Algae Monitoring
Muskoka Watershed Council developed the Algae Monitoring Program to collect information on the distribution, abundance and seasonal cycles of a) all phytoplankton combined, and b) blue-green algae in particular, across…
What Are Algae Doing in Muskoka’s Lakes?
By Peter Sale Responding to considerable community interest, the Muskoka Watershed Council wants to find out what algae are doing in Muskoka lakes. These tiny single-celled plants…
When Algae Go Bad
By Dr. Norman Yan In a previous article I argued that “we’d be stupid, hungry, and dead without algae” in the waters of the world, because every other breath…
MWC Chair’s Annual Report for 2024.
Delivered by MWC Chair Aaron Rusak at MWC’s Annual General Meeting held on February 21, 2025. My usual style of brevity and efficiency may not lend itself well to summarizing…
Local Organizations Recognize 13 Watershed Stewards in 2024!
Muskoka Watershed Council supported a number of local organizations in 2024 to recognize 13 watershed stewards through the Doug Cross Stewardship Recognition Program and the Robert Allen Memorial Stewardship Award.…
Less ice cover in Muskoka impacts winter sports and could mean ‘more dried up wetlands and streams’
There are ecological consequences fewer days of ice cover. By Dr. Peter Sale. Opportunities to skate on the lake, such as on Brandy Lake in 2021, are becoming less frequent…
Harmful algal blooms: What is the cause and what can Muskoka residents do?
Make sure municipal, provincial and federal representatives know research funding is needed. By Geoff Ross. Citizen science plays a major role in most programs that monitor lake waters in Muskoka,…
What is watershed health?
The Muskoka Watershed Report Card describes some disturbing trends in a number of environmental variables. By Kevin Trimble. Muskoka’s healthy natural environment provides numerous opportunities for enjoyment, including Duck Chutes…
MWC Chair’s Annual Report for 2022
Delivered by MWC Chair Peter Sale at MWC's Annual General Meeting held on January 20, 2023. Our last AGM, on 22nd April 2022, seems a very long time ago. The…
Drawdown Ecology – why can’t we just lower the lakes?
By Kevin Trimble. Walleye. Source: Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council Pressure is mounting in Muskoka to push water levels lower. The Muskoka River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) calls for a…
Lakes Part 4: Gloeotrichia
By Dylan Moesker Over the last few weeks in this four part article series, we have been discussing a number of topics that all revolve around lakes. We have…
Lakes Part 3: Why Are Some Lakes Tea-stained?
By Dylan Moesker As we continue to learn more about the types of lakes found in Muskoka, tea-stained lakes still remain a misunderstood topic. These lakes are misunderstood since…