Final

McCurdy Bridge Natural Environment Characterization Report

Prepared for: BM Ross and Associates Ltd. 62 North Street Goderich, N7A 2T4

Project No. 1253C Date: November 1, 2013

McCurdy Bridge Natural Environment Characterization Report

Project Team:

Staff Role Phil Anderson Project Manager and Aquatic Biologist Ashley Favaro Aquatic Biologist Steve Burgin Aquatic Biologist Blair Baldwin Aquatic Biologist

Report submitted on November 1, 2013

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225 Labrador Drive, Unit 1, Waterloo, Ontario, N2K 4M8 Tel: (519) 725-2227 Web: www.nrsi.on.ca Email: [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ...... 1 2.0 Study Area ...... 1 3.0 Methods ...... 3 3.1 Collection and Review of Background Information ...... 3 3.2 Field Work ...... 3 4.0 Existing Conditions...... 6 4.1 Soils, Terrain and Drainage ...... 6 4.2 Designated Natural Areas ...... 6 4.2.1 Significant Aquatic Species ...... 6 4.3 Aquatic Habitats and Fish Community ...... 7 5.0 Significance and Sensitivity ...... 10 6.0 References ...... 12

List of Figures

Figure 1: McCurdy Bridge Crossing Study Areas ...... 2 Figure 2: McCurdy Bridge Fish Sampling Area ...... 5

List of Table

Table 1: Fish Species Collected at McCurdy Bridge ...... 10

List of Appendices

Appendix I. Photographs

1.0 Introduction

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI) was retained in by BM Ross and Associates to conduct an assessment of natural environment features that might influence the design, location, potential impacts, and mitigation of two proposed bridge replacements. The proposed crossing locations of the Saugeen River and Teeswater Rivers are situated in the County of Bruce.

Detailed aquatic habitat and fish community assessments were undertaken during the 2013 field season. Wildlife and Vegetation assessments were completed by SAAR Environmental Ltd.

This report summarizes the methodology and detailed findings of the biological surveys undertaken by NRSI in 2013 for the Saugeen River and McCurdy Bridge site.

2.0 Study Area

The study area at the McCurdy Bridge crossing location encompasses approximately 200m of channel length (100m upstream and 100m downstream of the crossing location). McCurdy Bridge is located on Brant-Elderslie Road and crosses the Saugeen River at Concession 1 south of the town of Paisley in the County of Bruce Ontario (Figure 1).

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 1 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final 479500 480000 480500 481000 481500 482000 482500 483000 483500

Figure 1

0 Big Irwin and McCurdy Bridge 0 0 0

5 ´ 5 2 2 0 0

9 Study Area 9 4 4

Date: September 20, 2013 Project No: NRSI-1253 UTM Zone 17, NAD 83 Scale: 1:10,000 (at 11x17") 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 9 9 4 4

McCurdy Bridge ￿￿ 0 0 0 0 5 5 1 1 0 0 9 9 4 4

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I SLIE D R E ELDE T R BRAN D

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1 Big Irwin 1 0 Bridge 0 9 ￿￿ 9 4 ￿￿ 4 ANSI, Earth Science ANSI, Life Science Provincially Significant Wetland Other Wetland Wooded Area ! Transmission Line B

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E Primary Road R

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3 Permanent Watercourse 0 0 0 0

5 Intermittent Watercourse 5 0 0

0 Waterbody 0 9 9 4 4 14 W Township Boundary CONC Contour (5m Interval)

This map is proprietary and confidential and must not be duplicated or distributed by any means without express written permission of Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI). Meters Information used under license with the Ministry of Natural 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 Resources, copyright the Queen's Printer of Ontario.

479500 480000 480500 481000 481500 482000 482500 483000 483500 NRSI_1253_Fig1_StudyArea_10K_2013_09_19_GCS

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 3.0 Methods

3.1 Collection and Review of Background Information Background information on the natural environmental features within the study area, was gathered from: o Requests for aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial habitat and faunal inventories from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority; o Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) database (searched by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) representative on our behalf); o surficial geology mapping; o Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s 2013 Fish and Mussel Species at Risk Distribution Maps; o Saugeen River sub watershed Report Cards (SVCA website);

The DFO Species at Risk distribution mapping was updated in 2013 and the 2013 version is considered valid until May of 2014. The maps are based on records of species occurrences as documented by numerous sources. DFO compiles and manages this data, and uses a valley segment approach to indicate where the species may be present. The valley segments are defined by variables that affect aquatic biota. These maps are designed as a screening tool to determine whether projects are occurring in areas where Species at Risk (SAR) may be present. Site specific conditions of each project determine the appropriate course of action, and DFO should be contacted for advice on next steps (DFO 2013b).

3.2 Field Work Aquatic Environment The aquatic habitats in the study area were identified and mapped based on direct visual observations during site visits in the field. A site visit were conducted on August 7, 2013.

The existing fish community within the Saugeen River in the vicinity of McCurdy Bridge was sampled using an electrofishing raft on August 7, 2013. The electrofishing raft was utilized to sample available habitats within 100m of the crossing location to ensure a representative of species. The electrofisher was set to 300V and a pulsating frequency of 60Hz.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 3 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final All fish were collected, identified, enumerated, and returned to the watercourses. The total sampling areas completed with the electrofishing raft are depicted as tracks in Figures 2.

In conjunction with fish sampling, substrate composition within the river was assessed using visual observations and classified as defined in the Aquatic Habitat Inventory Terminology Glossary (Armantrout 1998). Habitat features were mapped and identified within the vicinity of the watercourse crossing, and photographic representation of the site was completed.

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Figure 2 ´ McCurdy Bridge 0 0 0 0

8 Fish Community Sampling Site 8 1 1 0 0

9 Date: November 1, 2013 9 4 4 Project No: NRSI-1253 UTM Zone 17, NAD 83 Scale: 1:2,000 (at 11x17")

McCurdy Bridge 0 0 0 0 6 6 1 1 0 0 9 9

4 SLIE 4 LDER NT E BRA

D 5 N SIDER Legend Electrofishing Transect Primary Road

Secondary Road Permanent Watercourse

Intermittent Watercourse Waterbody

0 Wooded Area 0 0 0 4 4

1 Township Boundary 1 0 0 9 9 4 Contour (5m Interval) 4

This map is proprietary and confidential and must not be duplicated or distributed by any means without express written permission of Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI). Meters Information used under license with the Ministry of Natural 0 50 100 150 200 Resources, copyright the Queen's Printer of Ontario.

482600 482800 483000 483200 NRSI_1253_Fig2_McCurdyAquatic_2K_2013_11_01_GCS 4.0 Existing Conditions

4.1 Soils, Terrain and Drainage The bridge is located in a Saugeen Clay plain Physiographic Region as defined by Chapman and Putnam (1984). The Clay is pale brown in color and highly calcareous. The Saugeen River, Teeswater River and Deer Creek have cut deep valleys in the clay beds. The Teeswater Drumlin Fields are located within the Teeswater watershed. The till is loamy in texture, moderately compact, and dominated by medium to moderately fine loam. Towards the outer margin of the field the drumlins become weaker and gradually fade into undulating till plain (Chapman and Putnam 1984).

4.2 Designated Natural Areas Information on designated natural areas, significant wildlife habitats, watercourses, and wetlands was obtained from the Natural Heritage Information Centre (2013) and the Saugeen River Conservation Authority (2013). There are no Designated Natural Areas within the vicinity McCurdy Bridge.

4.2.1 Significant Aquatic Species A geographic query using the Natural Heritage Information Centre website did not reveal any listed fish species. A review of the Species at Risk Distribution Mapping for fish produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO 2013a) identified northern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor ) approximately 2 km downstream from the McCurdy Bridge study area.

Northern Brook Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor ) A geographic query using the Natural Heritage Information Centre website revealed one listed fish species within the Saugeen River. Northern brook lamprey were identified approximately 2 km downstream from the McCurdy Bridge study area. The northern brook lamprey is currently listed as Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act as Special Concern and Schedule 3 special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife (COSEWIC). It is listed as a species of special concern in the Species at Risk in Ontario List.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 6 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final The habitat requirements of the northern brook lamprey are described in the COSEWIC status report for this species (COSEWIC 2007). The northern brook lamprey has two stages in their development: blind, filter-feeding larvae, and non-feeding adults. About 14 days after fertilization, larvae hatch, drift downstream, and begin to burrow, forming U- shaped holes in stream substrate (Becker 1983). Burrows are made generally in soft substrate, composed of silt and sand. A small tube allows the lamprey to draw water into its burrow, from which it extracts oxygen (Sutton and Bowen 1994). Full sexual maturity is reached in May, just before spawning. Average maturation age is 6 years. Like all lampreys, northern brook lamprey spawn only once, and adults die shortly after spawning (Leach 1940)

The Northern brook lamprey prefer rocky or gravel substrate with swift-flowing water as the preferred spawning habitat. They require a small amount of silt-free sand or some other fine material to which the eggs can adhere, uni-directional current, and suitable water temperatures (COSEWIC 2013). Larval northern brook lamprey are usually found in depositional areas with soft silt and sand substrate. Northern brook lamprey are reported to occur in small, moderate and large streams and rivers (Scott and Crossman 1998).

4.3 Aquatic Habitats and Fish Community

The Saugeen River downstream of Walkerton drains 908 square kilometres. This section of the river is 76 kilometres in length with an average gradient of 0.88 metres per kilometre (SVCA 2013). The main tributaries of the Lower Saugeen River include Mill Creek, Burgoyne Creek, Snake Creek, Vesta Creek, Pearl Creek, Deer Creek, Otter Creek, Willow Creek, and Silver Creek as well as numerous smaller unnamed streams. The Saugeen River watershed is predominantly agricultural but also includes the main communities of Southampton, Mildmay, Paisley and Walkerton. There are 21 dams in the watershed (SCVA 213), of which 7 are considered large dams (greater than 3 metres in height). The Saugeen is considered to have a cool water to warm water thermal regime.

No species at risk fish were noted for the Saugeen River. However, listed mussel species including the rainbow mussel, are present within the Saugeen River. The DFO

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 7 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final Distribution of Mussel Species at Risk indicates the presence of, and critical habitat of, the rainbow mussel within the Saugeen River from Port Elgin upstream to Paisley, however does not list the McCurdy Bridge crossing location as containing Rainbow Mussels or critical habitat. Based on the habitat preferences of the Rainbow Mussel and available habitat within the McCurdy Bridge study area, it is unlikely for the Rainbow Mussel to be present.

Aquatic Habitat The Saugeen River was sampled on August 7, 2013. Water temperature was recorded as 19.1 oC while air temperature was 23 oC at 14:00. Within the vicinity of the McCurdy Bridge site the surrounding landscape is dominated by agricultural fields though large riparian buffers between 35m and 70m made up of primarily grasses and shrubs with mature trees present. Immediately to the north west of the McCurdy Bridge crossing location the riparian buffer consists of cultural meadow around top of bank transitioning into scrubby cedar/hawthorn/apple further upland. The south west riparian buffer consists of meadow at the canoe-access parking area and cedar woods behind. To the north east cattle fencing is present with regenerating scrub, and larger willows with a hawthorn understory. The riparian corridor to the south east consists of maturing scrub- brush of crack willow, Manitoba maple and poplar understory with thick goldenrod and wild grape.

The banks appear stable in the immediate vicinity of the crossing with bank slopes of approximately 135 o though some evidence of scour is present (specifically along the south west canoe access). The river is on the west side of the valley but the thalweg is transitioning from west to east (i.e. a cross-over point). The flood plain is predominately to the east side of the river and more restricted to the west, with bank heights ranging between 0.75m to 2m. Through this portion of the river the gradient is low, dominated by pools with some flats (i.e. flats have greater velocity than pools). Substrates through this section of the Saugeen River include cobble, gravel, clay, sand and isolated boulders. Immediately below the existing crossing structure, shoreline substrates at the bridge abutments are dominated by clay with isolated cobble and boulder present. Within the mid channel below the existing bridge substrates are mixed cobble, boulder and gravel.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 8 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final A small cobble gravel point bar is located along the south west shoreline approximate 75m upstream of the crossing location and two remnant bridge footings constructed from wood, cobble and boulder are present within the main channel immediately upstream of the crossing location. These features provide some variety in habitat in an otherwise homogenous section of river.

Water depths gradually increase from the shoreline to the center of the channel where the average depth was recorded at 1.5m with a maximum depth of 2.0m.

Fish Community Fish sampling was conducted by NRSI on August 7, 2013 with the use of an electrofishing raft. Fish species collected from the Saugeen River are listed in Table 1: Fish Species Collected at McCurdy . The species utilizing the section of the Saugeen River within the study area are indicative of a cool/warm water fish community. All species listed are considered abundant with no rare or significant species observed. The Saugeen River is also utilized by migratory salmonids for spawning. Salmon will migrate up the Saugeen River from during the fall (usually September to November) to spawn on gravel near riffles. The female will hollow out nests near riffles to deposit the eggs. Once spawning is completed they will die shortly after. Migratory rainbow trout ( Oncorynchus mykiss ) commonly referred to as steelhead, will spawn in the spring when water temperatures reach 5 oC (Holms 2009). Large numbers of Steelhead are known to migrate up the Saugeen River during the fall to over winter within the river in deep refuge pools, though spawning doesn’t occur until the spring. Spawning takes place on gravel substrates near riffles by hollowing out a bowl or redd to deposit their eggs. Unlike Salmon migratory rainbow trout will return to Lake Huron after spawning.

No SAR were present within the vicinity of the crossing location.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 9 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final Table 1: Fish Species Collected at McCurdy Bridge Number YOY Total Number Conservation Species of Fish Captured of Fish Status Smallmouth Bass 3 6 9 G5, N5, S5 Rock Bass 2 - 2 G5, N5, S5 Common White Sucker 2 - 2 G5, N5, S5 Rosy Face Shiner 13 - 13 G5, N4, S4 River Chub 3 - 3 G5, N4, S4 Blackside Darter 12 - 12 G5, N5, S4 Rainbow Darter 2 - 2 G5, N4, S4 Creek Chub 3 - 3 G5, N5, S5 Common Shiner 1 - 1 G5, N5, S5 Blacknose Shiner 1 - 1 G4, N4, S5 Greater Redhorse 1 - 1 G4, N4, S3

5.0 Significance and Sensitivity

No Designated Natural Areas occur within the immediate vicinity of the proposed undertaking. The context in which the study area exists is an agricultural area with natural riparian area. Vegetated riparian shoreline provide habitat for wildlife and protection to banks from erosion. The actual footprint of the bridge right-of-ways is estimated to be quite small but will result in the loss of some riparian habitat. Vegetation and aquatic habitats within the proposed right-of-ways for each site are described in more detail below.

West Side The riparian community in the proposed right-of-way downstream of the crossing is comprised of cultural meadow around the top of bank transitioning into scrubby cedar, hawthorn and apple. Upstream of the bridge the riparian community consists of meadow in the canoe access area with cedar woods beyond the top of bank. The west side of the river has been impacted as a result of public river access. A small parking area is present on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge with no trees present. The value of this area is limited in regards to habitat presence. The construction of the bridge would not result in impacts the natural environment as this area has already been impacted.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 10 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final East Side The riparian community to the north east is comprised of regenerating scrub with large willows and hawthorn understory. The understory is relatively open with cattle fencing present indicating potential for cattle grazing. To the south east the riparian community consists of maturing crack willow, Manitoba maple with Poplar understory with goldenrod and wild grape.

Riverine Habitat The characteristics of the river within the right of way can be described as homogenous to the remainder of the river near the study area with the exception of two old bridge footings present along the upstream side. The two old bridge footings are constructed with wood and boulder which do provide nursery and refuge habitat. Shoreline substrates consist of clay and do not provide critical habitat for any life stages of fish. Substrates within the main channel of the right of way consist of gravel and cobble however is unlikely to be utilized by migratory species due to a lack of riffle habitat. In general the characteristics of the riverine habitat in the vicinity of the crossing location are very common within the Saugeen River. One species at risk fish species (Northern brook lamprey) have been identified as present in the vicinity of the crossing location however were not collected during sampling. The habitat available within the area of impact from bridge reconstruction does not afford spawning, or would be considered critical, to any life stage of the Northern brook lamprey.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 11 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final 6.0 References

Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, WI. 1052 pp.

Chapman, L.J. & Putnam, D.F. 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario, 3 rd Ed.; Ontario Geologic Survey, Special Volume 2. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC). 2013. Website: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm . Accessed: September 18, 2013.

COSEWIC 2007. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Rainbow mussel Villosa iris in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 38 pp. ( www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm )

COSEWIC 2013c Assessment and Update Status Report on the Northern Brook Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor) (Great Lakes – Upper St. Lawrence populations and Saskatchewan – Nelson population) in Canada (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=1440 )

Eakins, R. J. 2013. Ontario Freshwater Fishes Life History Database. Version 4.38. On- line database. (http://www.ontariofishes.ca), accessed 18 September 2013

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 2008b. Reference Guide for Fish and Mussel Species at Risk Distribution Maps; a Referral Tool for Projects Affecting Aquatic Species at Risk. Conservation Authority Edition v2.0 2008.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 2013a. Distribution of Mussel Species at Risk. Saugeen River Conservation Authority (Map 1). Valid until May 2014.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). 2013a. Distribution of Fish Species at Risk. Saugeen River Conservation Authority (Map 1). Valid until May 2014.

Holms, E. Mandrak, N. Burrige, M. 2009. The ROM field guide to freshwater fishes of Ontario

Leach, W.J. 1940. Occurrence and life history of the northern brook lamprey, Ichthyomyzon fossor , in Indiana. Copeia 1: 21-34.

Natural Heritage Information Centre. 2013. Geographic Query for Rare Species and Natural Areas. Available online at: http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/queries/geographic.cfm

Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). 20013. Provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Website: http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/nhic_.cfm .

NRSI 2006, Cargill Dam Fish Habitat and Fisheries Report, April 2006, Natural Resource Solutions Inc.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 12 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final Scott, W.B. and Crossman, E.J. 1998. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Galt House Publications Ltd. Oakville, Ontario.

SRCA (Saugeen River Conservation Authority). 20013. Lower Saugeen Watershed Report Card. 2013 Saugeen River Watershed Report Cards. http://www.saugeenconservation.com/page.php?page=2013watershedreportcard s (accessed Sept 15, 2013).

SRCA (Saugeen River Conservation Authority). 2012. Teeswater River Watershed Report Card. 2013Upper Thames River Watershed Report Cards. http://www.saugeenconservation.com/page.php?page=2013watershedreportcard s (accessed September 15, 2013).

Sutton, T.M. and Bowen, S.H. 1994. Significance of organic detritus in the diet of larval lampreys in the Great Lakes basin. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 51: 2380-2387.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. 13 McCurdy Bridge Existing Natural Environment Characterization Report Final

APPENDIX I

PHOTOGRAPHS ______

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. Appendices

Photo 1: McCurdy Bridge, downstream view of Saugeen River

Photo 2: McCurdy Bridge, Upstream view of Saugeen River

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Photo 3: McCurdy Bridge East Abutment and shoreline

Photo 14: McCurdy Bridge East Abutment and shoreline

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Photo 5: Old Bridge footing upstream of crossing location

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