Photo of a Water Quality Technician collecting water samples to phosphorus analysis

Phosphorus can be cleaned up from Muskoka’s lakes

New sources and 'internal loading' need to be addressed, though. By Dr. Neil Hutchinson The District of Muskoka has monitored phosphorus concentrations in Muskoka area lakes for over 40 years.…

People playing on the ice on Brandy Lake in 2021

Less ice cover in Muskoka impacts winter sports and could mean ‘more dried up wetlands and streams’

There are ecological consequences fewer days of ice cover. By Dr. Peter Sale. Opportunities to skate on the lake, such as on Brandy Lake in 2021, are becoming less frequent…

Citizen scientist collecting data for the Algae Monitoring Program

Harmful algal blooms: What is the cause and what can Muskoka residents do?

Make sure municipal, provincial and federal representatives know research funding is needed. By Geoff Ross. Citizen science plays a major role in most programs that monitor lake waters in Muskoka,…

A photo of Duck Chutes on the Muskoka River taken by Kevin Trimble

What is watershed health?

The Muskoka Watershed Report Card describes some disturbing trends in a number of environmental variables. By Kevin Trimble. Muskoka’s healthy natural environment provides numerous opportunities for enjoyment, including Duck Chutes…

Muskoka Watershed Report Card Logo

2023 Report Card

Muskoka’s watersheds stand at a crucial turning point. While currently healthy, they are gradually degrading in several ways, and our existing management systems seem incapable of halting or reversing this…

2023 Muskoka Watershed Report Card Header

MWC Releases the Muskoka Watershed Health Report Card

Muskoka Watershed Council (MWC) is pleased to release the latest edition of the Muskoka Watershed Report Card, a comprehensive scientific assessment of the health of Muskoka's watersheds. Produced every five…

Photo of a flooded boathouse by Richard Lammers

Our Changing Watershed: Apology for Muskoka environment as written 76 years from now

"I want to apologize to you and your generation for leaving the planet in such a poor state." By Richard Lammers. To my dearest great-granddaughter, As we approach the turn…

Muskoka Watershed Council

What is the Muskoka Watershed Council?

By Peter Sale, MWC Chair. The otter on the Muskoka Watershed Council logo has been cavorting across Muskoka for over 20 years, yet people remain confused. MWC is not part of…

MWC DIrector David Parsons at the Muskoka Earth Festival

MWC Chair’s Annual Report for 2022

Delivered by MWC Chair Peter Sale at MWC's Annual General Meeting held on January 20, 2023. Our last AGM, on 22nd April 2022, seems a very long time ago. The…

Walleye Photo by EGBSC

Drawdown Ecology – why can’t we just lower the lakes?

By Kevin Trimble. Walleye. Source: Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council Pressure is mounting in Muskoka to push water levels lower. The Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) calls for a…

Water Quality Sampling

COVID-19 must not halt Muskoka’s environmental monitoring programs

By Rebecca Willison. Environmental monitoring was one of the first things cancelled or suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Canada. This was understandable, given that resources needed to be…

Does your shoreline have a Natural Edge?

Does your shoreline have a Natural Edge?

By Rebecca Willison and Rebecca Krawczyk. We are naturally attracted to aesthetic places and clean water—and so are the creatures we share this land and water with. The riparian zone…