Executive Director
Rupert Kindersley
(416) 985-7378
rkindersley@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
Executive Director
Rupert Kindersley
(416) 985-7378
rkindersley@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
The warmer temperatures in the basin in February are continuing into March so far. Lake Michigan-Huron is lower than it was at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Erie are down 2, 0, & 1 inches, respectively, and Lakes St Clair & Ontario are both up 1 inch. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 1, 2, 5 & 5 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 11, 12 & 2 inches, respectively, above their long-term March average and Lake Superior is 1 inch below. All the lakes remain well below their March record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Hu
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) bear reporting hotline, which usually is active from April 1 to November 30, has opened early in anticipation of black bears emerging from hibernation. MNRF is expecting an early wake up this year due to an unseasonably warm winter and the recent, heavy rains which have the potential to flood bears out of their dens. - MNRF and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are asking people to exercise caution as there is little natural food for bears at this time of year, which will lead them to search for other food sources such as garbage and bird feed. They suggest: Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids (indoors if possible) Wait until pickup day to put out garbage Take away bird feeders f
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Great Lakes Commission, and International Joint Commission have agreed to work together more closely to achieve better results on restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. Although there is no specific action items set out in this agreement, it clearly makes sense to establish a closer working relationship to avoid duplication of effort, and leverage the significant skills and substantial knowledge between these three organizations. - Read the IJC press release here and the Memorandum of Understanding here.
The warmer temperatures in the basin in February are continuing into March so far. Lake Michigan-Huron is now lower than it was at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 1, 1, 2, 2 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 2, 6, 6 & 6 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 10, 12 & 0 inches, respectively, above their long-term March average and Lake Superior is at the same level. All the lakes remain well below their March record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior is expected to stay at the sa
Mild weather and the lack of ice might make it feel like spring, but the water is not going to warm up any time soon. The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is hosting their last virtual Cold Water Awareness workshop this winter on Tuesday, Mar. 12 & Thursday, Mar. 14, 2024 featuring Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (aka Professor Popsicle), a world-renowned expert in hypothermia. Virtual workshops take place over 2 evenings from 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. The cost is $100 and participants will receive a certificate of completion. Just added--In-person sessions! CSBC will also be hosting an in-person one day Cold Water Workshop (general interest) and a two-day (instructor) workshop in Victoria Harbour, Ontario on April 13 & 14, 2024. The cost for the in-person sessions is $185/pers
The warmer temperatures in the basin in February are continuing into March so far. - Lake Michigan-Huron is now lower than it was at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 1, 3, 9, 3 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 3, 5, 4 & 5 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 1, 7, 10 & 0 inches, respectively, above their long-term March average and Lake Superior is at the same level. All the lakes remain well below their March record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior is expected to stay at the s
GBA would like to congratulate OPP provincial marine co-ordinator Sgt. Dave Moffatt, who was recently honoured as the 2023 Marine Professional of the Year by the Canadian Safe Boating Council. Sgt. Moffatt is the Provincial Marine and ATV Coordinator for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). He is responsible for training the OPP’s 380 marine officers along with officers from municipal police services, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and First Nation band constables. He is also responsible for 170 OPP vessels in Ontario. The Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) honour the people, programs, organizations and marinas that are helping to make boating in Canada safer, cleaner, and better for all of us. Sgt. Moffatt is a valuable resource for GBA and always very genero
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is seeking public opinion about the Great Lakes, water quality issues and other topics related to restoring and protecting this unique freshwater system. This is the IJC’s fourth survey, with prior polls conducted in 2015, 2018 and 2021. This year’s poll takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and repeats several previous questions to track trends. Results from this survey are expected this summer. Take the 2024 online Great Lakes Regional Poll here. The Great Lakes poll will be available until March 15, 2024. Take advantage of this opportunity to have your opinions heard and please use your cottage location to answer the questions. -
February 22 usually marks the statistical peak of ice cover on the Great Lakes, but this winter February ice coverage remains at record low levels. As of February 11, 2024 researchers at NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) measured Great Lakes ice coverage at 2.7%. Coverage on each of the lakes was measured as follows: Lake Superior 1.7 % Lake Michigan 2.6 % Lake Huron 5.9 % Lake Erie 0.05 % Lake Ontario 1.7 % GLERL’s scientist have not seen ice levels this low in mid-February since record keeping began in 1973. Warmer temperatures in December, which is considered a "priming" month, and no major cold snaps means that ice formation did not pick up in January and has been non-existent so far in February. The current season maximum ice co
February continues to be warmer then normal. Lake Michigan-Huron is now lower than it was at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & St Clair, are down 2, 0, & 9 inches, respectively, and Lakes Erie & Ontario are up by 5 & 4 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 1, 2, 0 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 13, 15 & 3 inches, respectively, above their long-term February average and Lake Superior is 1 inch below. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior is expected t
Bats are exceptional creatures. These nocturnal creatures pollinate our crops, spread seeds, and prey on pests like mosquitos. They also possess a superpower that’s unique among mammals: flight. The power of flight requires a highly specialized physiology and demands an enormous amount of energy so bats need to eat an enormous quantity of food and drink plenty of water. They hunt at night and can eat up to 600 insects an hour! - When bats aren’t looking for food, they’re likely resting in their roost. Roosts provide bats with a safe space where they can rest during the day away from adverse weather conditions, predators and other disturbances. It's also where bats can socialize and raise their young. Bats can roost in a variety of places, but common roosting sites include cave
Township of the Archipelago (ToA), Town of the Blue Mountains, Township of Georgian Bay (TGB), and the town of Parry Sound have all passed resolutions opposing the TC Energy pumped storage project at Meaford. The resolutions implore the Minister of Energy to cease support of this project citing economic and environmental concerns. Only one of these municipalities is near Meaford, the other three are along the east coast of the Bay. This demonstrates that there is concern about the potential impact of this project throughout Georgian Bay and that opposition to the project is not just a local matter. Read the resolutions here. - Find out more about the TC Energy pumped storage project here.