Lake Simcoe overview
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Overview
Lake Simcoe is the largest inland lake in southern Ontario and a significant source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Canadians. The region is one of the fastest growing in Canada with a thriving recreation and tourism industry. The watershed also contains significant natural, urban and agricultural systems including parts of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Excessive phosphorus runoff from urban and agricultural sources has led to an increase in nuisance algal blooms in Lake Simcoe and is the most significant cause of degraded water quality in the lake. These issues are further exacerbated by invasive species and the effects of climate change.
Through the Freshwater Action Plan, we are committed to collaborating with partners to support the reduction in nutrient pollution and resulting nuisance and harmful algal blooms to protect the health of Lake Simcoe for future generations.
Map of the Lake Simcoe drainage basin
The boundaries of the Lake Simcoe region drainage basin. The map shows the regions included within the basin, including the City of Kawartha Lakes, Simcoe County, Durham Region and York Region.
Funding opportunities
The Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative (Lake Simcoe FEI) is focused on the most pressing challenge affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in this basin: preventing toxic and nuisance algae.
To assist in achieving this goal, Canada Water Agency (CWA) made funding for protecting Lake Simcoe available to support action by others to prevent toxic and nuisance algae:
- by increasing participation in the application of phosphorus load reduction measures
- promoting broad uptake and application
- demonstrating new and innovative approaches
- developing collaborative plans to support targeted action, and filling knowledge and data gaps.
Contact us
If you have questions or comments about Lake Simcoe, please contact us!
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto ON
M3H 5T4
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