Huntsville on board with Watershed Management initiative

It’s a collaborative approach to manage it across municipalities and the region

Huntsville General Committee agreed to support an Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) initiative for the Muskoka River, in the June 25, 2025, meeting.

Last November the Town, along with Lake of Bays hosted an IWM workshop for the local government and First Nations to discuss potential initiatives.

The IWM initiative is a part of the District of Muskoka regional-wide approach to managing Muskoka River Watershed.

According to the staff report, “IWM is a modern approach to environment management which integrates information and decisions made to achieve collective watershed-wide goals.”

For instance, IWM impacts include risks for flooding, and a reduction in water quality and erosion, according to the report.

It adds, “Waterfront areas within the watershed are bustling economical hubs but are at particular risk. Undeveloped natural environments at the watershed scale are currently mitigating flooding in low-lying areas near rivers and lakes.”

It continues, “Watershed boundaries do not follow political boundaries and frequently cross into multiple jurisdictions.” Therefore, management of the Muskoka River Watershed requires a co-operative effort among local and regional municipalities for solutions to the problems they all face.

Staff explained, “It’s a collaborative approach to manage it across municipalities and the region,” and indicated that other area municipalities are on board.

Investigations will include water flowing up and downstream health and how they influence each other, and land use impacted by the conditions.

The report indicates, “If upstream ecosystems were to change substantially in shape, size, or function, then water heading downstream may pose significant problems for Huntsville.” Therefore, working in collaboration “is critical to safeguard areas at risk of downstream flooding, including Huntsville.”

Next steps include the Town participating in forming a IWM working group for the Muskoka River Watershed.

The Town has agreed to support the IWM approach “in principle,” according to the report.

Staff have been directed to participate in the IWM working group and to report back about the future IWM plan, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding.