That was one of the best takeaways from How Lakes Work Episode 2, a webinar presented by Muskoka Discovery Centre in collaboration with Friends of the Muskoka Watershed, featuring a talk on the littoral zone by ecologist Gord Miller of Earthroots (Ontario’s former Environmental Commissioner). 

The permission slip (read this first)

Gord’s practical rule of thumb is simple:

If you’re clearing shoreline for swimming, keep it to what you actually use.
For a kids’ swim area, he pointed to something roughly like a narrow entry zone (about 10 feet wide) out to standing depth (around 6 feet deep). Beyond that, you’re mostly not using the bottom anyway – you’re swimming.

So instead of “fixing” your entire lot width, you concentrate your use in one small place… and leave the rest natural.

That’s not just nicer for the lake. It’s usually nicer to live with, too.

The one sentence that changes how you see the lake

Gord said it like this:

When light hits the bottom, the game changes completely.

That “game-change” area is the littoral zone – the lake’s rim.

And if you’re on the Big Three (Muskoka, Rosseau, Joseph) or elsewhere in Muskoka, this matters a lot, because the rim is where most of the day-to-day cottage life happens: docks, swimming, kids, dogs, boats, wake, ice shove, raking, and “should we pull those plants?”

What the littoral zone actually is

Forget “the shallows.” Gord’s definition is more useful:

The littoral zone runs from the shoreline (high-water mark) out to the deepest point where sunlight still reaches the lakebed.

It’s a light boundary, not a distance.

That matters because the littoral zone isn’t just “nearshore water.” It’s nearshore water plus a solid surface – and surfaces create whole worlds.

Why the rim is so alive

In open water, sunlight powers tiny floating plants (phytoplankton), which feed tiny animals (zooplankton), which feed fish, and so on.

But along the rim, light doesn’t just fade into darkness. It hits bottom and bounces around. It gets “reused.” And everything it hits – rock, wood, sediment, plants – can become living real estate.

The littoral zone is built for:

• capturing light efficiently
• trapping organic matter locally
• recycling nutrients on-site
• and supporting dense, complex food webs right where people live and play

What you’re calling “mess” could be the lake’s most important structure

Gord walked through the building blocks of the littoral zone – things most of us see every weekend.

1) Aquatic plants (macrophytes)

These aren’t all the same thing. Gord grouped them into:

• rooted vascular plants (land-plant cousins with stems that move stuff up/down)
• macroalgae (bigger attached algae, not the floating green stuff in open water)

Either way, these plants add structure and fix a lot of energy.

He even pointed out a tiny design detail you can’t unsee once you hear it: floating leaves are built for abuse – wind, wave slap, soaking – so they tend to be tough and often round-ish (water lilies are the obvious example).

2) Wood in the water (beaver work, fallen trees, branches)

A log in the shallows isn’t just a log. It’s shade, refuge, hiding spots, and attachment surface. It turns “empty bottom” into “busy neighbourhood.”

3) “Slime” (periphyton)

Most of us just call it slime because… it is.

But Gord’s point: that slimy coating is a whole ecosystem – algae, microbes, debris – living on every surface. And it feeds the nearshore world.

Once you start thinking “slime = community,” the shoreline gets a lot more interesting.

4) A moving bottom (longshore drift)

If you’ve watched your beach subtly shift over the years, you’ve watched wave energy physically moving substrate along shore.

That movement matters because it creates abrasion and instability – hard conditions for plants, and a big reason the littoral zone is its own environment.

5) The “underwater lawn” in very clear lakes

Gord mentioned that in very clear, oligotrophic lakes (which includes many in Muskoka – think Skeleton, Joe, and Rosseau), you may not see towering weed beds. Instead, you can see low turf-like plant communities that look like a “lawn” on the bottom.

They’re not gross. They’re not bad. They’re often a sign of very clear water – and they’re fragile (easy to break up with heavy trampling and disturbance).

The most Muskoka-relevant concept: your forest feeds your lake

Gord gave the audience a couple “big words,” but they’re worth it because they explain your shoreline in a way that instantly clicks:

• Autochthonous = organic matter made inside the lake from sunlight (plants/periphyton fixing energy)
• Allochthonous = organic matter that comes from outside the lake (leaves, sticks, seeds, cones falling in from the forest)

If you’ve ever filled bags with maple leaves in September, you already understand allochthonous input. The shoreline is where that “outside food” lands and gets processed – by shredders, grazers, larvae, small fish – into an entire nearshore food web.

That’s why the rim isn’t a decorative edge. It’s a working system.

Why fish and wildlife depend on the rim

Gord’s examples were all shoreline-specific:

• fish spawning and nursery habitat
• turtles needing sandy slopes to lay eggs
• birds hunting and feeding along the edge (herons, flycatchers, loons, mergansers)
• beavers actively building structure into the rim

And for fish: the littoral zone isn’t optional habitat. It’s life-stage habitat.

He described (among others):

• bass nests on sandy or fine-gravel areas (you may actually see the cleaned circles)
• pike eggs attached to emergent vegetation right after ice-out
• walleye (“pickerel”) often preferring rivers/streams with gravel, but also using suitable rocky littoral areas
• lake trout spawning on specific shoals – sometimes surprisingly shallow

The punchline is uncomfortable but important:

If you remove structure everywhere, you remove the places fish use to reproduce and survive.

The cottage-country mistake (and the better default)

Gord named the pattern: we look at wood, plants, leaf litter and think “messy.” We want manicured lawns to the water. We want the lake edge to look like a resort.

But the lake doesn’t want that.

The better default is the permission slip:

• decide where you truly need access (swim entry + dock)
• keep that disturbance small and intentional
• leave the rest of your shoreline natural – especially the edges on either side

And when neighbours do the same, the lake keeps long continuous stretches of functioning littoral zone – still producing fish, supporting wildlife, recycling nutrients, and doing what healthy shorelines do.

Buyer lens (Cottage in Muskoka version)

If you’re touring waterfront properties in Muskoka, here’s a fast “shoreline reality check” inspired by Gord’s framework:

Look for:

• evidence the shore still has structure somewhere (wood, plants, varied bottom, natural edges, even an old crib dock)
• a defined use zone instead of “everything scraped clean”
• a shoreline that looks like it’s being lived on… not stripped

Ask about:

• how the current owner manages the waterfront seasonally (clearing habits, raking into the lake, plant removal)
• what the bottom is like at typical swim entry depth (sand/rock/muck)
• whether the shoreline has changed over the years (a longshore drift clue)

If you want help assessing shoreline “use vs health” across different lakes and bays, Catharine can walk you through what’s typical – and what’s a red flag – on Muskoka’s lakes. 

Come check out the final episode of this webinar tonight, Feb. 3, 2026. Episode 3 brings together both science and lived teaching: Dr. Andrew Paterson (Queen’s University) reviews the major threats currently affecting lake health in Ontario – from climate shifts and pollutants to land-use impacts and invasive species – and how these stressors can interact, plus what we can do to help protect aquatic ecosystems. Christopher Stock (TEHONATÁHNHEN) follows with a talk on winter and the role of ice as part of Earth’s natural cycles, focusing on stewardship and reciprocity as guiding principles for caring for Creation.

Quick FAQ

How far out is “the littoral zone” on my shoreline?
It isn’t a specific distance – it’s as far out as sunlight still reaches the bottom. On clear water, that can be farther than you’d guess.

Why is my beach changing shape over time?
Wave action can move substrate along shore (longshore drift). If you’re seeing gradual shifts, that’s often what’s happening.

What’s that slippery coating on rocks and wood in Muskoka?
Often periphyton – a thin, complex biofilm of algae, bacteria, fungi, and detritus that grows attached to rocks, sediments, wood, and aquatic plants in the shallow, well‑lit margins of lakes and rivers. It’s part of what makes the rim productive.

What’s the simplest shoreline rule that still feels realistic?
Keep your swim/dock disturbance small and functional. Don’t “fix” the whole lot width.

The post A Permission Slip for Your Shoreline: What Gord Miller Taught Us About the Littoral Zone in Muskoka appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

Some environmental changes creep in quietly. Lake ice doesn’t.

In Episode 1 of How Lakes Work, Dr. Sapna Sharma (York University) laid out a reality that’s both simple and unsettling: winter is still here – but the rules that made ice predictable are breaking down.

This isn’t just about skating season or whether the bay freezes by Christmas. Ice connects to community traditions, remote supply routes, ecosystem health, and public safety. And right now, that connection is flashing like a warning light.

What you’ll take away from this post

• Why ice records are some of the longest climate datasets we have
• What “the disappearing signal” means – and why it’s accelerating
• The difference between black ice and white ice, and why it changes risk
• How less ice can ripple into evaporation, algae, and water quality
• Why road salt can change what happens under the ice
• What communities can do that’s practical and measurable

1) Ice isn’t just winter. It’s culture and infrastructure.

Sharma started with something easy to relate to: ice is woven into daily life across the Northern Hemisphere through recreation (hello, ice hockey) and through necessity (ice roads for food, fuel, supplies, and social connection in many remote communities).

Because ice mattered long before modern science did, people tracked it long before weather stations existed.

One of the most striking examples is Lake Suwa in Japan, where priests have recorded winter conditions for centuries – tied to the legend of a god crossing the frozen lake with a dragon, leaving a ridgeline “footsteps” event called the Omiwatari. The story is vivid, but the data behind it is even more powerful: it shows change in a way you can’t shrug off.

Punchline: Ice has always been watched closely because it mattered. That same long attention span now makes ice one of the clearest signals of climate disruption.

2) The “disappearing signal”: lakes are failing to freeze – and the pace is speeding up

Lake Suwa used to be consistent. Now it’s not.

In the last 50-year period discussed, it didn’t freeze 1 out of every 5 years. Since 1988, it hasn’t frozen 8 out of every 10 years. Sharma called this what it is: a disappearing signal – something that used to reliably appear, now fading out.

And it’s not just one lake.

Sharma described updates to massive datasets covering thousands of lakes. When the team extended earlier work to include recent decades, the graphs showed a steep decline after 1995.

Across the full time series, the change works out to roughly 18 fewer ice days per century – but when they broke it into 25-year chunks, the recent period stood out: the rate of ice loss was six times faster in the past 25 years than earlier periods.

Punchline: This isn’t “a little less ice.” It’s faster loss now, and the recent acceleration is the point.

3) Emissions scenarios aren’t abstract – small reductions change the outcome

One of the most practical parts of the talk: the future isn’t one fixed path.

Using warming scenarios aligned with IPCC frameworks, Sharma described projections showing that up to 215,000 lakes may no longer reliably freeze every winter under continued warming.

Then she went further: permanent ice loss by end-of-century under high emissions – on the order of ~5,700 lakes projected to become permanently ice-free.

But here’s the hinge: with even small reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the projection dropped dramatically – down to ~429 lakes expected to become permanently ice-free (with the caveat that some deep lakes that already transitioned likely won’t revert).

Punchline: “What we choose” shows up directly on the ice. Even modest emissions cuts prevent a huge amount of permanent loss.

4) Ice quality is changing – and that’s where safety assumptions break

Most people talk about ice like it’s one thing: “Is it frozen?” or “How thick is it?”

Sharma focused on something more subtle and more dangerous: what the ice is made of.

She described a project measuring the ratio of black ice (clear ice) to white ice. In measurements taken in places like Lake Wilcox (Toronto area) and lakes in Sweden, cores were found that were 100% white ice.

Why does that matter?

Because when an ice core is entirely white ice, it can have about half the load-bearing strength of black ice—even if it looks solid and even if it’s “thick enough” by old rules of thumb.

Black ice vs white ice (example)

So what conditions make white ice more likely?

Sharma gave a clear set of drivers:

• Temperatures hovering and oscillating around 0°C
• Melting of black ice at the surface
• Snowfall that later melts and refreezes into white ice
• Rain-on-ice events in winter (rain landing on the lake surface)

This is exactly the kind of winter many communities are seeing more often: not consistently cold, but variable – freeze-thaw, wet snow, rain, refreeze.

Punchline: Ice safety isn’t just thickness anymore. Under today’s winters, composition can change the strength of the ice dramatically.

If the shifting ice from a ‘white ice year’ like 2026 ends up tweaking your shoreline structures, be careful before you start swinging a hammer. A seemingly simple dock repair can turn into a $50,000 problem once the Township and environmental setbacks get involved.

5) Ice is a “lid” on the lake – and lifting it early reshapes the whole year

Sharma offered a metaphor that sticks because it’s accurate: ice is a lid on a lake in winter.

When that lid forms late or lifts early:

• Evaporation can increase
• Freshwater availability can decrease
• Earlier ice breakup is associated with more algal production and even toxic algal blooms in summer
• Water quality impacts can scale up to drinking-water concerns (she referenced the Great Lakes region supporting water needs for ~30 million people in its watershed)

Even if your lake still freezes, the timing and the light conditions under ice can shift the entire under-ice ecosystem – affecting oxygen, algae, and food-web activity.

Punchline: Ice is not a winter-only topic. It’s a switch that influences water quality and ecology long after the snow melts.

6) The invisible stressor: road salt can rewire under-ice conditions

One of the most “wait, what?” moments came from a small-lake example: Paint Lake near the Dorset Environmental Science Centre.

Sharma described finding surprising under-ice conditions – bottom water temperatures around 6°C (when you’d expect colder than 4°C at depth in typical winter structure) and bottom oxygen levels below 1 mg/L.

What explained it?

Conductivity measurements pointed to ions – specifically sodium and chloride – linked to road-salt inputs. The lake’s east basin had a salted highway running nearby.

She also noted that in a colder winter – when more road salt was presumably applied – the basin didn’t mix through spring and summer the way it typically does.

Punchline: Even “low” road-salt inputs can have outsized impacts under the ice – changing chemistry, oxygen, and seasonal mixing behavior.

7) Warmer winters predict higher drowning risk – and policy changes outcomes

Sharma described building a long-term dataset of winter drownings across lakes (using official records and standardized coding to make data comparable).

The result was stark: about 50% of the variation in winter drownings could be explained by winter air temperature. As winter air temperatures rose, drowning risk increased.

She also highlighted that outcomes aren’t just weather-driven:

• Some places (like Japan, in her example) have strong enforcement about when people can access ice
• Other regions face higher exposure because ice is tied to livelihood and travel, not just recreation

Punchline: Risk increases in warmer winters – but rules, enforcement, and exposure patterns can reduce harm.

What this means for lake people (and lake ice safety)

If you live on (or love) a lake, here’s the honest takeaway:

• The winter you remember – steady cold, predictable freeze-up – cannot be assumed going forward.
• “Looks fine to me” is getting less reliable, especially with more freeze-thaw and rain-on-ice patterns.
• The impacts don’t stop at shoreline season: ice changes can echo into algae, oxygen, and water quality.
• Local stressors like road salt can amplify the shift in ways most people don’t see.

Practical actions that actually map to the science

• Track and share observations: ice-on, ice-off, snow depth on ice, mid-winter rain events (community science matters)
• Treat safety guidance as dynamic: follow local advisories; don’t rely on old heuristics
• Reduce road-salt loading: smarter application, better storage, alternatives where appropriate
• Support mitigation: the projections make it clear – emissions pathways change lake outcomes

FAQ

What’s the difference between black ice and white ice?

Black ice (clear ice) forms during cold, still conditions and is generally stronger. White ice often forms through melt/refreeze processes (and snow/rain influence) and can have substantially lower load-bearing strength.

Why are lakes losing ice faster after the mid-1990s?

Updated long-term records show a steep decline after 1995, consistent with warming air temperatures driven by increased greenhouse gases.

How can less ice lead to more algae in summer?

Earlier ice breakup changes the timing of light, warming, and mixing – conditions linked to higher algal production and, in some cases, toxic blooms.

Can road salt really affect a lake in winter?

Yes. Under-ice conductivity and ion shifts (sodium/chloride) can change water chemistry and oxygen dynamics, with knock-on effects for seasonal mixing.

Is ice ever “safe”?

No ice is 100% safe. Under today’s variable winters, the risk is less predictable – especially when ice quality shifts toward white ice.

The post On Thin Ice: Lake Ice Safety, Climate Signals, and Why It Matters for Muskoka appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

Catharine Inniss

Realtor, J&D Muskoka

The post Muskoka Lakes Membership Renewal appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

In future I may discuss the bumps in the road the developers and the Township of Muskoka Lakes faced along the way, Minett’s redesignation to a “Resort Village,” and some of the developer’s other projects. 

Understanding the Legacy Cottages Project:

Legacy Cottages, spearheaded by the Rosseau Group, is a development located along the shores of Lake Rosseau, one of the most prestigious lakes in Muskoka. The project aimed to create a modern and affordable retreat for individuals seeking to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the region, as well as promote increased tourism. This area of Lake Rosseau is in the village of Minett, which is located in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. 

Legacy Cottages kicked up a lot of debate, especially regarding density concerns and potential environmental impact on the water quality and shoreline of Lake Rosseau. The project consists of 43 units, 9 docks, and a boathouse on 470 feet of shared shoreline – that’s approximately 11 feet of shoreline per cottage. It is located on the site of the old Lakeside Lodge, which is located next to Clevelands House Resort. 

This high density of development was allowed due to the District planners deciding that the use of a two week rental pool qualified Legacy Cottages as commercial rather than residential. We’ll talk more about this when we talk about Minett’s redesignation to a “Resort Village” and the 22 million dollar lawsuit filed by the developers against the Township of Muskoka Lakes. 

Project Concerns:

Critics of the Legacy Cottages project raise valid concerns about its potential environmental impact. The region’s lakes and forests are sensitive ecosystems that play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, water quality, and overall ecological balance. 

The proposed location of the Legacy Cottages project is a matter of concern for many. Lake Rosseau has already faced some water quality concerns attributed to the presence of other resorts and developments – namely an excess of certain nutrients such as phosphorus. 

Phosphorus is the nutrient that controls algal growth in most lakes in Ontario, which means an excess in phosphorus can lead to an algal bloom. While the natural addition of phosphorus into a lake via sediment and precipitation is necessary and nothing to be concerned about, excess phosphorus due to human inputs are of concern. Namely, septic system seepage and surface runoff from lawn fertilizer and agricultural sources. Not only can something like an algal bloom be detrimental to the ecology of the lake, it can reduce the attractiveness of the lake for tourism.

There are also other environmental concerns like the construction of shoreline structures such as docks, lack of shoreline buffer zone, the use of retaining walls, an increase in boat traffic, and an overall increase of human activity in the area. We will delve deeper into the environmental concerns surrounding the project (including a look at the water quality of Lake Rosseau and Wallace Bay) in a future part of this series, and examine if they could lead to the degradation of the surrounding natural environment.

Objectives of the Legacy Cottages Project:

Proponents of the Legacy Cottages project argue that it aims to enhance the accessibility of Muskoka’s beauty to a wider audience while contributing to the local economy through increased tourism and development. Buying a cottage in Muskoka, sometimes referred to as the “Hamptons of the North” can be extremely expensive. With units at Legacy starting at $699,000, buying a cottage there allows access to one of Muskoka’s most prestigious lakes at a far more affordable price point. 

Conclusion:

So, there it is – the concept, location, and objectives behind this contentious development in Muskoka. While some argue that the project presents an opportunity for modernization and economic growth, others express concerns about its potential impact on the area’s fragile ecosystem. It must be emphasized that the developers have not broken any laws, and while I may not agree with the rules – they have followed them. 

Let me know if you’d like me to delve deeper into the re-designation of Minett to a “Resort Village,” or turn my attention to a deeper dive on the  environmental considerations surrounding the Legacy Cottages project. This would include a look at potential alternatives or mitigations that could strike a balance between development and conservation. 

The post Unveiling Muskoka’s Legacy Cottages: Part One appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

Each year from January 1-31, eligible organizations can register to receive a free recognition package from Muskoka Watershed Council. That organization will select a winner as they see fit. Each recognition package contains a Certificate of Recognition and a $50 gift card to Hidden Habitat native plant Nursery in Kilworthy – who happen to be the local expert we recommend when it comes to advice on naturalizing your shoreline!

Here is what the Muskoka Watershed Council has to say about Doug Cross:

“Doug Cross sat on the Muskoka Watershed Council from 2004 to 2008 as a representative for the Bracebridge Community. During his time on MWC, he used his extensive background and expertise in media communications to help get MWC’s messages out to the community. As Chair of MWC’s Communications Committee, he spearheaded the development of the Best Practices Program and secured a number of PSAs on local radio stations in support of the program.

Even after stepping down from MWC in 2008, Doug was a frequent visitor to the MWC office and attended many MWC events. He was a great advocate for MWC in the community and he continued his support with a generous donation to MWC upon his passing on January 25, 2020 at the age of 76. MWC is proud to name the Stewardship Recognition Program after Doug Cross as a way to encourage members of our communities to keep our watersheds beautiful.”

We love this idea – keep up the great work, MWC!

Click here for more details

The post Muskoka Watershed council launches new stewardship recognition program appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

Did you know a natural shoreline can:

Protect against erosion?

A natural shoreline is perfectly engineered to protect against erosion. Native vegetation along the shoreline strengthens the structural integrity of the land and prevents it from falling apart. The roots of the plants grip the earth and provide structure, and the foliage and leaves of the plant reduce erosion caused by rainfall and winds. Aquatic plants and buffer plants right along the edge of the shoreline also lessen the effects of wake hitting the shore.

Maintain or improve water quality?

Buffer plants and shoreline gardens reduce incidences of soil erosion, which has the added benefit of protecting fish habitats.

“One could think of it this way: waterfront plant buffers are like eyelashes to our lakes: they keep the grit and goo out”

www.muskokawatershed.org

Filter overland pollutants and absorb extra nutrients?

Vegetation along the shoreline not only helps slow the movement of surface runoff, but the roots of this vegetation also help absorb surface water – trapping excess nutrients and pollutants in the soil.

An excess of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen is one of the factors that can cause an algal bloom – much like how fertilizing your lawn causes it to grow faster. Given that the other main factors are weather related, keeping these nutrients at a reasonable level are the best defence cottagers have against algal blooms. There are many types of algae – an excess of any of these can be harmful to the aquatic ecosystem, but some types (like blue-green algae) can have dire consequences when it comes to our health and the health of our pets. Most other common types of algae are at their most harmful once they’ve died – they sink to the bottom of the lake and decompose, reducing the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Consuming toxins from a blue-green algae bloom can include headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other more serious effects. It can also kill dogs and other animals. According to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, “people not on public water supplies should not drink surface water during an algal bloom, even if it is treated. In-home treatments such as boiling and disinfecting water with chlorine or UV and water filtration units do not protect from blue-green algal toxins.”

Blue-green algae does more than just threaten our health though – it also threatens our property values. Of particular note is the 2005 toxic algal bloom in Three Mile Lake in Muskoka, a lake which has had more than it’s fair share of blue-green algae related woes. This toxic bloom resulted in property values on Three Mile Lake dropping by about 25%. I guess that’s not much of a surprise to anyone after hearing about the health risks… but we should also mention how repulsive it can look and smell. According to former Township of Muskoka Lakes Mayor Susan Pryke, the worst hit areas of Three Mile Lake “looked like pea soup, with bits of algae floating in the water, sort of like chunks washing up on shore,” and smelled like “garbage that had been left sitting out too long.” Lovely.

Protect wildlife habitats, while ALSO reducing the number of geese that come on your property?

Throughout their lifecycles, the majority of our native Muskoka species depend on a healthy shoreline. The riparian zone (the area that lines the border of the water, with rich moist soils where diverse plant communities can grow) is used for sources of food and shelter, breeding, migration, and for rearing young. This area is also essential when it comes to preventing geese – geese are attracted to open spaces with easy access to the water, and they like to feed on short grass. If you have a goose problem then I’m willing to bet you probably have a grass lawn. A shoreline barrier of native Muskoka shrubs and tall vegetation can help deter them from hanging out on your property.

Moving into the water from the riparian zone, we enter the littoral zone – the submerged area of shoreline where the sunlight still penetrates through to the lake bottom. According to Muskoka Watershed Council, the littoral zone is “the richest natural environment that most of us will ever come into contact with,” with as much of 90% of the species in the lake either living in or passing through this zone. This area (and the aquatic plants and downed trees that it consists of) is responsible for providing oxygen to the lake, spawning areas, shallow protected nursery areas (for fish and amphibians), foraging areas, and hiding spots.

Protect the economic benefits associated with tourism?

Nature is one of the major appeals of Muskoka! Wait to catch a sunset while you watch a Blue Heron fish nearby, a family of ducks float past, or any number of other native Muskoka species encounters. Or just enjoy floating in a lake that isn’t thick with potentially dangerous, smelly, pea-soup like blue-green algae… either way, if the health of our lakes isn’t protected it will result in major tourism-related economic losses down the line.

So, how do you naturalize your shoreline?

Getting started with naturalizing your shoreline doesn’t have to be some gargantuan effort – there are some very low effort ways you can get started on your journey to a healthier shoreline for your Muskoka cottage. Let’s look at a few ways you can help work towards a more natural Muskoka, in order of increasing difficulty…

Creating a no-mow zone near the shoreline to allow vegetation to re-establish

This one could not be easier – simply leave an area along your shoreline unmowed. It is recommended that you leave at least 10 feet, but any amount of shoreline buffer is better than nothing! Ideally you would also minimize the amount of entries you have into the water, leaving 75% of the length of your cottage shoreline to re-naturalize.

Bonus points if you follow this “no-mow” philosophy in the shallow water along your shoreline by using your dock as a bridge to get over the weedy shallow parts of the water rather than clearing the weeds to create a swimming area. That way you can still enjoy a clear area to enjoy the water, without harming this essential habitat.

Placing or allowing woody debris to accumulate along the shoreline

Unless a fallen tree is a hazard to boats or swimmers, consider leaving it be! Not a lot of shoreline trees fall around the lake during a year… and clearing a bunch of them away at once can have disastrous consequences to the habitat they were supporting. By the way, submerged wood not only creates hiding and spawning spots for fish, it’s also a major food source for crayfish, aquatic insects, and small fish.

Active planting of native species

So, you’ve already begun to leave the strip of land nearest to your shoreline alone to re-naturalize… but why not help it along even more by planting some native grasses, plants, shrubs, and/or trees? This is also beneficial in terms of appearance – Muskoka has so many beautiful native plant species, so there’s no need to sacrifice the aesthetics of your cottage. People are often surprised how much they love the look of a naturalized shoreline garden.

For more information on plants native to Muskoka, visit Muskoka Watershed Council’s Recreating a Healthy Waterfront.

Removal or “softening” of existing hard structures like retaining walls

While these hard structures may provide a temporary solution to erosion, they can cause damage to neighbouring properties. They can also eventually fail and damage the shoreline they were originally placed to protect.

Instead of removing these structures entirely, there is also the option of protecting the wall (and your shoreline) with softer measures such as planting buffer vegetation. In the case of rip rap, planting can be done between the rocks – the roots of the plants will help with structural integrity, and the foliage of the plants will help to protect against erosion from waves.

Resources:

For help with naturalizing your shoreline, check out Watershed Canada’s Natural Edge Program, offered by Muskoka Watershed Council.

For native plant selection, visit The Natural Edge’s Plant Database, Muskoka Conservancy’s Native Plant Program, or Muskoka Water Web’s page on Gardening & Landscaping.

For more information about blue-green algae in Muskoka, have a look at Muskoka Watershed Council’s Technical Bulletin on Algae in Muskoka, or learn about their Algae Monitoring Program.

The post Protect the Future of Your Investment – Naturalize Your Cottage Shoreline appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

Christy is a Registered Professional Planner with experience in Muskoka and across Ontario in both the public and private sectors. After spending much of her childhood near Huntsville, Christy began her planning career in Muskoka and, together with her husband and their young daughter, she is looking forward to making Muskoka home again.

Christy has a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Environmental Studies (Planning) from York University. Her belief that effective stewardship of Muskoka’s environment must continue to be addressed through sound environmental policy and compelling community programming makes her an ideal fit for her role with MWC and The District Municipality of Muskoka.

Welcome Christy!

Courtesy of Downstream, Muskoka Watershed Council’s monthly newsletter.

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The 121st Muskoka Lakes Association Annual General Meeting will be held on July 25^th at the Port Carling Community Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Come and enjoy some refreshments and snacks and have to opportunity to meet other members.  You’ll hear about new MLA programs and updates on activities we’ve undertaken on your behalf.  You’ll also meet incoming President Michael Hart and hear about his ideas for the coming years.

We hope you’ll come out and enjoy an evening with your fellow MLA members.

Please reserve your space by emailing info@mla.on.ca or calling 705-765-5723.

The post Muskoka Lakes Association AGM appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

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:

• Receive exciting rewards by donating
  • Interested in a classic boat cruise for 2?

• Leave comments on the campaign page
  • What do you think of this project?

• Share the link with interested friends and family members
  • Know anyone who loves our scenic environment? Fwd this email!

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!

The post In Muskoka, the environment is the economy. For cottagers, protecting the Muskoka watershed, protects your investment. appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.

As mentioned last month in this cottageinmuskoka blog entry and this news story from the Huntsville Forester (Cottage Country Now), the decline of calcium in our lakes can affect our lakes recovery from acid rain as well as zooplankton in our lakes, which are are very sensitive to declining calcium levels.

From the Muskoka Watershed Council Lecture Series I have just finished editing and have just posted this video on the Muskoka Watershed Council’s YouTube page.

This is interesting information of value not only for those who own a cottage in Muskoka, but all of us who live in or visit Muskoka. In the presentation Dr. Shaun Watmough of Trent University helps us understand:

Why should we care about calcium in the environment?

How are calcium levels in lakes, vegetation and soils changing?

What is causing these changes?

What will be the impact of timber harvesting on lake calcium levels?

What are the critical uncertainties?

The post Muskoka’s Lakes: The Calcium Story appeared first on Cottage In Muskoka.