Reports & Studies
The LSRCA undertakes or is involved in studies of both the region's subwatershed and the entire watershed as a whole. Studies may involve assembling data, creating computer simulations of the impacts of land use on water quality, documenting the state of the subwatersheds, and recommending courses of action.
Annual Report
An archive of our annual reports from 2004 to the present.
Aquatic Macrophyte Survey of Cook's Bay (2006)
An inventory of the aquatic plants of Cook's Bay was conducted in August of 2006, to contrast data collected in 1984 and 1987 and to provide a baseline against future change. Macrophyte growths are dense enough to have had significant effects on water quality, and management options are limited to manual harvesting, nutrient reduction, biological control, and chemical treatment. Although manual harvesting along the eastern shoreline is ongoing, the bay is too large to implement a large-scale harvesting operation, and nutrient inputs have and will continue to be minimized. Biological and chemical control options are not feasible on such a large scale.
View report (PDF)
Assimilative Capacity Study
Assimilative capacity is the relationship between water quality and quantity, land use, and the capability of the watercourse or lake, to resist the effects of landscape disturbance without impairment of water quality. An assimilative capacity study was done of the Lake Simcoe watershed in 2006.
Find out more about assimilative capacity in the Lake Simcoe watershed
Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area Management Plan
After significant public consultation, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has developed a draft management plan to guide the future development and maintenance of the Beaver River Wetland Conservation Area.
View the draft management plan (PDF)
Black River Subwatershed
The Black River subwatershed occupies 375 square kilometres of land south of the eastern portion of Lake Simcoe. With the headwaters originating on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Black’s watercourses flow mainly through natural features and agricultural areas throughout much of the system before reaching the community of Sutton and the outlet into Lake Simcoe.
Subwatershed Plan 2010 (PDF) | View the Executive Summary only (PDF)
East Holland River Subwatershed
The Holland River is located in the southwest corner of the Lake Simcoe watershed. It is composed of two major tributaries, the East Holland and the Holland/Schomberg. The East Holland River is the smaller of the two, draining approximately 243 square kilometres, or 41 percent, of the total subwatershed.
Subwatershed Plan 2010 (PDF) | View the Executive Summary only (PDF)
State of the Watershed Report 2000 (PDF)
Management Plan 2001 (PDF)
Integrated Watershed Management Plan
The Lake Simcoe Integrated Watershed Management Plan is intended to be a road-map to provide future direction for the protection and rehabilitation of the watershed ecosystem.
Download the report (PDF)
Lake Simcoe Basin Stormwater Management and Retrofit Opportunities (2007)
Stormwater runoff represents a major source of pollution to Lake Simcoe and its tributaries. The lake, which is already showing signs of impairment due to anthropogenic activities, is under increasing stress due to urban growth. The purpose of this study is to create a complete, consistent and contemporary data set of all urban catchments, outlets, and existing and potential locations of Stormwater Management Facilities, as well as to calculate the phosphorus load associated with urban stormwater runoff.
Find out more about Stormwater Management (PDF)
Lake Simcoe Protection Plan
The Ontario Ministry of Environment's Lake Simcoe Protection Plan came into effect on June 2, 2009. This watershed-based plan provides a roadmap to help restore and protect the health of Lake Simcoe.
Find out more about the Plan from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment
View the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (PDF)
Read our comments on the draft Plan (PDF)
Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy (LSEMS)
LSEMS studies were initiated in 1981 in response to a declining coldwater fishery in Lake Simcoe. Scientists reported that increasing urban development and agricultural activities in Lake Simcoe's drainage basin were filling the lake with excess nutrients. The resulting increase in plant life reduced the oxygen supply in the water, and was identified as a contributing factor in the collapse of the coldwater fishery.
In 1985, the "Final Report and Recommendations of the Steering Committee" recommended that phosphorus inputs from rural and urban sources be reduced. Thanks to a generous financial contribution from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy launched a website in 2003, featuring on-line LSEMS charts, reports, maps and data providing visitors with unique insight on the state of Lake Simcoe, and efforts to restore this $200 million annual resource to its former glory.
Maskinonge River Subwatershed
The Maskinonge River subwatershed is located in the south-central portion of the larger Lake Simcoe watershed. It has a drainage area of approximately 60 square kilometres, a little more than two percent of the entire Lake Simcoe watershed. Since the mid-1980s, the Maskinonge River has been plagued by the excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants, most noticeably duckweed.
Subwatershed Plan 2010 (PDF) | View the Executive Summary only (PDF)
Remedial Strategy Final Report 1998 (PDF)
More information about the Maskinonge Remedial Project
Musselman's Lake Watershed
The purpose of the Musselman's Lake Subwatershed Assessment and Stewardship Opportunities Report (Stewardship Opportunities Report) is to describe the environmental issues facing Musselman's Lake and its subwatershed and put forward recommendations to remedy or control these environmental issues.The final draft of the Musselman's Lake Subwatershed Assessment and Stewardship Opportunities Report was presented to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council on April 7th, 2009.
View report (PDF)
Natural Heritage System for the Lake Simcoe Watershed
This report attempts to identify the components of the Natural Heritage System (NHS): significant habitats for endangered and threatened species, wetlands, woodlands, valleylands, wildlife and fish habitats, areas of natural and scientific interest, and linkages. The report also attempts to provide the criteria and mapping to the planning authority. The NHS is based on land use mapping for the entire watershed.
View report (PDF)
View NHS map (PDF)
Natural Heritage System, Land Securement Project (2006-2010)
The conservation lands division of the LSRCA has set a goal to secure 4,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive land through purchase, easement and donation by 2010. This Natural Heritage System land securement project furthers the LSRCA's mission and goals by securing interests in land both through purchase and holding rights to property, thereby removing sensitive ecological areas from potential future development. Where possible, the rehabilitation and restoration of land that has or is experiencing degradation will be implemented by the LSRCA and other partners.
View report (PDF)
Report on Phosphorus Loads to Lake Simcoe, 2004 to 2007
Phosphorus was identified as a problem for the health of the lake in the 1970s. We have been monitoring it to help us understand its sources and impacts. The purpose of this report is to share with our watershed partners the most current data about the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. This report presents our findings for the period 2004-2007.
View the report (PDF)Scanlon Creek Conservation Area Management Plan
After several years of public consultation, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is pleased to announce the release of the Scanlon Creek Conservation Area Management Plan.
View the plan (PDF)Sheppard's Bush Management Plan
After months of public consultation, we are pleased to announce the release of the Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area Management Plan.
Sheppard's Bush Management Plan - 2009 (PDF)
Sheppard's Bush Conservation Area Conceptual Plan Map (PDF)
Species at Risk
The Lake Simcoe watershed is home to at least 32 "Species at Risk." They live in wetlands, in forests, on farmland, in streams and even in Lake Simcoe itself.
Find out more about Species at Risk
Uxbridge Brook Watershed Plan (1997)
The watershed planning process uses drainage boundaries and embraces an ecosystem approach, which recognizes that "everything is connected to everything else." In recognition of the need for carefully managed growth to protect the area's natural resources, the Uxbridge Brook Watershed Plan identifies resources, management issues, and recommends development constraints and best management practices for the watershed.
View report (PDF)
Uxbridge Country Preserve Management Plan
The Uxbridge Countryside Preserve, located in the heart of Uxbridge, was opened for public use in 2005. The preserve covers approximately 40 hectares of rolling landscape on the Oak Ridges Moraine. With its central location, extensive network of trails and space for activities year-round, the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve is a favourite destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
View report (PDF)
Watershed Report Card
Monitoring and protecting the watershed is a very important part of our overall effort to preserve the health of the environment upon which we all depend. We work with our partners year-round to provide the best scientific investigation of the health of the watershed and to establish programs for its protection and restoration. This includes continually monitoring, evaluating and communicating the results. One way to inform our community about the health of our watershed is through our Watershed Report Card.
Read the 2009 Update to the Watershed Report Card (PDF)
Read the 2008 Watershed Report Card (PDF)
West Holland River Subwatershed
The West Holland River subwatershed occupies 354 square kilometres of land immediately to the southwest of the tip of Lake Simcoe's Cook's Bay. Originating on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the headwaters of the subwatershed flow through mainly forested and agricultural areas before entering the Holland Marsh. The system then flows past the Town of Bradford, and then past forested and agricultural areas before discharging into Lake Simcoe.
Subwatershed Plan 2010 (PDF) | View the Executive Summary only (PDF)