projects
• Event volunteers to support initiatives such as our annual shoreline restoration plant sale
• Water quality monitors to assist with testing and data collection
• Communication volunteers to share updates through our newsletter and website
• Project leads for initiatives such as invasive species monitoring or educational outreach

Whatever your skills or experience, you can make a real difference for Lac Gauvreau. We welcome long-time cottagers, new residents, and anyone who cares about the lake.

Interested? Email us at info@lacgauvreau.ca and tell us how you’d like to help.

Last summer, Enviro Lac Gauvreau commissioned FYTO — specialists in invasive aquatic plant management — to conduct a full survey of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in Lac Gauvreau and to develop a strategy to fight it. They started with a characterisation of the lake, and based on the results, developed a strategy with three scenarios.

• Read the report (English): May 31 EN-final FYTO 2025-Milfoil Report-RdLDHR.pdf
• Lire le rapport (en français) : 2025-GAU-Stratégie de lutte contre le MAE au lac Gauvreau.pdf

The Situation Now
 
Eurasian watermilfoil has been present in our lake for well over a decade, and the 2025 characterization gives us the clearest picture yet of how it has evolved. The July 2025 survey — carried out by a team using a boat-mounted aquascope and aerial drone imagery — identified 149 aquatic plant beds covering 146,182 m² (16.1% of the lake). Of these, 140 beds contain EWM, totalling 134,136 m², or 14.7% of the lake's surface, running along nearly the entire shoreline with the largest, densest beds concentrated in the north and around Île Sainte-Anne.

Some Encouraging Signs

Despite the EWM challenge, the report highlights real reasons for optimism. Water clarity and total phosphorus concentrations have improved since 2022, and the lake has improved its trophic classification from eutrophic to mesotrophic, according to the provincial Voluntary Lake Monitoring Network — an improvement partly attributed to the responsible boating guidelines introduced in 2022–2023. The lake's biodiversity also remains rich, with 23 species or groups of native plants and 27 confirmed fish species, meaning rapid, targeted action can still turn the tide.

Strategy proposed by FYTO: Three Scenarios

FYTO has presented Enviro Lac Gauvreau with three action scenarios for a multi-year control strategy. No herbicides will be used, as none have been approved in Quebec for the removal of Milfoil. All methods rely on physical removal and tarp covering, which are the safest and most effective options under Quebec regulations.

Scenario 1 — Optimal (2027–2029): Estimated costs: $280,000 (over three years)
The most ambitious approach. Professional divers would cover 13,660 m² of dense EWM beds with synthetic tarps and manually remove an additional 22,057 m² of lower-density beds over three years. Goal: reduce all beds above 25% EWM density to zero by 2029. 

Scenario 2 — Moderate (2027): Estimated costs: $75,000 plus yearly maintenance
A more targeted one-year intervention focusing on the most heavily infested monospecific beds (density above 75%), covering 6,273 m² with tarps. Goal: eliminate all monospecific EWM stands and begin annual maintenance monitoring and maintenance.

• Visit the "Eurasian Watermilfoil" webpage for news about the state of milfoil on Lac Gauvreau
• Visit the "Research Resources" webpage to read the report: STRATEGY FOR CONTROLLING EURASIAN MILFOIL IN LAC GAUVREAU - 2025

On a beautiful Saturday morning this past May, 20 of our members gathered for our Lakeshore Restoration Workshop to help protect and improve our lake’s shoreline.

A special thank you goes out to the Municipality of La Pêche for subsidizing 270 native plants for our members. We also want to thank Andrea Brennan from Reconnect Ecological Landscaping for hosting an incredible workshop. She covered everything from proper planting techniques to beaver-proofing our shorelines!

Want customized advice for your riparian strip? Connect with Andrea directly through the Reconnect Contact Page.

Building on years of success, we have ordered over 300 native trees, shrubs, and perennials to help naturalize the shores of Lac Gauvreau. Plants will come in pots this year — trees in 2-gallon pots, shrubs in 1-gallon pots, and perennials in smaller pots — for better survival and easier planting.

Pricing: $1 per perennial · $2 per shrub · $3 per tree

To participate: Renew your membership first, then browse the Lac Gauvreau Plant Brochure to see what's available, where to plant it, and which species attract specific birds or butterflies. Complete the order form found inside the brochure.

🗓 Distribution event: A spring Saturday in May (likely May 23, but to be confirmed). We'll hold a workshop on plant ecology — which species attract butterflies, which draw birds, and how to plant them successfully. Refreshments will be served. A date and location will be announced once delivery is confirmed.

> Click here to view the poster in English
> Cliquez ici pour voir l'affiche en français
> Visit the "Restore Your Shoreline" webpage

February, 2026 — Thank you to everyone who participated in our fall survey on Lac Gauvreau's Responsible Boating Guidelines. Since their introduction in 2022, these guidelines have helped address environmental and safety concerns related to both motorized and non-motorized boating, particularly the spread of Eurasian milfoil. We wanted to hear from you about how they're working.

What We’ve Learned
Forty-nine people responded to the survey (approximately 30% of lake residents), with the majority being non-motorized boat owners. Full survey results are available here and in our latest March, 2026 newsletter.

Most respondents are longtime members of the Lac Gauvreau community. Nearly two-thirds have lived on or owned property on the lake for more than 10 years, and most spend time at the lake daily or several times a week during the summer. Boating is common (93%), though non-motorized activities—such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and fishing—are by far the most frequent uses. Low-powered motorboats are used occasionally, while high-powered motorboats are used by a relatively small proportion of respondents.

Shared concerns and priorities
The results show strong alignment around protecting the lake. Nearly 80% of respondents reported being very or somewhat concerned about the environmental impacts of motorboats, including the spread of Eurasian milfoil, sediment disturbance, shoreline erosion, and pollution. Noise and safety are also important considerations, with a majority expressing at least some level of concern. Overall, the survey reflects a shared desire to balance recreation with environmental protection and safety for all lake users.

Awareness and communication
Awareness of the Responsible Boating Guidelines is very high. Almost all respondents are familiar with the guidelines, and more than 90% feel they have been communicated well or very well. Most also reported that information about speed limits, restricted zones, and sensitive areas is easy to access through signage, maps, newsletters, or the Enviro Lac Gauvreau website. This suggests that ongoing communication efforts are effective.

Effectiveness of the guidelines
Overall satisfaction with the current boating guidelines is strong. More than two-thirds of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied. Most feel the guidelines address key concerns—such as water quality, milfoil control, shoreline protection, safety, and fair recreational use—either well or very well.

When asked about the size and speed limits of the various colour coded boating zones, a majority supported maintaining the current zones and speed limits. At the same time, a meaningful number of respondents expressed openness to expanding certain zones or reducing speeds further, indicating interest in precautionary approaches.

Looking ahead
Respondents showed strong support for preventive and educational measures, including awareness campaigns for visitors and renters, mandatory boat cleaning before entering the lake, and stronger encouragement to follow existing guidelines. Nearly half of those surveyed are ready to roll up their sleeves and actively participate in protecting the lake — a promising sign for Enviro Lac Gauvreau.

Survey Highlights

• 65% of respondents have lived on or owned property on Lac Gauvreau for more than 10 years
• 93% use a boat on the lake
• 73% regularly use non-motorized boats
• 80% are very or somewhat concerned about environmental impacts
• 96% are familiar with the Responsible Boating Guidelines
• 92% feel the guidelines are communicated well or very well
• 68% are satisfied or very satisfied with the current guidelines
• 75% support awareness campaigns for visitors and renters
• 73% support mandatory boat cleaning before entering the lake

The good news: the guidelines are working well overall, and no major changes are needed.

What still needs attention:

• Noise pollution – Motorboat noise remains a concern for many residents
• Wake impact – Shoreline erosion from boat wakes continues to be an issue
• Safety – Swimmers and non-motorized boaters face ongoing risks from faster traffic
• Boat cleaning practices– Improved boat cleaning practices to help prevent milfoil spread
• Awareness gaps – Property owners, visitors, and especially renters need better access to the guidelines

Next Steps
The Board is committed to addressing these concerns through enhanced communication and community engagement. While the guidelines are voluntary, we can do more to promote them—including direct, respectful conversations with those who may be unaware of lake-friendly practices.

We all share this lake. By following the Responsible Boating Guidelines, we protect its health, safety, and tranquility for everyone. Review the guidelines here and help us spread the word to neighbours, visitors and renters.

Join us in Protecting our Lake
Enviro Lac Gauvreau thrives because of dedicated volunteers who care about our shared waters. Whether you have a few hours or can make a longer-term commitment, there are meaningful ways to contribute.

We're always looking for:

• Board members who can help guide our strategic direction and decision-making and partake on various exciting Enviro Lac Gauvreau projects
• Event volunteers to support initiatives like our popular annual shoreline restoration plant sale
• Water quality monitors to assist with testing and data collection
• Communications helpers to share updates and engage our community via our newsletter and website
• Project leads for specific initiatives like invasive species monitoring or educational outreach
• Your skills and passion—whatever they may be—can make a real difference for Lac Gauvreau. Whether you're a long-time cottager, a new resident, or simply someone who loves this lake, we'd welcome your involvement.
• Ready to get involved? Email us at enviro.gauvreau@gmail.com. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you'd like to help, and we'll find the right fit for you.

What are we working on?

• Plants for the lake shore restoration project (almost free native plants) have been ordered. More information on how to order your plants to follow!
• We have received the Milfoil report from FYTO. We are reviewing it and will dedicate a newsletter to the results and the options to control Milfoil in the coming months
• We are putting systems in place to better manage our administrative processes like membership administration.

Stay tuned!