Memphremagog Conservation Inc’s lake patrol begins for the summer
Memphremagog Conservation Inc (MCI)’S lake patrol will begin a new season on Lake Memphreamgog and will be patrolling from May to September and will give priority to monitoring and controlling zebra mussel colonies.
MCI’S patrol works with many partners to monitor the lake’s water quality and its tributaries, shoreline activities, and cyanobacteria blooms. This year’s scientific studies will focus on zebra mussels, in collaboration with the City of Magog, the Memphremago MRC, and the Provincial Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks Ministry (MFFP). This exotic invasive species was discovered in established colonies by patrollers in 2018.
Boaters and shoreline residents must be vigilant this summer to limit the spread of exotic aquatic species such as zebra mussels, which are undetectable to the naked eye at the larval stage. It is crucial to wash, empty, and dry one’s boat or other aquatic equipment like fishing and diving gear, when moving from one lake to another, to limit the spread of new exotic species in Lake Memphremagog and other bodies of water in the area. Boats can be washed at various free washing stations around the lake, or at home according to the instructions detailed on the MFFP’S website.
Patrol supervisor Vicki Marcoux will be graduating this year with a bachelor’s degree in environment from Laval University. Patrollers this summer are Virginie Le Pape, who will be graduating this year with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Sherbrooke, and Eric Phendler, who is currently studying ecology at Bishop’s University.
Lake Memphremagog is a crucial resource in the region, as it offers drinking water to over 175,000 people. MCI is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers that has been working on the conservation and environmental health of the lake and its watershed for the past 52 years.
The patrol can be reached at all times by phone or text message at 819-6203939 or by email at patrol@memphremagog.org.