The Cavendish Community Ratepayers Association Inc. (CCRAI) is leading an unprecedented multi association initiative to remove abandoned docks across the Catchacoma – Mississagua lake system, addressing a rapidly escalating environmental threat. As deteriorating Styrofoam docks fragment into micro pollutants, they harm wildlife, degrade water quality, and damage the riparian shoreline essential to long term lake health.

The project has already uncovered 87 abandoned docks—far exceeding initial estimates of 40-45 docks — and volunteers removed more than 60 docks on the weekend of June 26, 27, 28, filling twelve 40 yard bins with debris. This is the result of over 500 volunteer person hours from ice out to now. This is the good news.

The bad news is that due to the number of docks, the expenses have far exceeded the grants received from the Municipality of Trent Lakes. To complete the remaining removals and prevent further ecological harm to our lake system and the wildlife surrounding it, community support through this GoFundMe campaign is now essential.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY TO THIS GoFundMe campaign or e-transfer a donation directly to the CCRAI.

WANT MORE DETAILED INFORMATION – PLEASE READ BELOW

Over the last decade, cottagers on the Catchacoma – Mississagua lake chain have been upgrading their docks — bringing in larger platforms, new float technologies, and expanded space for outdoor living and watercraft. But as new docks arrive, old ones are increasingly being abandoned in back bays, on crown land, or left to break apart where they were tied for the winter.

These abandoned docks are not just an eyesore — they are a growing environmental threat. As Styrofoam batts deteriorate, they fragment into thousands of small pieces that drift through the water column, wash up on shorelines, and are ingested by fish, birds, and wildlife. This material never truly disappears. It becomes pollution that harms ecosystems, degrades water quality, and endangers the health of the lakes we all love.

Dilapidated docks also damage the riparian ribbon — the critical shoreline buffer identified by Love Your Lake as essential to water quality, habitat protection, and long term lake health. Floating debris creates navigation hazards, increases boating risk, and accelerates shoreline erosion.

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, CCRAI has stepped forward to lead a coordinated, multi association effort involving:

• Catchacoma Cottagers Association

• Mississauga District Cottagers Association

• Beaver, Cavendish, Bottle McGinnis Cottage Owners Organization

• Gold Lake representatives

• Trent Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee

• Curve Lake First Nation

• Ministry of Natural Resources

• Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

• Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park

• Little Gull Marina

• Catchacoma Marina

• Municipality of Trent Lakes Waste Management

This is one of the largest collaborative environmental clean ups ever undertaken on our lake system.

In January 2026, CCRAI received a $14,400 Community Grant from the Municipality of Trent Lakes. At the time, we had identified approximately 28 known abandoned docks and projected a total removal of 35–45. But once the project began, the true scale of the problem became clear.

As of July 2, we have marked, measured, photographed, and mapped 87 abandoned docks. During the June 26–28 removal weekend, volunteers successfully extracted over 60 docks, filling twelve 40 yard disposal bins — all taken to landfill for proper disposal.

We still have approximately 20 docks staged at the Mississagua Dam for removal on July 17–19, and 7 more at Catchacoma Marina scheduled for August. Additional abandoned docks continue to be discovered.

This is an extraordinary achievement — but it has exceeded the funding available through the Community Grant.

To finish this vital environmental project, we need the support of cottagers across Catchacoma, Mississagua, Gold, Beaver, McGinnis, and Cavendish Lakes. Every dock removed protects wildlife, restores shorelines, and preserves the health of our lake system for future generations.

We are asking all lake stewards, families, and community members to contribute to this GoFundMe campaign so we can complete the final phase of this work. Your donation directly supports disposal costs, equipment, transportation, and safe removal operations.

This is our lake system. Our shared responsibility. And our chance to protect it—together.