Your Link to Muskoka's Water!

Resources by Topic
Where to find more information
on water-related topics

  Algal Blooms

Report a Bloom: Contact the Public Pollution Reporting Hotline at 1-866-663-8477
Field Guides:
    Kawartha Lake Stewards Association - The Algae of the Kawartha  Lakes 
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Algae Identification Field Guide 
Muskoka Watershed Council - Algae Quick Guide
Muskoka Watershed Council Technical Bulletin - Algae in Muskoka
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Algae Factsheet
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Blue-green Algae Factsheet
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Blue-green algae
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Dorset Environmental Science Centre 705-766-2412
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - London Surface Water Section 800-265-7672
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Barrie District Office 800-890-8511
Abstract: Algal blooms in Ontario, Canada: Increases in reports since 1994 
Environment Canada - Phosphorus in Canada's Aquatic Ecosystems

   Aquatic Plants

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Projects Near Water
Washington State Department of Ecology

 Boating

Safe Quiet Lakes
Safety - The Safe Boating Guide
Canadian Coast Guard - Regulations
Pleasure Craft Operators Exam
Clean Marine Program
Enviro-Friendy Boating
US EPA - Preventing Boating Pollution 
Georgian Bay Association
Public Boat Launches in Muskoka

 Boating Associations

Boating Ontario
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons 

 Building Regulations

District Municipality of Muskoka - Development Approvals
Georgian Bay Building Department
Huntsville Building and Planning Department
Lake of Bays Building Department
Bracebridge Planning and Development
Gravenhurst Building Department
Muskoka Lakes Development Services
Ontario Building Code
Muskoka Builders' Association  

 Cleaning Products

Environmental Choice Program 

 Docks

The Dock Primer
Georgian Bay Building Department
Huntsville Building and Planning Department
Lake of Bays Building Department
Bracebridge Planning and Development
Gravenhurst Building Department
Muskoka Lakes Development Services
Fisheries Act - Chapter F-14, Section 34: Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention
Navigation Protection Act - Chapter N-22, Part 1: Works Subject to Approval
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Projects Near Water
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747 

 Drinking Water

Well Aware
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Drinking Water
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Main Office - 877-721-7520
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Gravenhurst Office 705-684-9090
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Huntsville Office - 705-789-8813
District Municipality of Muskoka - Municipal Systems
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - London Regional Office 519-873-5000
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Barrie District Office 800-890-8511
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Drinking Water Information System 
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Source Protection
Conservation Ontario - Source Water Protection
Drinking Water Legislation

 Emergency

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Public Pollution Reporting Hotline or 1-866-663-8477
Environment Canada - Environmental Emergencies Program
District Municipality of Muskoka - Emergency Services
Public Safety Canada - Emergency Management

 Erosion

District Municipality of Muskoka - Shoreline Vegetative Buffers
Working Around Water Factsheet - Fish Habitat & Shoreline Stabilization
Extension Notes - Protecting Fish Habitat from Sediment
Fisheries Act - Chapter F-14, Section 34: Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747 

 Fishing

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Licenses and Regulations
The Baitfish Primer
Outdoors Card Renewal On-line
Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary
Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Fisheries and Oceans Canada or 1-800-465-7735
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201 

 Floods

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Flood Warnings
Conservation Ontario - Flood Management
Water Management Legislation

Refer to your local Area Municipality:
Town of Bracebridge or 705-645- 5264
Township of Georgian Bay or 705-538-2337
Town of Gravenhurst or 705-687-3412
Township of Lake of Bays or 705-635-2272
Town of Huntsville or 705-789-1751
Township of Muskoka Lakes or 705-765-3156

 Forestry

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Forest Management
Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP)
Crown Land Forestry- Westwind Forest Stewardship Network or 705-746-6832
Extension Notes - Forestry
Ontario Woodlot Association
Eastern Ontario Model Forests
Ontario Forestry Association

 Gardening and Lawn Care

Master Gardeners or call the hotline 705-767-3987
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Wild About Gardening
Muskoka Watershed Council - Healthy Lawns & Gardens Naturally
Pesticide Free Ontario
Communities in Bloom or refer to your local Area Municipality

 Hazardous Material Disposal

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Hazardous Waste
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Hazardous Waste Information Network
Environment Canada - Hazardous Waste
District Municipality of Muskoka - Household Hazardous Waste or 705-645-6764

 Health

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Main Office - 877-721-7520
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Gravenhurst Office 705-684-9090
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Huntsville Office - 705-789-7245
HealthConnection - Contact online or call 721-7520 or 877-721-7520 

 Invasive Species

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters - Invading Species Awareness Program
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Invasive Species 
Invasive Species Centre 
Ontario Invasive Plant Council  

 Lake Associations

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations
Bass Lake Association 
Bella Rebecca Community Association
Brandy Lake Association 
Echo Lake Association 
Fairy Lake Association
Georgian Bay Association
Gloucester Pool Cottagers Association
Kahshe Lake Ratepayers Association
Lake of Bays Association 
Leech Lake Cottagers' Association (email)
Loon & Turtle Lakes Cottage Association
Mary Lake Association
Moon River Property Owners' Association
Muldrew Lake Association
Muskoka Lakes Association
Muskoka Ratepayers' Association
Peninsula Lake Association
Pine Lake Ratepayers' Association (email)
Six Mile Lake Cottagers' Association
Skeleton Lake Cottagers' Organization
Three Mile Lake Association 
Lake Vernon Association


If your association is in or near Muskoka and you have a website let us know and we'll provide a link.

How to Form a Lake Association

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations

 Lake Planning

FOCA - Lake Planning Handbook for Community Groups 

 Leisure Activities

Muskoka Tourism
Visit Muskoka

 Outdoor Lighting (Dark Sky Friendly)

Dark Sky Lighting
International Dark Sky Association 

 Native Plants

Watersheds Canada Native Plant Database 
Canadian Wildlife Federation Native Plant Encyclopedia
Canadian Wildlife Federation Gardening for Wildlife 
CanPlant Database
North American Native Plant Society

 Naturalists Clubs

Trout Unlimited Canada
Muskoka Field Naturalists
Ontario Nature 
Sierra Club of Canada - Ontario Chapter
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Ducks Unlimited Canada
The Wildlands League
Bird Studies Canada

 Recreational Water Quality Monitoring

Local Lake Associations
District Municipality of Muskoka - Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Lake Partner Program
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Muskoka River Water Management Plan

 Road Salt

District Municipality of Muskoka - Muskoka Winter Road Maintenance or 705-645-6764
Town of Bracebridge - Road Maintenance or 705-645- 5264
Town of Huntsville - Roads: Snow Removal or 705-789-5684
Township of Muskoka Lakes - Public Works or 705-765-3156
Town of Gravenhurst - Public Works or 705-687-3412
Township of Georgian Bay - Roads Department or 705-538-2337 Ext. 225
Township of Lake of Bays - Public Works or 705-635-2272
Environment Canada - Road Salts
Ministry of Transportation - Road Salt Management

 Septic Systems: Individual Small System

Approvals and Inspection Building Permit - Refer to your local Municipal Building Department
Town of Bracebridge or 705-645- 5264
Township of Georgian Bay or 705-538-2337
Town of Gravenhurst or 705-687-3412
Township of Lake of Bays or 705-635-2272
Town of Huntsville or 705-789-1751
Township of Muskoka Lakes or 705-765-3156
Ontario Building Code
Muskoka Watershed Council - Caring for Your Septic System
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Guide to Operating & Maintaining Your Septic System

 Septic Systems: Large Systems (and other large waste disposal systems)

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Septage
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - London Regional Office 519-873-5000
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Barrie District Office 800-890-8511

 Shorelines

The Shore Primer
The Fish Habitat Primer
Fisheries Act - Chapter F-14, Section 34: Fish Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention 
District Municipality of Muskoka - Guide to Healthy Shorelines
District Municipality of Muskoka - Shoreline Vegetative Buffers
Extension Notes - Preserving and Restoring Natural Shorelines
Muskoka Watershed Council - Protect Your Waterfront Investment
Muskoka Watershed Council - Shoreline Vegetation in Muskoka
Muskoka Watershed Council - Restore Your Shore Stewardship Guide 
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Projects Near Water

 Stormwater Management

Town of Bracebridge or 705-645- 5264
Township of Georgian Bay or 705-538-2337
Town of Gravenhurst or 705-687-3412
Township of Lake of Bays or 705-635-2272
Town of Huntsville or 705-789-1751
Township of Muskoka Lakes or 705-765-3156
District Municipality of Muskoka - Stormwater Management Strategy
Muskoka Watershed Council - Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
District Municipality of Muskoka - Stormwater Management for a Single Lot
Ministry of Transportation - Drainage Management
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - London Regional Office 519-873-5000
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Barrie District Office 800-890-8511
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Stormwater Management Publications 

 Swimmer's Itch

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Gravenhurst Office - 705-684-9090
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Huntsville Office - 705-789-7245
HealthConnection - Contact online or call 721-7520 or 877-721-7520
Manitoba Water Stewardship - Swimmer's Itch Brochure
U.S Centre for Disease Control - Swimmer's Itch 

 Muskoka's Weather

Environment Canada
Environment Canada - Muskoka
Environment Canada - Bracebridge
Environment Canada - Huntsville
Environment Canada - Parry Sound
Environment Canada - Gravenhurst
Environment Canada - Haliburton
Environment Canada - Midland

Weather Network
Weather Network - Muskoka
Weather Network - Bracebridge
Weather Network - Huntsville
Weather Network - Parry Sound
Weather Network - Gravenhurst
Weather Network - Haliburton
Weather Network - Midland

 Water Levels

Environment Canada - Water Quantity Monitoring
Canadian Coast Guard - Waterways Management
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Water Levels and Flows
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Muskoka River Water Management Plan
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Permits to Take Water
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - London Surface Water Section 800-265-7672
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Barrie District Office 800-890-8511

 Watershed Planning

Muskoka Watershed Council 
Watersheds Canada
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Source Water Protection 
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Watershed Management and Planning
Conservation Ontario
The Institute for Watershed Science
Watershed Management Council

Refer to your local Area Municipality
Town of Bracebridge or 705-645- 5264
Township of Georgian Bay or 705-538-2337
Town of Gravenhurst or 705-687-3412
Township of Lake of Bays or 705-635-2272
Town of Huntsville or 705-789-1751
Township of Muskoka Lakes or 705-765-3156 

 Wells

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Drinking Water
Well Aware
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks - Wells
Ontario Water Resources Act - Wells
Canadian Morgage and Housing Corporation - Buying a House with a Well and Septic System 

 Wetlands

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Wetlands
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Muskoka Watershed Council - Caring for Wetlands on Your Property
District Municipality of Muskoka - Natural Heritage Strategy
Environment Canada - Wetlands of Canada

Refer to your local Area Municipality
Town of Bracebridge or 705-645- 5264  Township of Georgian Bay or 705-538-2337 Town Gravenhurst or 705-687-3412 
Township of Lake of Bays or 705-635-2272
Town of Huntsville or 705-789-1751
Township of Muskoka Lakes or 705-765-3156

 Wildlife

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Wildlife and Nature
Nature Canada
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Canadian Wildlife Service

 Injured Wildlife

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Bracebridge Office 705-645-8747
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Parry Sound District Office 705-746-4201
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - What You Should Do if You Find a Sick, Injured, or Orphaned Wild Animal
Wing and a Prayer 705-385-1488