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The quality of the lake water, both for recreational and household use is of prime concern to all of our members. 

This water quality is affected by numerous factors both natural and man made.  The Assocation is in the process of developing a program to inform our members of ways to minimize the impact of human habitation and to monitor several key factors indicative of the lake water quality.

A database of information will be compiled over the future years in an effort to chart trends and predict changes.

One simplest and most effective monitoring tool is the use of a secci disc to measure the clarity of the lake water.  A plastic disc is lowered into the water and the depth at which it ceases to be visible is recorded.  At the same time, the water temperature should be noted.

This test should be repeated every two weeks in the same location and at roughly the same time of day.

If this test is carried out over the summer months at several locations on the lake, valuable information can quickly be collected.

 Benthic Testing:

To learn about Benthic Testing: click here

To see Pine Lake Benthic Testing results: click here :

 Invasive Species:

Spiny Water Fleas were found in Pine Lake last August by the Muskoka Field Naturalists.  This summer, their presence has been confirmed by biology students from York University.  To learn more about spiny water fles, go to:

  http://www.invadingspecies.com/indexen.cfm

Buy Green - To see whee you can purchase eco-friendly products in Gravenhurst. click here

Muskoka Water Quality.

Muskoka heritage Foundation presented a lecture on Muskoka lakes recreational water quality at Nippissing University Bracebridge campus on Thursday 12 December. This meeting was attended on behalf of the PLRA by Rob Wilkie and Allan Campbell.

The speaker Dr Keith Somers outlined the work currently being carried out by the Dorset centre, the District of Muskoka and various other educational and volunteer bodies. He explained in detail the type, the extent and the importance of the data being accumulated and outlined some of the studies being made using this data.

Preliminary conclusions include but are not limited to

1)      not all lakes are the same

2)      lake chemistry is changing

3)      lake biology is changing

The causes of the changes are not yet fully understood, but seem to be driven primarily by changes in the Phosphorous and dissolved oxygen content and temperature and Ph fluctuation on any given lake

This may be caused by a natural cycle of change, and/or be the result human intervention such as leaching of fertilizers or of reduced smokestack emissions etc.

Although extensive, the data base is not yet large enough to allow accurate conclusions to be reached but it does illustrate trends which will alert scientists to potential problems.

It also clearly shows that smaller lakes in a big watershed (such as Pine Lake) can change quickly and that there is a definite link between air and water temperatures and the clarity of the lakes.

The speaker emphasized the importance of a good data monitoring procedure for such lakes and encouraged responsible care of the land surrounding the lakes.

He also advised of the appearance of caisin bythorephes in Muskoka lakes.

These are nasty little predator bugs that attack and alter the natural bug mix in a lake, thus affecting the life cycle in the lake such as fish species etc. Exact means of transfer from lake to lake is uncertain but boats, fish bait and perhaps bird life are known to be among the causes.

The obvious question, “How good is our Water?” was not really answered. Attendees were left to draw their own conclusions from the information presented.

It would seem however that in general Muskoka lakes are considered to be reasonably healthy, compare favorably with most other Ontario lakes and are better than some.

Regarding Pine Lake (Gravenhurst) not to be confused with Pine Lake (Bracebridge) we were provided with an as yet unpublished report on our water quality.

This is a “snapshot” in time report intended to be used for future comparison but indicates that we are in essence an “average” Muskoka Lake.

Our average phosphorous content of 9.8ug/l is about average

The dissolved oxygen and temperature gradient seem on a par with similar lakes.

(ug/l = micro grams /liter)

The general trend shows phosphorous levels seem to be decreasing, but ours rose slightly in 2006 raising our 10 year average from 9.5 to 9.8ug/l.

(The unofficial report provided at the meeting indicates that this level is now showing a downward trend.) 

Our phosphorous background level is 7.5ug/l and the threshold is 11.3ug/l

So we are still closer to threshold than background.

When a lake is considered to be over threshold then restrictive planning policies may be applied as set out in the Official Plan of the Muskoka District.

At a previous meeting the human effect on lake phosphorous content was estimated to be around 1-2% so we have the potential to alter the numbers by +/- 0.2ug/l this may not seem significant but it could be critical. So let’s be aware and try and reduce our phosphorous content

Related websites

www.muskokawaterweb.ca

www.muskoka.on.ca