Executive Director
Meredith Denning
executivedirector@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
Executive Director
Meredith Denning
executivedirector@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
Lake Michigan-Huron is 8 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, 6, 7, 6 & 5 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 3 & 2 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are lower by 8, 7 & 8 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 10, 2, 1 & 2 inches below their long-term November averages. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs.In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie levels are predicted to fall by 3, 2, 2 & 2 inches, respectively. Lak
Ontario's 2025 wildland fire season has concluded, and fire crews responded to 643 fires between April and October, burning 597,654 hectares of land. This is a significant increase from 2024, which saw 480 fires and 90,000 hectares burned. This year, the biggest fires were much bigger, a worrisome trend that looks likely to continue. Only 2% of fires account for 98% of the total forest area burned each year. Quick containment is essential to avoid catastrophic damage. The map below shows the fires that occurred in cottage country this past summer. There were a lot of fires and they were close! We were lucky that we didn’t have any big out of control fires in the area like we did in 2018 when Parry Sound 33 burned 12,000 hectares. Wildfires pose an in
The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a "classic Canadian winter" for southern Ontario in 2025-2026, marked by deep freezes, frequent snowfalls, and powerful storms. While some forecasts suggest milder-than-average temperatures for most of Canada, Southern Ontario may experience a mix of conditions, including: Above-average snowfall, especially in eastern and southern areas Frequent snowstorms and icy conditions, with lake-effect snow possible due to warm Great Lakes water Brief thaws amidst prolonged cold snaps Ontario is expected to see 15-20 significant snow events, including 5-8 major storms in Southern Ontario, with a possibility of multi-day storms Increased risk of ice storms due to fluctuating temperatures Expect significant snow ev
Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 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 2, 4, 4, 3 & 6 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 5 & 1 inches from the same as last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are lower by 6, 2 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 11, 1, 0 & 5 inches below their long-term October averages. All the lakes remain well below their October record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie levels are predicted to fall by 2, 2, 5, 4 inches, respectively. Lak
With winter approaching, protecting your waterfront property is a top priority. If you're using or contemplating installing a bubbler system to prevent ice damage, it’s crucial to understand the legal, safety, and operational considerations involved. What Is a Bubbler? Bubblers are de-icing systems that create zones of agitated and warmer water to prevent ice from forming around waterfront structures. Properly managed, they can protect docks, seawalls, and other infrastructure from the ravages of winter. However, without careful planning, bubblers can create extensive open-water areas, posing safety hazards to unsuspecting ice users. Legal Implications in Ontario In Ontario, there are no specific laws prohibiting the use of bubblers; however, legal responsibilities ar
We're thrilled to announce that Sarah Spencer from Midland, Ontario, has joined our team as a Research and Social Media Assistant! Sarah will be working jointly with GBA and Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) to further our research and educational campaign to tackle dock foam pollution on Georgian Bay. This collaborative project aims to raise awareness and engage stakeholders to address the environmental risks associated with unencapsulated foam used in floating docks. Safer alternatives exist, and with Sarah's help, we can work towards protecting the Bay's fragile ecosystems for future generations. Welcome to the team, Sarah!
This summer the Safe Quiet Lakes: Your Lakes, Your Views survey gathered insights from over 7,100 Ontario lake users, including 817 from Georgian Bay, who shared their perspectives on lake activities, safety, and quality of life. The "Your Lakes, Your Views" – 2025 Survey Results Webinar will take place on November 7, 2025, from 9:30-10:30 am on Zoom. Presenters Allan Gregg and Greg Wilkinson from Earnscliffe Strategies will share the results of the survey, highlighting trends, concerns, and community-driven data that can influence positive change. Webinar Details: Date: Friday, November 7, 2025 Time: 9:30- 10:30 am Location: Zoom Please register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fKco2fk6QeqeCHtMew07zQ Prese
Support the protection of Georgian Bay's breathtaking wilderness! Join GBLT's annual online auction featuring stunning Georgian Bay-themed art, photographs, and unique experiences. Auction Details: Opens: Friday, November 14, 2025, 12:00 p.m. Closes: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Get a sneak peek at the auction items on Instagram @gblandtrust or Facebook @GeorgianBayLandTrust. All proceeds support nature conservation efforts so please bid to support a great cause!
The Ontario government has announced plans to introduce legislation to create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA), aimed at improving the province's conservation authority system. The new agency would oversee key improvement projects, including a proposed regional consolidation of conservation authorities, to enhance service delivery and protect communities. Conservation authorities are local public sector organizations established by the province and governed by the Conservation Authorities Act. They develop and deliver local, watershed-based resource management programs on behalf of the province and municipalities. Each authority was established at the request of municipalities in a common watershed, and they work together on local resource mana
GBA has drafted a letter to the Honourable Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), highlighting our concerns about the potential impacts of net-pen aquaculture operations on the health of Georgian Bay's waters and ecosystem. In the letter, GBA outlines its concerns about the industry's growth in and around the Georgian Bay watershed, including: Water quality impacts from nutrient loading and sedimentation Risks to native fish stocks from escaped domesticated fish and disease introduction The need for more sustainable and environmentally responsible aquaculture practices The letter also points to a recent incident where thousands of rainbow trout escaped from the Sheshegwaning F
The Great Lakes cruise ship industry is booming, but with growth comes a growing problem: cruise ship waste. GBA has concerns about the gaps in regulations surrounding sewage, greywater, and scrubber waste (a toxic byproduct of ship emission systems), which can harm our water quality. Transport Canada's Interim Order “Respecting the Discharge of Sewage and the Release of Greywater by Cruise Ships in Canadian Waters” does not provide sufficient safeguards for freshwater lakes. Reinstated for a third time on June 9, 2025, this order was designed with marine environments in mind and is being applied to freshwater lakes without adequately considering their distinct hydrological and ecological realities. Gaps in the current regulations include geographic exemptions
In September, our Boating Safety & Emergencies Committee attended the Canadian Safe Boating Council's 2025 symposium, "Solutions Through Partnerships: Charting a Course for Marine Safety" in Kingston. The event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss marine safety, search and rescue, and regulatory updates. The symposium delivered valuable insights from an impressive range of experts, covering topics such as Search & Rescue operations by JRCC Trenton, challenges facing law enforcement on Ontario waterways, and updates from the Coast Guard, Navy, and Canadian Rangers. The event also provided a valuable networking opportunity, bringing together our BS&E partners and other stakeholders to share knowledge and discuss ways to enhance waterway safety.
