State of the Lake

The LCBP publishes the State of the Lake Report every several years to inform citizens and resource managers about the health of the Lake. The report was first published in 1998 and then in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021. The LCBP works with its many partners to prepare the reports, which are based on the most current scientific data and resource management approaches.

The 1998 version reported on early progress toward the goals of the management plan Opportunities for Action. Starting in 2005, the report was structured around commonly asked questions about the Lake and watershed. The 2008 version introduced the Ecosystems Indicator Scorecard, which presents the status and trends of key indicators of water quality and ecosystem health in each of the Lake’s five major segments.

The 2021 report continues the use of the ecosystem indicators scorecard and includes a new indicator—the first in nearly two decades—to help readers understand changes in how often the Lake freezes over and potential impacts of these warming trends on the Lake’s ecosystem. The 2021 report is available online in English and French. It contains all the content of the printed document as well as supplemental material.

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