Protecting Lake Simcoe

The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is now in effect. This watershed-based plan provides a roadmap to help restore and protect the health of Lake Simcoe.

• Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
• News release

A regulation under the Lake Simcoe Protection Act covers matters related to implementing the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan including transition and the watershed boundary.

• Regulation 219/09 (e-laws)
• Lake Simcoe Watershed Boundary data file
• Map of the regulated Lake Simcoe Watershed Boundary

Video: See what the challenges are and what is happening “on the ground” as the province works to protect the lake and its watershed.

Photo album: See members of the Ministry of the Environment and the community doing their part in the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.

Lake Simcoe is the largest lake in southern Ontario, outside of the Great Lakes. It offers many benefits: water to drink and play in; fish to eat; and a beautiful natural environment.

The health of Lake Simcoe is at risk and one of the key concerns is phosphorus. Some phosphorus is important to ecosystem health, but too much of it causes plants in the lake to grow excessively. When these plants eventually decay, they use up a lot of the water’s oxygen, leaving the lake’s fish with less and less of the oxygen they need.

Phosphorus comes from sewage plants, storm sewers, septic systems, urban and agricultural run-off, and airborne particles.

Input and Advice from Stakeholders and Scientists

The Ontario government has sought input on improving the health of Lake Simcoe by:

• Creating a Science Advisory Committee with expertise in water quality, lake and basin ecology, and impacts of surrounding areas on lake health and aquatic life.
• Report: Lake Simcoe and its watershed
• Appointing a Stakeholder Advisory Committee representing the interests of municipalities, farmers and the agricultural sector, tourism, fisheries, business, developers, residents, cottagers and environmentalists.

Other Actions to Protect Lake Simcoe

See what else the government has done to protect Lake Simcoe.

Learn how you can help reduce the phosphorus loading to Lake Simcoe.

More information:

• OurLakeSimcoe.com
• Report on the Phosphorus Loads to Lake Simcoe (2004-2007)
• Lake Simcoe Farm Stewardship Program
• Bibliography of scientific papers