Muskoka Watershed Information

TOURISM AND RECREATION

The watershed's tourism industry beginnings can be traced back to the 1860's with the introduction of steamship navigation to the area. As early as 1869, commercial lodging was provided to sportsmen traveling to the area to make use of the abundant natural resources. In 1876, the railway was extended from Severn Bridge to Gravenhurst, thereby making the area more accessible for tourists from southern Ontario and the United States. By the early 1890's the Muskoka area was a prime vacation spot for wealthy Canadian and American tourists. Today, the Muskoka area is one of the premier vacation destinations in Ontario. Thousands of people visit the area each year, staying at one of the many resorts or returning to cottages as seasonal residences. The Muskoka Lakes Township (one of the several townships in the watershed), with a resident population of approximately 6000 people, experiences a seasonal population swell of over 30,000 people during the summer months. Water-based recreational pursuits include boating, fishing, hunting, swimming, camping, canoeing and kayaking. In the winter months, activities such as hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and ice fishing are popular.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND LAND USE

The population of the District of Muskoka, which encompasses the majority of the watershed, is estimated to be 150,000, with almost 2/3 of this total comprised of seasonal residents, with the remainder being permanent residents. Some of the larger permanent population centers within the watershed include Huntsville (pop. 17,338), Bracebridge (pop. 13,751) and Gravenhurst (pop. 10,899). Other smaller communities include Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes. While the Muskoka watershed has to be considered the traditional lands of several First Nations, only the Wahta Mohawk community is located within the watershed boundaries.