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The very popular and successful "I Got Caught Wearing My Lifejacket" marine reward program for children was kicked off at 11:00 am June 26, 2019, at the Penetanguishene Town Dock. OPP marine officers were joined by Command staff members from OPP Central Region Headquarters, federal, provincial and municipal dignitaries, our partners in water safety BoatSMART, all area municipal fire chiefs, Boating Ontario and most importantly, the grade 6 class from Burkevale Protestant Separate School. Area event sponsor Broker Link Insurance was also on hand to see the launch of the program, which is solely funded by private and business donations. The program rewards children who are wearing their lifejacket when the vessel they are in is checked on the water by OPP marine officers.  Started in

Over the last week, much of the Great Lakes Basin has experienced warmer than average temperatures with the western and southern portions of the basin being the warmest with respect to their normal values. Most of the basin had near normal rainfall with the exception of the Lake Michigan-Huron watershed which saw a significant storm system track west to east along a line from Milwaukee to Toronto. Temperatures for the rest of this week and into the following week are expected to be near locally normal values for most of the watershed. Continued wet weather on the west side of the Great Lakes watershed, notably the Wisconsin and the western half of the Lake Superior, is expected in the next 7 days. Water levels remain high across the Great Lakes. Over the last month Lakes Superior, Michi

GBA has commented on this Act and confirmed our support for the many improvements. However, our submission before the Senate sub-committee also pointed out the extent to which open net pen aquaculture operations in Georgian Bay and the North Channel appear to contravene some of the new provisions that are now in effect. We will be following up with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in this respect. There are many features of this bill that are beneficial to the aquatic biota of Georgian Bay, including the sections on Fish and fish habitat and Biodiversity We also welcome the recognition of the role of Indigenous peoples in this Act, and believe there may now be opportunities for GBA and other stakeholders to work together with our First Nations friends and neighbours to help develo

Water levels remain high across the Great Lakes as June draws to a close. The lake levels are expected to exceed average water levels from this time last year by 10 to 15 inches with the exception of Lake Ontario which is forecasted at 28 inches. The level of all lakes is above the June record high. The levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron are projected to increase by 1 inch over the next month. Lake St. Clair is projecting no net change in lake level by July 28th. Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are projected to see a net decrease of 4 and 7 inches respectively by this time next month. Outflows from Lake Superior through the St. Mary’s River, and Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow into the St. Clair River, are projected to be above average in June. Lake St. Clair’s outflow throu

Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) has launched a summer long Families For Change (F4C) initiative.  Joining as team, your family can complete a variety of tasks in four different categories including: clean up your shorelines, improve daily choices, choose fashion that matters, and preserve wetlands.  There is even a contest your family can enter to win a Patagonia prize pack.  Find out how to get started here.  

Georgian Bay Forever is studying the impacts of microplastics that enter the water from washing machines and synthetic clothing. This pilot project is the first of its kind in Canada and involves resident volunteers in the town of Parry Sound. GBA strongly encourages more volunteers to come forward for this important study. There is no cost and you will be helping to find a solution to microfibre pollution from clothes washers. Read more…

Persistent wet conditions and high outflows have continued to contribute to exceptionally high lake levels. The water levels for all of the lakes are above their highest monthly average record for June, above last month by 2 to 6 inches, and above last year’s levels by 10 to 15 inches, except for Lake Ontario, which is expected to be 28 inches above its level from last year. Lakes Superior, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario’s levels are 3 to 5 inches above their record high June average level, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 1 inch above its record high June average level. In the coming month, Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to continue their seasonal rise and rise by 2 inches and 1 inch, respectively. Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are forecasted to decline by 1, 3, and 7 i