Lake Partner Program Update

The Lake Partner Program is a great example of community water monitoring, bringing together community volunteers with a shared interest for lake preservation.

FOCA has partnered since 1996 in the Lake Partner Program (LPP). The LPP is a province-wide, volunteer-based, water-quality monitoring program – the largest of its kind in Canada! Each year, hundreds of volunteers collect total water samples and make monthly water clarity observations on their lakes.

June 2025 – Our voices were heard! FOCA has a signed agreement with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) that enables us to continue the LPP over the coming five years, with the support of our hundreds of volunteer Lake Stewards throughout the province.

Thank you to the 900+ supporters who wrote the Premier, the Minster of MECP, and their MPPs asking for this outcome.

We also just got our first water quality test results back in June and they look great! You can see the latest results by logging into your member’s account and clicking on the Water Quality Reports within the MEMBER AREA.

Protect Clear Lake – Speak Up Now!

We were recently informed by FOCA (Federation of Cottagers Association) that the Ontario Government is considering defunding the Lake Partner Program (LPP). There is a vote scheduled in the next week to make that decision. If defunding is approved, our water quality monitoring program at Clear Lake is at risk.

In response to this information, Brian Isard, our Director, Water Quality sent the attached letter (Support of LPP-for-FOCA May 6th) to the Premier and two other Ministers responsible for this program.

We invite all association members to email these Government Officials to reinforce our collective position on the importance of water quality monitoring AND therefore continuing to fund the LLP.

Here are their email addresses.

Hon. Doug Ford, Ontario Premier premier@ontario.ca
Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks minister.mecp@ontario.ca
Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure kinga.surma@pc.ola.org

Thank you in advance,
Your CLPOA Board

Water Quality

As a lake association one of our responsibilities is to monitor changes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria levels and phosphorus levels in Clear Lake. We take water samples and have them tested through Near North Laboratories which is accredited by the Canadian Association for Analytical Laboratories (CALA). We also conduct lake water testing for phosphorus levels and water clarity through the Lake Partner Program operated by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks.

We report the testing results to the Clear Lake property owners but the CLPOA has no power to enforce water quality standards. Enforcement is done through the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit who do the actual testing of water for public beaches and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. When E. coli bacteria levels exceed the recreational water quality guideline of 200 E. coli per 100 mL of water the beach may be posted as unsafe for swimming. The maximum acceptable concentration for E. coli in drinking water is zero count detectable per 100 ml.

Between the months of June and September, the CLPOA collects lake water samples from between five and seven locations around Clear Lake, in the bays in-front of beach areas and public access points.  Water samples are collected on a monthly basis but may be altered if we received heavy rainfall which impacts lake water quality as it washes ground surface contaminants into the lake.

Clear Lake water testing results are typically in the range of 0-5 cfu per 100 mL of water at the start of testing and may increase to the range of 5-10 cfu per 100 mL towards the end of the summer in the bays which have more activity.

Water sampling may be increased if testing results point to rising E. coli levels due to fecal contamination from either animal or human sources such as leaking or poorly functioning septic systems.

Lake water testing is also conducted to monitor the levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous in the lake which can cause blue -green algae, which are microscopic organisms naturally present in lake water to rapidly increase when lake water is warm and slow moving. When this happens dense algae blooms form on the surface of the lake and along shorelines.

Our goal is to better understand and help protect the water quality of Clear Lake through a planned water quality monitoring program.

Water Quality Update

Visual observations of Clear Lake in July and August 2023 by the Clear Lake Property Owners Association (CLPOA) and Near North Laboratories confirmed that the lake’s water quality remains generally within safe recreational levels. However, the association continues to monitor for potential risks, including blue-green algae blooms.

Regular water sampling is conducted at key locations, including the Boat Ramp, Golden Anchor Bay, Municipal Dock, and Dekonley’s Bay. The results are compared against the Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) for E. coli and other indicators of water safety.

E. coli Levels (cfu/100mL):

• June 10 2024: 3–7​ cfu/100mL
• July 15 2024: <10 cfu/100mL at all locations​
• August 12 2024: 0–7​ cfu/100mL
• September 16 2024: 0–3​ cfu/100mL

These levels are well below the recreational water quality guideline of 200 cfu/100mL, ensuring safe conditions for swimming and other water activities in monitored areas.

Clear Lake remains at risk for blue-green algae blooms during warm, slow-moving water periods. While no confirmed blooms were detected in 2023, vigilance is necessary. Algal blooms may release toxins, such as microcystins, which can pose health risks.

Our commitment is to preserve Clear Lake’s water quality for all residents and visitors. If you notice changes in water clarity or suspect an algae bloom, please report it to the CLPOA immediately.

Watersheds Canada – Lake Protection Workbook for Shoreline Property Owners

Check out the “Lake Protection Workbook: A Self-Assessment Tool for Shoreline Property Owners”. Diagnose any shoreline property problems, and see how you can help your shoreline. You can download an online copy for free, or contact us for a physical copy for $1.50. Printing is funded by Watersheds Canada and the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation.

Muskoka Watershed Climate Change Presentation

https://www.facebook.com/376226455722369/posts/2848920098452980/