Report of Research, Field Investigation and Survey of Robert D ...

5.2 Site Description
The subject area is located along the easterly shore of Nottawasaga Bay approximately 20km
southwesterly from the Town of Midland. It appears to be an active summer vacation area with
numerous motels and probably thousands of private cottages or permanent homes.
There is a sand beach area approximately 75m wide lying between the developed lots and the
water’s edge. Approximately coinciding with the straight line westerly boundary of the
subdivision lots there is a bank with a height varying between 1.5 and 3m high. Trees and brush
grow a little further west from the straight line boundary, but not very far. From the end of
vegetation the beach slopes gently toward Nottawasaga Bay.
With very few exceptions, there is nothing permanent on the beach, presumably because of the
wind and because the water level and extent can fluctuate greatly. On our third day on site in
December 2012, the wind blew with such force that wave action extended 8m from what I took to
be the actual average water’s edge. Also, at one point a gust blew over our GPS base station,
forcing us to re-do our localization process.
Although the beach area is quite extensive and impressive, it also has avery bleak and lonely
sense under near winter conditions. There were one or two remnants of destroyed structures
closer to the water, but for the most part the landowners seem quite aware of the volatility of the
water and potential strength of the wind during stormy weather, and have learned that the beach
area is not suitable for permanent structures.
There is a much more alive feel to the area under summer conditions. There were numerous
frames for what I assume are tent style sun shade spaces placed at regular intervals, and
recreational equipment such as kayaks, water boards, chairs and beach toys were stacked on the
beach well in front of the cottages. Several boat lifts were placed in the water 20 or 30 metres
offshore. However, nothing of a permanent nature was there.
The actual lake shore is remarkably straight: I could probably see more than 1km in either
direction along the beach from the area of interest. A screen shot from Google Earth is included
at Appendix B, showing general site conditions.
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