Lake Buoys & Marine Safety

Lake Buoys & Marine Safety

Safety on the water is of paramount importance to the Greater Bobs and Crow lakes Association.   Our Marine Safety program provides the essentials to help keep boaters and water enthusiasts safe while having fun on the lake.

Marker (Lake) Buoys

There are currently 60+ yellow marker buoys which are distributed around Bobs and Crow Lakes to warn boaters of water hazards, especially rock shoals.

The buoys are professionally made specifically for this purpose.   The buoys are usually placed in late spring depending on weather conditions and the availability of volunteers.  They are removed prior to the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in October.

Water levels on Bobs Lake vary from the high water to the low water by an average of 1.7 metres or 4 feet 9 inches.   As rock shoals and other hazards become more visible with the dropping water levels, buoys can be shifted to areas of the rock shoal where the rocks remain hidden.

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Professional marine quality buoys are used

We encourage all boaters to retrieve any "wandering" buoys they see on the lake and advise the Association where we can pick up the "lost" buoy.  Strong winds and large wakes from boats may cause the buoy to become dislodged by snapping the  rope holding the buoy in place.

Volunteers are the key to making this program successful and enduring over many decades. If you are interested in volunteering please click the Contact Us button below.

The GBCLA does not warranty or ensure the accuracy of each buoy location. Reasonable care and judgement should be used in navigating rock shoals and other marine hazards. Navigation on the lakes should not rely solely on these buoys.

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Volunteers hard at work!

Lake Signage

Transport Canada, the agency responsible for Canada's waterways, has approved four lake locations where posted speed restrictions apply. 

The granting of approved speed restrictions is a long and involved process requiring consultation with different levels of government.  Since 1989, the Association received approval to assume responsibility for the maintenance and replacement of signs.

The posted speed limit in the four areas is 10 kph.

The GBCLA also posts "Slow Down - No Wake - No Waves - It's The Law!" signage throughout the lakes to guide boaters on minimizing the erosive effects on lake shorelines from speeding boats.

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Our Dead Slow No Wake signage

Shorelines near entrances to bays and inlets are susceptible to erosion from the wave action from boats.   The "Dead Slow, No Wake" signs are a warning to all boaters to slow down when entering such an area.   

Shoreline erosion is a serious problem in many areas of the lakes and leads to very expensive shoreline rehabilitation work.   

The Bobs and Crow Lakes Foundation in conjunction with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority currently offers a subsidy program for shoreline erosion rehabilitation work.

 

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Shoreline erosion is a serious problem

Emergency Access Locations

A key role the GBCLA plays is to work  with the OPP and the Fire Chiefs from Central Frontenac, South Frontenac and Tay Valley, to maintain and communicate an accurate list of all Emergency Access locations on Crow and Bobs Lakes. 

The Fire Chiefs have agreed that their respective fire plans reflect the location of these emergency locations.   Without an accurate list, precious minutes could be lost in getting a rescue boat into the lake quickly.

The approved boat ramp locations are:

  • Crow Lake Public Beach
  • Mica Point
  • Cedar Haven
  • Pine Shores
  • Steeles Road
  • Oak Shores Crescent
  • Sunset Country Camp Grounds
  • Nordlaw Lodge(no public use)

 

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One of the Emergency Ramps