Ayer’s Cliff boat launch closing today

Following the discovery of zebra mussels in Lake Massawippi, the municipalities of North Hatley, Hatley, Sainte-catherine-de Hatley, and Canton de Hatley closed the public boat launches located on their territory, and encouraging owners of private launches to close off their launches. The last remaining public boat launch, located in Ayer’s Cliff, will also close on Friday, Nov 12 at 2 p.m.

The objective of the decision to close the launches was to allow divers to carry out research work and properly assess the state of the situation concerning the zebra mussels in the Massawippi Lake, and to minimize the risk of additional contamination.

On Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, the divers completed their research work. The Regie du Parc regional Massawippi is currently awaiting the results, which should be sent to us in the coming weeks.

Since the next interventions will depend mainly on the conclusions of the MFFP report, and the fall season is already well advanced, members of the board of the Regie du Pare regional Massawippi decided to proceed with the closure of the last public boat launch located at Ayer’s Cliff starting Nov. 12.

According to the Regie, the decision was not taken lightly. While the board is aware of the negative impact the closure could have on fishermen, members believe it is the right decision, particularly given the decrease of traffic.

The Regie is inviting all residents who have not yet taken their boat out of the lake or who plan to use the boat launch at Ayer’s Cliff to do

so by Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, before 2 p.m.

Owners of private boat launches located around the lake are also encouraged to close off these accesses in order to avoid any additional contamination.