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Shoreline Surveys
The interrelationship between a lake and its shoreline is important. The shoreline zone is the last line of defence against the forces that may otherwise destroy a healthy lake. A naturally vegetated shoreline filters runoff generated by surrounding land uses, removing harmful chemicals and nutrients. At the same time, shoreline vegetation protects the lake edges from the onslaught of erosion caused by waves and ice. The shoreline zone also provides critical habitat for aquatic insects, microorganisms, fish, and other animals, thereby helping to maintain a balance in sensitive aquatic ecosystems. For more information on shoreline buffers download a copy of the Shoreline Vegetation Buffers paper.
The shoreline survey program collects data on shoreline vegetation, shoreline structures and the first 20 meters of land around a water body. All of the information gathered will contribute to the growing database on the lakes in Muskoka and will identify long-term trends respecting this important buffer area.
Muskoka surveys the shorelines of approximately four to five lakes a year. To view maps of lakes surveyed to date, please visit the Muskoka Water Web at www.muskokawaterweb.ca.
