WATERSHED - Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority

CONSERVATION
South Saugeen River
WATERSHED
REPORT CARD
2008
Average Grades
C
D
B
A
Forest Conditions
Wetland Conditions
Surface Water Quality
Groundwater 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 South Saugeen River Watershed
The South Saugeen
River is a tributary of the
Saugeen River, draining
798 square kilometres.
It is 97 kilometres in
length with an average
gradient of 1.48 metres
per kilometre.
Tributaries of the
South Saugeen River are
Carrick Creek, Meux
Creek, Bell’s Creek,
Fairbanks Creek and
numerous other small unnamed streams. The South Saugeen
River drains into the Main Saugeen River south of Hanover.
The watershed is predominantly agricultural (72%). It includes
the communities of Mount Forest, Ayton, Clifford and Neustadt.
The landscape of the watershed is post glacial in nature with
dominant landforms including drumlinized till plains, kame
moraines and spillways along the major tributaries and numerous
drumlins in the headwater areas.
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
LEGEND
Benthic
Surface Water Quality
Benthic and Surface Water Quality
Groundwater Monitoring
Wooded Areas
Evaluated Wetlands
Watercourses
Neustadt
N
2
Lake
Huron
The South Saugeen River Watershed
WATERSHED INFORMATION
Groundwater Aquifer Sources
Area
Salina Formation, Guelph Formation, Bass
Island Formation
798 sq. km
Municipalities
Municipality of South Bruce, Municipality
of Brockton, Municipality of West Grey,
Township of Southgate, Town of Minto,
Township of Wellington North, Township of
Howick, Township of Melancthon, Town of
Hanover
Stream Flow (mean)
mean annual flow - 9.2 cubic
metres per second (cms)
Physiography
Woodlot Size
58% till plain (drumlinized), 18% spillway,
15% kame moraine, 3% peat and muck, 2%
esker, 2% drumlin, 1% till moraine
Small fragmented forests exist at the back of farm
lots providing little forest interior habitat.
Stream Flow (low) *
7Q10 flow1 - 0.59 cms
7Q20 flow2 - 0.57 cms
Soils
46% silty loam, 29% medium to
moderately fine loam, 11% organic
material, 9% fine to moderately coarse
sandy loam, 5% other (may include small
percentages of alluvium, breypan,
bottomlands etc), 0.5% coarse sandy loam
and loamy sand, 0.1% clay loam
Land Use
72% agriculture; 22% forested;
0.9% urban
Provincially
Significant Natural
Areas
Life Science Areas of Natural
and Scientific Interest Mount Forest Bog, Pike Lake,
Drew Bog and Swamp, Drew
Swamp West, Fultons Swamp,
South Saugeen River, Gildale
Swamp, Keldon Swamp
Rare Species (obtained frrom the National Heritage
Information Centre (NHIC) Website)
Dams
In total there are 21 dams in the South
Saugeen Watershed of which 7 are considered
large dams (greater than 3 metres in height).
Milk Snake, Massassauga Rattle Snake, Henslow’s Sparrow, Redside
Dace, Butternut, Hill’s Pondweed, Schweintz’s Sedge, Hart’s Tongue
Fern, Delta-Spotted Spiketail
Sewage Treatment
Facilities
Neustadt, Mount Forest, Clifford
Henslow’s Sparrow
*
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.
Butternut
3
FOREST
CONDITIONS
The South Saugeen River Watershed
INDICATORS
GRADE
% of
AREA
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
Forest Cover
B
22.4
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
C
4
Riparian Cover
C
35
CONDITIONS
SURFACE WATER
QUALITY
EVALUATED WETLAND
AVERAGE GRADE
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.
Grade C indicates ecosystem conditions that warrant general improvements.
Wetland Cover
D
6.7
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
30.5
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.
Grade D indicates poor ecosystem conditions. Overall improvements necessary.
AVERAGE GRADE
D
INDICATORS
GRADE
RESULT
Benthic
Invertebrates
(FBI)
B
5.11
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)
0.02
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.
46
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
Nitrite + Nitrate
Chloride
(CFU/
100ml)
B
AVERAGE GRADE
GROUNDWATER
QUALITY
C
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.
A
A
AVERAGE GRADE
0.05
(mg/L)
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.
(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.
A
Grade A indicates excellent ecosystem conditions. Some protection and enhancement may be
required.
4.30
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 used for this interpretation were obtained through the
Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN). To date only four
4
annual samples have been taken from each of the three wells in this
watershed. These wells monitor three aquifers. 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. These scores give
a general determination of water quality in the area.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
FOREST CONDITIONS
With an average grade of ‘C’ for forest conditions, the South Saugeen River Watershed falls short of the Environment Canada
guidelines of 30% forest cover. There is 22.4% forest cover, grade ‘B’, and only 35% riparian cover, scoring a ‘C’ grade. Forest conditions
need to be improved.
EVALUATED WETLAND CONDITIONS
This report card summarizes the conditions of ‘evaluated wetlands’ only. With only 6.7% wetland cover this watershed scores a ‘D’
grade. There is a lack of wetlands in all areas other than the headwaters area, known as the South Saugeen Wetlands, (Ecologistics Ltd.
1990). Wetland buffers score poorly and could be increased throughout the watershed.
SURFACE WATER QUALITY
This watershed scores an average grade of ‘B’. Benthic scores range from 3.60 to 7.53 giving a ‘B’ grade, with the worst scores being in
the upper end of the watershed. Total phosphorus at 0.02 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
The groundwater quality in the three wells in this area is excellent. The wells monitor one overburden aquifer and two bedrock
aquifers. There have been no exceedences of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards during this study period.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A BETTER WATERSHED
1)
Improve riparian cover. Create buffers or riparian
systems along the South 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 to a
‘B’ grade 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 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 South Saugeen River
Watershed is farming at roughly 72%. 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 that 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
NOTE: Landowners near municipally owned
and operated drinking water systems
(including wells and intakes) may be eligible
for funding to undertake early actions to
protect sources of drinking water. See
www.waterprotection.ca
5
A ‘Gold Star’ for Current Practices
Did you know that Saugeen Conservation...
> administers its Regulation and Planning programs designed to protect existing
wetlands, as well as riverine systems and hazard areas
> plants trees, (9,700 at 4 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. Three of these surface water stations are located on the South
Saugeen River systems
> conducts on-going sampling of aquatic organisms to monitor water quality
> provides technical support to landowners
Other Initiatives
> Headwaters Healthy Wetlands Project is a partnership between Ducks Unlimited, Grand River Conservation Authority and
Saugeen Conservation. The project is focused on improving and protecting wetlands within the South Saugeen River watershed.
Several projects have been completed ranging from livestock restriction fencing to the restoration of wetlands.
> 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 practices.
> 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 in protecting the natural environment. See the website http://theguide.huronstewardship.on.ca to find out how to get a guide.
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