The Grand River watershed newsletter

May/June 2014 • Volume 19, Number 3

What’s Inside:

Features Trout Stockers ...... 1 Heritage River About the heritage rivers . 3

Taking Action Race director award ...... 4 Tree planting ...... 5 Doon valley ...... 5

Now Available Waterloo county tours . . . . 6

Foundation Natural playground ...... 6

What’s happening REEP’s RAIN program . . . . . 7 Summer camps ...... 7 Trout stockers big and small Conestogo at work ...... 8 Calendar ...... 8 By Janet Baine a few hours away. GRCA Communications Specialist The fish can survive only for a short time after or 12 springs, Waterloo resident Brad Knarr the long trip from the hatchery. There is a rush to get them into the river quickly to give them the has volunteered to organize the brown trout Cover photo F best possibility of survival. release into the Conestogo River. Community members stock Dozens of volunteers show up set for a full day fish in Mill Creek, Cambridge, An electrician by trade, Knarr is also a keen of work no matter the weather on fish stocking each year. angler. It takes him a week of legwork to get ready days. They are members of Friends of the Grand Photo by Robert Messier. for the two stocking days when thousands of River and the Conestogo River Enhancement small fish arrive at the river. Workgroup (CREW) as well as others who want to “It’s my way of giving back to the fish and the help. For example, staff from Google’s Kitchener river,” says Knarr, who is quick to add that he has office spend the day stocking fish using rented no intention of giving up his volunteer position. canoes. Google has a program to allow staff The week before the stocking begins, Knarr members to volunteer for a day and still get their knocks on the doors of the landowners — mostly wages. Student volunteers from Linwood Public farmers whose properties border the river. They School come each year thanks to their teacher generously allow volunteers onto their property Kathy Puskas, who organizes the field trip for each year, but they need to be asked and to know them. when the volunteers will come. The overwhelming success of the trout stocking Fish are brought from a Ministry of Natural in the Grand River began 25 years ago, and Resources hatchery — either Chatsworth Fish volunteer Al Newsome has taken responsibility for Culture Station in Grey County or the Harwood this part of the program for the past few years. station south of Peterborough, both of which are Newsome and Knarr both do the same thing on

www.grandriver.ca Grand River Conservation Authority High school students in hip waders bring some brown trout in a bucket to their new home in the Grand River. different rivers. of programs such as this,” says Robert Photo by Robert Messier They line up volunteers by sending out an Messier, an ecologist with the GRCA. email message which gets posted online and In the beginning, stocking was led by the Al Newsome has organized stocking of the passed around among people who have staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Grand River for the past few years, but has volunteered with the program for almost two volunteered before. There is always a good but now Knarr and Newsome have taken the mix of ages and backgrounds for volunteers. decades. He started in order to find out where lead. the fish are, but now it is his way of giving “Most volunteers are fisher people who The Ministry of Natural Resources staff back to the river that he fishes five hours a day fish the river or just want to help because it’s have the vitally important job of bringing the during trout season. Newsome lives on Lake fun. They range from doctors and lawyers to fish, thanks to the Ministry of Natural Scugog, but is a seasonal camper at Elora teachers and general workers. There is a Resources Fish Culture program. Gorge Park. common bond. They all want to help and perhaps give something back, Knarr says. Brown trout are not native The volunteers bring bucket after bucket Brown trout are not a native fish species, of fish to the river at a variety of spots. Or but they have adapted well to conditions in they load up canoes with trout and then the Grand and Conestogo rivers. This is release them a few at a time as they paddle especially true below the two big dams — down the river. the Conestogo and Shand. These dams are “Some projects, such as stocking, benefit operated in a way that brings the cold water tremendously from the extra help and from near the bottom of the reservoir into enthusiasm provided by the citizens. It is the river below the dam. The cold water really impressive to see how they take charge cools down the water for many kilometres downstream, making it cold enough for brown trout. This is called a tailwater fishery. For many of the anglers who participate in the stocking program, this is a way to give back to the river and help improve the fishery. Knarr grew up in the area and remembers fishing the local rivers as a child. After the stocking is all done, he takes another day off work to go fishing on the Conestogo. This trophy brown trout caught in early May in Newsome is on the Grand River every day the tailwaters below Shand Dam measured during trout season. He now knows all 38 29" by 18" and weighted in at over six kilos. It locations where the trout are stocked, so he is one of the brown trout provided by the Brad Knarr gives directions to volunteers. knows where to find them. MNR fish culture program.

Page 2 Share the resources – Share the responsibility Heritage river facts From the longest river to the shortest ltogether 1,150 kilometres of rivers •There’s a Tragically Hip song called the have been designated as Canadian HERITAGE RIVER Speed River and inspired by this river. Heritage Rivers within the Grand •Starts southeast of Fergus close to Erin A and flows through Guelph Lake Park to River watershed, including the Grand and its •Origin of the name: Early Mennonite Cambridge, where it joins the Grand four main tributaries. settlers named the river the Conestoga River. Nearly a million people live within this because of its resemblance to the •Guelph Lake Dam is on the Speed River watershed which is the biggest in southern Conestoga River in Pennsylvania. In 1865, •Guelph’s John Galt Park, has had a Ontario. It covers 6,800 square kilometres the postmaster of the Village of Conestogo Heritage River plaque installed in 1999. and is bigger than Prince Edward Island. All altered the name to Conestogo, and an the creeks, streams and rivers add up to 1895 history book stuck with this spelling The Eramosa River about 11,000 kilometres of waterways within for the river as well, so this spelling •40 kilometres long the Grand River system. remains today. •Origin of the name: Local history books Do you know which main tributary is the •The second longest tributary of the Grand say it is named after Un-ne-mo-sah, an shortest, which is named after a famous River, the Conestogo originates near Indian word meaning dog. There is also Scottish river and which one the Tragically Damascus in North Wellington and enters evidence from books and the internet that Hip wrote a song about? the Grand River at the Village of it could refer to a specific kind of dog: Conestogo. black dog, dead dog or dog leg. Exactly The Grand River •It incorporates the biggest reservoir in the which native language is murky. There is •311 kilometres long watershed, Conestogo Lake. no "m" in any of the Six Nations •Origin of the name: The river has had •The Conestogo River has a stocked brown languages. Ojibway dictionaries give many names, but the one which stuck trout fishery, with stocking managed and "animosh" as the translation for dog. A came from the French explorers. carried out by volunteers each spring. book called The Dog's Children: •The source is near Dundalk. •A Heritage River plaque was placed in St. Anishinaabe Texts Told by Angeline •Has a large reservoir in the north called Jacobs in 2004. Williams tells many Ojibwe/Anishinaabe Belwood Lake that is formed by the Shand stories about half-dog people. Dam. The Speed River •Starts near Ospringe and flows through • Millrace Park, Cambridge, has had a •71 kilometres long Guelph where it joins the Speed River at Canadian Heritage River plaque since •Origin of the name: John Galt named the the Boathouse. 1994. Speed River because he was impressed by •It is the shortest of the four main the power of the river's current. The name The Nith River tributaries of the Grand River. was intended to connote success, fortune •Lots of groundwater enters the Eramosa •167.5 kilometres long and prosperity, according to the book River, keeping its waters cool and clean. •Origin of the name: Named after the Cambridge: the Making of a Canadian City •A Canadian Heritage River plaque was seventh longest river in Scotland which by Kenneth McLaughlin. placed in Halton Hills in 2004. flows through Dumfries, Scotland. •The Nith River is the longest tributary of the Grand River from its source, north of Millbank in Wellesley Township, to Paris, where it enters the Grand River. •The troublesome Nith River has no reservoir and floods occasionally around New Hamburg and Ayr. •During high flows, the Nith has excellent whitewater for paddlers between Canning and Paris, where it enters the Grand River. • Scott Park, New Hamburg, has had a Heritage River plaque since 2004. Photo by David Fibingr The Conestogo River •87 kilometres long The Eramosa River as it runs through Rockwood is the smallest of the designated tributaries.

Grand Actions – May-June 2014 Page 3 Sarsons receive conservation award

By Janet Baine GRCA Communications Specialist TAKING ACTION

nthusiasm and careful attention to race. The Association of Canadian Edetails are bringing world-class runners Ultramarathoners (ACU) turned this event to Run for the Toad at Pinehurst Lake into its 2013 championship venue, so top Conservation Area between Paris and long-distance runners from Canada, the Cambridge, Ontario. United States and Britain are vying for the The couple behind the Run for the Toad $7,000 prizes. The Sarsons could not be trail race, George and Peggy Sarson, received more delighted. a 2013 Grand River Watershed Award from “The enthusiasm this year is beyond my the Grand River Conservation Authority for wildest dreams. I can’t even describe it,” their dedication to getting people outside George said. There are 125 volunteers and improving the facilities at Pinehurst helping the Sarsons, but volunteering is so Lake. popular that there is also a waiting list. Twelve years ago, the Sarsons, residents of “The Sarsons have been tireless in their Waterloo, thought that the Carolinian forest efforts to improve the trails. They have and rolling landscape of Pinehurst near Ayr become strong ambassadors for Pinehurst would be ideally suited to a trail event. and the GRCA. The event connects people to George had been there when he was younger the environment through shared outdoor Running the trails at Pinehurst. and the memory stayed with him. Their first activity. The Sarson’s passion for the Run for the Toad attracted around 200 outdoors is contagious,” said GRCA CAO Joe hours on the part of the Sarsons and their runners who raced on a 12.5-kilometre loop Farwell, who also enjoys running at team, the trail is well maintained. They both for a total of 25 or 50 kilometres. Their top Pinehurst. also work full-time, but this is their passion. priority then and now is to ensure that each In fact, many GRCA staff members have A tent city at the event includes a medical participant and spectator is treated with Run for the Toad as a result of their response unit with 35 people, an exhibition dignity and walks away feeling happy and enthusiasm. There are four events- 25 and 50 area with the top brands in running and fulfilled at the end of the day. kilometre runs, a 25-kilometre walk and a children’s activities and films organized by “If we were going to do it, we wanted to do team relay. the GRCA’s nature centre staff. The Sarsons it right,” George Sarson said. A training day in July attracted nearly 400 know that training takes time and This year there were 1,250 participants in participants last year to run the trails at dedication, and they make sure all family the race, which is now Canada’s top trail Pinehurst. Thanks to thousands of volunteer members are happy during the race, no matter what the weather. At the starting line spectators can be five deep, and there are bleachers at the finish line as well as many places suitable for photos. This is all topped off with a sit-down catered post-run spread that offers delicious and nutritious food. The trail has been transformed from “a billy goat path” to one of the top five in Ontario, Sarson estimates. Funds raised from runners, who have the opportunity to donate when they register for the run, and from the event itself have resulted in new kiosks, benches, interpretive signs and improvements to the park. The new boathouse is a small gift from Peggy. “My volunteer role here is pretty darn rewarding. It keeps my wife and I in touch with each other. We want to leave a legacy that’s going to benefit the GRCA, and we are George and Peggy Sarson at Pinehurst Lake, where the Run for the Toad takes place each fall. all about healthy lifestyle,” Sarson said.

Page 4 Share the resources – Share the responsibility watershed, other community organizations will also be starting off spring by getting young trees in the ground. At some planting events, such as the Guelph Rotary Forest, GPS locations of the trees are given to volunteer planters, so they may come back years later to see how their trees are growing. This can be deeply satisfying, as the trees grow much bigger than the people who planted them. In rural areas, GRCA staff help landowners with planting projects. Many are expanding forests started by their parents, grandparents or previous owners of their properties, or transforming barren lands. These projects have many benefits for the environment and also the landowners themselves, who will enjoy the birds and wildlife they bring and the shade and wind protection that trees provide. Myles Henderson visits a tree planted long Sometimes, several members of the same ago on GRCA property. As the saying goes, the family who live close to each other will all best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and plant on their own properties. Find the the second best time is now. biggest trees, and you may also find the Volunteer Peter Wilhelm checks one of the neighbour or family member who originally bird boxes he has installed. Spring planting started planting. This is because interest in tree planting grows as the seasons pass and tradition the benefits become noticeable. Bird man In addition, contractors have been hired to By Janet Baine plant 290,000 trees from north to south this GRCA Communications Specialist spring, which is about on par with last year’s at Doon Valley iving nature a helping hand by tree planting numbers. planting trees each spring is a By Todd Doering The most northerly of these projects is on Superintendent, Doon Valley Golf Course Ggrowing tradition throughout the a private property close to Shelburne, and Grand River watershed. the most southerly is in Haldimand County. he longtime golf players at Doon “Many people do it because they grew up About 38,000 trees were sold directly to Valley Golf Course, nestled beside planting trees. But this can also be the landowners by the GRCA, both online and Tthe Grand River in south Kitchener, beginning of a new tradition for many over the phone, and these will be picked up know volunteer Peter Wilhelm as the “bird families,” says GRCA forestry specialist at the GRCA. A tree sale took place May 9 man.” Myles Henderson. “It can spread through the for watershed landowners. These are mostly Wilhelm came to Doon Valley 10 years neighbourhood or throughout families. This native trees and are not nursery-quality trees ago after he moved into a new condominium is very noticeable in rural areas.” but are suitable for large rural properties. next door to the course. He proposed setting While Henderson began planting trees as a Ice storm, severe weather and emerald ash up bird nesting boxes on the golf course. child with his dad on their rural property, he borer in 2013 damaged forests throughout At the beginning in 2004 there were about is now teaching his young son about trees as the Grand River watershed, increasing 50 nesting boxes. In 2011, after the well as organizing community plantings. He awareness of how vulnerable local forests are expansion of the golf course, more space and other GRCA staff members organize to severe weather. These downed branches brought the nest box total to 74 boxes. These events each spring. and trees are not all bad, because this creates are checked and maintained by Wilhelm. The GRCA had eight planting events in an opportunity for forests to be renewed. The eastern bluebird is a cherished sight watershed communities this year. Many “That loss creates an opportunity for new for birdwatchers across its range, and many other GRCA planting projects are geared to growth. It is giving the forest a chance to volunteers in the Grand River watershed specific groups of volunteers, such as reinvigorate and make space for new trees to install and monitor nesting boxes. The small, students, companies and community grow up, making the forest more diverse. shy bird and its well-loved song is a organizations. These volunteers are helping Down the road it may be that hole in the tree harbinger of spring. to plant trees while also connecting with from the lost branch that can be a nesting Peterson-style nesting boxes are installed nature and having fun. Up and down the place for an owl,” Henderson says. at Doon Valley. These are known to attract

Grand Actions – May-June 2014 Page 5 bluebirds, but they also attract other cavity nesters such as tree swallows, chickadees and FOUNDATION wrens. Working through a local connection, almost 200 hatchlings were banded during Natural playground and amphitheatre the 2006 and 2007 By Janet Baine seasons. playground will be installed — the Toyota GRCA Communications Specialist There have been natural amphitheatre that will be used for problems with new natural playground and nature centre programs, special events and predators amphitheatre is in the works for the very popular Friday night movies under throughout the AShade’s Mills Conservation Area. the stars. The new amphitheatre will have years. Squirrels and Logs, stones, grass and wood will form the tiered armour stone and grass seating and a raccoons needed to play structures, instead of the metal and platform at the base. This part of the project be kept away but the plastic that is used in traditional has been funded by the Toyota Motor non-native house playgrounds. There will be an obstacle Bluebird Manufacturing Company, with funds coming sparrows were a course, a slide built into a hill, stones to much bigger problem. After the bird to this project through the Grand River climb on and poles. Conservation Foundation. The ampitheater banders recommended to trap them, the Knowing that the playground needed to be number of bluebird and tree swallow will cost about $30,000 to install. So far replaced at Shade’s Mills, park $40,000 of a total of about $105,000 has been fledglings slowly increased (eight bluebird superintendent Brian Hunt investigated raised for the natural amphitheatre and fledglings in 2006 vs. 31 in 2013; 32 tree natural playgrounds to see if this could work swallow fledglings in 2004 vs. 294 in 2013). playground. for his park. These play areas offer many We are aware that our golf course is only a “It is a pilot project for the GRCA with the other benefits. It will be less costly for the very small area of the Grand River hope that projects like this could be built at GRCA to install, because some of the watershed, but many small actions have a other Grand River parks in the future as materials can be found on GRCA land. For positive impact on the whole. example, some of the trees that have been fundraising efforts allow,” says Cam lost due to the ice storm last December are Linwood, development co-ordinator with the Camp adventures being salvaged for this project. Grand River Conservation Foundation. “As the traditional playgrounds need to be rand River nature centres are great “The original playground at Shade’s was updated and replaced, we could replace them places for kids to connect with removed a few years ago, so right now we with natural playgrounds.” Contributing to nature this summer. don’t have a playground,” explains Hunt. G “Natural playgrounds are up-and-coming projects such as this is an ideal way that The GRCA has updated and increased the donors can support facilities used by the variety of summer camps on offer at the five and they better reflect what the GRCA is all local community. nature centres locations (Belwood Lake, about, so this makes a lot of sense. They help If you would like to make a contribution Rockwood, Guelph Lake, Laurel Creek and reconnect kids with nature.” to this project, please contact the Foundation Apps’ Mill). Toyota amphitheatre “Many kids really enjoy staying with us for at 519-621-2763, ext. 2372 or a few weeks experiencing some different This summer, the first part of the natural [email protected]. camps. Every week is different and there are many more camping opportunities than we’ve ever had before,” said Tracey Ryan, manager of environmental education and restoration at the GRCA. A few camps are already sold out, but there are still many different types of camps for kids six to 16 years old. Camp information is available on www.grandriver.ca/naturecentres and camp registration website is www.grandriver.eventbrite.ca. In addition, nature centre staff are providing many visitor service programs suited to families at the Grand River parks. For more on these programs and on other GRCA events, check www.grandriver.ca/events. Natural playgrounds help reconnect kids to nature.

Page 6 Share the resources – Share the responsibility and leaking eavestroughs. Once they have completed this work, they will receive the RAIN program helps prevent maximum stormwater credit of $32 a year for soaking up thousands of litres of water damage and protect rivers during heavy rains. By Cheryl Evans Thousands of home, business and RAIN Program Manager WHAT’S institutional property owners have soaked up a collective total of 553 million litres of s the snow melted and the rain HAPPENING water per year on their properties through poured down one grey spring day in this program. wetlands that can soak up and store high A2013, Kitchener residents James RAIN home visits are available to volumes of water during rainfall events. Barr and Jackie McGinnis helplessly Kitchener residents only this year but a free In today’s cities, rainwater rushes off of watched their basement fill with water. RAIN home visit workshop at REEP House hard surfaces, such as pavements and An overwhelmed sump pump couldn’t for Sustainable Living is open to everyone. rooftops, picks up pollutants and rushes handle the amount of water flowing toward The house is located at 20 Mill Street in quickly into rivers. This leads to increased their foundation. After they cleaned up the Kitchener. It is also open to the public each erosion, flooding and poor water quality. 15-cm deep pool of water in the basement, Saturday from noon to 4 p.m for The goal of the RAIN program is to help they called REEP Green Solutions in educational tours. Expanded services for property owners reduce the risk of flood Kitchener to ask about a free RAIN home Kitchener and Waterloo business and damage and to soak up water on their visit so they could stop the flooding from institutional owners this year include free properties in order to protect rivers. happening again. RAIN Business Visits, workshops and In Kitchener and Waterloo, property RAIN, an urban stormwater education presentations to interested groups. owners can qualify for up to a 45 per cent program, is a Green Communities Canada For more information, or to register for reduction on their stormwater utility fees if program delivered locally by REEP Green workshops and RAIN Home or Business they can demonstrate that they are using Solutions, in partnership with the cities of Visits, visit www.reepgreen.ca (there are city-approved best practices. Kitchener and Waterloo. It provides some great resources and videos) or call workshops, presentations, best practice Free home visits 519-744-9799. tours, online resources and one-on-one consultations. Barr and McGinnis met with a certified Over the past century, intense land RAIN guide for a 90-minute discussion Waterloo development in urban areas has covered over about the water challenges they faced. Their natural areas such as forests, meadows and guide helped them come up with a practical, countryside tours action-oriented plan, and told them how it n updated package of four Historic would save money. They also received a ACountryside Tours in Waterloo Region summary report. is now available. Keen do-it-yourselfers, Barr and McGinnis These tours were put together in 2006, and set to work right away. They regraded the have been redesigned. They now include soil around their home so a slope would new historic and scenic attractions along direct water away from their foundation. routes in the townships of North Dumfries, They also installed rain barrels at two of Woolwich, Wilmot and Wellesley. their downspouts in order to use their rain The tours are a great resource for cyclists, as a garden irrigation resource. They made hikers, day trippers, heritage enthusiasts, sure to direct the overflow from their rain local residents and visitors. They take two to barrels and their eavestroughs to absorbent three hours to drive and include stops at lawn areas at least 10 feet away from their many heritage locations such as buildings, house to prevent it from making its way into bridges, landmarks and trails. their basement. The maps are also available on the Region They were very happy with the results, of Waterloo website. The tours are now which included receiving a 20 per cent credit customizable and available for both on their stormwater utility bill and keeping handheld and tablet devices. their basement dry during subsequent The tour packages are available at many storms. locations including the Waterloo Region This spring they will install two more rain Museum, Joseph Schneider Haus, the barrels and will create two sunken gardens, Kitchener Public Library, and the Region of known as rain gardens, to soak up additional The RAIN program helped Jackie McGinnis Waterloo administrative headquarters and and James Barr solve a water problem. water. They will also replace their cracked libraries.

Grand Actions – May-June 2014 Page 7 Conestogo Dam at work: The reservoir system was working overtime in April as you can see the area below the Conestogo Dam (left) was flooded when the reservoir was full. Compare that to About Grand Actions: the photo (right), taken in the same location last July, when water from the reservoir was being released from the reservoir to meet the needs of communities downstream. This newsletter is produced bi-monthly THE GRAND CALENDAR by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Grand Opportunities smallmouth bass and pike in the annual More information: Fly Fishing Forum, June 7 event. Prizes awarded for the longest fish in Current and back issues as well as complete adult and children’s categories, 8 a.m. to 3 subscription information is available online A day of on-river seminars and many at www.grandriver.ca/GrandActions. related events about fly fishing sponsored by p.m. Meet at the boat launch. This is one of Friends of the Grand River. This is a great many fishing derbies on the Grand River. It Submission deadlines: way to learn more and meet other anglers at costs park admission plus $1. The 15th of February, April, June, August, Belwood Lake Conservation area. October and December. Submissions may Healthy Hikes challenge at be edited for length or style. Photos and Groundswell Conference on event information are welcome. We do our many locations until the end best to publish items, but we are not able Groundwater Innovation, June of October 16 to 18, University of Guelph. to guarantee publication. The Healthy Hikes events offered by the Creating shared value for groundwater To subscribe by e-mail: GRCA are part of a provincial challenge that communities, researchers and technical [email protected] innovators featuring Alexandra Cousteau as allows people to win prizes when they keynote speaker. Details are available on participate in Healthy Hikes events. These To subscribe by mail, change your www. groundswellconference.com events at the GRCA are primarily geared to subscription or for information: families and children and are taking place Janet Baine, Grand Actions editor Party In The Park, June 22, until the end of October. Healthy Hikes Guelph Lake Park Phone: 519-621-2763, Ext. 2302 events are taking place at many GRCA E-mail: [email protected] Bring your family and friends and come parks, including Rockwood, Laurel Creek in Mail: Box 729 out to kick off summer with a full day of fun Waterloo, Pinehurst Lake near Paris, Brant, 400 Clyde Road for everyone. Events include critter shows, Elora Gorge and Shades’ Mills in Cambridge ON N1R 5W6 water fun, beach games, a scavenger hunt, craft tables, geocaching and giveaways, 11 Cambridge. A complete listing is available a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission. on www.grandriver.ca/events.

Conestogo Lake Fishing Note: Events at the GRCA’s conservation Derby, July 6 areas and nature centres are posted on Try your luck at catching catfish, www.grandriver.ca/events.

Share the resources – Share the responsibility Follow the GRCA: