Category: Community Blog

Lac des Roches residents were among the 100 or so citizens who attended an information gathering meeting with George Abbott on Oct. 14 at the Interlakes Community Hall. There have been concerns raised by individuals and special interest groups about the governance of the Interlakes area. A request for grant money by the Interlakes Economic Association prompted the Cariboo Regional District to hire Mr. Abbot and his partners to conduct a study and produce a report on issues of governance. The report is expected to be complete by December 31 of this year.

A good cause, good weather, and good fellowship brought Lac des Roches neighbours out walking on Sunday, Oct. 5 as an informal “run for the cure” team to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. The “walking pool” style route, from the east end of Boultbee Road to the west end of Gerald Crescent allowed walkers to join in and drop off where they chose. We had a $5 participation fee and with that and generous donations from the walkers and other residents, raised $185 so far, and are still receiving donations. Thank you everyone and expect the walk to happen again next year, same time, same place.

Very small snowflakes fell during the late morning on Saturday, following a chilly and overcast night. When the clouds finally lifted early afternoon, the hills all around the lake had a very visible light dusting of snow on the evergreen trees. One neighbour insisted in was frozen fog settling on the trees…that sounds like snow to me! Despite a forecast of clear skies and warm temperatures this coming week, our nights are chilly and the dew has been replaced by frost in most areas. The smell of smoke from the many wood-burning fireplaces is a gentle reminder that winter is just around the corner.

It was a slow process but the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake society received the official certification for its name change this spring. The Lac des Roches Watershed Society is made up of approximately 100 property owners and lake users who’s goal is to protect the interests of the communities of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake through active stewardship and communication activities for the entire watershed. Their only affiliation is as a member of the British Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) which works closely with the Ministry of Environment to monitor water quality of lakes throughout the province. Most of the executive members are the same dedicated residents who have held office since the group formed in 2004. Currently, the group is focused on finishing the year’s water testing program and communicating local issues. A website overhaul is their upcoming winter project, saved for when the boats and docks are finally pulled out of the water. Weekly blog updates have resumed, effectively today.

“Live Trout.” These words plastered on the sides of big trucks on Highway 24 are another sure sign that spring is here and the lakes are open and ready for fishing. A quick view of the “fish stocking reports” on the gofishbc.com website shows the society is very busy implementing their spring stocking plans.  Lac des Roches, Little Lac des Roches, Birch Lake and Phinetta Lake are slated for stocking of various types of Rainbow Trout. A total of 121,500 fingerlings will be added to this chain of four lakes in the Lac des Roches watershed during the spring of 2015.

Long time resident of Lac des Roches, Ed Stacey, was the honoured guest at a neighbourhood farewell party on April 10. Ed’s wife Judi lost her battle with cancer several years ago and it was time for Ed to move closer to his remaining family in the lower Mainland. Both Ed and Judi were very well known for their community involvement, particularly with the Interlakes Lions, Citizens on Patrol and Bridge Lake School.  We’ve all probably eaten turkey, spaghetti, hamburgers or pancakes prepared by volunteer chefs, Ed and Judi over the years, in addition to the delicious meals they served at their restaurant at Sheridan Lake. Ed has now relocated to his new home in the Fraser Valley.

The adventurous ladies of Lac des Roches put their snowshoes away very early this year due to lack of snow. In fact, this season was considerably shorter than last year since the snow was very slow to arrive as well. Thankfully, the ladies have decided to continue their Sunday adventure walks throughout the snow-free months and have since enjoyed many days of hikes and picnic lunches. The ladies are still discovering roads, trails and paths around the lake and in the nearby hills which are suitable for all levels of fitness and interest of participants and they welcome any and all ladies to join them on their outings. On April 26, the ladies chose a special clean-up path for their Sunday hike, in honour of Earth Day.  With the help of three local children, the work crew collected about 100 pounds of garbage and several large bags of cans and bottles from the roadside between Boultbee and the Wavey Lake Forestry Service roads. By all accounts, clambering up and down the steep gravel slopes on both sides of the highway was equal to the most difficult hike the ladies have encountered up the mountain this year with a challenge rating of 4 out of 4.  A good workout with good neighbours doing a good deed!

Open water at the west end of Lac des Roches, near the Access #7 Boat Launch, allowed residents to enjoy a paddle on the water as early as April 4. Most residents agree, this is the earliest the ice has ever come off the lake. Many years, we hope the ice will be off the lake for the visitors who arrive for the May long weekend!

The crazy lake ice did a lot of dock damage this winter but went quickly and quietly off the big lake over a couple of days in early April. For the purpose of official water monitoring, the ice off date for the big lake is April 11, 2015. Four days later, Marge Sidney from the Ministry of Environment conducted level 2 “overturn” water testing for the first time on Lac des Roches. This testing provides valuable water quality information prior to the spring turnover, when the warm water at the bottom of the lake trades places with the colder water at the surface of the lake – commonly called turnover. Lac des Roches turns over twice a year, Spring and Fall. Residents of the lake volunteer their time during the ice off months to regularly monitor the water through several quality test. Data is summarized and analyzed by staff of the BC Lake Stewardship Society and Ministry personnel.

On Sunday, March 1, fresh wolf tracks were discovered by snowshoers on the north east side of the lake and atv riders on the south side of the lake. Later that same day, around 9 pm, the howls of several wolves to the north west of the lake were loud enough to stir some wild sounds out of several resident dogs, trying their hand at howling right back! Wolves so close to the neighbourhood reaffirms the theory that it is these resident wolves keeping away the moose and deer sighted in the area in previous years.