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Members of the OPP Marine Patrol attached to the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have recently come across a number of non-approved lifejackets while conducting their vessel checks on the waters Georgian Bay. The officers educated those vessel operators to ensure that their vessels contained sufficient approved lifejackets for each occupant of the vessel. These photos below are two of the non-approved lifejackets the officers found: Vessel operators should check that their lifejackets have a label stating it has been approved by any of the organizations below: Transport Canada Canadian Coast Guard Fisheries and Oceans Canada Please take a moment to review the following Transport Canada regulations to ensure that you ha
Looking for fun activities to do with the family at the cottage this summer? Look no further than our sister associations Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR), Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT), and Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) offering a wide range of programs and activities to keep you and your kids active and engaged at the cottage. Summer at Home with Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve GBBR staff have created a great slate of fun, engaging, and educational activities for kids and families to complete at home. Check out their weekly Kids in the Biosphere Blog, join GBBR's iNaturalist project, and see how many things you can find on the Complete Summer Scavenger Hunt. There are also activity pages and books available on their website. The complete list of program offerings can be foun
Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron have accumulated more precipitation than their normal month to date averages. Lakes Erie and Ontario have both received less than 60% of their typical month to date precipitation. Water levels continue to be well above average and near or above record high levels. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are up 4 & 2 inches, respectively, and Lakes St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 0, 2 & 4 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, St. Clair, Ontario, & Erie are down 4, 0, 4 & 26 inches, respectively, and Lakes Michigan-Huron is 4 higher than it was at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 11, 35, 32, 28 & 7 inches, respectively, ab
Ever since invasive species started arriving in the ballast of lake freighters, GBA has been calling for tighter ballast regulations to protect the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay from the devastation that these invasive species can and have caused. In 2010, Canada acceded to the international ballast water convention, but the US did not. After 10 years working on these new regulations, which are aimed at significantly reducing the risk of further invasive species entering the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay, Transport Canada has finally put the proposal forward. Details of the proposal can be found here. The US has launched an investigation into the competitive fairness of Canada’s proposed ballast water regulations. See their response here.
Great Lakes, Great Minds aptly describes the contributions of the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) under the leadership of Mark Fisher and the Great Lakes and St Lawrence Collaborative (GLSLC) led by Gord Miller and Jean Cinq-Mars. GBA liaises with these organizations to keep you informed on their activities. - GLSLC just released Action Plan to Protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, 2020-2030, which calls on the federal government to provide $2.2 billion dollars to fund a 10-year road map aimed at tackling shoreline flooding, outdated wastewater infrastructure, pollutants, runoff and other environmental challenges. The plan also offers a means to kick-start the economy for coastal communities after the impacts of COVID-19. Read the press release here and download the full Act
Water levels continue to be well above average and near or above record high levels. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are both up 2 inches, and Lakes St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 1, 1 & 3 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Ontario, & Erie are down 6, 3 & 24 inches, respectively, and Lakes Michigan-Huron & St. Clair are 4 & 1 inches higher, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 10, 35, 33, 29 & 9 inches, respectively, above their long term June average. Lakes Michigan-Huron and St Clair are 4 & 2 inches higher respectively than their previous record highs for June. All the other lakes are below their
Water levels continue to be well above average and near or above record high levels. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & are up 3, 4, 3, & 3 inches respectively, Lake Ontario is down 2 inches. Lakes Superior, Ontario, & Erie are down 6, 2 & 23 inches, respectively, and Lakes Michigan-Huron & St. Clair are 6 & 2 inches higher, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 10, 35, 32, 29 & 10 inches, respectively, above their long term June average. Lakes Michigan-Huron is 5 inches higher than it’s previous record high for June. All the other lakes are either at or below their June record high. - In a month’s
To provide you with the most up-to-date overview, GBA will collect the relevant information and issue a Fire Danger Rating Report on Thursdays throughout the summer to get you prepared for your cottage weekends. This report is an amalgamation of the current information with links to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and your local municipalities. The MNRF map gives an overview of the conditions around Georgian Bay, and the local municipalities will have details on their ratings and what activities are allowable under the conditions. See the latest Fire Danger Ratings Report here.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has issued a Watershed Conditions Statement for Water Safety for the Parry Sound District advising area residents to exercise caution around the shoreline of Georgian Bay. With the high water levels, any storm surge or waves from wind or storm events may worsen shoreline conditions and create the possibility of further shoreline flooding. - The statement also advises that residents may wish to take action to ensure sump pumps are working properly and to secure or protect property in vulnerable or flood-prone areas. As the water remains very cold and banks and shorelines may be slippery and unstable, caution should be exercised along the shores. - This statement remains in effect until Wednesday, July 08, 2020 and more information ca
Time to Put Away the Bird Feeder - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) would like to make area residents aware of some valuable Bear Wise safety information as the area bear population has begun to move about. Unfortunately, some bears in their quest to locate food wander into urban and rural properties that have outdoor food sources such as bird feeders, insecure garbage containers and unkempt BBQ's to name a few. - The OPP and MNRF would like to remind residents that most human-bear encounters occur when bears are attracted by smells, so removing potential attractants will help avoid unwarranted visitors. Knowing what to do if you come across a bear, as not every bear sighting
Water levels continue to be well above average and near or above record high levels. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie are up 2, 4, 2 & 3 inches respectively, Lake Ontario is down 2 inches. Lakes Superior and Ontario are down 6 & 23 inches, respectively, and Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, & Erie are 7, 2 & 1 inches higher, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 9, 35, 32, 31 & 11 inches, respectively, above their long term June average. Lakes Michigan-Huron is 5 inches higher than it’s previous record high for June. All the other lakes are either at or below their June record high. - In a month’s time, the
As part of GBA’s ongoing COVID-19 strategy to ensure that you are armed with the best information on safe boating, please see Transport Canada’s updated information on a wide range of transport related measures and guidance on how to keep safe at marinas and on all types of vessels here. Below are links to four useful and informative posters on marine COVID safety guidance that we recommend you consider printing and putting on your cottage fridge, or notice board, for reference: - Guidance For Using Marinas and Boat Launches Physical Distancing and Safe Boating Physical Distancing for Boating Safe Boating to Reduce the Burden on Emergency Responders
COVID-19 access for seasonal residents >>
High water levels >>
Official Plan & Bylaw review >>
Septic management and inspections >>
Waste collection >>
Aquaculture on the Bay >>
TC Energy pumped storage project >>
Cormorant hunt >>
All indications are that water levels are going to be up sharply again this year. GBA is providing timely and accurate information on current and projected water levels and will work with members and municipalities to share information on mitigation measures. Some septic systems, docks and low-lying structures are expected to be severely impacted.
Learn more about this priority >>
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 in the fall offers colourful views, solitude and excellent fishing. It is a truly great time to be on the water. But fall boating 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 fall 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 fuel line from freezing. Having a backup gas tank onboa
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
The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has just released a useful guide on how to how we can all reduce our environmental footprints. Being a Guardian of the Bay also means doing what we can to reduce our individual consumption of carbon based fuels. - Here is a very good fact sheet and here is a full presentation on this topic. -
What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Cory Kozmik, Anthony Laforge, Samantha Noganosh, Chevaun Toulouse. We are the Lands and Resource Department for Magnetawan First Nation, in Britt, Ontario. - Source: Magnetawan First Nation Our connection to the Bay is the dense biodiversity that it hosts and the role its ecology plays in our lives, including the environment. It is also where ancestors of the Anishinabek Nation walked and practiced each day what it means to live with the land in reciprocity. The connection to the land and water is sacred to the Anishinaabe culture, and held very close to the communities that inhabit the area. - Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to you? We take great pride in being “Guardians” because it is our
Large wakes continue to be a bone of contention. They cause damage to docks and shorelines and can be very disruptive to cottagers enjoyment of their docks. What can be done? The occasional disruption and damage caused by excessive wakes are an ongoing source of irritation between boaters and cottagers. Boaters are responsible for their wakes and any damage caused by them. But the OPP tells us that damage caused by wakes is a civil issue. And so what you need to do is be able to identify the vessel and the operator and pursue the matter in small claims court if a reasonable result can’t be agreed upon between the parties on their own. However, if a boater is observed to be operating their vessel in a dangerous or careless way then the OPP should be called. They ideally would like t
This past summer there seemed to be a search & rescue operation happening and it left many cottagers confused about what was going on. The questions were about what to do in a situation like that - where to get information, and potentially how to help. When involved in a current investigation the OPP generally will not disseminate info through the media. They most often feel they have the resources to adequately conduct a search. Note that, if the OPP does ask the public for assistance, they are civilly liable if a member of the public gets injured while searching, and so tend not to involve the public. If the OPP is not successful then they will ask the public for assistance through media channels. If people have questions they can call the OPP non emergency ( 1 800-310-1122 ) num
My name is Eileen Maynard; I am 10 years old and the eldest of the 5th generation in my family at our cottage in Cognashene, part of the Georgian Bay Archipelago. Georgian Bay is so special to me. It is where I spend my summers and any weekend we can get free of our crazy life in the city. In the summer you can go swimming and tubing or out to islands for picnics. In the fall, it is so pretty with all of the colorful leaves and trees and a great time to go for a walk on Beausoleil Island. Being a Guardian of the Bay is important to me because Georgian Bay is vital to us and the animals around us. Being a Guardian of the Bay is a responsibility that we all have for keeping it healthy for the next 5 generations. Last year, with my grandfather, I applied for and was accepted as a vo
Sticking it to Garbage Along the Shoreline What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? My name’s Chloe Drayton and I’ve been going to Georgian Bay with my family since I was born - I’m only 7! It’s a nice, peaceful place and it’s nice to go swimming, look for turtles, go exploring on the rocks along the shore and spend time with my family. - Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to you? Because I want to help all the animals and plants in nature and because it’s nicer to enjoy the cottage when there isn’t garbage lying around. I also want to enjoy Georgian Bay for a long, long time so we have to keep it nice and clean. - What’s your story that helps to show your Guardian of the Bay values? Every year we walk around the shoreline of ou
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