Click here for the Boating Safety and Emergencies Mandate and Committee Members
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Boating, Safety & Emergencies
Click here for the Boating Safety and Emergencies Mandate and Committee Members
When heading out on a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), it is easy to assume that the slower pace offers built-in safety, but the statistics tell a different story. So far this year, 18 marine fatalities have been recorded on Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-patrolled waters—and half of them involved human-powered craft. Unlike large powerboats, small craft have a high center of gravity and far less inherent stability. Simple movements—leaning to net a fish, reaching for gear, or standing up—can instantly tip a vessel. Combined with sudden wind gusts or passing boat wakes, paddlers can go from enjoying a calm afternoon to being submerged in a fraction of a second. That sudden plunge triggers an immediate, involuntary gasp reflex. If your head is underwater or hit by a
Lake Michigan-Huron is 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 2″ Lake St. Clair: Down 2″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 5″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Up 1" Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 7″ Lake St. Clair: Up 6″ Lake Erie: Up 5″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term September Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term September averages (Michigan-Huron +2″, St. Clair +7″, Erie +7″, Ontario +19″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term September average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-
Researchers aboard the research vessel R/V Neeskay—from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences—recently made stops around Georgian Bay. Supported by Georgian Bay Forever, the team is using specialized deep-water equipment on a five-year mission to study how mercury moves through the local aquatic ecosystem. - Testing at various depths, scientists are filtering water, plankton and sediment to map contaminant pathways and evaluate how invasive mussels affect mercury transport. The goal of the project is to understand how mercury moves through our aquatic system which could eventually help scientists find ways to disrupt the cycle entirely. - While modern emissions have declined, historical mercury—much of which was dumped during the Industrial Revol
Construction on the crucial Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Joliet, Illinois, is set to resume September 21, following the lifting of a federal stop-work order. by the White House and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers abruptly paused construction on July 24 while the project underwent an administrative review. The decision to lift the order came after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a direct appeal to President Trump on September 2 asking for an end to the administrative delay. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also sent a formal letter warning that regional ecosystem protections were being compromised. The urgency surrounding the Brandon Road barrier was heightened in mid-August following the discovery of hundreds of juvenile silver carp in t
On July 27, 2026, Meaford Council voted 5–2 to approve a three-year pre-development agreement with TC Energy for its proposed pumped storage project. The deal provides up to $1.355 million annually paid by TC Energy directly to the municipality for community initiatives while the project undergoes regulatory review. The funding will be allocated into several streams: $1 million annually in discretionary funds for local priorities Up to $250,000 per year to cover municipal staff, legal, and consulting fees during the project's review $25,000 annually for local student scholarships Up to $80,000 in matching funds for community recreation projects The council majority and municipal staff defended the decision as a pragmatic way to protect taxpayers. The town can use TC E
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″)
- A few stray drops of fuel or a splash of soapy water off the deck might not seem like much on its own, but when hundreds of boats share the same waterways, the cumulative impact builds. A minor fuel spill creates a surprisingly large slick that can starve marine life of oxygen and persist in shoreline sediments. Household cleaners containing phosphates and ammonia can wash off hulls into sheltered bays, altering water chemistry and fueling harmful algal blooms. Because this stress lands directly in the waters where we swim, dock, and fish, simple tweaks to how we maintain our boats can make a noticeable difference. What is the Clean Marine Program? Developed in 1995 by Boating Ontario, the Clean Marine Eco-Rating Program is a voluntary framework for marinas, yacht clubs, and marine
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″)
Late-summer weather on Georgian Bay can shift in a flash, turning smooth, glassy water into dangerous chop. Adding to the volatility this season, meteorologists are tracking a rapidly strengthening El Niño pattern, which is driving a more active jet stream and creating sharp clash zones between hot, humid air and cool northern winds across Ontario. These unstable conditions can trigger fast-moving, high-intensity storms across open water. Environment Canada routinely issues marine weather alerts, but knowing how to react to the exact terminology can keep you and your crew out of harm's way. Decoding Marine Weather Alerts Watch vs. Warning: Watch (Be Prepared): Issued when conditions are favourable for severe weather to develop—review your route, secure loose gear,
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2" below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St
Emergency services responded to a water rescue incident on Georgian Bay after a 15-year-old youth on a boogie board was swept out by strong offshore winds and currents. On Thursday, August 13, emergency responders—including the Southern Georgian Bay OPP, Tiny Township Fire Services, and Simcoe County Paramedic Services—were called when the youth got into difficulty off a Tiny Township beach. A family member attempted a rescue but was turned back by powerful currents and rough conditions. Fortunately, the youth managed to navigate safely back to shore uninjured before emergency crews arrived on the scene. Conditions on the Bay can shift rapidly, catching even strong swimmers off guard. The OPP strongly urge all residents, cottagers, and visitors to observe key safety precaution
When heading out on a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), it is easy to assume that the slower pace offers built-in safety, but the statistics tell a different story. So far this year, 18 marine fatalities have been recorded on Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)-patrolled waters—and half of them involved human-powered craft. Unlike large powerboats, small craft have a high center of gravity and far less inherent stability. Simple movements—leaning to net a fish, reaching for gear, or standing up—can instantly tip a vessel. Combined with sudden wind gusts or passing boat wakes, paddlers can go from enjoying a calm afternoon to being submerged in a fraction of a second. That sudden plunge triggers an immediate, involuntary gasp reflex. If your head is underwater or hit by a
Lake Michigan-Huron is 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 2″ Lake St. Clair: Down 2″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 5″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Up 1" Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 7″ Lake St. Clair: Up 6″ Lake Erie: Up 5″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term September Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term September averages (Michigan-Huron +2″, St. Clair +7″, Erie +7″, Ontario +19″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term September average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-
Researchers aboard the research vessel R/V Neeskay—from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences—recently made stops around Georgian Bay. Supported by Georgian Bay Forever, the team is using specialized deep-water equipment on a five-year mission to study how mercury moves through the local aquatic ecosystem. - Testing at various depths, scientists are filtering water, plankton and sediment to map contaminant pathways and evaluate how invasive mussels affect mercury transport. The goal of the project is to understand how mercury moves through our aquatic system which could eventually help scientists find ways to disrupt the cycle entirely. - While modern emissions have declined, historical mercury—much of which was dumped during the Industrial Revol
Construction on the crucial Brandon Road Interbasin Project in Joliet, Illinois, is set to resume September 21, following the lifting of a federal stop-work order. by the White House and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers abruptly paused construction on July 24 while the project underwent an administrative review. The decision to lift the order came after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a direct appeal to President Trump on September 2 asking for an end to the administrative delay. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also sent a formal letter warning that regional ecosystem protections were being compromised. The urgency surrounding the Brandon Road barrier was heightened in mid-August following the discovery of hundreds of juvenile silver carp in t
On July 27, 2026, Meaford Council voted 5–2 to approve a three-year pre-development agreement with TC Energy for its proposed pumped storage project. The deal provides up to $1.355 million annually paid by TC Energy directly to the municipality for community initiatives while the project undergoes regulatory review. The funding will be allocated into several streams: $1 million annually in discretionary funds for local priorities Up to $250,000 per year to cover municipal staff, legal, and consulting fees during the project's review $25,000 annually for local student scholarships Up to $80,000 in matching funds for community recreation projects The council majority and municipal staff defended the decision as a pragmatic way to protect taxpayers. The town can use TC E
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″)
- A few stray drops of fuel or a splash of soapy water off the deck might not seem like much on its own, but when hundreds of boats share the same waterways, the cumulative impact builds. A minor fuel spill creates a surprisingly large slick that can starve marine life of oxygen and persist in shoreline sediments. Household cleaners containing phosphates and ammonia can wash off hulls into sheltered bays, altering water chemistry and fueling harmful algal blooms. Because this stress lands directly in the waters where we swim, dock, and fish, simple tweaks to how we maintain our boats can make a noticeable difference. What is the Clean Marine Program? Developed in 1995 by Boating Ontario, the Clean Marine Eco-Rating Program is a voluntary framework for marinas, yacht clubs, and marine
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2″ below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″)
Late-summer weather on Georgian Bay can shift in a flash, turning smooth, glassy water into dangerous chop. Adding to the volatility this season, meteorologists are tracking a rapidly strengthening El Niño pattern, which is driving a more active jet stream and creating sharp clash zones between hot, humid air and cool northern winds across Ontario. These unstable conditions can trigger fast-moving, high-intensity storms across open water. Environment Canada routinely issues marine weather alerts, but knowing how to react to the exact terminology can keep you and your crew out of harm's way. Decoding Marine Weather Alerts Watch vs. Warning: Watch (Be Prepared): Issued when conditions are favourable for severe weather to develop—review your route, secure loose gear,
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 1″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 1″ Lake St. Clair: Down 3″ Lake Erie: Down 2″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 2″ Lake Erie: Up 1″ Lake Ontario: Up 17″ Long-Term August Averages: Most of the lakes remain above their long-term August averages (Michigan-Huron +1″, St. Clair +5″, Erie +5″, Ontario +16″), though well below record highs. Lake Superior is currently 2" below its long-term August average. - One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St
Emergency services responded to a water rescue incident on Georgian Bay after a 15-year-old youth on a boogie board was swept out by strong offshore winds and currents. On Thursday, August 13, emergency responders—including the Southern Georgian Bay OPP, Tiny Township Fire Services, and Simcoe County Paramedic Services—were called when the youth got into difficulty off a Tiny Township beach. A family member attempted a rescue but was turned back by powerful currents and rough conditions. Fortunately, the youth managed to navigate safely back to shore uninjured before emergency crews arrived on the scene. Conditions on the Bay can shift rapidly, catching even strong swimmers off guard. The OPP strongly urge all residents, cottagers, and visitors to observe key safety precaution