Our Watershed
The Kawartha Conservation watershed is a 2,563 square kilometre basin that drains to a common point. The arrows on the map below show how water moves through our watershed.
On the south side of the watershed, the Oak Ridges Moraine causes water to flow north into Lake Scugog and Pigeon Lake. Water in Lake Scugog continues north into Sturgeon Lake via the Scugog River. From the north side of the watershed, water flows off of the Canadian Shield from the Gull and Burnt rivers into Balsam and Cameron lakes. A small amount flows into the Lake Simcoe watershed through Balsam Lake, with the majority of water flowing over Fenelon Falls into Sturgeon Lake. Water from Sturgeon Lake flows into Pigeon Lake and the Kawartha Lakes to the east, and finally into the Trent River.
Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW), operated by Parks Canada, influences water levels using four locks and water control structures within our watershed. TSW manages lake levels to minimize flooding and provide adequate water depth for boating and recreation.
