Lake Health Monitoring Program
LAKE HEALTH MONITORING PROGRAM
Looking beyond a single measurement
Kawartha Conservation’s Lake Health Monitoring Program brings together information about water quality, aquatic plants and shoreline conditions to build a more complete understanding of each lake.
By returning to the lakes on a regular cycle, staff can track changes over time, identify emerging pressures and assess whether conditions are moving toward the goals established through individual Lake Management Plans.
5
Lakes monitored
3
Areas of lake health
1
Connected watershed program
EXPLORE LAKE HEALTH
Choose a lake to see its story
Each lake page brings together its setting, monitoring schedule, latest findings and the priorities guiding its long-term protection.
NORTHERN KAWARTHA LAKES
Balsam Lake
The highest-elevation lake on the Trent-Severn Waterway and the largest lake located entirely within the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Latest water-quality monitoring: 2025
Next scheduled monitoring: 2027
FENELON FALLS AND SURROUNDING AREA
Cameron Lake
A well-connected lake linking Balsam and Sturgeon lakes through the central Trent-Severn Waterway.
Latest water-quality monitoring: 2025
Next scheduled monitoring: 2027
PORT PERRY AND SURROUNDING AREA
Lake Scugog
A large, shallow lake shaped by its extensive wetlands, surrounding communities and connected tributaries.
Latest water-quality monitoring: 2025
Next scheduled monitoring: 2027
BOBCAYGEON, OMEMEE AND SURROUNDING AREA
Pigeon Lake
A diverse lake landscape connecting communities, wetlands, agricultural lands and significant natural features.
Latest water-quality monitoring: 2025
Next scheduled monitoring: 2027
CENTRAL KAWARTHA LAKES
Sturgeon Lake
A large, interconnected Kawartha lake extending between Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon, valued for its natural heritage, recreation and waterfront communities.
Latest water-quality monitoring: 2025
Next scheduled monitoring: 2027
A repeating cycle
Three views of lake health
No single indicator can describe the health of a lake. The program combines complementary information collected over time.
Water quality and lake profiling
Tracks nutrients, chloride, temperature, dissolved oxygen and other indicators in lakes and tributaries.
Aquatic plants
Documents plant coverage, invasive species and the depths at which aquatic plants are growing.
Shoreline conditions
Assesses natural vegetation, woody structure and habitat features along the water’s edge.
FROM MONITORING TO ACTION
Information that supports better decisions
Monitoring provides a consistent record of environmental conditions. It helps Kawartha Conservation, municipalities, lake associations, residents and other partners understand what is changing and where additional attention may be needed.
- Track conditions and emerging trends over time
- Connect results to Lake Management Plan priorities
- Identify areas requiring further investigation
- Share clear, accessible findings with the community
EXPLORE THE PROGRAM
Start with the lake that matters to you.
Contact Us
Kawartha Conservation
277 Kenrei Road
Lindsay, ON K9V 4R1
Tel: 705.328.2271
Fax: 705.328.2286
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