lake ontario south shore - npca | niagara …...lake ontario south shore niagara peninsula...

20
2012 Watershed Report Card Lake Ontario South Shore General Natural Areas Rock Barren Bluff Shoreline Open Water Successional Wetland Swamp Wooded Area Provincially Significant Wetland Locally Significant Wetland Area of Natural and Scientific Interest « w Surface Water Quality Monitoring Station ! A Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network Watercourses Significant Groundwater Recharge Area Highly Vulnerable Aquifer Subwatershed Boundary Sampled Subwatershed ¯ Lake Ontario Lake Erie New New York York Haldimand Haldimand Hamilton Hamilton New New York York Lake Erie Niagara River Black Creek Six Mile Creek Kraft Drain Frenchmans Creek Groundwater Lake Ontario Lake Ontario Surface Water Quality and Natural Heritage Lake Ontario Twenty Mile Creek North Creek Sixteen Mile Creek Fifteen Mile Creek Forty Mile Creek Spring Creek Eighteen Mile Creek 0 4.5 9 13.5 18 Kilometers

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Page 1: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

2012 Watershed Report Card

Lake Ontario South Shore

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring Station!A Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network

WatercoursesSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundarySampled Subwatershed

¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

Lake Erie

Niagara River

Black Creek

Six Mile Creek

Kraft Drain

Frenchmans Creek

Groundwater

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario

Surface Water Quality and Natural Heritage

Lake Ontario

Twenty Mile Creek

North Creek

Sixteen MileCreek Fifteen Mile

Creek

Forty Mile Creek

Spring Creek

Eighteen MileCreek

0 4.5 9 13.5 18

Kilometers

Page 2: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2

905-788-3135 [email protected]

Area 598 km2 encompassing Forty Mile Creek, Twenty Mile Creek, and 15-16-18 Mile Creek.

Land Use

Agriculture is the predominant land use and focuses on corn and wheat, hay, vineyards and orchards, greenhouses, and pasture. Concentrations of residential land uses occur in urban areas within Grimsby, Hamilton, North Pelham, Lincoln and West Lincoln. There are many natural areas in the watershed such as the Bruce Trail, The Waterfront Trail, and Ball’s Falls. Opportunities for fishing and boating, hiking, hunting, and golfing are available within the watershed.

Soil Type 1% Upland Escarpment, <0.1% Beach, 6% Developed Area, 48% Mixed Clay and Loam, 4% Mixed Sand and Loam, 40% Mixed Silt and Loam, 0.1% Organic Soil, 1% Water, 0.4% Unknown

Physiography

Most of the watershed falls on the northern edge of the Haldimand Clay Plain. Shale plain exists in some areas along the north-western portion, and the escarpment stretches throughout. Northern Twenty Mile Creek and portions of the southern watershed are part of the Niagara Falls Moraine and the Fort Erie Moraine. Sand plains exist along the southern shore of Lake Ontario where the creeks drain. A small eastern portion of Fifteen Mile Creek flows from the Fonthill Kame.

Dams & Barriers The Niagara Escarpment acts as a natural barrier to fish movement within the watershed.

Sewage Services Local waste water treatment occurs within municipalities and urban centers, while rural residents are serviced by private septic systems. Sewage lagoons release clean surface water into nearby streams.

% Natural Area Types

Total Natural Area= 141.2 km2

38% Wooded, 8% Wetland, 28% Swamp, 26% Successional, <0.3% Unique

Woodlot or Patch Size

Size Category Number of Woodlots

Total Woodland Area in WPA (ha)

% Woodland Largest Woodlot (ha)

20 to 50 ha 58 2004.47 3.35 49.04 50 to 75 ha 21 877.67 1.47 68.56

75 to 100 ha 8 703.84 1.18 97.52 100 to 200 ha 10 1219.27 2.04 173.80

>200 ha 1 67.95 0.11 266.26

Fisheries Resources

35 Fish species are present in the watershed. This includes Northern Pike, various bass, shiner, and minnow species.

Species at Risk

Birds such as the Barn Owl, King Rail, and Red-headed Woodpecker. Fish such as Grass Pickerel and Greater Redhorse. Mammals such as the Woodland Vole. Mussels such as Snuffbox. Plants including Common Hoptree, Pawpaw, and Swamp Rose-mallow. Reptiles including Blanding’s turtle, Eastern Milksnake, and Jefferson Salamander. Various lichens, mosses, grasses, and sedges have also been identified as at risk in the region.

Text

The Niagara Water Strategy, NPCA Groundwater Study, and the Niagara Peninsula Source Protection Area Assessment Report have identified the Lake Ontario Shore watershed as highly vulnerable to groundwater contamination primarily due to thin overburden (less than 5 metres) and bedrock outcrops. Thin overburden is unable to effectively provide groundwater with sufficient protection from bacteria, sediment and other insoluble forms of contaminants that in thicker overburden would become trapped and filtered within the soil pores. In addition, the openings in the fractured bedrock allow for the direct passage of surface water and contaminants to groundwater resources.

Watershed Characteristics

Groundwater

Groundwater Vulnerability

Private Wells

Page 3: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2

905-788-3135 [email protected] Lake Ontario South Shore watershed is primarily serviced by municipal water supplies with about 36% of the

population on private water supplies such as groundwater wells. Water wells need to be properly constructed and maintained to prevent contamination. The safety, testing and treatment of a private well is the responsibility of the well owner.

The Niagara Peninsula Source Protection Tier 1 Water Budget identified the Fifteen-Sixteen-Eighteen Creeks watersheds at a moderate stress level with respect to groundwater supply relative to their overall demands. The remaining watersheds were classified as at a low stress level.

The NPCA has been monitoring two Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) wells in the Lake Ontario South Shore watershed since 2003. One PGMN well (W288) is located on Dickinson Road in Hamilton and it monitors chemistry and water levels of the Guelph/Lockport bedrock formation. There have been no exceedances of Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards at this site. The other PGMN well (W341) is located on Moyer Road in Lincoln and it monitors chemistry and water levels of the Clinton Group bedrock formation. Water quality results for PGMN well W341 exceeded Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards for selenium and sodium. All exceedances were thoroughly investigated by Ministry of Environment, NPCA, Municipal and Public Health staff and found to be caused by natural groundwater conditions. Data for both PGMN wells show that groundwater levels generally decline from May to October, and increase from fall to spring with the largest increase in March. Groundwater levels were lowest in 2007 during a significant drought year.

The Lake Ontario South Shore Watersheds have benefited from the many activities and the active involvement of individuals, organizations and municipalities on private and public lands. Some examples of the progress which has occurred in the watershed follows:

Watershed landowners have completed 104 water and habitat improvement projects with the assistance of the NPCA’s Water Quality Improvement Program and other organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Niagara Restoration Council (NRC), and Land Care Niagara (LCN). These projects included Farm Best Management Practices as well as forest, stream and wetland habitat enhancements, using over 26000 native trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Annual Hawkwatch Event hosted at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area to educate the public about bird migration and environmental monitoring through raptor population. Annual Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival that provides an opportunity for people to experience the outdoors and learn of nature as part of this outdoor event.

Stewardship Highlights

Groundwater Stress

Groundwater Monitoring

Page 4: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2

905-788-3135 [email protected]

The NPCA partnered with the Niagara Sportsman Ambassadors for the Jordan Harbour Clean-Up of the Great Lakes Shorelines. Over 40 volunteers assisted and over 600 kilograms of garbage was removed from the shoreline.

Between 2007-2010 twenty elementary schools within the Lake Ontario South Shore Watersheds participated in the NPCA’s ECO School schoolyard naturalization program. This program has now been replaced by the NPCA’s Canopies for Kids program which provides shade trees to elementary school with little or no natural cover.

In 2011, the NPCA implemented a 5-year Invasive species removal of European Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard from Beamer and Ball’s Falls Conservation Areas. Approximately 0.5 hectares have been addressed. The NPCA has implemented several education outreach initiatives throughout the conservation areas in the Lake Ontario South Shore such as the Family of Skeleton Project and the Bee Pollinator Booth. Through Trout Unlimited Canada’s Yellow Fish Road program, The NPCA coordinated 14 events in the Lake Ontario South Shore Watershed Area. 63 people from local community groups helped paint yellow fish on 204 stormwater drains and distributed 979 door hangers to inform the public that the water (clean and dirty) that goes down these drains ends up in our local water bodies. The Bruce Trail Conservancy has been active in the Lake Ontario South Shore Watershed Area as the trail runs through the watershed. Several garbage clean ups have taken place on properties managed by BTC.

There has been much work completed on research and improving the health of the Lake Ontario South Shore watershed since 2007. Appendix A provides a list of published documents that describe local issues and contain recommendations and actions for further improvements.

Page 5: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

W e s t L i n c o l n

Young Street

Queen Elizabeth Way

Wes

tbro

ok R

oad

Mud Street West

Ridge Road West

Kemp Road West

Abi

ngdo

n R

oad So

uth

Grim

sby

Roa

d 18

Sout

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rimsb

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16

Saw

mill

Roa

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Mud Street

BARTON STHIGHWAY NO. 8

SOUTH SERVICE RD

ARVIN AV

QUEEN ELIZABETH WY

Sixt

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DEW

ITT

RD

MIL

LEN

RD

GRE

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JON

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WIN

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GLO

VER

RD

MC

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RD

Elev

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MAPLE DR

ROYCE AV

LEW

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Golf Club Road

TEAL

AV

COPES LN

W e s t L i n c o l n

G r i m s b y

H a m i l t o n

2012 Watershed Report Card

Forty Mile Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DF

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring Station!A Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network

WatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryMunicipal Boundary

0 1.5 3 4.5 6

Kilometers ¯ Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetlands: Forty MileCreek Wetland, Vinemount Swamp, andLower Twenty Mile Creek Wetland ComplexLocally Significant Wetlands: GrimsbyEscarpment Wetland Complex and GrimsbyWoodlot Wetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest:Niagara Escarpment, Vinemount Moraine,Grassie Slough Forest, Grimsby Centre ForestWest, and Grimsby Centre Forest East

Watershed Characteristics

MunicipalitiesGrimsby (45%)City of Hamilton (33%)West Lincoln (22%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Niagara Section Escarpment Life ANSI

Lower Twenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Lake Ontario

Vinemount Swamp

Forty Mile Creek Wetland

Vinemount Moraine Earth ANSI

Grassie Slough ForestLife ANSI

Grimsby Centre Forest WestLife ANSI

Grimsby Centre Forest EastLife ANSI

Grimsby EscarpmentWetland Complex

Page 6: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE FORTY MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of Forty Mile Creek on Olive Street was initiated in 2003 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. The concentrations of these parameters have remained unchanged since 2003. Chloride exceedances have also been observed at this site. The benthic community found in this watershed consisted of a mix of pollutant tolerant and pollutant sensitive animals and nearly achieved the Benthic Indicator target. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of Forty Mile Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 210 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 478 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade D B

Benthic

(FBI) 5.04 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade C B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Forty Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of F. The Forest Cover % received a grade of D due in part to one large corridor in the headwaters of the watershed south of Kemp Road. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that do remain. The Riparian Zone Forested % also received a grade of F as the vegetation that does exist along watercourses is successional in nature.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 12 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade D B

Forest Interior

% 2.2 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 9.2 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade F B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

F

Page 7: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

Sixteen Road

Fly Road

Yonge Street

King Street

Twenty Mile Road

Cherry Avenue

Young Street

Spie

ce R

oad

Concession 4 Road

Mud Street East

Spring Creek Road

Moyer Road

Port

Dav

idso

n R

oad

Quarry R

oad

Snyder Road

Hixon Street

McC

ollu

m R

oad

Aberdeen R

oad

Patterson Road

Dengo R

oad

Ashby D

rive

Fairb

roth

er R

oad

L i n c o l n

W e s t L i n c o l n

G r i m s b y

2012 Watershed Report Card

Spring Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring StationWatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryMunicipal Boundary

0 1.5 3 4.5 6

Kilometers ¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetland:LowerTwenty Mile Creek Wetland ComplexLocally Significant Wetlands: GrimsbyEscarpment Wetland Complex and SpringCreek Woodlots Wetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest:Grimsby Centre Forest East, Spring ForestCreek, and East Smithville Slough Forestd

Watershed Characteristics

MunicipalitiesLincoln (52%)West Lincoln (32%)Grimsby (16%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Lower Twenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Spring Creek Woodlots Wetland Complex

Spring Forest CreekLife ANSI

Grimsby Centre Forest East Life ANSI

Grimsby Escarpment Wetland Complex

East Smithville Slough ForestLife ANSI

Page 8: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE SPRING CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of Spring Creek on Tintern Road was initiated in 2004 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. High concentrations of total suspended solids from upstream erosion have also been observed in this watershed. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals with some sensitive animals, but overall indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of Spring Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 350 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 283 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade C B

Benthic

(FBI) 5.75 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade C B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Spring Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of C due in part to several mid-sized forest patches in the south western headwaters of the watershed. The Forest Interior % grade of D was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that exist. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D as the vegetation that does exist along watercourses in most of the watershed is largely successional in nature.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 19 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade C B

Forest Interior

% 3.1 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade D B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 24.8 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 9: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

Sixteen Road

Young Street

Smith

ville

Roa

d

Twenty Road

Alle

n R

oad

Concession 2 Road

Concession 3 Road

Cai

stor

Cen

tre

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Thirt

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Townline Road

Port

Dav

idso

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Church R

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Grim

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Sout

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Caistor C

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2012 Watershed Report Card

North Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring StationWatercoursesRoadsHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed Boundary

0 1.5 3 4.5 6

Kilometers

¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetlands:LowerTwenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex, St. AnnsSlough Forest Wetland Complex, BismarkNorthwest Slough Forest Wetland Complexand Caistor Centre Wetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest:North Caistor Centre Slough Forest, and EastCaistor Centre Slough Forest

Watershed CharacteristicsMunicipalities West Lincoln (100%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Caistor CentreWetland Complex

Lower Twenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Bismark Northwest Slough Forest Wetland Complex

East Caistor Centre Slough ForestLife ANSI

North Caistor Centre Slough Forest Life ANSI

St. Anns Slough ForestWetland Complex

Page 10: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE NORTH CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of North Creek on Patterson Road was initiated in 2004 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. The concentrations of these parameters have remained unchanged since 2004. Algal blooms occurred regularly at this site due to high phosphorus concentrations. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals and indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of North Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 370 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 441 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade D B

Benthic

(FBI) 5.81 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade D B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for North Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of C due in part to several mid-sized forest patches in the headwaters of the watershed. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that do remain. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D as the vegetation that does exist along watercourses is largely successional in nature.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 18 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade C B

Forest Interior

% 2.2 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 19.0 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 11: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

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Nebo

Roa

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REG RD 66

Airport Road

Twenty Road

MUD ST

Guyatt Road

HWY

#6

Hen

ders

hot R

oad

TYNE

SIDE

RD

Gla

ncas

ter R

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REG

RD

33

MOUNT ALB

ION R

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HARR

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MO

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D

CENTENNIAL PY

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GREE

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WALKERS RD

UPP

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AVNINTH AV

ATHENIA DR

ABBE

Y RD

FIR

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2012 Watershed Report Card

Upper Twenty Mile CreekGRADES

SurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring Station!A Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network

WatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed Boundary

0 1.5 3 4.5 6

Kilometers ¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetland:LowerTwenty Mile Creek Wetland ComplexLocally Significant Wetland: Rymal RoadWetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest:Twenty Mile Creek Meander B andTwenty MileCreek Meander C

Watershed CharacteristicsMunicipalities Hamilton (100%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

UpperTwenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Rymal Road Wetland Complex

Twenty Mile Creek Meander BLife ANSI

Twenty Mile Creek Meander CLife ANSI

Page 12: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE UPPER TWENTY MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of the upper Twenty Mile Creek on Woodburn Road was initiated in 2002 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. Concentrations of phosphorus have been increasing since 2002 suggesting that water quality conditions are becoming more stressed. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals and indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of the Twenty Mile Creek at this site.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 320 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 162 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade C B

Benthic

(FBI) 7.88 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade F B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Upper Twenty Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of D due in part to several mid-sized forest patches in the central portion of the watershed. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that do exist. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D as the vegetation that does exist along watercourses in most of the watershed is largely successional in nature.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 10 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade D B

Forest Interior

% 0.2 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 16.0 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 13: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

Lakeshore Road

Braw

n Ro

ad

Stati

on R

oad

Burn

aby

Road

Moor

e Roa

d So

uth

H a l d i m a n d

H a l d i m a n d

W e s t L i n c o l n

H a m i l t o n

L i n c o l n

2012 Watershed Report Card

Lower Twenty Mile CreekGRADES

SurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

C

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring StationWatercoursesSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryContributing Subwatershed Municipal Boundary

0 5 10 15 20

Kilometers

¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

D

Provincially Significant Wetlands:Jordan StationMarsh and Lower Twenty Mile Creek WetlandComplexLocally Significant Wetland:Abingdon NorthwestWetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest: TwentyMile Creek Drowned River Mouth, Jordan Valley,East Smithville Slough Forest, and Grassie SloughForest

Municipalities

SignificantNatural Areas

West Lincoln (67%)Lincoln (18%)City of Hamilton (15%)

Watershed Characteristics

Grassie Slough ForestLife ANSI

East Smithville Slough Forest Life ANSI

Jordan Station Marsh

Lower Twenty Mile Creek Wetland Complex

**Surface Water Quality and Forest ConditionsGrades represent the entire Twenty Mile Creekand its tributaries. Watershed Characteristicsinformation is for highlighted (white) portion ofthe Twenty Mile Creek only.**

**

Groundwater

Twenty Mile Creek Drowned River Mouth Earth ANSI

Jordan Valley Life ANSI

Abingdon Northwest Wetland Complex

Lake Ontario

Page 14: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE LOWER TWENTY MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of the Twenty Mile Creek on 21st Street was initiated in 2003 and was given an overall grade of C. This site represents the entire Twenty Mile Creek watershed and the water quality regularly exceeded the provincial guideline for phosphorus but met the guideline for E. coli. This portion of the watershed was prone to algal blooms in the summer likely due to high nutrients. The benthic community found in this watershed consisted of a mix of pollutant tolerant and pollutant sensitive animals and nearly reached the Benthic Indicator target. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient contamination will improve the water quality.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 205 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 99 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade B B

Benthic

(FBI) 5.13 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade C B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Lower Twenty Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of C due in part to several large forested patches in the central watershed along Tintern Road and within the valleylands. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that do remain. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D despite the fact that many of the forested areas that remain are within the Twenty Mile Valley.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 14 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade C B

Forest Interior

% 1.0 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 20.2 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

C

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 15: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

L i n c o l n

P e l h a m

King Street

Cherry Avenue

Tintern Road

Fly Road

Cam

pden Road

Greenlane

Bethesda Road

Fourth Avenue

Hig

h R

oad

Seve

ntee

nth

Stre

et

Queen Elizabeth Way

Seventh Avenue

Map

le G

rove

Roa

d

John Street

Claus Road

Thirt

eent

h St

reet

Spring Creek Road

John Street

Martin R

oad

2012 Watershed Report Card

Eighteen Mile Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring StationWatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryMunicipal Boundary

0 0.75 1.5 2.25 3

Kilometers ¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetland: Sixteenand Seventeen Mile Creeks Terrace ValleysWetland ComplexLocally Significant Wetland: Upper SixteenMile Creek Wetland ComplexArea of Natural and Scientific Interest:Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys and JordanValley

Watershed Characteristics

MunicipalitiesLincoln (96%)Pelham (4%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys Life ANSI

Jordan Valley Life ANSI

Sixteen and Seventeen Mile Creeks Terrace Valleys Wetland Complex

Upper Sixteen Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Lake Ontario

Page 16: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE EIGHTEEN MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of Eighteen Mile Creek on Honsberger Road was initiated in 2006 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. Copper exceedances are also regularly observed in this watershed and currently are being investigated further. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals and indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of Eighteen Mile Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 400 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 230 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade C B

Benthic

(FBI) 6.30 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade D B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Eighteen Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of D due in part to one large corridor in the central watershed south of King Road between Seventeenth and Nineteenth Streets. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that do remain. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D as the vegetation that does exist along watercourses is successional in nature.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 11 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade D B

Forest Interior

% 0.5 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 22.8 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 17: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

Foss Road

Chantler Road

Welland Road

Bal

four

Str

eet

Effin

gham

Str

eet

King Street

Sixteen Road

Tice Road

Foss Road

Metler Road

Cherry Avenue

Canboro Road

Chantler Road

Highway 20 West

Cam

pden Road

Spiece Road

Fourth Avenue

John Street

Eleventh Street

Twenty Road

Philp Road

Walker R

oad

Moo

te R

oad

Quarry R

oad

Merritt R

oad

Memorial Drive

Hixon Street

Aberdeen R

oad

Brady Street

Locu

st L

ane

Moore Drive

Maple StreetB

oyle Road

L i n c o l n

P e l h a m

W e s t L i n c o l n

L i n c o l n

P e l h a m

2012 Watershed Report Card

Sixteen Mile Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring StationWatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryMunicipal Boundary

0 1.5 3 4.5 6

Kilometers ¯Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetlands: Sixteenand Seventeen Mile Creeks Terrace ValleysWetland Complex, Silverdale WetlandComplex, and St. Anns Slough Forest WetlandComplexLocally Significant Wetland: Upper SixteenMile Creek Wetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest:Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys and SouthSt. Anns Slough Forest

Watershed Characteristics

MunicipalitiesWest Lincoln (51%)Lincoln (40%)Pelham (9%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys Life ANSI

Sixteen and Seventeen Mile Creeks Terrace Valleys Wetland Complex

St. Anns Slough Forest Wetland Complex

Lake Ontario

South St. Anns Slough Forest Life ANSI

SilverdaleWetland Complex

Upper Sixteen Mile CreekWetland Complex

Page 18: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE SIXTEEN MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of Sixteen Mile Creek on 4th Avenue was initiated in 2006 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. The concentrations of these parameters have remained unchanged since 2006. High concentrations of total suspended solids from upstream erosion have also been observed in this watershed. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals and indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of Sixteen Mile Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 272 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 286 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade C B

Benthic

(FBI) 6.53 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade F B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Sixteen Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of C due in part to a large corridor in the headwaters north of Pelham Road between Seventeenth and Eleventh Streets. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches in other areas of the watershed. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D due to the vegetation adjacent to the creek mostly in the lower reaches.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 16 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade C B

Forest Interior

% 1.8 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 20.1 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D

Page 19: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

L i n c o l n

Hollow R

oad Barron Road

McSherry Lane

Highway 20

L i n c o l n

P e l h a m

Cam

pden Road

Map

le G

rove

Roa

d

John Street

King Street

Queen Elizabeth Way

Hig

hway

406

Victoria Avenue

Cherry Avenue

Nin

th S

tree

t

Tintern Road

Fly Road

Highway 20 West

Sawmill Road

Vine

land

Tow

nlin

e R

oad

Jordan Road

Moyer Road Nineteenth Street

Holland Road

Bethesda Road

Fifteenth Street

Fifteen Road

Twenty-first Street

Faywell R

oad

Honsberger AvenueJohn Street

Claus Road

Twenty-third Street

Thirteenth Street

Han

sler

Str

eet

Eller Road

Highway 20

Cen

tre

Stre

et

Ram

p

Sixteen Road

Map

le S

tree

t

P e l h a m

T h o r o l d

S t . C a t h a r i n e s

W e s t L i n c o l n

W e l l a n d

2012 Watershed Report Card

Fifteen Mile Creek GRADESSurfaceWater QualityForestConditions

DD

General Natural AreasRock BarrenBluffShorelineOpen Water

SuccessionalWetlandSwampWooded AreaProvincially Significant WetlandLocally Significant WetlandArea of Natural and Scientific Interest

«w Surface Water Quality Monitoring Station!A Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network

WatercoursesRoadsSignificant Groundwater Recharge AreaHighly Vulnerable AquiferSubwatershed BoundaryMunicipal Boundary

0 2 4 6 8

Kilometers ¯ Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

N e wN e wY o r kY o r k

H a l d i m a n dH a l d i m a n d

H a m i l t o nH a m i l t o n

Provincially Significant Wetlands: Fifteen MileCreek Wetland Complex, Fifteen Mile Creek AboveEscarpment Wetland Complex, Silverdale WetlandComplex, and Highway 20 and 24 WetlandComplexLocally Significant Wetland: Upper Sixteen MileCreek Wetland ComplexAreas of Natural and Scientific Interest: Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys, Fonthill Kame Delta,Northwest Fenwick Forest and North FenwickFootslope Forest

Watershed Characteristics

MunicipalitiesPelham (56%)West Lincoln (33%)St. Catharines (6%)Lincoln (5%)

SignificantNatural Areas

Groundwater

Fifteen-Sixteen Mile Creek Valleys Life ANSI

Fonthill Kame Delta Earth ANSI

Upper Sixteen Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Lake Ontario

Northwest Fenwick Forest Life ANSI

SilverdaleWetland Complex

Highway 20 & 24Wetland Complex

Fifteen Mile CreekAbove EscarpmentWetland Complex

North Fenwick Footslope Forest Life ANSI

Fifteen Mile Creek Wetland Complex

Page 20: Lake Ontario South Shore - NPCA | Niagara …...LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 250 Thorold Rd., Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 info@npca.ca

LAKE ONTARIO SOUTH SHORE FIFTEEN MILE CREEK Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Surface water quality monitoring of Fifteen Mile Creek on Glass Avenue was initiated in 2003 and was given an overall grade of D. The water quality of this watershed regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli. The concentrations of these parameters have remained unchanged since 2003. Algal blooms occurred regularly at this site due to high phosphorus concentrations. The benthic community found in this watershed mainly consisted of pollutant tolerant animals and indicated impaired water quality. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of Fifteen Mile Creek.

Indicators 2007 -2011

Provincial Guideline Indicator Description

Phosphorus (μg/L)* 300 30 Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent, and fertilizer as

well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and rivers Grade F B

Bacteria

(E. coli/ 100ml)** 169 100 E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria found in human and animal

(livestock/wildlife/pets) waste and, in water, indicates fecal contamination. E coli is a strong indicator for the potential to have other disease-causing organisms in the water.

Grade C B

Benthic

(FBI) 6.04 <5.00 (Target Only)

Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance.Grade D B

*75th percentile, NPCA data. **Geometric mean, NPCA data. Province-wide Grading System used.

The forest condition indicators for Fifteen Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade of D. The Forest Cover % received a grade of C due to several large forested patches in the headwaters south of Highway 20 and in the central section of the system along Roland Road. The Forest Interior % grade of F was well below the provincial standard. This grade can be attributed to the lack of connectivity between the forest patches that remain. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of D due in part to the corridor north of Pelham Road.

Indicators 2007 -2011

S. Ont.Target** Indicator Description

Forest Cover % 19 30 Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or

wooded. Forest cover includes upland and lowland forest types. Grade C B

Forest Interior

% 2.3 10.0 Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forested interior. Forest interior is the protected core area 100 m inside a woodlot that some bird species require to nest successfully. The outer 100 m is considered ‘edge’ habitat and is prone to high predation, wind damage and alien species invasion.

Grade F B

Riparian Zone Forested

% 24.9 50.0 Percent riparian zone forested is a measure of the amount of forest cover within a 30 m riparian/buffer zone adjacent to all open watercourses. Riparian habitats support high numbers of wildlife species and provide an array of ecological functions. Grade D B

** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011)

Surface Water QualityGRADE

D

Forest ConditionsGRADE

D