There have been a number of lake water testing programs in Haliburton County over the years, which have provided important baseline data about "normal" water chemistry. This information is critical for understanding potential future changes to our lakes' health. Some of the most important programs include:
- The Lake Partner Program is a province-wide, volunteer-based, water-quality monitoring program – the largest of its kind in Canada. Each year, hundreds of volunteers collect total water samples and make monthly water clarity observations on their lakes. The samples are analyzed by scientists in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The long-term dataset informs scientists, government, and community groups across the province (from FOCA).
- Microplastic testing - Trent University Ph.D. candidate Jacob Wyonch has been studying microplastics in our lakes since 2022 and presented his preliminary results at an Environment Halibuton! seminar in Aug 2026, which is available on their YouTube Channel.
- More to come. Stay tuned!