July 26 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. Compared to last month: Lake Superior: Up 2″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Unchanged Lake St. Clair: Down 1″ Lake Ontario: Down 2″ Lake Erie: Down 3″ Compared to last year: Lake Superior: Up 2″ Lake Michigan-Huron: Up 6″ Lake St. Clair: Up 3″ Lake Ontario: Up 14″ Lake Erie: Unchanged Long-Term July Averages: All lakes remain above their long-term July averages (Lake Superior at average, Michigan-Huron +1″, Erie +2″, St. Clair +5″, Ontario +13″), though well below record highs.

One-Month Forecast: Lake Superior levels are projected to stay the same. Levels on Lake Michigan-Huron (-2″), St. Clair (-3″), Erie (-3″), and Ontario (-6″) are expected to decline.

Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be near average in July. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River, and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in July. This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News: With regard to the forecast graph below, and the more recently updated first graph in this report, the USACE is predicting that the most likely outcome is that the Lake Michigan-Huron level will rise from March through July. Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.  

Hydro One Transmission Line Project: Round 2 Open Houses Announced

The proposed 300-kilometre high-voltage transmission line from Sudbury to Barrie is moving forward quickly, and Hydro One has announced its Round 2 Community Consultations for this summer, introducing narrowed-down “Focused Study Areas.” This round of meetings centers on new geographic maps that dictate the specific bands where the transmission line will actually be built. Because the existing infrastructure cannot safely support the weight or electrical clearance of these new 500-kV lines, Hydro One must build entirely new, larger steel structures and widen the existing right-of-way corridor. For property owners, the lines drawn on these maps this summer will directly determine where massive new towers are placed, which shorelines will face extensive clear-cutting and visual disruption, and where heightened erosion risks could threaten sensitive ecosystems. Attend a Summer In-Person Community Open House Hydro One is hosting eight local, in-person drop-in sessions and two virtual webinars over the summer. If you want to view the localized parcel maps, speak face-to-face with project planners, or voice concerns over tower placement or environmental footprints, look for a meeting near your community:

French River Tuesday, July 28 (3–7 p.m.) Alban Community Centre 796 ON-64, French River Georgian Bay Thursday, July 30 (3–7 p.m.) Baxter Ward Community Centre 25 Community Centre Dr, Port Severn Muskoka Lakes Saturday, August 1 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) Bala Community Centre 1008 Maple Ave, Bala Midhurst Tuesday, August 4 (3–7 p.m.) Midhurst United Church 91 Doran Rd, Midhurst Parry Sound Thursday, August 6 (3–7 p.m.) Waubamik Community Hall 6 Hurdville Rd, McDougall Severn Saturday, August 8 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) Coldwater United Church 14 Harriet St, Coldwater Sudbury Tuesday, August 11 (3–7 p.m.) Falconbridge Community Centre 63 Edison Rd, Falconbridge Seguin Thursday, August 13 (3–7 p.m.) Foley Community Hall 60 Rankin Lake Rd, Foley Unable to attend an in person session? You can join a virtual community open house on Monday July 27, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m. or Monday August 10, 2026 from 6 – 7 p.m. Details for the in-person sessions and registration details for both virtual sessions can be found on the project webpage here. Project Timeline: What Comes Next? With the province fast-tracking this infrastructure, Hydro One has outlined the following timeline for the project:

Round 2: Focused Study Areas – Summer 2026 (Current) Hydro One is hosting summer meetings to share narrower geographic study corridors based on the data and feedback collected this spring Round 3: Route Alternatives Announced – Late 2026 Hydro One will announce specific route options, triggering a third round of public open houses and comment windows Preferred Route Chosen & Environmental Assessment (2027) The final preferred corridor route will be officially selected, and the formal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process will begin Construction Begins (2029) Line Officially in-service (2032) GBA supports the long-term goal of strengthening the provincial electrical grid to support economic growth, but we strongly advocate for responsible development. As this fast-tracked initiative moves forward into its next phase, we will continue to attend upcoming open houses and provide targeted comments—advocating for robust environmental mitigation strategies are locked in to protect ecosystem health and water quality across our affected communities along the route. Read more about the project here.

July 19 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron & St. Clair are up 1, 1 & 2 inches, respectively. Lake Erie levels remain the same as last month, while Lake Ontario levels are 2 inches lower than at this time last month. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 1, 6, 3 & 12 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are the same as this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 6, 4 & 13 inches above their long-term July averages. Lake Superior is 2 inches lower than its long-term July average. All the lakes remain well below their July record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to remain the same. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are expected to fall by 1, 2, 3 & 5 inches, respectively. Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be near average in July. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River, and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in July. This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News: With regard to the forecast graph below, and the more recently updated first graph in this report, the USACE is predicting that the most likely outcome is that the Lake Michigan-Huron level will rise from March through July. Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.  

Join the Fight Against Invasive Phragmites – Community Cut Day July 31

Help protect the shoreline we all love by joining WCA and Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) for our annual Community Phragmites Removal Day on Friday, July 31. GBF's "Phrag Busters" will be in Carling all week, removing Phragmites, one of the most destructive invasive plants threatening Georgian Bay's wetlands and shorelines. The week-long effort will include work in Gowar Bay, Pleasant Island, Deep Bay, Crow Island, Lockie Island, Bateau Island, and Franklin Island before wrapping up with a community volunteer event. Community Cut Day Friday, July 31 9:30 a.m. – Meet at the Snug Harbour Dock Travel by boat to the beach on Franklin Island (just north of Regatta Bay) Return by approximately 1:00 p.m. No experience is necessary. GBF staff will provide a brief training session before heading into the field for a few hours of rewarding, hands-on conservation work. Think of it as pulling weeds—just on a much larger scale! What to Bring Lifejacket (if riding on the WCA pontoon boat) Footwear suitable for wet, muddy conditions Hat and sunscreen Work gloves Drinking water All removal tools will be provided. Boat space is available for approximately 15 volunteers aboard the WCA pontoon boat, or you are welcome to bring your own boat and meet the group at Franklin Island around 10:00 a.m.

Shorelines Summer 2026

Read the Summer Issue here: Summer 2026

July 12 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is 6 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 2, 2, 5, 2 & 1 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 3, 6, 4 & 13 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are the same as this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 7, 5 & 15 inches above their long-term July averages. Lake Superior is 2 inches lower than its long-term July average. All the lakes remain well below their July record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to rise by 1 inch. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are expected to fall by 1, 3, 2 & 5 inches, respectively. Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be near average in July. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River, and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in July. This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News: With regard to the forecast graph below, and the more recently updated first graph in this report, the USACE is predicting that the most likely outcome is that the Lake Michigan-Huron level will rise from March through July. Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.  

July 5 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 7 inches higher than it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 2, 4, 3, 1 & 0 inches, respectively. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario levels are up 4, 7, 2 & 12 inches, respectively, from last year. Lake Erie levels are lower by 2 inches than this time last year. Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are 0, 2, 6, 4 & 15 inches above their long-term July averages. Lake Superior is 2 inches lower than its long-term July average. All the lakes remain well below their July record highs. In a month, Lake Superior levels are expected to rise by 1 inch. Lake Michigan-Huron levels are expected to remain the same. Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels are expected to fall by 1, 2 & 4 inches, respectively. Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be near average in July. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair’s outflow through the Detroit River, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River, and Lake Ontario’s outflow through the St. Lawrence River are projected to be above average in July. This report below shows the most recent month of precipitation and outflows published by Level News: With regard to the forecast graph below, and the more recently updated first graph in this report, the USACE is predicting that the most likely outcome is that the Lake Michigan-Huron level will rise from March through July. Monthly mean water levels for the previous year and the current year to date are shown as a solid line on the hydrographs. A projection for the next six months is given as a dashed line. This projection is based on the present condition of the lake basin and anticipated future weather. The shaded area shows a range of possible levels over the next six months dependent upon weather variations. Current and projected levels (solid and dashed lines) can be compared with the 1918-2021 average levels (dotted line) and extreme levels (shown as bars with their year of occurrence). The legend below further identifies the information on the hydrographs.  

ACTION REQUIRED: Verify Your Municipal Voter Registration Before August 12

While federal and provincial politics get all the headlines, it’s your local council that directly shapes the community right outside your front door. From setting property taxation rates and defining water protection bylaws to deciding the future of your local waterfront or community infrastructure, municipal decisions impact your day-to-day life more than almost any other level of government.

If you own or rent property in Ontario, it’s time to double-check the voters’ list to ensure you have a say in these decisions.

The voter registration process has officially changed for the 2026 Ontario Municipal Elections. In a major administrative shift, the Municipal Voters’ List is now managed directly by Elections Ontario, rather than the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). Because of this massive data migration, previous registrations may not have transferred perfectly. All eligible voters—especially seasonal and non-resident property owners—are strongly encouraged to confirm their details are accurate before August 12, 2026.

Who is Eligible to Vote? You do not need to own a primary home in a municipality to vote there. You are eligible to vote in a local municipal election if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and you or your spouse meet any of the following criteria:

You are a permanent resident

You own a secondary or seasonal residential property (such as a cottage)

You rent a home, apartment, or seasonal property

Note for Seasonal Owners: If you qualify as a resident elector in your home city and a non-resident elector in your cottage municipality, you are legally entitled to vote in both municipal elections.

The Corporate & Trust Exception: The property must be personally owned or rented by you or your spouse. If your cottage is registered under a business name/corporation, or if it is held strictly under a family trust, provincial rules state that the property does not qualify you or your family to vote in that secondary municipality.

What You Need to Do Before August 12, 2026 Please complete the verification process before the August 12th deadline. After this date, the online portal closes and any further updates, corrections, or additions to the voters’ list must be handled manually through your local municipal clerk’s office between September 1st and Election Day (October 26, 2026).

To check your status, visit the official portal: www.registertovoteon.ca

How to Check and Update Your Info: Go to the website and select “Register Now”, then choose “Check”

Provide your name, date of birth, and property information (having your property’s tax roll number handy is highly recommended)

If you are a seasonal or non-resident property owner, be sure to explicitly indicate that you own or rent a secondary property

If your information is correct, simply confirm it. If you are missing or listed incorrectly, follow the prompts to add yourself or update your data

*Please note that a Canadian Passport is not accepted as a valid municipal ID since it lacks a printed street address. Use an Ontario driver’s license, an Ontario photo card, or a municipal property tax bill instead.

Take Action: Protect Your Right to Vote The single best way to ensure your voice is heard on these critical local issues is to take matters into your own hands. Don’t assume you are automatically on the list—take a quick moment to verify your voter registration manually as soon as possible. Because property-based eligibility can extend to more than just the primary household resident, please pass this message along to: Family members living with you Co-owners of your property Neighbours who share your property lines They may also be eligible to vote, and ensuring your entire community is registered is the first step toward protecting the future of your local community. Check your registration status directly here and find out more about the cottage eligibility criteria here.

Cocktails for Conservation at Gilly’s

Join us for a summer fundraising event to protect Georgian Bay's wilderness. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres provided by Gilly's, and chat conservation with the Georgian Bay Land Trust team. July 11, 4-6 pm Gilly's Snug Harbour Restaurant 138 Snug Harbour Road, Carling PURCHASE TICKETS HERE 

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