watershed - Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority

CONSERVATION
Beatty Saugeen River
WATERSHED
REPORT CARD
2008
Average Grades
B
D
B+
Forest Conditions
N/A
Groundwater Quality
Wetland Conditions
Surface Water Quality
A WATERSHED REPORT CARD is a document which outlines the
general state of forest, wetland, surface water and groundwater
resources of a particular river and its watershed. Data for this
Report Card cover a five year period from 2002 - 2006.
The Beatty Saugeen River Watershed
The Beatty Saugeen River is
a tributary of the Main
Saugeen River draining
approximately 274 square
kilometres. The river system is
46 kilometres in length with an
average gradient of 4.5 metres
per kilometre. The main
source of the Beatty Saugeen
River is found in the eastern
rural wooded wetlands of the
Municipality of Southgate
(former Egremont Township).
The system drains into the
South Saugeen River
immediately west of Hanover.
The headwaters area is located almost entirely in the Dundalk
Till Plain. In spite of the elevation of this area, drainage is slow,
resulting in swamps, bogs and poorly drained depressions. The
remainder of the watershed is located within both the Horseshoe
Moraine and the Teeswater Drumlin Field.
Lake
Huron
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains into a river
or stream. The boundary of a watershed is based on
elevation or the natural contours of the land.
GRADE DESCRIPTION
A = Excellent ecosystem conditions. Some protection and
enhancement may be required.
B = Good ecosystem conditions. Some areas may require
enhancement and/or improvements.
C = Ecosystem conditions that warrant general improvements.
D = Poor ecosystem conditions. Overall improvements necessary.
F = Degraded ecosystem. Conditions in need of considerable
improvement.
Report Card Notes: The observed conditions in this watershed
have been summarized and a grade assigned based on
indicators developed by Conservation Ontario. The purpose of
the watershed report card process is to encourage consistent
reporting of a standardized set of environmental indicators by all
Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario.
LEGEND
Benthic
Surface Water Quality
Benthic and Surface Water Quality
Groundwater Monitoring
Wooded Areas
Evaluated Wetlands
Watercourses
N
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The Beatty Saugeen River Watershed
WATERSHED INFORMATION
Groundwater Aquifer Sources
Area
Salina Formation, Guelph Formation
274 sq. km
Municipalities
Municipality of West Grey, Township of
Southgate, Town of Hanover
Stream Flow (mean)
mean annual flow - 5.7 cubic
metres per second (cms)
Physiography
39% till plain (drumlinized), 34% spillway,
22% kame moraine, 2% peat and muck, 1%
drumlin, 1% till moraine, 1% esker
Woodlot Size
Some large forest areas exist providing interior
habitat as well as many interconnected smaller
forests.
Stream Flow (low) *
7Q10 flow1 - 0.53 cms
7Q20 flow2 - 0.4 cms
Soils
41% medium to moderately fine loam,
30% silty loam, 14% organic material, 9%
fine to moderately coarse sandy loam, 5%
other (may include small percentages of
alluvium, breypan, bottomlands etc), 2%
coarse sandy loam and loamy sand
Land Use
65% agriculture; 31% forested;
0.2% urban
Provincially
Significant Natural
Areas
Life Science Areas of Natural
and Scientific Interest - none
Rare Species (obtained from the National Heritage
Information Centre (NHIC) Website)
Dams
Delta-spotted Spiketail, Hart's Tongue Fern
In total there are 24 dams in the watershed, of
which 10 are considered large dams (greater
than 3 metres in height).
Sewage Treatment
Facilities
None
Delta-spotted Spiketail
Hart’s Tongue Fern
*
1
7Q10 - the lowest mean flow for seven consecutive days that has a 10-year recurrence interval period, or a 1 in 10 chance of occurring in any one year.
2
7Q20 - the lowest mean flow for seven consecutive days that has a 20-year recurrence interval period, or a 1 in 20 chance of occurring in any one year.
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FOREST
CONDITIONS
The Beatty Saugeen River Watershed
INDICATORS
GRADE
% of
AREA
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
Forest Cover
A
31.4
Forest cover is the percentage of forest within the watershed. Environment Canada suggests
that 30% forest cover is the minimum needed to support healthy wildlife habitat.
Forest Interior
B
7.1
Forest Interior refers to the protected core area found inside a woodland. It is the sheltered,
secluded environment away from forest edges and open habitats.
Environment Canada recommends that 10% of a watershed should be interior forest cover.
Riparian Cover
B
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Riparian Cover is the percentage of forested habitat along a waterway.
Environment Canada suggests that at least 75% of stream length should have 30 metre
forested buffers.
CONDITIONS
SURFACE WATER
QUALITY
EVALUATED WETLAND
AVERAGE GRADE
Grade B indicates good ecosystem conditions. Some areas may require enhancement and/or
improvements.
Wetland Cover
D
5.2
Wetland Cover is the percentage of existing wetland in a watershed.
Environment Canada suggests that 10% wetland cover is the minimum required for a
healthy watershed.
Wetland Buffer
D
38.5
A Wetland Buffer is the vegetated area adjacent to a wetland. Buffers are important to the
maintenance of wetland functions. Environment Canada suggests that wetlands should
have a minimum 100 metre buffer with 100% vegetation.
AVERAGE GRADE
D
INDICATORS
GRADE
RESULT
Benthic
Invertebrates
(FBI)
A
4.27
Benthos or benthic macroinvertebrates are large bottom dwelling insects, crustaceans, worms,
mollusks, and related aquatic animals that live in watercourses. They are good indicators of water
quality responding quickly to environmental stressors, such as pollutants. The Family Biotic Index
(FBI) scores provide stream health information and values range from 1 (healthy) to 10
(degraded).
Total Phosphorus
A
(mg/L)
0.01
Total phosphorus is indicative of nutrient levels within a watercourse. Excess phosphorus
stimulates the growth of aquatic plants and algae and may result in unhealthy stream conditions.
The Provincial Water Quality Objective is 0.03 mg/L.
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E. coli originate from the wastes of warm blooded animals, including humans, livestock, wildlife,
pets and waterfowl. The Ontario Recreational Water Quality Guidelines suggest that waters
with less than 100 CFUs/100 ml are safe for swimming.
E. coli (Colony
Forming Units)
B
AVERAGE GRADE
GROUNDWATER
QUALITY
B
Nitrite + Nitrate
Chloride
N/A
N/A
AVERAGE GRADE
(CFU/
100ml)
B+
N/A
(mg/L)
N/A
(mg/L)
N/A
Grade D indicates poor ecosystem conditions. Overall improvements necessary.
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
Grade B indicates good ecosystem conditions. Some areas may require enhancement and/or
improvements.
Nitrates are present in water through the decomposition of plant or animal material, the presence of
fertilizers, domestic sewage or treated wastewater as well as geological formations containing soluble
nitrogen compounds. The Ontario Drinking Water Standard for nitrite + nitrate is 10 mg/L.
While chloride can be naturally occurring, the presence of elevated levels may indicate
contamination from road salt, industrial discharges, or landfill leachate. The Ontario Drinking
Water Standard for chloride is only for aesthetic purposes with an objective of 250 mg/L.
There are no monitoring wells located within this watershed, however, other monitoring wells in the
vicinity have good water quality with an A grade.
Surface water data used for this interpretation were obtained through the
Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN), the Ontario
Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) and Saugeen Conservation's
water quality monitoring network. Data used were from 2002 to 2006.
Groundwater data - there are no monitoring wells located in this
watershed.
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It should be noted that groundwater aquifers do not conform to watershed
boundaries but rather flow in an east to west direction through the
watershed. A general determination of water quality in the area can be
made by looking at other wells in the vicinity.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
FOREST CONDITIONS
With an average grade of ‘B’ for forest conditions, the Beatty Saugeen River Watershed exceeds
the Environment Canada guidelines of 30% forest cover. Forest interior comes close to the guidelines
with a ‘B’ grade. Riparian cover could be improved. It falls short of the guidelines on many sections
of the river.
EVALUATED WETLAND CONDITIONS
This report card summarizes the conditions of ‘evaluated wetlands’ only. With a 5.2% wetland
cover this watershed scores a ‘D’ grade. There is a lack of wetlands in all areas other than the
headwaters area. Wetland buffers score poorly as well and could be increased throughout the
watershed.
SURFACE WATER QUALITY
The Beatty Saugeen scores an average grade of ‘B+’ for surface water quality. Total phosphorus at
0.01 mg/L falls below the objective of 0.03 mg/L. E. coli is below the recreational guideline but counts
do increase after storm events.
GROUNDWATER QUALITY
There are no monitoring wells located within this watershed.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A BETTER WATERSHED
1)
Improve riparian cover. Create buffers or riparian
systems (plant trees or allow land along waterways to naturalize)
along the Beatty Saugeen’s main waterway and its smaller
tributaries. This would provide additional wildlife habitat and
corridor systems, improve fisheries resources, help filter impurities
and pollutants, assist in the maintenance of cold water habitat,
stabilize eroding banks and prevent the loss of valuable topsoil. It
would also assist in reaching Environment Canada's suggested
target of 75%.
2) Expand overall forest cover.
Increase tree planting
efforts with emphasis on dormant fields, areas too wet to farm or
retired farmland. This will help to improve forest conditions
beyond the ‘B’ average and will also increase habitat and species
diversity.
3) Allow low lying or wet areas to naturalize.
These are key areas and allowing them to regenerate will help to
improve the wetland scores. It is also important, where feasible,
to restore previously drained wetlands. For information on possible
programs and incentives with Ducks Unlimited Canada, see www.ducks.ca
4) Protect existing wetlands and forests. This can
be accomplished through designations in planning documents,
enforcement of tree cutting bylaws, landowner incentives and
education, and promotion of sustainable recreational uses. With
Wetland Cover scoring a ‘D’ grade, this is important in this
watershed.
5) Implement Best Management Practices (BMP’s)
One of the primary land uses in the Beatty Saugeen River
Watershed is farming at roughly 65%. The implementation of best
management practices (BMP's) is highly recommended.
Key BMP’s include:
• proper storage and application of manure, fertilizers and
pesticides which would help to decrease phosphorus loadings
and prevent contamination of waterways
• the implementation of farming practices such as strip
cropping, grassed waterways and the use of cover crops to
prevent erosion and reduce the movement of nutrients and
pesticides
• the restriction of cattle from waterways
• the establishment of shelterbelts in farm areas to protect
valuable topsoil, increase wildlife habitat, protect crops against
wind damage, increase energy efficiency of farm buildings, and
increase the value of farm property
For more information on Best Management Practices see
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/bmp/series.htm
6) Protect your drinking water supply by:
• ensuring you know the condition of your well and the risks to
your water supply (www.wellwise.ca)
• sample private wells each spring and fall (available through the
local Health Unit)
• keep contaminants away from wells (e.g. fuel, pesticides,
manure/waste)
• decommission abandoned wells (according to Ministry of the
Environment standards)
• fix faulty septic systems and establish a septic maintenance
plan
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A ‘Gold Star’ for Current Practices
Did you know that Saugeen Conservation...
> administers its Regulation and Planning Review programs designed to
protect existing wetlands, as well as riverine systems and hazard
areas
> plants trees (12,250 at three locations in this watershed from 2002
- 2006), on an annual basis throughout its entire jurisdiction
> implements an intensive conservation education program aimed at
teaching students about the health of the local ecosystem, including
forests, wetlands, endangered species, natural habitats, species
relationships and more
> conducts an extensive water sampling program, both for surface and
groundwater. Two of these surface water stations are located on the
Beatty Saugeen River system
> conducts on-going sampling of aquatic organisms to monitor water
quality
> provides technical support to landowners
Other Initiatives
> Environmental self assessments are now available for the rural non-farm landowner with the release of The Rural Landowner
Stewardship Guide for the Lake Huron Watershed. This guide provides a framework to allow landowners to evaluate their property
and its management. Through completion of the worksheets, landowners will learn what they are doing right and where they can
improve the natural environment. See the website http://theguide.huronstewardship.on.ca to find out how to get a guide.
> Grey County Forest Stewardship Council endeavours to foster education and new initiatives that promote natural resource
sustainability within Grey County. The main focus is to initiate and support stewardship projects and demonstrations of sustainable
resource management.
> The Ministry of Natural Resources has stocked brown trout, completed habitat restoration projects and assigned fishing sanctuary
designations to sections of this river.
If you and your organization are working to improve the watershed, please let us know!
For more information contact:
CONSERVATION
261123 Grey Rd. 28, R. R. #1
Hanover ON N4N 3B8
519-364-1255
www.svca.on.ca