The Lake Scugog Enhancement Project (LSEP) aims to improve the water quality and recreational function of Port Perry Bay through the creation of a healthy wetland habitat, waterfront trail, and installation of stormwater management infrastructure. Visit our LSEP page to learn more.
Lake Scugog is located between Port Perry and Lindsay and is part of the Trent Severn Waterway. Water entering Lake Scugog flows from a number of streams and rivers, many of which originate in the Oak Ridges Moraine. Water exits the lake through the Scugog River and flows northward through Lindsay into Sturgeon Lake.
View a map of the Lake Scugog Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Lake Scugog watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 141 km² or 14,129 ha and the total lake area is 66 km². |
Natural vegetation cover |
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The dominant forest type is deciduous 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 Lake Scugog watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.027 mg/L |
C |
Fair |
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.039 mg/L |
C |
Fair |
|
Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.84 (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 |
32.0 km² |
22.6% |
C |
Fair |
|
Forest interior |
4.8 km² |
2.3% |
F |
Very Poor |
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Forested riparian cover |
5.0 km² |
33.5% |
C |
Fair |
The combined forest conditions grade for Lake Scugog is ranked as fair.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
22.2 km² |
15.7% |
A |
Excellent |