MOON RIVER Grades SUBWATERSHED Land: a Water: a Wetland: —

MOON RIVER Grades SUBWATERSHED Land: A Water: A Wetland: — The Moon River subwatershed is 71,434 hectares in area and is located in the western portion of The District Municipality of Muskoka, flowing from Lake Muskoka at Bala in the Township of Muskoka Lakes westerly through both the Moon and Musquash Index Map Rivers in the Township of Georgian Bay and finally emptying into Georgian Bay. Less that 5% of the subwatershed is developed with 49% of the land through which the river flows being Crown land. There are no major urban areas within the subwatershed and shoreline residential development comprises most of the land use. 17% of the subwatershed is protected through provincial parks, crown nature reserves, or local land trusts. There are 37 lakes in the subwatershed that are 8 hectares or greater. The subwatershed is divided into two distinct reaches: the Moon River and Musquash River branches. There are 2 dams at Bala with power generation at the Burgess Dam site. On the Moon River there is one dam with no power generation. The river is approximately 35 kilometers in length. The Musquash River is approximately 30 kilometers in length and there are two dams with power generation: Big Eddy and Ragged Rapids. There are automatic water level gauges downstream from the Big Eddy Dam and at both dams in Bala. There are also flow gauges on both the Moon and Musquash Rivers and one located upstream from the point at which the rivers separate. This report card describes the health of the land, water and wetlands of the Moon River 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 GradeA Natural Interior Cover Forest Ninety-six percent of the Moon River subwatershed is in natural cover with 49% of the area being Crown land, with much of that area protected as a Crown Nature Reserve. The predominant vegetation community is rock barren and, relative to other Muskoka subwatersheds, forest cover is sparse. Rock outcroppings provide the iconic picturesque wind-blown pine landscape of the area. For this reason, interior forests are not a significant component of the landscape. Large Natural Managed & Areas Protected Areas The rock barrens are home to 32 species at risk. Six are endangered, thirteen are threatened and thirteen are of special concern. The subwatershed is part of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere reserves are internationally recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is one of over 500 UNESCO biosphere reserves throughout the world and currently one of only 15 in Canada. Moon Muskoka Indicator River Watershed Indicator Description % Grade % Grade Natural cover is defined as lakes, wetlands, forests, rock barrens Natural Cover 96 A 94 A and other natural systems. Large Natural Areas 87 A 79 B 200 - 499 ha 8 7 Areas of natural cover that are 200 ha or greater. 500 - 9,999 ha 57 52 >10,000 ha 23 20 Interior forest is defined as a forested area with a 100-metre Interior Forest 37 N/A 58 C forested buffer surrounding it. Managed & Protected Areas 69 A 48 A Protected areas are defined as lands within national or provincial parks, Crown conservation reserves, Crown land, and land held Parks & Protected Areas 17 17 by land trusts. Managed areas are defined as lands under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program or Conservation Land Crown Land 49 26 Tax Incentive Program, or have a conservation easement held by Private Stewardship 3 5 a reputable conservation organization. Riparian area is defined as the shoreline of a lake or river plus an Riparian Area 88 A 68 B area 20 metres inland from the shore. GradeA Water The Moon River subwatershed is dominated by the Moon and Musquash Rivers fed by several small lakes and streams. Total phosphorus is an indication of the nutrient level of waterbody. A background or un- developed level of total phosphorus has been determined for each lake. Scientists indi- cate that a lake may become unhealthy with an increase in phosphorus greater than 50% In Muskoka there are no notable from that background level. This is considered the threshold for that lake. Three lakes or point sources of industrial 15.5% of the surface water in the Moon River subwatershed are above the established contamination in lakes and rivers. lake threshold level. 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. Only 4% of the mercury in fish is the most significant shoreline of lakes in the Moon River subwatershed have been altered. contaminant. Moon Muskoka Mercury levels in lakes does not Indicator River 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 15.5 C 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 96 A 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. Mercury levels Mercury levels in lakes do not pose a in the Moon River subwatershed are Mercury significant human health threat, very low with no lakes exceeding the Levels in Fish N/A A N/A B however, wildlife like loons are less benchmark value. Less Than 10 tolerant to mercury and may be cm in Size impacted in some cases. Wetlands Wetland Values Control and storage of surface water and recharge groundwater; The Moon River — Maintain and improve water quality, aid No Grade subwatershed has 9,300 in flood control, and protect shorelines hectares of wetlands, which from erosion; covers 13% of the Trap sediments which would otherwise subwatershed. fill watercourses; Support and initiate complex food chains; A value of no net loss of Provide important habitat wetlands from the 2010 level will be used as the Support species at risk; benchmark. In future report Provides fish populations; cards, wetland area will be measured as a deviation from Provide active and passive recreational current wetland 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. .

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