What We Do The Charleston Lake Association and The Charleston Lake Environmental Association are implementing projects to preserve and enhance our beautiful lake for future generations.
CLA Events
Summer Camp
Every year CLA hosts three summer camps for local children aged 5-10 at Sand Bay County Park. Each camp has a unique theme: Nature, Adventure and Sports.
Doug Hale Memorial Golf Tournament
Since 2003, CLA hosts an annual golf tournament in memory of Doug Hale, founder of the CLEA.
Annual General Meeting
Every year, CLA/CLEA holds an Annual General Meeting which includes updates on activities and special interest topics.
WATER Testing Program
Charleston Lake Association has been testing water since the mid 70’s. The seven basins of Charleston Lake (Donaldson Bay, Webster Bay, Southern Waters, Goose Island, Deep Waters, Eastern Waters and Big Waters) are monitored for water clarity, phosphorus, calcium, chloride and temperature six times a year from May 1st to Oct 31st . Every couple of years, the surface to bottom water column oxygen and temperature are tested in late August and September.
Water Quality Results
Boating Safety
Shoal Markers
Charleston Lake has many shoals and the water levels change significantly during the season. The Charleston Lake Association installs (in May), removes (in October), maintains and stores 75 shoal markers every season. In 2024, CLA replaced 26 shoal markers and exchanged or added solar powered lights. In 2025, they will replace several anchors and chains and replace a larger quantity of solar lights.
Special thanks to the volunteers: Robbie Gibson, Marty Rukavina, Brent Moulton, Ben Rukavina, Josh Fenlong, Luke Severaon, Andy Bennis, Clayton Gray and Danny Gray. Also thanks for the use of Gary and Faith Bellisle’s pontoon boat.
Boating Awareness and Safety System Initiative
In 2021/2022, CLA launched a major new initiative aimed at reducing boat speed and noise, and to promote safe boating etiquette. CLA is especially proud that this initiative was selected from among dozens of applications from across Canada to receive financial support from Transport Canada’s Boating Safety Contribution Program. This contribution will off set a significant portion of the costs of the initiative. The key elements are:
- Boater awareness survey
- Create a plasticized waterproof boating map of Charleston Lake
- Improve signage at public boat ramps
- Communications via traditional media, web-based media and social media
- Develop collateral material
- Develop Youth programs via boating safety modules in CLA summer camps
Fishing
“Let’s get the lead out” – Our Fish Lead Free Program
Our “Let’s get the Lead out” program is an initiative designed to reduce toxic lead fishing tackle from accumulating in the environment where it is responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually. Loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are especially vulnerable. Lead is very harmful to all living things, including people and it threatens our water quality.
Spawning Sanctuaries
For the 2024 and 2025 seasons, there will be two spawning sanctuaries on Charleston Lake. In these areas, all fishing will be prohibited during the reproductive period when fish are spawning and guarding their young. This is from April 15 to the Friday before the first Saturday in July. The new regulations and the description of the sanctuaries are included in the OMNRF’s official 2024 fishing Regulations.
Birds
Loons
Twice a year, CLA directors Dwayne Struthers and Katie Baker conduct loon surveys. In July 2025, we had 33 adult loons and 9 chicks (and 3 know fatalities).
CLEA Dwayne Struthers and Jeff Roddick, have built and maintains 7 loon rafts at different locations around the lake.
This year, CLA engaged wildlife photographer Joshua Burch to equip our loon nesting rafts with remote cameras. This has allowed us to observe a loon family through its seasonal cycle.
Conservation Efforts to Preserve Undeveloped Lands (2015-current)
CLEA has partnered with and continues to partner with The Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust (TIWLT) to preserve roughly 2000 acres of land in and around Charleston Lake to ensure these lands will remain undeveloped and ultimately to protect the water quality of the Lake.
These Projects include:
- SHEFFIELD PROPERTY – 650 acres – attaches to Charleston Lake in Donaldsons Bay, was turned over to the Provincial Park, CLA/CLEA contribution of $10000.
- OLD BALDY (Indian Head) – 140 acres transferred from a development project to The Nature Conservancy of Canada, CLA/CLEA contribution of $10000. This was recognized in 2017 by Environment Canada as one of the top 150 projects in Canada for Canada150 celebrations.
- LEADERS CREEK – 256 acres – 2 properties, Carson property 50 acres and one property of 206 acres, CLA/ CLEA contribution of $11000.
- FOSTERS BAY – 50 acres – CLEA partnered with Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust (TIWLT)
- Dr ROSS PROPERTY – 900 acres ( Donaldson Bay)- CLEA partnered with Thousand Island Watershed Trust
- HASKINS PROPERTY – 115 acres donated to the Provincial Park, near Tallow Rock Bay
- 2015 Contribution towards the Thousand Acre Challenge – purchase of additional property on Leeder Creek contributed $10000
Photo Credit: Brian Hollingsworth
