Balsam Lake is the highest point along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Water flows from Balsam Lake westward into the Severn system and eastward into Cameron Lake. The lake receives water from the Canadian shield via the Gull River and from smaller streams surrounding the lake.
View a map of the Balsam Lake Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Balsam Lake watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 115 km² or 11,489 ha and the total lake area is 48 km². |
Natural vegetation cover |
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The dominant forest type is mixed forest including:
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Significant natural sites |
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Provincially Significant Wetlands
Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Life Science
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Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Balsam Lake watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Total phosphorus |
0.010 mg/L |
B |
Good |
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Benthic macroinvertebtrates |
6 (FBI) |
D |
Fairly poor |
The surface water quality grade was based on total phosphorous (TP) and/or benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) family biotic index (FBI). The provincial water quality objective for TP in rivers and streams is 0.03 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L in lakes. These guidelines were set because levels highter than these guildelines provide conditions for nuisance algae and aquatic plant growth. A TP value below 0.03 mg/L (rivers) or 0.02 (lakes) meets the provincial guidelines and is in the B (good) or A (excellent) grade range, while the result for benthic macroinvertebrates must be 5.00 or lower to receive a B (good) or A (very good to excellent) grade.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forest cover |
57.8 km² |
50.4% |
A |
Excellent |
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Forest interior |
20.8 km² |
12.8% |
A |
Excellent |
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Forested riparian cover |
3.7 km² |
45.8% |
B |
Good |
The combined forest conditions grade for Balsam Lake is ranked as excellent.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
24.1 km² |
17.1% |
A |
Excellent |