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
London (50%, 29 sq. km), Middlesex Centre (31%, 18 sq. km),
Strathroy-Caradoc (19%, 11 sq. km)
Watercourses
Thames, Van Hecke, GM Ireland, Kelly, Stanton
Significant
Natural Sites
Provincially Significant Wetlands – (1) Sifton Bog, (2) Komoka/
South Strathroy Cr, (3) Dingman Fen, (4) Komoka Park Wetland
Complex. Significant Natural Areas – (5) Komoka Park Reserve
ANSI, (6) Kilworth Tufa Deposits, (7) Komoka Bridge Woodlot,
(8) Kains Woods ESA, (9) Warbler Woods ESA. (See numbered
sites on map) Earth Science Areas of Natural and Scientific
Interest – Kilworth / Lake Maumee I and II.
1
RIVER BEND
WATERSHED FEATURES
Area
5830 ha (58 sq. km), 2% of Upper Thames River watershed. 3362 sq. km lies upstream
Land Use
44% agriculture, 25% natural, 27% urban, 3% water, <1% aggregates
Population
29,600 in 2011, an increase from 24,420 in 2006. 19,030 in 1996.
Soil Type
25% not mapped (urban), 21% silty loam, 15% bottomland, 13% coarse sand, 9% loamy fine sand, 6% silty clay loam, 6%
clay loam, 5% sandy loam
Physiography
40% spillway, 22% sand plain, 22% undrumlinized till plain, 13% till moraine, 3% water, 1% beach or shore cliff
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 46.1 cubic metres per second and the 15-year (1996-2010) mean was 41.8
cms, measured near Byron. River Bend is the most downstream watershed within the Upper Thames River watershed, so
all water from upstream passes through this area.
Tiling & Drainage
52% no tiling, 28% urban drainage, 19% randomly field tiled, 1% systematically field tiled
Watercourse
Characteristics
Total length:
Watercourse type:
Flow type:
Temperature:
Dams & Barriers
24 privately-owned barriers have been recorded. The Springbank Dam marks the upstream end of this watershed.
Sewage
Treatment
Four sewage treatment plants discharge treated effluent to the Thames in this watershed including London’s Oxford
Pollution Control Plant, Kilworth Heights Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Komoka WWTP, and Mount Brydges WWTP
(discharges to an unnamed tributary of the Thames). Rural residences are serviced by private septic systems.
Spills
31 spills reported from 2006-2010, 8 spills reported from 2001-2005, 3 from 1988-2000. Most spills involve fuels and
sewage.
% Vegetation
Cover Types
Total vegetation cover:
Forest cover types:
Other cover types:
Wetland Cover
5.1% (299 ha) of the watershed is in wetland cover. Wetlands make up 20% of the natural vegetation cover.
76 km of watercourse
81% natural, 14% buried, 6% channelized
66% permanent, 21% intermittent, 13% buried
47% warmwater, 44 unconfirmed, 9% cool/coldwater
Size Category
Woodlot or Patch
Size
Small (<10 ha)
Medium (10-30 ha)
Large (>30 ha)
1483 ha (25.4% of the River Bend watershed)
46% deciduous, 27% mixed, 4% coniferous/plantation
18% meadow, 3% shrubland, 1% hedgerow
Number of
Woodlots
Average Size
(ha)
Total Woodland
Area (ha)
% of Woodland
Area
Largest
Woodlot (ha)
134
13
8
2
19
74
311
247
594
27
21
52
130
Fisheries
Resources
54 fish species and 21 freshwater mussel species recorded. Gamefish present are Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass and
Walleye. Also recorded are Brown, Rainbow and Brook Trout.
Species at Risk
Birds – Bald Eagle. Fish – 5 species including Black Redhorse, Eastern Sand Darter. Mammals – American Badger.
Mussels – Fawnsfoot, Mapleleaf. Plants – 6 species including American Chestnut, Goldenseal.
Reptiles – 7 species including Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Spotted 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
RIVER BEND
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
Surface water quality indicators score an overall grade of D for
River Bend. This watershed is the most downstream section of the
Upper Thames River and its water quality is influenced by land uses
and activities in this watershed and throughout the Upper Thames
watershed. Samples taken at the monitoring station at Komoka
Road bridge and the upstream station at Byron show river water
quality in this watershed improving from upstream to downstream.
Metals (copper, lead, and zinc) have shown major reductions
since the 1980’s to current levels below MOE guidelines. Chloride
(main source road salt) levels have been increasing steadily since
the 1970’s but have improved since 2005 and currently remain
below guideline levels. Nitrate levels (sources include fertilizer,
waste) have improved since 2005 and are at 2 times the MOE
guideline.
Phosphorus levels at the outlet have improved since 1990 and have
remained steady since 2005, at 4 times the Ministry of Environment
(MOE) guideline. E.coli levels have remained fairly steady since 2005
and are much lower downstream compared to upstream.
Stream health based on benthic scores have been very consistent
in recent years and improved somewhat over the last report card
to slightly better than the Upper Thames average.
River Bend
Upper
Thames
2006-2010
Provincial
Guideline
Indicator Description
Indicators
19962000
20012005
20062010
Phosphorus
(mg/l) *
0.187
F
0.140
D
0.135
D
Steady
0.091
D
Bacteria
(E. coli/
100 ml) **
319
D
143
C
202
C
Steady
249
C
100
B
(Recreation)
Benthic
Score (FBI)
5.82
D
6.19
D
5.90
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
C
STEADY
The three forest conditions indicators score a C, F and B (see
table below), producing an overall grade of C.
Scarlet Tanager and Ovenbird. The target for southern Ontario is
10% forest interior.
The percent forest cover (19.8%) is the highest in the Upper
Thames watershed, but the small size of this watershed skews
comparisons with other watersheds somewhat. However, it is still
considered too low for sustainability and the target for southern
Ontario is 30% forest cover. Meadow and other cover types add
another 5.6% for a total of 25.4% natural cover.
The percent riparian zone forested (54.7%) is slightly higher than
the target of 50%. Additional riparian areas are in permanent
meadows and shrubland (14.8%) for a total of 69.5% riparian zone
vegetated.
The slight 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, especially in
urbanizing areas.
The percent forest interior (1.6%) is low indicating that most
woodlots are too narrow to support area sensitive species such as
S. Ont.
Target
**
2007*
2012*
Upper
Thames
2012*
% Forest
Cover
20.5
C
19.8
C
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
1.9
F
1.6
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
54.7
B
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
River Bend
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
RIVER BEND
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.
Since 2010, Mount Brydges and Komoka have been supplied by water from
Lake Huron through the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System, rather than
groundwater from municipal wells. Areas of the watershed in London are supplied
by the London municipal water system by pipeline from Lake Huron and Lake Erie.
One emergency backup well in this watershed is maintained as a backup source
of groundwater for the City of London. Municipal water is tested and treated.
Private Wells
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.
The 854 private wells on record in River Bend watershed draw groundwater from
bedrock and 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.
Groundwater Monitoring
Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA) - Areas
surrounding a municipal wellhead through
which contaminants are reasonably likely to
move toward or reach the well.
Since 2003, the UTRCA has monitored 3 Provincial Groundwater Monitoring
Network wells in River Bend watershed. Data indicates that 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 watercourses.
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River Bend Watershed
TO
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Municipal Boundary LDE
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 London backup wells
(www.sourcewaterprotection.on.ca/
downloads/assessment_reports/
UTRCA/Appendices/A3-System%20
Summaries/LONDONfanshawehydeparkSystemSummary.pdf). A Source Protection
Plan will be completed in 2012.
Legend
N
Drinking Water Source
Protection
Protection of these areas is very important
for the protection of local groundwater as a
source of drinking water.
MIDDLESEX
CENTRE
Great Lakes Connection
The River Bend watershed is in the Thames River watershed, which is a part of
the Lake Erie watershed. Water from River Bend watershed 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.
RIVER BEND
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:
• Riverbend South Community Plan (2008)
• Upper Thames River Source Protection Area Amended
Proposed Assessment Report (August 2011)
• Thames Valley Downstream Subwatershed Study (Aquafor
Beach, 2005)
• Thames Valley Corridor Study Phases 1 and 2 (City of London,
2007 and 2012)
• Riverbend Community Plan (City of London, 2004)
• Comprehensive Review of Settlement Area Designations in
the Middlesex Centre Official Plan (Municipality of Middlesex
Centre, Final Report, October 2011)
• Kilworth Area Alternative Storm Water Management Strategies
(McCormick Rankin, 2004)
• Middlesex Natural Heritage Study (UTRCA, 2003)
• Recovery Strategy for the Thames River Aquatic Ecosystem
(Thames River Recovery Team, 2007)
• Hyde Park Community Plan (Gosnell & Associates Incorporated
et al., 1999)
• Guideline Document for the Evaluation of Ecologically
Significant Woodlands (City of London, 2006)
• City of London Subwatershed Studies Implementation Plan
(City of London, 1995)
Surface Water and Groundwater
• Protect and establish buffers (native trees, grasses) along
watercourses for shade and to filter pollutants. Target protection
and rehabilitation of the coldwater streams.
▪ Continue with overall area planning to ensure natural heritage
features are protected and preserved with future development
in this area.
• There are 24 dams/barriers in this watershed. Assess their purpose
for potential removal or modification to improve river health.
▪ For existing development, implement pollution prevention and
control planning for all aspects of stormwater runoff including
combined storm-sewer overflows.
• Use drain maintenance methods that also protect aquatic
habitat (e.g., spot and bottom cleanouts).
▪ Continue to upgrade sewer systems where risk of
contamination is greatest (e.g., extend sanitary sewers to
urban properties on septic systems).
• Implement Best Management Practices for septic systems,
manure storage and spreading, soil conservation, fertilizer and
pesticide application, fuel storage, and restricting livestock
access to watercourses.
▪ Minimize use of fertilizers, adhere to Ontario’s Cosmetic
Pesticide Ban (effective 2009) and utilize the municipal
hazardous waste disposal program (www.clear.london.ca).
• 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).
• Within urban areas the following actions should be continued:
▪ For new development, implement urban stormwater
planning using Low Impact Development, stormwater Best
Management Practices, subwatershed studies, catchment
area planning, and erosion control.
A large Walleye spawning migration occurs in this watershed annually,
with fish traveling from Lake St. Clair and beyond.
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
RIVER BEND
Forests
• Increase natural vegetation cover in urban areas by naturalizing
manicured urban parks and open spaces, river valleys,
residential and industrial areas, and school yards.
• Much of the forest cover within this narrow watershed lies along
the Thames River, which benefits both the river and wildlife. Since
urban development pressure is high, the goal is to maintain the
existing riparian woodland and expand it where possible.
• Conserve woodlands, wetlands and other natural areas through
Official Plan designations, landowner incentives and education,
enforcement of tree cutting by-law, etc.
• 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).
• Create wildlife corridors between woodlots by planting
shelterbelts, windbreaks and buffers along fields and
watercourses, which will also protect against soil erosion.
• 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.
• 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).
HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRESS
SINCE 2006
• Community Plans were developed to ensure natural heritage
features are protected with future development. Recommendations
helped to protect Kains Woods and Kelly Stanton ESAs.
The River Bend 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.
• A study of London’s urban tree cover (Urban Forest Effects
Model, London 2012) showed that London has about 4 million
trees and tall shrubs (12 per person), with a leaf cover of about
25%. Per year London’s trees/shrubs sequester about 12,500
metric tonnes of carbon and remove 370 metric tonnes of air
pollutants. There is room to add tree cover to an additional 19%
of the urban area.
• Rural landowners completed 11 Clean Water Program (CWP)
projects including fragile land retirement and septic upgrades.
The CWP was initiated in 2001 as a partnership between
local municipalities to fund environmental projects (www.
cleanwaterprogram.ca).
• Through UTRCA’s Communities for Nature program, 115 trees
and 400 wildflowers were planted by 150 students at John
Dearness Public School. Another 480 trees were planted at 3
sites under the UTRCA’s Private Land Reforestation Program.
The UTRCA completed
extensive reptile
research and habitat
improvement work
along this stretch of
the Thames River over
the last five years. For
example, to counter
the 99% turtle egg
mortality rate and
bolster the population,
Spiny Softshell turtle
nests were protected
from predators, the eggs
collected and incubated,
and the healthy
hatchlings released back
into the river.
• In 2010, Ontario Parks, in consultation with stakeholders,
completed the Komoka Park Management Plan, guiding the
protection and management of this exceptional site.
• In 2006, the City of London acquired Kains Woods Environmentally
Significant Area (ESA) along the south shore of the Thames River.
The ESA is managed by the UTRCA and City of London.
• The City of London has initiated a watershed awareness
program for urban subwatersheds including the London portion
of River Bend (called Downstream Thames and Stanton Drain)
(www.London.ca).
• The Sifton Bog ESA Conservation Master Plan Update was
completed in 2009, providing guidance to the management and
conservation of this unique habitat in London.
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).
RIVER BEND
6
Upper Thames River Watershed Report Card