Protection of the waters of Georgian Bay is something that resonates with all who live, work and play on the Bay and all living beings that depend on these waters for their very existence. The following video contains a powerful message in this regard from a young member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation.
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago the water level on Lakes Superior is unchanged, but Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 3, 4, 6 and 3 inches higher, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 4, 20, 21, 8 & 8 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 15, 39, 37, 32 & 20 inches, respectively above their long term January average. Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 5 inches higher than its previous record high for January and is the only lake that currently exceeds its previous record high for January. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior, and Michigan Huron are expected to be down by 3 and 1 inches, re
Please be careful out on the ice and check with local information sources before attempting any ice surface travel. If you must travel on the current ice surface conditions, it is strongly recommended that you: wear proper survival clothing/suit; take a fully charged cell phone with you; and tell a friend, neighbour or family member of your destination. Further safety suggestions from the Red Cross can be found here. When ice forms early it may look safe but it is likely not yet thick, strong or stable enough to support much weight. Adhering to land-based Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) prescribed trails whenever possible offers the safest snowmobile terrain. The OFSC provide many trail suggestions that avoid water crossings altogether as well as bridges and culverts to p
Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) is looking for support to restrict excessive boat noise on Canadian waterways. This SQL proposal would mirror successful legislation in place in the EU and the US, which places limits on the decibel levels emitted from boat engines in order to curb excessive noise. - GBA supports this initiative and will assist SQL, garner support, and provide updates as this project moves forward. - For summary details, please see: Safe Quiet Lakes Decibel Project - -
Premier Doug Ford, along with Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure, and Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, were in Parry Sound last week to announce a $200 million investment in rural community infrastructure. $5.8 million will be dispersed throughout 26 municipalities within Parry Sound-Muskoka. Although this is good news for our coastal municipalities, climate change activists protesting at the announcement made some valid points, some consistent with recent GBA submissions to the Ontario government. Read more about the announcement and the protest here. - Details of the funding and allocations for the Parry Sound-Muskoka area can be found here. Allocations for Manitoulin and North Channel areas can be found here. -
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago the water level on Lakes Superior is down 1 inch, Lake Erie, St Clair and Ontario are 6, 7, and 1 inches higher, respectively, and Lake Michigan-Huron is unchanged. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 18, 16, 8 & 9 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 15, 37, 41, 32 & 19 inches, respectively above their long term January average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior, Michigan Huron and St. Clair are expected to be down by 3, 1 and 4 inches, respectively, Lake Erie is expected to be unchanged and Lake Ontario is expected to increase by 4 inches. - Outflows from Lake Superior into the St
According to scientists harmful algae blooms (HAB) are on the rise and they are lasting longer and getting larger. These blooms are increasingly linked to a combination of agricultural nutrients making their way into the water and warming temperatures. This supports GBA’s position that the Ontario Government should not be increasing the risk of HAB occurrences in Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron by allowing the open net pen aquaculture industry to expand as they intend. The controls in place for farms on the release of nutrients that can cause algae outbreaks are not being applied to these fish farms. Two fish farm sites have already been closed due to pollution, at La Cloche Channel and Grassy Narrows, and a third at Lake Wolsey has caused annual toxic algae outbreaks an
The Canadian Coast Guard's annual icebreaking season on the Great Lakes is underway. On the Great Lakes, icebreaking services are provided by the Canadian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) working together as one team. Last season alone, both Coast Guards directly assisted 522 ship transits on the Great Lakes. These services are critical to keeping the Canadian economy moving, and facilitating trade on our shared waters year round. Although the St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal and Sault Ste. Marie Locks are closed during the winter months, shipping is still active on the Great Lakes. The Canadian Coast Guard has two icebreakers assigned to the Great Lakes for the entire winter season: the CCGS Griffon and CCGS Samuel Risley. They are also supported by additional Coa
An approaching winter storm will impact the region this weekend with a significant amount of precipitation expected. - Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago the water level on Lakes Superior is down 1 inch, Lake Erie and St Clair are 2 inches higher and Lakes Michigan-Huron and Ontario are unchanged. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 17, 9, 4 & 7 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 16, 37, 33, 28 & 16 inches, respectively above their long term January average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan Huron are expected to be down by 3 and 1 inches, respectively, Lake Erie is expected to be unchanged and Lakes St. Cl
John Hansuld, former president of the Bayfield Nares Islanders Association and councilor for Ward 2 in the Township of the Archipelago, passed away on November 26, 2019. John served three terms on council after retiring from a storied career the mining industry. He served as a great resource and a great friend to the GBA. Read more about John's life and work here.
Gord Walker worked tirelessly on the International Joint Commission (IJC) for four years as a Commissioner in the 90’s and more recently five years as Canadian Chair. As a long standing Cognashene cottager, Gord has a deep understanding of Georgian Bay issues and continues to be of invaluable help to GBA and others. Noting his seven year tenure as an Ontario government minister, the Member of the Order citation read: Gordon W. Walker, Toronto. For his civil service as a parliamentarian and for his commitment to protecting transboundary waters between Canada and the United States. This award is richly deserved.
Unseasonably warm temperatures have continued throughout the basin, but are expected to return to normal ranges shortly. Precipitation in the Great Lakes basin was close to average levels in December. - Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron and St Clair, are down 1- 2 inches, Lake Ontario is unchanged, and Lake Erie is up 1 inch. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 3, 16, 5, 3 & 9 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 15, 37, 31, 27 & 17 inches, respectively above their long term January average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan Huron are expected to be down by 3 and 1 inches, re
There have been unseasonably warm temperatures over the last week throughout the basin. - Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. From a month ago water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, are down 4 & 1, inches respectively, Lake Ontario is unchanged, and Lakes St. Clair & Erie are up 1 to 2 inches. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 16, 8, 3 & 10 inches higher respectively than they were at this time last year, and 11, 35, 30, 27 & 19 inches, respectively above their long term December average. In a month’s time, the levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to continue their seasonal decline, while Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are forecast to be 1 to 2 inch
