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Phase Two Projects: How are we currently managing the Watershed?

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The goal of the Phase Two Projects is to review the practice and policies in place to manage the Watershed and identify gaps and areas of improvement for a sustainable future. This phase of projects will start in the Summer of 2021 and includes retaining consultants to carry out the projects described below. The results of these projects will be posted on the District of Muskoka website.

Project 6 - Water Management Plan Review Scoping Study

The Scoping Study will build on existing water quality data, and other information gathered and will include:

  • An assessment of the root causes of flooding in the Muskoka River Watershed, and
  • Identification of potential approaches to short-term flood mitigation


Project 7 - Flood Modifications Review

This review will build on information gathered to identify options to support watershed-wide flood mitigation approaches, including:

  • Environmental, economic, social, and fiscal impacts; and
  • Cost estimates for potential flood mitigation modifications

Project 8 - Review Land Use Policy

Review land-use policies by the municipality, including a characterization of the environment-first approach for watershed-scale management and recommendations for consistent land-use policies in the Muskoka River Watershed, including:

  • A catalogue of local Muskoka priorities, significant consistencies and inconsistencies, and enforcement status across relevant municipal and provincial jurisdictions; and
  • A characterization of best-in-class land-use policy for watershed-scale management based on scans of what other jurisdictions are doing.

Expanded scope of work to include:

  1. Development of an implementation study to understand how existing policy frameworks translate into zoning and other implementation procedures/processes currently employed within the Muskoka River Watershed.
  2. Provide recommendations for short- and long-term opportunities to implement IWM policies, initiatives and programs and identify potential challenges and partnership requirements.

Stay Informed:

To receive Integrated Watershed Management updates and to stay informed of all environmental initiatives being undertaken by the District, please subscribe to our courtesy notice list by entering 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.

The goal of the Phase Two Projects is to review the practice and policies in place to manage the Watershed and identify gaps and areas of improvement for a sustainable future. This phase of projects will start in the Summer of 2021 and includes retaining consultants to carry out the projects described below. The results of these projects will be posted on the District of Muskoka website.

Project 6 - Water Management Plan Review Scoping Study

The Scoping Study will build on existing water quality data, and other information gathered and will include:

  • An assessment of the root causes of flooding in the Muskoka River Watershed, and
  • Identification of potential approaches to short-term flood mitigation


Project 7 - Flood Modifications Review

This review will build on information gathered to identify options to support watershed-wide flood mitigation approaches, including:

  • Environmental, economic, social, and fiscal impacts; and
  • Cost estimates for potential flood mitigation modifications

Project 8 - Review Land Use Policy

Review land-use policies by the municipality, including a characterization of the environment-first approach for watershed-scale management and recommendations for consistent land-use policies in the Muskoka River Watershed, including:

  • A catalogue of local Muskoka priorities, significant consistencies and inconsistencies, and enforcement status across relevant municipal and provincial jurisdictions; and
  • A characterization of best-in-class land-use policy for watershed-scale management based on scans of what other jurisdictions are doing.

Expanded scope of work to include:

  1. Development of an implementation study to understand how existing policy frameworks translate into zoning and other implementation procedures/processes currently employed within the Muskoka River Watershed.
  2. Provide recommendations for short- and long-term opportunities to implement IWM policies, initiatives and programs and identify potential challenges and partnership requirements.

Stay Informed:

To receive Integrated Watershed Management updates and to stay informed of all environmental initiatives being undertaken by the District, please subscribe to our courtesy notice list by entering 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.

  • Request for Proposals Issued for Remaining Integrated Watershed Management Projects

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    The District of Muskoka is pleased to announce that the remaining projects of the Making Waves: Integrated Watershed Management initiative were released this week. Competition closes on February 18, and it is anticipated that the selected consultants will begin work on the projects this Spring.

    These projects include:

    • A land use policy review
    • Identifying watershed health indicators
    • Identifying water quality indicators
    • A shoreline erosion survey
    • A public access inventory

    You can follow the Making Waves Initiative by clicking the “subscribe” button and entering your email address. You will receive important project updates, including announcements of when consultants are selected and when reports are published.

  • Consultants Selected for Making Waves: Integrated Watershed Management Phase 1 and Phase 2 Projects

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    Through the Request for Proposal process, the District of Muskoka is in the final stages of retaining consultants to complete the Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects for the Making Waves: Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) Initiative which is focused on the Muskoka River Watershed. These projects include:

    • Localized Structural Mitigation Measures
    • Watershed-scale Flood Mitigation Options
    • Operational Adjustments Study
    • Water Management Plan Review Scoping Study
    • Hydrological Model
    • Natural Capital Inventory

    The localized structural mitigation measures project and watershed-scale flood mitigation options project were combined into one project. Likewise, the operational adjustments study and the water management plan review scoping study were also combined into a single project. These projects were combined because of how the information and outcomes from one project will directly inform the next project.

    The floodplain mapping project was awarded in August 2021. To date, 7/12 projects have been awarded. Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects will be completed by the end of summer 2022. Request for proposals for Phase 3 projects will be issued before the New Year.

    The purpose of these projects is to better understand the current conditions in Muskoka River Watershed and its environmental challenges, such as flooding, erosion, and land use planning. The results of these projects will inform a future Integrated Management Plan for the Muskoka River Watershed. Part of the focus of the plan will be to help reduce the impacts of flooding.

    Be sure to subscribe to receive updates about when the project report are published.

  • Requests for Proposals Issued for Remaining Phase 1 and 2 Projects

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    The Request for Proposal process is underway for the remaining Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects that make up the Making Waves: Integrated Watershed Management Initiative. Competition closes on October 4th, and it is anticipated that the selected consultants will begin work on the projects later this fall.

    You can follow the Making Waves Initiative by clicking the “subscribe” button and entering your email address. You will receive important project updates including announcements when consultants are selected and when reports are published.

Page last updated: 30 Jan 2024, 12:34 PM