2018-Apr-23
Water Quality
Water quality issues fall into three categories:
- Water purity
- Recreational water quality
- Water Ecosystem
Sponsored by:
News
November 2026
Learn About Cold Water Survival from "Professor Popsicle" This Off-Season
The cold water season on Georgian Bay lasts longer than most people realize—stretching from October through June. According to the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), on average 60% of Canadian boaters who drowned did so in water below 10°C. Because cold water shock poses an immediate threat long before hypothermia sets in, understanding how your body reacts to cold water could be the difference between life and death for anyone who lives, works, or spends time on or near the Bay. The CSBC is offering online cold water education led by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (better known as Professor Popsicle), professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba and a globally recognized expert in hypothermia and cold water survival. What You Will Learn Through captivating demonstrations and science-b
November 2026
GBA Honoured with CSBC Certificate of Merit
We are thrilled to share that the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) has awarded GBA a 2026 Certificate of Merit! The CSBC is a national non-profit dedicated to preventing recreational boating injuries and drownings through research, education, and public awareness. This award recognizes outstanding, meritorious service that furthers the CSBC’s mission of promoting safe and responsible boating across Canada. This honour is a direct reflection of the dedication of GBA's Boating, Safety & Emergencies Committee (BS&E) and its Chair, Andrew Hurlbut. The committee works tirelessly to research and advise our Board and our members on boating regulations, safety practices, and emergency preparedness. The BS&E Committee works closely with key industry and government partne
November 2026
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Accelerate the Expansion of Highway 69
The Ontario government has introduced legislation to accelerate the widening of Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury. If passed, the Building Highway 69 Faster Act will allow the province to finish the widening project up to five years ahead of schedule by establishing a project-specific environmental assessment framework built on the environmental work already completed. This would allow eligible work to proceed sooner, while maintaining environmental oversight and fulfilling the province's duty to consult with Indigenous communities. The proposed changes, which are similar to the measures introduced to speed up construction of Highway 413, are part of the government's plan to improve highway safety in northern Ontario and support economic growth in the region. To date, Ontari
November 2026
November 8 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 8 inches higher than at this time last year, though seasonal declines are underway across all the Great Lakes. Month-over-Month & Year-over-Year Comparisons Compared to Last Month: Lake Superior: Same Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 4″ Lake St. Clair: Down 7″ Lake Erie: Down 3″ Lake Ontario: Down 7″ Compared to Last Year: Lake Superior: Up 2″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 8″ Lake St. Clair: Up 7″ Lake Erie: Up 6" Lake Ontario: Up 8″ Long-Term October Averages: Lake Superior sits 1″ below its historic October average, while Michigan-Huron is 1″ below. Lake St. Clair (+5″), Erie (+6″), and Ontario (+7″) remain above their long-term averages. However, water levels across all the
November 2026
Protect Your Community from Wildfire: Apply for a $500 Preparedness Grant
Observed each year on the first Saturday in May, Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is an annual campaign that encourages residents to take action to increase their home, neighbourhood, and community’s resilience to wildfire. - FireSmart™ Canada—in collaboration with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), Co-operators, and provincial/territorial wildfire agencies—is once again offering $500 grants to support your local efforts. - Groups can apply now for a $500 award to fund a wildfire prevention event or project taking place any time between May and October 2027. In 2026, 366 neighbourhoods across Canada were awarded funding—including several around Georgian Bay—so don’t miss your chance to participate
November 2026
Ontario's 2026 Wildfire Season Saw 818 Fires and 748K Hectares Burned
Ontario’s official wildfire season came to an end on October 31. According to season-end data, 818 wildland fires burned 748,736 hectares in Ontario’s Fire Region between April 1 and October 31. In the province’s final October 30 update, no active fires were burning in the Northeast, while nine remained in the Northwest— well northwest of Thunder Bay (four under control and five under observation). The end of the official season marks a key transition for fire regulation, but it does not mean every fire is extinguished. Wildfires around Georgian Bay in 2026 What changes after October 31? The end of the official season is a regulatory shift, not a green light for unrestricted burning. On November 1, provincial outdoor-burning rules tied to the fire season expire, transfe
November 2026
Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin Hosts Treaties Recognition Week 2026
Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin (RHW) is inviting community members to participate in Treaties Recognition Week 2026. Under the theme "E’shkiniigijig Bi-bzigwiiwag: The Youth Are Rising," RHW's virtual programming offers a space for treaty education, honoring ancestors, and strengthening Nation-to-Nation relationships across the territory and beyond. Take time this week to learn with RHW to deepen your understanding of treaty rights, history, and shared responsibilities. - The week features: - Educational Presentations: Discussions focused on treaty history, public awareness, and intergenerational learning. - Cultural & Youth Programming: Sessions highlighting traditional teachings, youth leadership, and treaty responsibilities. - Download the program
October 2026
What Every Cottage Owner Needs to Know About Bubblers
With winter around the corner, many waterfront property owners turn to bubbler systems to shield docks and boathouses from shifting ice. While these de-icing systems can prevent structural damage, they can also create open water and thin ice that are dangerous to winter lake users. Owning a bubbler comes with significant responsibilities. If you currently use or are considering installing a bubbler system, understanding your legal duties, liability risks, and operational best practices is essential to protect both your property and your community. What Is a Bubbler? A bubbler circulates warmer deep water to the surface, preventing ice formation around waterfront structures. However, unmanaged systems can create surprisingly large zones of open water or weak ice. These hazards are o
October 2026
2026 Municipal Election Results
Municipal elections across cottage country have concluded, shaping local government for the next four years. GBA would like to extend sincere congratulations and thanks to everyone who stepped up to run for office. Putting your name on the ballot takes immense dedication to public service, and local communities are stronger for your commitment. - Election Results Breakdown: Township of Georgian Bay Mayor: Peter Koetsier (Elected) District Councillor (Wards 1 & 3): Laurie Russell (Elected) - District Councillor (Wards 2 & 4): Rod Northey (Acclaimed) Ward 1 Councillor: Steven Predko (Acclaimed) Ward 2 Councillor: Stephen Jarvis (Acclaimed) Ward 3 Councillor: Kristian Graziano (Acclaimed) Ward 4 Councillor: Darren Deme
October 2026
New Study Reveals Widespread Decline in Loon Chick Survival
Canada is home to 94% of the global common loon population, but a new study published in the journal FACETS reveals an alarming drop in loon chick survival across North America over the last 30 years. - In Ontario, loon breeding success has dropped by 40% over the last three decades—meaning far fewer chicks are making it to adulthood. The declines are even steeper in the prairie provinces (down 65%) and Atlantic Canada (down 74%). - The study analyzed breeding data from over 3,000 lakes spanning more than thirty years. Over half the data originated from the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, a long-running citizen science program managed by Birds Canada. - While loons have historically faced threats from DDT, lead fishing sinkers, and mercury toxicity, researchers attribute the current de
October 2026
October 25 Water Levels Report
Lake Michigan-Huron is currently 6 inches higher than at this time last year, though seasonal declines are underway across all the Great Lakes. Month-over-Month & Year-over-Year Comparisons Compared to Last Month: Lake Superior: Down 3″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Down 4″ Lake St. Clair: Down 8″ Lake Erie: Down 6″ Lake Ontario: Down 9″ Compared to Last Year: Lake Superior: Down 2" Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 8″ Lake Erie: Up 6″ Lake Ontario: Up 10″ Long-Term October Averages: Lake Superior sits 5″ below its historic October average, while Michigan-Huron is 3″ below. Lake St. Clair (+4″), Erie (+4″), and Ontario (+7″) remain above their long-term averages. However, water levels across
October 2026
Early Detection Prevents Wildfire Near Henvey Inlet
On August 10, at approximately 12:30 PM, a three-camera Fire Watch system—installed on meteorological towers at Pattern Energy's Henvey Inlet Wind Farm—flagged smoke rising in the forest near a transmission line, roughly six kilometres outside its monitoring perimeter. Pattern Energy personnel immediately dialed 911 and alerted two local fire departments. Neither 911 nor local emergency services had received any prior reports about the fire—meaning the Fire Watch system provided the advance warning needed to contain the forest fire before it could spread. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) responded rapidly, deploying a firefighting helicopter to drop retardant over the site while ground crews mobilized. According to forestry and emergency management evaluations on automa