I just completed and posted another video of Robert Sandford from the University of Saskatchewan, at the 2014 Muskoka Summit on the Environment.
This is the question & answer session following his talk: Come Hell & High Water:
Scientific Truth and Economic Consequences In Hollywood Disaster Movies mentioned here.
Copyright © 2014 cottageinmuskoka.ca, All rights reserved.
Don’t be put off by the “grabber” title; this is an engaging and informative presentation on hydrologic change brought about by Climate Change and well worth your time.
As a volunteer, as well as being on the executive of the Muskoka Watershed Council, I am the videographer/video editor. This gives me a great opportunity to ensure that truly wonderful ideas and presentations are not lost after the words are spoken and the video projector is turned off. I record, edit and post to our YouTube channel, lectures and presentations at Muskoka Watershed Council events.
A highly engaging presentation, this one by Robert Sandford of the University of Saskatchewan, is the 1st lecture from the 2014 Muskoka Summit on the Environment . On June 8th and 9th I recorded the presentations over the two day summit. Broadcast, in part, by CBC Radio’s Ideas with Paul Kennedy, (here’s the 2014 Muskoka Summit CBC broadcast), these were world-class lectures, presented here in Muskoka. I am delighted to be able to ensure these are available to the world.
CBC Ideas: Muskoka Summit on the Environment
This lecture is now available at the following link on Muskoka Watershed Council’s YouTube channel: Come Hell & High Water:
Scientific Truth and Economic Consequences
In Hollywood Disaster Movies In this entertaining and informative talk, Robert compares Hollywood’s ideas of environmental disasters and their consequences to the realities we all face today.
Sharknado; probably not in Muskoka.
Among Robert’s key messages: It’s time for courageous and relentless citizenship.
One Atmospheric River can hold the same amount of water as the daily output of the St. Lawrence
Copyright © 2014 cottageinmuskoka.ca, All rights reserved.
This cottage property is now sold. Its new family is looking forward to fishing and wakeboarding; not necessarily in that order, depending on who you ask. The new cottage buyers asked about lake regattas and other events – they are in luck here with the very active Sparrow Lake Association.
They have already met some of the neighbors even though they won’t be moving in for about a month!
We have just listed a great turn-key cottage with everything done.
The owners thought this through and ended up with a really great place. Granite slab stairs, lush landscaping to last, and kid friendly waterfront with a sand beach on spring-fed Henshaw Lake.
The view of Henshaw Lake from the cottage property
This three bedroom, one bath cottage is both stylish and functional. Stacked washer and dryer conveniently located in a spacious bathroom. Forced air propane furnace makes the property comfortable and easy to use. The structure is concrete block, clad in Cape Cod style siding, and the interior is insulated (both walls and ceiling). It is also efficient, cosy and dry, perched on a completely insulated crawlspace. All new plumbing includes pump, filter and heated water line. The electricals have been updated too. This cottage is solid and has good value. Perfect for the buyer who would like to escape work.
You’ll find the listing here and here’s the virtual tour.
The Muskoka Lakes Association just sent the following update which includes a detailed report from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Specific current levels are indicated for the following lakes: Tea Lake, Kawagama Lake, Lake of Bays, Wood Lake, Fox Lake, Mary Lake, Lake Rosseau, Lake Joseph, Lake Muskoka, Go Home Lake, Perry Lake, Doe Lake, Bernard Lake, Cecebe Lake, Ahmic Lake, Forest Lake, Dollars Lake, Crane Lake, Otter Lake and Oastler Lake.
Plus the current status of the river flows for the Big East, North Muskoka, South Muskoka, Oxtongue, Black, North Magnetawan, South Magnetawan, Magnetawan, Moon River, Musquash River and the Shawanaga River.
Here’s the message from the MLA and the linked .pdf below it.
To: steve@cottageinmuskoka.ca:
As promised, the MLA continues to monitor water levels throughout our catchment area.
The attached freshet update, issued yesterday afternoon, details current watershed conditions throughout Muskoka/Parry Sound.
We encourage you to review the attached document, which provides significant detail, and to take action to protect property if your residence is located in one of the affected areas.
Muskoka Lakes Association
“While the year-over-year increases for March 2014 look about the same, residential sales surged above 200 units in the month of March for just the fourth time in history, while cottage sales were still running below the historical average for the month,” Mike Stahls, President of Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®. “In fact, the 77 per cent month-over-month increase in residential transactions from still subdued levels in February to very strong levels in March was the largest on record. This likely reflects, at least in part, the release of some pent-up demand following an unusually harsh winter.”
The median price for residential property sales was a record $225,000 in March 2014, up 13 per cent from a low reading a year earlier.
The median price for cottage sales was $385,000 in March 2014, a decline of eight per cent compared to March 2013.
The dollar value of all residential sales in March 2014 totalled $48.9 million, an increase of 35 per cent on a year-over-year basis and the highest level for this month on record.
The total value of cottage sales was $15.4 million. This was up 20 per cent from a year earlier.
| Detailed – Cottage Sales and Median Price by Area | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage | ||||||
| By Area | Unit Sales | Median Sale Price | ||||
| March 2014 | March 2013 | Year-over-year percentage change |
March 2014 | March 2013 | Year-over-year percentage change |
|
| Muskoka | 15 | 10 | 50.0 | $400,000 | $420,750 | -4.9 |
| Haliburton | 4 | 6 | -33.3 | $121,000 | $421,250 | -71.3 |
The average price information quoted can be useful in establishing trends over time, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighbourhoods, or account for price differentials between geographical areas and property types.
The area served by the more than 670 REALTORS® who belong to Muskoka Haliburton Orillia – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®, is located less than a two-hour drive north of Toronto, in the heart of Canada’s Cottage Country. There are several major geographical areas within the Association’s boundaries, including the City of Orillia, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes, Huntsville, Almaguin Highlands, Lake of Bays and Haliburton. Each of these areas has a unique blend of properties ranging from residential homes located in the City of Orillia and smaller towns located throughout the remaining areas and the prestigious year-round recreational properties on large lakes, and lower and mid-range priced cottage properties on the smaller serene lakes.
The following was issued April 22, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.:
The Ministry of Natural Resources – Parry Sound District is advising area residents that a Flood Warning remains in effect.
Residents within the Parry Sound-Muskoka area are advised that some additional or prolonged flooding will occur within known flood-prone areas of many rivers and lakes. Recent warm air temperatures and rainfall has now accelerated the melting rate of the remaining snow pack with an increased runoff into local waterbodies. High water levels or flooding will occur over the next 24-48 hours within Lake Muskoka and the Moon River as part of the lower Muskoka River sub-watershed.
Residents are advised to keep a close watch on conditions, regularly check for updated messages and exercise caution around rivers and lakes as high water levels and flows continue. There is the potential for higher water levels and flows than what is currently being experienced.Residents may wish to take action to protect property in flood-prone or vulnerable areas. MNR is closely monitoring the weather and developing watershed conditions. Further updates to this Flood Warning will be issued as appropriate.
Description of Weather System
The current weather forecast through to Saturday April 26th is for daytime temperatures in the range of 5-10 degrees Celsius with near freezing nighttime temperatures. Today’s forecast is calling for a range of 3-30mm of rainfall Friday through Saturday.
Description of Current Conditions
A significant amount of the remaining snowpack has melted in recent days due to warm air temperature and rainfall, increasing the runoff into local river systems. A significant amount of snow still remains within local watersheds at higher elevation areas including the western slopes of Algonquin Park; the headwaters of some local river systems. Forecasted temperatures and rainfall will continue to melt the remaining snow pack with continued runoff into local river systems and lakes.
Expiry Date: This message will expire Friday April 25, 2014; 5:00 pm
Terminology: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
** FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
Contact Information
For more information please contact: Ministry of Natural Resources Parry Sound District: 705-646-5509 or 705-646-5531
A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended. Environment Canada bulletins can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/
The Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage can be found here: www.ontario.ca/flooding
In case you missed it, the following was Issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
The Ministry of Natural Resources -Click here to enter text. Parry Sound District is advising residents within flood-prone locations that a Flood Warning is in effect as flooding is imminent. Residents affected by flooding in past years are advised to take immediate action to secure or protect property in advance of river flows and lake levels rising to flood levels.
Those residents that have evacuated their homes in past years due to flooding may wish to make similar preparations at this time as rising water levels will hinder, limit or prevent the ability to evacuate as driveways and roads in lower-lying locations become impassible.
All residents in close proximity to local rivers are advised to keep a close watch on conditions, regularly check for updated messages and exercise caution as river flows and levels rise.
MNR continues to monitor weather conditions and flows and water levels. Further updates to this Flood Warning will be issued as conditions change.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Description of Weather System
The current forecast is calling for 45mm or more precipitation beginning the evening of Saturday April 12th through Monday April 14th. The forecast through to next Monday is for daytime high temperatures up to 16 degrees Celsius with near freezing nighttime temperatures.
Description of Current Conditions
The water content within the existing snow pack throughout local watersheds continues to be greater than the normal or historical average for early April. Forecasted temperatures and rainfall will significantly accelerate the melt of the snow pack Saturday through Monday. It is expected that the melting of the snow pack and rainfall amounts will significantly increase the amount of runoff into local rivers and lakes.
Expiry Date: This message will expire Wednesday April 16, 2014; 12:00 pm
Terminology: Notification Levels
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – FLOOD OUTLOOK: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions
WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
FLOOD WATCH: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities
** FLOOD WARNING: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
First Nation and Municipalities please contact: 705-646-5531
Other Inquiries please contact: 705-646-5509
A close watch on local conditions and weather forecasts from Environment Canada is recommended. Environment Canada bulletins can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/
The Surface Water Monitoring Centre public webpage can be found here: www.ontario.ca/flood
Looking for a beautiful place that is easy to embrace? Level lot, easy drive from the GTA, fronting on the Severn River and literally a stone`s throw from Sparrow Lake, if you have a decent arm.
Priced at $550,000.00, this four bedroom, four bathroom beauty is poised to host large parties, large families and to be the backdrop for fabulous cottage memories. You will want to live in the Muskoka Room, but there is so much more. So many choices of venues – great room, fabulous dining room table, living room, spacious kitchen. There is a waterside deck and dock with a covered boat port. Oversize bedrooms invite pajama parties for the young and the young at heart. Located on a municipal, year `round road, make this cottage your own, or live here all year long. There’s a brand new septic system, and the place has been immaculately maintained.
The listing is available here, and be sure to see this virtual tour.
Located on the Severn River, two cottages from Sparrow Lake, this property gives you boating access anywhere from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay. Minutes to Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, you can also head in the other direction and be in Georgian Bay in less than a day.
This is the most important thing you can do today to help protect the Muskoka watershed which gives us all so much everyday!
The Muskoka Watershed Council has launched an online campaign to bring the 2014 Watershed Report Card to life! This new user-friendly digital report card will provide information on water quality; phosphorus levels in your lake, the likelihood your lake will get algal blooms, the health of your wetlands and tons more. What is not measured cannot be managed. If you love Muskoka and care about protecting its natural beauty please get involved! There are many ways you can help:
Please visit the campaign page for further details about this project. It is important to have active participation during the first week of the campaign, so please do what you can to share the care of this special place of rocks, trees, and especially water, that we all love. A small contribution can make a big difference to the protection of our environment. Tell us what you think of the campaign by leaving a comment on the campaign page: www.igg.me/at/StewardshipWorks.
We are very fortunate to have such a passionate network of people supporting our mission to champion watershed health in Muskoka and its associated watersheds.
Thank you!