FAQs

Q: How Large is Bark Lake?

A: Bark Lake is one of the largest lakes in the area. It’s approximately 20 km long and its width varies from approximately 0.5 km to 2.5 km at the widest point.

Q: What is the water quality like at Bark Lake?

A: The water quality is excellent. Bark Lake is near the headwaters of the Madawaska river system and its elevation is high (1030 ft above MSL). In addition, the lake remains virtually undeveloped, as most of the shoreline is own by the provincial government and will never be developed. Thus, because of these two factors, the water quality of Bark Lake is excellent. The water is clean and very soft at the same time.

Q: What makes Bark Lake so special?

A: Bark Lake is unique because it is a large lake and is virtually undeveloped. The reason is that just about the entire shoreline is owned by the government of the Province of Ontario. Thus, Bark Lake has been able to maintain its pristine natural state. With very little boat traffic, Bark Lake is a true retreat offering peace and tranquility. The water is clean and soft. Wildlife abounds. And the prognosis is that this will not change. The government stopped disposing of crown lands many years ago and there is nothing in the foreseeable future that would change this.

Q: We don’t see any boats on Bark Lake. Is boating allowed on the lake?

A: Yes, boating is allowed. There are no restrictions whatsoever with respect to boating on the lake, other than complying with any and all boating regulations that apply to any body of water in Canada. Boats are not seen that often because of the undeveloped nature of the lake. This is a rare advantage in cottage country.

Q: What services will be provided to the individual lots?

A: Each lot will be serviced with a new, municipally maintained road, and with hydro and telephone service to each lot.

Q: What about water and sewer services?

A: Each home will have two options for sourcing their water needs. A well can be drilled and water sourced from the well with a pump and pressure tank. Or water can be sourced from the lake through a special year round lake water pumping system. A couple of advantages of sourcing from the lake include having soft water, unlimited supply and no periods of sand infiltration.

As for sewer services, the subdivision is approved for septic tanks. Permits can be handled by the septic tank installer, at the time of installation.

Q: Are there any cable TV services in the area?

A: There are no cable TV services available in the area. However, full TV services are available through the various satellite TV companies. They work quite well in the area.

Q: What about cell phone service?

A: Cell phone service is not currently available in the area. However, this situation is changing. There is a process ongoing in the area whereby cell phone service will be available in the summer of 2003.

Q: We’ve read in the documents that the lake water level fluctuates. How does this affect summertime boating?

A: Boating is not affected at all. Bark Lake is part of the Madawaska river system and Bark Lake is one of the water bodies where a water control structure has been installed. These control structures are used to help control the spring runoff. At Bark Lake, the water level is usually lowered about 30 feet in January, and then with the spring runoff, the lake fills back up in April.

The water level is controlled by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and they have a policy that commits OPG to maintain the water level at Bark Lake to a level within 6 inches of the high water mark from the May 24th weekend until Thanksgiving.

Q: Are there any building restrictions?

A: Yes, there are. In the Lakewoods Subdivision, all lots are zoned for single-family homes. All homes must be year-round homes. Recreational or summer-only homes are not allowed. In addition, there are some building restrictions. Exterior finishes of homes must be wood, stone or brick. No aluminum or plastic siding is allowed. Minimum square footage per home is 1,200 square feet.

Q: Do I have to build a home within a certain period of time?

A: No, there is no requirement to build a home on a lot that has been purchased. The lot can be purchased as an investment and left vacant. Or it can be built upon. It is up to the owner to decide when to build.

Q: Do I have to use any particular builder?

A: No. A lot owner does not have to use any particular builder. The developer of the Lakewoods Resort does offer a custom home building package, but the lot owner can decide to use another builder if he chooses.

Q: How far back do I have to build my home from the lake.

A: The home must be built 100 feet back from the high water mark of the lake.

Q: What is the fishing like in the lake.

A: Fishing is very good in Bark Lake. Sonar surveys have shown that the lake is teeming with fish. It is a very deep lake (up to 350 feet in some locations) and fish can grow to some very substantial sizes. Species include Lake Trout, Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye.

Q: Please explain the lakefront property lines at Bark Lake.

A: Because Bark Lake is used as a reservoir for water management, control was given to Ontario Hydro at the time that the Bark Lake dam was built. All property surrounding the lake was required to provide flooding rights up to a certain level above the high water mark (HWM). (5 feet above the HWM)

Flooding rights were conveyed to Ontario Hydro in two ways and in the case of the Lakewoods subdivision, a portion of the property is subject to one way of obtaining flooding rights and the balance of the property is subject to the other way. This resulted because the parcels that make up the Lakewoods Subdivision were patented at different times. For a portion of the subdivision, a new property line was established at approximately 5 feet above the high water mark and flooding can occur up to that property line. For the balance of the property, flooding easements were given up to 5 feet above the HWM. Lots 1 to 9 have a property line that goes to the HWM and lots 10 to 34 have a property line uplands of the high water mark. Lots 1 to 9 are subject to a flooding easement and lots 10 to 34 are not subject to a flooding easement.

However, purchasers of lots 10 to 34 receive waterfront licences on closing from Ontario Power Generation (the successor to Ontario Hydro) for all the property between the property line and the HWM. The distance of the property line from the HWM varies anywhere from 10 feet to 100 feet depending on the location of the lot.

With respect to flooding above the HWM of 1030 feet above MSL, in reality this is not something that is envisioned to ever happen. A new dam would have to be built but there is no economic justification for it. There is not sufficient water flow to justify a new dam. Hydro Electric production from Bark Lake would only be feasible for two months out of the year.

Q: After purchasing the lot, what other permits will I require?

A: There are no additional permits required after purchasing the lot until such time that the lot owner wants to build. At that time, there are 3 permits required. These are:

1. Driveway entry permit (issued by township)
2. Building Permit for the house and any ancillary structures desired. (Issued by township)
3. Septic Tank Permit (from local health department)

At the time of obtaining a building permit, there will also be a lot levy in the amount of $1,000 that is assessed by the township.

Q: What is the procedure to build a dock?

A: All navigable waters in Canada are managed through the federal government under the Canadian Coast Guard. In order to build a dock in any navigable water body, an application is made through the Canadian Coast Guard. The developer can provide lot purchasers, upon request, application forms for the installation of docks for each lot. This permit application process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Once the permit is issued, the owner can then build the dock or hire a contractor to build the dock.

Q: What will happen with the land on the other side of Lakewoods Drive, opposite our lot?

A: The land on the other side of Lakewoods Drive opposite the lots of the subdivision is to be a nature reserve. This nature reserve is to be conveyed to a property owners association that will be made up of all lot purchasers.

Q: When can I close on my lot and when can I build?

A: Our current schedule calls for us to close on lot sales by May 31st, 2003. Hydro and Telephone lines will be installed by that date and road access construction will be almost complete. Completion of the road is scheduled for June 15th, 2003. Actual paving of the road is planned for September 2003. At the time of lot closings, building permits can be obtained and home construction can begin.

Q: Is the subdivision registered?

A: The subdivision has received draft plan approval and it is in the final stages of being registered. Our target to complete registration is May 31st, 2003.

Q: What are the future development plans for the remaining lands?

A: Additional lands are owned by the Lakewoods developer. The developer has plans to develop these lands, but there is no commitment at this time for any future development beyond the current subdivision. Any future development will continue with the upscale nature of the Lakewoods development and will be complimentary to all phases of development. Future development can be summarized as follows:

Phase 2: Up to 28 additional single family lakefront lots, with a projected average sales price of $180,000 CDN each.

Phase 3: A windpower hydro-generating project. The use of the remaining undeveloped lands for a wind power project is ideal because of their remote location. Even though wind turbines are very environmentally friendly and relatively quiet, they will be located far from the lake and will not be seen or heard from your property.

Q: We have heard comments about a future airport. Could you please clarify if there will be an airport.

A: There are plans for a future private airport. This airport will be restricted to Lakewoods residents and guests only. We see this facility making Lakewoods a very unique development and a development that becomes easily accessible to a much broader region than our traditional market areas. Of course, there is no commitment at this time to construct this private airport.