Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
You can tell a lot about a society by the state of its water
Krystyn Tully delivered the keynote address at the "Lake Ontario, Your Future to Shape" conference. She talked about the influence Lake Ontario has on all who live in its watershed, and the tangible, important steps we can all take to shape the lake for the better going forward. Read the full text of her speech here.
Approved water-level plan will restore fish habitat in Lake Ontario
After 16 years of study, the International Joint Commission officially approved a new plan for regulating Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River water levels and flows.
The fix is on: federal government launches review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act after law gutted in 2012
The worst year in the history of Canadian environmental protection was 2012. That year, the federal government gutted every major environmental law. The Fisheries Act no longer protected most fish or fish habitat. The Navigable Waters Protection Act no longer protected “water.” And the process by which major projects are reviewed was slashed. Today, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson sent a short submission to the Government of Canada endorsing the launch of new process to review environmental decision-making. Here is his submission.
Eating Lake Ontario: Presumed dead Great Lake delivers
We drove three hours to enjoy food from the waterbody we’re so focused on protecting. If there was a way to distract us, this was it. Even the vegetarians amongst us were willing to give it a try just to experience this (unfortunately) rare opportunity. Here are a few thoughts from Waterkeeper's team following the first Eating Lake Ontario.
Wolfe Island's Lake Ontario Cup Tournament
The Lake Ontario Cup is an annual hockey tournament hosted on Wolfe Island since 2002. Although a small event, the tournament is quite cherished amongst locals, writers, and musicians – including Waterkeeper Mark Mattson, Dave Bidini, and Paul Steenhuisen. Paul recalls how the tournament does so much more than satisfy his love for hockey and provide the winning team with a milkjug trophy.
7 fun things you can do around (or in) Lake Ontario this winter
Lake Ontario's watershed delivers year round. With frigid temperatures also come unique opportunities. Here is a list of 7 winter-fun activities you can find around the lake.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Lake Ontario beaches improved in 2015, new Swim Guide report shows
Lake Ontario beach water quality met government standards 73% of the time in 2015, says a new report from Swim Guide (www.theswimguide.org). This is an improvement over 2014, when water quality met standards only 60% of the summer.
Waterkeeper's submission to participate in Darlington's relicensing process
On September 28, 2015, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper submitted a request to intervene during the Day 2 Relicensing Hearing for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station (DNGS). Tristan quickly summarizes Waterkeeper's five major concerns with the nuclear operation as well as our recommendations. Also, flip through the entire submission to see DNGS's stats and all of our findings.
Sampling Toronto's waste ridden waters: The Keating Channel
This summer, Waterkeeper collected water samples with award-winning documentary duo, the Water Brothers. With the water coming from one of Toronto's most contaminated areas, the results were shocking – even to us.
Decision Making and Power Plants: Renewing Darlington’s Refurbishment License
The Darlington nuclear plant is located 60 km from downtown Toronto and right next to Lake Ontario. Ontario Power Generation wants to spend billions to refurbish the plant enabling it to operate until 2055. This is a major decision, so why doesn't the decision making process reflect this?