Dense blue-green algal blooms can look like green pea soup or turquoise paint. They can also be other colours such as yellow, purple, red or brown.
Examples of blue-green algae can be found on the Province's blue-green algae webpage.
Shoreline and Lake Water Quality Protection
Haliburton County is home to more than 600 lakes with hundreds of kilometers of rivers, ponds and wetlands connecting them. These interconnected water features are a vital part of what makes Haliburton a beautiful, vibrant year-round destination!
The County of Haliburton and our four local municipalities work together to protect these important natural features through our development policies and by-laws.
The goal of these policies and by-laws is to protect wildlife habitat, protect water quality from contamination, and balance the needs of waterfront owners and users to access and enjoy their property.
County of Haliburton Shoreline Preservation By-laws
The County of Haliburton is responsible for two by-laws that protect vegetation along the shoreline of lakes and rivers in Haliburton County:
- The County Shoreline Preservation By-law (By-law 4169) is a site alteration by-law that protect lands within 20 metres (66 feet) of the water's edge of lakes, rivers, ponds, and significant wetlands in three local municipalities: the Township of Algonquin Highlands, the Municipality of Highlands East and the Township of Minden Hills. This by-law creates a permitting program for removing vegetation and trees, as well as adding or removing fill or changing the grade of land within this 20 m area.
- The County Tree Preservation By-law (By-law 3505) is a tree cutting by-law that protects trees within 30 m (100 feet) of the water's edge of lakes, rivers and ponds in the Municipality of Dysart et al.
Please click the links below to learn more about these by-laws, their applicability, and whether or not you need to reach out to the County of Haliburton prior to undertaking any shoreline work on your property.
Shoreline Preservation By-law (4169) Shoreline Tree By-law (3505)
Official Plan Policies
The County of Haliburton's Official Plan provides overall development policies for all four local municipalities in Haliburton County. Many of these policies aim to protect our waterbodies from contamination and to maintain a high-quality shoreline for all users.
The County's Official Plan includes some of the following policies:
- The full retention of vegetation within 30 m of the high-water mark of a body of water (section 5.3.6.2)
- Clearing of natural vegetation and disturbing native soils is restricted to access, recreational use, and accessibility (section 5.3.6.5)
- Development and site alteration shall be setback a minimum of 30 m to the high-water mark of a waterbody (section 5.3.6.6)
- All new lots created after the Official Plan came into effect in 2017 shall maintain a 30 m setback to the high-water mark of any lake, including the septic system (section 7.15.8)
- Local Official Plans will include policies for how to permit development on older lots of record where a 30 m setback is not achievable, but should try to achieve the greatest setback possible (section 5.3.6.7)
Click the link below to learn more about the County's Official Plan.
Blue-Green Algae Blooms
Blue-green algae (known scientifically as cyanobacteria) occur naturally and can be found in oceans and many freshwater lakes, bays and inlets. Harmful Algae Bloom is another term to describe blue-green algae, since it can be harmful to people and pets.
Blue-green algae can sometimes bloom in waterbodies in Haliburton County, especially in the late summer or early fall. Shallow, warm, and slow moving water bodies are most at risk of experiencing a bloom.
If you suspect there is a blue-green algae bloom in your lake, do not use the water for drinking, food preparation or bathing, even if you boil it. Everyone should stay out of the water, including pets, until the bloom has dissipated.
Learn about Blue-Green Algae blooms, including how to report them and protect your family from harm, at the link below:
Recognizing Blue-Green Algae Blooms
Reporting Blue-Green Algae Blooms
Blue-green algae blooms should be reported to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Spills Action Centre:
Submit a report online or contact the Spills Action Centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: