Current Issues
Our lakeshore community faces a range of evolving challenges that impact property owners, the environment, and the overall quality of life along the coast.
This page highlights current topics we’re monitoring or actively addressing. We’re committed to keeping residents informed, sharing updates as they arise, and advocating for solutions that reflect the interests of our shoreline community.
Water Quality
E-Coli Levels – Safe to Swim
E-coli levels in the near shore lake can cause significant problems for swimmers and people recreating in the lake during the warm summer months. The bacteria can cause significant health risks when swimming with open cuts or when water is inadvertently ingested.
The upper limit of E-coli level that is considered safe is 100 based on E-Coli Geomean Levels (average of 5 samples). An individual sample of 200 is considered an upper limit.
The following water safety questions can help you decide if it's safe to swim:
- Is the water turbid (can I see my feet while standing waist deep in water)?
Clear water is better than murky turbid water, sediment stirring will generally increase the e-coli levels - Has there been heavy rainfall in the last 24 to 48 hours?
Large rain events can cause e-coli collections in ravines and gullies to flush out into the near shore lake, causing elevated e-coli levels.
While these are guidelines, swimming in turbid water or after a rainfall may not actually cause you to get sick, but will increase your risk.
Algae Growth
Nutrients like Nitrogen and Phosphorous are by-products of farm manure, fertilizers and human waste. Increased temperature in the lake and high nutrient levels can cause excessive algae growth in shallower depths of the lake where water warms faster. Harmful algae have been problematic in smaller shallower lakes (like Lake Erie) near the St. Clair river.
Septic Systems
Human waste with pathogens like E-coli, and compounds of Nitrogen and Phosphorus are by-products of poorly reacted and non-functioning septic systems. Aging cottage infrastructure and increased density of homes on the lakeshore has been a contributor to poor water quality in the lake environment.
Proper maintenance and inspection of the cottage septic system (and periodic pumping of the septic tank) are important aspects of maintaining a properly operating septic system. To help ensure that your system operates correctly and lasts as long as possible:
- Avoid tree planting on the septic field
- Ensure that the field soil does not become compacted (by driving or parking on it for example)
- Ensure that only proper things get flushed into the septic system
- Systematic Drainage
Systematic Drainage
Large farm operations need to be able to plant and harvest their crops as early as possible. Systematic drainage systems allow the farmer to till, plant and harvest sooner after rain. Significant rain events that can flood field crops need to be drained relatively quickly otherwise crop loss occurs due to drowning of crop plants.
Typical field drains in the 1980s and 1990s were in the 75–100 foot spacing. This has decreased to 30 to 50 foot spacing and more acreage in the ABCA watershed has been systematically tiled each year. The tiling effectively lowers the water table in the field to the level of the tiles.
The benefits to the farmer are numerous, but there is increased erosion due to increased flow velocities into the lake via discharge gullies. These events lead to higher nutrient and e-coli loading in the lake and are concerning. Climate change has led to more severe rain events, resulting in larger flows into the lake after storms. Research into modified tile delay gates has shown promise.
Farm Manure
Large operation cattle/dairy, hog and chicken farming results in massive amounts of waste manure or nutrient product that is typically land applied during spring and fall. There are farms in our watershed with large operations that require Nutrient Management Plans (NMP).
This Ontario regulation checks that there is adequate storage capacity and restricts the application rates and timing of the application. The goal is to limit the flow of nutrients directly into creeks or waterways that lead to Lake Huron.
Winter application is more closely monitored and is not done, unless absolutely necessary by the farmer. Systematic farm drainage and certain clay soil types can create conditions that allow farm manure (liquid) to be collected in the underground tile and discharged faster than normal.
Large rain events immediately after manure application when the farmer doesn’t use direct injection or work the soil after application can result in a quick release of nutrients into the water course and the lake. This is not good for the farmer and not good for the lake!
They want the benefit of the nutrient Nitrogen and Phosphorus to aid in crop growth by keeping these nutrients on the field. They take special care to keep the application a specific distance from water courses and drainage ditches. Much research into onsite farm digesting / delayed tile gating (to slow the flow of water into the lake) and other aspects are being implemented to improve nutrient management
Lake Level Changes and Erosion
Historical Lake Levels
Historically, water levels on the Great Lakes change in a somewhat cyclical nature. Historical highs in 1986 and 2020 resulted in many lakefront properties experiencing severe shoreline erosion and bluff instability.
These times of high water and bluff erosion bring material into the lake that is continuously used by the lake to make sand to build beaches. The transport of the sand down the lake from North to South is caused by Littoral Drift. The bluff erosion rate is noted in the Ausauble Bayfield Conservation Authorities “Shoreline Management Plan 2019.”
There are many good references in this document that are worth reading if you are concerned about lake front shoreline erosion and protection of your property.
https://www.abca.ca/assets/files/Shoreline_Management_Plan_SMP_Approved_2019_RE.pdf
Mapping of the lakeshore area can be found here:
https://maps2.camaps.ca/GVH/index.html?viewer=ABCA_Shoreline.ABCA_View
The Process: Erosion and Littoral Drift
The prevailing winds on the eastern shore of Lake Huron are from the northwest. The cohesive bluffs along the shore are made up of clay and stone / gravel. When water levels rise, the storm action scours away at the bottom of the bluff area taking this material into the lake mostly as sand and small gravel.
This material travels southward along the shore due to the wave action and collects in large curved areas, like Grand Bend (or north of large projections like the pier in Grand Bend). The area along the bluff that was eroded, is more likely to “slump” to a more stable slope. This is why most of the bluffs on the eastern shore have a tiered vegetative makeup.
You can sometimes see evidence of slumping when you see a group of trees that is growing at an angle that is not vertical. It is a sign that the section of bluff has likely slumped in the past, trees and all.
Cohesive bluff Material and the scouring of clay material creating a steeper toe of bluff
Tiered bluff slope in a relatively stable section of bank near Houston Heights in Winter
Shoreline Erosion: Climate Change Impacts
Large storm events in spring and fall have caused much shoreline bluff damage in recent years, especially during times of high water levels. Shoreline walls, and other revetment structures are required in many cases during high water levels to prevent bluff slumping and cottage lot erosion from occurring.
This is a costly and likely ineffective effort, if the shoreline wall is constructed by a single cottage owner and not constructed as part of a longer reach of shoreline. Large rain events, more common with climate change, where bluff soils become completely saturated, can allow fissures to develop in lakeshore bluffs leading to slumping of bluffs.
Trees and vegetation on the bluff slope are important in managing surface water. Clear cutting trees to improve views can lead to large problems.
https://www.abca.ca/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Shoreline-Slope-Stability-Risks-Hazards-LETTER.pdf
https://www.lakehuron.ca/value-and-function-of-coastal-veget
Attention to managing surface water from rain events is important to help minimize this issue.
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Large storm events in spring and fall have caused much shoreline bluff damage in recent years during the high water peak of 2020. Shoreline ice formation and lake ice cover has been a natural protection for the bluff in fall, winter and spring. Late onset and early melting of the ice is a concern for bluff erosion due to climate change when spring and fall storms cause much damage
climate-change-winter-1
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Shoreline Protection
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA)
In Ontario, the land adjacent to the lake and waterways like streams and gullies is controlled by Conservation Authorities Act – Ontario Regulation 41/24. Lakeshore living comes with additional permitting regulations and requirements! Our lakeshore is covered by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
https://www.abca.ca
Always understand what permits you need and who you need to apply to before contemplating starting work. Engineering drawings, permissions from adjacent land owners, site surveys and other things may need to be completed before any permits can be issued. If you are planning a project in the controlled area covered by ABCA (see map link below) you need to follow the process.
https://camaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=98a5f756d0a34741a30bedd371fcea5d
Shoreline Protection Structures
For help in the process of establishing shoreline protection, the link below is a good starting point.
https://www.abca.ca/assets/files/Appendix_B_to_SMP_2019_Considerations_for_Shoreline_Protection_Structures_RE%281%29.pdf
MPAC Assessments
The Municipal Property Assessment Company (MPAC) is tasked with determining property values for properties in the Province of Ontario. MPAC uses a Current Value Assessment (CVA) methodology which uses the sales of comparable properties to determine a current value as at a set valuation date.
The CVA approach uses five key factors in determining the majority of residential property values:
- Location
- Lot size
- Quality of construction
- Square footage
- Age of property
The value of all properties is currently based on the date of January 1, 2016.
According to the original MPAC mandate, all property values were to be reassessed every four years. MPAC was originally scheduled to complete a reassessment of property values in 2020 but this reassessment was deferred by the provincial government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
MPAC is still awaiting direction from the provincial government as to when to restart the reassessment process. Once the province provides this direction to MPAC, new property value assessments will be sent out from MPAC to all property owners.
As a residential property owner, your property taxes are determined by multiplying the MPAC assessment by the municipal tax rate plus the addition of an assessment for support of school boards.
A property owner may use the About My Property tool provided by MPAC to see the assessments of comparable properties in your neighbourhood.
https://www.aboutmyproperty.ca
If a property owner does not agree with their MPAC assessment, they can submit a Request for Reconsideration to MPAC which would include the property owner’s basis for appealing their assessed value.
The BSRA is monitoring the status of MPAC’s reassessment process and will provide updates to Bluewater Shoreline residents as they become available.
For more information about MPAC assessments and your property taxes, use the following links:
MPAC: https://www.mpac.ca/en
Municipality of Bluewater Property Taxes: https://www.municipalityofbluewater.ca/living-in-bluewater/property-taxes/
News & Updates
BSRA / Bayfield Ratepayers Municipal Debate – Sept 19, 2025 @10:00 AM
We are pleased to be jointly hosting a meeting of all candidates that Bayfield and the Lakeshore residents can vote for in the upcoming Municipal of Bluewater elections.
The meeting will be in the Upstairs of the Bayfield Recreation Center. All Candidates will be given a chance to speak. We will have a debate moderated by Robin Glenny. The race for Mayor, the Bayfield Ward and Stanley West will have a debate, while other relevant council positions (Hay West and Deputy Mayor are acclaimed).
Come out and see who is running and meet them in person!
BSRA Spring Meeting - 13 June 2026 - Save the Date
The AGM will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday 13 June 2026 at St. Peter's Church Hall, 73334 Bluewater Hwy.
Guest Speakers Bill Whetstone, Candidate for Deputy Mayor and Greg Lamport, Councillor for Stanley West
BSRA Spring Meeting – June 7, 2025
Join us at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church Hall for the annual BSRA Spring Meeting, featuring guest speaker Councillor Greg Lamport.
Read more
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