TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT

TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
The RVCA produces individual reports for
14 catchments in the Tay River
Subwatershed. Using data collected and
analysed by the RVCA through its
watershed monitoring and land cover
classification programs, surface water
quality conditions are reported for the
reach of the Tay River from the Town of
Perth to Port Elmsley, along with a
summary of environmental conditions for
the surrounding countryside every six
years.
This information is used to help better
understand the effects of human activity
on our water resources, allows us to better
track environmental change over time and
helps focus watershed management
actions where they are needed the most.
The following pages of this report are a
compilation of that work. For other Tay
River Catchments and the Tay River
Subwatershed Report, please visit the
RVCA website at www.rvca.ca.
Inside
1. Surface Water Quality Conditions
Tay River
2. Riparian Conditions
Overbank Zone
Shoreline Zone
Instream Aquatic Habitat
3. Land Cover
4. Stewardship and Protection
5. Issues
6. Opportunities for Action
Catchment Facts
 Land use beyond the Town of Perth
boundary is predominantly agricultural
(crop and pasture) with numerous
pockets of residential development
along the Highway 43 corridor and
along Ebert Road, Concession 1 Road,
Concession 2 Road and Churchill Road
 Development in this area includes an
industrial/business park, a residential
plan of subdivision and residential lots
backing onto Rideau Ferry Road
 The Tay River/Canal is recognized as
an important cultural, economic and
social feature of the area
 The hamlet of Port Elmsley at the
confluence of the Tay River with Lower
Rideau Lake has seen considerable
development by plans of subdivision
beginning in the early 1980’s. Port
Elmsley has the largest concentration of
development in the catchment area.
There has been no recent subdivision
activity in the catchment.
 There is some new rural residential
development on existing lots of record
throughout the catchment and limited
new lot creation by severance
 Floodplain mapping is available for the
Tay River
 Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection
Assessment Report indicates that the
shallowest upper bedrock aquifer is
highly vulnerable to land use activities
due to thin soil cover
 Situated almost entirely within the Smith
Falls Limestone Plain, a broad flat
poorly drained region underlain by thin
soils, dolostone and sandstone. A
geologic fault runs northwest across the
catchment
 99% of the catchment falls within the
Township of Drummond/North Elmsley
and 1% within the Town of Perth
 Drains 50.9 sq. km of land or 6.4% of
the Tay River Subwatershed and 1.2%
of the Rideau Valley Watershed
2
6
6
7
8
13
14
15
15
 Dominant land cover is crop and
pastureland (48%), followed by wetland
(19%), woodland (18%), grassland
(7%), settlement (6%), roads (1%) and
water (1%)
 Riparian buffer (30 m. wide along both
sides of the Tay River and tributaries) is
comprised of crop and pastureland
(44%), wetland (31%), woodland (13%),
grassland (7%), settlement (4%) and
roads (1%)
 Contains a cool/warm water baitfish and
recreational fishery with 22 fish species
 Water quality rating along the reach of
the Tay River from Perth to Port Elmsley
is fair
 MOE well records indicate there are 469
private water wells or 10% of all wells in
the Tay River Subwatershed
 Nineteen stewardship (landowner tree
planting/clean water) projects have
been completed
TAY RIVER SURFACE WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Introduction
Surface water quality in the Tay River-Port Elmsley
Catchment is assessed using water and aquatic insect
samples collected along the Tay River through RVCA’s
surface water quality monitoring programs. Analyzed
results are presented below.
RVCA has adopted the Canadian Council of Ministers of
the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) to
provide an overall measure of surface water quality in Tay
River catchments using a rating for water quality ranging
from “Very Poor, Poor, Fair, Good to Very Good”. WQI
scores for lakes and streams are based on how often,
how many and by how much sample results for each
parameter exceed established water quality guidelines.
In applying the CCME WQI, the RVCA uses 21
parameters available for all Tay watercourses, including
nutrients (total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen,
nitrates), E. coli, metals (like cadmium and copper) and
additional chemical/physical parameters (like alkalinity,
chlorides, pH and total suspended solids).
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for nutrients, E. coli, metals and additional chemical/
physical parameters.
Tay River Nutrients: Site TAY-11
Total phosphorus (TP) is used as an indicator of
excessive nutrient loading which may results in
abundant vegetation growth and impact dissolved
oxygen levels.
Only eleven percent of samples (Fig. 2) analyzed for TP
exceeded the Provincial Water Quality Objective
(PWQO) of 0.030 mg/l, the average concentration of TP
in this part of the river is 0.026 mg/l (75th percentile
0.027 mg/l). This data shows that though total
phosphorus concentrations may exceed guidelines it
typically has moderate concentrations.
1) a. Tay River-Port Elmsley Water Quality
Surface water quality conditions in The Tay River are
monitored through the RVCA’s Surface Water Quality
Program at two locations (Perth Wildlife Reserve TAY-11
and Port Elmsley Road TAY-01)and Benthic Invertebrate
Monitoring Program (Port Elmsley Road) (see Fig. 1 for
their location).
The water quality rating for the Tay River-Port Elmsley
catchment is “Fair” using the WQI and is based on data
Figure 2. TAY-11 total phosphorous concentrations
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) is used as a secondary
indicator of excessive nutrient loading which can result in
abundant vegetation and depleted oxygen levels. The
majority of samples (78 percent) (Fig. 3) analyzed for TKN
Figure 1. Water quality rating for the Tay River
Figure 3. TAY-11 total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations
TAY RIVER SURFACE WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
exceeded RVCA's guideline of 0.5 mg/l with an average
concentration of 0.642 mg/l (75th percentile 0.610 mg/l).
Given the potential for TKN concentrations to be high it is
important that measures are taken to reduce overall
contributions to the Tay River.
The combination of available phosphorus and abundant
nitrogen increase the potential for abundant vegetation
and algae blooms, leading to depleted oxygen and these
species die off and decay which may impact aquatic life in
the stream.
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Twenty -six percent of Al samples (Fig. 6) exceeded the
PWQO with an average concentrations of 0.068 mg/l
(75th percentile 0.074 mg/l).
Since both elevated concentrations are only seen
occasionally it would suggest that metal pollution is not a
significant problem in this part of the Tay River although,
caution should be taken to ensure contaminants from
runoff are minimized to the waterbody.
Tay River E. coli: Site TAY-11
E. coli is used as an indicator of bacterial pollution from
human or animal waste; in elevated concentrations it can
pose a risk to human health.
Only twenty-five percent of samples (Fig. 4) analyzed
exceeded the PWQO of 100 colony forming units/100
milliliters (CFU/100ml). The average count is below this
guideline at 92 CFU/100ml (geometric mean 52
CFU/100ml). This data shows that bacterial contamination
may occur in this part of the Tay River, though it is not a
significant problem. Efforts should be made to reduce
runoff that may be contributing to excessive E. coli levels
to improve the overall health of the creek.
Figure 5. TAY-11 aluminum concentrations
Figure 4. TAY-11 E. coli concentrations
Figure 6. TAY-11 copper concentrations
Tay River Metals: Site TAY-11
Tay River Nutrients: Site TAY-01
Of the metals routinely monitored in the Tay River, copper
(Cu) and aluminum (Al) were the only metals that reported
concentrations above the PWQO of 0.005 mg/l and 0.075
mg/l respectively. In elevated concentrations these metals
can have toxic effects on aquatic species and be harmful
to human health.
The majority of Cu samples (Fig. 5) were below the
guideline with an average concentration of 0.003 mg/l
(75th percentile 0.001 mg/l), sixteen percent of samples
exceed the guideline.
Total phosphorus (TP) is used as an indicator of
excessive nutrient loading which may results in abundant
vegetation growth and impact dissolved oxygen levels.
Only five percent of samples (Fig. 7) analyzed for TP
exceeded the PWQO of 0.03 mg/l; the average
concentration of TP in this part of the river is 0.021 mg/l
(75th percentile 0.025mg/l). This data shows that though
total phosphorus concentrations may exceed guidelines it
is not presently a significant problem.
TAY RIVER SURFACE WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
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Only twenty-one percent of samples (Fig. 9) analyzed
exceeded the PWQO of 100 colony forming units/100
milliliters (CFU/100 ml). The average count is slightly
below this guideline at 95 CFU/100 ml (geometric mean
45 CFU/100ml). This data shows that bacterial
contamination may occur in this part of the Tay River
though it is not a persistent problem. Efforts should be
made to reduce any runoff that may be contributing to
excessive E. coli levels to improve the overall health of the
creek.
Figure 7. TAY-01 total phosphorous concentrations
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) is used as a secondary
indicator of excessive nutrient loading which can result in
abundant vegetation and depleted oxygen levels.
The majority of samples (sixty-one percent) analyzed for
TKN exceeded RVCA's guideline of 0.5 mg/l (Fig. 8) with
an average concentration of 0.531 mg/l (75th percentile
0.580 mg/l). Given the potential for TKN concentrations to
be high it is important that measures are taken to reduce
overall contributions to the Tay River.
The combination of available phosphorus and abundant
nitrogen increase the potential for abundant vegetation
and algae blooms leading to depleted oxygen and these
species die off and decay which may impact aquatic life in
the stream.
Figure 9. TAY-01 E. coli concentrations
Benthic Invertebrates
Freshwater benthic invertebrates are animals without
backbones that live on the stream bottom and include
crustaceans such as crayfish, molluscs and immature
forms of aquatic insects. Benthos represent an extremely
diverse group of aquatic animals and exhibit wide ranges
of responses to stressors such as organic pollutants,
sediments and toxicants, which allows scientists to use
them as bioindicators.
As part of the Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network
(OBBN), the RVCA has been collecting benthic
invertebrates at one location on the Tay River in Port
Elmsley since 2003. Monitoring data is analyzed and the
results are presented using the Family Biotic Index,
Family Richness and percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera
and Trichoptera.
Figure 8. TAY-01 total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations
Tay River E. coli: Site TAY-01
E. coli is used as an indicator of bacterial pollution from
human or animal waste; in elevated concentrations it can
pose a risk to human health.
The Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI) is an indicator of
organic and nutrient pollution and provides an estimate of
water quality conditions for each site using established
pollution tolerance values for benthic invertebrates. FBI
results for the Tay River in Port Elmsley show that it has
water quality conditions ranging from “Poor” to “Good” for
the period from 2005 to 2010 (Fig.10) and scores an
overall “Fair” surface water quality rating using a grading
scheme developed by Conservation Authorities in Ontario
for benthic invertebrates. TAY RIVER SURFACE WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Figure 10. Surface water quality conditions in the Tay River,
Port Elmsley catchment based on the Family Biotic Index
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Figure 11. Surface water quality conditions in the Tay River
Port Elmsley catchment based on Family Richness
Ephemeroptera (Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies), and
Trichoptera (Caddisflies) are species considered to be
very sensitive to poor water quality conditions. High
abundance of these organisms is generally an indication
of good water quality conditions at a sample location.
With the EPT indicator, the Tay River in Port Elmsley is
reported to have water quality ranging from “Poor” to
“Good” (Fig. 12) from 2005 to 2010. Benthic sampling site replicate two on the Tay River in Port
Elmsley, this image was captured in the spring of 2009.
Family Richness measures the health of the community
through its diversity and increases with increasing habitat
diversity suitability and healthy water quality conditions.
Family Richness is equivalent to the total number of
benthic invertebrate families found within a sample.
Using Family Richness as an indicator, the Tay River in
Port Elmsley is reported to have water quality ranging
from “Fair” to “Good” (Fig. 11).
Figure 12. Surface water quality conditions in the Tay River Port
Elmsley catchment using the EPT Index
Overall the Tay River has a water quality rating of “Fair”
from 2005 to 2010 in the Port Elmsley catchment.
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
2) a. Overbank Zone
Riparian Buffer along the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley Catchment and Other Catchment Lakes
and Tributaries
Figure 13 shows the extent of the naturally vegetated
riparian zone in the catchment, 30 metres either side of
all waterbodies and watercourses. Results from the
RVCA’s Land Cover Classification Program show that
51 percent of streams, creeks and lakes are buffered
with woodland, wetland and grassland; the remaining
49 percent of the riparian buffer is occupied by
settlements, crop and pastureland.
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A recommended target (from Environment Canada’s
Guideline: How Much Habitat is Enough?) is to
maintain a minimum 30 metre wide vegetated buffer
along at least 75 percent of the length of both sides of
rivers, creeks and streams. Figure 14 demonstrates the
buffer conditions of the left and right banks separately.
The majority of the Tay River within the Port Elmsley
catchment had a buffer of greater than 30 metres: 67
percent of the right bank and 83 percent of the left
bank.
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Catchment Buffer Evaluation
Percentage (%)
100
80
60
40
Left Bank
20
Right Bank
0
0‐5m
5‐15m 15‐30m >30m
Buffer Width (m)
Figure 14. Vegetated buffer width along the Port Elmsley
catchment.
Land Use beside the Tay River in the Port Elmsley
Catchment
Figure 13. Catchment land cover in the riparian zone
Data from the RVCA’s Macrostream Survey Program
(Stream Characterization) is used in this section of the
report and is generated from an assessment of 71 (100
metre long) sections along the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley catchment.
The RVCA’s Macrostream Survey Program identifies
seven different land uses beside the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley catchment. (Fig.15). Surrounding land use is
assessed from the beginning to the end of each 100
metre long survey section and up to 100 metres either
side of the creek. Land use beyond this area is not
surveyed, but is nonetheless part of the subwatershed
and will influence the health of the creek. Natural areas
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Adjacent Landuse
Riparian Buffer along Tay River in the Port Elmsley
Catchment
The riparian or shoreline zone is that special area
where the land meets the water. Well-vegetated
shorelines are critically important in protecting water
quality and creating healthy aquatic habitats, lakes and
rivers. Natural shorelines intercept sediments and
contaminants that could impact water quality conditions
and harm fish habitat in streams. Well established
buffers protect the banks against erosion, improve
habitat for fish by shading and cooling the water and
provide protection for birds and other wildlife that feed
and rear young near water.
11%
1% 6%
3%
Pasture
14%
Residential
Forest
40%
Scrubland
Meadow
Wetland
25%
Infrastructure
Figure 15. Land use alongside the Port Elmsley catchment
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Page 7
made up 90 percent of the stream, characterized by
wetland, forest, scrubland and meadow. The remaining
land use consisted of pasture, residential, and
infrastructure.
2) b. Shoreline Zone
Erosion
Erosion is a normal, important stream process and may
not affect actual bank stability; however, excessive
erosion and deposition of sediment within a stream can
have a detrimental effect on important fish and wildlife
habitat. Bank stability indicates how much soil has
eroded from the bank into the stream. Poor bank
stability can greatly contribute to the amount of
sediment carried in a waterbody as well as loss of bank
vegetation due to bank failure, resulting in trees falling
into the stream and the potential to impact instream
migration. Figure 16 shows the bank stability of the left
and right banks along the Tay River in the Port Elmsley
catchment.
Figure 17. Undercut streambank along the Tay River in the
Port Elmsley catchment
temperature, contributing to food supply and helping with
nutrient reduction within a stream. Figure 18 shows that
the majority of the Tay River in the Port Elmsley catchment
has low levels of stream shading.
Figure 16. Erosion along the Tay River in the Port Elmsley
catchment
Streambank Undercutting
Undercut banks are a normal and natural part of
stream function and can provide excellent refuge areas
for fish. Figure 17 shows that the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley catchment has limited areas with identified
undercut banks.
Figure 18. Stream shading along the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley catchment
Stream Shading
Human Alterations
Grasses, shrubs and trees all contribute towards shading
a stream. Shade is important in moderating stream
Figure 19 illustrates the classes of anthropogenic
alterations observed along the Tay River in the Port
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Elmsley catchment. Of the 71 sections sampled, 60
percent of the river remained without any human
alteration. Sections considered natural, but with some
anthropogenic changes made up 37 percent of the
sections sampled, and three percent accounted for
sections that were considered “altered” but still had
natural features. No sections were identified as highly
altered.
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Instream Woody Debris
Figure 21 shows that the majority of the Tay River in the
Port Elmsley catchment has varying levels of instream
woody debris in the form of branches and trees.
Instream woody debris is important for fish and benthic
habitat, by providing refuge and feeding areas.
Tay River‐Port Elmsley Anthorpogenic Changes
3%
37%
Not Altered
Altered (Natural)
60%
Altered (altered)
Figure 19. Alterations to the Tay River, Port Elmsley catchment
Overhanging Trees and Branches
Figure 20 shows that the majority of the Tay River, Port
Elmsley catchment has low levels of overhanging trees
and branches. Overhanging trees and branches provide
a food source, nutrients and shade.
Figure 21. Instream woody debris
Macrostream survey of the Tay River in the Port Elmsley
catchment in a 100 metre section
2) c. Instream Aquatic Habitat
Habitat Complexity
Figure 20. Overhanging trees and branches along the Tay
River, Port Elmsley catchment
Streams are naturally meandering systems and move
over time, there are varying degrees of habitat
complexity, depending on the creek. A high percentage
of habitat complexity (heterogeneity) typically increases
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Page 9
biodiversity of aquatic organisms within a system. Ninetyseven percent of the Tay River, Port Elmsley catchment is
considered heterogeneous, as shown in Figure 22.
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Instream Habitat Complexity
3%
Homogenity
Heterogenity
97%
Figure 22. Instream habitat complexity in the Tay River, Port
Elmsley catchment
Figure 24. Instream cobble and boulder habitat along the Tay
River, Port Elmsley catchment.
Instream Substrate
Diverse substrate is important for fish and benthic
invertebrates habitat because some species have
specific substrate requirements and for example will
only reproduce on certain types of substrate. Figure 23
indicates that a wide variety of substrate types are
found in the Tay River, Port Elmsley catchment.
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Instream Substrate
3%
4% 2%
8%
Bedrock
30%
Boulder
Cobble
Gravel
15%
Sand
Silt
Clay
6%
17%
15%
Instream Morphology
Pools and riffles are important features for fish habitat.
Riffles are areas of agitated water and they contribute
higher dissolved oxygen to the stream and act as
spawning substrate for some species of fish, such as
walleye. Pools provide shelter for fish and can be refuge
pools in the summer if water levels drop and water
temperature in the creek increases. Pools also provide
important over wintering areas for fish. Runs are usually
moderately shallow, with unagitated surfaces of water
and areas where the thalweg (deepest part of the
channel) is in the center of the channel. Tay River in the
Port Elmsley catchment has somewhat variable
morphology; two percent pools, eight percent riffles and
90 percent runs( Fig. 25).
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Instream Morphology
2%
Muck
8%
Detritus
Figure 23. Instream substrate in the Tay River, Port Elmsley
catchment
Pools
Riffles
Boulders create instream cover and back eddies for
large fish to hide and/or rest out of the current. Cobble
provides important over wintering and/or spawning
habitat for small or juvenile fish. Cobble can also
provide habitat conditions for benthic invertebrates that
are a key food source for many fish and wildlife species.
Figure 24 shows where cobble and boulder substrate is
found in the Tay River in the Port Elmsley catchment.
Runs
90%
Figure 25. Instream morphology in the Tay River, Port Elmsley
catchment
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Types of Instream Vegetation
The majority of the Tay River in the Port Elmsley
catchment has a diverse level of instream vegetation, as
seen in Figure 26. Algae dominates the vegetation
community structure at 50 percent. Submergent
vegetation was recorded at twenty-four percent while
narrow leafed emergents were observed at 17 percent.
Broad emergents and free floating plants were each
recorded at three percent. Robust vegetation was
recorded at two percent and floating vegetation accounted
for the remaining one percent.
Page 10
the Tay River in the Port Elmsley catchment. The Tay
River had a healthy abundance of instream vegetation for
most of its length. Seventy-five percent of the stream was
considered to have common and normal levels of
instream vegetation. Twenty-five percent had low to no
levels of instream vegetation.
Riparian Restoration
Figure 28 depicts the locations where various riparian
restoration activities can be implemented as a result of
observations made during the stream survey
assessments.
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Catchment Types of Instream Vegetation
17%
Narrow Emergent
3%
2%
3%
1%
50%
Broad Emergent
Robust
Free Floating
Floating
Submerged
24%
Algae
Figure 26. Instream vegetation Types in the Tay River, Port
Elmsley catchment
Amount of Instream Vegetation
Instream vegetation is an important factor for a healthy
stream ecosystem. Vegetation helps to remove
contaminants from the water, contributes oxygen to the
stream, and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Too
much vegetation can also be detrimental. Figure 27
demonstrates the frequency of instream vegetation for
Tay River ‐ Port Elmsley Instream Vegetation Abundance
2%
11%
Common (>50%
Vegetation)
Normal (25‐50%
Vegetation)
Low (<25%
Vegetation)
Rare (few)
20%
3%
64%
None
Figure 27. Vegetation abundance in the Tay River within the Port
Elmsley catchment
Figure 28. Riparian restoration opportunities
Invasive Species
Invasive species can have major implications on streams
and species diversity. Invasive species are one of the
largest threats to ecosystems throughout Ontario and can
outcompete native species, having negative effects on
local wildlife, fish and plant populations. In the Tay River
within the Port Elmsley catchment, invasive species were
observed in 32 percent of the surveyed sections (Fig. 29).
The species observed were European frogbit (Hydrocharis
morsus-ranae ), yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus), asian carp
and banded mystery snail (Viviparus georgianus).
Thermal Classification
Temperature is an important parameter in streams as it
influences many aspects of physical, chemical and
biological health. Three temperature dataloggers were
deployed in the Tay River from April to late September
2010 (Fig. 30) to give a representative sample of how
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Page 11
Fish Sampling
Fish sampling sites located along the Tay River in the
Port Elmsley catchment are shown in Figure 31.
Figure 29. Invasive species along the Tay River, Port Elmsley
catchment.
water temperature fluctuates. Many factors can
influence fluctuations in stream temperature, including
springs, tributaries, precipitation runoff, discharge pipes
and stream shading from riparian vegetation. Water
temperature is used along with the maximum air
temperature (using the Stoneman and Jones method)
to classify a watercourse as either warmwater,
coolwater or cold water. Analysis of the data collected
indicates that the Tay River is considered a warmwater
system with coolwater reaches.
Figure 31. Fish species observed along the Tay River in the Port
Elmsley catchment.
The provincial fish codes shown on the map are listed (in
Table 1) beside the common name of those fish species
identified in the Tay River-Port Elmsley catchment.
Table 1. Fish species observed in the Port Elmsley catchment.
Bakil Blueg Burbo BnMin CoShi CeMud banded
killifish bluegill burbot bluntnose
minnow common
shiner central
mud
minnow DarSp LmBas LnDac NoPik Pumpk RoBas johnny
darter largemouth
bass longnose
dace northern
pike pumpkinseed rock bass FallF SmBas ShRed Walle YeBul YePer fallfish smallmouth
bass shorthead
redhorse walleye yellow
bullhead yellow
perch Water Chemistry
During the macrostream survey, a YSI probe is used to
collect water chemistry, as follows:
Figure 30. Temperature dataloggers along the Tay River, Port
Elmsley catchment.
TAY RIVER RIPARIAN ZONE CONDITIONS
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
Page 12



Dissolved Oxygen is a measure of the amount of
oxygen dissolved in water. The lowest acceptable
concentration of dissolved oxygen is 6.0 mg/L for
early stages of warmwater fish and 9.5 mg/L for cold
water fish (CCME, 1999). A saturation value
( concentration of oxygen in water) of 90% or above
is considered healthy.
Conductivity is the ability of a substance to transfer
electricity. This measure is influenced by the
presence of dissolved salts and other ions in the
stream.
pH is a measure of relative acidity or alkalinity,
ranging from 1 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline/
basic), with 7 occupying a neutral point.
Table 2. 2010 Water chemistry collected along the Tay RiverPort Elmsley catchment
Month Range DO
(mg/L) DO
(%) ConducƟvity pH May 10 low 7.81 98 229 8.15 high 10.89 138 261 8.94 June 10 low 3.18 42 182 7.49 high 10.64 117 222 8.93 July 10 low ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ high ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ August 10 low ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ high ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ (µs/cm) 2010 data for these three parameters is summarized in
Table 2.
Northern Pike caught at the mouth of the Tay River in 2010
Eastern Musk turtle just below the Tay Marsh; they are found in
wetland habitat with slow moving water
Water chemistry site along the Tay River at the Port Elmsley
bridge
A fyke net set just below the Tay Marsh
LAND COVER
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
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TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
3) Land Cover
Crop and pastureland is the dominant land cover type in
the catchment as shown in Table 3 and displayed in the
land cover map on the front cover of the report.
supporting edge intolerant bird species and other
forest dwelling species in the landscape.
Table 3. Catchment land cover type
Cover Type
Area (ha)
Area (% of Cover)
Crop & Pasture
2423
48
Wetland
962
19
Woodland
927
18
Grassland
366
7
Settlement
289
6
Roads
65
1
Water
64
1
Woodland Cover
The Tay River-Port Elmsley catchment contains 927
hectares of woodland (Fig.32) that occupies 18
percent of the drainage area. When combined with
treed wetlands (swamps), wooded areas cover 1029
hectares or 20 percent of the catchment. This figure is
less than the 30 percent of woodland area required to
sustain forest birds, according to Environment
Canada’s Guideline: “How much habitat is enough?”
When forest cover declines below 30 percent, forest
birds tend to disappear as breeders across the
landscape.
Eighty-seven (44%) of the 198 woodland patches in
the catchment are very small, being less than one
hectare in size. Another 95 (48%) of the wooded
patches ranging from one to less than 20 hectares in
size tend to be dominated by edge-tolerant bird
species. The remaining 16 (9%) of woodland patches
range between 20 and 130 hectares. Fifteen of these
patches contain woodland between 20 and 100
hectares and may support a few area-sensitive
species and some edge intolerant species, but will be
dominated by edge tolerant species.
Figure 32. Catchment woodland cover and forest interior
Most patches (30) have less than one hectare of
interior forest; 12 have small areas of interior habitat
between one and nine hectares. Conversely, one
patch has greater than 30 hectares, containing 35
hectares of interior forest habitat.
Conversely, one (1%) of the 198 woodland patches in
the drainage area exceeds the 100 plus hectare size
needed to support most forest dependent, area
sensitive birds and is large enough to support
approximately 60 percent of edge-intolerant species,
according to the Environment Canada Guideline.
Forest Interior
The same 198 woodlands contain 43 forest interior
patches (Fig.32) that occupy two percent (87 ha.) of
the catchment land area. This is below the ten percent
figure referred to in the Environment Canada Guideline
that is considered to be the minimum threshold for
Figure 33. Pre-settlement and present day wetland cover
STEWARDSHIP AND PROTECTION
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
4) Stewardship and Protection
The RVCA and its partners are working to protect and
enhance environmental conditions in the Tay River
Subwatershed.
Rural Clean Water Projects
Figure 34 shows the location of all Rural Clean Water
Projects in the Tay River-Port Elmsley drainage area.
From 2005 to 2010, landowners completed 7 projects
including 1 septic system repair/replacement, 2 well
upgrades, 2 well replacements and 2 well
decommissionings. The total project cost is $33,458
with $7,232 of that amount funded by grant dollars
received from the RVCA.
Page 14
Before that, from 1984 to 2004, landowners helped to
plant 18,400 trees at 2 sites for a project value of
$31,800; fundraised dollars account for $7,350 of that
amount.
Valley, Stream, Wetland and Hazard Lands within the
Regulation Limit
Eleven square kilometres or 21 percent of the catchment
drainage area is within the regulation limit of Ontario
Regulation 174/06 (Fig. 35), giving protection to wetland
areas and river or stream valleys that are affected by
flooding and erosion hazards.
Figure 35. RVCA regulation limits
Figure 34. RVCA stewardship program project locations
Prior to 2005, the RVCA completed 7 projects in the
area consisting of 4 livestock fencing projects, 2 septic
system repairs/replacements and 1 well upgrade. Total
project cost is $35,829 with RVCA grant dollars
contributing $22,827 towards that amount.
Tree Planting Projects
The location of all tree planting projects is also shown
in Figure 34. From 2005 to 2010, 33,960 trees were
planted at 3 project sites through the RVCA Tree
Planting Program. Total project value is $65,499 with
fundraised dollars contributing $19,130 of that amount.
Natural features within the regulation limit include 5.5 sq.
km. of wetlands (representing 57 percent of all wetlands
in the catchment) and 18.4 kilometers of streams
(representing 33 percent of all streams in the
catchment). Many of these regulated watercourses (7.8
km or 14 percent of streams) flow through regulated
wetlands.
Regulation limit mapping has been plotted along 10.6 km
(or 22 percent) of the streams that are outside of
wetlands. Plotting of the regulation limit on the remaining
37.1 km (or 67 percent) of streams requires identification
of flood and erosion hazards and valley systems.
Within the regulation limit, “development” and “site
alteration” require RVCA permission. The “alteration to
waterways” provision of Ontario Regulation 174/06
applies to all watercourses.
ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
TAY RIVER - PORT ELMSLEY CATCHMENT
TAY RIVER SUBWATERSHED REPORT 2011
Page 15
5) Issues

There is a history of ice damming on the Tay River at Port Elmsley that has resulted in overland flow (between the
river and Lower Rideau Lake) through the Pointview subdivision

The Perth sewage lagoons are located on the south side of the Tay River upstream of the Tay Marsh. There is a
need to fully understand the potential impact of sewage lagoon operation on water quality within the river

There are unevaluated wetlands throughout the catchment, the largest being the wetland adjacent to the Tay River
between South Street (Perth) and Wildlife Way (approximately 170 ha in the vicinity of the sewage lagoons) and
north of Highway 43 west of Churchill Road (approximately 90 ha)

There are scattered remnant woodland patches throughout the agricultural lands with limited connectivity by
hedgerows along farm fields and property lines. The largest contiguous woodland areas are located in the central
section of the catchment and to the north of Port Elmsley
6) Opportunities for Action

Continue to review available monitoring data from the Perth Sewage Lagoons to determine whether or not their
operation is having any adverse impact on water quality. Develop and implement mitigative measures, if warranted

Develop natural heritage systems mapping and related strategies and planning policies that are coordinated
between the municipalities to maintain habitat integrity and to minimize further habitat fragmentation

Although some of the forest patches in the catchment have been fragmented by land clearing for agricultural
purposes, some connectivity is provided by the network of hedgerows along property lines and farm fields. Efforts
should be made to enhance and restore this connectivity through targeted stewardship (tree planting program)

Undertake a floodplain mapping study between the current study limit at the upper end of the Tay Marsh and Lower
Rideau Lake

Evaluate the unevaluated wetlands along the Tay River to the west of the Tay Marsh and to the north of Highway 43
east of Churchill Road

Include policies in the local official plans to protect wetlands that may be identified as providing important regional/
local functions

Continue to use the “Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses
Regulation” (Ontario Regulation 174/06 under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act) to regulate
development and site alteration in the Tay River floodplain

Work with local groups to identify, rehabilitate, monitor and maintain fish spawning and nursery areas. Explore
opportunities to implement fish habitat improvement and other projects identified in the report titled "Fish Habitat of
the Tay River Watershed: Existing Conditions and Opportunities for Enhancement" (2002) prepared by MNR,
RVCA, Parks Canada, and DFO

Target riparian restoration at sites identified in this report (as shown in Figure 28) and explore other restoration and
enhancement opportunities along the Tay River riparian corridor
Refer to the Existing Conditions and Trends in the Tay River Watershed (2000) and the Tay River Watershed
Management Plan (2002) for more issues and actions