The Shadow Lakes Association Inc. is dedicated to the care and protection of our land, lakes and river system now and for future generations
Lake Markers The association purchases, places and maintains the green and red channel markers as well as the yellow hazard markers that help boaters navigate through our rivers and lakes and avoid property damage to their boats and improve boating safety.
Extreme Water Level Alerts Volunteer directors who are permanent lake residents monitor lake levels early and late in the season when many members are not present, to notify them of extreme high or low water level conditions.
Semi Annual Newsletter The association publishes a newsletter entitled “News and Views” in late May/early June and again in late August to inform members of a wide range of events and issues of interest.. In municipal election years a third newsletter is published to help our members make informed voting decisions.
Liaison with Parks Canada Watershed Management Authority The association regularly communicates and meets with the managers of the Trent Severn waterway on the subject of Shadow Lake water management and lake levels.
Community Relations The association values its relationship with the surrounding communities particularly Coboconk and Norland. Donations and sponsorships in the past have included sponsorship support for the annual Fresh water summit event, membership in the Coboconk/Norland chamber of commerce, support for the food bank and fundraising for the Summit Wellness centre . Community needs are identified at the association directors’ meetings and funds are regularly donated to support community causes.
Government Relations – The association maintains relationships with all levels of government from the municipal to the federal level. Our ward 1 councillor has been an ex officio director of the association and attends our board meetings on an as-needed basis. At the federal level, one of our directors is in regular contact with Parks Canada water management team to help ensure that Trent Severn waterway management practices take into account the needs of the Shadow Lakes.
Membership in the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations The Shadow Lakes Association is a member of FOCA which represents Ontario cottagers at senior levels of government on many issues such as taxation of waterfront properties, Hydro rates and planning legislation that can affect waterfront property owners.
Summer Social Since 2018 (with 2 years off due to the pandemic) the Association has held a highly successful social event at Camp Endobanah attended by over 100 lake residents. The social includes fun activities all day capped off by “The tastes of Shadow Lake” a delicious sampling of favourite dishes of our contributing members as well as from our local sponsors.. Details regarding the 2023 social will be outlined in the spring 2023 newsletter.
- Annual General Meeting The association holds an annual meeting open to all members to discuss items of common interest and concern such as land use planning, water levels, boating safety, etc. Guest speakers including the mayor, and our ward 1 councillor attend each year and others such as the Kawartha Conservation Authority, Federation of Ontario cottagers association, MNR and EMS are invited from time to time
- Website – The association maintains this website as a means of disseminating information about the Shadow Lakes to our members and the public at large. The site also includes links for accessing water level information, updating membership information, paying dues, identifying and reporting lake marker information, and receiving timely news related to Shadow Lakes.
- Social Media – The association’s communications Director regularly posts to The Shadow Lakes Association Facebook and Instagram pages.
“If the dues are current for your cottage or permanent residence (all family members welcome) please join us for general updates, picture sharing, lost and found, for sale, events, and much more on our private / closed Facebook Group. You will be asked to answer specific questions about you, your membership status, location on the lake and agree to our page rules.