LAKE MUSKOKA Grades SUBWATERSHED Land: D Water: B Wetland:

LAKE MUSKOKA Grades SUBWATERSHED Land: D Water: B Wetland: —

Index Map

The Lake Muskoka subwatershed is 46,545 hectares in size and is located in the central portion of The District Municipality of Muskoka. It is comprised of the lakes and streams that flow directly into Lake Muskoka. The lake itself is approximately 100 km2 and flows into the Moon River at Bala.

Approximately 10% of the subwatershed is developed with 6% of the land being Crown land. 6% of the subwatershed is protected through provincial parks, crown nature reserves, or local land trusts.

Urban areas include both Bala and Port Carling with a significant portion of the population being shoreline residential.

There are 30 lakes over 8 hectares in size in the subwatershed and the dam at Bala controls the water level of the lake as well as generates power. There is also a water control structure and a set of locks on the Indian River between Lake Rosseau and Lake Muskoka in Port Carling.

This report card describes the health of the land, water and wetlands of the Lake Muskoka subwatershed and is part of the larger report The 2010 Muskoka Watershed Report Card that is posted on the MWC website www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed.

Partnering with Nature Land Grade D

Large Natural Areas

Natural Cover 90% of the Lake Muskoka subwatershed is in natural habitat. The lake itself dominants the subwatershed and is surrounded by mixed forest vegetation. The Lake Muskoka subwatershed was one of the first areas within the larger Muskoka River watershed that was developed. Historic development patterns have resulted in a higher density of development, especially along the shoreline, and a more fragmented landscape with roads and other service corridors.

Managed & 88% of the subwatershed is privately Protected Areas owned and it will be important to maintain a strong private land stewardship program to ensure that Interior long term health of the subwatershed Forest is maintained as development occurs. Although only 4% of the land is currently under active private land stewardship, there has been an increase in participation in MFTIP, CLTIP, and Environmental Farm Plans.

Both healthy riparian areas and interior forests are important to support local wildlife and maintain good water quality.

Lake Muskoka Indicator Muskoka Watershed Indicator Description % Grade % Grade Natural cover is defined as lakes, wetlands, forests, rock barrens Natural Cover 90 A 94 A and other natural systems. Large Natural Areas 43 79 F 200 - 499 ha 9 7 Areas of natural cover that are 200 ha or greater. 500 - 9,999 ha 34 52 >10,000 ha 0 20 Interior forest is defined as a forested area with a 100-metre Interior Forest 35 D 58 C forested buffer surrounding it. Managed & Protected Areas 16 F 48 A Protected areas are defined as lands within national or provincial parks, Crown conservation reserves, Crown land, and land held Parks & Protected Areas 6 17 by land trusts. Managed areas are defined as lands under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program or Conservation Land Crown Land 6 26 Tax Incentive Program, or have a conservation easement held by Private Stewardship 4 5 a reputable conservation organization. Riparian area is defined as the shoreline of a lake or river plus an Riparian Area 43 D 68 B area 20 metres inland from the shore. GradeB Water The Lake Muskoka subwatershed is dominated by Lake Muskoka. The lake flows into the Moon River at Bala and from there into Georgian Bay.

Total phosphorus is an indication of the nutrient level of waterbody. A background or undeveloped level of total phosphorus has been determined for each lake. Scientists indicate that a lake may become unhealthy with an increase in phosphorus greater than In Muskoka there are no notable 50% from that background level. This is considered the threshold for that lake. There are point sources of industrial 8 lakes that are Over Threshold in the Lake Muskoka subwatershed for a total of 7.7% of contamination in lakes and rivers. the total water surface area in the subwatershed. Most industrial contamination is generally a result of air pollutants Shoreline vegetation protects waterbodies from nutrients and toxic chemicals that can traveling long distances and being contribute to water quality issues. It also protects the lake edge from erosion caused by deposited in local lakes. In inland waves and ice. The shoreline zone provides critical habitat for fish and other animals, lakes on the Canadian Shield, helping to maintain a natural balance in sensitive aquatic ecosystems. 13.71% of the mercury in fish is the most significant shoreline of lakes in the Lake Muskoka subwatershed has been altered. contaminant. Lake Muskoka Mercury levels in lakes does not Indicator Muskoka Watershed Indicator Description pose a significant human health % Grade % Grade threat, however, wildlife like loons are more sensitive. Loons eat fish % Surface This is a measure of recreational water that are 4 to 10 centimeters in size. If Area Over 7.7 B 4.9 B quality as phosphorus is generally the fish in a particular lake do not reach Threshold limiting nutrient in algae production. the 0.033 ppm standard until the fish This is a measure of fish habitat. Many is over 10 centimeters, then loons % Natural fish species require overhanging 86 C 91 B will not be impacted. Otherwise, Shoreline vegetation, rock shoals, and aquatic there could be a possible vegetation found in undisturbed sites. neurological impact. Only one out of Mercury levels in lakes do not pose a the five test species exceeds the Mercury significant human health threat, benchmark for mercury in the Lake Levels in Fish N/A B N/A B however, wildlife like loons are less Muskoka subwatershed. Less Than 10 tolerant to mercury and may be cm in Size impacted in some cases.

Wetlands —No Grade

The Lake Muskoka Wetland Values

subwatershed has 4,850 hectares of  Control and storage of surface water wetlands, which and recharge groundwater; covers 10.4% of the subwatershed.  Maintain and improve water quality, aid in flood control, and protect shorelines from erosion;  Trap sediments which would otherwise fill watercourses; A value of no net loss  Support and initiate complex food of wetlands from the chains; 2010 level will be used  Provide important habitat as the benchmark. In future report cards,  Support species at risk; wetland area will be  Provides fish populations; measured as a deviation from current wetland  Provide active and passive recreational area. opportunities, including canoeing, bird watching, hunting and fishing. A changing climate

The biggest unknown in watershed health is the impact of climate change. What will climate change mean in Muskoka?

Warmer summers will see increased evaporation of water from lake surfaces and increased transpiration of water by wetlands and forests, meaning less Get involved and be a watershed steward runoff, less water, lower lake levels, and longer periods of drought. Warmer When all is said and done, the fate of sustainable management of a watershed winters will see more winter thaws and lies in the hands of grass-roots residents as they go about their day-to-day winter rains potentially leading to more business. It is the citizens of the watershed who must generate the interest and flooding. If the snowpack is reduced enthusiasm to create, continue and expand local projects which lead to positive due to mid-winter thaws then less snow actions and results. pack remains for the spring run-off, which could result in an earlier onset of 1. Maintain large natural areas drought and lower water levels.  Practice sustainable forestry  Use existing roads and rights of way for access Warmer lakes will likely lead and utility corridors to:  Reduce cleared areas in the rural area

 less habitat for lake trout 2. Retain shorelines in a natural state  more algae blooms and possibly blue  Maintain a wide natural buffer of plants and -green algae blooms trees around shorelines of lakes, rivers and streams Warmer temperatures will  Obey speed signs in erosion sensitive low wake likely: areas  allow a greater range of insects and  Reduce grassed lawns in the waterfront area disease in our forests, such as the and minimize the use of fertilizer Mountain Pine Beetle  Pick up after pets  allow more invasive species, such as  Plant native species ticks that carry lyme disease  result in more smog days and result 3. Protect wetlands in human health impacts  Leave wetlands alone  eliminate winter recreation although  Keep recreational vehicles out of wetlands summer recreation may be enhanced  Learn about wetland values  extend the growing season 4. Reduce your carbon footprint More severe weather events  Plant native trees will likely:  Reduce your use of electricity

 damage large tracts of commercially  Improve energy efficiency of your home and important forests vehicle Reduce waste  overload municipal infrastructure   result in more damage to agricultural crops

Drier conditions will likely lead to more drought.

Rapid change in habitat conditions will likely reduce biodiversity.

The Muskoka Watershed Report Card is produced by the Muskoka Watershed Council. The mission of the Muskoka Watershed Council is to champion watershed health.

For the full background report, visit www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed.