The Muskoka Watershed Council is inviting the community to a free information session on April 29, 2026, to discuss the ongoing environmental challenges facing the Muskoka River Watershed. The event, titled Muskoka River Watershed at Risk: What’s Being Done and What Comes Next, will take place at the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame, located at 1512 Muskoka Road 118 W, starting at 7:00 p.m.
The watershed spans 5,100 square kilometres from Algonquin Park to Georgian Bay. While approximately 82 percent of the area remains under natural cover, the region faces mounting pressure from climate change, development, and pollution. The presentation aims to outline current conservation efforts and address concerns that have grown following a history of severe flooding, including three major events in the last six years. The 2019 flood alone caused damage to over 1,000 properties and resulted in a state of emergency declaration in Bracebridge.
A significant portion of the evening will focus on water quality, specifically the rise of salt contamination in local lakes. Research indicates that over 70 percent of lakes in Muskoka show elevated chloride levels. Experts note that the safe limit for these soft, nutrient-poor waters is 10 milligrams per litre, yet many areas exceed this threshold. For example, Lake Muskoka has seen a 15-fold increase in chloride concentrations since 1970, with road salt identified as the primary source of the pollution.
In response to these findings, several local municipalities, including Bracebridge, Huntsville, and Lake of Bays, have recently approved salt management plans. The District of Muskoka has also taken a lead role by becoming the first jurisdiction in Ontario to formally request provincial action regarding road salt pollution.
The upcoming event will feature insights from two board members of the Muskoka Watershed Council: environmental scientist and University of Windsor Professor Emeritus Peter Sale, and ecological consultant Kevin Trimble. Those interested in attending can find more details and register through Eventbrite.
