By Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press
It isn’t just the fact that Barrow Bay is known for the only Inland Lake with Georgian Bay access in Ontario, or that it offers a “Safe Harbour” for boaters if storm conditions arise that makes it so unique. It’s not just because it has several unique species of bird and wildlife including breeding eagles on the bluff and that Little Lake acts as a fish sanctuary stocked with 10,000 fish each season that makes it so special. What makes Barrow Bay most eccentric is the sense of community the 200 residents (both seasonal and year-round) have when it comes to special projects like maintaining the channel that links Little Lake to Georgian Bay.
Just ask Joanne Brouwer Shouldice, Barrow Bay resident and Treasurer of the Barrow Bay Property Owner’s Association (BBPOA). “This small community of Barrow Bay is nothing short of amazing. The whole community and effort behind it are incredible,” she beamed when discussing the fundraising efforts for their much-needed reconstruction project.
Although the BBPOA and the community have been maintaining the Barrow Bay Channel since the 1950’s through fundraising efforts, it is in desperate need of rehabilitation before it becomes non-navigable. Joanne, along with the other members of the BBPOA, have been working on the Break Wall Reconstruction and Channel Dredging/Shoreline Erosion Control project. “Generations have been taking care of it. We need to preserve it for future generations to come” Joanne stated.
The old break wall built in the fifties is no longer protecting the mouth of the channel. That, combined with low water levels, has caused the channel to become shallow, narrow, and dangerous for boaters. It is now necessary for a temporary road to be built to get access to the channel for dredging and for the break wall to be reconstructed. All this restoration is very costly which is why the fundraising efforts needed to be escalated.
Benefits for Everyone
The benefits of this project do not just have an impact on the residents of Barrow Bay but include the whole Town of Lion’s Head, the local fisherman, the kayakers, paddle boaters, boating community, hikers and visitors to the Bruce. Barrow Bay has a unique ecosystem that enhances the environmental quality of the Northern Bruce Peninsula. According to Joanne, “This project will save the lake, improve water quality, keep the fish stocking program alive and wildlife habitat, as well as promote recreational activities.”
Creative Fundraising efforts
Community members of all ages have shown creative ways to raise funds for this important project. For two seasons, the Shaw children of the community have been selling eggs from their grandpa’s farm, taking on all tasks from feeding the chickens, packing the eggs, and walking door to door. Another family has sold bags of wood to raise funds. The community has put on golf tournaments, yard sales, bottle collections, and craft sales in order to save this channel.
Unfortunately, even with all these efforts, along with some potential funding from the Municipality, they are still short of funds. Kevin Harders has generously agreed to donate the proceeds of the “3rd Annual Lures N Lines Spring Trout Derby” beginning May 7th to help this project. Kevin explained, “The Barrow Bay canal project is very important as it is ensuring a great water quality in Little Lake for the Barrow Bay community. These waters are important to the Bruce Peninsula Sportsman’s Association as they have a stocking license for the specific lake.”
Current Project Status
Currently, the project still needs permit approval from some ministries before they can finalize with the contractor to begin the work. Everything else is in place and they are hoping to start the work in spring of 2023 pending approval.
If you would like to donate to the Barrow Bay Channel project they are accepting e-transfers at bbpoatreasurer1@gmail.com or visit their GoFundMe page “Help Us Save Barrow Bay Channel” to donate or for more information.
