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
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
Municipalities
Norwich Township (47%, 45 sq. km), South-West Oxford
(35%, 33 sq. km), Woodstock (18%, 17 sq. km)
Watercourses
Cedar Creek (tributary of South Thames), Mud, Yeoman,
Lampman, Sweaburg, Rice, Harvey
Significant
Natural Sites
Provincially Significant Wetlands - (1) Brick Ponds Wetlands,
(2) Cedar Creek Swamp, (3) Oxford Centre Swamp,
(4) Thames River Wetland. Locally Significant Wetlands (5) Cedar Creek Source Complex I, (6) Cedar Creek Source
Complex II (Jack Griffin’s), (7) Gunn’s Hill Rd Wetland TRT1.
Significant Natural Areas - (8) Trillium Woods Nature Reserve.
(See map for numbered sites)
1
CEDAR CREEK
WATERSHED FEATURES
Area
9,510 ha (95 sq. km), 3% of the Upper Thames River watershed
Land Use
73% agriculture, 14% natural, 12% urban, 1% aggregate, <1% water
Population
20,340 in 2011, a very slight increase from 20,260 in 2006. 19,080 in 1996.
Soil Type
45% silty loam, 20% clay loam, 14% sandy loam, 14% not mapped (urban), 4% loam, 3% organic
Physiography
35% spillway, 29% till moraine, 27% drumlinized till plain, 9% drumlin
Soil Erosion /
Delivery
16% 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 1.0 cubic metres per second (cms) and the 15-year (1996-2010) mean was
0.9 cms, measured near Woodstock. Cedar Creek contributes 2% of the flow to the Thames downstream of London.
Tiling & Drainage
60% no tiling, 17% randomly field tiled, 12% urban drainage, 11% systematically field tiled
Watercourse
Characteristics
Total length:
Watercourse type:
Flow type:
Temperature:
Dams & Barriers
Two dams, both public, have been recorded: Hodge’s Pond and Southside Dam.
Sewage
Treatment
The portion of the watershed within Woodstock is serviced by the Woodstock Water Pollution Control Plant that discharges
treated effluent to the South Thames River. All rural properties in the Cedar Creek watershed are serviced by private septic
systems.
Spills
34 spills reported from 2005-2011, 10 spills reported from 2001-2005, 11 spills from 1988-2000. Most spills involve fuels or
industrial chemicals.
% Vegetation
Cover Types
Total vegetation cover:
Forest cover types:
Other cover types:
Wetland Cover
7.1% (677 ha) of the watershed is in wetland cover. Wetlands make up 50% of the natural cover.
92 km of watercourse
36% channelized, 34% buried, 30% natural
55% permanent, 34% buried, 11% intermittent
48% unconfirmed, 46% warmwater, 6% cool/coldwater
Size Category
Woodlot or Patch
Size
Small (<10 ha)
Medium (10-30 ha)
Large (>30 ha)
1341 ha (13.8% of North Woodstock watershed)
51% deciduous, 27% mixed,6% coniferous/plantation
13% meadow, 2% shrubland, 1% hedgerow
Number of
Woodlots
Average Size
(ha)
Total Woodland
Area (ha)
% of Woodland
Area
Largest
Woodlot (ha)
99
16
8
3
15
76
256
236
606
23
21
55
163
Fisheries
Resources
31 fish species and 4 freshwater mussel species recorded. Gamefish include Northern Pike, Smallmouth and Largemouth
Bass.
Species at Risk
Reptiles – Snapping Turtle, Milksnake
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
CEDAR 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:
D
STEADY
Stream health based on benthic scores remained fairly steady
and indicate impaired conditions. Stream health conditions are
generally better in the headwaters and poorer downstream of
Hodge’s Pond with further degradation through Woodstock. Some
contributing factors likely include impoundment, bank erosion, a
lack of vegetative cover, and urban runoff. A 2009 Cedar Creek
Water Quality Study (UTRCA 2010) focused on the urban section
of Cedar Creek and confirms some elevated levels of pollutants
such as E.coli, phosphorus and some metals, particularly during
runoff from rain events.
Surface water quality in Cedar Creek has remained steady since
2005 and scores an overall grade of D (see table below). Samples
are taken at the provincial water quality monitoring station at
Beachville Road and Highway 2.
Total phosphorus levels have been steady over the long term at
elevated levels 4 to 5 times the provincial guideline for aquatic
life. Since 2005 levels have improved but are still at 3 to 4 times
the guideline. E. coli bacteria levels have improved since 1990
but remain elevated. Nitrate levels (sources include fertilizer) have
improved since 1990s with further improvement since 2005 and
are close to the aquatic life guideline.
Cedar Creek
Upper
Thames
2006-2010
Provincial
Guideline
Indicator Description
Indicators
19962000
20012005
20062010
Phosphorus
(mg/l) *
0.141
D
0.154
D
0.110
D
Improved
0.091
D
Bacteria
(E. coli/
100 ml) **
638
D
414
D
389
D
Steady
249
C
100
B
(Recreation)
Benthic
Score (FBI)
7.04
F
7.11
F
6.98
F
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.
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:
FOREST CONDITIONS
D
STEADY
The three forest conditions indicators score a D, D and C (see
table below), producing an overall grade of D.
too small and narrow to support area sensitive species such as
Scarlet Tanager and Ovenbird.
The percent forest cover (11.5%) is very close to the Upper
Thames watershed average, but it is still considered too low for
sustainability. The target for southern Ontario is 30% forest cover.
Meadows and other habitat types add another 2.3% cover for a
total of 13.8% natural vegetation cover.
The percent riparian zone forested (38.0%) is lower than the target
of 50%. Additional riparian areas are in permanent meadows and
shrubland (16.8%) for a total of 54.8% riparian zone vegetated.
The decline in forest cover and interior between the 2007 and
2012 report cards is largely a reflection of more accurate mapping,
but incremental forest loss still occurs.
The percent forest interior (2.6%) is higher than the Upper Thames
average but still considered low, indicating that most woodlots are
S. Ont.
Target
**
2007*
2012*
Upper
Thames
2012*
% Forest
Cover
12.4
D
11.5
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
3.2
D
2.6
D
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
38.0
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
Cedar 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
CEDAR CREEK
GROUNDWATER
Watershed Report Card
HUR
A
V
CH
I LL
E
RD
RD
TO W
HWY 403
WOODSTOCK
LL
PATTU
HWY
403
O AVE
;
R
N
R
D
Woodstock
WHPA
W
Y
40
1
KA
H
Beachville
WHPA
;
;
;
CURR
NORWICH
1
;
IE S RD
D
O
D
R
G
R
;
;
E
U
N
LI
FO
E
SW
AB
E
B
I
G
SOUTH-WEST
OXFORD
Drinking Water Source Protection
D
Norwich
WHPA
LD
EN
S
HWY
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 Woodstock (www.
sourcewaterprotection.on.ca/downloads/assessment_
reports/UTRCA/Appendices/A3-System%20Summaries/
WOODSTOCK-SystemSummary.pdf). A Source Protection
Plan will be completed in 2012.
SO
IN
G
ER
Y2
HW
MA IN ST HENRY ST
E ST
ALIC
N RD
INS O
;
PA RK
ST
MILL
BE
LL
TAVISTOCK
Protection
of these
areas is very
important for
the protection
of local
groundwater
as a source of
drinking water.
RD 4
T
O
OX F
E
ON S
LIN
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.
Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA) - Areas surrounding a
municipal wellhead through which contaminants are reasonably
likely to move
AS ST
T ST
BR AN
DUND
toward or reach
;
the well.
EAST ZORRAE RD
ERLIN
RA
ZOR
Groundwater Monitoring
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.
H
11T
There are 580 private wells on record in Cedar Creek
watershed, drawing from overburden and bedrock aquifers.
Properly constructed deep wells have a lower risk of
contamination from the surface than shallow wells. The
highest risk to a 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.
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.
40
Private Wells
On The Map
W
Y
Some parts of the Cedar Creek watershed in Woodstock
and Sweaburg are supplied by the 11 municipal wells in
Woodstock, which draw groundwater from both bedrock
and shallow overburden aquifers. Six of the 11 wells are
designated as GUDI (groundwater under direct influence of
surface water) as they are in a shallow overburden aquifer.
Municipal well water is tested and treated.
H
Municipal Water Supply
LI
N
59
E
Legend
Cedar Creek Watershed
Municipal Boundary
1
0
ORD
RD
2 km
;
Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA)
SGRA and HVA
Municipal Well Locations
B
I
D 13
2
SALF
R
OX FO
Mount Elgin
WHPA
Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Site
Great Lakes Connection
Cedar Creek is in the Thames watershed, which is a part of the Lake Erie
watershed. Water from Cedar Creek enters the South Thames at Woodstock, then
travels to 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.
CEDAR 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:
• Upper Thames River Source Protection Area Amended Proposed Assessment Report (August 2011)
• 2009 Cedar Creek Water Quality Study (UTRCA, 2010)
• Woodstock Natural Heritage Study (UTRCA, 2007)
• East Woodstock Secondary Plan and Design Study, Natural Heritage Background Study (Earth Tech Canada Inc., 2007) and
Servicing Report (Earth Tech, 2006)
• Oxford Natural Heritage Study (County of Oxford, 2006)
• The Cedar Creek Management Strategy and Enhancement Plan (UTRCA, 1998)
Surface Water and Groundwater
• Establish buffers of native trees and grasses along
watercourses. Efforts should be made to protect and enhance
the relatively natural sections of Cedar Creek and its riparian
zone. Continue improvements in sections needing improved
habitat such as Southside Park and Cedar Creek Golf Course.
• In Woodstock, the following actions should be continued:
• Target work to reduce soil loss in highly erodible areas such as
steep slopes and light soils (16% of land is highly erodible).
▪ For existing development, implement pollution prevention and
control planning for all aspects of stormwater runoff including
combined storm sewer overflows.
▪ For new development, implement urban stormwater
planning using Low Impact Development, stormwater Best
Management Practices, subwatershed studies, catchment
area planning, and erosion control.
• Cedar Creek is a spawning and nursery area for South Thames
gamefish. With improved habitat and water quality, it may be
capable of supporting a sport fishery. Mitigating the impacts of
dams (e.g., Hodges’s Pond, Southside Park) and preserving
and enhancing stream and riparian habitat will greatly benefit
Cedar Creek’s fish community.
▪ Continue to upgrade sewer systems where risk of
contamination is greatest (e.g., extend sanitary sewers to
urban properties on septic systems).
▪ Minimize use of fertilizers, adhere to Ontario’s Cosmetic
Pesticide Ban (effective 2009) and utilize the municipal
hazardous waste disposal program.
• Reducing bacteria sources (e.g., faulty septic systems, pet
waste, geese in parkland, livestock waste) will be beneficial.
▪ Any effort to prevent pollutants from reaching storm drains will
benefit aquatic life in the creek. A public awareness program
(e.g., Yellow Fish Road) would be beneficial.
Improving habitat
and water quality will
benefit Northern Pike,
Largemouth Bass and
other gamefish.
• Use drain maintenance methods that also protect aquatic
habitat (e.g., spot and bottom cleanouts).
• Implement Best Management Practices in the areas of 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).
Drinking Water
• Homeowners with wells should understand the condition of their well and risks to their
water supply (www.wellwise.ca).
• Keep contaminants (e.g., fuel, pesticides, manure/waste) away from your well area.
• Decommission abandoned wells according to Ministry of the Environment standards.
• Sample private wells each spring and fall (available through the Health Unit).
• To protect municipal drinking water sources, implement Source Protection Plan policies.
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card
5
CEDAR CREEK
Forests
• For tree planting and naturalization projects, create a more
natural and resilient 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).
• Connect the existing river-side woodlands and meadows with
additional plantings to create a continuous wildlife corridor
along Cedar Creek and its tributaries.
• Connect woodlots by planting shelterbelts, windbreaks and
buffers along fields and watercourses, which will also protect
against soil erosion and improve water quality.
• Conserve woodlands, wetlands and other natural areas through
Official Plan designations, landowner incentives and education,
enforcement of tree cutting by-laws, etc.
• 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).
• Target land retirement and naturalization projects on highly
erodible soils and retired aggregate pits. Target wildlife and
vegetation enhancement work in and around the Brick Pond
Wetland Complex.
• 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.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
SINCE 2006
• Through the UTRCA’s Communities for Nature program, 1470
students and community members planted 3450 native trees
and 13,000 aquatic plants at 8 sites, including Commerce Way
storm water pond and Downs Golf Course. Over 2100 trees
were planted at 7 properties through the UTRCA Private Land
Reforestation Program.
The Cedar Creek watershed is benefiting from the many
conservation efforts that continue to be implemented by
individuals, groups, businesses, agencies and municipalities on
private and public lands. Some examples follow.
• Watershed landowners completed 79 Clean Water Program
(CWP) projects including well decommissioning and fragile
land retirement. The CWP was initiated in 2001 as a partnership
between local municipalities to fund environmental projects
(www.cleanwaterprogram.ca).
• The UTRCA’s Watershed Report Card Education Program
started in the Cedar Creek watershed in 2011. Classes from St.
Mary’s Catholic High School completed the program, which
provides a hands-on experience for senior high school students
to monitor and grade stream health and forest conditions in a
local watershed.
• Two recommendations from the Oxford Natural Heritage
Study (Oxford County 2006) have been implemented. A new
Woodlands and Wetlands category has been added to the CWP
to fund tree planting and other woodlot management projects. A
Conservation Award has been added to the Agricultural Awards
of Excellence to recognize commitment to the environment,
administered by the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture.
Woodstock
students assist
with tree
planting around
stormwater
management
ponds through
the UTRCA's
Communities for
Nature Program.
• The 2009 Cedar Creek Water Quality Study (UTRCA 2010)
was initiated by the City of Woodstock to address water quality
issues in Cedar Creek. Extensive monitoring was completed
and recommendations to improve fish habitat and water quality
were developed.
• Erosion control projects were implemented on the Cedar Creek
Golf Club as part of the Cedar Creek Watershed Project. About
500 metres of creek bank were stabilized using natural erosion
control methods.
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).
CEDAR CREEK
6
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card