Stoney Creek Watershed Report Card

The Upper Thames River
Conservation Authority has
produced Watershed Report
Cards for this watershed
and 27 other watersheds
in the Upper Thames River
basin. These report cards
outline environmental
information and suggested
actions for improvement.
Watershed Features
Middlesex Centre (54%, 20 sq. km),
Municipalities City of London (45%, 17 sq. km),
Thames Centre (1%, <1 sq. km)
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
1
Watercourses
Stoney (tributary of North Thames),
Powell, West Stoney, Armitage,
Harris, N/E Stoney, Wonnacott
Significant
Natural Sites
Provincially Significant Wetlands –
(1) Fanshawe Wetlands Complex,
(2) Arva Moraine Wetland.
(See numbered sites on map)
STONEY CREEK
WATERSHED FEATURES
Area
3780 ha (38 sq. km), 1% of Upper Thames River watershed
Land Use
60% agriculture, 21% urban, 14% natural, 5% aggregates, <1% water
Population
20,240 in 2011, a 39% increase from 15,780 in 2006. 11,460 in 1996.
Soil Type
36% silty loam, 22% not mapped (urban), 16% coarse sand, 13% clay loam, 9% bottomland, 4% fine sandy loam, 1% silty
clay loam
Physiography
49% spillway, 45% undrumlinized till plain, 6% till moraine
Soil Erosion /
Delivery
5% highly erodible (lands that could potentially contribute >7 tonnes/ha/yr of soil to a watercourse). The average for the
Upper Thames River watershed is 9%.
Stream Flow
The 5-year (2006-2010) mean annual flow was 0.6 cubic metres per second, measured at Windermere Road. The flow
station was installed in 2002. Stoney Creek contributes 1% of the flow to the Thames downstream of London.
Tiling & Drainage
41% no tiling, 22% urban drainage, 19% randomly field tiled, 18% systematically field tiled (9% more urban drainage than
in 2006)
Watercourse
Characteristics
Total length:
Watercourse type:
Flow type:
Temperature:
Dams & Barriers
10 privately-owned barriers have been recorded in the watershed. Beaver activity is prevalent. Several barriers were
removed in 2008 with improvements to Stoney via City projects.
Sewage
Treatment
There are no sewage treatment plants discharging into Stoney Creek. The portion of the watershed within London is
serviced by the Adelaide Pollution Control Plant which discharges treated effluent to the North Thames River. All rural
properties in the watershed are serviced by private septic systems.
Spills
9 spills reported from 2006- 2010, 5 spills reported from 2001-2005, 4 from 1988-2000. Most spills involve industrial
chemicals and fuels.
% Vegetation
Cover Types
Total vegetation cover:
Forest cover types:
Other cover types:
Wetland Cover
5.1% (192 ha) of the watershed is in wetland cover. Wetlands make up 34% of the natural vegetation cover.
62 km of watercourse
51% natural, 28% buried, 21% channelized
51% permanent, 28% buried, 21% intermittent
52% unconfirmed, 47% warmwater, 1% cool/coldwater
Size Category
Woodlot or Patch
Size
Small (<10 ha)
Medium (10-30 ha)
Large (>30 ha)
553 ha (14.7% of the watershed)
63% deciduous, 9% mixed, 1% coniferous/plantation
22% meadow, 3% shrubland, 1% hedgerow
Number of
Woodlots
Average Size
(ha)
Total Woodland
Area (ha)
% of Woodland
Area
Largest
Woodlot (ha)
49
11
2
3
16
50
122
181
99
31
45
25
66
Fisheries
Resources
45 fish species and 1 freshwater mussel species recorded. Gamefish present include Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike.
Species at Risk
Fish – Black Redhorse, Silver Shiner. Reptiles - Snapping Turtle.
WEATHER & WATER HIGHS & LOWS
Some extreme weather patterns were
experienced from 2006 to 2011. A major
summer drought in 2007 affected some
well supplies and dried out some smaller
watercourses. Conversely, there were three
significant flood events caused by rain and
STONEY CREEK
2
snowmelt in April and December 2008 and
February 2009. In 2011, a very wet year, the
UTRCA issued over 30 Flood Bulletins. With
changing climate patterns, the Great Lakes
area is expected to see more extremes in
precipitation and temperature.
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
SURFACE
WATE QUALITY
ALITY
SURFACE WATER
GRADE:
C
IMPROVED
concentrations (sources such as fertilizer) have improved since
2005 to aquatic life guideline levels.
Surface water quality in Stoney Creek has improved since 2005
and scores an overall grade of C (see table below). Samples
are taken at the provincial water quality monitoring station at
Windermere Road (added in 2002).
Stream health, as indicated by benthic sampling, has been fairly
consistent over the years, which is surprising as considerable
urban development occurred in this watershed in the last decade.
The exception was 2006, when a poorer score likely resulted from
a chemical spill.
Total phosphorus levels have improved since 2005 to current
levels close to the aquatic life guideline. E. coli bacteria levels
have improved since 2005 to about the Upper Thames average.
Chloride concentrations (main source is road salt) have improved
since 2005 and remain below the provincial guideline. Nitrate
Stoney Creek
Indicators
19962000
Phosphorus
No data
(mg/l) *
Upper
Thames
2006-2010
Provincial
Guideline
Indicator Description
20012005
20062010
0.119
C
0.039
C
Improved
0.091
D
267
C
Improved
249
C
100
B
(Recreation)
6.32
D
Steady
6.04
D
Benthic organisms (aquatic invertebrates that live in stream
<5.00
sediments) are good indicators of water quality and stream health.
B
The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores each taxa according to its
(Target Only)
pollution tolerance.
Bacteria
(E. coli/
100 ml) **
No data
554
D
Benthic
Score (FBI)
6.19
D
6.03
D
Phosphorus is found in products such as soap, detergent and
0.030
fertilizer as well as waste, and contributes to excess algae and low
B
(Aquatic Life) oxygen in streams and lakes.
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.
* 75th percentile, MOE Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network data. ** Geometric mean, Health Unit data. Province-wide Grading System used (see page 6).
E
GRADE:
D
DECLINED
FOREST CONDITIONS
The three forest condition indicators score a D, F and C (see table
below), producing an overall grade of D.
species such as Ovenbird or Scarlet Tanager. The target for
southern Ontario is 10% forest interior.
The percent forest cover (10.7%) is slightly lower than the average
for the Upper Thames watershed and considered too low for
sustainability. The target for southern Ontario is 30% forest cover.
Meadows and shrubland habitat types make up an additional
4.0% for a total of 14.7% natural vegetation cover
The percent riparian zone forested (33.8%) is lower than the target
of 50%. Additional riparian areas are in permanent meadows and
shrubland (17%), for a total of 50.8% riparian zone vegetated.
The decline in forest cover and interior between the 2007 and
2012 report cards is a reflection of more accurate mapping and
actual forest loss due to development (2000-2006).
The percent forest interior (0.9%) is also low, indicating that most
woodlots are too small and/or narrow to support area sensitive
S. Ont.
Target
**
2007*
2012*
Upper
Thames
2012*
% Forest
Cover
12.2
D
10.7
D
11.3
D
30.0
B
Percent forest cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested or wooded. Forest
cover includes upland and wetland forest types.
% Forest
Interior
1.0
F
0.9
F
1.4
F
10.0
B
Percent forest interior is the percentage of the watershed that is forest 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.
% Riparian
Zone
Forested
No
Data
33.8
C
31.4
C
50.0
B
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.
Indicators
Stoney Creek
Indicator Description
* 2007 report card data based on 2000 air photo; 2012 report card data based on 2006 air photo.
** Targets for southern Ontario based on Environment Canada (2004) and Conservation Ontario (2011).
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
3
STONEY CREEK
GROUNDWATER
Watershed Report Card
Municipal Water Supply
The portions of the watershed in London are supplied by
the London municipal water system by pipeline from its
sources in Lakes Huron and Erie. Six emergency backup
wells (Fanshawe wells) in this watershed are maintained as a
backup source of groundwater for the City of London. These
wells are designated as GUDI (groundwater under direct
influence of surface water) as they are completed in a shallow
overburden aquifer. Municipal water is tested and treated.
Private Wells
There are 303 private wells on record in Stoney Creek
watershed, the majority of which draw groundwater from
overburden aquifers. Properly constructed deep wells have
a lower risk of contamination from the surface than shallow
wells. The highest risk to any well is from contaminants and
activities closest to the well. The safety, testing and treatment
of a private well are the responsibility of the well owner.
On The Map
Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas (SGRA) - Areas where
a relatively large volume of water makes its way from the ground’s
surface to recharge, or replenish, an aquifer. A recharge area is
considered significant when it helps maintain the water level in an
aquifer that supplies a community with drinking water.
Highly Vulnerable Aquifers (HVA) - Groundwater movement is
typically slow (measured in cm/hr), but in HVA there are relatively
faster pathways from the ground’s surface down to an aquifer,
making the aquifer more vulnerable to contamination.
Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA) - Areas surrounding a
municipal wellhead through which contaminants are reasonably
likely to move toward or reach the well.
Protection of these areas is very important for the protection of
local groundwater as a source of drinking water.
Groundwater Monitoring
ILD
TO
ER
D
NR
THORND
MIDDLESEX
CENTRE
THAMES
CENTRE
ALE RD
The Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network has shown
groundwater levels generally decline from May to October,
and increase from fall to spring with the largest increase in
March (up to 1.5 m change). Groundwater levels were lowest
in 2007 (drought year), and highest in 2009 and 2011. About
60-70% of local streamflow/ baseflow is from groundwater
discharging into streams.
D
ME
Drinking Water Source Protection
D
ME
YR
WA
D
RIC
SU
N
G
NIN
RD
D
B
I
R KE
E
RH
L AN
YR
A LL
KIL
Legend
C LA
N
ILL
PS
BRIA
ST
KIP
N
IDE
D
ER
LONDON
AVE
RA DR
E LA
IDE DR
AVE
R
ME
ER
IND
0 W
1 km
R
AD
0.5
SUNNYS
E
LD
; Fanshawe
;
;
;
;
; WHPA
E
RY
T
DS
1
SH
RD
EL
RD
O
GLEN
ON
FAN
K
EP
AW
NF
LE
B
I
H BU
HM
E
GR
DA
D
HIG
A process is underway to better protect sources of municipal
drinking water in the region (www.sourcewaterprotection.
on.ca). Much information on groundwater resources has been
compiled and a Water Supply System Summary is available
for London backup wells (www.sourcewaterprotection.
on.ca/downloads/assessment_reports/UTRCA/Appendices/
A3-System%20Summaries/LONDONfanshawehydeparkSystemSummary.pdf). A Source Protection Plan will be
completed in 2012.
YR
WA
Stoney Creek Watershed AIRP
ORT
RD
Municipal Boundary
T
NS
Wellhead
RO Protection Area (WHPA)
HU
SGRA and HVA
E
ST
; Municipal Well Locations
RD
FO
OX Monitoring Site
Provincial Groundwater
B
I
Great Lakes Connection
The Stoney Creek watershed is in the Thames River watershed, which is part of
the Lake Erie watershed. Water from Stoney Creek enters the North Thames in
London, and takes 4-10 days to flow through Chatham and reach Lake St. Clair.
About two weeks later, it reaches Lake Erie.
Lake Erie provides drinking water and recreation for millions of people. However,
major algae blooms from excess phosphorus are a critical issue for this lake,
and the Thames River contributes 30% of the phosphorus that is coming from
Ontario. A recent Canada-US Nutrient Management Strategy calls for reducing
phosphorus from land use activities in watersheds including the Thames.
Fish Connections: A Rainbow Trout tagged in March 2010 in a London-area
Thames tributary was caught 4 months later in Lake Erie near Rondeau Provincial
Park. The study findings indicate that the fish migrate annually from deeper,
colder sections of Lake Erie, through the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, to spawn in Upper Thames River tributaries.
STONEY CREEK
4
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
LOCAL ACTIONS FOR
IMPROVEMENT
Individuals, groups, businesses, municipalities and agencies each have a role in improving the health of the watershed through the
following actions. For more information on agencies that can help, contact the UTRCA (see last page).
A number of the local actions listed below are also identified in the following reports:
• Middlesex Natural Heritage Study (UTRCA, 2004)
• Upper Thames River Source Protection Area Amended
Proposed Assessment Report (August 2011)
• Community Plans: Uplands North (2003), Uplands (1998),
Stoney Creek North (1999), Stoney Creek (1997)
• Status Review of Stoney Creek Subwatershed Study (IBI Group,
2007)
• City of London Subwatershed Studies Implementation Plan
(City of London, 1995)
• Guideline Document for the Evaluation of Ecologically
Significant Woodlands (City of London, 2006)
• Stoney Creek Subwatershed Study (Paragon Engineering, 1995)
Surface Water and Groundwater
▪ For new development, implement urban stormwater
planning using Low Impact Development, Stormwater Best
Management Practices, subwatershed studies, catchment
area planning and erosion control.
• Protect and establish buffers (native trees, grasses) along
watercourses for shade and to filter pollutants.
• With 45 fish species recorded in Stoney Creek, it supports a very
diverse fish community and likely provides significant spawning,
rearing, and feeding habitat for North Thames fish. Further
sampling is recommended to monitor the impacts of urban
development and channel restoration projects on this resource.
▪ For existing development, implement pollution prevention and
control planning for all aspects of stormwater runoff including
combined storm-sewer overflows.
• There are 10 dams/barriers in this small watershed. Assess their
purpose for potential removal or modification to improve river
health.
▪ Continue to upgrade sewer systems where risk of
contamination is greatest (e.g. extend sanitary sewers to
urban properties on septic systems).
• Use drain maintenance methods that protect aquatic habitat
(e.g. spot or bottom cleanouts).
▪ Minimize use of fertilizers, adhere to the Ontario’s Cosmetic
Pesticide Ban (effective 2009) and utilize the municipal
hazardous waste disposal program (www.clear.london.ca).
• Implement Best Management Practices in septic system
upgrades, manure storage and spreading, soil conservation,
fertilizer and pesticide storage and application, fuel storage, and
restricting livestock access to watercourses.
• Complete and follow Environmental Farm Plans and Nutrient
Management Plans (www.omafra.gov.on.ca).
• Utilize grants and expertise from the Clean Water Program
(www.cleanwaterprogram.ca).
• In the urban area the following actions should be continued:
▪ Improve erosion and sediment control during construction
due to the high rate of development in this watershed.
Stoney Creek is a spawning destination for many species from the North
Thames and beyond, such as the Rainbow Trout that travel from Lake Erie.
▪ Continue subwatershed implementation through 5 community
plans and subsequent subdivision plans.
Drinking Water
• Decommission abandoned wells according to Ministry of the Environment standards.
• Homeowners with wells should understand the condition of their well and risks to their water supply (www.wellwise.ca).
• Sample private wells each spring and fall (available through the Health Unit).
• Keep contaminants (e.g., fuel, pesticides, manure/waste) away from your well area.
• To protect municipal drinking water sources, implement Source Protection Plan policies.
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
5
STONEY CREEK
Forests
• For tree planting projects, create a more natural and diverse
habitat by using a variety of native plant species that are better
adapted to the local climate, pests, etc. Tree planting assistance
and grants are available from the UTRCA (see information below).
• Ongoing efforts to naturalize and plant trees along Stoney
Creek within London should be continued to create a
continuous wildlife corridor.
• Tree planting and naturalization projects should be targeted
to sites identified by the City of London as Corridors and AntiFragmentation Areas. These areas have the greatest potential to
become good wildlife habitat. Landowner cooperation is required.
• Connect woodlots by planting shelterbelts, windbreaks and
buffers along fields and watercourses, which will also protect
against soil erosion and improve water quality. Older, denser
windbreaks should be thinned.
• Increase forest interior by making woodlots larger and rounder
(e.g., plant native trees and shrubs along the edges or allow the
edges to naturalize on their own).
• Landowners wishing to selectively log their woodlots should
use Good Forestry Practices (i.e., Basal Area Guidelines, not
Diameter Limit Harvesting) and hire a Certified Tree Marker to
mark the woodlot and oversee harvesting.
• Conserve woodlands, wetlands and other natural areas through
Official Plan designations, landowner incentives and education,
enforcement of tree cutting by-laws, etc.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
SINCE 2006
• Rural landowners completed 7 Clean Water Program (CWP)
projects including septic upgrades and well decommissioning.
The CWP was initiated in 2001 as a partnership between
local municipalities to fund environmental projects (www.
cleanwaterprogram.ca).
The Stoney Creek watershed is benefiting from many conservation
efforts that continue to be implemented by individuals, groups,
businesses, agencies and municipalities on private and public
lands. Some examples follow.
• The Friends of Stoney Creek formed in 1992 as a group of
concerned citizens who work with the UTRCA, City of London
and the local community to improve the health of Stoney Creek
through projects including stream rehabilitation. The Friends
goal is to increase awareness and engage interest in the Stoney
Creek watershed.
• The City of London acquired more land along the creek to
expand the public trail system and open space network.
• Through UTRCA’s Communities for Nature Program, the Friends
of Stoney Creek, City of London and local schools planted 3600
native trees and shrubs and 8400 native wildflowers at 14 sites
involving 1040 students and 650 community members.
• Urban development continues to follow recommendations of
the five Community Plans in Stoney Creek watershed to ensure
natural heritage features are protected with future development.
• In 2008 the City of London undertook channel remediation work
to correct erosion and fish barrier related problems. Several
weirs (installed in the 1970s) were removed, allowing for free
fish passage. As well, extensive sections of Stoney Creek were
restored to a natural channel form including natural meanders,
riffles and pools.
The City of London restored extensive sections of Stoney Creek to a natural
channel form with meanders, riffles and pools to correct erosion and fish
barrier problems.
Ontario-wide Report Cards
For more information, contact:
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
1424 Clarke Road, London, Ontario, Canada N5V 5B9
519-451-2800 [email protected]
www.thamesriver.on.ca
Conservation Authorities produce report cards for their
watersheds every five years to track changes, using a
standardized grading system (conservation-ontario.on.ca).
Grades vary across the province, reflecting the range of physical
characteristics and human activities. The UTRCA report cards and
supporting information are available in a report titled 2012 Upper
Thames River Watershed Report Cards (thamesriver.on.ca).
STONEY CREEK
6
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card