This is a chat forum for the cottagers of Shabomeka Lake.  It is intended for the passing on of information relevant to the lake and will be monitored for content.  It is a private site and is entirely independant from the official lake association.  Everyone is welcome to post but it will be restricted to useful and respectful comments only.

This website is due to close on February 2, 2012.  There is the possibility that someone else will open a new site with the same web address.  Until that site is up and running, people can keep in touch by using the following site which is a chat page only and was set up by someone a few years ago.  Thank you for your support and good luck to the future site.  Webmaster 

                                                       http://wikimapia.org/4714462/Shabomeka-Lake

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Iceman like new campsite.                                                                 Jan.13/12

Good point.  I will try to add the posting dates in the future.   Webmaster

This forum has no dates issued to when someone contributes a post.. So this post is Jan 12/2012. Heading up this Friday to the cottage. Hopefully ice is thick and can do some snowmobiling.    Brandon

1st part was
Happy New Year to All
Just wanted to let you all know the lake is finally frozen and people were out ice fishing Saturday afternoon by the big island and more brave souls were out on the ice today as well.       Casey

Happy New Year!

Just wondering about the lake/ice conditions....any information would be appreciated.   Thanks,  Jeff

A barrier arm with a lock preventing the crossing of the creek would be cheap and effective.  Since I believe that you are not technically allowed to drive through the creek, the MVCA should have installed a barrier long ago.     Old Fashioned

Please note that only allowing ATV's access through a locked gate  and blocking the creek would be a problem.  Hydro need to access lines on ocasion with equipment larger than an atv...and on occasion a water access lot owner may require equipment in for other purposes.      Jeff

It would be easy to block off the creek with some large boulders or a barrier of some kind which would stop ATV's, and then have a keyed barrier on the dam so Hydro and water access people would have access.   The idea is that we don't want a bunch of ATV's from other lakes or anywhere crossing private property and causing damage.   Old fashioned

To: "Old Fashioned"
You have raised a good point.
Cottage owners certainly don't want a confrontation that could potentially turn ugly. I figured that as a starting point we could identify our ATV's etc. I have no problem crossing the creek. But, I can guarantee that hardcore ATV owners(not from our lake) would have no problem looking for an alternate route.
Blocking the dam  could discourage the respectful people from other lakes etc.
If we had a bylaw passed and posted it it could discourage people or do the opposite.
Unfortunately some people would take offense and do damage
on the lake.
This is definitely a bit of a conundrum.
Perhaps our lake president has some input on this.
He obviously obtained info about the dam from someone.
Perhaps this contact person may have some solutions. There are a lot of dams on the Mississippi..possibly other lake associations have the same concerns.
Merry Christmas everyone and Thanks Don Ross for the Holiday Greeting!
Reg
 

To my friends at the lake: Have a Merry Christmas and a Safe Happy Holiday!  Don Ross

Water access owners....but then what - if we see a non-owner machine what can we do?  Better to prevent entry in the first place.  Old Fashioned.

Perhaps for starters, we could print up stickers that identify a Shabomeka Lake owners ATV or Snowmobile.
At least there would be no confusion if someone spotted an individual crossing their land.
Just a thought...
Reg

Maybe access across the dam and creek should be limited to water access cottagers,  as it is only other water access owners who actually have the right to cross private property in order to reach their own cottage.  Hydro would obviously have a barrier key as well and perhaps our lake association executive could keep a key for any other emergency.    Old Fashioned

Hi

First of all it is my understanding that a Hydro right of way is just that....hydro crosses my lot at the back of my property but this area is part of the legal description of my lot, Hydro retains a right to cross our property for the benefit of all. I would assume that Hydro could not fine anyone for using this path.
Also it is my understanding that the walking path that many use is in the area of shoreline road allowance, some cottagers have chose to purchase this shoreline allowance, however it's use for travelling to/from ones property remains granfathered.   Jeff

Thank you for the information; it has cleared up some misunderstandings.   Bystander

Dear Bystander,
Originally, the properties were sold with a 65 foot crown owned area which measured from the lake shore up.
Later, people were given the option to by this piece of land (which most people did at a cost of approximately $5000). This made a property more attractive to a buyer if a person was to put their land and cottage on the market. Without buying the 65 feet you were not allowed to build a structure
on this area.
When the lots were first sold, the municipality granted other cottagers on the water side access through their neighbors property to get to there own property.
By buying the 65 feet,a cottager owns his/her land completely but still must grant access through there land to fellow cottage owners.
If a person has no boat or comes in the off season, they would have no way of accessing their cottage if not for crossing properties.
From what I have seen during my tenure at our beautiful lake,is respect by persons crossing properties...whether it is by foot, atv or snowmobile.
Unfortunately, when Hydro ran the 2 D6 Dozers through the hydro line to make it more accessible to them, non-land owners saw this as a recreational trail.
I agree with all the postings of the damage done by persons with atvs who do not pay taxes
on our lake.
Myself..I am very careful and always stop by cottages on my atv in the winter to check for damage or vandalism. In fact, I helped repair hydro stacks and lines after ice storms and preferred to remain anonymous.
I tried to get in touch with North Frontenac today to get some solutions, but they must run a skeleton staff.
Gord Mountamy is the contact person for the Mississippi conservation authority for Dam/water concerns...By for now, Reg

I am not sure about who can use the Hydro right-of-ways but I found this release by Hydro One which states in part: ... Hydro One discourages the operation of motorized vehicles on rights-of-way as they damage property, create noise disturbance, and pose a serious hazard to children and pedestrians who use the right-of-way." and apparently people can be fined for trespassing.
This is the link:
http://www.hydroone.com/OurCompany/MediaCentre/Documents/NewsReleases2009/05_07_2009_Hydro_RightofWay_Hamilton.pdf

It refers specifically to the city of Hamilton but it seems to apply to all locations.  As for the rights of others to cross one's property, are you telling me that someone can legally drive an ATV or snowmobile on my property at any time and I can't do anything about it?
Mint Julep

I don't know about everyone else but when I went to purchase my cottage my lawyer informed me that I had no legal access to the property (the shoreline allowance was not owned).  This leads me to believe that if I  had no legal access, no-one else did/does either.    Bystander

They just drive through the creek - more fun - AND damage.   Old Fashioned

At present ATV's cannot cross the dam, the conservation authority has recently installed barriers.    Jeff

Any land owner on a water access lake has the legal right to cross another's property. This is stated in the legal document a person signs when purchacing such a piece of land.
It is not stated that it should be by foot, atv or snowmobile.
Also, Hydro has a 60 foot easment through the cottagers properties that follows the hydro line.
I am not trying to start an argument.
I am stating facts so people understand.
Thanks, Reg

I think it is a mistake to allow ATV access to the water-access properties on the lake.  To my way of thinking it would mean there is more potential for break-ins and vandalism. I think there should be a barrier of some sort so Hydro alone has access.

PS  Sorry to see the old website has been so drastically modified but I understand the reasons.  Good job on both that one and this new one, Webmaster!            Mint Julep

Good points, I agree - but the Hydro right-of way is just that - Hydro has the legal right to trespass but not anyone else, unless they have the landowners  permission.      Old Fashioned

There is no crack in the concrete part of the dam. The clay on each side that was put in in 1938 is and has been leaking by for quite some time. ATV's have not caused any damage.
It would be unwise to block ATV's and Snow Machines from the dam.
Hydro One uses ATV's to access our cottages and lines for maintenance and storm damage. Also this is a route to extract sick or injured persons in the winter time since some cottages cannot be accessed from the ice because of the elevation.   Reg
 

I would like to thank our lake association for all their hard work and for the info in the message from Frank.  I do think that a vote should be taken by the water access cottagers on whether to make the dam passable to ATV's, as a fair amount of damage is caused by them on private property and in the McDowall Lake area.  I think everyone has a boat to access their cottage and ATV's are not really necessary or appropriate to use in this area.  I realize that it's not all caused by cottagers as I have personally witnessed  several people riding back and forth through the water at the dam just for the fun of it and tearing around at McDowall Lake.  If others don't agree, I would accept the majority vote.  Thanks, "Like it the old fashioned way." 

Greg....thanks for the useful reminder of the products to use in and around our lake.  I would be interested in hearing more about your mouse proofing program.

Thanks
Jeff Simmons        jeffsimmons#sympatico.ca

Well done Webmaster and thanks for all your efforts. 

If anyone desires information on mouse proofing your cottage, let me know and I will share the information regarding my successful program.  

I have begun a total ban of phosphates in my cottage and encourge all others to consider a program of their own to help rid our lake of phosphates.

Living on a head water lake, makes us responsible for the ongoing polution of our lake due to problems relating to cleaners that contain phosphates. 

Faulty septic systems and dishwashing detergents are majour problem areas, but so too is lack of septic systems, or approved grey water pits.  Frontenac county has valuable information to help us be totally green and I will do my part. 
As our lake has been monitored for such a long time (thanks to the cottagers associations), we know basically how extensive the problem is, and we also know why we have the problem.  
Our lake does replenish itself partially each spring (I believe its in the 15 per cent  bracket) so it will take some time).  The sooner we get started, the better. 

There are many products available, and I am testing out quite a few.  Any one who wants to join this cause, please do. www.pinksolution.ca is a Canadian company which makes enviormentally friendly products.  The David Susuki foundation, endores their line of products. 
All the main stores in our area, carry green products!  
Greg Alexander       greg.roger@sympatico.ca

If anyone is looking for a hot water heater we have one that was only used for 2 summers. Its a 40 gallon electric if anyone is interested. We want to get rid of it so best offer will be excepted.   Brent Wilson
brent7360@rogers.com

Webmaster, thanks for taking the lead on the previous website.  It was entertaining and informative.  This is still a great way for all to stay connected.  Cheers,al aka Shabshacker.  Gonna miss the Iceman.

Wow...Webmaster you did an excellent job with the new site. I like the graphics at the top.
I hope this one will not attract unfortunate comments.
(remainder of message edited)     Don Ross 

(For the record, I would like to say that the edited part of my last posting was not nasty and contained a comment about this site's privacy. Regards, Don)

Welcome back!
For those who haven't been to the lake recently. I can't imagine you haven't, but several boats have been hauled for winter as water levels are extremely low, earlier than usual this season. Thank you all for your business and have a GREAT OFF Season.
Pauline and Steve Smart and all our staff.

Too bad about the previous website and the hard work that must have gone into it. It was unfortunate that a few anonymous people had such a negative impact.  Anyways Webmaster thanks for this ....I find the information exchanged about lake conditions most useful and appreciated.
 Jeff Simmons