CONSERVATION Lower Main Saugeen River WATERSHED REPORT CARD 2008

A WATERSHED REPORT CARD is a document which outlines the general state of forest, wetland, surface water and groundwater Average Grades resources of a particular river and its watershed. Data for this Report Card cover a five year period from 2002 - 2006. C Forest Conditions D Wetland Conditions B Surface Water Quality A Groundwater Quality The Lower Main Saugeen River Watershed

The Saugeen River downstream of Walkerton drains 908 square The landscape is glacial in origin with the lower end of the kilometres. This section of the river is 76 kilometres in length watershed sand plain, clay plain and till plain. with an average gradient of 0.88 metres per kilometre. The main tributaries of the lower Saugeen River include Mill Creek, Report Card Notes: The observed conditions in this watershed have Burgoyne Creek, Snake Creek, Vesta Creek, Pearl Creek, Deer been summarized and a grade assigned based on indicators developed Creek, Otter Creek, Willow Creek, and Silver Creek as well as by Conservation Ontario. The purpose of the watershed report card numerous smaller unnamed streams. process is to encourage consistent reporting of a standardized set of The watershed is predominantly agricultural but also includes environmental indicators by all Conservation Authorities in the Province the main communities of Southampton, Mildmay, Paisley and of Ontario. Walkerton.

LEGEND Benthic Surface Water Quality Benthic and Surface Water Quality Groundwater Monitoring Wooded Areas Evaluated Wetlands Watercourses What is a Watershed? A watershed is an area of land that drains into a river or stream. The boundary of a watershed Paisley is based on elevation or the natural contours of the land.

GRADE DESCRIPTION A = Excellent ecosystem conditions. Some protection and Lake enhancement may be Huron required. B = Good ecosystem conditions. Some areas may require enhancement and/or improvements. C = Ecosystem conditions that warrant general improvements. D = Poor ecosystem conditions. Overall improvements N necessary. F = Degraded ecosystem. Conditions in need of considerable improvement.

2 The Lower Main Saugeen River Watershed WATERSHED INFORMATION Groundwater Aquifer Sources Area Salina Formation, Guelph Formation, Bass 908 sq. km Island Formation, Bois Blanc Formation, Detroit River Group, Lucas Formation Municipalities Municipality of Brockton, Municipality of West Grey, Town of Saugeen Shores, Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, Stream Flow (mean) Municipality of South Bruce, Township of mean annual flow - 59 cubic Howick, Township of Chatsworth, metres per second (cms) Municipality of Kincardine, Town of South Bruce Peninsula Woodlot Size Stream Flow (low) * Physiography Small fragmented forests exist at the back of farm 1 7Q10 flow - 8.23 cms 23% till plain (undrumlinized), 23% clay lots, many connected by corridors. There are also 2 7Q20 flow - 7.61 cms plain, 19% till plain (drumlinized), 12% some areas with larger forests providing forest sand plain, 11% till moraine, 5% spillway, interior conditions. 3% kame moraine, 2% drumlin, 1% beaches and shorecliffs, 1% water

Soils Land Use 33% silty clay, 23% medium to moderately 76% agriculture; 19% forested; fine loam, 16% fine to moderately coarse 1.2% urban sandy loam, 12% silty loam, 6% other (may include small percentages of alluvium, breypan, bottomlands etc), 5% Provincially clay loam, 3% organic material, 1% coarse Significant Natural sandy loam and loamy sand Areas Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest - Murray’s Bog, Glammis Bog

Rare Species (obtained from the National Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) Website) Massassauga Rattle Snake, Eastern Ribbon Snake, Spotted Turtle, Common Map Turtle, Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl, Least Bittern, Red-shouldered Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike, American Badger, Dams Lake Sturgeon, Rigid Sedge, Longleaf Dropseed In total there are 21 dams in the Lower Main Saugeen Watershed of which 7 are considered large dams (greater than 3 metres in height).

Sewage Treatment Facilities Mildmay, Walkerton, Paisley, Southampton

Spotted Turtle

Peregrine Falcon * 1 7Q10 - the lowest mean flow for seven consecutive days that has a 10-year recurrence interval period, or a 1 in 10 chance of occurring in any one year. 2 7Q20 - the lowest mean flow for seven consecutive days that has a 20-year recurrence interval period, or a 1 in 20 chance of occurring in any one year. 3 The Lower Main Saugeen River Watershed

INDICATORS GRADE % of INDICATOR DESCRIPTION AREA

Forest Cover 19.0 Forest cover is the percentage of forest within the watershed. Environment Canada suggests B that 30% forest cover is the minimum needed to support healthy wildlife habitat.

S Forest Interior Forest Interior refers to the protected core area found inside a woodland. It is the sheltered, N D 3.4 T secluded environment away from forest edges and open habitats. O S I Environment Canada recommends that 10% of a watershed should be interior forest cover. T E I R

D Riparian Cover Riparian Cover is the percentage of forested habitat along a waterway.

O 29 N D Environment Canada suggests that at least 75% of stream length should have 30 metre F

O forested buffers. C

AVERAGE GRADE C Grade C indicates ecosystem conditions that warrant general improvements.

D Wetland Cover Wetland Cover is the percentage of existing wetland in a watershed.

N 1.4 F Environment Canada suggests that 10% wetland cover is the minimum required for a A S L healthy watershed. T N E O I

W Wetland Buffer A Wetland Buffer is the vegetated area adjacent to a wetland. Buffers are important to the

47.8 T C I

D maintenance of wetland functions. Environment Canada suggests that wetlands should E D have a minimum 100 metre buffer with 100% vegetation. T N A O U C L

A AVERAGE GRADE D Grade D indicates poor ecosystem conditions. Overall improvements necessary. V E

INDICATORS GRADE RESULT INDICATOR DESCRIPTION

Benthic 5.68 Benthos or benthic macroinvertebrates are large bottom dwelling insects, crustaceans, worms, Invertebrates B mollusks, and related aquatic animals that live in watercourses. They are good indicators of water (FBI) quality responding quickly to environmental stressors, such as pollutants. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) scores provide stream health information and values range from 1 (healthy) to 10 R

E (degraded). T A Y Total Phosphorus Total phosphorus is indicative of nutrient levels within a watercourse. Excess phosphorus

T 0.04 W

I B (mg/L) stimulates the growth of aquatic plants and algae and may result in unhealthy stream conditions. L E The Provincial Water Quality Objective is 0.03 mg/L. A C U A E. coli (Colony 81 E. coli originate from the wastes of warm blooded animals, including humans, livestock, wildlife, F Q Forming Units) B (CFU/ pets and waterfowl. The Ontario Recreational Water Quality Guidelines suggest that waters R with less than 100 CFUs/100 ml are safe for swimming.

U 100mL) S

AVERAGE GRADE Grade B indicates good ecosystem conditions. Some areas may require enhancement and/or B improvements.

Nitrates are present in water through the decomposition of plant or animal material, the presence of Nitrite + Nitrate 0.07 fertilizers, domestic sewage or treated wastewater as well as geological formations containing soluble R A (mg/L) E nitrogen compounds. The Ontario Drinking Water Standard for nitrite + nitrate is 10 mg/L. T Y A T

I While chloride can be naturally occurring, the presence of elevated levels may indicate W Chloride 1.2 L A contamination from road salt, industrial discharges, or landfill leachate. The Ontario Drinking D (mg/L) A

N Water Standard for chloride is only for aesthetic purposes with an objective of 250 mg/L. U U Q O

R AVERAGE GRADE Grade A indicates excellent ecosystem conditions. Some protection and enhancement may be

G A necessary.

Surface water data used for this interpretation were obtained through the annual samples have been taken from each of the two wells in this Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN), the Ontario watershed. These wells monitor two aquifers. It should be noted that Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) and Saugeen Conservation's groundwater aquifers do not conform to watershed boundaries but rather water quality monitoring network. Data used were from 2002 to 2006. flow in an east to west direction through the watershed. These scores give a general determination of water quality in the area. Groundwater data used for this interpretation were obtained through the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN). To date only four

4 WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? FOREST CONDITIONS With an average grade of ‘C’ for forest conditions, the Lower Main Saugeen River Watershed falls short of meeting the Environment Canada guidelines of 30% forest cover. Forest interior and riparian cover both score a ‘D’ grade. Throughout the watershed there are small, fragmented forests largely limited to the back of farm lots. Many larger forested areas are owned by Saugeen Conservation. Riparian cover is also low with 29% forested habitat along the streams.

EVALUATED WETLAND CONDITIONS This report card summarizes the conditions of ‘evaluated wetlands’ only. With wetland cover at 1.4% this watershed scores an ‘F’ grade. Almost all of the wetlands are gone from this area. The few wetlands that do exist have good buffers.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY This watershed scores an average grade of ‘B’. Benthic scores ranged from 4.75 to 6.9 and could be greatly improved. Total phosphorus is above the objective of 0.03 mg/L and should be reduced. E. coli is below the recreational guideline but counts do increase after storm events.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY The groundwater quality in the two wells in this area is excellent. The wells monitor one overburden and one bedrock aquifer. There have been exceedences of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards for flouride and sodium during this study period.

Suggestions for a Better Watershed

1) Improve riparian cover. Create buffers or riparian Key BMP’s include: systems along the Lower Main Saugeen and its smaller tributaries. • proper storage and application of manure, fertilizers and This would provide additional wildlife habitat and corridor pesticides which would help to decrease phosphorus loadings systems, improve fisheries resources, help filter impurities and • the implementation of farming practices such as strip pollutants, assist in the maintenance of cold water habitat, cropping, grassed waterways and the use of cover crops to stabilize eroding banks and prevent the loss of valuable topsoil. It prevent erosion and reduce the movement of nutrients and would also assist in reaching Environment Canada's suggested pesticides target of 75%. • the restriction of cattle from waterways • the establishment of shelterbelts in farm areas to protect 2) Expand overall forest cover. Increase tree planting valuable topsoil, increase wildlife habitat, protect crops against efforts with emphasis on dormant fields, areas too wet to farm or wind damage, increase energy efficiency of farm buildings, and retired farmland. This will help to improve forest conditions and increase the value of farm property elevate the ‘C’ grade average. It will also increase habitat and For more information on Best Management Practices see species diversity. www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/bmp/series.htm Protect your drinking water supply by: Allow low lying or wet areas to naturalize. 6) 3) • ensuring that you know the condition of your well and the These are key areas and allowing them to regenerate will help to risks to your water supply (www.wellwise.ca) improve the wetland scores. It is also important to restore • sample private wells each spring and fall (available through the previously drained wetlands. For information on possible programs and local Health Unit) incentives with Ducks Unlimited Canada see www.ducks.ca • keep contaminants away from wells (e.g. Fuel, pesticides,

manure/waste) Protect existing wetlands and forests. With an 4) • decommission abandoned wells according to Ministry of the ‘F’ grade for wetland cover it is critical that no more wetlands are Environment standards lost and existing wetlands be enhanced and protected where • fix faulty septic systems and establish a septic maintenance possible. plan NOTE: Landowners near municipally owned and operated drinking Implement Best Management Practices (BMP’s) 5) water systems (wells and intakes) may be eligible for funding to One of the primary land uses in the Lower Main Saugeen River undertake early actions to protect sources of drinking water. See Watershed is farming at roughly 76%. The implementation of best www.waterprotection.ca management practices (BMP's) is highly recommended. 5 A ‘Gold Star’ for Current Practices

Did you know that Saugeen Conservation...

> administers its Regulation and Planning programs designed to protect existing wetlands, as well as riverine systems and hazard areas > plants trees, (27,800 at 12 locations in this watershed from 2002 - 2006) on an annual basis throughout its entire jurisdiction > implements an intensive conservation education program aimed at teaching students about the health of the local ecosystem, including forests, wetlands, endangered species, natural habitats, species relationships and more > conducts an extensive water sampling program, both for surface and groundwater. Four of these surface water stations are located on the Lower Main Saugeen River systems > conducts on-going sampling of aquatic organisms to monitor water quality > provides technical support to landowners

Other Initiatives > Environmental self assessments are now available for the rural non-farm landowner with the release of The Rural Landowner Stewardship Guide for the Lake Huron Watershed. This guide provides a framework to allow landowners to evaluate their property and its management. Through completion of the worksheets, landowners will learn what they are doing right, and where they can improve in protecting the natural environment. See the website http://theguide.huronstewardship.on.ca to find out how to get a guide. > The Lake Huron Fishing Club actively stocks steelhead salmon in the Saugeen River. The Club operates two hatcheries one in Kincardine and one in Port Elgin, rearing young fish to augment the fishery. > The Ontario Steelheaders operate a fish ladder at Denny's Dam to help native fish access spawning habitat in the river while preventing invasive species including Sea Lamprey from moving upstream. > Muskies Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources are studying the movement of Muskellunge within the Lower Saugeen River. By monitoring the movements of this top predator their habitat can be maintained and improved in order to help ensure their continued presence in the river. > The Bruce Resource Stewardship Network offers seed money, labour and technical support for landowners in the watershed that are interested in completing habitat enhancement projects within Bruce County. Projects are typically focused on actions that can improve water quality. Projects have been completed on Pearl/Deer Creek.

If you and your organization are working to improve the watershed, please let us know!

For more information contact:

CONSERVATION

261123 Grey Rd. 28, R. R. #1 Hanover ON N4N 3B8 519-364-1255 www.svca.on.ca