Spring 2025 Newsletter
A FRESH SEASON, A FRESH LOOK!
As spring breathes new life into our lakes and community, we’re excited to unveil some major updates at MBC Lakes Association!
We’ve got a new logo, a new look, and a brand-new website to serve our members better and grow our lake-loving community.
Visit mbclakes.com to find everything you need to stay informed and connected:
Water quality updates
News about our lakes
Event announcements
Volunteer opportunities
Membership info
Our prime email address will be: mbclakesassociation@gmail.com
Membership emails including fees should go to: mbclakestreasurer@gmail.com
You can renew your membership or become a new member using our website form!
SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Stanhope Firefighter’s Hall, 1123 North Shore Road
Join us for a meaningful morning of updates, discussion, and connection. Hear from our Mayor, Liz Danielsen, and enjoy informative sessions from expert guest speakers:
Shoreline Naturalization Workshop – Cara Steele (Abbey Gardens)
Learn how to transform your shoreline into a healthy, native habitat that protects water quality and supports local wildlife — without blocking your lake view!
Cottage Succession Planning – Nicole Truman (Fox Law)
Discover the emotional and financial considerations of transitioning your cottage to the next generation. Nicole brings both legal expertise and personal experience as a third-generation cottage owner.
WHY YOUR MEMBERSHIP MATTERS – AND HOW YOU CAN HELP
We’re a small group of dedicated volunteers working to protect and enjoy the lakes we all love. To keep our lakes healthy and our community strong, we need your involvement!
Here’s how you can help:
Become a member (or renew your membership!)
Volunteer a bit of your time or skills (as little as an hour every two months!)
Encourage your neighbors, friends, and fellow lake lovers to join the MBC
When more people join and participate, we all benefit — and so do the lakes.
Help Us Grow – Renew, Join, and Invite Others
Whether you're a full-time resident, seasonal visitor, or weekend warrior — you belong at MBC. Invite your neighbors and friends to join, and help build a strong, informed, and connected lakeside community.
TOP 5 REASONS TO JOIN THE MBC LAKES ASSOCIATION
Protect Our Lakes – Your support funds critical water quality programs and conservation efforts.
Stay Informed – Get the latest updates on local initiatives, lake health, and important events.
Shape the Future – Be part of the decisions that affect the lakes you love.
Build Community – Connect with others who care about our shared environment.
Support a Bigger Movement – Through MBC’s membership in FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations), you also gain access to resources, advocacy, and tools supporting waterfront communities across Ontario.
MBC IS PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF
FOCA – Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations
FOCA is the collective voice of over 250,000 waterfront property owners across Ontario, advocating for healthy lakes, fair policy, and responsible development. Stay informed by subscribing to FOCA’s monthly Elert e-newsletter at foca.on.ca.
CHA – Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners’ Associations
CHA provides expert resources on septic systems, algae blooms, invasive species, and healthy shorelines to help protect our lakes. Visit cohpoa.org for tip sheets and more.
CEWF – Coalition for Equitable Water Flow
CEWF is actively monitoring water levels and flows in the face of unpredictable spring weather. As of March 28, reservoirs are 63–73% full across the system, with more runoff expected. Visit the MNRF Flood Forecasting page and your local township website for the latest:
COMMUNITY UPDATES
MBC Lakes Assosciation with the support of our members raised $2,000.00 in donations for the Minden Food Bank during our Christmas/New Years Food Drive. The largest donation we’ve ever made! A very welcomed contribution by the Foodbank. ……What an amazing team!
Fireworks are now only permitted on Canada Day in Algonquin Highlands. There is a new Fireworks Bylaw in Algonquin Highlands after an extensive survey work conducted by the municipality.
North Shore Road Reconstruction Project, Phase 1, will proceed this Summer. The reconstruction project is for the portion of North Shore from St. Peter’s Road to Generation Trail. It’s one of the largest projects Algonquin Highlands has ever done. It will take 2 years to complete and the cost is estimated to be 3.2 Million.
·WATER FLOW UPDATE
CEWF Update: Coalition for Equitable Water Flow - Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – April 4, 2025
Trent-Severn Waterway – Water Level Management Update – April 4, 2025
Parks Canada’s water management team continues to actively monitor water levels, flows, and weather forecasts across the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site. These factors are used to determine dam operations on a daily basis for the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
Parks Canada maintains the Ontario Waterways Water Management InfoNet on the Trent-Severn Waterway website at: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/info/infonet/point-gestion-eau-water-management-updates
The InfoNet contains background information on water management practices, water management updates, frequently asked questions about water management, various reports on water management, and the most recent water levels of lakes along both the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterway. The information comes from hydrometric gauges located at key points along both waterways and is vetted by trained and experienced Parks Canada water management staff.
This information is intended as supplemental information only. Please refer to your respective Conservation Authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as the primary source for relevant flood forecasting information specific to your area. These are: Kawartha Conservation, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, Ganaraska Conservation Authority, Lower Trent Conservation Authority, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority or, in all other areas of the Trent and Severn Watersheds, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Weather
The Trent-Severn Waterway has received a significant amount of precipitation over the last 48 hours, varying between 21 and 68 mm. The five-day forecast suggests an additional 30 mm, with air temperatures remaining above zero during the day and approaching the freezing mark overnight. Flood Warnings have been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources system-wide.
Outlook
With the onset of the snowmelt, a significant amount of received precipitation, forecasted amount of rain and warm temperatures, flows and water levels are expected to continue increasing at all locations as the impacts of the rain and melting snow work their way through the system. Any watershed condition updates will be released by your Conservation Authority or local Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources district office.
Ice on shorelines
The temperature variations around and above the freezing mark makes ice weak along the shoreline which can be easily broken and moved by windy conditions. The areas subject to the greatest impact are those facing the primary wind direction. In the event of strong wind conditions, the public should be aware of possible onshore ice movement leading to shoreline damage. With the warmer temperatures persisting into next week, ice-out should continue.
Haliburton and Northern Areas
With the onset of the snowmelt water, levels and flows are rising rapidly in northern areas. Snow amounts are still remaining near average for this time of the year in the most northern areas of the Haliburton Reservoirs system. Gull River Lakes are 76% full, Burnt River Lakes are 80% full, and Central Lakes are 87% full. All systems remain above average and are rising due to the onset of the melt. Lake levels are monitored daily and assessed in relation to estimated runoff amounts. The flows on the Gull and Burnt Rivers are significantly above average due to the snowmelt. Flows on both rivers are anticipated to increase due to runoff from the forecasted precipitation.
Kawartha Lakes and the Otonabee River
All Kawartha Lakes are above full and rising. Levels on the Kawarthas are expected to rise due to higher inflows from the Haliburton area and the forecasted amounts of rainfall. Flows on the Otonabee River are high and will continue to increase.
Rice Lake and the Lower Trent
Water levels on Rice Lake and the Lower Trent are high and continue to increase due to increased inflows from local creeks, the Otonabee River, Crowe River and the forecasted rainfall.
Lake Simcoe and Severn River
Lake Simcoe water levels are significantly above average and the rule curve and are increasing. Black River flows are high and continue to increase. The Lake St. John dam remains closed. Water levels and flows are expected to increase everywhere on the Severn River. The levels on Lake Simcoe will continue to be monitored, and the balancing of the high water in the Severn River areas downstream of Washago will continue.
THANK YOU
Thank you for being part of the MBC community. Together, we can protect, celebrate, and enjoy these lakes for generations to come.
See you on the water!
– The MBC Lakes Association Team
Instagram: @mbclakesassociation
Facebook: MBC Lakes On Facebook
Follow us for more updates and opportunities to get involved!