Is the water of eastern Georgian Bay drinkable, swimmable and fishable?

Photo credit: David Bywater

Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) and its partner organizations are researching the environmental health to produce a “State of the Bay” report. This report card will provide an overview of the health of eastern Georgian Bay based on wetland, water quality, and indicators such as forest health.

The GBBR will use the Ontario Trillium Foundation funding to conduct background research, establish scientific health indicators, consult with experts, and produce a report that can be distributed to residents, townships/municipalities, cottagers and visitors.

While the overall health of Georgian Bay is thought to be in relatively good condition, when compared to other Great Lakes, it is under significant stress from climate change, invasive species, consistently low water levels, development pressures and boating impacts, among others. How we manage human activity in the bay will have a long-term impact on the overall health of the water we all enjoy.

Recognizing that this type of program requires cooperation among agencies, GBBR is working closely with: Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council, Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, Georgian Bay Land Trust and Muskoka Watershed Council.

Additional resources

For more information about the State of the Bay program, please contact David Bywater at the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve at: (705) 774-0978 or email: conservation @ gbbr.ca

To learn more about the State of the Bay program and other related programs, please follow these links:

• Lake Huron and Georgian Bay Framework for Community Action: www.lakehuroncommunityaction.ca
• Lake Huron Charter: http://www.lakehuroncommunityaction.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=13&Itemid=72
• Muskoka Watershed Council’s report card program: http://www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed/reportcard/home.htm

Articles about the State of the Bay program:

• http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/environment/article/995681–state-of-the-bay-report-card-program-launched
• http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/opinion/columns/article/1040807–environmental-report-card-how-are-our-fisheries-doing
• http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/environment/article/1051172–what-do-you-love-most-about-the-bay
• http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/environment/article/1290218–grading-georgian-bay

Funding for the State of the Bay program is provided by:

• Ontario Trillium Foundation: http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/
• MNR’s COA (Canada Ontario Agreement) Program