Events and Issues facing Star Lake
Issues | Events
Check these pages if you're looking for older updates.
Issues and Events 2022 (or older) | Issues and Events 2023 | Issues and Events 2024
Current Issues - Summer 2025
June 26, 2025 Update
Lake Level: On June 24 the lake level was at "3" on the measuring stick, that's about the same as the end of May. The recent big dump of much-needed rain (I had 3 inches of water in a bowl on my deck after those storms) may raise it somewhat. Outflow on the 24th was minimal.
Beach Docks: I contacted our Park Specialist regarding the remaining old dock cribs and rock piles adjacent to the new floating docks and I expect to have something to add by next week. (On the April 21st Update, below, you can find the link to the underwater video I took last year.) (July 10 Update: It appears Parks will not be doing anything to remove the dangerous rock piles adjacent to the public beach docks. They may place more "No Diving" signs on site.)
Bird News: There's good news and bad news on the bird front. The good: I've been watching the Osprey nest on the hydro line (from a distance) and there's been an adult on the nest about every time I've been by. So, I'm hopeful for chicks. And our Loons have a chick, too, sadly only one though. The bad: there's at least two broods of Canada Geese hanging around the public beach, leaving lots of poop on the beach! (Which may result in significant bacterial content in the water.)
June 2, 2025 Update
Wildfires continue to threaten southeastern Manitoba, much of the Park is still closed. The WCA is posting regular updates on the fire situation: Whiteshell Cottagers' Association Website. Rain on June 2 will help, but much more rain is needed.
Public Beach Docks: The wildfire situation has thrown a monkey-wrench into the re-setting of the public beach docks. Parks is still set (as far as I know) to remove the old rock-filled dock cribs before putting the new docks back in. We need to be patient given the extraordinary circumstances.
Garbage Bins: The latest "new and improved" garbage bins are in place at the Hwy 301 site. They have the hand-insert latch that exists on the smaller bins throughout the park and have smaller access holes. Hopefully these will keep the bears out and stop the dumping of large objects in the bins (the stuff that should be taken directly to the transfer station, are you listening contractors?)
Lake Level: I visited the lake outlet on May 31. The lake has dropped about 10 cm from May 5. There was very little flow out through the control structure. But Bucky and his buddies are busy damming up the culverts on Hwy 44 again.
Osprey News: Our pair are back and seem to be using the old nest on the Hydro Transmission Line about 1 km west of the Blk 4,5,6 entry road.
May 6, 2025 Update
General state of things: the ice is off the lake and there appears to have been no damage to docks on the south side of Star. (Hope things are good on the north side.) As of May 5 the ice is off Falcon and West Hawk lakes, too. It is extremely dry right now and Parks has posted back country vehicle access and burning restrictions. Please be careful.
Below is basically an update to the April 21 Update: I heard back from our Parks Specialist in answer to my email of early this spring.
Old dock crib removals: Parks is developing a plan for the removal, but any work has to wait for fish spawning to be completed. (Don't know how long that will delay the beach docks going back in.)
Mineral explorations: no applications for further work has been received.
Hunting map: no word yet on when a proper map will be available. (It is my intention to raise this issue later this summer and inform the media if the issue has not been resolved. This is not a hunting ethics issue, it is a safety issue.)
Lake outlet: work has been done to clear the culverts under Hwy 44 and the outlet structure has been modified somewhat, the measuring stick has been moved. The lake is still above its summer level, but the outflow is good right now. Here's a couple of images, both from May 5:
General request for "surprises": I asked if there was anything else going on that Star Lakers should be aware of, and the answer was "no". But a link was provided regarding the Hwy 1 twinning project, something we all should be keeping a eye on: Hwy 1 Twinning Conceptual Design Study.
April 21, 2025 Update
Update Request to Parks - Earlier in April I sent an email to our Whiteshell Park Specialist asking for an update on a number of issues including: the state of capping of the old mine shafts (which does appear to be completed - see below), any requests for further mineral explorations, replacement of the erroneous Whiteshell Hunting Map, or any other impending developments or activities that would impact Star Lake. In particular I requested information on the removal of the old dock cribs at the pubic beach. I was told last autumn that the dangerous old cribs would be removed this spring. I have not received an answer back yet.
You can view the update and video of the state of things at the beach docks at this link: Underwater view of old dock cribs.
(I am still having issues with Bell MTS email so have not been able to email to folks on the contact list.)
Ice on the lake - As of April 21 most of the lake is still ice-covered. But I suspect the ice will come off within the next week.
Lake Level - I visited the lake outlet on April 21. Beavers have partially blocked the culverts at Hwy 44 again and the water level from the control structure downstream to Hwy 44 is quite high. I will be forwarding this update to Parks, but if anyone visits the site again, please send an update.
Mine Issues - Capping the exposed mine shafts south of Star Lake has been completed. (Refer to the updates from 2023 and 2024, links above). Work to install the large concrete covers over the old shaft openings has left the access roads and general areas in somewhat of a mess though. Folks that walk or bike up this way may want to avoid the area for a while. Weather and nature should return the roads to usable in time, (though the area could benefit from additional mediation and cleanup).
(I've added a little update on the Mining Issues page, too, regarding McFarlane Lake Mining's situation.)
Roadside Brush Clearing - Parks has had the roadsides along sections of the Blk 4,5,6 entry road cleared over the winter with the big "whopper chopper". I know removal of the roadside brush is important for visibility and road safety, but it does leave an unsightly mess.
Osprey News - Sadly, the Osprey nest in the Hydro tower along the Blk 4,5,6 entry road is gone. It appears to have collapsed over winter, I did find the sticks and debris from the nest below the pole. Fortunately, the older nest, also located on a Hydro tower further west, is still there, with an occupant!, though it does appear to be in poor repair. Hopefully our resident Ospreys will fix up the older nest or perhaps build a new one? Maybe we'll get some chicks this year.
January 2025 - Update
Nothing much to report right now. Just wanted folks to know I'm having issues with BellMTS email (still!). I'm currently unable to send out mass emails to the email contact group. Hopefully I'll get it fixed soon and will send out a test email to the group.
Events at Star Lake
Star Lake Days - Star Lake Days are back for 2025, (Date TBA)!
Follow the updates on the Star Lake FaceBook page.Star Lake Family Fun Day for 2025: (to come)
Beaver Days - TBA
Send information about events at this email link:
In this section I want to raise issues that may impact cottagers at Star Lake. For now, these are just topics to think about. I'm going to post some of my own thoughts later on, but I'd welcome your input/feedback.
(Please remember, if you want anything posted to this site you must be willing to have your name included.)
- Developments by Manitoba Parks
(We need to be consulted first about plans for Star Lake!)
- Actions and Developments by Manitoba Hydro
(Maintenance of the substation and transmission line?)
- Personal Water Craft
(Fun for some, annoying to many?)
- All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
(Illegal to use in the Park, but numbers are increasing?)
- Hunting
(New regulations great for hunters, annoying and dangerous for the rest?) Hunting season starts soon. Are you OK with hunters on the Hydro Line less than 300 m from your cottage?
(Please read my essay on Hunting Safety from this link.)
- Trapping
(Still allowed in the Park, definite danger to pets and children?)
- Bird Feeders
(Fun to watch, but can be bad for birds and attracts nuisance wildlife?)
- Other Wildlife Feeding
(Fun to see squirrels and deer, not great to attract skunks and bears?)
- Light Pollution
(Floodlights and yard lights: security or blinding nuisance?)
- Noise Pollution
(Loud music, radios, parties, loud cars and motorcycles? Spoils peace and quiet?)
- Brush/Leaf Dumping
(It's illegal to dump brush and leaves in ditches or along trails, but it happens a lot.)
- Road Conditions/Maintenance
(Our roads are famous for their wash-boarding, what can be done?)
- Day-use by Non-cottagers
("Public beach" results in more traffic (car and boat), more garbage and noise?)
- Water Quality
(Algal blooms from run-off, pollution from boating, etc.)
- Mining
(Not currently active, but no prohibitions against future developments!) NEW - Mining activities in Our Backyard?
- Multiple buildings on cottage lots
(Multiple residences on lots increasing density and vehicle traffic.) - Speed Limits and Signs
(One sign for 30 km/hr at the entry to cottage developments, often ignored?)
- Pets Off-leash
(Technically illegal in Parks, consequences can be fatal?)
- Cottage Rentals
(Renting to family and friends, or cottage-based businesses? Regulations?)
Got something to add to these thoughts? Send it along via the email link above.
And, please remember, the way to deal with any issue, controversy or complaint is through communication, consideration and respect for others.
The annoying ad below just lets me keep track of how much traffic this page receives.
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