A watershed is the extent of land where water from rain or snow melt drains downhill into a body of water. The Lake Simcoe watershed includes about 3,303 square kilometres, sweeping north from the Oak Ridges Moraine through parts of York and Durham Regions, the City of Kawartha Lakes and Simcoe County, crossing 23 municipal borders. The lake, with a surface of 722 square kilometres, covers about 20 percent of the total area. Approximately 35 tributary rivers within five major systems flow into the lake.

Lake Simcoe supports a $200 million tourism and recreation industry, is a source of drinking water for eight municipalities, and is connected to local industry. Whether we drink it or swim in it, go fishing or make steel, or simply relax to the sound of a loon at sunset, our activities are connected by the water that comes from the lakes, rivers, streams or underground sources of the Lake Simcoe watershed. All aspects of our lives and all other life around us are bound to the health of our watershed.

A healthy watershed is therefore necessary for sustainable communities, and Ontario conservation authorities have long been recognized as international models for natural resource management and environmental protection. As with other conservation authorities, we at the LSRCA offer a framework for our municipalities to make collective decisions on the basis of our own watershed.