Pigeon Lake is found between the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough and receives water from Sturgeon Lake, Nogies Creek, Pigeon River, Big Bald and Little Bald lakes, and other smaller tributaries. Water exits through Gannons Narrows on the east side of the lake, flowing into Buckhorn Lake. Pigeon Lake is part of the Trent Severn Waterway.
View a map of the Pigeon Lake Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Pigeon Lake watershed.
Watershed size |
|
The total watershed area is 91 km² or 9,133 ha and the total lake area is 88 km². |
Natural vegetation cover |
|
The dominant forest type is mixed forest including:
|
Significant natural sites |
|
Provincially Significant Wetlands
Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI):
|
Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Pigeon Lake watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.021 mg/L |
C |
Fair |
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.028 mg/L |
B |
Good |
|
Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.62 (FBI) |
C |
Fair |
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 |
28.9 km² |
25.7% |
B |
Good |
|
Forest interior |
7.5 km² |
6.6% |
D |
Poor |
|
Forested riparian cover |
2.7 km² |
33.2% |
C |
Fair |
The combined forest conditions grade for Pigeon Lake is ranked as fair.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
12.4 km² |
13.6% |
A |
Excellent |