OUR MISSION: Make the Muskoka lakes safer and quieter to ensure the sustainable enjoyment of a treasured shared resource

Hello

It seems that everyone who is able to is at the lake this summer! With restrictions on traveling outside of the province we have seen a huge increase in people coming to spend their summer in the beautiful Muskoka region. The lakes are filled with more people who want to experience the water in a variety of ways – from power boats to jet ski’s to kayaking. This increase of such diverse crafts on the water means that more than ever we must be attentive to sharing the space. For Safe Quiet Lakes this means that our messages and educational programs are needed more than ever to keep our lakes safe and make boaters aware of their impact on people around them.

Our Wakes and Speed project on Mirror Lake has already shown positive results. We have provided signs and buoys to alert boaters to the 9km speed limit within 30 meters of shore regulation. Where we have placed these signs, we are seeing a marked reduction in speed, making it safer for swimmers and human powered vessels. Since launching this pilot program, we have received many requests from across Ontario asking for our signs and for more information on what can be done. We are holding a webinar with Transport Canada on August 25th to help answer some of those questions.

With increased traffic we have also been hearing about excessive boat noise - this year more than ever! Our Decibel Coalition program is progressing and is designed to give law enforcement officers the tools to deal with noise offenders. Until then we continue to raise awareness about loud boats and legal requirements requiring boats to have mufflers.

In our July Webinar with the MLA we conducted a poll and the results of our questions showed that 93% were bothered by boat motor noise, 91% felt that boaters drive too close to the shoreline, and 56% did not feel safe swimming by their dock. Think about that – more than half of the participants don’t feel safe swimming close to their dock! And of those on the webinar 100% felt that more education is needed around boating safety and etiquette. Speeding close to shore, noise of boats and reckless boating were identified as the most important issues related to sharing the space on the lakes responsibly.

We are happy that the mission of Safe Quiet Lakes is as important to you as it is to us! We rely on your help to continue our efforts. We are a grass roots not-for profit organization funded by donations and sponsorships. Your support is needed as we expand our programs and reach more people with our message. Please go to our website to donate or contact me directly at [email protected] to get more information on our Platinum, Gold and Silver recognition levels. Together we can make our shared lake resource enjoyable and safe for all.


Warm regards,
Diana Piquette, Chair
Safe Quiet Lakes Webinar - Tuesday August 25 @ 4:00PM
Safe Quiet Lakes presents: "Signs and Buoys - Learn How to Work Within the Rules from Transport Canada Representatives" webinar.

Learn from two Transport Canada Representatives about Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORRs) in Muskoka, who can put up signs, the municipal governments role, and more. A Q&A session will immediately follow the webinar.

The webinar is free and open to the public, please register in advance at this link. We hope to see you there!
Battling Speeding Boats and Big Wake Problems
Earlier this Summer, Safe Quiet Lakes' Wakes and Speed Pilot Project was featured in Cottage Life. Below is an excerpt from the Cottage Life article.

“We’re not bringing in extra rules, we’re just asking people to be more aware of their wake,” says Colleen Kennedy, the leader of a project to calm boat wake along a two-plus kilometre stretch of the Indian River and Mirror Lake. “It’s about common courtesy and keeping the lakes safe for everyone.”

Speeding boats also aren’t great for wildlife; boat wake can disrupt loon nests, and even make them abandon your lake.

To encourage boaters to ease off the throttle this summer, volunteers with Safe Quiet Lakes will install No Wake signs and buoys along the busy waterway connecting Lakes Rosseau and Muskoka. A radar sign, meanwhile, “will let boaters know how fast they’re going,” Kennedy adds. The Township of Muskoka Lakes is pitching in with additional 9 km/hr speed signs and highlighting the project on its website. “People look to the municipality for leadership in responsible boating. This is one way we can show support,” says Phil Harding, the mayor of Muskoka Lakes.

Click here to read the full article.
Too Much Noise at the Lake?
Last month, Safe Quiet Lakes Director Greg Wilkinson was featured in Cottage Life. Below is an excerpt from Greg on noise at the lake.

Safe Quiet Lakes did a survey of 3,300 area cottagers and residents in 2017 that suggests that a majority of respondents wished there was more quiet. “Regardless of the type of boats you own or the activities you participate in, if you perceive your part of the lake to be less noisy you enjoy it more,” says Safe Quiet Lakes board member Greg Wilkinson, a Lake Joseph cottager. “And half of the respondents feel that their part of the lake is noisier today than it was five years ago.”

Click here to read the full article.
About Safe Quiet Lakes

Safe Quiet Lakes is a not-for-profit community group of boaters that promote safe, respectful boating.

We believe that positive, grass root conversations and education are important drivers of change. We created the Boater’s Code to help get the conversation started. 
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