2015 Lake System
Health Water Quality Monitoring Program
Year End Report
February 2016
Prepared by The District Municipality of Muskoka Planning and Economic Development Department
With Technical Support from the Dorset Environmental Science Centre, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Table of Contents
Introduction ...... 4
Muskoka Water Strategy ...... 4
Lake System Health ...... 4
Summary of Lake System Health Monitoring Activities ...... 5 Partners ...... 6 1) Program Partners ...... 6 2) Volunteer Participants ...... 6
Monitoring Staff...... 7
Lake System Health Monitoring Program Components ...... 7
1) Spring phosphorus sampling and other chemical parameters ...... 10 a) Sampling method ...... 11 b) Spring phosphorus results ...... 11 c) Other chemical parameters ...... 11
2) Secchi depth measurements ...... 14 a) Sampling method ...... 14 b) Secchi depth measurement results ...... 14
3) Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements ...... 16 a) Sampling method ...... 16 b) Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurement results ...... 16
4) Shoreline land use survey ...... 19 a) Survey method ...... 19 b) Shoreline land use survey results ...... 19
5) Love Your Lake Program ...... 22 a) Survey method ...... 22 b) Shoreline Renaturalization Program ...... 23
6) Biological Monitoring Program...... 23 a) Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling method ...... 23 b) Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling results ...... 23 c) Terrestrial forest plot monitoring method ...... 24 d) Terrestrial forest plot monitoring results ...... 24 e) Education programs ...... 24
Over Threshold Classification ...... 26
Water Quality Model Review ...... 27
2 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendices
Appendix 1 Table of 2015 phosphorus sampling and Secchi depth measurement results ...... 28
Appendix 2 Trophic state of lakes ...... 30
Appendix 3 Lake survey deck sheet ...... 32
Appendix 4 Lakes with completed shoreline land use surveys ...... 34
Appendix 5 Table of 2015 chemical data ...... 37
3 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Introduction
With its extensive forests, its 8,000 waterbodies, and more than 13,500 kilometres of rugged shoreline, Muskoka attracts almost two million visitors each year. Muskoka is a world-class tourist destination with a large component of the population being seasonal residents with cottages on its many lakes and rivers.
Continued prosperity in Muskoka depends upon maintaining the natural environment and clean, healthy water that draws people here. For this reason, the District Municipality of Muskoka has an interest in the water quality of all the lakes and rivers within its jurisdiction.
In conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Muskoka has undertaken a water quality monitoring program since 1980. In total, 193 sites on 164 lakes are monitored on a rotational basis. These data are collected to support development policy and represent one of the best municipal water quality data sets in Canada.
Muskoka Water Strategy
In January 2003, The District Municipality of Muskoka expanded its recreational water quality program and developed the Muskoka Water Strategy. The Strategy is a framework of integrated and strategic initiatives to protect Muskoka’s water resources. Muskoka spearheads the Strategy with the support of the Muskoka Watershed Council and with involvement from a wide variety of organizations, agencies and stakeholders.
The Strategy consists of four broad components:
1. Lake System Health, including lake and watershed monitoring, volunteer–based benthic monitoring, and stewardship and outreach programs; 2. Communication and community involvement, including the Muskoka Water Web site (www.muskokawaterweb.ca); 3. The Muskoka Watershed Council, which includes initiatives such as the Muskoka Watershed Report Card and Best Practices program (www.muskokawatershed.org); and 4. Broader Water Initiatives, such as the Canadian Water Network project and watershed inventories.
The Strategy emphasizes the development of relationships and the sharing of resources with other organizations as well as greater community involvement. As the strategy evolves, it will address new water issues or concerns respecting Muskoka’s water resources and will provide a structure for future water initiatives.
Lake System Health
Lake System Health is a broad approach to protecting waterbodies that includes recreational water quality monitoring, enhanced development policy, and a strong stewardship program. The goal of the Lake System Health Program is to protect lake ecosystems and the social and economic values they provide. Managing shoreline development without substantially damaging the natural environment, habitat and trophic status of the waterbody or other waterbodies within the same watershed is the initial and primary factor in achieving lake health and sustainable development.
4 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Summary of Lake System Health Monitoring Activities
A key component of the Lake System Health Program is good water quality. Water quality has been monitored by the District Municipality of Muskoka in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for over 30 years and has produced very good long-term data records for many key lakes.
The monitoring program is a field-based program that monitors 193 sites on 164 lakes on a rotational basis. The purpose of the monitoring program is to establish a long-term record of key water quality parameters so that trends in water quality and lake system health can be identified and appropriate management decisions can be made to protect lake water quality.
In collaboration with the Dorset Environmental Science Centre (DESC), Secchi depth (a measure of clarity) and phosphorus concentrations are taken as part of the Provincial Lake Partner Program. DESC also tests for other parameters, such as pH, conductivity, alkalinity, calcium, and nitrogen, so that a more complete understanding of lake chemistry can be achieved. While in the field, Water Quality Technicians also record dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles.
In 2002, a shoreline land use survey was initiated with sixty-eight lakes, bays and river segments surveyed to date. These surveys document all built structures, the overall condition of the shoreline and general land-use adjacent to the lake. This information is available to lake associations, Area Municipalities and other interested parties for planning purposes. In 2013, the Love Your Lake shoreline assessment protocol was implemented, which is an action-oriented program that provides resources and training to local organizations. The goal of Love Your Lake is to deliver engaging and effective programs to help landowners protect and restore their shorelines.
In 2003 a Biological Monitoring Program was developed for lake associations interested in becoming more involved in lake monitoring and broader lake planning. Each year, summer staff are available to train lake residents to undertake volunteer monitoring programs that are based on standard protocols such as PlantWatch, FrogWatch, forest health and benthic analysis. Ongoing support is provided to meet the needs of individual associations.
The objective of the biological monitoring program is to develop a network of monitoring partners to collect a broad range of chemical and biological data, physical lake attributes and shoreline development data that are in a useful form and can be made accessible to individuals, associations, businesses and government agencies.
This report is a snapshot in time and contains a summary of the data collected during the 2015 monitoring season. Water quality parameters, such as phosphorus and dissolved oxygen, vary throughout the year, as well as from year to year. In order to fully understand changes in environmental quality on a particular lake, it is important to track the long-term trends for that lake.
Data sheets for individual lakes that track change over time are available on the Muskoka Water Web (www.muskokawaterweb.ca), by emailing [email protected], or by calling (705) 646-0111. The 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Data Report contains data sheets for all the lakes monitored in 2015 and can be downloaded from The District Municipality of Muskoka’s website at www.muskoka.on.ca. Refer to Figure 5 for an example of a 2015 Lake Data Sheet.
5 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Partners
1) Program Partners
The District Municipality of Muskoka leads and is responsible for the Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program. Additional funding and extensive technical support is received from the Water Monitoring Section of the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch of the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre.
The District Municipality of Muskoka has entered into an agreement with the Township of Seguin to monitor two additional sites on Lake Joseph and one on Lake Rosseau in order to gain a complete picture of the water quality on these two lakes, which cross municipal boundaries. Muskoka has also coordinated sampling in the Georgian Bay area with the Severn Sound Environmental Association to avoid duplication of effort and to make more effective use of resources.
2) Volunteer Participants
The following associations and organizations participated in the 2015 Lake System Health Program:
Ontario Stewardship Rangers Buck Lake Assoc. Bigwind Lake Cottagers’ Assoc. Peninsula Lake Assoc. Clear Lake Property Owners Assoc. Pine Lake Ratepayers’ Assoc. Leonard Lake Stakeholders’ Assoc. Walker & Pell Lakes Assoc. Menominee Lake Cottagers’ Assoc. Kahshe Lake Ratepayers’ Assoc. Chub Lake Property Owners’ Assoc. Lake of Bays Association Lake Waseosa Ratepayers’ Assoc. Gull and Silver Lakes Residents’ Assoc. Trillium Lakelands District School Board Muskoka Family Focus Patterson’s Bay Assoc. Muskoka Fathering Coalition Muldrew Lake Cottagers’ Assoc. Fox Lake Assoc. Bella & Rebecca Lakes Cottagers’ Otter Lake Assoc. Assoc. Portage Bay Water Quality Steering Ctte South Muskoka Lake Community Assoc. Skeleton Lake Cottagers Org. Leech Lake Cottagers’ Assoc. Lake Vernon Assoc. Ada Lake Resident Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve Tawingo College Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation Montessori School of Huntsville Township of Lake of Bays Loon & Turtle Lake Cottage Assoc. Fairy Lake Assoc. Ril Lake Assoc.
6 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Monitoring Staff
Under the direction of the Director of Environmental and Watershed Programs, two post- secondary students were hired as Water Quality Technicians for a four-month contract, beginning in April and ending in August.
The Water Quality Technicians collected water samples for phosphorus testing and analysis of base chemical parameters, measured Secchi depths, and recorded temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations. The technicians were also responsible for conducting shoreline land use surveys and assisting with the Love Your Lake program.
A Biological Monitoring Technician was hired for a four-month contract beginning in April and ending in August. Activities undertaken by this staff member included:
Providing volunteer training, primarily on benthic and terrestrial monitoring protocols. Providing ongoing support and technical information to volunteers and associations during the monitoring season. Bringing the data together and developing a reporting structure for individuals and associations.
The Watershed Planning Technician is responsible for supervising summer students, managing all of the monitoring data, and developing watershed and lake specific data reports for public distribution.
Lake System Health Monitoring Program Components
The fieldwork for the 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program began in late April and concluded in August. Components of the program included:
Spring phosphorus sampling conducted in May; Water sample collection for base chemical parameters in May; Secchi depth measurements collected in May and August; Temperature and dissolved oxygen readings collected in May and August; Shoreline land use surveys conducted in June and July; and Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling and forest health monitoring from May to August.
Table 1 identifies the lakes sampled in 2015, their location, and the program carried out.
7 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Table 1: Sites monitored in 2015.
Lake Quaternary Parameter Lake Municipality Number Watershed Monitored Ada 15-1 ML Lake Rosseau Shore/Bug Atkins 140-1 BR N. Muskoka River Chem Barron's 225-1 GB Severn River Chem/Shore Bass 239-1 GR Kahshe River Chem/Shore Bastedo 248-1 ML Gibson River Chem Bearpaw 276-1 GR Severn River Chem Bigwind 413-1 BR S. Muskoka River Chem/Bug/Tree Bing (Rock) 7327-1 HT Little East River Chem Black 441-1 ML Lake Muskoka Chem Brandy 562-1 ML Lake Muskoka Chem Brooks 590-1 LOB Oxtongue River Chem Bruce 604-2 ML Lake Rosseau Chem/Shore Buck 617-1 HT Mary Lake Bug Camel 702-1 ML Dee River Chem Chub 7061-1 HT Mary Lake Bug Clear 884-2 BR Upper Black River Chem Clear (Torrance) 5419-1 ML Lake Muskoka Bug Cornall 988-1 GR Severn River Chem Dark 6913-1 ML Lake Muskoka Chem Deer 1140-1 GR Lake Muskoka Chem Devine 1173-1 HT N. Muskoka River Chem Fairy 1420 HT Mary Lake LYL Fawn (Deer) 1440-1 BR N. Muskoka River Chem Flatrock 7243-1 GB Moon River Chem Fox 1550-1 HT Mary Lake Bug Galla 1607-1 GB Moon River Chem Gibson - North 1644-2 GB Gibson River Chem Gibson - South 1644-1 GB Gibson River Chem Grindstone 1777-1 LOB U. Black River Chem Gull 1791-2 GR Lake Muskoka Chem/Bug Gullwing 1798-1 ML Lake Muskoka Chem Halfway 6914-1 BR N. Muskoka River Chem Heney 1942-1 LOB S. Muskoka River Chem Hesner’s (Everness) 1953-1 ML Moon River Chem Hoc Roc River – GR Lake Muskoka Bug Jevins 2155-1 GR Severn River Chem Kahshe - Grant’s Bay 2217-2 GR Kahshe River Chem/Shore Kahshe - Main 2217-5 GR Kahshe River Chem/Shore/Bug Lake of Bays - Dwight Bay 2469-2 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL Lake of Bays - Haystack Bay 2469-5 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL Lake of Bays - Rat Bay 2469-9 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL Lake of Bays - South Muskoka River Bay 2469-11 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL/Bug Lake of Bays - South Portage Bay 2469-8 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL Lake of Bays - Ten Mile Bay 2469-10 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL Lake of Bays - Trading Bay 2469-6 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/LYL
8 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Lake Quaternary Parameter Lake Municipality Number Watershed Monitored Leech 2529-1 BR S. Muskoka River Bug Leonard 2540-3 ML Lake Muskoka Chem/LYL/Bug Little Go-Home Bay 7064-30 GB Severn River Chem Longline 6509-1 LOB Lake of Bays Chem Loon 2807-2 GR Severn River Bug Mainhood 6916-1 ML Dee River Chem Margaret (Clear) 2995-1 LOB Upper Black River Chem Mary 3032-3 HT Mary Lake Chem Menominee 3181-3 LOB Lake of Bays Chem/Shore/Bug Morrison 3331-1 GR Severn River Chem Muskoka River – BR Lake Muskoka Shore Myers (Butterfly) 3408-1 GB Moon River Chem Nine Mile 3469-1 ML Gibson River Chem North Bay 7064-18 GB Severn River LYL North Muldrew 4074-1 GR Severn River Chem Otter 6916-1 HT Mary Lake Shore/Bug Oudaze 4202-1 HT Big East River Chem Oxbow 4213-2 LOB Oxtongue River Chem Oxtongue River – LOB Oxtongue River Tree Paint (St. Mary) 5145-4 LOB Lake of Bays Chem Pell 6683-1 LOB Lake of Bays Chem Peninsula 4309 LOB Mary Lake LYL/Bug Perch (Fish) 4316-1 HT Little East River Chem Pigeon 4365-1 GR Lake Muskoka Chem Pine 4379-1 BR S. Muskoka River Chem/Shore Pine 4378-1 GR Lake Muskoka Bug Prospect 4468-1 BR Kahshe River Chem Rebecca 4567-2 LOB Big East River Bug Ril 4627-2 LOB S. Muskoka River Bug Riley 4628-1 GR Lower Black River Chem Rose 4696-1 HT Mary Lake Chem Rosseau - Brackenrig Bay 2476-12 ML Lake Rosseau Chem Rosseau - East Portage Bay 2476-11 ML Lake Rosseau Chem/Bug Rosseau - Main 2476-13 ML Lake Rosseau Chem Rosseau - North 2476-14 SE Lake Rosseau Chem Rosseau - Skeleton Bay 2476-10 ML Lake Rosseau Chem Shoe 4934-2 LOB Lake of Bays Chem Siding 7326-1 HT Mary Lake Chem Silver 4951-2 GR Lake Muskoka Chem Silver 4952-1 ML Lake Muskoka Chem Six Mile - Cedar Nook Bay 4978-1 GB Severn River Chem Six Mile - Main 4978-4 GB Severn River Chem Six Mile - Provincial Park Bay 4978-5 GB Severn River Chem Skeleton 4982-2 ML Skeleton River Bug Solitaire 5037-1 LOB Big East River Chem South Bay 5058-17 GB Severn River Shore/LYL
9 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Lake Quaternary Parameter Lake Municipality Number Watershed Monitored South Muldrew 5075-1 GR Severn River Chem/Bug Sunny 5244-1 GR Kahshe River Chem Tadenac Bay 7064-19 GB Moon River Chem Tadenac 5289-1 GB Moon River Chem Tasso 5303-5 LOB Big East River Chem Thinn (Reay) 6925-1 BR/GR Lake Muskoka Chem Three Mile 5362 ML Dee River Shore Turtle 5485-1 GR Severn River Chem Vernon - Main 6455-7 HT Mary Lake Bug/Tree Walker 5710-2 LOB Mary Lake Bug Waseosa 5741-1 HT Little East River Chem/Bug Webster 7074-1 GB Gibson River Chem Wildcat 6928-1 LOB S. Muskoka River Chem Wolfkin 5954-1 LOB Lake of Bays Chem Wood 5961-1 BR S. Muskoka River Chem
BR (Bracebridge) GB (Georgian Bay) GR (Gravenhurst) HT (Huntsville) LOB (Lake of Bays) ML (Muskoka Lakes) SE (Seguin)
Chem - Spring Phosphorus & Other Chemical Parameters Bug - Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Shore - Shoreline Land Use Survey LYL - Love Your Lake Shoreline Assessment Tree - Forest Health Monitoring
1) Spring phosphorus sampling and other chemical parameters
Phosphorus is the nutrient that controls the growth of algae in most Ontario lakes. For this reason, an increase in phosphorus in a lake increases the potential for algal blooms. Algal blooms detract from recreational water quality and, in some cases, affect the habitat of coldwater fish species such as Lake trout.
Phosphorus samples are collected in the spring during a period called “spring turnover”. Studies have shown that for lakes on the Precambrian Shield, total phosphorus long-term means derived using spring turnover data and whole lake means are not significantly different.1 In some cases, a sample may be taken after a lake has thermally stratified (see section 3b) but before biological activity has altered the phosphorus concentration in each layer. Studies conducted at the Dorset Environmental Science Centre demonstrate that phosphorus samples taken in April (during turnover), May (late turnover-early stratification) and early June (weakly stratified) are not significantly different.2
By sampling spring phosphorus each year it is possible to detect a change in the nutrient status of a lake. Several years of data must be collected before it is possible to determine normal phosphorus levels and between-year differences. It is only at that point that trends in phosphorus can be identified.
Phosphorus is a natural substance required by all living organisms. It enters a lake naturally through sediment and precipitation, which cannot be controlled by human activities. Human inputs of phosphorus to Muskoka’s recreational lakes are primarily through septic
1 Clark, Bev J. , Paterson, Andrew M. , Jeziorski, Adam and Kelsey, Susan (2010). 'Assessing variability in total phosphorus measurements in Ontario lakes', Lake and Reservoir Management, 26: 1, 63 - 72, First published on: 24 March 2010 (iFirst) 2 ibid.
10 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report system seepage and surface runoff from sources such as lawn fertilizer runoff and agricultural runoff. Planning policy targets these activities to reduce human phosphorus inputs. Municipal wastewater will also add phosphorus to a waterbody. However, Muskoka sewage treatment plants all have tertiary treatment with phosphorus reduction technology.
Sampling for spring phosphorus and other chemical parameters in 2015 was conducted from May to early June. A total of 84 sites were sampled on 70 lakes.
Figure 1 identifies the 70 lakes that were sampled for spring phosphorus, Secchi depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen and other chemical parameters in 2015. a) Sampling method A composite water sample for spring phosphorus was taken to the Secchi depth measurement. Two samples were taken for each lake and these readings were averaged. b) Spring phosphorus results Figure 2 summarizes the 2015 spring phosphorus results.
Lakes with phosphorus concentrations below 10 micrograms per litre (g/L) are considered oligotrophic or unenriched. Those with a phosphorus concentration falling between 11 and 20 g/L are termed mesotrophic or moderately enriched, while lakes with a phosphorus concentration exceeding 20 g/L are called eutrophic and are considered enriched. Refer to Appendix 2 for general characteristics of oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic lakes.
As recommended in the 2008 report Review of Long-Term Water Quality Data for the Lake System Health Program prepared by Gartner Lee Limited, spring phosphorus results were analyzed for bad splits and outliers. A bad split occurs when a greater than 25% variance is found between duplicate samples taken at each site. Where a bad split is found, the higher value is generally discarded. The average spring phosphorus data was then analyzed to determine the validity of the 2015 measurement in the long term data series for each lake using the methods outlined in the above report. Data points determined to be outliers were excluded from the calculation of a lake’s 10-year average. c) Other chemical parameters Water samples collected in the spring are analyzed for a variety of parameters, including pH, alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved organic carbon, calcium, chloride, colour, sodium, nitrogen, and sulphate. Collection of these data provides information on the chemical characteristics of the lake and can highlight changes in water chemistry. Table 2 gives a definition of each parameter and Appendix 5 contains the chemical data for each lake sampled in 2015.
11 FIGUREFIGURE 11 PerchPerch LkLk OudazeOudaze LkLk BingBing LkLk LAKELAKELAKE SYSTEMSYSTEMSYSTEM HEALTHHEALTHHEALTH PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM 592 BingBing LkLk MONITOREDMONITORED LAKESLAKES ‐ ‐ ‐ CHEMICALCHEMICAL WaseosaWaseosa LkLk 2 20152015 11 BrooksBrooks LkLk TassoTasso LkLk
31 OxbowOxbow LkLk
3 PellPell LkLk 8 45 3 SolitaireSolitaire LkLk
SidingSiding 3 LkLk BruceBruce LkLk 60 7 60 11 LakeLake RosseauRosseau Rose Lk 23 28 RoseRose LkLk 9 TadenacTadenac BayBay TadenacTadenac BayBay 141 MaryMary LkLk 2 12 24 MaryMary LkLk MainhoodMainhood LkLk GallaGalla LkLk MyersMyers LkLk 4 TadenacTadenac LkLk GallaGalla LkLk 10 169 10 21 35 7 27 CamelCamel LkLk LakeLake ofof BaysBays SilverSilver LkLk 4 44 Lake of Bays 25 22 FlatrockFlatrock LkLk 35 BrandyBrandy LkLk DevineDevine LkLk 9 11 FawnFawn LkLk LonglineLongline LkLk 118 MenomineeMenominee LkLk WolfkinWolfkin LkLk 26 4 400 29 WebsterWebster LkLk 46 PaintPaint LkLk 47 2 32 LeonardLeonard LkLk HesnersHesners LkLk 39 WildcatWildcat LkLk ShoeShoe LkLk AtkinsAtkins LkLk ShoeShoe LkLk GibsonGibson LkLk 38 51 GrindstoneGrindstone LkLk DarkDark LkLk 50 117 BlackBlack LkLk HeneyHeney LkLk BlackBlack LkLk HalfwayHalfway LkLk 33 30
SixSix MileMile LkLk GullwingGullwing LkLk 37 42 15 MargaretMargaret LkLk 35 PigeonPigeon LkLk NineNine MileMile LkLk 14 13 BastedoBastedo LkLk DeerDeer LkLk 16 37 PinePine LkLk
48 LittleLittle GoGo HomeHome34 BayBay 5 LittleLittle GoGo HomeHome BayBay BearpawBearpaw LkLk 169 17 BigwindBigwind LkLk TurtleTurtle LkLk BigwindBigwind LkLk Barron'sBarron's LkLk 18 WoodWood LkLk ThinnThinn LkLk NorthNorth MuldrewMuldrew LkLk ThinnThinn36 LkLk ProspectProspect118 LkLk SouthSouth MuldrewMuldrew LkLk 1 41 ClearClear LkLk GullGull LkLk 400 13 20 MorrisonMorrison LkLk JevinsJevins LkLk SunnySunny LkLk SilverSilver LkLk 6 CornallCornall LkLk
0 5 10 19 KahsheKahshe LkLk BassBass LkLk kilometres 6
Produced by the District of Muskoka under licence from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Copyright (c) Queens Printer 2016. 11 INCLUDES MATERIAL © 2016 OF THE QUEEN’S PRINTER FOR ONTARIO. 13 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RileyRiley LkLk The information contained herein may be erroneous, inaccurate or misleading. RileyRiley LkLk The parties compiling and/or disclosing the information make no warranties 49 whatsoever as to the accuracy of any or all of the information contained herein.
Any party relying on this information does so at their own risk and shall not, Chemical under any circumstances, make any claim against anyone on the grounds that the information was erroneous, inaccurate or misleading.
This road network information has been generated or adapted from Ontario Road 6 Network Database, a database built from source data provided by the Municipalities of Ontario to the Government of Ontario under licence. The Ontario Road Network Database is the property of the Government of Ontario and is used under licence from the Government of Ontario.
\\muskoka.local\dm\ped\WATER\WATQUAL\Monitoring Program\Report Maps\2015\MONITORED LAKES 2015 Chemical 11x17.WOR 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Table 2: Chemical water quality parameters monitored in 2015.
Water Quality What Is It Why Measure It Recommended Limit Parameter
A measure of a lake’s “buffering capacity” or its Values of 20-200 mg/L are It is a measure of a lake’s sensitivity Alkalinity ability to neutralize acids. Alkalinity comes from common in freshwater systems; to acid inputs, such as rainfall or (mg/L) rocks and soils, salts, plant activities, and industrial lakes below 10 mg/L are snowmelt. wastewater discharges. susceptible to acidification.
The most commonly found substance in water, High amounts can cause algae Water is considered hard at normally from bedrock leaching and effluent problems and water hardness. Low levels above 120 mg/L and soft Calcium discharge. An important element for aquatic life amounts can cause corrosion, below 60 mg/L. Muskoka, (mg/L) and for pH buffering in lakes. It is the main water softness, and affect species being on the Canadian Shield, component causing water hardness. diversity. has extremely soft water.
A salt compound that results from the combination of chlorine gas and a metal. Small amounts are Chloride ion (Cl-) in lake water is Chloride required for normal cell functions in plant and High levels (>250 mg/L) affect considered an indicator of human (mg/L) animal life. Sources include rock, agricultural fish and aquatic communities. activity. runoff, industrial wastewater and sewage treatment effluent.
A shade or tint imparted to water that is often Dissolved mineral matter, such as Aesthetic objective in drinking Colour caused by organic materials created when iron and manganese, may also water is 5 TCU. Lakes naturally (TCU) vegetation decays. Lakes with high DOC tend to produce colour. range from 0-300 TCU. have more colour.
The ability of water to pass an electric current. It The higher the conductivity, the indicates the physical presence of dissolved salts Conductivity more dissolved solids are in the Natural waters tend to be (ions) in the water, such as chloride, sulphate, (S/cm) water. Conductivity increases with between 50-1500 S/cm. phosphate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron and increasing temperature. aluminium. Pure water has low conductivity.
The most abundant element found in all organisms. Water high in DOC tends to be Dissolved In aquatic environments, organic carbon is more tea-coloured. In addition to Aesthetic objective in drinking Organic produced by plant photosynthesis and bacterial natural sources, human-related water is 5 mg/L. Values above Carbon (DOC) growth. Leaching of humic substances and sources of DOC include 7 mg/L are considered high for (mg/L) decomposition of plants and animals are other agricultural runoff and municipal recreational use. natural sources. and industrial effluents.
A highly soluble metal found everywhere in the Aesthetic objective in drinking High levels can cause algae Sodium water environment. Major sources include road water is 200 mg/L. Levels over problems and can be toxic to (mg/L) salt, agricultural runoff, geological formations and 20 mg/L may affect people on aquatic life. water softeners. sodium-reduced diets.
Elevated levels may indicate Natural levels in surface water pollution from sewage or are typically less than 1 mg/L Nitrate (NO3) Nitrate is the primary form of nitrogen used by agricultural runoff and can lead to (1000 g/L). Drinking water (g/L) plants as a nutrient to stimulate growth. increased algal growth and objective is a maximum of 10 eutrophication. mg/L.
A measure of both ammonia and organic forms of Excessive amounts contribute to Total Kjeldahl Lakes with high TKN values and nitrogen. Major sources include sewage treatment eutrophication of lakes creating Nitrogen (TKN) high TP values may be prone plant effluent, agricultural runoff and algal blooms that can negatively (g/L) to excessive algae growth. development. impact aquatic life.
A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in Provincial water quality The distribution of aquatic water, on a scale of 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral. objective is between 6.5 and organisms and the toxicity of some pH The lower the pH of water, the more acidic it is. 8.5. pH values below 5 and common pollutants are strongly Extreme changes in pH impair the reproduction of above 9 are harmful to affected by pH. aquatic life and species diversity. organisms.
Sulphate is natural in many minerals but is often High levels can reduce the pH in a Sulphate derived from acidic deposition (acid rain). High Drinking water standard is 500 lake by increasing the acidity (mg/L) amounts that exceed the buffering capacity of a mg/L. levels. lake can reduce the pH.
13 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
2) Secchi depth measurements
Secchi depth is a measurement of water clarity. In Muskoka, the major determinant of water clarity may be either natural colour, determined by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content, or an increase in nutrient input from the surrounding watershed.
A lake may naturally be a brown colour due to high levels of DOC that come from the wetlands in a watershed. DOC colours lakes brown and reduces water clarity, but is not an indication of nutrient enrichment. Examples of lakes with naturally high DOC content include Brandy Lake and Fawn Lake.
Water clarity can also decrease as nutrients from the surrounding watershed enter and enrich the lake, resulting in high levels of suspended sediments or algal growth.
Water clarity can change weekly or yearly as a result of weather, length of winter ice cover, shoreline development, natural seasonal trends or other impacts. However, when the primary determinant of water clarity is a function of nutrient enrichment, a long-term trend that indicates a reduction in water clarity is an indication of reduced water quality.
a) Sampling method Secchi depth readings were taken once in May and once in August for each lake. Readings were obtained over the deepest part of the lake by lowering the Secchi disc into the water until it disappeared (value A). The disc was then raised until it reappeared (value B). The average of the two values is the Secchi depth reading [(A+B) 2].
b) Secchi depth measurement results Figure 3 summarizes the Secchi depth measurements for 2015.
In general, where a lake is not coloured by DOC, the higher the Secchi depth reading, the clearer the lake and the less nutrients it contains. Lakes with Secchi depth measurements over five metres are considered oligotrophic or unenriched. Those with a Secchi depth measurement between three and five metres are termed mesotrophic or moderately enriched, while lakes with a Secchi depth measurement below three metres are called eutrophic and are considered enriched. Refer to Appendix 2 for general characteristics of oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic lakes.
In some instances in shallow lakes, Secchi depth measurements may be limited by the depth of the lake, resulting in a low Secchi depth reading even though the lake is low in DOC and otherwise clear.
In Georgian Bay, where Zebra mussels and Quagga mussels feed on the phytoplankton, nutrients are transferred from deeper water to the shoreline area resulting in a high density of shoreline aquatic vegetation and high Secchi depth readings in deeper water. In this situation, Secchi depth readings do not provide a true indication of the trophic status of the water body.
14 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
15 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
3) Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements
Temperature is a measure of the intensity of heat stored in a volume of water. Temperature patterns affect the solubility of many chemical compounds and influences the effects of pollution on aquatic life.
Dissolved oxygen is a measure of the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water. Adequate concentrations of dissolved oxygen are necessary for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms. Dissolved oxygen concentration is an indicator of a lake’s ability to support aquatic life.
Dissolved oxygen levels above 5 milligrams per litre (mg/L) are considered optimal for most aquatic organisms. Most fish cannot survive if levels fall below 3 mg/L. For coldwater species, such as Lake trout, a minimum of 6 mg/L is needed, along with a temperature below 10 C. Lakes with dissolved oxygen readings below 0.5 mg/L are considered anoxic.
a) Sampling method Temperature and dissolved oxygen readings were taken once in May and once in August for each lake. Readings were taken with a dissolved oxygen metre (YSI ProODO Optical DO Meter) with the first reading at 0.5 metres from the surface, the second at 1 metre, and continuing down in one-metre increments to a depth of 10 metres. Readings were then taken in two metre increments to within one metre of the bottom. Values were recorded on the Lake Survey Deck Sheet (Appendix 3).
b) Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurement results The combination of thermal stratification and biological activity causes characteristic patterns in water chemistry. In the summer, deep lakes stratify with warm water on top and cold water below. Because cold water is more dense than warm water, these two layers do not mix and atmospheric oxygen cannot reach the bottom layer.
In general, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the epilimnion (top layer of water in a lake) remains high throughout the summer because of photosynthesis, which produces oxygen, and diffusion of oxygen from the atmosphere. Conditions in the hypolimnion (the bottom layer of water in a lake) vary with trophic status (see Appendix 2 for characteristics of trophic levels).
In these deep regions of the lake, dissolved oxygen declines during the summer because organisms continue to consume oxygen. In some lakes, the bottom layer may eventually become anoxic (totally devoid of oxygen).
Lakes that are less than nine meters deep are generally too shallow to stratify and remain mixed all year. Smaller lakes that are less than twenty meters deep, like Mainhood Lake, tend to go anoxic at the bottom of the lake naturally at the end of the summer because the hypolimnion is not large enough to store
16 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report the oxygen required to support a full season of natural processes. The plant and animal life in these lakes have adapted to this annual variation in available oxygen.
In oligotrophic lakes, low plant growth and increased water clarity allows deeper light penetration. Algae are able to grow deeper in the water column and less oxygen is consumed by decomposition.
Figure 4: Typical temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles for eutrophic and oligotrophic lakes throughout the year (adapted from Figure 8-1 in Wetzel, R.G. 1975. Limnology. W.B. Saunders Company).
The following is an example of temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles for one lake monitored in 2015. Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles for each lake monitored in 2015 are available on the Muskoka Water Web at www.muskokawaterweb.ca or in the 2015 Lake System Health Monitoring Program Data Report.
Lake of Bays – South Portage Bay
17 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
It is evident from the profiles on the previous page that there is ample dissolved oxygen in May with about 11 mg/L. The temperature is around 5 C throughout the water column. By August, the water temperature at the surface has risen to 23 C and drops sharply to 4 C at a depth of approximately 8 meters. This is called the thermocline. At the thermocline, dissolved oxygen concentration increases slightly with the decrease in temperature because cold water holds more oxygen than warm water. Below the thermocline, oxygen is approximately 9 mg/L, making this lake a healthy lake for coldwater fish species such as Lake trout.
Figure 5: Example of a 2015 Lake Data Sheet.
18 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
4) Shoreline land use survey
The shoreline land use survey was started in the summer of 2002 to collect data on shoreline vegetation, shoreline structures and the first 20 meters of land around a water body. All of the information gathered will contribute to the growing database of the lakes in Muskoka.
See Appendix 4 for a list of waterbodies with completed shoreline land use surveys. In 2015, six (6) lakes were surveyed and five (5) waterbodies originally surveyed between 2003 and 2006 were resurveyed.
a) Survey method Six lakes were surveyed and five waterbodies were resurveyed in 2015 (see Table 1 and Figure 7). Field data were collected and entered into a database and graphically mapped using MapInfo Professional.
b) Shoreline land use survey results Figure 6 is an example of a completed shoreline land use survey map.
Table 3 is a summary of the results of the land use survey for one of the lakes surveyed in 2015. Summaries for these areas are available in the 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Data Report. Completed maps are available from the Muskoka Water Web site at www.muskokawaterweb.ca.
Table 3: Summary of land use survey data for Otter Lake in Huntsville.
Shoreline Backlot Structures Length Area Type Percent Type Percent Type Count (m) (m2) Mixed Forest 854.30 25.79 Mixed Forest 55,425.54 57.00 Crib Dock 4 Rock 427.06 12.89 Thinned Forest 13,050.45 13.42 Floating Dock 14 Shrub 1,504.68 45.43 Overgrowth 4,927.38 5.07 Pole Dock 15 Wetland 212.23 6.41 Rock Barren 297.71 0.31 Deck 1 Man-made Beach 91.58 2.76 Wetland 153.17 0.16 Shed 1 Stone Wall 18.35 0.55 Buffered Lawn 13,094.20 13.47 Unbuffered Lawn 204.11 6.16 Unbuffered Lawn 10,287.17 10.58
Total 3,312.31 100.00 Total 97,235.62 100.00 Natural 2,998.27 90.52 Natural 55,876.42 57.46 Altered 314.04 9.48 Altered 41,359.20 42.54 Total 35
19 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Figure 6: Shoreline survey map for Otter Lake in Huntsville.
20 FIGUREFIGURE 77
LAKELAKELAKE SYSTEMSYSTEMSYSTEM HEALTHHEALTHHEALTH PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM BuckBuck LkLk 592 WaseosaWaseosa LkLk MONITOREDMONITORED LAKESLAKES 2 20152015 FoxFox LkLk 11
31 RebeccaRebecca LkLk
3 8 3 45 LakeLake VernonVernon WalkerWalker LkLk FairyFairy LkLk 3 BruceBruce LkLk 60 7 60 11 SkeletonSkeleton LkLk PeninsulaPeninsula LkLk 23 28 ChubChub LkLk 9 141 LakeLake RosseauRosseau ThreeThree MileMile LkLk 2 12 24 OtterOtter LkLk 4 10 OxtongueOxtongue RiverRiver 169 10 21 35 7 27 4 44 AdaAda LkLk 25 22 AdaAda LkLk 35
9 11 MenomineeMenominee LkLk 118 LakeLake ofof BaysBays 26 4 400 29 46 32 47 2 39
38 LeonardLeonard LkLk 51 50 117
33 30 RilRil LkLk MuskokaMuskoka RiverRiver 37 42 NorthNorth BayBay 15 35 ClearClear LkLk 14 13 16 37 SouthSouth BayBay PinePine LkLk
48 34 5 169 LeechLeech LkLk PinePine LkLk 17 LeechLeech LkLk BigwindBigwind LkLk Barron'sBarron's LkLk 18 Barron'sBarron's LkLk HocHoc RocRoc RiverRiver 1 36 118 41 LoonLoon LkLk 400 13 GullGull LkLk 20 SouthSouth MuldrewMuldrew LkLk 6
0 5 10 19 kilometres BassBass 6 LkLk
KahsheKahshe LkLk Produced by the District of Muskoka under licence from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Copyright (c) Queens Printer 2016. 11 INCLUDES MATERIAL © 2016 OF THE QUEEN’S PRINTER FOR ONTARIO. 13 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The information contained herein may be erroneous, inaccurate or misleading. The parties compiling and/or disclosing the information make no warranties 49 Love Your Lake Terrestrial whatsoever as to the accuracy of any or all of the information contained herein.
Any party relying on this information does so at their own risk and shall not, under any circumstances, make any claim against anyone on the grounds that the information was erroneous, inaccurate or misleading. Shoreline Benthic This road network information has been generated or adapted from Ontario Road 6 Network Database, a database built from source data provided by the Municipalities of Ontario to the Government of Ontario under licence. The Ontario Road Network Database is the property of the Government of Ontario and is used under licence from the Government of Ontario.
P:\WATER\WATQUAL\Monitoring Program\2015\Report Maps\MONITORED LAKES 2015 Other 11x17.WOR 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
5) Love Your Lake Program
Love Your Lake (LYL) is a program developed by Watersheds Canada (WC) and the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) being carried out in several areas of Ontario, including Muskoka. Each of the areas has a local delivery agent to oversee the program, with resources, training, expertise and some funding given by WC and CWF. In Muskoka, the delivery agent is the Muskoka Watershed Council with the assistance of The District Municipality of Muskoka through the Lake System Health program. Lake assessments are conducted with the assistance of the local lake association and other community volunteers.
The core of the LYL program is an evaluation of the shoreline quality of every property on a lake followed by outreach to landowners with a personalized property report and information package as well as suggested actions for shoreline enhancement.
a) Survey method Completing the properties on Lake of Bays was the focus of the Love Your Lake program in 2015, as identified in Table 1 and Figure 7. In total, 1,150 properties on Lake of Bays were assessed in 2015 by a Shoreline Technician using a standard evaluation protocol. The information was input into the LYL database and was used to generate custom property reports for each landowner and an overall shoreline status report for the lake.
The Lake of Bays Association was the community partner involved in carrying out the 2015 Love Your Lake program.
In addition to shoreline assessments being conducted on Lake of Bays, lake level reports were completed for Leonard, Peninsula and Fairy Lakes, which were assessed in 2013. The lake level report presents the data collected per property into a lake-wide summary on shoreline classifications, building setbacks, development (including structures and docks), retaining walls, erosion, aquatic cover, aquatic substrate, other shoreline observations, slope, lawns, and buffers. The report is intended to be a resource for the lake association and community to use as a source of baseline shoreline data to compare future shoreline data to over time.
22 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
b) Shoreline Renaturalization Program A subsidized shoreline renaturalization program was carried out as part of the Love Your Lake Program through funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. The program was carried out on individual waterfront properties in order to reduce the negative impacts on fish habitat from runoff, erosion, vegetation removal, and nutrient loading. Three properties on Lake of Bays were renaturalized in 2015.
6) Biological Monitoring Program
In 2003 Muskoka’s existing monitoring program was enhanced with a volunteer biological monitoring program. The Biological Monitoring Technician provided training for lake volunteers and developed a program of ongoing support to meet the needs of individual associations.
The 2015 biological monitoring program focused on the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) benthic monitoring protocol and the canopy-tree stratum biodiversity monitoring protocol originally developed for the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN), which supplement existing lake monitoring and shoreline land use data.
a) Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling method The benthic macro-invertebrate sampling protocol required the collection and classification of macro-invertebrates from a variety of developed and undeveloped sites of the near shore environment. The program follows the standard protocol for benthic analysis developed by the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN), spearheaded by the Ministry of the Environment through the Dorset Environmental Science Centre.
The Kick and Sweep method was used to collect samples and the Teaspoon method was the sub-sampling method used to collect organisms from within the sample.
b) Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling results In 2015, benthic sampling occurred at 27 sites on 24 lakes and 1 river across Muskoka. See Table 1 for a list and Figure 7 for a map of the areas involved in the 2015 benthic macro-invertebrate sampling program.
Aquatic Invertebrate Data Sheets for each site sampled in 2015 are available in the 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Data Report. They can also be accessed on the Muskoka Water Web site at www.muskokawaterweb.ca. Figure 8 is an example of an Aquatic Invertebrate Data Sheet.
23 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report c) Terrestrial forest plot monitoring method Terrestrial forest plots require the establishment of a 20-metre by 20-metre permanent plot. All the trees are then identified, tagged and classified according to health. Monitoring is done every five years within the plot. Various other aspects of forest health can also be monitored within the standard plot, including decay rates, tree regeneration, lichen diversity, and salamander occurrence.
Terrestrial forest plots were established and monitored based on the canopy-tree stratum biodiversity monitoring protocol developed by EMAN.
d) Terrestrial forest plot monitoring results In 2015, one plot that was established in 2004 was remeasured on Burnt Island in Bigwind Lake and two new plots were established, one at Marsh’s Falls on the Oxtongue River and the other on Lake Vernon. See Table 1 for a list and Figure 7 for a map of the locations of the 2015 terrestrial forest plots.
e) Education programs Hands-on workshops and presentations to youth are an increasingly important component of the Biological Monitoring Program. The two most requested programs are the “What is a Watershed” presentation featuring a functioning table-top watershed model (provided in cooperation with the Muskoka Watershed Council) that demonstrates the components of a watershed and how our actions affect the functions of a healthy watershed; and the “Bugs in the Mud” presentation, which allows participants to learn about why benthic macroinvertebrates are monitored, how to identify the critters found in Muskoka’s lakes, and provides the opportunity to process a water sample themselves.
One or both of these programs were presented to almost 700 youths at several venues throughout the year, including: TLDSB school groups Private school groups Montessori school groups Community groups Muskoka Family Focus events
24 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Figure 8: Example of an Aquatic Invertebrate Data Sheet.
25 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Over Threshold Classification
The District Municipality of Muskoka classifies lakes based on their sensitivity to phosphorus inputs as an indicator of lake health. Lakes in Muskoka are some of the cleanest and best recreational lakes in Canada. In order to preserve our good water quality, Muskoka has taken a very conservative approach to development around our lakes.
An acceptable threshold for phosphorus has been determined for each lake in Muskoka, as detailed in the report entitled Recreational Water Quality Management in Muskoka – Technical Review of the Water Quality Model, 2005 prepared by Gartner Lee Limited. The threshold level of a lake is 50% above the predicted background or undeveloped TP concentration. This threshold is restrictive because Muskoka believes that action taken when small changes have been identified will protect our good water quality in the future. This threshold value, when compared to measurements of current water quality, serves as an indicator of lake enrichment and the sensitivity of the lake to phosphorus loading.
There are two criteria that must be examined to determine if a lake has exceeded its acceptable threshold for phosphorus. If a lake meets both of these criteria, then it is considered to be Over Threshold:
1. Total phosphorus concentration, as estimated by the Muskoka Water Quality Model, exceeds the “Background + 50%” threshold; and
2. Long-term measured total phosphorus concentration, as determined by Muskoka’s Lake System Health Monitoring Program, also exceeds the “Background + 50%” threshold value.
Where a lake is considered over threshold, restrictive planning policy will be implemented as detailed in the Official Plan of the Muskoka District Area and the District of Muskoka will work with the Area Municipality, Lake Ratepayer associations and other interested parties to prepare and implement a Remedial Action Program (RAP) for the lake. The District Municipality of Muskoka will provide technical support and data when a RAP is initiated.
A lake that is Over Threshold will be de-listed only after the 10-year long-term average of total phosphorus is less than the threshold established for the lake and there have been three consecutive phosphorus measurements below its threshold value. In the event that a 10-year review of the model is underway, lakes will not be listed as being Over Threshold nor delisted as no longer being Over Threshold until the model review is complete.
Lakes may approach or exceed their threshold value for phosphorus loading for a variety of reasons, both from human sources and from changes in the natural system. Human sources of phosphorus are attributed to such activities as:
Nutrient loading from septic systems;
Use of phosphorus-based cleaning supplies; and
Loss of native shoreline vegetation, especially the diverse forest environment that has traditionally ringed many of our lakes. As lawns replace trees, fertilizer runoff, stormwater and soil erosion wash higher loads of phosphorus into our lakes.
26 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Some significant recent changes in the natural system have been attributed to climate change. It is unclear at this time what long-term impact climate change will have on our lakes and rivers, although scientists are indicating that they are beginning to see a significant ‘climate signal’ in a variety of recent lake attributes including recreational lake water quality.
Planning policy can only directly address increases in human produced phosphorus. Development policy adopted by the District of Muskoka and the Area Municipalities is a conservative approach to development that will strengthen our natural systems and may buffer climate change impacts. Several recent studies confirm that protecting, maintaining and enhancing the health and diversity of ecosystems is essential to long-term sustainability of watersheds that will be stressed by the changing climate.
Currently there are thirty-six (36) lakes or bays that are considered Over Threshold, or have a higher concentration of phosphorus than is considered healthy for that particular lake. Because of the stringent standards established by the District of Muskoka, twenty-nine (29) of the lakes identified as being Over Threshold have a phosphorus concentration of less than 10 µg/L and are considered oligotrophic, meaning they are clear and have good water quality. These high standards have been established because the objective of Muskoka’s Lake System Health Program is to maintain our excellent water quality and the natural variation in phosphorus concentration in lakes over time.
The District of Muskoka will continue to monitor these lakes and work with Area Municipalities and Lake Ratepayer associations to address lake-specific issues. In particular, the District of Muskoka will:
1) Implement restrictive development policy for new lot creation and redevelopment of property, as outlined in the Muskoka Official Plan; 2) Undertake shoreline land use surveys; 3) Prepare limits to growth assessments; 4) Provide stewardship advice in conjunction with the Muskoka Watershed Council; 5) Continue to monitor and report on water quality; and 6) Consult with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on water quality issues.
Water Quality Model Review
A review of the Recreational Water Quality Model is currently underway and is expected to be completed in early 2016. This review is expected to address recent changes in the existing provincial approach and the related scientific background to the model since its last update was completed in 2005.
27 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendix 1
Table of 2015 phosphorus sampling and Secchi depth measurement results
28 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
2015 phosphorus sampling and Secchi depth measurement results Ave TP Ave Secchi Ave TP Ave Secchi Lake Name Lake Name (µg/L) (m) (µg/L) (m) Atkins 7.8 2.4 Margaret 5.3 6.5
Barrons 13.9 2.1 Mary 8.1 3.0
Bass (GR) 23.1 1.9 Menominee 8.7 1.9
Bastedo 5.4 4.6 Morrison 7.2 2.8
Bearpaw 11.7 1.4 Myers 6.8 3.1
Bigwind 5.3 4.8 Nine Mile 10.3 1.8
Bing 6.6 3.6 North Muldrew 8.0 2.5
Black 16.9 1.5 Oudaze 11.9 2.0
Brandy 19.3 1.0 Oxbow 6.4 3.4
Brooks 8.1 3.8 Paint 8.3 3.3
Bruce 9.1 3.1 Pell 10.3 2.1
Camel 8.3 2.8 Perch 9.6 1.5
Clear (BR) 4.4 5.3 Pigeon 7.1 3.8
Cornall 9.6 2.5 Pine (BR) 6.3 3.3
Dark 8.0 3.0 Prospect 7.3 3.0
Deer 6.4 6.8 Riley 15.5 2.3
Devine 11.9 2.1 Rose 15.8 1.6
Fawn 14.9 1.4 Rosseau - Brackenrig Bay 7.9 3.0
Flatrock 6.1 2.8 Rosseau - East Portage Bay 5.6 4.3
Galla 5.4 3.3 Rosseau - Main 3.7 5.8
Gibson - North 10.1 2.4 Rosseau - North 5.1 4.3
Gibson - South 11.8 2.3 Rosseau - Skeleton Bay 5.4 3.8
Grindstone 11.5 3.6 Shoe 5.7 4.8
Gull 5.1 3.8 Siding 13.0 1.1
Gullwing 12.6 2.4 Silver (GR) 8.1 2.6
Halfway 9.5 2.0 Silver (ML) 11.0 4.3
Heney 4.0 4.6 Six Mile - Cedar Nook Bay 8.3 4.1
Hesner's 7.3 2.5 Six Mile - Main 8.0 4.0
Jevins 14.0 1.9 Six Mile - Provincial Park Bay 7.1 3.8
Kahshe - Grant's Bay 11.4 2.8 Solitaire 4.0 6.9
Kahshe - Main 11.5 2.8 South Muldrew 7.2 2.8
Leonard 6.3 3.1 Sunny 5.4 3.5
Little Go-Home Bay 8.3 5.6 Tadenac 5.6 3.3
LOB - Dwight Bay 6.8 3.9 Tadenac Bay 6.3 3.5
LOB - Haystack Bay 4.1 5.8 Tasso 4.5 4.4
LOB - Rat Bay 6.9 3.8 Thinn 11.3 2.8
LOB - South Muskoka River Bay 3.5 5.6 Turtle 7.1 3.6
LOB - South Portage Bay 4.6 4.4 Waseosa 8.7 2.4
LOB - Ten Mile Bay 4.3 4.5 Webster 17.5 1.5
LOB - Trading Bay 3.8 5.8 Wildcat 4.8 3.0
Longline 4.9 4.8 Wolfkin 5.4 4.5
Mainhood 15.2 3.3 Wood 7.1 3.0
BR (Bracebridge) GR (Gravenhurst) ML (Muskoka Lakes)
29 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendix 2
Trophic state of lakes
30 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Trophic state of lakes
The trophic state of a lake is one method of classifying lakes by water quality. There are three broad categories of trophic states: Oligotrophic, Mesotrophic, and Eutrophic. Lakes are categorized based on their nutrient levels and water clarity.
Lakes naturally age, with oligotrophic lakes gradually changing to mesotrophic and then eutrophic lakes over geologic time. Allowing nutrients into the lakes through agriculture, fertilizers, street runoff, effluent discharge, and storm drains can speed up this process.
Phosphorus Secchi Disc Trophic Level Concentration Measurement Characteristics (g/L) (m)
Are generally clear, deep, and free of weeds and large algae blooms Are low in nutrients, have low primary Oligotrophic <10 >5 production, and do not support large fish populations May support Lake trout Watershed usually contains few wetlands
Have more nutrients and production than an oligotrophic lake, but not as much as a eutrophic lake Have some aquatic vegetation and Mesotrophic 11 - 20 3 - 4.9 wetland areas that support a wide variety of wildlife Are able to support a wide variety of fish, e.g. bass
Are the most productive lakes and tend to be shallow Normally have larger areas of aquatic vegetation Generally have large wetland areas in their Eutrophic >21 <2.9 watersheds May be subject to algae blooms Support large fish populations, with rough fish being common Are susceptible to oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion
31 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendix 3
Lake survey deck sheet
32 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
2015 Lake Survey Deck Sheet
Lake: ______Date: ______Municipality: ______Time: ______Weather: Sunny Cloudy Raining Windy Temp: ___ Sample Number: ____ Secchi Depth: ______Secchi Colour: Brown Green Composite Depth: ______
Depth Temp DO Depth Temp DO 0.5 26
1 28
2 30
3 32
4 34
5 36
6 38
7 40
8 42
9 44
10 46
12 48
14 50
16 52
18 54
20 56
22 58
24 60
Technicians: ______Equipment: YSI ProODO Other
Notes: i.e.: Directions, Access, or any problems encountered… ______
33 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendix 4
Lakes with completed shoreline land use surveys
34 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Lakes with completed shoreline land use surveys
Waterbody Municipality Year Ada Lake Muskoka Lakes 2015 Barron’s Lake Georgian Bay 2015 Bass Lake Gravenhurst 2015 Baxter Lake Georgian Bay 2006 Bella Lake Lake of Bays 2002, Updated 2013 Bird Lake Bracebridge 2007 Brandy Lake Muskoka Lakes 2002, Updated 2013 Brooks Lake Lake of Bays 2011 Bruce Lake Muskoka Lakes 2005, Updated 2015 Cardwell Lake Muskoka Lakes 2012 Clear Lake Bracebridge 2012 Clear Lake Muskoka Lakes 2010 Clearwater Lake Gravenhurst 2007 Clearwater Lake Huntsville 2007 Dark Lake Muskoka Lakes 2007 Dotty Lake Lake of Bays 2012 Flatrock Lake Georgian Bay 2011 Fox Lake Huntsville 2003, Updated 2013 Go Home Lake Georgian Bay 2007 Grindstone Lake Lake of Bays 2012 Gull Lake Gravenhurst 2006 High Lake Muskoka Lakes 2011 Lake Joseph Muskoka Lakes 2007/2008/2009 Joseph River Muskoka Lakes 2010 Kahshe Lake Gravenhurst 2015 Leech Lake Bracebridge 2006 Leonard Lake Muskoka Lakes 2006 Little Long (Rutter) Lake Muskoka Lakes 2010 Long (Bala) Lake Muskoka Lakes 2006 Long’s (Utterson) Lake Huntsville 2006 Longline Lake Lake of Bays 2007 Loon Lake Gravenhurst 2004, Updated 2014 Mary Lake Huntsville 2008
35 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Waterbody Municipality Year McKay Lake Bracebridge 2006 Medora Lake Muskoka Lakes 2010 Lake Menominee Lake of Bays 2015 Mirror Lake Muskoka Lakes 2011 Moon River – Bala Reach Muskoka Lakes 2009 Muldrew Lake (North & South) Gravenhurst 2003, Updated 2014 Lake Muskoka – Muskoka Bay Gravenhurst 2007 Muskoka River (confluence to mouth) Bracebridge 2003, Updated 2015 Myers (Butterfly) Lake Georgian Bay 2011 Nutt Lake Muskoka Lakes 2006 Otter Lake Huntsville 2015 Paint (St. Mary) Lake Lake of Bays 2005 Pell Lake Lake of Bays 2006 Pine Lake Bracebridge 2005, Updated 2015 Prospect Lake Bracebridge 2012 Rebecca Lake Lake of Bays 2002, Updated 2014 Ril Lake Lake of Bays 2004, Updated 2014 Riley Lake Gravenhurst 2002, Updated 2014 Lake Rosseau – Brackenrig Bay Muskoka Lakes 2007 Lake Rosseau – East Portage Bay Muskoka Lakes 2011 Silver Lake Muskoka Lakes 2006 Six Mile Lake Georgian Bay 2005, Updated 2014 Skeleton Lake Muskoka Lakes/Huntsville 2012 South Bay Georgian Bay 2003, Updated 2015 Spring Lake Bracebridge 2006 Stewart Lake Muskoka Lakes 2010 Sunny Lake Gravenhurst 2012 Three Mile Lake Muskoka Lakes 2004, Updated 2006, 2015 Tooke Lake Lake of Bays 2006 Turtle Lake Gravenhurst 2004, Updated 2014 Twelve Mile Bay Georgian Bay 2004, Updated 2014 Lake Vernon Huntsville 2002, Updated 2012 Walker Lake Lake of Bays 2006 Lake Waseosa Huntsville 2002, Updated 2014 Wood Lake Bracebridge 2006
36 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Appendix 5
Table of 2015 chemical data
37 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Table of 2015 chemical data
Date Alkalinity Calcium Chloride Colour Conductivity DOC Sodium NO3 TKN Sulphate Lake Name pH (dd/mm/yyyy) mg/L mg/L mg/L TCU µS/cm mg/L mg/L µg/L µg/L mg/L Atkins 06/05/2015 7.28 3.32 2.52 56.6 35.7 7.6 2.03 108 298 6.68 2.70 Barrons 02/06/2015 27.10 8.86 42.90 60.7 206.0 8.2 24.90 6 459 7.19 1.75 Bass (GR) 14/05/2015 6.70 2.46 2.16 70.5 31.0 6.8 2.20 26 428 6.71 2.65 Bastedo 22/05/2015 7.06 2.62 1.41 17.9 28.7 4.2 1.52 60 280 6.82 2.15 Bearpaw 22/05/2015 6.32 2.72 1.16 100.0 23.9 8.9 1.10 56 378 6.69 1.10 Bigwind 11/05/2015 3.57 1.66 0.48 19.8 21.1 4.0 0.76 68 215 6.60 3.10 Bing 04/05/2015 3.47 1.40 0.30 28.7 17.5 3.7 0.75 102 194 6.47 2.50 Black 12/05/2015 5.72 2.54 6.10 73.7 42.6 7.6 4.93 14 356 6.78 1.30 Brandy 09/05/2015 7.98 2.70 5.01 92.7 42.9 9.3 3.24 8 429 6.85 1.80 Brooks 13/05/2015 7.83 2.80 0.32 16.5 29.3 4.0 0.93 104 270 6.87 3.55 Bruce 07/05/2015 10.80 3.50 2.90 27.0 43.8 4.3 2.53 82 273 7.05 3.10 Camel 08/05/2015 2.45 1.86 0.82 63.9 20.4 8.8 0.94 118 327 6.23 2.25 Clear (BR) 29/04/2015 7.01 2.86 0.64 6.1 26.5 2.3 0.82 74 206 6.73 3.10 Cornall 25/05/2015 11.30 4.04 41.90 62.4 178.0 6.8 22.80 28 437 6.88 1.60 Dark 12/05/2015 8.40 3.52 5.53 23.6 51.5 4.1 4.33 90 277 6.95 3.45 Deer 22/05/2015 4.83 1.54 0.87 9.4 19.7 2.9 0.94 34 229 6.64 1.75 Devine 05/05/2015 2.88 1.46 0.50 58.6 18.0 6.4 0.79 116 269 6.25 2.05 Fawn 05/05/2015 2.45 1.64 0.97 73.5 20.0 7.4 1.04 96 296 6.24 2.10 Flatrock 26/05/2015 6.48 3.12 5.90 27.1 50.7 4.4 4.09 174 227 6.77 3.55 Galla 26/05/2015 5.20 2.00 0.42 35.1 20.7 6.6 0.76 80 314 6.57 2.10 Gibson - North 27/05/2015 6.17 2.44 5.68 59.7 42.9 6.8 3.95 40 344 6.71 1.85 Gibson - South 27/05/2015 6.23 2.08 2.57 64.7 28.9 7.0 2.23 46 364 6.67 1.45 Grindstone 12/05/2015 3.43 2.30 18.10 36.4 84.7 5.6 13.50 24 269 6.52 2.90 Gull 25/05/2015 13.50 5.22 15.50 22.0 93.7 3.8 10.50 52 239 7.00 3.15 Gullwing 12/05/2015 5.52 2.20 3.98 54.8 34.2 6.4 3.32 54 327 6.67 1.45 Halfway 06/05/2015 2.96 2.74 19.80 57.0 91.0 6.7 13.10 102 286 6.25 2.80 Heney 06/05/2015 1.67 1.26 0.94 18.0 17.7 3.7 0.79 78 236 6.10 2.65 Hesner's 12/05/2015 5.59 2.80 3.72 59.1 36.8 7.3 2.98 134 325 6.73 1.95
38 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Date Alkalinity Calcium Chloride Colour Conductivity DOC Sodium NO3 TKN Sulphate Lake Name pH (dd/mm/yyyy) mg/L mg/L mg/L TCU µS/cm mg/L mg/L µg/L µg/L mg/L Jevins 06/05/2015 16.00 6.76 84.60 76.4 333.0 7.5 50.40 12 356 7.45 2.15 Kahshe - Grant's Bay 14/05/2015 5.64 2.22 1.52 45.4 26.6 6.0 1.63 92 307 6.70 2.10 Kahshe - Main 14/05/2015 5.63 2.12 1.68 46.0 26.5 6.0 1.69 74 310 6.68 1.95 Leonard 09/05/2015 4.42 2.06 4.47 25.1 37.6 5.3 3.03 100 222 6.56 3.10 Little Go-Home Bay 21/05/2015 49.30 16.60 15.90 28.4 167.0 5.1 9.58 92 330 7.65 6.00 LOB - Dwight Bay 01/05/2015 3.49 1.90 2.44 34.2 29.2 4.4 2.31 232 178 6.45 3.05 LOB - Haystack Bay 01/05/2015 5.40 2.36 2.60 14.5 34.5 3.1 2.26 152 151 6.65 3.40 LOB - Rat Bay 01/05/2015 4.44 2.06 2.43 31.7 30.9 4.3 2.40 204 181 6.55 2.55 LOB - South Muskoka River Bay 01/05/2015 4.94 2.24 2.85 17.9 34.9 3.4 2.47 166 137 6.61 3.60 LOB - South Portage Bay 01/05/2015 4.81 2.30 2.45 22.6 32.9 4.0 2.42 182 153 6.60 3.35 LOB - Ten Mile Bay 01/05/2015 5.57 2.28 2.62 17.5 33.6 3.3 2.33 162 141 6.63 3.25 LOB - Trading Bay 01/05/2015 4.73 2.14 2.28 8.8 31.8 3.0 2.13 154 161 6.58 3.30 Longline 20/05/2015 9.81 3.00 1.65 12.9 36.1 2.8 1.29 46 236 6.88 3.60 Mainhood 30/04/2015 4.34 1.72 0.75 49.9 21.0 5.2 1.05 130 258 6.53 1.75 Margaret 20/05/2015 3.58 1.36 0.30 12.0 17.5 2.1 0.56 46 190 6.45 2.70 Mary 30/04/2015 5.49 2.80 5.79 52.4 46.7 5.7 4.36 252 199 6.59 3.35 Menominee 05/05/2015 2.60 2.30 9.51 65.4 52.4 6.8 6.35 116 252 6.21 2.45 Morrison 19/05/2015 9.53 3.54 5.63 51.3 48.1 6.4 3.85 48 357 6.87 2.15 Myers 27/05/2015 5.41 2.62 8.42 38.7 50.4 4.9 4.36 62 294 6.62 1.70 Nine Mile 22/05/2015 3.28 1.62 0.74 81.6 17.6 8.0 0.84 54 360 6.41 0.90 North Muldrew 19/05/2015 9.43 3.62 7.09 56.9 52.3 6.0 4.61 62 306 6.84 1.75 Oudaze 04/05/2015 5.32 2.28 0.92 57.7 26.9 6.6 1.46 136 270 6.66 2.50 Oxbow 13/05/2015 3.49 1.80 0.60 33.9 21.7 5.1 0.99 174 221 6.54 2.75 Paint 15/05/2015 7.41 2.72 3.59 31.7 41.3 4.4 2.90 52 229 6.86 3.55 Pell 20/05/2015 2.74 1.18 1.25 55.4 19.0 5.5 1.20 24 353 6.35 2.00 Perch 04/05/2015 4.95 2.68 6.62 54.7 48.6 5.4 4.66 112 242 6.68 3.35 Pigeon 22/05/2015 4.85 1.60 0.54 17.9 18.2 3.7 0.65 44 233 6.58 1.75 Pine (BR) 28/05/2015 6.54 2.58 0.63 27.4 26.6 4.4 0.99 42 267 6.80 3.15 Prospect 28/05/2015 4.26 2.14 9.22 33.3 53.6 4.8 7.23 46 288 6.55 2.75 Riley 14/05/2015 6.43 2.18 0.47 66.9 22.4 6.9 0.96 70 340 6.69 1.35 39 2015 Lake System Health Water Quality Monitoring Program Year End Report
Date Alkalinity Calcium Chloride Colour Conductivity DOC Sodium NO3 TKN Sulphate Lake Name pH (dd/mm/yyyy) mg/L mg/L mg/L TCU µS/cm mg/L mg/L µg/L µg/L mg/L Rose 30/04/2015 0.56 1.00 0.19 72.8 12.5 6.8 0.56 92 287 5.61 1.85 Rosseau - Brackenrig Bay 07/05/2015 8.86 3.44 5.41 21.6 51.8 3.8 4.02 162 189 6.91 3.75 Rosseau - East Portage Bay 07/05/2015 8.08 3.50 5.62 20.3 51.8 3.9 4.12 192 185 6.95 3.70 Rosseau - Main 07/05/2015 7.86 3.36 5.75 16.6 52.4 3.5 4.20 194 157 6.84 3.95 Rosseau - North 07/05/2015 6.85 3.08 5.15 25.9 47.7 4.1 3.86 216 159 6.79 3.85 Rosseau - Skeleton Bay 07/05/2015 6.85 3.32 5.67 20.8 50.6 3.3 4.03 256 144 6.83 3.95 Shoe 15/05/2015 4.69 1.94 1.28 19.7 25.0 3.9 1.06 60 232 6.59 2.65 Siding 30/04/2015 2.08 1.72 8.96 98.7 47.4 8.1 6.60 80 354 6.11 1.85 Silver (GR) 25/05/2015 7.33 2.66 2.30 44.2 31.7 5.6 1.88 20 304 6.85 2.15 Silver (ML) 09/05/2015 19.10 5.80 11.00 9.7 89.0 3.6 7.24 4 355 7.26 3.30 Six Mile - Cedar Nook Bay 21/05/2015 35.50 11.80 9.74 25.8 114.0 5.7 5.55 86 306 7.36 4.75 Six Mile - Main 21/05/2015 36.50 11.80 8.83 36.9 114.0 5.3 5.84 96 296 7.52 4.35 Six Mile - Provincial Park Bay 21/05/2015 44.30 14.20 16.00 30.3 155.0 5.3 9.68 38 314 7.61 5.45 Solitaire 20/05/2015 5.42 2.00 0.53 16.3 23.7 2.3 0.74 64 209 6.74 3.25 South Muldrew 19/05/2015 9.67 3.60 7.32 59.3 53.0 6.5 4.75 78 298 6.81 1.90 Sunny 25/05/2015 6.37 2.22 1.78 27.7 27.3 5.0 1.62 72 262 6.79 1.80 Tadenac 26/05/2015 4.44 1.68 0.38 34.8 20.3 6.3 0.82 72 287 6.67 2.00 Tadenac Bay 26/05/2015 47.40 10.40 3.54 32.5 91.7 5.1 2.64 138 288 7.28 6.05 Tasso 13/05/2015 3.00 1.58 0.34 19.9 19.4 3.5 0.78 194 230 6.46 2.50 Thinn 05/05/2015 8.69 3.20 2.03 46.0 34.1 6.5 1.68 70 286 6.85 2.60 Turtle 19/05/2015 14.30 5.76 26.80 40.0 131.5 5.0 14.70 116 281 6.99 2.75 Waseosa 04/05/2015 5.18 2.30 1.32 50.6 28.3 4.6 1.54 204 194 6.59 3.15 Webster 27/05/2015 13.30 7.26 48.40 83.3 211.0 8.9 25.60 12 447 6.95 4.05 Wildcat 06/05/2015 3.12 1.22 0.52 12.9 17.0 3.2 0.71 42 198 6.63 2.60 Wolfkin 15/05/2015 6.89 3.66 38.00 20.6 163.0 3.6 23.10 150 226 6.79 3.80 Wood 29/04/2015 4.44 2.54 5.36 29.1 40.9 4.0 3.74 122 200 6.62 3.30
BR (Bracebridge) GR (Gravenhurst) ML (Muskoka Lakes)
40