LAC HENEY IS ONE OF THE MORE NOTABLE LAKES IN THE GATINEAU due to its size. It is one of the four largest lakes in the Gatineau. The lake is over 1 mile wide at the central part; and stretches approx. 7 miles north – south just above Lac Ste Marie. It neighbours with the two of the other large lakes in the area- Lac Pemichangan & 31 Mile Lake.
The location is excellent. Lac Heney is less than 1.5 hour from Ottawa ; minutes away from Mont Ste Marie ski & golf; easy access to shopping in Gracefield ; and close to the Point Comfort provincial route connecting Hwy 105 to Hwy 309 at Notre Dame de Laus.
Unlike most large lakes, Lac Heney is very quiet. There are no restrictions on motorboats ; however fishing seems to constitute most of the boating activity. Canoeing & kayaking are equally as popular. It is a very safe lake to navigate with a few islands to make it interesting. Loons are plentiful; and large packs of grebes gather on the water in late fall and early spring when the ice is still present. The lake is quite undeveloped largely in part to the large property lots; and significant tracts of waterfront property held in trust as Nature Reserves.
WATER QUALITY: The lake is in good shape and perfectly safe for swimming. Most cottages use the water from the lake. There was an episode on the lake in the 1990’s when a fish farm opened beside the lake. The Cottage Association immediately sprung into action ; and not only managed to close down the fish farm operation; but successfully sued the Province of Quebec for damages. They were awarded nearly $5 million dollars. As a result, studies were conducted by university scientests for a number of years to assess the lake water quality.The study recommendations included a treatment of iron chloride – a naturally based element suitable for the lake. This was implemented in late 2007 ; and made a significant improvement in restoring the clarity of the lake. Aside from the iron chloride treatment of Lac Heney, the lake water naturally turns over approximately every 6 years. There are underground streams throughout; and creeks connecting with Lac Barbue and Lac Desormeaux. One longtime cottager states “ I have been a cottager on the lake for over 40 years and the quality of the lake is beginning to approach the quality that I enjoyed in the early 1970’s”.
The lake is great for swimming; and fishing for northern pike, bass, perch and in the deep waters – grey trout. One regularly hears the sound of loons; and can view herons, eagles, ospreys, as well as otters, beavers, turtles etc. and of course hundreds of grebes that are the first to arrive each year and the last to leave.