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Lake Scugog

HomeEnvironmental SciencesUnderstanding your WatershedLake Scugog
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Two geese flying over Lake Scugog on a bright dayLake 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

The total watershed area is 141 km² or 14,129 ha and the total lake area is 66 km².

Natural vegetation cover

The dominant forest type is deciduous forest including:

  • Forest interior: 441 ha
  • Forest deep interior: 51 ha
  • 37% natural cover

Significant natural sites

Provincially Significant Wetlands:

  • East Cross Creek No.15: 143 ha
  • Lake Scugog Marsh (Osler Marsh): 417 ha
  • Lake Scugog No.17: 209 ha
  • Lake Scugog No.19: 697 ha
  • Lake Scugog No.23: 17 ha
  • Newman's Beach West No.63: 133 ha
  • Nonquon River Mouth Wetland Complex: 48 ha
  • Scugog River and Mariposa Brook: 20 ha
  • Seven Mile Island Wetland: 157 ha
  • Valentia South: 169 ha

Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Life Science

  • Valentia Marsh: 493 ha
  • Scugog Marsh: 705 ha

Environmental conditions

The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Lake Scugog watershed.

Surface water quality
IndicatorResultGradeStatus

Total phosphorus

0.027 mg/L

C

Fair

Surrounding watershed surface water quality
IndicatorResultGradeStatus

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.

Forest conditions
IndicatorArea coverPercent coverGradeStatus

Forest cover

32.0 km²

22.6%

C

Fair

Forest interior

4.8 km²

2.3%

F

Very Poor

Forested riparian cover

5.0 km²

33.5%

C

Fair

The combined forest conditions grade for Lake Scugog is ranked as fair.

Wetland conditions
IndicatorArea coverPercent coverGradeStatus

Wetland cover

22.2 km²

15.7%

A

Excellent

 

 

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