About Lake Scugog

Lake Scugog is part of the Kawartha Lakes water system. Its watershed covers 533.7 square kilometres and is bordered by the Oak Ridges Moraine to the south, Mariposa Brook's watershed to the north, the East Cross Creek basin to the east and the Beaver River watershed to the west.

Lake Scugog has a surface area of 63.5 square kilometres with an average depth of 1.4 metres and a maximum depth of 7.6 metres. Depth, area and volume are artificially maintained through the Lindsay Dam, which is under the jurisdiction of the Trent Severn Waterway.

Water level fluctuations on the lake are in excess of 40 cm. Due to the lake's consistent shallowness, its temperature does not change significantly from surface to lake bottom. The shoreline is 172 km long including Scugog Island (30.6 km).

Lake Scugog has two major tributaries, the Nonquon River and Blackstock Creek, as well as two smaller tributaries, Cawkers Creek and Fingerboard Creek.

Current Issues Affecting Water Quality in Lake Scugog

• Severe erosion of lake shores and river banks
• Discharges from waste water treatment plant
• Leakage from septic systems around the lake
• Run-off from agricultural lands and urban areas
• Increasing use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
• Straight access of livestock to watercourses
• Contaminants from recreational use