The Twelve Mile Creek
Watershed Strategy
June 2000
Table of Contents
SECTION I. Recovery of the ‘Twelve Mile Creek Watershed’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Background. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Strategy Location and Watershed Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Twelve Mile Creek Strategy Outline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How we developed the Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Purpose and goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Watershed Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION II. Natural Watershed Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
The Explanation of Why . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Natural Watershed Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION III. Watershed Management Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Individual Areas of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Landuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Water Pathways and Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Natural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ii
Wildlife- Terrestrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Wildlife- Aquatic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION IV. Watershed Action Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Revitalizing the Watershed- The ‘Strategy’ to Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Necessary Disturbances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Sports fish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Erosion and Stormwater management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
The ‘Strategy’s’ Rehabilitating Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Strategy Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Watershed Action Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-58
Detailed Project Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59-68
Strategy Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Monitoring Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71-75
Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76-90
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
iii
List of Appendices
Appendix 1.1a Vegetation of the 12 Mile Creek Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Appendix 1.1b Significant Vegetative Communities in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed. . . . . . . . . 80
Appendix 1.2
Animal Species Recorded in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Appendix 1.3
Fish Species known to inhabit the 12 Mile Creek Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Appendix 1.4
Hydrological Data Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Appendix 1.5
The Watershed Report Card Stream Assessment- the Upper 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Appendix 1.5a St. Johns Tributary Report Card Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Appendix 1.5b Effingham Tributary Report Card Assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Appendix 1.6a Sport Fish Limiting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Appendix 1.6b Other Fish Limiting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Appendix 1.7a Indicators for the 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Appendix 1.7b The Report Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
List of Figures
Figure 1
Subject Plan Area: The 12 Mile Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Figure 2
Watershed Behaviour Zones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 3
Quaternary Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 4
Soil Depth/ Drift Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 5
Erosion Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 6
Historic Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Figure 7
Land use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Figure 8
Water Storage and Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Figure 9
Water quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 10
Pollution Potential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Figure 11
Natural Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Figure 12
Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Figure 13
Restoration Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Figure 14
Watershed Action Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-58
Figure 15
Detailed Project Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59-71
iv
SECTION I:
Recovery of the ‘Twelve Mile Creek’ Watershed
Background
The ‘Twelve Mile Creek Strategy’ was developed by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
(NPCA) in consultation with its’ watershed partners, to integrate development and environmental protection for the wise management of the Twelve Mile Creek ecosystem. Local and regional governments,
industries, researchers, and local community groups, as the ‘Friends of the 12’ provided input to preparing this strategy. In recognizing these interests, the Strategy was initiated to achieve a sustainable
ecosystem based on four main watershed concerns:
•above normal water temperature
•increased streambank erosion
•altered stream flow and structure (hydraulics and geomorphology)
•decreased fish and wildlife habitat
To provide a sustainable watershed, the Strategy recognizes the direct influence of land and water based
activities on the entire 12 Mile Creek drainage basin. This approach identifies a focused set of directives to help guide decision making and actions affecting the watershed’s natural resource and land use
functions. It also maintains an environmental framework to support changing land use in the watershed
and improve the watershed health. As a result, the emphasis of the Twelve Mile Creek Strategy is on
early guidance and input into decisions on land use changes, to avoid the need for costly and difficult
remedial actions on a sustainable basis for environmental, social and economic well-being of the local
and regional area.
The Twelve Mile Creek Strategy was therefore, developed to coordinate the management of the watershed improvement. As the Peninsula’s watershed manager, the NPCA will lead by initiating and monitoring watershed improvement. Combined watershed improvement activities are also identified for area
residents, local municipalities and other watershed partners. To implement the recommended projects,
identify any new areas or issues and evaluate the progress in achieving a healthier watershed, a
Watershed Report has been developed.
Like a ‘blueprint’, this strategy outlines public and government responsibilities for managing land and
water activities and resource use - a ‘greenprint’ for a sustainable future.
Strategy Location and Watershed Requirements
The area of interest covers the Twelve Mile Creek watershed. The boundaries of this study area are
defined by the drainage basin of this creek, where all land activities affect the water, and all water activities affect the land .
As shown in Figure 1, the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed is located in the Niagara Peninsula 12 miles from
west of the Niagara River and travels through several municipalities. It covers 178 square kilometers (69
square miles) [Environment Canada 1990] and extends over 22 kilometers (14 miles) in length [NPCA
1
1980]. Starting at its headwaters within the Town of Pelham and City of Thorold the Twelve Mile Creek
meanders through the a small portion of the Town of Lincoln, the core of the City of St. Catharines, and
western Niagara Falls through an existing structural connections under the Welland Canal. The main 12
Mile Creek, its tributaries of the Juliana, Secord, Rosedale, Dick’s, Carter, Richardson, Grapeview,
Shriner’s and Beaverdams Creeks and many unnamed headwater reaches exhibit how this 12 Mile Creek
water system is intertwined in our landscape. Contributing to the significance of this watershed locally
and regionally are the only identified cold water streams within the Niagara Region known as the
Effingham and St.Johns branches. Flowing through Niagara’s largest populated area, the Twelve Mile
Creek influences and is influenced by many residents of the Niagara Peninsula making it a valuable part
of our functioning rural and urban landscapes.
Rehabilitation Needs
Modification for improvement is required as present day activities limit the Twelve Mile Creek’s natural
capability to keep our water and air clean. The key natural watershed traits being affected are:
• it being the only identified cold water stream in the Niagara Peninsula,
• the only water system containing naturally reproducing Brook and Brown trout, and
• the only deep valleys and short hills landscape in the Region, in addition to,
• containing rare sights of:
• an escarpment,
• drowned river mouth,
• warm tender fruit climate,
• historic canal commerce areas and
• world class rowing facilities
As our built environment has advanced and expanded into these landscape functions some of the watershed’s key functions are diminished. Through actions of reduced wetland areas, removal of dense stream
cover, stream alterations and nutrient additives to the land, watershed responses have included:
• unnatural erosion and murky headwaters since the 1980’s (Sarvis 1985),
• increased water levels and temperatures (from vegetation removal and artificial dams),
• increased water nutrients (from land use runoff, septic systems, uncontrolled livestock creek
access) [Phaneuf & Karimi 1997, Sarvis 1985, Hough et al 1982] and
• reduced cold water fish species (brook trout), plant and animal diversity.
As a result, the strategy for a healthier watershed has recognized the land and stream interactions as having directly influenced the watershed’s water quality and habitat for the cold water fish species, rare bird
species, amphibians, reptiles and mammal, and the key to improving the watershed’s health.
2
Location:
The 12 Mile Creek watershed is comprised of a main branch and many tributaries. It flows primarily through the Town
Pelham, and the Cities of Thorold, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.
Figure 1: Subject Plan Area
Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
3
The Twelve Mile Creek Strategy Outline
How we Developed the Strategy
To complete this Strategy, the process involved vision setting, resource gathering, information analysis
and solution determination. For comparative purposes, procedures and methodologies used were patterned after the Watershed Report Card.
1.
A vision and expectations for the desired watershed were developed from public open houses and
the 12 Mile Creek Steering Committee.
2.
Resource information was then gathered for the 12 Mile Creek Watershed to highlight the existing
conditions on land use, landscape components (of topography, soil and bedrock), water pathways
(channels) and storage, plant communities, animal communities, recreation and historical features.
Specific methods involve the following:
• Land use was determined using 1994 aerial photography, 1994 satellite imagery mapping from
Environment Canada, municipal land planning documents, Ontario Base Mapping and selected
field surveys.
• The landscape components (of topography, soil and bedrock) were obtained from Ontario Base
mapping, existing CanSIS soil mapping (by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada), and Ontario Geologic Survey mapping.
• Areas of potential erosion were identified from the contours on the Ontario Base mapping.
Water pathways and storage were identified by selected headwater field surveys, Ontario Base
mapping and 1994 aerial photography, to identify areas of stream interruptions (dams, piping),
unnatural channelization (straightening and addition of hard material), groundwater recharge and
discharge.
• General and fragile plant community locations and boundaries were identified from existing
wetland evaluations, Area of Natural and Scientific Areas studies and mapping, environmental
studies, 1994 forest cover mapping by Environment Canada, Ontario Base mapping, 1994 aerial
photography, scoped field surveys, group and public knowledge. General and fragile animal
species (specific to general and critical habitat areas) were identified from Canadian Wildlife
Service, Natural Heritage Information Centre wildlife data, OMNR stream surveys, OMNRFonthill municipal screen mapping, OMNR wetland evaluations, regional ecological studies,
group and public knowledge.
• Stormwater information was determined from Ontario Base mapping, selected field surveys,
municipal stormwater and sanitary sewer system mapping, NPCA floodplain and resource mapping, local feature mapping.
• Recreational information involved identifying all existing public trails, parks or open recreational areas from municipal parks and recreation, or public works department maps and brochures as
well as area land maps.
• Historical information on the 12 was compiled from Brock University Archive expert John
Burniack, existing historical documents and studies and group knowledge.
This resource information was then simplified and placed in the a Geographic Information System
(G.I.S.) using SPANS 7 software.
4
3.
Using the computerized G.I.S., all resource information was overlaid and analyzed. Areas were
flagged as being sensitive or potentially having an impact on the health of the watershed. For each
of these flagged occurrences, potential local or regional areas of influences were also noted. These
flagged areas of influence were then evaluated further. For each flag identified as an “unnatural”
occurrence, the existing programs or policies were reviewed for addressing these concerns (i.e.
sensitive areas already protected in planning documents). Field confirmation was also completed
for flagged significant concern as per the greenprint expectations.
4.
Solutions were then determined and prioritized to alleviate the found impacts.
Limitations
In pursuit of a timely and focused strategy, we recognize the following limitations pertaining to data not
included in the analysis, as it pertains to the plan objectives:
• Groundwater aquifer areas (presently being completed by the MOE and for subsequent incorporation into the plan)
• Tile drainage discharge
• NHIC plant data
As this information will provide further refinement of the impacts and required works to improve the
watershed’s health, this strategy has been designed to be dynamic in nature. As this or other additional
information becomes available, it will be added to the overall summary and reviewed as a group for any
rehabilitation requirements and/or rehabilitation work priority changes based on new information.
5
Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
A “Greenprint” for a Healthier System
Purpose
To rehabilitate the long term health of the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed within the municipalities of
Pelham, Thorold, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls in the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
Its goals are:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
stabilized creek channel (stormwater management & erosion control )
improved water quality
increased biodiversity (i.e. fish, animals and native plants)
a preserved natural heritage (i.e. natural areas and features)
a preserved built heritage (i.e. historical features and sites)
increased educational opportunities
increased recreational opportunities (areas and linkages)
Self sustaining economic and environmental system
A rippling stream abounding with life in, on, and around the “TWELVE “ is envisaged. Its very quality
will allow for a variety of habitats for fish, waterfowl and insects. The “Twelve “ will flourish with areas
for quiet solitude, competitive regattas, bountiful agriculture, busy commerce and even powerful
hydroelectric stations.
12 Mile Creek – 2010 A.D.
These goals will be achieved
through a Watershed Strategy using
an ecosystem approach. It will look
at protecting and enhancing what is
healthy, and remediating and revitalizing that which is not.
Furthermore it will coordinate and
direct projects to be carried out
through the efforts of the “Friends
of the 12”, area landowners,
Regional and local municipalities
and the Niagara Peninsula
Conservation Authority over the
short and long term. It will provide
a schematic “Greenprint” for the
watershed’s future.
6
Watershed Targets
1. To provide a healthier river system with natural self-supporting techniques that have minimal costs
and maintenance requirements, and are prioritized with established timelines.
2. To improve degraded water quality (including accelerated erosion) through improved stream actions,
land use activity and reduced residential, industrial, and agricultural pollution sources.
3. To control water quantity/ storm water by improving stream features and land use activity.
4. To maintain the integrity of the cold water streams by identifying the key recharge and discharge areas
for protection.
5. To provide increased recreational opportunities for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and sports fishing, indicating best areas for improved access, trail linkages and facility development.
6. To preserve and enhance nature’s features, functions and necessary linkages by identifying the significant areas needing protection in land use planning documents and landowner stewardship actions.
7. To improve original sport fish populations by noting locations and requirements for enhanced or
increased fish spawning habitat and passage.
8. To increase individuals’ and industries’ awareness and participation in resolving the watershed’s problems of biodiversity, water quality, habitat, and water movement. Topic identification for broad educational program development and the
establishment of demonstration site(s) for
land stewards and interest groups will
achieve this.
9. To promote sustainable agricultural uses
identifying good farming practices for
educational land stewardship material.
10. To preserve the watershed’s built heritage
identifying sites for protection.
11. To develop new land use policies for
incorporation into the local and Regional
planning documents to guide future
development.
12. To establish a monitoring program of animal populations, water quality and quantity to assess the effectiveness and necessary modifications of this watershed plan.
This will include an Annual Progress
Report Card to report on the overall
health of the watershed.
7
8
Zone 3: slow water, sedimentation near the creek mouth,
moist soils
Zone 2: balanced stream flow &
sediment, moist soils
Zone1: fast runoff, high erosion, drier soils
Legend
Figure 2: Watershed Behaviour Zones
SECTION II:
Natural Watershed Characteristics
THE FOUNDATION
Just add water. It is the geology and precipitation which control
the watershed design.
Precipitation and geology are the foundations of the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed, controlling the amount
and quality of water. In reviewing the extent and location of these factors, we were able to outline how
the watershed should be reacting and what rehabilitative actions are necessary.
Precipitation Highlights
Rain and snow contribute to the surface water and groundwater which feed
the streams of the 12 Mile Creek Watershed
Geological Foundation of the Twelve Mile Creek
Watershed Highlights
Geology defines the minerals and water transport within the watershed’s potential.
Soil and Water influences
• Underlying Sedimentary bedrock is high in nutrients, neutral to
slightly alkaline and capable of buffering limited acids introduced
into the environment from rain, snow or effluents
• Bedrock is high in iron oxide & magnesia content above the
escarpment. Ground water from these rocks tend to have high
water hardness, iron, aluminum & manganese levels [Gartner Lee
1998; Ontario Division of Mines 1972]
Water Storage
• Pelham gravel deposits temporarily hold water underground and
provide a constant stream flow
• Bedrock has moderate to limited capability of holding water
• Above the escarpment moderate water holding capability is found
in the dolomite (Lockport Formation) over shale/sandstone/carbonate rock (Clinto & Cataract Formation).
• Below the escarpment is shale (Queenston Formation) resulting in
average water groundwater quality [ODM 1972]
9
Geological Foundation of the Twelve Mile Creek
Watershed Highlights continued...
Surface Water
• Three types of channel behaviours are expected in the watershed
[Figure 2]
1. many streams branches, faster runoff, more erosion, drier soils
(in the headwaters above the escarpment)
2. balanced stream flow and sediment, moister soils (in the mid
watershed); and
3. slow water, sedimentation at the creek mouth, moister soils
(near the creek’s outlet)
• The Short Hills Re-entrant (opening) provides the pathway for
water over the Niagara Escarpment. This is located in the Short
Hills Provincial Park area.
Surface Geological features modifying the Watershed’s Water & Soil
• Steeper slopes have more runoff, more erosion & less plant types
• Groundwater recharge areas in the headwaters (Kame Moraine sand
and gravel deposits)
• Greater groundwater volumes in the Kame and below the escarpment due to deeper soils
• Steeper thinner surface soils of the headwaters, escarpment and
creek mouth area are drier
10
Figure 3: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Quaternary Geology
11
The Explanation of Why
Precipitation
Precipitation is one of the watershed’s driving forces. It occurs in the form of rain and snow from the
atmosphere. On average, about 35% of this water (precipitation) reaches the streams. Moving across the
land’s surface and infiltrating through the ground, this water reaches the streams and moves towards Lake
Ontario. The remaining 65% returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and evapotranspiration (i.e.
heat and plants). With an average 90 centimetres of precipitation per year this means approximately 32
centimetres will eventually enter the stream flow. The greatest amount of flow can be expected in the
springtime as the winter snow melts along with additional spring and fall rains.
Geology [Figure 3]
This underlying structure determines the water pathways and storage, vegetation and animals in the 12
Mile Creek Watershed. It is the rock, soils and landscape which define the stream’s capability and its
design (i.e. stream width, depth and pattern). The geology therefore tells us what we can expect to see in
the watershed- the natural occurrences and limitations- from which we can determine what should and
should not be rehabilitated.
Details
The watershed’s geological support of bedrock and overlying material provide water storage for constant
water supply to the creek. As rain and snowmelt filters into the ground through permeable soil, water may
collect beneath the surface in water-soaked gravel deposits, and porous bedrock. Filling the aggregates
open spaces, we find the gravel deposits in the Pelham headwaters provide a primary water storage area.
In a similar fashion, below this gravel and material elsewhere in the watershed, water fills the pore spaces
and fractures of the underlying bedrock, notably the dolostone cap rock. As this bedrock is made of shale/
sandstone/ and carbonate rock above the escarpment (Lockport Dolomite, Clinton and Cataract Groups),
and shale below the escarpment (Queenston Shale) [Ontario Division of Mines 1972] the water holding
capabilities are higher above the escarpment. Consequently, these materials provide a temporary water
storage area and more constant flow for the watershed with the greatest water storage in the gravel deposits
and more porous bedrock of Pelham, and secondary storage within the remaining areas limited to small
rock space and bedrock fractures.
In addition, the minerals from the geologic material characterize the water chemistry and soil traits, which
influence the watershed’s plants and animals. Minerals from the rock and soil (weathered rock) contribute
to surface and groundwater chemistry as the water passes through these materials [Figure 3]. Providing
characterization of this water are the Lockport Dolomite, Clinton and Cataract Group rocks above the
escarpment and Queenston Shale below the escarpment. As they contain clay, sand with a high iron oxide
content, and a limestone structure with higher magnesia; and primarily clay respectively, water will have
higher concentration and magnesia above the escarpment and a more alkaline pH below the escarpment. In
addition, localized beds and deposits of gypsum above the escarpment are found to release small amounts
of sulphur when it reacts with groundwater. As the rock minerals in the form of bedrock or soil contribute
to the water they come in contact with, similar mineral traits are expected. This includes a slightly acidic
pH of water and soil at or near the ground surface and an alkaline water pH from bedrock areas below
ground and the escarpment area. Soil and water will also be capable of buffering limited acids introduced
into the environment from rain, snow or effluents, with greater buffering effect capabilities expected above
the escarpment. As a result, the geology provides the basis for the 12 Mile Creek watershed as it defines
the water and soils and determines what plants and animals it can support.
12
The distribution of water is also determined by the surface geology-landscape. We find three distinct features, the Fonthill Kame Moraine Delta/short hills, the Niagara Escarpment and the Old Lake Iroquois
clay-loam plain directly modifying the water movement and plant location in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed
[Figure 4]. Paralleling such contrasting topography of steep slopes and valleys on the Kame and
Escarpment with the relatively flat Lake Iroquois plain, we find two distinctive surface drainage patterns.
These include a densely branched network of waterways in the upper portion of the watershed and a
sparsely branched network in the lower portions extending to the creek’s outlet at Lake Ontario. In addition, the deeper soils of the Kame, a buried ancient valley/ gorge through Short Hills Provincial Park and
just below the escarpment identify areas of greater water holding capabilities or temporary water storage
for the watershed. As these features provide the “imprint” for water dispersion in the watershed we can
expect: faster surface water transport, drier surface soil and less types of vegetation on the Escarpment and
Kame slopes, slower water transport and moister soils below the escarpment, and greater soil water holding capabilities and plant diversity on the Kame, short hills valley and immediately below the escarpment.
As a result, the surface landscape features and soils depths modify the watershed’s potential further for
water movement and plant growth.
As the geologic information is important to the subsequent analysis of the watershed’s natural capabilities
and rehabilitative requirements, details of soil types and soil depth are illustrated in Figure 4. Highlighting
expected aspects of water quality and water distribution in the watershed, these components indicates
potential high groundwater contamination, water drainage patterns and holding capabilities which assist in
defining the Strategy’s design needs.
13
Figure 4: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Soil Depth/”Drift” Thickness
14
Figure 5: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
High Erosion Potential Areas
15
Natural Watershed Characteristics
The natural watershed processes to maintain.
The 12 Mile Creek Foundation
The precipitation and geological features of soil and topography tell us the natural processes and features
we should see in the watershed. They also tell us what the watershed is capable of achieving and its limits. Providing the design traits, the precipitation and geology of the watershed form the “foundation” of
our 12 Mile Creek Greenprint. This strategy suggests the following watershed characteristics to be a natural and expected occurrence and therefore not requiring fixing (as it relates to the plan’s focus and driving objectives):
i) Watershed Driving Factor
Precipitation
• water contributions include water storage through the winter via snow with a January and February
melt, and rain water through to November
ii) The Watershed’s Natural Framework of the Design
Streams
• slower streams and an increased baymouth at the lake outlet over time, as the land slowly rises and
rebounds from past glaciers [Niagara South Board of Education 1989]
• wider streams as they cut down to the underlying clay and till layers
• faster streams and drier soils in the headwaters
• increased stream ponding, seasonal wetlands and moister soils below the escarpment and closer to the
creek’s outlet
• wetland areas in the headwater discharge areas of the Town of Pelham
• streams fed by sand and gravel deposits in the Town of Pelham and central St. Catharines
• constant stream flows and cold water in the Effingham and St. Johns tributaries
• warm water streams outside of the Pelham Kame area
• majority of the watershed will have high stream water levels in the spring & after storm events, and
low flows in the summer due to the higher surface runoff potential of clay soils
Erosion
• Greater erosion and murkier stream water (suspended silt) in steep lower valley areas within the
Thorold/Pelham headwaters. This is due to freeze thaw and wet dry weathering processes
• Highly erodible soils above the escarpment (in the fine sand and silt deposits of the Town of Pelham)
and at the inlet of Martindale Pond
• High potential for valley erosion in silty clay areas with a slope of ≥ 15% along the main 12 Mile
Creek channel
• Slope failure potential where groundwater seeps come in contact with steep slopes
• Refer to Figure 5
16
Water Storage
• Main groundwater aquifer (recharge and temporary underground storage area) in Pelham headwaters
of Effingham and St. Johns tributaries (20-30% storage space for water in the sand and gravel
deposits)
• More water held in deeper soils of the Kame and mid watershed (below the escarpment)
• Quick infiltration in the sandy soils near Lake Ontario and Pelham headwaters
• Existing wetlands hold water (primarily Martindale Pond, Pelham headwaters and Lake
Moodie/Gibson)
Water Quality
• High potential for groundwater contamination in the shallow deposits and recharge areas of the
Pelham headwaters and St. Catharines Queenston Street area, and Niagara Escarpment tableland and
lake outlet area . this is due to a shallow groundwater table and permeable soils
Natural Resources/ Climate
• Moderate temperatures and good air drainage and mixing on the Kame and below the escarpment
• Faster plant growth and more specialized agricultural tender fruit capability on the Kame and below
the escarpment
• Carolinian Forest Life Zone with associated plants and animals is unique in Canada, only being found
in Southern Ontario
• Only identified cold water stream in the Niagara Peninsula
Consequently,
Precipitation and Geology control the system.
17
SECTION III:
Watershed Management Issues
The “Twelve Mile Creek Strategy’s” Areas for
Regeneration/Improvement
To determine what needs to be rehabilitated, we identified/ “flagged” areas of concern in the watershed.
Existing watershed occurrences and potential areas of rehabilitation were identified and assessed. By
comparing this information with the stream’s expected natural behaviour/ character (noted in Section II)
we distinguished what needs to be rehabilitated in the watershed- i.e. what is an unnatural occurrence and
is practical within the existing social requirements and structure of the watershed.
Highlights of the Watershed’s Disturbances/Issues
Disturbances/Issues in the Watershed
• increased streambank erosion where lawns are maintained to the streams edge
• increased water temperatures and stream erosion where there is less native streambank vegetation
• increased land erosion with more sedimentation below dams and culverts
• increased erosion and flows with reduced stream wood debris in the headwater
coldwater sand based streams
• increased water pollutants of nutrients, phosphates and water temperature from
land use additives and reduced stream vegetation
• increased water from Canal diversions
• increased impervious land coverage in headwater areas and eastern watershed area
• altered material for holding groundwater in the headwaters
• deep seated slope failure where steep slope, impervious soil conditions and
groundwater seepage (from shallow groundwater table) are combined along 12
Mile Creek
• wider, shallower streams resulting from instream structures (i.e. dams, walls)
• limited wooded areas below the escarpment
• absence of recreational link from the Town of Pelham to the City of St. Catharines
• underutilized historic waterway features
Effects
These disturbances have resulted in an altered ecosystem with:
• less forest cover and migration corridors below the escarpment
• small Brook Trout population
• wider, straighter and adjusting streams
• lack of wetland communities in the watershed
• many historic features not identified to the general public
• limited recreational opportunities above the escarpment
Future Disturbances likely to continue:
• maintenance of the hydro generating, use and dredging of Martindale pond
Feasible Interventions:
• refer to recommendations Section IV
18
Figure 6: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Historic Areas
19
Individual Watershed Issue
The details of flagged concerns are noted below. These concerns are outlined according to the
“Strategy’s” goals.
History [Figure 6]
The cultural landscape is important to preserve our past to understand how we got to where we are today.
Watershed Findings
• 9000 year old Aboriginal occupation at TCG new expansion area [MHBC Planning 1998]
A number of sites are significant in the advance of the commerce and economic sectors of the municipalities and the Region. The Welland Canal with its 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th pathways travelling through
the City of St. Catharines. With this new commerce route opening up Region, a number of industries
• The Kame Moraine was formed from the deposition of stratified fine sand material at the edge of the
glacier and Lake Warren to the south. As the glaciers started to melt, lakes formed with sand and gravel being deposited. A gentle sloped delta formed on the south end and a sharp face at the north side
where the ice was. As the ice receded northwards to the Short Hills area a lake formed (between the
moraine and the escarpment) in which the continual back and forth movement of the ice deposited layers of fine silt and clay deposits. Subsequently, as the ice receded further forming the present dendritic
(densely branched) drainage pattern and its valley system [Hough, Stansbury & Michalski Ltd 1982],
the Short Hills pre-existing river valley (12 Mile Creek Re-entrant valley) was filled in [Forestell
1982]
• Kame Moraine has 6 glacial formation stages present in Fonthill to understand the glaciation process
[Forestell 1982]
• In St.Johns dams and millraces were constructed to power a number of mills (grist, saw, woollen factory etc.) dating back to the 1780’s [Niagara South of Education 1982]
• Creeks have had a positive impact on housing, increasing the adjacent housing value and willingness
to pay more for a ravine setting [Aquafor Beech Limited 1995]
• Hurricane in July 1792 felled a swath of trees through the forest n.k.a. Hurricane Road. Also a
Tornado/ Micro burst in late summer 1995 to the north in the St. Johns Conservation Area
• Proposed fort site at the top of the Kame Moraine (Steed and Evan site location- Lot 4 & 5 Concession
6) [Forestell 1981]
• Heritage designation of sites under the Ontario Heritage Act increase site value [Minns 1997]
• Rich in Welland Canal structural history (i.e. locks, piers)
• industrial development influences (i.e. Effingham & St. Johns Industrial Centres, railway, canal and
features
Watershed Occurrence:
•
Less known and less accessible information gathered for the Pelham and Thorold areas
•
Historical features lost primarily due to lack of awareness
Identified Issues to Address:
•
•
•
Less historical data collected for the City of Thorold and the Town of Pelham
Loss of historical features due to development or other issues
Limited public awareness of these historical aspects
20
Summary – What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
There is a diversity of cultural heritage in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed which needs to be protected. The watershed is rich in social and economic development with the settlement, economic
development and land formation with a number of sites dealing with the water commerce of 12
Mile Creek being present. Figure 6 and the associated list of sites highlights the sites identified to
date, with additional areas being accumulated and to be subsequently added to this plan. Despite
this diversity of cultural resources, the ties to the landscape are being lost to new development or
progressing landscapes as the importance of such areas or the costs of their restoration are not
known or too high for the present landowner. Consequently, the landscape and area provide a vast
educational resource of settlement, economic development and land formation in which the
resource is unknown and underutilized and if maintained will provide a link to our past and “character” in the landscape.
21
Figure 7: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Land Use
22
Landuse [Figure 7]
Providing the connection of how land and water activities are directly to the watershed’s function and
health is the use and alterations of the land.
Watershed Findings:
• Percentage Developed Land base for the entire watershed is 22% Urban 14% transportation concentrated primarily below the escarpment in St. Catharines on the east bank of the 12 Mile Creek
• Limited development (i.e. estate residential larger lots) in the Niagara Escarpment Control Area
Higher intensity of development above the escarpment occurs outside of the Niagara Escarpment
Control Area (i.e. subdivision development)
• Rice Road landfill to have an eroding slope and uncollected leachate pond
• Agricultural land use is compatible with groundwater recharge areas by maintaining the land hydrology flow and the stream’s physical meandering pattern
• 1/3 of the upper forest is regularly logged for lumber or firewood [Hough, Stansbury & Michalski Ltd
1982]
• Agricultural (i.e. tender fruit) and urban land uses dominate the watersheds landscape. The moderate
temperatures, good air drainage and air mixing make the area attractive for these uses
Land Use of the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed*
(Including the Niagara Falls portion)
Land Use Category
Percentage
of Land Cover
Agricultural
Urban (Developed)
Forest
Water
Recreation
Wetland
Extraction
44
35
17
3.5
1.2
0.65
0.37
(*Source: Environment Canada 1994)
Watershed Occurrence:
• Urbanization of headwater areas in Pelham and Thorold and potential affects on water volume and
base flow
• Above water table land excavation in the headwater areas of Pelham and potential influences on
groundwater retention and functions of maintaining base flows to area streams
• Existing urbanization constraints of channel floodplain, increased impervious surface and decreased
vegetation have also increased and decreased flow patterns respectively, with St. Catharines and
Thorold
• Past development constraints to valley stability in the Riverview Boulevard area
• Numerous existing on-stream ponds mostly concentrated in the headwater areas of Pelham, resulting
generally in increased erosion immediately downstream, increased water temperature at the ponds outlet and a barrier to fish migration
• 7 municipal and 1 industrial landfill known within the watershed
23
Identified Issues to Address:
•
•
•
38% urban and transportation impervious cover land surface within Phase 1 of the
Watershed, 35% impervious cover including Niagara Falls watershed section)
Development concentrated in the lower watershed
Expanding development in the headwaters
Summary – What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
The Niagara Escarpment Development Control Area has enabled the protection of escarpment
geologic and natural heritage features. It is within this development control area that the significant portion of watershed’s natural heritage resources are located and provide habitat to the most
vulnerable, threatened and endangered plants and animal species, and the only large forest tracts
with interior forest bird habitat in the watershed. Within the remaining sections of the waterway,
although constrained with more disturbance, habitat has been maintained along the waterway
valleys. With greater population to serve, these lower watershed areas have an additional value
of providing a greater opportunities for education with direct integration and interpretation
with area users.
24
Figure 8: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Water Storage and Pathways
25
Water Pathwaysˆ and Storage [Figure 8]
Providing the driving force is the 12 Mile Creek’s network of pathways and storage of water to identify
water availability and it’s distribution to plants and animals throughout the watershed.
Watershed Findings:
• Annual calculated surface runoff (water budget) is approximately 498 mm/year at Pelham east headwaters and will vary throughout the watershed [see Appendix 1.4 for calculation]
• Recharge area at Tice & Effingham Roads are 265.2 mm/per unit area/year [Forestell 1981]
• Many stream branches throughout the watershed with high runoff above the escarpment. Few water
path ways exist in the sandy areas in the Pelham headwaters and below the escarpment
• Water sources include: recharge areas of the sand and gravel deposit on the Kame Moraine and to
small extent Homer Bar1, in addition to, surface runoff and water diverted from the Welland Canal to
Lake Moodie and Gibson
• Groundwater moves both in a vertical and horizontal direction to the bedrock aquifer and to the ground
surface discharge points (i.e springs and seepage) [Gartner Lee 1978. Several groundwater discharge
areas are located at stream’s commencement, headwater wetland area, and where the sand and clay
soils meet and the slope changes (i.e. Pelham headwater areas from Metler to Sulphur Springs Road
and Highway 20 to Hollow Road, as well as along the escarpment, main 12 ravine]. Significant
groundwater directional flows include radially flow outward from the Kame Moraine (Gartner Lee
1978). Groundwater also varies with topography being closer to the surface in low lying areas and
deeper in higher areas
• Groundwater wells service 4000 residences in the Town of Pelham [Environment Canada 1998]
• Two types of stream flows - a year round and a seasonal flow- exist in the watershed.
1. Year round flowing streams are found within the St. Johns and Effingham coldwater streams in
the headwaters of Pelham, and the main 12 Mile tributary with water contributions from the
Fonthill Kame Moraine groundwater aquifer, and Lake Moodie and Gibson, respectively
2. Seasonal flows are found in the remainder of the watershed in which high flows are seen in the
spring and after major storm events, and low to no flows are present for the remainder of the year
[OMNR 1978, 1989; Sarvis 1985 ; Gartner Lee 1981; Hough et. al 1982; CanSIS 1998]. Such
seasonal flows are a result of sandy soils, tills/ clays, minimal vegetation and channel constraints,
steep slopes and shallow soils
• Water flows are more constant in the Effingham and west St. Johns headwater branch of sand deposits.
The remaining clay based streams and east St. Johns headwater branch (shallow sand underlain by fine
silty/clay) exhibit more erratic flows due to low soil permeability and a high water table (at 1.5 to 3.2
metres below the surface [McGlone and Associates Report 1985]). Water enters these latter streams
quickly with water levels rising after spring melt or a storm event as the rain exceeds infiltration
[OMNR 1978, 1989; McGlone and Associates 1985; Sarvis 1985 ; Gartner Lee 1981; Hough et. al
1982; CanSIS 1998]
• Stormwater management ponds tend to slow the water flow, provide a constant outflow. Newer ponds
are designed to ensure post-development flows equal predevelopment flows
• In the Pelham headwater, due to the nature of the soils stormwater management ponds are expected
and designed to hold water for a few hours (pre-development conditions) [McGlone and Associates
1985- see appendix 1.4]. Frequent high storm event (a 2 year storm event) are calculated to average
0.94 inches for 1 hour [Delcan 1985 study]
ˆ channel, path, or waterway
26
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Varying stream slopes and associated stream flows throughout the watershed. Contributing to the various stream flows are 3% to 0.5% slope in the headwaters, 61% in the midwatershed (escarpment) and
0.2% slope below the escarpment
Incidental, flatter areas also enable more time for water to seep into the ground, with stream water levels respond more slowly to precipitation
Faster water flows in clay based streams just south and north of the Niagara Escarpment, headwater
streams, St. Johns upper east branch, at the Niagara Escarpment, straightened or walled stream sections of the Dick’s Creek, Rosedale and Secord streams, and Old Welland Canal. These stream sections generally have greater streambank erosion and carry more sediment
Headwater areas are seen as the main contributor of stream bed material
Primary stream sedimentation at the creek’s mouth, in Martindale Pond (baymouth)
The Martindale Pond is a drowned river mouth/backshore bay influenced by Lake Ontario water
influxes. The natural progress for this pond is one of sedimentation and shallow water
Removal of vegetative cover will result in minor increased rates of surface runoff to the stream as the
amount of water which would otherwise be collected by the vegetation and returned to the atmosphere
is runoff to the stream. At Tice and Effingham Road area 20 acres of stripped vegetation was estimated to account for 10 gallons per minute [Gartner Lee 1981]
A subsurface filled ancient valley (12 Mile Creek Re-entrant valley) in a NNE-NNS through the Short
Hills Provincial Park [Tovell 1992, Forestell 1982] providing potential groundwater path or future
channel/ channel erosion direction
With less surrounding development, the Effingham tributary is seen to recover naturally within a fairly short distance downstream of in-stream structure impacts
In the Pelham headwaters the stream’s riffle, pool, run sequences are minimal. One step-pool in the
St. Johns tributary bedrock area; good oxygenation of the bedrock Effingham stream; wide separation
of deep pools and mounding in sandy areas of Effingham stream; lack of woody stream roughness in
St. Johns sand tributary areas
Dicks Creek is wider than its predevelopment state and has undergone stream alterations [Aquafor
Beech Limited 1995; airphotos 1930-94]
watercourses tend to become 2x wider if more than 1/ 2 of the drainage area is >5% impervious and
5x wider if 80-90% of the drainage area is >5% impervious [Aquafor Beech Limited 1995]
High stream sediment/silting always found in the 12 Mile tributaries whereby the hydro power for
local mills and small industries were abandoned due to severe silting [OMNR 198?]
100% of the urban Town of Pelham and the City of Thorold have their water metered and 99% of
urban St. Catharines metered [Environment Canada MUD 1997]
Year round water flows exist in the 12 Mile Creek below the Niagara Escarpment including water
diversions from the Welland Canal and power generation plant operations
Seasonal water fluxes occur downstream of the DeCew Generating Station, with the St. Lawrence
Seaway providing a maximum of 7500 cubic feet per second (cfs) inflow and outflow from approximately December- March of a given year (non-navigational season) and 6888 cfs for plant use from
approximately March to December of a given year (navigational season).
Daily water fluctuations occur in Lake Gibson and downstream of DeCew Generating Station ranging from 0- 8160 cfs in Lake Gibson over night and a maximum of 8160 cfs to 0 outlet from DeCew
Generating Station during the peak hydro requirements of June- August of a given year
27
Watershed Occurrences:
• Groundwater supplies (volumes and aquifers) not presently identified
• Groundwater quantities for residential use has not been measured
• Numerous on-stream ponds exist primarily in the headwaters of Pelham (i.e. in 1982, 24 ponds and 23
dams existed in the upper watershed [Hough, Stansbury & Michalski Ltd. 1982]). These ponds tend
to alter the stream’s natural flow regime by: slowing the natural stream flow in the pond, causing sedimentation in the pond, providing a constant stream flow at the outlet, and resulting in erosion generally within a short distance downstream of the pond’s outlet Number of groundwater recharge areas/
seeps along Effingham tributary (North of Metler, south of Kilman), along St. Johns tributary (south
of McSherry Lane), St. Johns CA tributary north of the St. Johns Conservation Area pond
• St. Catharines and Thorold stormwater outlets potentially contributing to water quantity timing and
volume changes
• Reduced residential water well levels in the Town of Pelham, indicating the demand or extraction of
water being greater than the recharge for 1999
• 7 existing water taking permits in the watershed [Figure 7]
• Water flow alterations from hydro generation
• Area residents indicate high flows along St. Johns after a rain storm and flooding at Roland Rd west side
ª Sand and gravel pits and quarries has extracted surface material altering the surface landscape
• With 35% of the watershed being impervious due to urbanization (i.e. roads, driveways, rooftops) the
urbanization expected runoff is 185mm/year. (This is based on the estimated water budget
498mm/year [Proctor and Redfern 1996])
• The most extensive stream channelization is 8.1 kilometers below the escarpment to accommodate
previous commercial commerce
• St. Johns gravel upper reaches not being transported downstream due to lack of water baseflow
• Increased bank slippage has been noted along the main 12 Mile Creek (behind Riverview Boulevard
due primarily to groundwater seepage
• Increased bank valley erosion has been noted along Dick’s Creek resulting from increased stream volumes with headwater escarpment development [Aquafor Beech Limited 1995]
• Within Carter Creek the channelized system is found to have little erosion near Lincoln Avenue, and
limited creek floodplain areas of 20 metres in width upstream of Lincoln. Options are definitive as
this subwatershed is fully developed [Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995]
• Some minor points of erosion along Secord Creek. As a fully developed watershed the valley floor
floodplain ranging from 40-60 metres in width is the definitive constraint/confinement for restoration
[Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995]
• Francis Creek noted as unaccelerated erosion between Rykert and St. Paul Street West in 1995 when
upstream development had not been completed [Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995]
• Juliana Creek flooding/water ponding concerns have been noted east and west of Ontario Street where
a floodplain ranging from 40 to 60 metres in width is found on the streams surface land portion just
before entering an underground piping system of 150 cm diameter [Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995]
• Dick’s Creek south of Glendale Avenue concerns of flooding/water ponding south of the 1.2 metre
diameter road culvert (Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995)
• Rosedale Creek, Juliana (from Ontario Gardens to Ontario Street), Secord Creek (from Hartzel Road
to Rockwood Avenue) and Dick’s Creek (upstream of the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club) are
well defined creek valleys with natural hardwood forests on the lower slopes for the most part
• Headwaters replaced by storm sewers or grassed swales [Aquafor Beech Limited 1995]
• Dick’s Creek watershed area watercourse crossings/culverts added to system typically have upstream
ponding and downstream creek bed and bank scouring [Aquafor Beech Limited 1995]
• 2 in line ponds on Dick’s Creek causing sedimentation
• potential of large fluctuation in creek waters downstream of the escarpment
28
Identified Issues to Address:
• Unknown groundwater supply and incomplete groundwater recharge/ discharge information
• Reduced groundwater storage material in the headwaters of Pelham
• Decreased water holding capacity with development of recharge areas (i.e. reduced water holding material)
• Increased stream flows with forest cover removal (as water otherwise held or lost to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration is sent to the stream)
• Reduced wetland areas resulting in higher peak flows and quicker water flows due to a shortened pathway to the streams/retention (i.e. St. Johns tributary areas and mid watershed areas)
• Groundwater information is required to determine effects of headwater development
• In-stream pond sediment balance and water warming issues
• In-stream woody debris is lacking in the sandy areas of the St. Johns tributary to provide
slower water, in addition to, siltation ponding and aquatic habitat (i.e. a more natural self
supporting stream structure)
• 35% of the watershed is impervious material resulting in concentrated flows and alterations to
stream peak flows throughout the watershed
• More details on water dynamics required below the escarpment
29
Summary – What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
As water provides the essence to the system, we find the water sources of groundwater recharge
and discharge, surface flows and storage as critical. Recognizing the need to incorporate the
groundwater recharge and discharge area, this information being completed by the Ministry of the
Environment, for subsequent inclusion in this plan. In the interim, we highlight preliminary
groundwater recharge areas at the Kame moraine in Pelham and sand areas of Lake Ontario. In
addition, preliminary groundwater discharge areas are found at the soils interfacing edge of the
Kame moraine near Metler Road and north of Highway 20 in the Effingham and St. Johns tributaries, and where the slope changes along the Pelham, St. Catharines and Thorold. Water which
drives the watershed therefore is supplied from precipitation and held and distributed by geology
in various ways throughout the watershed.
Within the watershed, we find available water and distribution strongly influenced by natural and
human forces. Landscape features, landuses, and stream alterations have defined the movement of
water through a series of densely branched streams, channels and canals, while water storage is
maintained in groundwater aquifers, remaining wetlands, person made ponds, Lake Moodie and
Lake Gibson reservoirs, and the drowned river mouth. While the groundwater reserves, surface land
runoff and a water diversion from the Welland Canal provide the water sources for this watershed,
we also find altered drainage patterns such as groundwater pattern alteration from the construction
of the Old Welland Canal routes in the Cities of St. Catharines and Thorold. In addition, new water
pathways with narrower stream movement areas and altered erosion and deposition areas have
developed from past residential, commercial, industrial and utility development (primarily in St.
Catharines and Thorold). Faster stream flows have also resulted from steeper stream gradients, valleys, and straightened stream sections, as found within the Pelham short hills area, the Niagara
Escarpment area and the main channels in St. Catharines (i.e. Riverside Boulevard, Secord, Dick’s
Creek, Rosedale Creek) respectively. A potentially reduced groundwater discharge time to the area
stream and a potential change in the aquifer recharge-discharge rates may also have resulted from
land extraction in the extreme Pelham headwaters of Effingham Branch (i.e. as the groundwater
route and retention ability is shortened). Moreover, we generally find increased runoff volumes in
urbanized storm outlet sections of waterway (i.e. flows are transported to creeks quicker than in the
natural stream reaches and altered sections have steeper gradient slopes than meandering reaches);
increased flow rates and associated increased rates of downstream erosion in straightened streams
sections; and altered flow rates and pulse patterns (i.e. from seasonally dynamic to constant) at
instream ponds or structures with increased sedimentation and water temperatures immediately
upstream of the structure, increased erosion immediately downstream of structure and increased
water losses to the atmosphere. It is from these continual influences over time that the stream’s
flows and the transport of its material have been continually evolving to re-establish a new equilibrium. This is seen with the historical presence of in-stream structures (including dams, millraces)
dating back to the 1780’s for power generation at mills in St.Johns [Niagara South Board of
Education 1980] and the presence of ponds in the Pelham headwater areas to conserve surface water,
regulate extreme stream fluctuations [NPCA 1980], and provide irrigation, recreation and/or aesthetics. As a result, the existing landscape features and extensive use of the valley and stream which
directly influence the water availability and it patterns of dispersion through the watershed for plants
and animals, define the “water works” of the 12 Mile Creek.
This strategy identifies some rehabilitation opportunities to enable the stream to re-establish a moderate balance of speed and sediment load within the existing and unfeasible constraint removals.
30
More specifically, we find natural vertical and horizontal response of the stream to the geology
important for identifying rehabilitative requirements and parameters. A typical “natural” stream
is class B*, C* and F* in the headwaters and a natural stream class of C* and E* in the lower
stream sections as per the Rosgen classification system [see stream measurement Appendix 1.4].
Within the cultural landscape, we find bedstreams with minimal rocks or woody debris to supply
roughness resulting in poor sediment transport, with culverts, stream walls, stream straightening
and pond dredging resulting in loss of aquatic habitat, diversity and meander pattern with
increased flows and associated erosion in all streams. Flow regime changes are also expected in
channel morphology, as are stormwater discharge changes in St. Catharines and Thorold streams.
The typical stream objective for ideal flood and fish communities therefore can be used as an
overall guideline to determine watershed requirement and site rehabilitation work.
The water pathways and storage areas information of the 12 Mile Creek Watershed are important
to recognize as a natural phenomenon to maintain include the following:
In the headwaters
The effect of irregular flows and most notable sedimentation is localized to channel alterations in
Effingham, the upper portions of St. Johns tributary with fine sand or silt deposition and a suspected local water table affect, in addition to, high bank erosion along the St. Johns tributary and
in Short Hills Park
With higher peak flows at varying times of the year, higher quantities of scour and deposition
occur. Sediment accumulation in the stream indicates base flow which is too low to move the
sediment from high extreme flows (most likely the result of an entrenched stream looking to dissipate its energy- which is progressive and long term scouring).
(*classes as per Rosgen classification to characterize stream / reaches used for static channel restoration
design where no site constraints exist such as limited area to accommodate the meander belt width or
pattern, presence of existing structures (i.e. culverts, ponds)
31
Figure 9: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Water Quality
32
Figure 10: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Pollution Potential
33
Water Quality [Figure 9 & 10]
Identifying the health of the water for humans, plants and animals throughout the watershed is effected
by the stream’s chemical composition.
Watershed Findings:
• Existing landuse and water activities influence water quality [Appendix 1.5, 1.5a & 1.5b- upper watershed affects]
• Benthic invertebrates included:
• caddisflies and stoneflies in the upper Effingham tributary reaches (south of Kilman Road) and
Effingham/St. Johns branches juncture at Roland Road good water quality (“unimpaired’) [Attema
1998; Attema & Forsey 1997]
• 20% snails of low organism abundance in the Short Hills Provincial Park, immediately upstream
and downstream of St. Johns in-stream pond [Attema 1998; Attema, Forsey 1997; Tervo & Jessop
1998] and immediately downstream of the Rice Road Landfill [Boudreau 1999] indicate silt/ sand
discharge through erosion likely
• snails and chironomids in Short Hills Provincial Park east branch indicate high nutrient impacts
• Diamesa and low abundance of organisms near McSherry Lane indicating groundwater upwelling
and possible toxic source of input
• In 1988 the greatest impacts to the 12 Mile headwaters were from uncontrolled livestock access to
stream, artificial dams and sedimentation from roads
• PH and alkalinity high, reflective of limestone bedrock [Sarvis 1985]
Watershed Occurrences:
• Effingham stream water sampling shows high phosphates and localized copper [Kryger 1999]
• St. Johns stream water sampling shows high iron, phosphates and nitrates [March 1998], and high
copper downstream of the Rice Road Landfill [March 1998; Bajus 1999]
• Increased water temperature where streambank vegetative cover is removed, as well as within and
immediately downstream of in-stream dams or ponds [NPCA 1974, 1998; Hough et al 1982, Sarvis
1985]
• Maximum St. Johns cold water stream temperatures around 24°C [Attema and Forsey 1997, Sarvis
1985, NPCA 1974]
• St. Johns pond increased temperature at outlet of 70°F versus 55°F upstream [NPCA 1974]
• Increased stream murkiness (turbidity) as move farther down the stream [Sarvis 1985]
• DeCew Plant filtration bed cleaning process in past known to cause stream murkiness
• McSherry Lane potential toxic source introduced to the stream eliminating benthic invertebrates
• High nutrient input in Short Hills Provincial Park
• Numerous combined sewer overflows existing
• 8 known landfills exist within the watershed
• St. Johns east tributary outlet/ increased seepage immediately NW of CN culvert
• Snow disposal site below the Burgoyne Bridge adjacent to the Fire Department Training Building in
St. Catharines. Surface runoff of Salt and Sand from the site into the adjacent 12 Mile Creek is an
observed water quality issue (Environment Canada,).
• Orange residue in stream at Rice Road/ Highway 20 area. {Natural liminate= sulphur and iron]
• Erosion downstream of dams (Phaneuf & Karimi 1997)
• Area streams most erosive during higher flows in spring thaw or after rainstorms with impermeable
soils adding to the erodibility of the area. (OMNR 1996)
34
Identified Issues to Address:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sanitary sewer overflows and Combined sewer overflows
High Nitrates and Phosphate runoff in the watershed system
Animal waste in parks adjacent to streams
Livestock waste streams
Increased water temperatures from reduced streambank cover and in-stream structures
Increased streambank erosion from reduced streambank cover and in-stream structures (i.e.
dams/ponds)
• Investigate source of copper in the St. Johns stream headwaters
• Salt runoff from snow disposal sites
Summary- What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
Based on the sparse data, we expect some impact on water quality due to the land use in the
watershed. We find high nitrates and phosphates which may be the result of lawn fertilizing
practices, pet wastes, and agricultural practices, and high iron levels (in the Pelham headwaters)
possibly natural from the Clinton and Cataract bedrock, while sources of high copper levels (in
the Pelham headwaters) should be investigated including possible agricultural use/mobilization
of copper sulfate pesticide in apple orchards [Bishop 1999]. In addition, stream siltation is seen
as impairing the streams water quality particularly within the upper St. Johns tributary where
accelerated erosion has resulted from the removal of wetland areas along Hollow Road, and the
removal of dense deep rooted streambank vegetation and forest cover/ woody debris in the sand
bed stream sections (i.e. the conversion of land use changes from native shrubs, trees and grasses to lawns (of short grasses) or tilled agricultural lands results in streambank slumping and erosion). Other impacts include increased water temperatures affected mostly by reduced vegetative stream cover and unnatural ponding of water, in addition to, numerous points sources of discharge from combined sewer overflows, and old institutional and industrial establishments. As
a result, the overall water quality impacts are “minor”. Existing residential, agricultural, institutional and industrial practices can be modified to improve the water quality of the 12 Mile Creek.
35
Figure 11: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Natural Areas
36
Natural Resources [Figure 11]
To sustain a healthy ecosystem, a diverse habitat is required within the watershed.
Plants
As plants provide a link for distributing the soil’s minerals, water and the sun’s energy to the remaining
species in the ecosystem chain, it is the plant types and location which can assist in determining how
healthy the watershed is. Such a role in the health of the watershed includes the plants critical role in: creating soil, preventing erosion, storing and distributing nutrients, distributing gases (oxygen and carbon
dioxide), holding water, and providing wildlife habitat (home and food). The type and location of plants
within the watershed can therefore identify breaks between the physical and living processes necessary to
revive the watershed naturally.
Watershed Findings:
• Drier soils in the headwater, Niagara Escarpment, and sandy loam areas near Lake Ontario
• Fewer types of plants in the steep valleys, headwater areas, Niagara Escarpment face and top of bank
• Rarer plants in steep valleys and unaccessible areas
• Expect more wetlands at the creek’s mouth, below the escarpment and flat areas on mid sections on
top of the escarpment
• Limited wildlife habitat below the escarpment. Urbanization and agricultural clearing have reduced
such natural with the largest habitat area is Burgoyne Woods in St. Catharines along Dick’s Creek
Valley
• More plants in deeper soils of the headwaters and midwatershed, as the deeper soils permit plants to
root deeper to avoid drought
• More drought tolerant plants to dominate steep slopes and shallow soils of the valleys, and escarpment
lower watershed areas respectively
• Less ground erosion where vegetation is kept, more erosion where vegetation has been removed or
reduced to shallow ornamental plant species
• Groundwater contributions generally the same with or without vegetative cover, as the amount of
water intercepted, absorbed water and returned to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration is generally
the same as lost through increased runoff
• Vegetative communities (aside from wetlands) are fairly diverse within the watershed as a whole, with
a large component of meadows below the escarpment, forests above the escarpment
• Large tract of forest land in the St. Johns – Effingham area providing interior forest cover and connected with the Niagara Escarpment corridor
• Sparse instream vegetation limited to periphyton and watercress patches [Hough Stansbury &
Michalsi 1982]
• Natural riparian vegetation limited to the hydro corridor areas to the north, or within a metre of the
stream through private landowners found in the 1998 field work and 1982 H-S-M study
• (Refer to Appendix 1.1a & b for plant species and significant communities)
37
Identified Issues to Address:
• Lack of wooded areas below the escarpment
• Decreased dense streambank vegetation along the St. Johns east tributary resulting in
increased stream flows
• Decreased wetland areas in the St. Johns headwater tributary, lower sections of the 12 Mile Creek
• Greatest vulnerable/threatened/endangered species concentrated in the Niagara Escarpment area
• Only large forest tracts in the Pelham area and Burgoyne Woods in St. Catharines
• Only interior forest area along the Niagara Escarpment area and in the Pelham area
Summary - What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
• Find a disturbed watershed with large tracts of vegetation along the escarpment in the head
water areas only. These communities tend to moderate water flows and provide habitat for
a wider range of animal species.
• Forest cover in the watershed has increased in the headwater areas of Pelham since 1934,
although the woodlots are smaller, more fragmented and have less diversity
• Fewer plant species (less diverse), fewer wetlands and more stream bank vegetation is
expected on the steep escarpment and valley slopes. More diverse vegetative communities
and wetlands are expected in the plains and especially at the outlets drowned rivermouth
• Find loss of dense vegetation and wetland communities in the St. Johns tributary has resulted in the stream responding with increased streambank erosion or slumping and velocity.
Streambank vegetation of deep rooting plants and maintenance of woody debris in sandbed
streams would correct this problem, returning the system to its natural balance
• Greatest vulnerable/ threatened/ endangered species concentrated in the less developed
areas due to limited impacts and greater reserve areas for ecological balance and survival
• Large forest tracts with interior forest for maintaining ecological functions to support the sur
rounding development and agriculture are isolated in the Pelham area, along the Niagara
Escarpment and Burgoyne Woods in St. Catharines with limited genetic movement and con
tributions to the overall watershed
• Limited vegetative connection between the areas above and below the Niagara Escarpment
exists
• Overall the systems resiliency to some degree of disturbance indicate a healthy system
38
Wildlife – Terrestrial
Similarly, the animals within the watershed are important in maintaining plant species, diseases and provide a link in the transfer of energy from sun to plants- humans-soil. More animal species indicate a
more natural options for controlling pests and disease; more options for future medicine solutions among
others.
Watershed Findings:
• Typical forest urban area wildlife of squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, skunks, plus deer in the headwater
and Burgoyne Woods of Dick’s Creek in the urban areas of St. Catharines and Thorold; more bird
species and deer in the escarpment and headwater large forest tracts of Pelham; in addition to, mink,
muskrat in the wetland areas; waterfowl species mostly in the larger water bodies of Martindale, Lake
Moodie/Gibson and Welland Canal Turning Basins; and red fox, coyotes in the forested and more
rural areas above and below the escarpment
• Sensitive bird species in the Pelham area including the Hooded Warbler
• A variety of salamanders, frogs, toads, snakes and over 400 plant species have been noted at the St.
Johns Conservation Area [NPCA 1980]
• Past area predators included bears and wolves were once found in this area [OMNR 1971; OMNR Files]
• (Refer to Appendix 1.2 for a list of present species)
Watershed Occurrence:
• Few top predators due to lack of habitat diversity
• Limited animal information focusing on park areas
• Vulnerable bird species at edge of Pelham urban area
Identified Issues to Address:
• Reduced food chain linkages due to loss of habitat
• Reduced types of habitat (i.e. wetland, meadow, and forest below the escarpment)
• Vulnerable species of Hooded Warbler in the Pelham area to protect and expand low animal
diversity below the escarpment
•Few top mammal predators
Summary – What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
A stressed wildlife population is seen in the watershed. Concentrated in the less urban and agriculturally developed areas of the Town of Pelham above the escarpment we find healthier wildlife
community consisting of the greatest types of animals and more unique wildlife, with the remainder of the watershed exhibiting more limited habitat areas and species for the opportunistic animals
such as raccoons, skunks, robins, European starlings, grackels, seagulls and house sparrows.
Directly characterizing this animal diversity is the availability of food and homes, with species of
greater habitat requirements of a mixture of forest, field, scrubland and wetland being met above
the escarpment including large “forest interior” woodlots with small pockets of regenerating shrub
habitat and ravine areas for the unique bird species to dwell; and common urban wildlife requirements being met in fewer habitats of agricultural fields, open waters and valley cover habitat of the
simplified urban areas and below the escarpment [See Niagara Escarpment Corridor and Pelham
area continuous forest, and secondary linkages constrained to ravines below the escarpment is
found to limit the wildlife populations. The limited diversity of large woodlot tracts and wildlife
connections therefore results in a stressed watershed where the burdens of the pest control, energy
distribution and other wildlife functions must be absorbed by other components of the watershed.
39
Wildlife- Aquatic
Watershed Findings:
• Majority warm water stream
• 2 streams identified as cold water streams
• Dishery and aquatic resources limited within Dick’s Creek area due to shallow water depths [Aquafor
Beech Limited 1995]
• Low diversity in the upper reaches, with the dominant species being Brook, while downstream contains cyprindis, rainbow trout, suckers, and American eel. See Appendix 1.3 for details [Hough,
Stansbury & Michalski Ltd. 1982]
• Caddisflies and stonefly benthic invertebrates in the extreme reaches (Metler Road area) of the
Effingham tributary and St. Johns C.A. tributary (upstream of the pond); sowbugs and *** within
throughout the Short Hills Provincial Park and immediately downstream of in-stream ponds [Attema,
Forsey 1998; Attema, Forsey 1997; Tervo & Jessop 1998] and 20% snails of low organism abundance
immediately downstream of the Rice Road Landfill indicating silt/ sand discharge through
erosion[Boudreau 1999]
• Coldwater stream temperatures are around 12°C (54°F) in shaded stream areas and >12°C in unshaded stream areas
• Fish spawning areas in Effingham and baymouth pond areas [St. Catharines…OMNR 1990; Herman
1989]
• (Refer to Appendix 1.3 for a list of fish species found in the watershed)
• Stream barriers near Lake Ontario (Lakeshore Road) that prevents the migration of fish from Lake
Ontario into the 12 Mile Creek waterway. This barrier also prevents predator and non-native fish are
from migrating into the system
Watershed Occurrence:
• Suspected reduced Brook Trout populations
• Existing dams potentially preventing fish passage in the Martindale Pond area, and across residential
property for aesthetics or irrigation and in-stream ponds in the headwaters of Pelham
• Existing perched culverts potentially preventing fish passage at the inverts of the Carter Creek,
Secord, Rosedale Creek – Eastchester Avenue outlet to the old Welland Canal is 2 metres above the
Canal followed by a 3200 foot pipe to a land surface creek [Aquafor Beech Ltd 1995]
• Existing pipe potentially affecting fish passage including a 3990 foot underground pipe from the
Juliana Creek outlet at Martindale Pond to its surface emergence behind Royal Oak Drive [Aquafor
Beech Ltd 1995]
• Water temperatures of > 12°C in unshaded portions of the St. Johns coldwater stream are unsupportive of Brook trout
• Area stocking of non-native fish within the system including salmon
Identified Issues to Address
•
•
•
•
•
•
reduced sport fish populations
perched culverts preventing fish passage
existing dams preventing fish passage and access to spawning areas
minimal forest cover downstream of the Niagara Escarpment
minimal fish spawning areas to protect
low wetland area coverage within the watershed of <1%
40
Summary - What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
We find a moderately healthy aquatic ecosystem with fish communities changing to the existing
environment and the present impacts on the system. Although limited data, historically fish
populations of Brook and Brown Trout are known to exist in Pelham above the escarpment,
while more recent assessments include Rock and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike in the reservoirs above the escarpment, and coarser fish and stocked Coho and Chinook Salmon found at
the creek’s outlet in Martindale Pond. Fish populations are primarily supplemented from the
Welland Canal- Lake Erie as migration from Lake Ontario is blocked at Lakeshore Road. This
barrier has an affect of limiting fish community transfer, but also serves to protect the headwater Brook Trout by preventing the non-native fish species of Lake Ontario from entering the system and competing for food and habitat. With further fishery assessment required below the cold
water tributaries to Martindale Pond, the primary factors found to influence fish populations and
its food include off-channel overwintering sites and refuge areas being virtually absent in low
stream flows. Within the coldwater headwater areas these factors also include a moderate stream
structure complexity of few stream pools and limited large woody debris in sandbed stream areas
limiting the Brook Trout population with reduced pool creation and sediment trapping, flow
reduction and fewer areas to rest. This combined with the simplified vegetative communities of
lawns or managed woodlot and removal of dense streamside vegetation decrease the stream food
(allochthonous material inputs) and stream predator cover have resulted in higher water temperatures and excess fine sediment which have moderated the types of fish found in the watershed.
Historically, a “greater abundance” of Brook Trout is recorded in the coldwater Effingham
Branch than the St. Johns branch [Sarvis 1985] due to more optimal water quality during incubation times [Imhof 1980]. Factors of less silt to cover and suffocate eggs, more shaded stream
areas and potentially greater access to groundwater upwelling has enabled the trout to reproduce
and survive and select this stream. Responding to these conditions the fish communities include
Brook Trout within the Effingham tributary, Creek Chub and other more tolerant species of the
existing quick stream response (i.e. the frequency/ timing of water discharge after a storm event)
and limited low sediment spawning areas within the St. Johns tributary, and deeper water fish
species such as large and smallmouth bass within the creek’s baymouth. Within the Martindale
Pond area the fish species are expected to be limited to the Welland Canal-Lake Erie with maintenance of the existing lake migration barrier to prevent non-native species competition on the
brook trout. Overall the presence of coldwater, groundwater upwellings and gravel substrate
habitat would indicate Brook trout potential [Hough, Stansbury & Michalski Ltd. 1982, Sarvis
1985, Czerwoniak 1978] while the modifying land use factors of sedimentation and temperature
would be determine its possibility.
41
Figure 12: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Recreation
42
Recreation [Figure 12]
Watershed Findings:
• Majority of recreational parks and trails below the escarpment through municipal development
• In the headwater areas St. Johns Conservation Area, Short Hills Provincial Park and informal trails of
the Fonthill- Sandhill A.N.S.I. used year round for walking; walking, biking and horse backriding; and
walking and motorbiking respectively
• Bruce trail linkage to municipalities to the east and west
• Two regional based nature parks in Thorold and Pelham (the St. Johns Conservation Area and Short
Hills Provincial Park)
Watershed Occurrences:
• Lack of linkage between Pelham and St. Catharines
• Limited mountainbike and motorcycle opportunities
• Informal trails on high erosion soils and through coldwater streams
Identified Issues to be Addressed:
• Lack of linkage between municipalities
• Lack of designated motorcycle trails along the main 12 and upper east St. Johns tributary
• Lack of mountain bike trails
Summary - What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
We find the numerous passive recreational parks and trail systems for walking and biking
throughout St. Catharines areas and Thorold, with large natural passive parks in the Pelham area
(namely the Short Hills Provincial Park and St. Johns Conservation Area and the St. Johns
Outdoor Centre) providing trails and fishing opportunities as well as outdoor education programs and being provided in the St. Johns areas. Recognizing park linkages between municipalities as the largest gap in the recreational facilities of the 12, work to enhance this facet would
assist in improving the recreational and psychological health of the 12 Mile Creek.
43
Education
Watershed Findings:
• Presently parks and trails provide the greatest opportunities
• School groups actively involved in environmental projects
• Refuse within valleylands
Watershed Occurrences:
• Generally awareness is lacking of land use practices and its influence on the watershed
Identified Issues to be Addressed:
•General misuse of valleylands (i.e. garbage placement)
•General land use practices/ activity connection to water quality not considered
Summary - What this means to 12 Mile Creek Watershed Health:
Generally the public often does not recognize the impact of their land use practices on the watershed’s health. Improving the awareness of these connections to the public and industry is required
to improve the watershed’s health
44
Figure 13: Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Restoration Sites
45
SECTION IV:
Watershed Action Strategy
The Twelve Mile Creek Strategy of Action for a Sustainable Watershed
The review of the landscape’s existing natural design features and human additions reveals that watershed
health can be improved through several land use modifications. By analyzing the watershed’s natural
structure and the existing occurrences, we are able to make these conclusions. Resulting primarily from
land uses and practices we find the watershed’s health limited by: reduced vegetation, insufficient cover,
excess sediment, high water temperatures, and lack of pools within the stream itself, and its contributing
factors of artificial drainage (urban and agricultural) and vegetative cover loss. As the combined effect of
these factors have begun to alter the watershed, we see a warmer, faster watershed with less water, less
cold water sport fish and less top predators. Land use practices and use modifications therefore are the
solution to positively redirecting the watershed issues.
Rehabilitation, it can be done.
We already see such accomplishments in the watershed and congratulate the people of the 12 for maintaining the existing historical components, as well as, increasing forest cover and maintaining open channels in the headwaters of the Town of Pelham. Works to enhance fish habitat and stabilizing streambanks
in Martindale Pond by the City of St. Catharines are also duly noted.
To further these initiatives and achieve recovery for the entire watershed, necessary measures related to
land use practices and landscape acceptance are required. Such measures for recovery are outlined below.
As these factors directly affect one another, addressing only one or some of them will not improve the
watershed’s health. We must address all of these factors to increase diversity in this simplified system and
provide the natural sources for absorbing nutrients and sediments and supporting more plant and wildlife.
With these measures focusing on rehabilitation within the existing static structure of the natural environment’s capability and the settlement’s required needs, we will successfully improve the health of the 12
Mile Creek watershed.
Revitalizing the Watershed- The “Strategy” [Figure 13]
i) Landuse
We find landuse affects the way the watershed naturally works. Changes in the way the land drains, where
the channels are, has resulted in removal of most of the moderating influences of forests and wetlands. We
find 37% of the watershed impervious (development- roads) [Figure 7]. Moreover, 0.6% wetland land use
is below the desired 10% watershed cover to reduce flooding, increase base flows and improve the watershed [Environment Canada 1998]. Areas for increase are in the historical floodplain headwater areas along
St. Johns tributary and the mouth inlet (Martindale Pond area). This will manage the peak stream flood,
improve water quality (silt, phosphates, nitrates, metals), provide important habitat nursery areas for lake
sport fish, and protect fish and zooplankton. Additional wetlands areas could be considered in low lying
groundwater discharge areas with compatible surrounding land uses (present and future) and a minimal
size of 0.4 hectares (1 acre). Priority should be given to those within close proximity of another wetland
(100 metres) to increase the movement and support of dwelling species [Environment Canada 1998].
46
In addition, combined sewer outlets and stormwater outlets impact the water quality of the watershed.
Concentrated primarily in the heaviest developed area of the watershed of the City of St. Catharines and
upper Thorold, the primary concern is the separation of combined sewers. The constraint for this is funding of such major capital works. Recognizing the accomplishment of this task over the long-term due to
funding source limitations there is merit for interim outfall measures to improve water quality (i.e. through
the establishment of natural vegetative communities such as wetlands). Within these well established
developed areas existing stormwater outlets can be addressed in retrofitting opportunities such as vacant
lots and other open areas as they arise with changed development structures.
ii) Vegetation
The stream’s actions and adjacent land cover also appears to have a link with the stream health. Vegetation
is found to directly affect the streams shape, meander pattern and its water quality (i.e. siltation through
erosion, water clarity, temperature, animal and plant life). To increase the variety of plant and animal
species in the area while also improving water filtration of nutrients, phosphates, metals and silts, natural
vegetation should be established within 4-10 metres (13-33 feet) of a stream and 120-240 metres (393787feet) of a wetland [Environment Canada 1998] (unless constrained further by the forthcoming MOEE
groundwater supply information). Narrower buffer widths appear are suggested to be ineffective in
improving water quality and may be an ecological trap for nesting waterfowl or other wildlife species with
minimal reproductive success due to predators. This buffer is to contain natural trees, shrubs and/or grasses of which estate residential, open space and agricultural activities/ land uses with suitable compatible
management practices are permitted (i.e. more natural landscaping, no tillage, altered crop harvest height
and timing alternating with nesting seasons and maintaining cover). The primary area of focus is establishing native vegetative buffers of deep root grasses, shrubs and/or trees within 4 metres of the St. Johns
and an irregular buffer with a mix of natural vegetation and water edge buffer on Lakes Moodie and
Gibson and the southwest corner of Martindale Pond and Barnesdale Marsh area. Secondary focus is
establishing a 10 metre stream buffer along Richardson Creek and a 4 metre native vegetative buffer along
the lower Effingham tributary and a regular shaped buffer in association with an existing forest with few
edges (i.e. circular) in the headwater wetlands (to minimize predation of interior forest habitat). A general 10 metre buffer with native vegetation is also required along the remaining urban and tilled agricultural intertwined streams in the watershed for improved water quality. This buffer along and among the area
streams and wetlands will provide more food and reduce water temperatures for stream benthic invertebrates. Fish and food chain webs, soil stability and channel path containment for vertical stream (rifflepool) functions are also provided for balanced sediment transport and food sources, and combined resulting in a nutrient uptake structure of various retention and release times to handle nutrients placed in the
system. As a result, vegetated stream buffers are necessary for rehabilitation of the watershed.
Wetland areas, limited forest cover and terrestrial migration corridors can be enhanced below the escarpment and forest extensions above the escarpment. Focus on forest cover should be at the west watershed
boundary in St. Catharines along Richardson’s Creek and Niagara Escarpment, with extensions to existing large forests in Pelham, while priority wetland areas should be concentrated in the Martindale/
Barnesdale southwest area. This will increase wildlife habitat and promote increased migration and biodiversity.
47
iii) Sports fish
In addition, sport fish populations can be rehabilitated in the watershed. Limited data indicates historical
sport fish population consist of Brook Trout in upper Effingham and St.Johns headwater tributaries, and
pike and canal derived Rock and small-mouth bass in the Lake Moodie and Gibson Lakes, large and small
mouth bass, pike and coarse fish and stocked Salmon at the creek’s mouth. Recognizing the fish migration barrier near the creek’s mouth (Lakeshore Road dam), the lower creek system is feed primarily from
the Welland Canal and Lake Erie (Lake Moodie-Gibson system. Found to sustain these fish populations
are primary habitat areas for nursery and forage in Effingham tributary and the southern portions of
Martindale Pond- Richardson Creek and QEW areas [Yagi 1998]. Present factors limiting the fish’s survival are few stream pools and fast/high flashy waters primarily, plus increased water temperatures in the
St. Johns tributary, and increased surface water runoff, reduced vegetative cover and severed access affecting the water depths and food supply for fish in the remaining watershed.
Although a fish migration barrier is also present at Lakeshore Road (in the lower mouth area) decreased
competition of lake species is seen as beneficial for the headwater trout. Rehabilitation of the historic
Brook Trout and lake sport fish can be supported with wetland retention and creation in the Hydro One
right-of ways along Hollow Road, streambank vegetation and increased woody debris from increased forest cover within the area in the headwater areas (Refer to Appendix 1.6a & b supporting these habitat
requirements). Similarly, shorebank shrub and tree vegetation is to be expanded along Martindale Pond
and lower streams, shallow grassy areas increased along Lake Moodie & Gibson and Richardson Creek,
and woody debris added in the lower Martindale Pond area (immediately downstream of the QEW and
steep shoreline areas)[Yagi 1998]. Lower escarpment stream flow requirements should also be assessed
and modified to the extent possible (i.e. with hydro generating stations outflow assistance) to provide more
natural regime of flood and pool areas. This will moderate water flows, provide roughness to the stream
(i.e. wood debris) to create pools, trap sediment and reduce flows, and decrease the localized water temperature necessary to support fish habitat for Brook Trout, plus provide nursery areas and predator cover
for fry lake fish species.
iv) Erosion and Stormwater management
In the Upper Watershed
We find the results of reduced forest diversity in upper headwater areas and concentrated flows has
appeared to change the timing of flows and therefore changed the streams pattern (bends and deposition). In particular, cold water fish habitation, stormwater retention and cleaner water (less silt) are limited in the watershed from the reduced surface water holding areas (i.e. wetlands), limited stream pools
and lack of large woody debris (especially in the sandy substrate streams) and limited deep rooted
streambank vegetation necessary to hold flood waters, trap sediment, reduce stream flows and provide
fish resting areas, food and cover. Contributing to this stream limitations are the loss of wetlands primarily, clearing of land, and increased impervious surfaces covering the land, plus in-stream ponds
altering the stream flow pulse and lower stream pool, riffle patterns. We also expect that less ground
material in the developed area to hold received water, resulting in direct water to stream alterations.
Moreover the flash stream response in east St. Johns tributary is expected to be natural with shallow
water table and impermeable soils near the surface. This plus the expected contributions of less ground
material to hold water (i.e. from the removal of material for house basements and commercial uses in
the headwaters) will maintain or enhance this stream attribute. Similarly, reduced capillary action of
groundwater upward may also result in a flattened water table with increased volume of water discharge
and annual duration. Groundwater discharge would be expected to be greatest at lowest points affecting the Effingham and St. Johns streams primarily. As a result, we see the physical “flashy” character48
We must protect the existing Effingham stream and large tract woodlots above the escarpment, and
enhance the other St. Johns coldwater stream and remaining streams, and landbase features within our
social living space. The issues of increased water volumes/ “flash flooding” and increased sedimentation of the St. Johns tributary is to be addressed by wetland attenuation and historic wetland enhancement in the Hydro corridor and existing undeveloped areas along Hollow Road, in addition to, the offsetting fill for new developments, increased fill at the Rice Road landfill and water retention techniques
at the existing pit operation. In addition, increased plantings of native deep rooted vegetation along the
streams, enhanced woodlot areas with old tree growth are also necessary to provide the large woody
debris in the streams for flood control, fish habitat, increased interior forest habitat, wildlife and biodiversity. With respect to improving sport fish in the 12 the Brook Trout populations can be supported
in the Effingham stream with rehabilitation of the St. Johns Creek limited to wetland retention,
increased streambank vegetation to minimize the effects of increased temperature and sedimentation
which would appear to be affecting this species reproductive and survival capabilities. Also important
to maintaining the necessary stream flows for fish and water quality is the protection of groundwater
recharge and discharge area from surface hardening or groundwater contamination land uses (i.e. paved
surface, concrete structure, gas or chemical handling), policies for new or reconstructed ponds to mimic
natural water pulses of storm events, and further investigation of the copper and turbidity stream
sources. Concentrating stream rehabilitative efforts in the headwaters first and then moving downstream is recommended to achieve the most stream improvement by way of necessary work and cost.
As a result, the simplification of this section of the watershed can be enhanced to maintain natural water
levels, improve food, shelter, absorb nutrients and sediments, and reduce aggravated erosion.
In the Lower Watershed
Many portions of the lower watershed portions are fairly confined with existing structures. Erosion and
flooding is primarily to be an issue within the Dick’s Creek area. To address these concerns, rehabilitation should be focused to address the issue within the structural constraints. As such natural channel
processes should be accommodated to its fullest extent. Individual works would require the hiring of
a consultant to complete the work.
The Strategy’s Rehabilitating Principles
To shape the future roadmap of this watershed, the key design principle will be integrating the increasing
cultural landscape around an evolving water pathways and storage. Principle will include:
• Allow the stream naturally rebalance and new structures working with the streams moving pathway
(i.e. locations of bridges etc. on a straight stream stretch or riffle) and maintenance of landuses which
continue water storage and groundwater recharge and discharge is the integrated direction for a healthier watershed. In addition, a free moving creek width is required to allow for natural stream meandering and sedimentation balance are to be kept, with edge sedimentation at the drowned river mouth
• Incorporate the 12 Mile Creek Watershed is a dynamic system in which the incorporation of human
use is a long term aspect to be continued with modifications
• Rehabilitative efforts are to concentrate on the headwaters and then work downstream
• Stream work required where existing development is impending hazard i.e. existing house threatened
and rock vortex upstream and downstream for vertical erosion –riffle-pool
• Address flood and erosion within the constraints of the existing development
• Increase forest cover in the public and vacant lands where appropriate
• Incorporate existing historical features within existing or new parks/ trails
49
4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The ‘Strategy’ to Improve the Sustainability of the Twelve Mile Creek
Watershed
Further to the analysis of the watershed’s underlying capabilities, existing watershed issues and their magnitude, modifications of land use and practice are identified as the factors to improve the health of the 12
Mile Creek Watershed. This information is based
on available information with additional site studWatershed Benefits from Restoration
ies limited to the strategy’s objectives, community
Works:
wish to be involved and the need to avoid further
delays for rehabilitation and address frustrations of
• Improve groundwater aquifer
existing area residents. In this regard, it focuses on
protection
the important and resolvable issues first, identifying issues ready to work on and take action now.
• Improvement of stormwater
management, erosion control and
water quality (sediment)
The following is the “strategy” for a healthier 12
Mile Creek Watershed. It is based on long term
ecological progression of the stream and continued
development influences. As the NPCA will lead in
• Improved water temperature quality
implementing these actions, the continued efforts
of the watershed partners is needed to successfully
• Improved fish habitat
achieve the Twelve Mile Creek to our desired values of development & natural function (Figure 14).
• Increased wildlife & natural area
To assist the public in its’ involvement, these recbuffering/protection
ommendations are outlined by priority of actions to
achieve the most effective and efficient recovery of
• Improved recreational opportunities
the watershed’s health. Proactive measures of protection (i.e. land use policies) and education meas• Expanded education of “watershed
ures are identified as primary tasks and retroactive/
“clean-up” measures as secondary tasks of rehabilissues” and “how to” solutions
itation. These works are also to focus on works in
the headwaters and then progressing downstream to
the outlet (Lake Ontario). Further site specific and landowner action details are also listed by the 6 plan
objective themes (Figure 15). As a result, the watershed’s goals of a more naturally functioning watershed
will be achieved, where rehabilitation is focused on responsible stewardship which influences the land and
stream’s shape and habitat.
50
Figure 14
Twelve Mile Creek Strategy - 10 Year Action Plan
Activities of the NPCA and Other Partners
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 1
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator - to develop, promote, coordinate and monitor
progress of the Strategy implementation for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
$25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications- to develop educational material and
implement restoration projects:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream ponds through decreased size,
vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St. Johns tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions along
the St. Johns and lower Effingham coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10%
increase by 2003
• Enhance the existing headwater forest areas to reduce surface water
runoff and provide erosion control. Achieve a 10% increase by 2010
• Establish forest community cover/ migration corridor and increase the size
of small woodlots on the west boundary of St. Catharines below the
Niagara Escarpment. Achieve a 10% increase by 2010
$25,000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Establish a groundwater monitoring program in the
Pelham headwater area around the Kame Moraine
$ 5,000
NPCA
Conduct a fish species and habitat assessment downstream of the
Effingham and St. Johns tributary. A fisheries biologist with
geomorphological background is recommended
NPCA
Conduct a hydrological stream assessment of the main 12 Mile Creek,
channel downstream of the DeCew Generating Station. Information on the
existing hydrologic regime is to be determined, and given this regime, issues
and solutions identified for achieving a more stable ecosystem
•NPCA
Permit no new in-stream pond construction
subtotal of the NPCA activities
•OMOE
Identify groundwater recharge and discharge information within the 12 Mile
Creek watershed to indicate permeable and high contamination areas
“Friends of the 12”
Identify historical features within the Pelham and Thorold areas
City of Thorold
Eliminate sanitary sewer overflows and mitigate combined storm overflows
City of St. Catharines
Mitigate combined storm overflows
All regulatory agencies
Permit no new in-stream pond construction
Town of Pelham,
City of Thorold,
Regional Municipality of
Niagara
Development policies and standards• Develop stormwater standards to ensure new headwater holding capacity
• Devise a development agreement condition for long term monitoring
of stormwater controls of new development
Friends of the 12
Education and Communication:
• Establish annual watershed clean up days involving the local community
Friends of the 12
Monitoring- using the Report Card (Appendix 1.7b), annually grade the
watershed’s health and communicate the results
$ 10,000
$10,000
$75,000
––
––
––
––
––
––
––
––
51
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 2
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation
for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
$ 25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and
implement a educational material and implement restoration
projects to:
• Promote development of improved fish habitat and stream
functions, including practices to maintain and establish
instream cover for trout production and abundance and
deep pool resting areas (i.e. trees, branches, and over
hanging bank vegetation)
• Moderate nutrient and phosphate inputs from the urban
and agricultural land practices. An emphasis on the urban
community and its inputs is required, while existing
Environmental Farm Plan material should be distributed for
agricultural contributions
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions along the St. Johns and lower Effingham
coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
$ 25 000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater level monitoring system in the Pelham headwater area around the Kame
Moraine Program
NPCA
Assess and implement aquatic habitat and water temperature improvements for the St. Johns Conservation Area
pond
Sub-total of the NPCA activities
$5,000
$20,000
$75,000
Regional Niagara Health Unit
Education and Communication:
• Develop a schedule for individual water well testing of
water quality identifying possible septic or other leachate
problems in the water drinking source
––
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Food and Rural Affairs
Water Quality improvement- Promote soil moisture and soil
saving techniques (i.e. mulch tillage, no tillage, forest management practices, buffers)
––
OMNR
Fisheries species assessment downstream of Roland Road
to Martindale Pond
––
52
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 3
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation
for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
$25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and
implement a educational material and implement restoration
projects to:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through
decreased size, vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St.
Johns tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions along the St. Johns and lower Effingham
coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
• Establish a 10- 30 metre vegetative buffer along all
streams lands to reduce streambank erosion and provide
surface water filtration
• Increase forest cover below the escarpment on the west
boundary of St. Catharines
$15,000
NPCA
Assess existing stream actions and existing dams and other
fish migration barriers in the main Twelve Mile Creek channel, downstream of Roland Road
$15,000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater level monitoring program in the Pelham headwater area around the
Kame Moraine
$5,000
NPCA
Restoration Projects
Local and Regional
Municipalities
$15,000
Sub-total of the NPCA activities
$75,000
Develop local and regional policies, standards and proposed
work requirements to protect groundwater recharge and discharge areas from incompatible land use
––
53
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 4
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation
for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
$25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and
implement a educational material and implement restoration
projects to:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through
decreased size, vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St.
Johns tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions along the St. Johns and lower Effingham
coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
• Enhance the existing headwater forest areas to reduce
surface water runoff and provide erosion control. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
• Establish forest community cover/ migration corridor and
increase the size of small woodlots on the west boundary
of St. Catharines below the Niagara Escarpment. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
$10,000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater level monitoring program in the Pelham headwater area around the
Kame Moraine
NPCA
Restoration Projects
$35,000
Sub-total of the NPCA activities
St. Catharines and Thorold
$5,000
Implement proposed Dick Creek flood remedial work of the
Dick's Creek Subwatershed Plan
54
$75,000
––
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 5
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation
for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
$25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and
implement a educational material and implement restoration
projects to:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through
decreased size, vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St.
Johns tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions along the St. Johns and lower Effingham
coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
• Enhance the existing headwater forest areas to reduce
surface water runoff and provide erosion control. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
• Establish forest community cover/ migration corridor and
increase the size of small woodlots on the west boundary
of St. Catharines below the Niagara Escarpment. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
$10,000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater level monitoring system in the Pelham headwater area around the Kame
Moraine
$5,000
NPCA
Restoration Projects
$35,000
Sub-total of the NPCA activities
FOSHP
Education and Communication- Establish a demonstration
site to highlight planting species techniques and benefits of
stream cover, large tract woodlots within Pelham and
Thorold headwater areas, and enhance habitat for the
threatened Hooded Warbler
City of Thorold/
Regional Municipality
of Niagara
Remediate the Rice Road landfill
Hydro One with
NPCA assistance
Increase wetland area and water quantity control- Enhance
and establish historic wetland areas along the St. Johns
tributary within the Ontario Hydro right of way
$75,000
––
––
55
––
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 6-9
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation
for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and
$10,000 per year
implement a educational material and implement restoration
projects to:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through
decreased size, vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St.
Johns tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream
contributions along the St. Johns and lower Effingham
coldwater tributaries. Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
• Enhance the existing headwater forest areas to reduce
surface water runoff and provide erosion control. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
• Establish forest community cover/ migration corridor and
increase the size of small woodlots on the west boundary
of St. Catharines below the Niagara Escarpment. Achieve
a 10% increase by 2010
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater monitoring program in the Pelham headwater area around the Kame
Moraine
NPCA
Restoration Projects
$25,000 per year
$5,000
$35,000
Annual Sub-total of the NPCA activities $75,000 per year
56
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 10
NPCA
Stewardship Coordinator- to further develop, promote, coordinate
and monitor progress of the Strategy implementation for the Twelve
Mile Creek Watershed
$25,000
NPCA
Education and Communications - to further develop and implement a
educational material and implement restoration projects to:
• Encourage good forest management practices
• Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through decreased
size, vegetative shaded or other
• Maintain and enhance existing wetland areas along the St. Johns
tributary
• Increase native vegetative buffers and forest stream contributions
along the St. Johns and lower Effingham coldwater tributaries.
Achieve a 10% increase by 2003
• Enhance the existing headwater forest areas to reduce surface water
runoff and provide erosion control. Achieve a 10% increase by 2010
• Establish forest community cover/ migration corridor and increase
the size of small woodlots on the west boundary of St. Catharines
below the Niagara Escarpment. Achieve a 10% increase by 2010
$10,000
NPCA
Monitoring Program- Maintain a groundwater monitoring program
in the Pelham headwater area around the Kame Moraine
NPCA
Implement a Shriner’s Creek subwatershed plan
$20,000
NPCA
Restoration Projects -
$15,000
$75,000
––
Area and Regional
Municipalities, NEC
Subtotal for the NPCA Activities
Development Policy and Standards- Develop local and regional
policies and development standards to
• Enhance and protect the Pelham and Thorold ecological headwater
areas from incompatible land uses. This area includes the Fonthill
Sandhill Valleyland, large forest tracts, wooded ravines & connected
adjacent forests for fish and more rare bird habitat
• Promote and protect water holding capability of the Fonthill Kame
moraine in land use policies and standards
• Direct refueling and toxic waste or hazardous waste handling on
impermeable soils
$5,000
All
Increase wetland coverage within the watershed by 10%
––
City of St. Catharines
Enhance wetland communities in the Richardson’s Creek area
––
City of St. Catharines
cover (root wads)
Enhance the wetland area in the Barnesdale Marsh- i.e. woody debris
––
Niagara Woodlands
Advisory Committee
Enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity- maintain old growth forests
with varied forest structure (i.e. ground, low, mid and upper canopies)
and closed ravine areas with some interior open canopy to support
sensitive bird species habitat
––
Niagara Woodlands
Education and Communication:
• Develop a ‘grass-root’ landsteward brochure on good forest
management practices
––
Local and Regional
Municipalities
Enhance wildlife habitat and increase biodiversity-Increase food chain
linkages with linked natural area corridors providing habitat cover
(grass, shrubs) within existing passive and recreational parks and trails
––
57
Responsible Agency
Project
Cost*
Year 10 cont’d
Ontario Power
Generation
Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat improvements-Establish a
herbaceous cover along Lake Gibson shoreline to increase wildlife
habitat and reduce erosion
––
City of St. Catharines
(Martindale Pond),
Enhance low quality fish nursery and forage area downstream of the
QEW (west bank) with the addition of Ontario Hydro woody debris.
This is to provide sediments to be captured (upstream) and wetland
plants to establish naturally over time
––
Friends of the 12
Education and Communication:
• Develop and offer workshops demonstrating methods and alternatives
to reduce the amounts of herbicides, pesticides and heavy metal uses
in the watershed
• Pursue on-site demonstration of constructed wetland benefits at the
paper mills
• Schedule birding tours in the area
––
Brock University and
Friends of the 12
Investigate source of high copper levels in the Pelham headwaters
––
Area Municipalities
Education and Communication:
• Establish and enforce zoning bylaw for pet waste
• Reduce municipal park spraying of pesticides using alternatives of
compost and Ontario Works program for weeding and overseeding
• Encourage residents to maintain and enhance existing wetland areas
along the St. Johns tributary
––
Regional Municipality
of Niagara
Education and Communication- promote the tourism and commercial
opportunities along the 12 Mile Creek
––
Area and Regional
Municipalities
Sedimentation Control- establish development policies and standards
for controlling erosion and sedimentation(i.e. erosion and
sedimentation by-laws)
––
Area and Regional
Development Policy and Standards; Water Quality and Quantity
Control- to:
• Establish standards for pervious surfaces within new and retrofitted
development. Reduce the watershed’s impervious cover to 28% by the
year 2010
• Implement a user fee for those taking groundwater(residential,
municipal, industrial, agricultural or otherwise)
• Encourage the protection of the Fonthill- Sandhill Valley and
determined recharge and discharge areas
• Encourage increased native plantings in public parks and residential
properties along the existing streams and waterways
• Implement operational policies for fuel storage within groundwater
recharge and discharges areas according to MOE requirements
––
LACAC
Education and Communication- to encourage retention and increase
identification of significant historical features
––
Area Municipalities
Establish a Pelham- St.Catharines/Thorold recreational trail
• Increase the wheelchair accessibility routes
––
St. Catharines
Develop an interpretative wetland boardwalk ( i.e. South Martindale Pond)
––
*Cost factor for other partners have not been assigned by the NPCA
58
Figure 15
Detailed Project Summary
Natural Resources
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Increase vegetation along stream banks to decrease water 10%
temperatures, provide fish predator cover as well as bank Increase by 2003
stability 100%
NPCA with area residents
•
Increase forest cover along sand bed headwater streams to 10%
increase stream roughness for natural stream pooling, oxy- Increase by 2003
genation and fish habitat
NPCA with area residents
•
Assess the water regime downstream of the hydro generat- 2001
ing station. Based on the findings moderation of water flows
may be required to mimic more natural flow levels for riparian stream development.
NPCA
•
Develop a “What you can do for Fish” brochure for distribu- 2002
tion along the St. Johns and Effingham tributaries. It is to
highlight the importance of maintaining or establishing
instream cover for trout production and abundance (i.e. trees,
branches and overhanging bank vegetation). With few deep
pools and overhanging banks such vegetation is necessary
along these tributaries to make the fish less vulnerable to
predators.
NPCA
•
Protect groundwater recharge and discharge areas and 2003
maintain coldwater stream baseflows with protective zoning
in the municipal planning documents to ensure compatible
land uses with water infiltration
Area Municipalities
•
Increase existing large tract woodlots of Pelham for threat- 2005
ened Hooded Warbler
F.O.S.H.P &
Friends of the 12
•
Protect the Pelham forest headwater areas and its fish 2010
spawning areas within new development policy & standards.
This area includes the Fonthill Sandhill Valleyland, large forest tracts, wooded ravines & surrounding areas
NEC Area Municipalities
•
Protect existing headwater Effingham and St. Johns tributary Within the next
wetlands from development with protective designation and Official
zoning in the municipal planning documents or natural park Plan update
acquisition
Area/ Regional
Municipalities
•
Maintain the delta and moraine feature in its present form for
climate conditions - for air circulation and prevention of frost
pockets through protective zoning and policies
OMNR and
Area Municipalities
•
Increase wetland coverage within the watershed to 10% of 2010
the land base area.
Regional Niagara, Area
Municipalities, NPCA
•
Enhance wetland communities in the Richardson’s Creek area 2010
City of St. Catharines
•
Enhance the wetland area in the Barnsdale Marsh - i.e. woody 2010
debris cover (root wads)
City of St. Catharines
59
On-going
Vegetation
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Increase vegetation along stream banks to provide
bank stability and increase biodiversity using deep
rooted native area grass, tree and shrub plants. A
10-30 metre buffer is recommended
10% increase
by 2005
NPCA
•
Enhance the existing interior forest cover area of
Pelham and the Niagara Escarpment by extending
existing forested land with edge plantings. This
will increase water retention time plus provide soil
stability. Utilize existing or develop options for an
incentive programs
2010
NPCA
•
Increase the size of small woodlots. Priority
should be given to those areas where there are a
number of small woodlots in close proximity (i.e.
escarpment, west St.Catharines).
2010
NPCA/Niagara Woodlot
Association
•
Increase small woodlot patches to a size of 10
hectares or greater. This is to increase animal
species habitat below the escarpment in the
vacant and developing areas & along the
lakeshore in west St. Catharines near the escarpment and the mid watershed
2010
NPCA
•
Maintain old growth forests with varied forest
structure (ground, low, mid and upper canopies).
The focus is to maintain mature, old trees and
closed canopy ravine area while also permitting
some interior open canopy with bramble regeneration to support sensitive bird species habitat. This
can be accomplished through landstewardship
woodlot management, which can be assisted
through the guidance of the Niagara Woodlands
Advisory Committee
2010
Niagara Woodlands
Advisory Committee
with area landowners
•
Develop a “grass-root” landsteward brochure on
good forest management practices for the watershed, focusing on landowner benefits of income
and improved quality of life. Points for emphasis
include: additional plantings and consideration of
selective and rotating harvests of income generating trees during the winter months in all forest
management plans. Individual landowner benefits
to note include: noise buffers, scenery, and income
on site, as well as, providing important environmental linkages in the community and watershed
resulting in an improved environment and health
2010
Niagara
Woodlands
Advisory
Committee
•
Increase habitat biodiversity by increasing wetland
areas and streambank vegetation (i.e. perennial
long rooted grasses, shrubs and trees) within public parks and trails as well as within residential lots
2010
NPCA,
municipal parks
& trails, residents
•
Increase food chain linkages with linked natural
area corridors providing habitat cover (grass,
shrubs) within existing passive and recreational
parks and trails
2010
Area
Municipalities
•
Increase wetland areas to 10% of the watershed
area
2010
Area and Regiona lMunicipalities
60
Water Quantity
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Complete the groundwater supply (volume and aquifer
location) and recharge/ discharge information analysis. For
future land management direction, this information will indicate areas of high permeability and high potential for
groundwater contamination
2001
OMOE
•
Develop policies and stormwater standards to ensure new
headwater development maintains pre-development water
holding capacity with offset fill areas and tree cover
2001
Town of Pelham,
City of Thorold
•
Enhance stormwater management for St. Johns tributary
through maintained and enhanced wetland areas along
Hollow Road. These wetlands areas should be incorporated into any new development or acquired
On-going
NPCA with Area/Regional
Municipalities
•
Maintain baseflow in the St. Johns tributary by slowing
groundwater discharge through increased holding material
at the Rice Road landfill, aggregate operation and urban
retrofitting opportunities
On-going
Regional Niagara;
Area Municipalities
and OMNR
•
Permit no new in-stream pond construction
On-going
All regulatory agencies
•
Establish a groundwater monitoring program around the
northern perimeter of the Kame for trend assessment. For
accuracy, such monitoring wells should not be use for water
taking
2001
NPCA
•
Determine the hydrologic regime downstream of the
DeCew Generating Station (general water level fluctuation
range and the necessary pulse required to support the
existing and stable stream ecosystem)
2001
NPCA
•
Incorporate policy conditions for long term monitoring of
stormwater controls within development agreements to
ensure long term efficiency and appropriate mitigations as
required
2001
Regional Niagara;
Area Municipalities
•
Enhance stormwater management for St. Johns tributary
through enhanced and restored historic wetland areas within the Ontario Hydro right of way along Hollow Road
2005
NPCA with
Hydro One
•
Vegetate the Rice Road Landfill to increase transpiration
equal to previous vegetation removed by headwater development
2005
City of Thorold with
Regional Niagara
•
Integrate pervious surfaces as a standard municipal and
regional design for public work and development designs
(for new development and retrofitting). Reduce the watershed’s impervious cover to 28% by the year 2010
2005
Cities of
St. Catharines and
Thorold;Town of Pelham
•
Implement a user fee for those taking groundwater (residential, municipal, industrial, agricultural or otherwise)
•
Complete the entire watershed assessment for the
Shriner’s Creek subwatershed
2010
NPCA
•
Protect water holding capability of the Fonthill Kame
moraine in land use policies and standards
2010
Regional Niagara; Area
Municipalities and NPCA
•
See project of reforestation of landfill (under Water Quality
and Recreation theme). This rehabilitation work will also
decrease water volumes through evapotranspiration on low
permeability silt soils.
61
Dependent on
Council’s desire
Landuse
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Ensure the continued development setback from the top of bank
and slope stability assessment (as presently reviewed by the
NPCA)
2010
NPCA
•
Pursue passive lands uses for recharge area and sensitivebird
habitat of Fonthill-Sandhill Valley with the establishment of a
park
2010
NPCA; Municipalities
through transferred
development of rights
dependent on the council
desire
•
Establish Transfer of development rights or zone restrictive
along Fonthill-Sandhill Valley and determined recharge and discharge areas
2010
Dependent on the council
desire Town of Pelham
and St. Catharines
•
Increase estate lot size requirement in buffer areas and interior
forest area of Pelham
2010
NEC
•
In any new development stormwater development management
review will assess the required system meander belt width and
vegetated buffer to be protected/incorporated in the design to
ensure continuance of the stream dynamics without interference.
On-going
Municipal Public Works
•
Decrease livestock stream access to prevent bank trampling and
water sedimentation and nutrient loading
2010
Ontario Federation of
Agriculture with Area
Residents
•
Decrease changes in the stream ditching/ channelization limiting
to identified work areas only to ensure stream adaptation
2010
Ontario Federation of
Agriculture with Area
Residents
•
Remove garbage from the creek along Ontario Street in St.
Catharines, end of Rice Road in Thorold through organized volunteer days (i.e. Earth Day events, schedule School Stream Day)
2010
‘Friends of 12’ coordination
•
Focus appropriate development expansion in satellite areas outside of the Kame Moraine. This is to decrease urban expansion
on recharging areas
2010
Area and Regional
Municipalities
•
Official Plan and Zoning categories to prohibit landfills and
chemical/ transferring land uses within the recharge and discharge areas and within “15” metres of a waterway due to high
susceptibility for groundwater contamination
2010
Municipalities
•
Establish and implement operational policies for fuel storage
within groundwater recharge and discharges areas according to
MOE requirements
2010
Municipalities
•
Establish and implement operational policies for septic system
control in headwater areas to include aggregate operation refueling facilities on impermeable soils as outlined in Figure 10 in
the interim of the completed hydrology study
2010
Niagara Escarpment
Commission and
Regional Heath Unit
•
Establish and implement Toxic/ hazardous material handling protocols for landfills in compliance with MOE regulations
2010
Area Municipalities
•
Promote in municipal planning documents promote increased
use of native plantings in public parks and residential properties
along the existing streams and waterways
2010
Area Municipalities
•
Encourage retention and/or interpretation of identified
‘Greenprint’ historical features in municipal documents
2010
LACAC
62
Historic
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Continue the identification of historic watershed features in
Pelham and Thorold
2001
‘Friend of the 12’
•
Establish plaques of significant public access sites with bike/
pedestrian trail to and along existing roads
2010
Friends of the 12 with
LACAC
•
Incorporate historic features of St. Catharines within the existing
recreational trail system
2010
Area Municipalities
•
Develop an awareness program in communities and schools to
understand the past and appreciate it.
2010
Friends of the 12 with
LACAC
•
Complete the historic feature inventory for the Pelham area
2010
Friends of the 12 with
the Pelham Historical
Society
•
Encourage the restoration of communities and industries of the
past by promoting through education and developing/ directing
for existing fund/programs
2010
LACAC
•
Develop and offer fact sheets on existing key historical areas
2010
Friends of the 12 with
LACAC
•
Offer landowners technical assistance in incorporating a historical feature into the property designs
2010
LACAC
•
Design, develop and erect brief but informative signs to mark historical areas on public land i.e. home, waterway,, lock, farm, barn,
industries (such as Taylor & Bates original site with a trail link)
2010
‘Friend of the 12’ with
LACAC
Wildlife
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Assess and implement aquatic and water temperature improvements for the St. Johns Conservation Area pond. In-pond and
outlet structure are to be considered including the possibility of
the outlet to provide a groundwater upwelling function to
decrease outflowing water temperatures and increase fish
spawning habitat.
2001
NPCA
•
Conduct a fish species and habitat assessment between Roland
Road & Martindale Pond for determining fish habitat improvements. A fisheries biologist with geomorphology background is
suggested
2001
OMNR
•
Add herbaceous cover along Lake Gibson shoreline which is
suitable for fish and amphibians species and will reduce erosion.
Plant species must be suitable for fluctuating water levelssedge- or above the fluctuating level
2010
Ontario Power
Generation
•
Enhance low quality fish nursery and forage area downstream of
the QEW (west bank) with the addition of woody debris. This is
to provide sediments to be captured and wetland plants to
establish naturally over time [Yagi 1998].
2010
Area and
Regional
Municipalities
2010
City of St. Catharines
(Martindale Pond),
Ontario Hydro (upstream)
•
•
Enhance lower quality fish nursery and forage area upstream of
the QEW (east bank) with the addition of woody debris to collect
sediment and establish wetland emergent vegetation naturally
over time [Yagi 1998]
See project list under vegetation section
63
Water Quality
Project
When
Lead Contact
ª
Assess and implement aquatic habitat and water temperature 2001
improvements for the St. Johns Conservation Area pond. In-pond
and outlet structure are to be considered including the possibility
of the outlet to provide a groundwater upwelling function to
decrease outflowing water temperatures and increase fish spawning habitat
NPCA
•
Encourage mitigation of existing stream pond through decreased On-going
size, vegetative shaded or other
NPCA, OMNR
•
Moderate nutrient and phosphate inputs through educational 2002
pamphlets. An emphasis on the urban community and its’ inputs
is required, while existing Environmental Farm Plan material
should be distributed for agricultural contributions
NPCA
•
Develop a schedule for individual water well testing of water qual- 2002
ity identifying possible septic or other leachate problems in the
water drinking source. Use a dye and/or water bacteria test
Regional Health Unit
•
Promote soil moisture and soil saving techniques (i.e. mulch 2002
tillage, no tillage, forest management practices, buffers)
OMAFRA
•
Establish vegetative buffer along stream on public lands and pro- 2003
mote on private lands to reduce streambank erosion and provide
surface water filtration. A 10- 30 metre buffer is recommended.
This buffer is to include plantings of native area grass, shrubs and
trees and include plants overhanging the stream
NPCA with
area residents
•
Cap the Rice Road landfill slopes
City of Thorold,
Regional Niagara
•
Develop and offer workshops demonstrating methods and alter- 2010
natives to reduce the amounts of herbicides, pesticides and heavy
metal uses in the watershed
“Friends of the 12” with
agency assistance
•
Investigate source of high copper levels in the Pelham headwa- 2010
ters. If orchard use is determined a contributor determine use and
pathway to the water and mitigate (i.e. protect ponds from overspraying and prevent pesticide tanks to backwash into the ponds)
‘Friends of the 12’ with
Brock University
•
Pursue educational material development for alternative water 2010
treatment uses (i.e. swamp/lagoon for existing and proposed
development)
NPCA
•
Establish and enforce zoning bylaw for pet waste
City of St. Catharines &
Thorold
•
Establish 1 metre high grass or shrub strip at the water’s edge on 2010
public park sites where geese and water quality from geese are a
problem. This vegetation will discourage geese from the area and
minimize the water quality problem
Owner & issue
dependent
•
Reduce municipal park spraying of pesticides using alternatives None
of compost and Ontario Works program for weeding and overseeding
Dependent on
Owner/Council desire
•
Pursue on-site demonstration of constructed wetland benefits at 2010
the paper mills
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Eliminate sanitary sewer overflows in the City of Thorold and mit- 2010
igate combined storm overflows in the CIty of Thorold and
St. Catharines
City of Thorold & St.
Catharines
2005
2010
64
Sedimentation Control
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Increase vegetation along stream banks to provide bank stability 10% by 2003;
100% with native grass, shrubs and/or tree plants (see vegetation 30% increase
by 2010
above)
NPCA with Area residents
•
Establish development policies and standards (i.e. erosion and 2010
sedimentation by-laws)
Regional and Area
Municipalities
Recreation
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Develop a landowner data sheet outlining proper pool backwashing and 2010
the found effects of chlorine on the stream
NPCA
•
Develop a “What you can do for Fish” brochure for distribution along the 2010
St. Johns and Effingham tributaries. It is to highlight the importance of
maintaining or establishing instream cover for trout production and abundance (i.e. trees, branches and overhanging bank vegetation). With few
deep pools and overhanging banks such vegetation is necessary along
these tributaries to make the fish less vulnerable to predators.
NPCA
•
Increase the number of wheelchair accessible trails at Martindale Pond; 2010
Municipal Parks; St. Johns Conservation Area and Short Hills Provincial
Park
Area Municipalities;
NPCA; OMNR;
Friends of Short
Hills Provincial Park
•
Pursue passive use of the Fonthill-Sandhill area/Prov. ANSI with inter- 2010
esting plants
NPCA;
Area Municipalities
•
Advertise the positive attributes of the 12 Mile Creek through Regional 2010
Municipality of Niagara Tourism Council (rec. points on map, incorporate
the 12’s developed cycle route in the cycling tour brochure, NPCA
newsletter- maps, ads and Friends of 12 column, municipal city Page &
dissemination of brochure etc.)
NPCA,
Regional Niagara
•
Establish a pedestrian and mountain bike trail at Rice Road Landfill 2010
incorporating short hills and linking to Short Hills Provincial Park
•
Increase sport fish opportunities through increased shoreline access in 2010
Pelham headwater and Martindale Areas through public land acquisition
Regional Niagara,
City of Thorold,
Town of Pelham
Area Municipalities;
NPCA; OMNR
•
Provide continued trail access by establishing a Pelham Thorold link for 2010
hiking and bicycling
Area Municipalities
•
Improve pedestrian access of public areas adjacent to 12 Mile Creek 2010
including more access points
Area Municipalities
•
Develop an interpretative wetland boardwalk ( i.e. South Martindale Pond) 2010
•
Incorporate helpful points of interest (in business plan format) at the 2010
Chamber of Commerce, Banks etc. for people looking to develop a
business
•
Schedule birding tours in the area
•
Increase natural setting/ buffers around developed areas through site 2010
plan requirements
Area and Regional
Municipalities
•
Promote commercial ventures of boat rides, kayak runs, paddle boat, 2010
canoe, bike rentals, fishing supplies, cycle tours by establishing more bike
racks, benches to sit and walking trails along Martindale Pond, and within official plan designations to accommodate this economic development
65
‘Friends of the 12’
2010
‘Friends of the 12’
‘Friends of the 12’
with Naturalist Clubs
for increased exposure
Education
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Develop a landowner flyer outlining the benefits of retaining shrub and tree 2010
vegetation along a waters edge; lawn care alternatives; and negative
effects that results if not done
‘Friends of the 12’
with the NPCA
•
Conduct annual telephone or paper survey with predetermined recreation, 2010
history, water quality & quantity questions to determine the awareness of
the watershed conditions and any regeneration efforts and support for new
restoration ideas
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Address pollution problems (i.e. septic system failure; combined sanitary 2010
sewer flows, sedimentation, illegal dumping) through the increased awareness of what, where and impacts of the 12 Mile Creek (i.e. importance, benefits, how the “12” impacts the public, where the water comes from and an
individuals activity impacts the community, government and children of the
area, including: sharing/ disseminating information through cable/ community channel page; Cable, T.V. and media coverage of events; newspaper
articles; on-site signs; and pamphlets
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Establish demonstration sites education landowners/users on environmentally suitable or improvement technological use (what is involved) in: composting, water saving and environmentally sound dog waste disposal alternatives, channel design techniques, constructive wetlands for paper waste
and native plantings. Such demonstrations projects should be on public
property for improved accessibility, media attention, and incentive to private
landowner
•
‘Friends of the 12’ Steering Committee develop an environmental program
(history, on-hands environmental awareness activities- water quality, quantity,
field trips/ outdoor experiences) to incorporate in the local school curriculum
•
Develop a landowner data sheet outlining proper pool backwashing and the
found effects of chlorine on the stream
•
Establish a school contest to teach where the 12 Mile Creek is located and
the connection of their water and land use to the watershed
•
Partner with existing utility companies (i.e. water, hydro), Regional Niagara
Waste Management Section, municipalities, Home Green-Up Program and
MOEE to produce and disseminate brochures and fact sheets and demonstration displays on environmentally responsible water usage for lawn care
and residential usage, composting, dog scooping alternatives/ proper disposal, industrial pollution controls with examples (i.e. water recycling)
•
Partner with MNR, OMAFRA & OFA to develop fact sheet and brochure on
instream pond effects and alternatives, + buffer strip benefits, reduced erosion farming and urban construction techniques, pesticide/ herbicide alternatives for urban and rural uses, septic system improvement
•
Partner with Regional Niagara waste management for informing the general public of reduced refuse and increased composter use, and recycling
•
Encourage landowners to participate in stewardship programs (i.e. maintain the natural integrity of their property) through the provision of incentives
(i.e. economic and otherwise), property tax reduction incentive information
(i.e. Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program, Conservation Tax Incentive
Program) and stewardship recognition. Begin with landowners adjacent to
tributaries
•
Partner with veterinarians/ Humane societies for pet waste alternatives and
awareness information (i.e. brochures, demonstrations)
•
Partner with libraries to develop and distribute information sheets/
brochures
66
Education continued...
Project
When
•
Establish signs to highlight site history/environmental duty (i.e. dog pick-up). 2010
Signs should also recognize any related donors (i.e. of plant material)
•
Initiate and implement refuse pick-up along public areas of the 12 Mile
Creek watershed
•
Involve surrounding community to address valleyland refuse
•
Involve the industries in providing material, demonstration sites, product
development assistance, for a sense of watershed ownership
•
Develop communication networks with local church groups, farming communities, Niagara College, Brock University, EEAC, MNR, MOEE, C.A. for
information sharing and work implementation, including scouts/ girl guides,
horticultural and naturalists clubs (i.e. plantings) as well
•
Present plan findings (issues and resolutions- including development) to
municipal and regional government officials and policy makers (i.e. water
metering and hydro officials)
•
Develop brochures and posters on sensitive bird and flora, partnering with
CWS and OMNR
•
Develop material on the environmentally sound use of pesticide use in residential and livestock access areas
•
Distribute information on farming practices-cattle, ploughing techniques,
manure storage (through Environmental Farm Plan, Project Tree Cover etc.)
•
Develop Signs and Brochures for pet owners waste pickup
•
Devise an Annual Certificate of Appreciation/Annual special event BBQ to
acknowledge the exemplary efforts of residents/users of the ‘Twelve Mile
Creek Watershed’
•
Develop a ”What you can do for Fish” brochure for distribution along the
St.Johns and Effingham tributaries highlighting the importance of instream
cover (trees, branches, bank overhanging vegetation) as the dominant factor for trout production and abundance since the small streams have few
deep pools and overhanging banks making them vulnerable to predators
•
Investigate partnership with historical societies, Morningstar Mills, Ontario
Power Generation etc. to develop maps and tours of builot and natural heritage sites
•
Develop an historical information fact sheet
•
Further enhance the “Yellow Fish Drain Program”
•
Introduce universal by-laws for vegetative cover within 10 metres of the 12
to increase minimal natural cover of commercial and industrial uses along
the 12 from 2% to 5% concentrated on the stream side (i.e. similar to bylaws for sidewalk snow removal and dog owner clean-up)
•
Initiate lands stewardship program focusing on: •Protection of critical
groundwater areas (as defined by the groundwater and hydrologic study
areas as determined by the MOE study (groundwater recharge and discharge areas) •Agricultural alternatives for water quality improvement practices including the use flushing bar on tractor to warn nesting birds and
other wildlife of approaching equipment; tableland water sources for livestock
•
Establish of a Nature Interpretative Centre at the Richardson Creek mouth
area
67
Lead Contact
‘Friends of the 12’
‘Friends of 12’
with Area
Municipalities
Area
Municipalities
Area
Municipalities
City of St.
Catharines
Monitoring
Project
When
Lead Contact
•
Establish a Watershed Steering Committee to annually re-evaluate the 1998
Strategy’s requirements and provide input on the new or revised rehabil- & on-going
itation requirements for the 12 Mile Creek Watershed. On this
Committee, a representative from each of the following should be present: the Town of Pelham, City of Thorold, City of St. Catharines, one
Regional Niagara municipal planner, Ontario Power Generation, the
President/Chair of the Friends of the 12 and Short Hills Provincial Park,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture - North and South, and one interested
area resident of each of the watershed’s municipality
NPCA
•
Grade the health of the watershed basin on a bi-annual basis, identifying 2000
the progress or areas for improvement by theme issues [i.e. Natural & on-going
Resources - fisheries (ISSUE), habitat (ISSUE), protection and rehabilitation of fishery habitat (REPORT CARD EXPLANATION), 1998 Grade A+]
NPCA with the
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Provide and communicate a regular progress report card on watershed’s 2000
health (Refer to Appendix 1.7 a & b for the Monitoring Indices and Report & on-going
Card)
NPCA with the
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Monitor the slope slippage behind Riverview Boulevard in St. Catharines On-going
along the main 12 Mile Creek
NPCA
•
Develop a monitoring and emergency response for early detection of 2000
potential threats to groundwater system through the Groundwater
Monitoring Program of selective wells
OMOE
•
Monitor the Hooded Warbler presence in the Pelham headwater areas, 2000
by song and sight. Changes in numbers over the years will indicate if the & on-going
bird population is increasing due to rehabilitative actions. An existing
program to use could be the “Ontario Birds At Risk Project”
CWS
•
Determine annually watershed work completed and available funding 2000
resources re-evaluated the plan annually to ensure old and new objec- & on-going
tives or concerns are being met. Every two years the need for additional
measures and a new guiding plan should also be considered, with appropriate measures implemented in line with the group decision
NPCA with the
‘Friends of the 12’
•
Monitor consideration sites for weather damage, vandalism, necessary 2000
maintenance
& on-going
‘Friends of the 12’
•
12 Mile Creek Improvement Awards. ‘Friends of the 12’ would annually 2000
present 12 Mile Creek Awards to local individuals who have significantly & on-going
contributed to health improvements on the 12. Criteria should be established to assist in selecting such individuals on a consistent and fair
basis. For example 2 individuals who have spent more than 40 hours in
rehabilitation on the 12; decreased litter by 50% in their area etc.
‘Friends of the 12’
Potential Funding Sources
Canada Trust;
EcoAction
Community Fisheries and Wildlife Improvement Program (CFWIP)
Land Care Niagara;
Wildlife Habitat Canada
Shell Environmental Fund
Great Lake Aquatic Fund
Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation Grant Program
Environmental Education and Awareness Program
68
Twelve Mile Creek Strategy Implementation
Commitment and cooperation are the keys to success in restoring watershed health.
The Twelve Mile Creek Watershed Strategy provides strategic direction for the municipalities, provincial
and federal agencies, NPCA, community groups and individual residents. As coordinated efforts are
required to enhance the watershed's sustainability, a list of necessary projects has been identified for the
watershed partners (Figure 15). While outlined over a 10-year basis, the NPCA will initiate and monitor
the progression of the recovery work and assess improvements in the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed.
While the Authority cannot sustain the watershed alone, watershed partners are needed to continue their
efforts in improving the watershed issues. A Watershed Report Card has also been developed as part of
this Strategy to assist in achieving this goal. This Watershed Report Card will be used to implement the
recommended projects, identify any new areas or issues and evaluate the progress made in achieving a
healthier watershed. This Strategy therefore assists in coordinating the activities of the watershed to
achieve our common goal for improved ecosystem health.
Funding will be required to assist in rehabilitating the watersheds sustainable function and health.
Projects will be matched with appropriate funding programs at the government and non-government levels, including but not limited to such programs as: Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation, Canada
Eco Action 2000, Great Lakes Aquatic Fund, Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation Grant Program,
Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Community Wetland Improvement Program (CWIP), the Community
Fisheries Improvement Program (CFIP), Shell Environmental Fund. Through supported funding initiatives, the works of the NPCA and environmental groups will implement outreach programs, subwatershed studies and rehabilitation projects.
The "Twelve Mile Creek Strategy" proposes a 10 year action plan at an estimated annual budget of
$70,000 to rehabilitate and sustain the ecological health of the Twelve Mile Creek watershed. These
funds must be dedicated toward the projects outlined in this Strategy. Our efforts must remain focussed
in order that our targets may be properly measured and improvements may be tracked. Figure 14 provides some strategic direction over a 10 year period to ensure our efforts will work to restore watershed
health. It is important to remember that the communication, education, outreach and demonstration area
are on-going initiatives that will be implemented on an annual basis over the life-span of this Strategy.
The financial commitment of environmental groups and individual property owners is also needed.
Although cost figures have not been provided, individuals and groups will make decisions on financial
commitments as they implement rehabilitation projects in areas that are of interest to them or on their
own individual properties.
69
Monitoring Progress
To effectively monitor progress of the Twelve Mile Creek Strategy implementation and effectiveness:
1. Increase forest cover below the escarpment by 30%
2. Increase streambank cover by 10% by the year 2003, 30% by 2010
3. Increase wetland areas by 10% of the watershed area
4. Increase wildlife habitat protection and cover for the Hooded warbler and the Acadian
Flycatcher by 10%
5. Increase fish habitat by 10%
The Annual Watershed Report Card will be completed to assess the watershed's environmental state.
This Report Card will measure the progress of the Strategy's Actions and outline the new or further
measures necessary. The Twelve Mile Creek Steering Committee will provide input to the strategy's
rehabilitation measures. Their findings will be communicated to the watershed residents, users and the
general public to highlight their accomplishments and their continued involvement needs.
70
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OMNR. 1980. Fish Survey Forms-Lewis et. al. Fonthill
OMNR. 1986. Welland Canal Turn Basin Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR. 1985a. DeCew Falls Flood Plain Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR. 1985b. Hurleburt’s Woods Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR. 1985c. Lake Gibson, Moodie Lake, Welland Canal (Thorold) & Turn Basins Wetland Evaluation.
Fonthill: OMNR
73
OMNR. 1985d. Martindale & Barnesdale Marsh Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR. 1985e. Short Hills Wilderness Area & Surrounding Woods Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR. 1985f. 15 Mile Creek Above Escarpment Wetland Evaluation. Fonthill: OMNR
OMNR- OGS. 1982. Ontario Geological Survey Preliminary Map P.537 Rev. Drift Thickness Series.
Niagara and Niagara-On-The-Lake. Scale 1: 50 000. OMNR
OMNR. 1978. Twelve Mile Creek – Stream Survey Data Sheets OMNR- Fonthill
OMNR 1976. Significant Natural Areas Along the Niagara Escarpment. A report on Nature Reserve
Candidates and other Significant Natural Areas in the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area.
Richmond Hill: OMNR
OMNR. 1975. Untitled Report, September 17, 1975. OMNR- Fonthill
OMNR. 1971. Effingham Provincial Park: A Biological Inventory July 1970/ 1971.
Parish, J. and Ray Kostaschuk. 1999. Fluvial Geomorpholgy Notes. Unpublished
Phaneuf, R and M. Karimi. 1997. Upper Twelve Mile Creek Preliminary Water Quality/ Watershed Study.
Allanburg: Brock University and NPCA
Proctor & Redfern Ltd. 1996. Town of Pelham Urban Boundary Expansion Subwatershed Study. Don
Mills: Proctor & Redfern Ltd.
Riley, J., J. Jalava, S. Varga. 1996. Ecological Survey of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.
Toronto: OMNR, Queen’s Printer of Ontario
Royal Ontario Museum. 1995. Fish Survey Records
Rosgen, D. and B. Fittante.____. Fish Habitat Structures- A Selection Guide Using Stream Classification.
Sarvis, A. 1985. Brook Trout Distribution and Abundance within the Upper Twelve Mile Creek. OMNR
unpublished report
Tervo, Robert and Michelle Jessop (Niagara College Report). 1998. Water Quality Study Effects of OnLine Ponds
Toth, Cindy. City of St. Catharines. Personal Communication 1999
Tovell, Dr. W. 1992. Guide to the Geology of the Niagara Escarpment with Field Trips. Concord: NEC
with Ontario Heritage Foundation
Totten Sims Hubicki Associates Limited et al.. 1998. Port Robinson West Subwatershed Study. Final
Draft Report, May 1998. Totten Sims Hubicki Associates Limited:
Triton Engineering Services Limited and England Naylor Engineering Limited. 1993. Twelve Mile Creek
Slope Stability Study. April 1983.
Van Leeuwen, G.P. 1974. The St. Johns Trout Pond Study. October 22, 1974.
Niagara: OMNR
74
Yagi, A. 1998. Martindale Pond Fish Community Monitoring Project Summary, Summer 1997 Draft.
OMNR- Niagara: Vineland Station
Watershed Report Card Committee, Fishermen Involved in Saving Habitat Southern Ontario Chapter.
1997. Watershed Report Card Silver Level: Assessment Tool Box for Terrestrial Habitats.
Watershed Report Card Committee
Watershed Report Card Committee, Fishermen Involved in Saving Habitat Southern Ontario Chapter.
1996. Watershed Report Card Bronze Level- Draft Version. Watershed Report Card Committee
75
Appendix
Appendix 1.1a Vegetation of the 12 Mile Creek Watershed
PLANTS
Short Hills:
honey locust, witch hazel, glade fern, tulip tree, twin leaf (Jeffersonia diphylla), park: sugar
maple-beech forest upland
Valley- slope hemlock, white pine
Valley bottom- moist wet alluvial silt- white elm, green/red ash basswood
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba); white wood aster (Aster divaricatus), sweet chestnut (Castanea dentata) burning bush (Euonymus atropurpureus), green violet (Hybanthus concolor), tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera), hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), glade fern (Athyrium
pynocarpon), wild hariy-rye (Elumus villosus) OMNR 1989b
Fonthill Sandhill Valley (Source OMNR 198?):
Maples-red, silver, sugar
Hickory- bitternut, shagbark
Black Walnut
Tulip
Sassafras
Juneberry Alder
Hawthorn
Blackberry, Red & Purple Flowering Raspberry
Sedge
Fowl Manna Grass
Rice Grass
Wild Licorice
Goldenrod
White & Blue Vervain etc
Martindale and Barnesdale Marsh (Brady 1980)
Smooth Alder
Willow
Largetooth and Trembling Aspen
Hop-hornbeam
Staghorn Sumac
Choke and Sweet Cherry
Shagbark Hickory
Butternut Walnut
White Oak
White Ash
White Elm
Manitoba Maple
Showy Mountain Ash
Tulip-tree
American Beech
Cattails
Water lilies and other aquatifc macrophytes
76
Appendix 1.1b
Significant Vegetative Communities in the 12 Mile Creek
Watershed
Significant Site
Short Hills Provincial Park
Feature
•
Intermittent cliffs, Swayze Creek incised valley gorge
with moist cliffs, rich talus and best examples of bottomland terrace forests and upland White Oak forests
[Knapton for CWS 1998]
•
Dry Falls-glacial lake presence evident in tributary
valleys with important exposures
•
Terrace Creek: bedrock terraces of escarpment
buried in 12 Mile Creek valley
DeCew Gorge
•
Steep-sided gorge with DeCew Falls at its head, with
undisturbed forests greater than 100 years old
(Knapton for CWS 1998)
North Pelham Valley
•
Fonthill Kame bisected by 12 Mile tributaries and valleys, best Niagara examples of Hemlock and Beech
kame valley slope forest (Knapton for CWS 1998)
St. Johns Valley
•
Fontill Kame valley forests with common Tulip trees
as a secondary species, within the 12 Mile Creek
headwater areas (Knapton for CWS 1998)
Fonthill Sandhill Valleys
•
Ridges and deeply cut valleys with Niagara’s “best
quality” of Sugar maple- Beech kame valley forests
and drier oak-hickory kame upland forests, as it does
Skunk Cabbage seepage meadow marshes and
kame valley bottomland thicket swamps (Knapton for
CWS 1998)
Effingham Forest
•
Fonthill Kame bisected by 12 Mile tributaries and valleys, with an average representation of deciduous
and mixed forests (Knapton for CWS 1998)
Fonthill Kame- Delta Earth Science
ANSI
•
Historic glacial interpretative value: 13000 years old
sand and gravel deposit at the head of the 12 Mile
Creek re-entrant valley
•
Six distinct landform components: ice-contact slope
(Moore Drive & Tice Rd. area); delta front (along
Canboro Road); main terrace (Hwy.20 Fonthill to Cream
Street); upper terrace and storm beach (Effingham &
Lookout Streets); and northwest trending ridge (northern
ice contact fact at Moore Drive)
•
Highest point in Niagara Peninsula (ESG Int. 1998)
•
Lacustrine depositions layers with 79 foot lacustrine
silts and sands exposures [OMNR 1976]
McSherry Lane
77
Appendix 1.2 Animal Species Recorded in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed
Species
Source
Year
Observed
Location
Short Hills Prov.Park (partial list)
Eastern Chipmunk
OMNR1989b
1989
Short Hills Prov.Park
Red Fox
OMNR1989b
1984
Short Hills Prov.Park
White tailed deer
OMNR1989b
1989-1998
Short Hills Prov.Park
Brush wolves (Canis latrans)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Meadow vole (Microtus pensylvanica)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Hooded Warble
OMNR 1990
Short Hills Prov.Park
Tufted Titmouse
OMNR 1990
Short Hills Prov.Park
Black Warble
OMNR 1990
Short Hills Prov.Park
White Warbler
OMNR 1990
Short Hills Prov.Park
Great Horned Owl
OMNR 1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Screech owl
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Ruby-throated hummingbird
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Catbird
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Wood thrush
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Bobolink (forblands)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Baltimore Oriole
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Indigo bunting
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Vesper Sparrow etc.
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Eastern Wood Pewee
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Eastern Phoebe
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Indigo Bunting
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Scarlet Tanager
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Wood duck
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
American Kestrel
OMNR1989b
Short Hills Prov.Park
Yellowbilled Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
Knapton for
CWS 1998
1993-1998
Kame Moraine
Eastern Towhee
Knapton for
CWS 1998
1998
Kame Moraine
Knapton for
CWS 1998
1993-1998
Kame Moraine
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia)
78
Appendix 1.2 Animal Species Recorded in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed cont...
Species
Source
Year
Location
Observed
Hooded Warbler
(Wilsonia citrina)
Cadman 1998;
Knapton for
CWS 1998
1993-1998
Kame Moraine
Eastern Milksnake
OMNR1989b
1986
Short Hills Prov.Park
Gartner (Thamnophis sirtalis)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Butler Snake (Thamnophis butleri)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Little Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Milk Snake (Lampropeltis doliata)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Black Rat Snake
OMNR1989b
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)
OMNR (Gould) 1989
Short Hills Prov.Park
American Toad (Bufo americanus)
OMNR (Gould) 1989
Short Hills Prov.Park
Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi)
OMNR (Gould) 1989
Short Hills Prov. Park
Invertebrate
Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio sp.)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Blue swallowtail (Papilio philenor)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Green clouded swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Zebra Swallowtail (Papilio marcellus)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Tiger Swallowtail (Paplio turnus)
OMNR 1989;
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Clouded sulphur (Colias philodice)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Orange Sulphur (Colia everytheme)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
Pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
OMNR 1971
Short Hills Prov.Park
European Cabbage Butterfly (Artogeia rapae)
OMNR 1989 1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Least Skipper (Ancyloxpha numitor)
OMNR
(Gould) 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Two-spotted Skipper (Euphys bimacula)
OMNR (Gould)
1989
1982
Short Hills Prov.Park
Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
OMNR (Gould)
1989
Hobomok skipper (Poanes hobomok)
OMNR 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
European Skipper (Tymelicus lineola)
OMNR 1989
1982, 1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
79
1970s
Short Hills Prov.Park
Short Hills Prov.Park
Appendix 1.2 Animal Species Recorded in the 12 Mile Creek Watershed cont...
Species
Source
Year
Observed
1988
Location
Long Dash Skipper (Polites mystic)
OMNR 1989
Short Hills Prov.Park
Northern Broken Dash (Wallengrenia egeremet)
OMNR 1989
Little Glassywing (Pompeius verna)
OMNR 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
OMNR 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Hickory Haristreak (Satyrium caryaevorum)
OMNR 1989
1982
Short Hills Prov.Park
Batlimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
OMNR 1989
1982, 1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Banded Purple (Basilarchia a. arthemis)
OMNR 1989
1982
Short Hills Prov.Park
Pearly Eye (Anthedon portlandica)
OMNR 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice)
OMNR 1989
1988
Short Hills Prov.Park
Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon)
OMNR 1989
1982
Short Hills Prov.Park
Wood nymphs (Cercyonis sp.)
OMNR 1989;
19871
Short Hills Prov.Park
Short Hills Prov.Park
Martindale and Barnesdale Marsh
American Bittern (Botarurs lentiginosus)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Redwinged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Swallow
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
Painted Turtle
OMNR 1985
1985d
Martindale and
Barnesdale Marsh
80
Appendix 1.3 Fish species known to inhabit the 12 Mile Creek Watershed
Fish Species
Source
Headwaters
Brown trout (Salmo trutta)
(Sarvis 1985)
Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttauts)
(Sarvis 1985)
Rock Bass (Amploplites rupestris)
(Sarvis 1985)
Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Brook trout (Salmo trutta)
(Sarvis 1985)
White Sucker (Catastomus commersoni)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Northern Hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
(Sarvis 1985)
Rover Chub (Norcomis micropogon)
(Sarvis 1985)
Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Common shiner (Notropus conutus)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Blacknose Shiner (Notropis heleroepis)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Bluntnose Minnow (Pomephale notatus)
(Sarvis 1985)
Fathead minnow (Pomephales promelas)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Blacknose Dace (Rhinicnthys atratulus)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
American eel (Anguilla rostrata)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Pumpkin Seed (Lepomis cyanllu)
(Sarvis 1985)
Fantail Darter (Ethestoma flabellare)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Johnny Darter (Ethestoma nigrum)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Blackside Darter (Percina maculata)
(ROM 1995; Sarvis 1985)
Bloater (Corgonus hoyi)
(ROM 1995)
Stonecat (Noturus flavus)
(ROM 1995)
Stonecat
OMNR 1980
Etheostoma
OMNR 1980
Nocomis sp.
OMNR 1980
Noturus flavcis
OMNR 1980
Ambloplites ruperstris
OMNR 1980
Percina maculata
OMNR 1980
Rainbow Trout stocked plus pond escapes
1972-1975 in Effingham and
St. Johns tributaries
(Hough, Stansburg &
Michalski Ltd 1982)
ROM=Royal Ontario Museum
81
Appendix 1.3 Fish species known to inhabit the 12 Mile Creek Watershed cont...
Fish Species
Source
Short Hills Area:
Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Sucker (Catostomus commersoni)
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Hornyhead Chub (Nocomis micropogon)
Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)
Common shiner (Notropus conutus)
Blacknose Shiner (Notrupous lelerolepis)
Bluntnose Minnow (Pomephales notatus)
Flathead Minnow (Pomephales promeas)
Blacknose Dace (Rhinicnthys atratulus)
Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)
American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
Rock Bass (Ambloplites ruperstris)
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum)
Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare)
Johnny Darter (Etheostoma nigrum)
Blackside Darter (Percina maculata)
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
1989b
Lake Moodie/Lake Gibson
White Sucker
Carp
Emerald Shiner
Spottail Shiner
Brown Bullhead
Rock Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Channel Catfish
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Northern Pike
Redhorse Sucker
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
1985c
Martindale and Barnesdale Marsh
Carp
White Sucker
Goldfish
Minnow
Catfish
Coho Salmon (stocked annually)
Chinook Salmon (stocked annually)
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
OMNR
1985d
1985d
1985d
1985d
1985d
1985d
1985d
82
Appendix 1.4 Hydrological Data
Water Pathway Information
• Water Budget: Precipitation= Evapotranspiration + Water Surplus infiltration + surface runoff)
878mm/yr = 629mm/yr + 150 mm/yr + 99 mm/yr
x= 879-629 + 249= 498mm/yr.
[Based on Pelham east headwater areas-Proctor and Redfern Study 1996]
• Groundwater on the Kame ranges from 198-213 metres (650-700 feet) above Effects of groundwater supply
Water Storage information
• Leslie Hills / Shorthills Meadows subdivision, shallow and narrow (0.6 metre) aquitard of clayey silts closer to the
surface in the east (Leslie Hills) and deeper in the west (0.6 to 1.5 metres below grade (176.3 – 175.4 m)), also
potential seeping from saturated clays along banks into drainage ponds (McGlone and Associates 1985). Leslie
Hills/ Shorthills Meadows subdivision native silts, sandy silts and clayey silts have low permeability (1 x 10-5
cm/second) [McGlone and Associates 1985]
Stream Classifications within the 12 Mile Watershed
Rosgen
Width:Depth
Entrenchment
Stream
Ratio
Class
A
B
C
G
E
<1.4
1.4-2.2
>2.2
<1.4
>2.2
Sinuosity
<12
>1.2
>12
<12
<12
<1.2
>1.2
>1.4
>1.2
>1.4
Rosgen Classification (1994)
Appendix 1.5 The Watershed Report Card Stream Assessment-for the Upper
12 Mile Creek Watershed December 1998
Stream Component
Floodplain
Channel Structure
Flow Stability
Bank Erosion
Riparian Vegetation
Average width/depth ratio
Sediment Characteristics
St. Johns
Poor (<1.5x stream width)
Good (moderately complex:
Riffle-pool run)
Skewed
Fair (moderate-extensive in Areas)
Poor (Narrow-absent: 75% <5m)
Excellent <15:1
(Roland Rd. good 15-25:1)
Poor-fair (≥60% on sandbed and
>50% on cobble bed stream)
Refer to Appendix 1.5a and 1.5b for further details
83
Effingham
Fair-good (1.5 to 5x stream Width)
Good (moderately complex:
riffle-pool run)
Broad-typical
Good (limited erosion)
Good (moderately disturbed
w/ narrow buffer 1-5m)
Excellent <15:1
Poor-Good (>60% Kame /gravel bed
stream Re4; 25-40% Re2; >50%Re1
cobblebed stream)
Appendix 1.5a St. Johns tributary- Watershed Report Card Assessment –
December 1998
Ratings for Aquatic Habitat - Streams
Riparian
Width:
Pool Depth
Channel
Cover for
Amount of
Cover
Depth Ratio
Structure
fish
Exposed
Complexity
Bank
Reach 1 Poor
Fair to Poor Good
Fair
Good
Excellent
(Extension with (disturbed
>1.0 m bare
riparian area
banks)
with <1 or >10
metre buffer)
0 pts
2.5 pts
(relatively deep
and narrow
stream; ratio
15-25)
(shallow pools;
with deepest
0.05 to 0.1 the
stream width)
10 pts
0 pts
Poor to Fair Excellent
Reach 2 Good
(limited erosion (>75% of
(Deep and narwith 0.2 to 0.5 points have 1 row stream;
metres of bare to 4.9 m buffer) ratio <=15)
bank)
10 pts
Reach 3 Poor
2.5 pts
15 pts
Poor to Fair Excellent
(Extensive erosion with 4% >
1.0 metres in
areas)
0 pts
Reach 4 Fair
(Disturbed
(relatively deep
riparian zone
and narrow;
with a narrow ratio <15)
buffer of <10
metres (68% of
points)
2.5 pts
Excellent
15 pts
Excellent
(Moderate ero- (>75% of
(relatively deep
sion with 0.5 to points with >10 and narrow;
1.0 m of bare metre buffer)
ratio <15)
bank
5 pts
15 pts
15 pts
(Moderately
complex with
at least 10%
run, pool and
riffle)
(>45% of
points with
cover)
10 pts
Good
Good
Poor
(Moderately
complex with
at least 10%
run, pool and
riffle)
(<15% of
observation
points with
cover)
Excellent
(deepest pool
Good
(37.5 pts)
Fair
Good, in an
(abundant sed- Agrarian setiment at <25% ting
observed
points)
5 pts
(52.5 pts.)
Fair
(occasional
(abundant sed- in an Agrarian
cover-rock, or iment at > 25% setting
undercut banks of the points) **see biolog is
, wood-at 15low see
30% of points
chemical
observed)
0 pts
5 pts
10 pts
15 pts
0 pts
Poor
Fair
(Moderately
is greater than complex with
15% the width channel comof the stream) posed of at
least 10% riffle,
pool and flat)
(abundant
-Agrarian
sediment at
setting
>25% of sites )
0 pts
10 pts
Ratings
Fair
Poor
15 pts
(Medium depth
pools, between
.10 and .15 the
stream width)
10 pts
Fine
Materials
Excellent
Good
(deepest pool
is greater than
15% the width
of the stream)
(moderately
(occasional
(abundant sedi- Wilderness
complex
cover- 15-30% ment at > 25% Setting
stream withvat of sites)
of the points)
least 10% each
riffle, pool and
flat)
15 pts
Poor
(47.5 pts.)
Fair
10 pts
5 pts
Good
0 pts
(65 pts.)
Fair
(aver.50.6 pts.)
Total
Stream
NPCA/ kf
84
Appendix 1.5b Effingham Tributary- Watershed Report Card AssessmentDecember 1998
Ratings for Aquatic Habitat - Streams
Riparian
Width:
Pool Depth
Channel
Cover for
Amount of
Cover
Depth Ratio
Structure
fish
Exposed
Complexity
Bank
Reach 1 Excellent
Poor
Good
Good
Fair to Poor Good
(No significant
bank erosion,
with >75% of
points having
<0.2m bare
bank)
(No significant
bank erosion,
with >75% of
points having
<0.2m bare
bank)
(No significant
bank erosion,
with >75% of
points having
<0.2m bare
bank)
15 pts
Reach 4 Fair
(Medium depth
pools, between
.10 and .15 the
stream width)
(Moderately
complex with at
least 10% run,
pool and riffle)
2.5 pts
10 pts
10 pts
10 pts
Good
Good
Good
Fair
(Medium depth
pools, between
.10 and .15 the
stream width)
(Moderately
complex with at
least 10% run,
pool and riffle)
(cover common- primarily
rock,- at 3045% of points
observed)
(abundant sedi- in an Agrarian
ment at <25% setting
observed
points)
10 pts
10 pts
Good
Good
Good
Fair
(Medium depth
pools, between
.10 and .15 the
stream width)
(Moderately
complex with
channel composed of at
least 10% riffle,
pool and runt)
(cover common- primarily
rock,- at 3045% of points
observed)
(abundant sedi- in an Agrarian
ment at <25% setting
observed
points)
10 pts
10 pts
Excellent
Fair
(Riparian zone (Deep and narmoderately dis- row stream;
turbed with
ratio <=15)
>=75% buffer
is 1m or
greater)
5 pts
Fair
15 pts
Excellent
(Riparian zone (relatively deep
moderately dis- and narrow;
turbed with
ratio= 13)
>=75% buffer
is 1m or
greater)
5 pts
Excellent
15 pts
Excellent
(Moderate ero- (>75% of
(deep and narsion with 0.5 to points with >10 row; ratio =14)
1.0 m of bare metre buffer)
bank
5 pts
15 pts
Excellent
Reach Excellent
(No significant (100% of
4b
bank erosion,
with >75% of
points having
<0.2m bare
bank)
15 pts
Fair
(relatively deep
and narrow
stream; ratio
15-25)
15 pts
Reach 3 Excellent
Poor
Ratings
(disturbed
riparian area
with 50% <1
disturbed metre
buffer)
15 pts
Reach 2 Excellent
Fine
Materials
15 pts
Excellent
(stream deep
points with >10 and narrow,
metre buffer)
ratio = 9)
15 pts
15 pts
(<15% of
observation
points with
cover)
(abundant sedi- -Agrarian setment at >25% ting
of sites )
0 pts
0 pts
10 pts
Excellent
5 pts
10 pts
(47.5 pts)
(70 pts.)
Excellent
5 pts
(70 pts.)
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Poor
(deepest pool
is greater than
15% the width
of the stream)
(complex
stream exhibiting at least
10% each riffle,
pool, run and
flat)
(>45% of
observed
points had
cover)
(abundant fine Agarian Setting
sediment at >
25% of the
points)
15 pts
15 pts
Excellent
Fair
(channel struc- (5% of obserture is not com- vation points
plex with only with cover)
pools and runs
being represented)
15 pts
Poor
Poor
15 pts
0 pts
15 pts
(deepest pool
is greater than
15% the width
of the stream)
Excellent
(85 pts.)
Excellent
(abundant fine Agarian Setting
sediment at >
25% of the
points)
(85pts
75+10 for 1 or
> groundwater
0 pts upwelling sites)
0 pts
Excellent
(aver.71.5 pts.)
Total
Stream
NPCA/ kf
85
Appendix 1.6a Sport Fish Limiting Requirements
Species
Brook Trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis)
Brown Trout
(Salmo trutta)
Rainbow Trout
Habitat Requirement (Meisenheimer 1988)
Adult
spawning
Larvae/
(late summer/autumn):
juvenile
Concerns
Recommendation
• Summer/autumn spawn
• reed
• Clear, cool
water tempera- • groundwater upwelling
• gravel beds with moderate
tures <20°C
flow
• maximum water temperature 12ºC
• instream cover critical to
improved abundance as
the small streams have few
deep pools and overhanging banks for cover from
predators
• brook trout eggs • Effingham tributary ideal for
vulnerable to
specked trout with deep pool,
sediment laden
numerous riffles and undercut
spring freshet,
banks, and fairly abundant
as the spawn
gravel
spend the winter • Protecting groundwater disin the bottom
charge areas
substrates
• Minimize temperature with
riparian cover
• Water temper- • Water temperature 7-9ºC
ature 18-24ºC • Shallow, gravel headwaters; rocky lake reefs
• Compete with
• Non-native compete with brook
the spawn and
trout
fry of the Brook • No additional requirements
Trout as their
necessary
food preferences
overlap
• reed
• Water temper- • water temperature 10-16ºC
atures 13-24ºC • fine gravel riffle area
• no specific restoration needs
• stream/ ecosystem improvements with limiting factors land
use and riparian stewardship to
address stream morphology
Trout
• require well
aerated gravel
shoals (Housh,
Stansbury &
Michalski
1982)
• 6-10ºC (4450ºF) through
the year for
trout habitat
(Imhof 1980)
• as above
• sporadic clumped streambank
overhanging vegetation for
temperature control and soil
stability with some sun for
aquatic invertebrate production
Bass
• Submerged
vegetation,
logs (SM)
• vegetated gravel, sand or
marl/ soft mud (LM)
Coho Salmon
• Lake
• Riffle head
• Medium sized gravel
• None. Not native
• Deep water
• Large gravel near clean
riffles
• None. Not native
(Salmo gairdneir)
(Oncorhynchus
kisutch)
Chinook Salmon • Lake
(Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha)
86
Appendix 1.6b Other Fish Limiting Requirements
Fish food habitat requirements
Species
Habitat Requirement (Meisenheimer 1988)
Adult
spawning
Larvae/
(late summer/autumn):
juvenile
Hornyhead Chub • Small, low
• Riffle with fine gravel
streams
• 30-60 cm water
• Clear gravel or • water temperature >23ºC
boulder bottom
Common Shiner • Clear, cool,
• 16-18ºC at riffle head
• no specific restoration needs
• stream/ ecosystem improvements with limiting factors land
use and riparian stewardship to
address stream morphology
• Shallow water
• increase riparian cover along
stream edge
Blacknose Dace • Weedy, sandy • Sandy bottoms
• Increase riparian cover along
stream edge
lake shallows
Creek Chub
Recommendation
• Pebble substrate
shaded stream
• Medium to high
gradient
• Any substrate
except clay
Fathead Minnow • Slow water
Concerns
• 16ºC
• stone, log, branches
• no specific restoration needs
• stream/ ecosystem improvements with limiting factors land
use and riparian stewardship to
address stream morphology
• Scoured areas • 13-17ºC
Deep pools in • coarse gravel at riffle head
drought
or tail in smooth water
• no specific restoration needs
• stream/ ecosystem improvements with limiting factors land
use and riparian stewardship to
address stream morphology
87
Appendix 1.7a Indicators for the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed Health
Feature
Concern
Level Indicator
The Creek
• water quality
• water quantity/flow for fish
• stormwater
• MOE beach tests
• BioMapping & brook trout and bass
populations
• CSO separation, same water flow
• Stream improvement work permits issued
• Permits for material extraction
• New septic system permits issued
Natural Areas
• Percentage of land coverage
• % of land coverage
• Frog and Bird Monitoring (i.e. existing
species indicate components of watershed
health- overall health, interior forest etc.)
History
• Preserve remaining cultural resource
• Historical designation
Recreation
• Linkages between municipalities
• New park linkages
Education
• Awareness of watersheds concerns
and solutions
• Number of Displays/ brochures/ Open
Houses
• Land stewardship involvement (i.e. CWIP &
CFIP funds issued; Niagara Woodlot
Association new membership;
• New Planning policies
• Survey
Assess these on an annual basis using the report card- i.e. whether improving, declining or the same.
88
Appendix 1.7b
Report Card
Name: 12 Topic
Mile Creek
Watershed • Improved
Basin
Water quality
Issue
• Less beach
closings
Explanation
• Progress to zero beach closures by MOE tests
• Less non point
• Progress towards zero discharge of *** pollutants from Queenston &
pollution (i.e.
Hotel Dieu stream effluent; local industries (i.e. Domtar) and zero
hospitals, indusgarbage littering in the Ontario Road stream valley garbage by the
tries, valley
year 2010 through increasing awareness of negative impacts and
garbage, septic
influencing positive action
system leakage)
• Progress towards improved BioMapping results in areas of high
copper and chlorine
Examiner:
‘Friends of
the 12’
Evaluating
Progress
Towards a
Healthier
Watershed
Overall- and
assess the
effectiveness
of the
“Greenprint
Plan” and any
required
revisions
• Improved
• Improved brook trout and bass populations in the headwaters and
degraded areas
Martindale Pond respectively
stream actions,
land use activity • Progress to CSO separation in the City of St. Catharines and
and reduced resi- Thorold (along Dick’s Creek)
dential, industrial,
and agricultural • Increased number of stream improvement work permits issued
pollution sources
• Decreased number of permits for material extraction
• Increased number of new septic system permits issued
• Improved Water • Excessive
• Progress towards reducing excessive water volumes on the upper
quantity and
unnatural stream
St. Johns tributary with increased wetland attenuation
stormwater
volumes
• Progress to maintain a naturally dynamic stream erosion and depo• Stable channels
sition
• Stormwater
• Appropriate and coordinated stormwater management techniques,
management for
in which new developments and old developments identified for
development
retrofits utilize natural approaches
(new and old)
• Progress towards improved land use activities of increased vegetated streambank buffers
• Natural Areas
• Increased biodiversity
• Protected natural
areas
• Healthier river
system
• % of natural area land coverage
• Frog and Bird Monitoring (i.e. existing species indicate components
of watershed health- overall health, interior forest etc.)
• Progress to increased protection of natural areas through land stewardship program involvement and/or municipal and regional planning policies
• Protect key Kame recharge areas and Fonthill- Sandhill discharge
areas
• natural self-supporting techniques that have minimal costs, maintenance, and are prioritized with established timelines
• Recreation
• increased
recreational
opportunities
• Provide new linkages between recreational areas
• Progress to an appropriate balance for hiking, cycling, horseback
riding, and sports fishing
• Increased/ enhance fish spawning habitat in the Martindale Pond,
St. Johns Pond upwelling, in addition to, increased streambank vegetation for temperature and erosion control, increased woody cover
in the headwaters of the St.Johns, and C.A. tributary and stream
features in the headwaters
• Improved
sports fishing
• Progress to improved fish passage at the Martindale Pond area,
and headwater ponds
89
1998 2001
Grade Grade
Appendix 1.7b
Report Card continued...
Name: 12 Topic
Mile Creek
Watershed • History
Basin
Examiner:
‘Friends of
the 12’
Evaluating
Progress
Towards a
Healthier
Watershed
Overall- and
assess the
effectiveness
of the
“Greenprint
Plan” and any
required
revisions
• Education
Issue
Explanation
• Preserved
natural heritage
• Progress to having historical sites protected through acquisition,
tourist facilities or plaque designation
• Increased
educational
opportunities for
increased
awareness on
resolving issues
of the 12
• Progress towards an increased number of existing Displays/
brochures/ Open Houses on the 12 watershed;
1998 2001
Grade Grade
• Increased Land stewardship involvement (i.e. CWIP & CFIP funds
issued; Niagara Woodlot Association new membership; and new
municipal planning policies
• Survey
• Establishment of new Demonstration sites and education programs
relating to biodiversity, water quality, habitat, and water movement
• Progress to increased sustainable agricultural uses with brochures
and fact sheets on good farming practices
(Source: modified from Darcey, A. 1997. Collaborating Towards Sustainability Together: The Fraser River Management Board and Program.
Practicing Sustainable Water Management. D. Shurbsole and B. Mitchell (eds). CWRA: Cambridge
90
Glossary of Terms / Definition
Base flow- a year round discharge of groundwater into a stream
Bedrock- the solid rock underlying soils and the loose surface material (earth’s mantle)
Biodiversity- the number of plant and animal species required for a healthy ecosystem
Buffer- an area planted or set abide often next to waterways, forest, wetland features to reduce negative
impacts
CWS- Canadian Wildlife Service
Discharge area- a place where groundwater comes to the surface. This can be in wetlands, streams or rivers
Ecosystem- an interacting system of land, plants, animals, climate linked by the flow of energy and cycling of
nutrients
FOSHP- Friends of Short Hills Provincial Park
Geomorphology- physical and geological traits of the earth, its surface configuration and land for evolution
Groundwater- water infiltrated below the earth’s surface. It moves in response to gravity and may be restricted by impermeable rock or clay layers
Habitat- local environment supplying food, water and shelter necessary for plant or animal species to live
Headwaters- where water originates in a watershed
Moraine- accumulated deposits from a glacier including tills, sand and gravel which form ridges or rolling hills
in the landscape
Natural channel design- to predict the channel response to artificial structures (uses a universal stream channel classification system based on morphological criteria of gradient, sinuosity, width/depth ration, channel
material-confinement & entrenchment, soil and landform).
NEC- Niagara Escarpment Commission
NPCA-Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
OMNR- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
OMOE- Ontario Ministry of the Environment
ODM- Ontario Division of Mines
Recharge area- place where soil and contours are suitable for rain and snowmelt seeps into the ground to
replenish the groundwater table
ROM- Royal Ontario Museum
Runoff- water moves over the land surface and directly into streams or waterways.
The ‘12’- Twelve Mile Creek
Water Pathway- water channel, path or conduit
Watershed- the area of land where all the water drains to one point of discharge
12 Mile Creek- Twelve Mile Creek
91
Acknowledgements
As the improvement of the watershed is a community effort much thanks is given to our partners for
their involvement and contributions in the development of this strategy. Input on the type of watershed
desired, assistance in gathering watershed information, and continued efforts on improving the environment has and continues to be invaluable in directing and implementing the desired works and development for this watershed. The following recognizes the assistance of some of these partners, including
the local and regional municipalities, agencies and interested groups and public.
12 Mile Creek Steering Committee Members
City of St. Catharines: Cindy Toth, Jim Benson
City of Thorold: Adele Arbour, Tom Doherty
Friends of 12 Mile Creek: Leona Knash
Friends of Short Hills Provincial Park: George Dewar
Regional Municipality of Niagara: Ken Forgeron
Town of Pelham: Jack Bernardi
Ontario Power Generation: Tony Van Oostrom and Bob Osborne
NPCA: Kim Frohlich and David Watson
Data Collection Within the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed
Stream Assessment:
Lianne Davies, Ken Glasbergen, Kristin Smith, Dave Bradres, Michael Bajus, Peter Kryger, Eric
Azzopardi, Chico St. Omer, Mark Sherman, CÈline Parent, Cindy Stone, Carlo Fortino, Professor Uwe
Brand, Phillip Dyck, Stan Proboszcz, Jocelyn Forsey, Jeff Muir, Ken Oka
Recreation:
Edwin Cherkes
History:
John Burkniak, Melanie Battell, and the many public individuals phoning with details
Erosion Sites:
Mark McCormack
Geology Text:
Bert Murphy
Research Initiator:
Professor Uwe Brand
92
Volunteer Coordinators:
Leona Knash, Professor Uwe Brand, Ken Oka, Al Unwin,
Biomapping:
Rita Boudreau, Rob Tervo, Niagara College Environmental Training Class (ENVR 149 and SCIE 1701998), Chris Attema (NPCA), Jocelyn Forsey (NPCA)
Other Strategy Contributions
Public Workshop Group Leaders:
Professor Uwe Brand, Patti Ellis, Ken Forgeron, Leona Knash, Ken Oka, Bob Osborne, Al Unwin, Dave
Watson
Computer Troubleshooting:
Adrian Howard
Editing:
George Dewar
93
© 2000 - published by Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
250 Thorold Road West, 3rd Floor
Welland, ON L3C 3W2
Tel: (905) 788-3135 • Fax: (905) 788-1121
E-mail: [email protected]