Is it safe to swim in Lake Ontario in winter?

Lake Ontario is clean enough for swimming, says Toronto Public Health, but an unofficial survey by CBC News has found few people are taking the plunge this early in the season because it's so cold. There are a lot of people who do not want to go in the lake at all.



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Along with Lake Erie, Lake Ontario is the most polluted of the Great Lakes. This contributes to potential health risks associated with bathing in its waters, an issue that the other three Great Lakes do not add to the mix.

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The rougher the Lake is, the more likely you are to get sick, and the much quicker it will occur. After all, you are less likely to get sick on a flat body of water or calm seas! Finding out whether you are prone to sea sickess or not, as well as to what degree, comes with experience.

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The opposite of Lake Superior in almost every way, Lake Ontario is the easternmost, lowest in elevation, smallest in surface area and perhaps the most polluted Great Lake.

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Dry yourself off with a towel as soon as you come out of the water. If possible, have a shower and dry off right away. However, showering will not remove any larvae that have already burrowed under your skin.

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Know before you go Before you head out, check online to find out if the swim area is currently monitored, is under advisory, or has been closed for health or safety reasons. This is especially important after a heavy rain.

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The reason Lake Ontario stays cold is because it's so deep. The temperature of the lake changes at different depths, which is due to changes in the density of the water. This is called thermal stratification.

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Randle Reef is now considered the largest contaminated site on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes and the second-most contaminated site in Canada after the Sydney Tar Ponds in Nova Scotia. The volume of contaminated sediment in the Hamilton Harbour could fill up three hockey arenas.

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Sediment runoff such as clay or sand can also change the colour of the water to beige or light brown, especially after heavy rains.

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As the last lake in the chain, Ontario receives the accumulation of contaminants from the other Great Lakes in addition to the agricultural runoff, and urban and industrial waste discharges within its own basin.

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