Balsam Lake | Kawartha Conservation

Balsam Lake, situated within the Kawartha Conservation watershed, holds the distinction of being the highest point along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Spanning approximately 48 square kilometers, the lake receives water from the Canadian Shield via the Gull River and surrounding streams, contributing to its diverse aquatic ecosystem.

The Balsam Lake watershed encompasses 115 square kilometers, featuring a mix of natural vegetation and significant ecological sites. Notably, the area includes several Provincially Significant Wetlands, such as Balsam Lake South Bay No.42 and Indian Point, which provide essential habitats for various plant and animal species.

Environmental assessments indicate that Balsam Lake maintains excellent surface water quality, with total phosphorus levels meeting provincial guidelines. The surrounding forest conditions are also rated as excellent, reflecting the area's commitment to preserving its natural environment.

For those interested in exploring Balsam Lake and its surroundings, the area offers opportunities for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and hiking, all while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Kawartha region.

View Map Of

Balsam Lake Watershed

Watershed characteristics

Learn about the characteristics of the Balsam Lake watershed.

Watershed size

The total watershed area is 115 km² or 11,489 ha and the total lake area is 48 km².

Natural vegetation cover

The dominant forest type is mixed forest including:

Forest interior: 1,951 ha
Forest deep interior: 560 ha
52% natural cover

Significant natural sites

Provincially Significant Wetlands

Balsam Lake No.14: 183 ha
Balsam Lake No.15: 12 ha
Balsam Lake South Bay No.42: 674 ha
Balsam Lake Wetland: 13 ha
Corben Creek Wetland: 32 ha
Grass Creek (Eldon Twp.): 6 ha
Indian Point: 19 ha
Pearns Creek: 89 ha
Staples Creek: 124 ha

Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Life Science

Burnt River Mouth Wetlands: 1.44 ha
Indian Point: 805 ha

Environmental conditions

The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Balsam Lake watershed.

Lake surface water quality
Indicator	Result	Grade	Status
Total phosphorus	0.010 mg/L	B	Good

Surrounding watershed surface water quality
Indicator	Result	Grade	Status
Benthic macroinvertebtrates	6 (FBI)	D	Fairly poor

The surface water quality grade was based on total phosphorous (TP) and/or benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) family biotic index (FBI). The provincial water quality objective for TP in rivers and streams is 0.03 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L in lakes. These guidelines were set because levels highter than these guildelines provide conditions for nuisance algae and aquatic plant growth. A TP value below 0.03 mg/L (rivers) or 0.02 (lakes) meets the provincial guidelines and is in the B (good) or A (excellent) grade range, while the result for benthic macroinvertebrates must be 5.00 or lower to receive a B (good) or A (very good to excellent) grade.

Forest conditions
Indicator	Area cover	Percent cover	Grade	Status
Forest cover	57.8 km²	50.4%	A	Excellent
Forest interior	20.8 km²	12.8%	A	Excellent
Forested riparian cover	3.7 km²	45.8%	B	Good

The combined forest conditions grade for Balsam Lake is ranked as excellent.

Wetland conditions
Indicator	Area cover	Percent cover	Grade	Status
Wetland cover	24.1 km²	17.1%	A	Excellent