Lake Michigan-Huron is now 11 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 4, 2, 9, 4 & 1 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 6, 11, 16, 14 & 10 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are 0 & 3 inches above their long-term January averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 7, 7 & 6 inches below their long-term January averages. All the lakes remain well below their January record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 1 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair,  Erie &

A recent study published in Nature Medicine has found microplastics in human brains, accumulating over time to the equivalent of a plastic spoon! Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences have detected microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human kidney, liver, and brain tissues. The research, which analyzed post-mortem samples, found that brain tissues harbored higher concentrations of MNPs, primarily consisting of polyethylene. The study also revealed that dementia patients had up to 10 times the amount of plastic in their brains compared to others. Alarmingly, researchers found a 50% increase in microplastic levels in brain tissue samples over the past eight years, and a significant increase in MNP concentrations in liver and brain samples from 2

The public comment period for the proposed changes to the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) in Canada has officially closed with the publication of the regulations in Gazette 1. According to the regulatory timeline, the proposed changes will be published in Gazette 2 in approximately 6 to 9 months, at which point they will become law. Here's a breakdown of the background, key issues, objectives, and descriptions of the proposed changes: Background: The VORR regulates boating activities and navigation. Local authorities can apply for restrictions, but the process is lengthy and complex. Previous modernization efforts (Phases 1 & 2) addressed some issues but further streamlining was needed. Recent legislative changes to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (C

Ontario voters will soon be heading to the polls. We encourage all GBA members to question prospective MPP candidates' commitment to protecting the Great Lakes, particularly concerning issues affecting Georgian Bay. This is best done at “all candidates” meetings in your riding, but other meetings or approaches to individual candidates also provide an opportunity. Cottage owners and waterfront communities along eastern Georgian Bay substantially contribute to Ontario's economy. According to a 2022 GBA survey, our members collectively spend between $134 million and $144 million annually. Given that GBA members represent approximately 55 per cent of all Georgian Bay residents, the total expenditure by all waterfront property owners in the area is estimated to be around $244 million ann

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 11 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 3, 3, 9, 4 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 5, 11, 21, 14 & 9 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are 0 & 2 inches above their long-term January averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 7, 7 & 4 inches below their long-term January averages. All the lakes remain well below their January record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 2 & 1 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair,  Erie

The federal government announced on Friday January 31, that it would defer the implementation of the capital gains inclusion rate change from June 25, 2024, to January 1, 2026. According to the Finance Minister the deferral "will provide certainty to Canadians" as tax season approaches.  This comes after the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced earlier this month that they would continue to manage the tax under the proposed rules included in the Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled on September 23, 2024, even though they have not been passed into law. Ottawa also said it would pair a new $250,000 annual threshold for Canadians effective Jan. 1 2026, with the increase to the lifetime capital gains to “ensure individuals earning modest capital gains” can benefit from the one-hal

The Ford government is using $285 million in taxpayer money to advance the TC Energy pumped storage project in Meaford. This project aims to provide up to 1,000 megawatts of energy storage by pumping water from Georgian Bay into a reservoir during off-peak hours and releasing it back into the Bay to generate electricity during peak demand. The $285 million investment will cover the project's pre-development costs, including the completion of a detailed cost estimate and environmental assessments. Save Georgian Bay, a vocal critic of the project, argues that this is a normal business expense that TC Energy, a company with a market value of $71 billion, should cover itself. GBA has expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact of this project on Georgian Bay's freshwa

A recent incident in Smiths Falls, where a 14-year-old boy fell through the ice into the Rideau River, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of venturing onto frozen water. Fortunately, the teenager was rescued quickly and treated for hypothermia (you can watch the dramatic rescue here). While OPP and fire services are trained to respond to ice and water rescues, precious time can be lost as they travel to the scene. This delay can be critical, as the effects of hypothermia can set in quickly. Knowing how to self-rescue can significantly increase your chances of survival. Whether you're ice fishing, snowmobiling, or simply taking a winter stroll, it's crucial to be prepared for the unexpected. CBC and Boreal River Rescue have some great advice to help yourself and others if y

What are sea lampreys and why are they problematic? Sea lampreys are an ancient form of a jawless fish with a toothed, funnel like mouth, that suck blood out of fish. They entered the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. During the 50’s, Lake Huron’s commercial fishing industry was verging on collapse. In particular, one of the most valued species, Lake Trout, a favorite sea lamprey meal, was nearing extinction. The good news is Lake Huron’s sea lamprey population (once the largest in the Great Lakes with over 700,000 in the 1940’s and 1950’s) has been declining. For example, in 2015 the population fell to 70,000, well below the target of 90,000 set by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC), established in 1954 to oversee a Great Lakes sea lamprey control

The message from traditional Indigenous teachings is that catch and release is disrespectful to the fish (it can also harm their ability to eat properly after they are released) and one should only fish respectfully, which includes eating the fish we catch. Now it seems there is another reason to question this practice. Some bass are smarter than we might think, learn to avoid lures and can pass that knowledge down through the generations! Who knew! - Read more here. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Sheila Williams and I (Celesta Bjornson) are the co-presidents of the Bay of Islands Association (BICA) and have been enjoying our summers in the Bay of Islands since we were toddlers. My family is from Pittsburgh and we originally found the Bay of Islands in the 1950s by vacationing at a fishing lodge called Moredolpton Lodge. Sheila's family is one of the founding families of the Bay of Islands. Her grandfather discovered the Bay of Islands in early 1900s while working on the lakers, travelling from southern Georgian Bay to the North Channel, transporting lumber back south. He fell in love with the area and purchased an island around 1924 and began building a cottage. Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to yo

Luc Voorn is a cottager in the South Channel and a passionate advocate for Georgian Bay. He currently serves as the Membership Chairperson for the South Channel Association (SCA), Editor of the SCA “On the Waterfront” newsletter, and as Director, Friends of the Massasauga Park. This past summer (2019), he was nominated as a Guardian of Georgian Bay for his ongoing enthusiasm and efforts to protect and preserve the Bay. Note from Jamie Drayton, GBA Chair of Guardians of Georgian Bay Committee My Dad used to take us camping. His lure to get us to bathe was to promise us ice cream if we ran into the water first thing in the morning for a swim. I recall the water being absolutely freezing at 7 o’clock in the morning… I don’t recall ever getting any ice cream. A few years l

Boating from October through June offers a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters around should you require assistance. Here are some helpful tips from the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters to make off-season boating safer for you. Check the weather forecast. The weather can change quickly and storms can be more violent. Fog is also more common. Ensure that your boat and engine are in good working order. Ethanol-based fuel can allow water contamination in the tank. The use of a fuel additive prevents water in the f

As nominated by Heather Sargeant  My Phragbuster Hero About 5 or 6 years ago, at an event jointly put on by the Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, and featuring Dr. Gilbert, an ecologist with Phragmites expertise , I first learned about invasive Phragmites and the harm it can have on wetlands. I decided to investigate if Phragmites was a threat in Woods Bay (my favourite area of Georgian Bay), and that’s when my journey tackling this plant began.  I wasn’t sure if a plant across from the family cottage was indeed the invasive type, and so I was nervous and queasy about leading people to help me cut it.  What if it was the native plant, and I’d taken all these people out to cut down something benign? One of my neighbors told me there was a hero on Georgian

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.

Here are some things to think about around Fire Safety at the cottage: Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Have a list of local emergency numbers posted for all to see. Include all pertinent cottage location information.   Have the right fire extinguishers in the right places. Have an individual fire plan for evacuation. Make sure your plan has two escape routes. Respect local fire ratings. Have a fire pump and use it regularly to ensure it is in good working order. At the very least have a list of neighbours to call for assistance. Follow your association’s emergency plan if it exists. Make sure you have insurance. Make sure you understand what it covers and that it is adequate to rebuild and covers contents AND fire de