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Muskoka's residents and District Council care about water quality. This important topic impacts the environment, economy, and desirability of the District as both a place to call home and a destination. In an effort to enhance water quality and resident/visitor experience in Muskoka, the District is undertaking causation studies on lakes considered as vulnerable from a water quality perspective. One of these causation studies will be on Leonard Lake.
Leonard lake is 1.95km2 in size and is located in the jurisdiction of the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Leonard Lake experienced a blue-green algae bloom in 2018, located in the south-western bay of the lake, which was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on September 28, 2018. This led to the lake being classified as vulnerable in Schedule E2 of the Muskoka Official Plan (MOP). As outlined in the MOP, when a lake is listed as vulnerable, a waterbody-wide causation study should be initiated to determine the causes and relative contributing factors which lead to the identified water quality indicator, as well as to produce recommendations and mitigative actions that can be taken by stakeholders, the District, and others to ensure water quality may be enhanced in the long-term.
To receive project updates and to stay informed of the outcomes of the Leonard Lake Causation Study Project, enter your email address in the "Stay Informed" tool (located at the top right-hand corner of this page on your desktop or scroll down on your mobile device) and click the subscribe button.
Muskoka's residents and District Council care about water quality. This important topic impacts the environment, economy, and desirability of the District as both a place to call home and a destination. In an effort to enhance water quality and resident/visitor experience in Muskoka, the District is undertaking causation studies on lakes considered as vulnerable from a water quality perspective. One of these causation studies will be on Leonard Lake.
Leonard lake is 1.95km2 in size and is located in the jurisdiction of the Township of Muskoka Lakes. Leonard Lake experienced a blue-green algae bloom in 2018, located in the south-western bay of the lake, which was confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) on September 28, 2018. This led to the lake being classified as vulnerable in Schedule E2 of the Muskoka Official Plan (MOP). As outlined in the MOP, when a lake is listed as vulnerable, a waterbody-wide causation study should be initiated to determine the causes and relative contributing factors which lead to the identified water quality indicator, as well as to produce recommendations and mitigative actions that can be taken by stakeholders, the District, and others to ensure water quality may be enhanced in the long-term.
To receive project updates and to stay informed of the outcomes of the Leonard Lake Causation Study Project, enter your email address in the "Stay Informed" tool (located at the top right-hand corner of this page on your desktop or scroll down on your mobile device) and click the subscribe button.
RiverStone Environmental Solutions Inc. (RiverStone) is pleased to have been selected by the District Municipality of Muskoka (the District) to perform a causation study for water quality indicators on Leonard Lake. RiverStone is a small team of highly qualified aquatic scientists with extensive experience working on lakes in Ontario and Muskoka in particular. They have partnered with EcoVue Consulting, a firm with extensive public consultation experience, who will lead the public engagement activities related to the study.
A causation study is a way to determine why the water quality of a lake may be vulnerable based on key indicators (such as a confirmed blue green algae bloom). Determining which causes are affecting water quality is essential for protecting Muskoka’s lakes.
Project work will include summarizing and analyzing existing information and completing additional water quality sampling and analysis to inform the likely causes of water quality indicators and determine the need for additional sampling, analysis or management activities. Findings will be documented in a detailed technical report to the District, which will be shared publicly.
The intent of this survey is to introduce RiverStone and EcoVue to residents, business owners, and others interested in the Leonard Lake area. The primary goal is to gather information on the public’s lake use and their observations of water quality in the lake and how it has changed over time. This survey is an important opportunity for lake residents to provide historical or other relevant information to RiverStone and the District to inform our understanding of the lake’s history.
This survey is anonymous unless you choose to add your contact information at the end, which is completely optional.
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Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
Request for Proposal are now closed. A consultant will be selected and announced in the coming weeks.
Consultant Selected
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
Project Start-Up Meeting
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
The project start-up meeting has been completed during which the project timeline and preliminary workplan were reviewed.
Consultation Plan Underway
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
Stakeholder Meeting #1
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
Monday, April 26, 10:00-11:30 am via Zoom. This initial stakeholder meeting will be taking place to communicate the purpose of the study to the public and to obtain information from the public that will help form the consultant's project plan.
Stakeholder Survey Open for Submissions
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
The stakeholder information survey has launched. The purpose of this survey is to collect information from stakeholder's which will help provide the consultant with information regarding the history of Leonard Lake with respect to algal blooms and lake uses.
Stakeholder Survey Now Closed
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
The stakeholder survey is no longer open for submissions.
Data Collection and Field Work
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
The consultant will continue to collect and review data and conduct field work.
Data Analysis
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
The consultant will analyze all data to inform the study results and recommendations.
Stakeholder Meeting #2
Leonard Lake Causation Study has finished this stage
A final stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 28 at 2:00 pm via zoom. At this meeting, the consultant will present their draft findings to the public, answer questions, and collect any suggestions/comments, which will be considered in the final report.
Final Report
Leonard Lake Causation Study is currently at this stage
The final report, to be presented to the Community and Planning Services Committee in early 2023, will document the causes of algae blooms in Leonard Lake based on all available information, summarize public consultation, and include recommendations for future action.