Manitoulin

Climate Conditions

Manitoulin sits mainly in climate zone E, with its Western tip occupying zone F, and its Eastern end in zone D. In the period of May-October 2014, Manitoulin had 1,587 growing degree days, 2,504 crop heat units, and 618mm of precipitation.

Soils

Manitoulin’s soil cover is made up mainly of Melanic Brunisol soils, with veins of Gray-Brown Luvisols in the centre-East of the island, along with blocks of Humo-Ferric Podzol on the Western end and on the southern shore. Over 70 percent of the island is covered with soils thinner than one foot above bedrock, or bedrock with no soil cover.

Manitoulin sits in plant hardiness zone 5a

Agriculture

Beef cattle farming is the most common type of farm on Manitoulin island. 38,218 hectares were employed as pasture in 2011, with a total of 15,504 cattle and calves. As with many other Northern districts, hay is the most common major field crop.

Notable Centres

Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI)

NEMI is an amalgamated municipality on Manitoulin Island, composed of the town of Little Current, the Township of Howland, and numerous small islands. The local economy includes farming and lumbering, as well as tourism. Road access to the mainland is over the Little Current Swing Bridge. In the summer, traffic is interrupted on the bridge for 15 minutes on the hour from sunrise to sunset, as the bridge is raised for maritime traffic. Its population was 2,706 in 2011.

Temperatures in NEMI range from a mean low of -16.7C in January to a mean high of 25.1C in July.

NEMI is roughly 6 hours and 29 minutes from London, 5 hours and 11 minutes from Toronto, and 7 hours and 22 minutes from Kingston

Gore Bay

Gore Bay is the administrative and government seat of Manitoulin District. It is located on the northern shore of the island, west of Little Current. Gore bay is a popular summer destination for cottagers, vacationers, and boaters, with the population increasing substantially in the summer. Gore bay had a permanent population of 850 in 2011.

Temperatures in Gore Bay range from a mean of -10C in January and 19.1 in July. The area receives on average 625 rain annually, falling over 105.9 days, with a peak mean monthly rainfall of 86.3mm in September and October each.

Gore Bay is roughly 7 hours and 12 minutes from London, 6 hours from Toronto, and 8 hours and 15 minutes from Kingston