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
Perth East (51%, 86 sq. km), Perth South (34%, 57 sq. km), Stratford (15%, 25 sq. km)
Watercourses
Avon River (tributary of North Thames), Dunseith, Douglas, Roadhouse, Hislop, Court,
Kuhne, Central School, Sheerer
Significant
Natural Sites
Provincially Significant Wetlands – (1) Little Lakes Swamp Complex, (2) Gads Hill
South Swamp. Locally Significant Wetlands – (3) Shakespeare Hills & Avon Banks,
(4) Stratford Wetland Complex. Significant Natural Areas – (5) Avonbank Woods.
(see numbered sites on map)
1
AVON RIVER
WATERSHED FEATURES
Area
16,790 ha (168 sq. km), 5% of Upper Thames River watershed
Land Use
75% agriculture, 13% natural vegetation, 11% urban, 1% water, <1% aggregates
Population
32,390 a slight increase from 32,260 in 2006. 30,650 in 1996.
Soil Type
78% silty loam, 10% clay loam, 7% bottomland, 4% organic, 1% sandy loam, 1% not mapped/urban
Physiography
75% undrumlinized till plain, 12% spillway, 6% kame moraine, 4% till moraine, 3% peat muck
Soil Erosion /
Delivery
6% 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 2.04 cubic metres per second (cms) and the 15 year (1996-2010) mean was
1.97 cms, measured 8 km downstream of Stratford. The Avon River contributes 10% of the flow in the North Thames at
Fanshawe Dam and 4% of the flow in the Thames downstream of London.
Tiling & Drainage
41% systematically field tiled, 27% no tiling, 21% randomly field tiled, 11% urban drainage
Watercourse
Characteristics
Total length:
Watercourse type:
Flow type:
Temperature:
Dams & Barriers
Five barriers to fish movement are recorded including three publicly owned structures: Thomas Orr Dam, John Street Weir
and Shakespeare Conservation Area Dam.
Sewage
Treatment
The Stratford Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges treated effluent to the Avon River. Rural residences in the watershed
are serviced by private septic systems.
Spills
30 spills reported from 2006- 2010, 36 spills from 2001-2005 and 45 spills from 1988-2000. Most spills involve fuels and
industrial chemicals.
% Vegetation
Cover Types
Total vegetation cover:
Forest cover types:
Other cover types:
Wetland Cover
5.4% (913 ha) of the watershed is in wetland cover. Wetlands make up 41% of the vegetation cover.
186 km of watercourses
52% channelized, 26% natural, 22% buried
68% permanent, 22% buried, 10% intermittent
54% warmwater, 37% unconfirmed, 10% cool/coldwater
Size Category
Woodlot or Patch
Size
Small (<10 ha)
Medium (10-30 ha)
Large (>30 ha)
2,249 ha (13.2% of the Avon watershed)
69% deciduous, 8% mixed, 5% coniferous/plantation
17% meadow, 1% shrubland, 1% hedgerow
Number of
Woodlots
Average Size
(ha)
Total Woodland
Area (ha)
% of Woodland
Area
Largest
Woodlot (ha)
229
29
10
2
16
82
511
463
815
29
26
46
379
Fisheries
Resources
45 fish and 6 freshwater mussel species recorded. Gamefish include Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass and Brook and
stocked Rainbow Trout. Five coldwater tributaries identified.
Species at Risk
Fish – 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
AVON RIVER
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
IMPROVED
Surface water quality in the Avon watershed has shown some
improvement since 2005 and scores an overall grade of D (table
below). Samples are taken at the water monitoring station on
Perth Line 32 (see front map).
since the 1980’s but have shown improvement in recent years and
remain better than the Provincial guideline. Metals such as lead,
copper, and zinc have improved over the long term to current low
levels.
Phosphorus levels have improved significantly since the 1970s
but remain somewhat elevated and have been steady since 2005.
Fecal bacteria (E. coli) levels have shown improvement since the
1980s and since 2005 but remain above the Upper Thames average.
Nitrate levels (sources such as fertilizer) have increased over
the long term but have shown good improvement since 2001.
Chloride (main source road salt) levels have increased steadily
Stream health/water quality, as indicated by benthic monitoring,
shows results similar to the Upper Thames average. Variable
conditions were observed throughout the Avon watershed with
moderate impairment downstream of Stratford. Further downstream
on the Avon, the natural and well buffered stream channel shows
improved stream health (as monitored at Road 134).
Avon River
Upper
Thames
2006-2010
Provincial
Guideline
Indicator Description
Indicators
19962000
20012005
20062010
Phosphorus
(mg/l) *
0.162
D
0.128
D
0.116
D
Steady
0.091
D
Bacteria
(E. coli/
100 ml) **
711
D
415
D
315
D
Improved
249
C
100
B
(Recreation)
Benthic
Score (FBI)
5.96
D
6.23
D
5.93
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.
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
However, most other woodlots are too small and narrow to
provide habitat for area sensitive birds such as Scarlet Tanager
and Ovenbird. The target for southern Ontario is 10%.
The three forest conditions indicators score a D, F, and D (see
table below), producing an overall grade of D.
The percent forest cover (10.7%) is only slightly lower than the
Upper Thames watershed average, but still considered too low for
sustainability. The target for southern Ontario is 30% forest cover.
Meadows and other habitat types add another 2.5% cover for a
total of 13.2% natural vegetation cover.
The percent riparian zone forested (21.1%) is well below the target
of 50%. Additional riparian areas are in permanent meadows and
shrubland (15.0%) for a total of 36.1% riparian zone vegetated.
The slight drop in forest cover and interior from the 2007 report
cards is largely a reflection of more accurate mapping, but
incremental forest loss still occurs.
The percent forest interior (2.4%) is higher than the Upper Thames
average, owing to the presence of Gads Hill South Swamp.
S. Ont.
Target
**
2007*
2012*
Upper
Thames
2012*
% Forest
Cover
10.8
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
2.7
D
2.4
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
21.1
D
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
Avon River
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
AVON RIVER
GROUNDWATER
Watershed Report Card
On The Map
Municipal Water Supply
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.
The City of Stratford has 11 municipal wells that draw groundwater from
a deep bedrock aquifer and supply water to 30,460 people. Municipal
well water is tested and treated.
Private Wells
There are 643 private wells on record in this watershed, the majority
drawing from bedrock aquifers. Some private wells draw from shallower
aquifers including a fairly large overburden aquifer (<18 m below
ground) located southwest of Stratford and along the Avon River.
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.
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.
Groundwater Monitoring
Since 2003 the UTRCA has monitored 3 Provincial Groundwater
Monitoring Network wells at the Shakespeare CA. The data shows
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
;
;
comes from groundwater discharging into streams.
;
Protection of these areas is very important for the
protection of local groundwater as a source of
drinking water.
B
I
Legend
RD
113
B
I
TH
WHPA
St. Marys
WHPA
PERTH 33 LINE
R
PE
16 3 RD
;St. Pauls
STRATFORD
;
Shakespeare
WHPA
S
PE
HO;
PERTH 26 LINE
Y5
9
RD
;
BB ;
RD
B
I
34 LINE
3
ZORRA
1.5
HW
;
GI
37 LINE
Stratford
;
;;
WHPA
E
E
PERTH 37 LINE
RD
;
ST
32
LIN
PERTH SOUTH
B
I
LA
N
;
12
2
E
29
LIN
TH
IN
E
TH
13
0
RD
PE
R
20
LIN
PERTH 107 RD
11
9R
TH
PE
R
QU
ER
I
WEST PERTH
TH
PERTH 43 LINE
PERTH EAST
Sebringville
WHPA
;
PE
R
E
D
RD
13
5
TH
PE
R
I Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Site
B
PE RT H
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 Stratford (www.sourcewaterprotection.
on.ca/downloads/assessment_reports/UTRCA/
Appendices/A3-System%20Summaries/STRATFORDSystemSummary.pdf). A Source Protection Plan will
be completed in 2012.
Avon River Watershed
Municipal Boundary
HW
Y
Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA)
8
SGRA and HVA
; Municipal Well Locations
PE
R
Drinking Water Source Protection
44
LIN
0
TE
Tavistock
WHPA
3 km
EAST
ZORRA-TAVISTOCK
Great Lakes Connection
The Avon River watershed is in the Thames River watershed, which is a part of
the Lake Erie watershed. Water from the Avon River enters the North Thames
upstream of St. Marys, and takes 4-10 days to flow through Chatham and reach
Lake St. Clair. About 2 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.
AVON RIVER
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)
• City of Stratford West Secondary Plan (GSP Group Inc. 2008), Court Drain and McNamara Drain (McCormick Rankin Corp., 2007)
and Roadhouse Drain Master Drainage Plan, Draft (McCormick Rankin 2007), Northeast Secondary Plan (City of Stratford, 2004)
• City of Stratford Natural Heritage Inventory (2004)
• Roundtable on the Environment for the 21st Century Report, Charting Stratford’s Environmental Future (City of Stratford, 2004)
• Ellice Swamp & Gads Hill Swamp Conservation Management Guiding Document (UTRCA, 2004)
• Stratford-Avon River Environmental Management Project (1984)
• Avon Valley Plan (UTRCA, 1952)
Surface Water and Groundwater
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.
▪ For existing development, implement pollution prevention and
control planning for all aspects of stormwater runoff including
combined storm-sewer overflows.
• Protect and rehabilitate coldwater streams and potential
coldwater streams.
• Improve stream habitat (e.g., riffle creation in the upper reaches
of the Avon).
▪ 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).
• Target work to reduce soil loss in highly erodible areas in the
upper watershed (steep slopes, light soils).
• Repair or replace faulty septic systems and ensure proper
maintenance of the system.
• Implement agricultural Best Management Practices in manure
storage and spreading, soil conservation, fertilizer and pesticide
storage and application, fuel storage, and restricting livestock
access to watercourses.
The Avon River Enhancement Project should benefit water quality as well
as habitat for Largemouth Bass, which thrive in lakes and ponds with
abundant aquatic vegetation.
• Complete and follow Environmental Farm Plans and Nutrient
Management Plans (www.omafra.gov.on.ca).
▪ Minimize use of fertilizers, adhere to Ontario’s Cosmetic
Pesticide Ban (effective 2009) and utilize the municipal
hazardous waste disposal program.
• Utilize grants and expertise from the Clean Water Program
(www.cleanwaterprogram.ca).
• In Stratford, the following actions should be continued:
▪ Consider naturalizing the Avon River between the
John Street Weir and Thomas Orr Dam.
▪ For new development, implement urban stormwater
planning using Low Impact Development, stormwater Best
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
AVON RIVER
Forests
• For tree planting and naturalization 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).
• Connect the existing river-side woodlands and meadows with
additional plantings to create a continuous wildlife corridor
along the Avon River 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.
• Continue to implement recommendations from the Ellice
Swamp & Gads Hill Swamp Conservation Management Guiding
Document (UTRCA 2004).
• 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, tree cutting by-law enforcement,
landowner incentives and education, etc.
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
SINCE 2006
• 9750 trees were planted at 9 properties under the UTRCA’s
Private Land Reforestation Program. This includes 9 acres of
block plantings (5650 trees) by 2 landowners through the Trees
Ontario 50 Million Tree Program.
The Avon River watershed is benefiting from many conservation
efforts of individuals, groups, businesses, agencies and
municipalities on private and public lands. Some examples follow.
• The Roundtable on the Environment for the 21st Century Report
provides a comprehensive environmental plan for Stratford
and much progress has been made toward achieving goals
for drinking water, water management, natural areas, waste
management, transportation and energy.
• The UTRCA and Friends of Ellice and Gads Hill Swamps
implemented several projects arising out of the Ellice Swamp
& Gads Hill Swamps Conservation Management Guiding
Document (UTRCA 2004). Educational brochures and signs
have been posted outlining permitted activities. Controlling
damage from illegal ATV trespass has been a major focus.
• The City of Stratford has completed significant storm water
improvements (e.g., disconnected combined sanitary and
stormwater sewers) and other upgrades to address water quality
and quantity issues, as recommended in the Roundtable Report.
• A shoreline marsh was developed along Lake Victoria in
2007-2009 to improve water quality and habitat. This Avon
River Enhancement Project was the work of many partners
including the Rotary Club of Stratford, Avon River Environment
Association, and UTRCA.
• Community groups such as C.A.R.E. Stratford are working to
improve the local environment and raise awareness.
• Through the UTRCA’s Communities for Nature program,
community partners planted 3660 trees and 22200 aquatic
plants with 1235 students and 180 community volunteers at 12
sites including Shakespeare Pond, Lake Victoria, and TJ Dolan.
Students and
UTRCA staff
work on a
bioengineering
structure on Lake
Victoria to protect
the bank from
erosion.
• Watershed landowners completed 12 Clean Water Program
(CWP) projects including retirement of fragile land and erosion
control projects. The CWP was initiated in 2001 as a partnership
between local municipalities to fund environmental projects
(www.cleanwaterprogram.ca).
• The Upper Avon Conservation Club planted 3560 trees on 5
sites with 230 volunteers.
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).
AVON RIVER
6
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card