Orr Lake Real Estate, Springwater Waterfront

Orr Lake Real Estate

Orr Lake is about three kilometres northeast of Elmvale, in the Township of Springwater (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018). It is a shallow lake: the Severn Sound Environmental Association gives a surface area of 309 hectares, a maximum depth of 3.0 metres and an average depth of 1.2 metres (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018).

This guide covers what is for sale on the lake right now and what to check before you buy waterfront here: who controls the water level, how close you can build, and what the septic and conservation authority rules mean for a purchase. Kimberly lives in Orillia and owns waterfront herself.

Homes for sale on Orr Lake

Loading current listings…

Listings in Springwater where the MLS® System records Orr Lake as the water body, updated as listings change. A listing entered without a water body will not appear here, so search all waterfront in Springwater as well. Registered clients also see sold prices and more listing details.

The lake and its shorelines

Orr Lake is fed mainly by surface water and flows into the Wye River, which outlets to Severn Sound near Midland (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018). There is a large wetland at the west end, and the rest of the shoreline is privately developed except for public access points (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018).

A dam at the west end regulates the lake’s level. The Township of Springwater manages it, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry sets the water level limits (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018).

The Severn Sound Environmental Association monitors the lake and posts conditions updates through the season (Severn Sound Environmental Association, n.d.). The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has a planning role in the northern portions of Springwater, where the Severn Sound Environmental Association completes watershed science (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, n.d.-a).

Which municipality a property sits in also matters day to day: it sets the zoning, issues building permits, and sets the municipal share of property tax. On Orr Lake that is the Township of Springwater.

What to check before you buy on Orr Lake

Lake waterfront here comes with provincial, conservation authority and township rules that an inland home rarely raises. These are the ones Kimberly works through with every Orr Lake buyer, early, before conditions run out.

Where the lot ends

In Ontario, the beds of most lakes and rivers are Crown land (Government of Ontario, 2026). Your lawyer, and a surveyor where needed, should confirm exactly where the property ends and whether any road allowance runs along the shore before you firm up.

How close you can build

The Township of Springwater’s posted zoning by-law consolidation sets new buildings and structures on lakeside properties back at least 18 metres from the water’s edge, except those that need direct access to the water, such as a boathouse (Township of Springwater, n.d.-b). That posted copy carries amendments only to 2018, so confirm the current zoning for the specific lot with the Township.

Conservation authority approvals

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has a planning role in the northern portions of Springwater and Oro-Medonte (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, n.d.-a), and in its regulated areas, development near rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands may need its approval (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, n.d.-b). Its online map shows its regulated areas (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, n.d.-c). Before you plan a dock, shoreline wall, addition or new septic system, confirm with the authority and the municipality whether any approval applies to the lot.

Docks and building permits

A provincial work permit may be needed for a structure in physical contact with more than 15 square metres of shore lands that are Crown land or close to Crown land; a floating structure does not count as being in contact (Government of Ontario, 2026). Springwater’s Building Services issues building permits, including for new buildings over 10 square metres, and permits for septic systems (Township of Springwater, n.d.-a).

Water quality

The 2017 conditions report found moderate phosphorus and rated the lake mesotrophic (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018). In its 2026 budget presentation to the Township, the Severn Sound Environmental Association reported good average water quality, algae blooms that still happened, and increasing sodium and chloride concentrations (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2025). Ask about the water source and include water testing in your conditions.

Septic systems

Springwater’s March 2026 Council highlights describe a discretionary septic re-inspection program for about 280 properties within 50 metres of Orr Lake, on a five-year cycle (Township of Springwater, 2026). Ask for permit and inspection records, and make inspection and water testing part of your conditions.

Kimberly is a REALTOR®, not a lawyer, surveyor or permitting authority. This checklist is a starting point for your own due diligence with those professionals and agencies.

On and around the lake

Fishing

The lake supports a cool and warm water fishery, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has documented brown bullhead, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and rock bass (Severn Sound Environmental Association, 2018). Check the current Ontario fishing regulations before you go.

Speed near shore

On Ontario waters, power-driven and electric boats are limited to 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, with set exceptions (Government of Canada, n.d.).

Services nearby

Georgian Bay General Hospital is at 1112 St. Andrew’s Drive in Midland (Georgian Bay General Hospital, n.d.), and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is at 201 Georgian Drive in Barrie (Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, n.d.).

Thinking about Orr Lake?

Kimberly helps buyers compare frontage, exposure, water depth, access and shoreline permits, and helps owners price Orr Lake waterfront using recent sales. She owns waterfront herself, so she knows the questions from both sides.

Based in Orillia · Serving Simcoe County, Georgian Bay & Muskoka · Map of all lake guides

Questions people ask about Orr Lake

Where is Orr Lake?

Orr Lake is about three kilometres northeast of Elmvale, in the Township of Springwater.

Who controls the water level on Orr Lake?

A dam at the west end of the lake. The Township of Springwater manages it, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry sets the water level limits.

How deep is Orr Lake?

It is shallow. The Severn Sound Environmental Association gives a maximum depth of 3.0 metres and an average depth of 1.2 metres, over a surface area of 309 hectares.

How close to Orr Lake can I build?

Springwater’s posted zoning by-law consolidation sets new buildings and structures on lakeside properties back at least 18 metres from the water’s edge, except those that need direct access to the water, such as a boathouse. That copy carries amendments only to 2018, so confirm the current zoning with the Township.

Do I need a conservation authority permit on Orr Lake?

It depends on the lot. The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority has a planning role in northern Springwater and an online map of its regulated areas. Confirm with the authority and the Township before you plan shoreline work.