The Lake Huron Coastal Centre is marking 20 years of shoreline monitoring through its Coast Watchers community science program, with new data showing warmer temperatures, increased human activity, and notable wildlife observations along the lake’s Canadian shoreline.
The Coast Watchers program relies on volunteers to collect data along Lake Huron’s 6,170-kilometre shoreline, the longest of any Great Lake. In 2025, more than 800 reports were submitted between May and October, tracking everything from air and water temperatures to wildlife sightings, algae, plastic pollution, and storm damage.
Stewardship Program Coordinator Meredith Wilson says the milestone strengthens the value of the data being collected. "Having years and years of data makes it more valuable," Wilson said. "It allows us to learn more about how Lake Huron’s shoreline has changed over the years, and that’s something we’re really excited to dive into with researchers and data-sharing partners."
The 2025 Coast Watchers annual report found air and water temperatures were warmer than historical averages, based on comparisons with climate normals from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Wilson says warmer conditions are expected to become more common. "Higher than average temperatures in 2025 is something we should expect more in the future," she said. "Warming temperatures along Lake Huron can lead to things like more algal blooms, decreasing water quality, and challenges for shoreline restoration projects."
Wildlife monitoring also stood out in 2025, with volunteers reporting birds such as gulls, geese, swans, monarch butterflies, and a possible sighting of a piping plover, an endangered species. Coast Watchers also reported 51 dead or decomposing fish, more than double last year’s total. Wilson says the fish die-offs were linked to a known disease outbreak. "What is understood about that is it was likely an outbreak of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS," she said. "It’s a fish disease and it’s not something people need to be concerned about, but it’s valuable data that can be compared with what scientists are observing."
Human activity along the shoreline was also tracked, with Saugeen Beach identified as the busiest location, particularly in July. Data showed a high number of vehicles on beaches at Oliphant, an activity that conservation officials say can damage sensitive habitat and increase the risk of invasive species.
Wilson says protecting Lake Huron depends on public involvement. "It takes many voices to get environmental issues out to the public," she said. "By having our Coast Watchers report what they’re noticing on the shoreline, it allows us to figure out what our environmental programs will look like."
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre is now looking for additional volunteers, particularly along stretches of shoreline between Goderich and Camlachie, including Bayfield, Grand Bend, Port Franks, and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
More information on the Coast Watchers program and the full 2025 report is available through the Lake Huron Coastal Centre.
