Appendix a Heritage Impact Assessment Report

APPENDIX A

HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

October 9, 2015

HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Holt Line Bridge (Duthill Bridge/10th Concession Bridge) Spanning the Sydenham River, St. Clair Township, Ontario

Submitted to: Kelly Vader, MCIP, RPP BM Ross and Associates Limited 62 North Street Goderich, ON N7A 2TA

Report Number: 1534665-R01 Distribution: 1 Copy - BM Ross and Associates Limited REPORT 1 Copy - Golder Associates Ltd.

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Executive Summary

Golder Associates Ltd. was retained by B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd. (B.M. Ross) to undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for the proposed rehabilitation or replacement of the of the Duthill Bridge, also known as the Holt Line Bridge, located on Holt Line in the Township of St. Clair, Ontario. The objective of the HIA was to determine whether the structure represented a built heritage resource or a part of a cultural heritage landscape of cultural heritage value or interest. The analysis of the Duthill Bridge was guided by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport’s (MTCS) Ontario Heritage Toolkit: Heritage Resources in the Land Use Planning Process. This HIA makes the following recommendations:

Subject to the confirmation of preferred alternatives for the potential rehabilitation or replacement of the Duthill Bridge, St. Clair Township should consider the mitigation options identified in Section 5.3 of this report to evaluate the potential options that would conserve the cultural heritage value of the bridge. From a best practice standpoint for the conservation of heritage resources, the preferred alternative for the Duthill Bridge would be one of the following three options:  Construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a pedestrian or recreational vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Rehabilitation/restoration of the existing bridge: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a continued vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Integration of the bridge into a new bridge: This would result in the construction of a new bridge while integrating design elements, such as the retention of some of the steel truss components of the bridge. The integration of the steel truss elements, if integrated successfully, would conserve the heritage attributes and thus, the cultural heritage value of the bridge.

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Project Personnel

Project Director Carla Parslow, Ph.D., Associate, Senior Archaeologist

Project Manager Michael Greguol, M.A., CAHP Intern, Cultural Heritage Specialist

Historic Research Michael Greguol, M.A., CAHP Intern, Cultural Heritage Specialist

Report Production Michael Greguol, M.A., CAHP Intern, Cultural Heritage Specialist

Liz Yildiz, Administrative Assistant

Senior Review Carla Parslow, Ph.D., Associate, Senior Archaeologist

Acknowledgments

B.M. Ross Kelly Vader, MCIP, RPP

Township of St.Clair Matt Deline, P.Eng., Director of Public Works

Lambton County Archives Dana Thorne, Archivist

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Table of Contents

1.0 STUDY PURPOSE AND METHOD ...... 1

1.1 Study Process ...... 1

1.2 Study Method ...... 1

1.3 Technical Note ...... 1

2.0 BACKGROUND HISTORY ...... 4

2.1 Natural Environment ...... 4

2.1.1 Historical Context ...... 5

2.2 Bridge Building Context ...... 5

2.3 Duthill Bridge History ...... 6

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ...... 10

3.1 Context ...... 10

3.2 Approaches ...... 10

3.3 Abutments ...... 12

3.4 Truss ...... 12

3.5 Deck ...... 17

3.6 Cultural Landscape ...... 17

4.0 EVALUATION ...... 19

4.1 Ontario Regulation 9/06 ...... 19

4.1.1 Cultural Heritage Value ...... 20

4.1.1.1 Design/Physical Value ...... 20

4.1.1.2 Historic/Associative Value ...... 20

4.1.1.3 Contextual Value ...... 21

4.1.2 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value ...... 21

4.1.3 Heritage Attributes ...... 21

5.0 ASSESSMENT ...... 22

5.1 Proposed Undertaking ...... 22

5.2 Potential Impacts ...... 22

5.3 Potential Mitigation Options ...... 23

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 24

7.0 SOURCES ...... 25

8.0 IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS REPORT ...... 26

9.0 CLOSURE ...... 27

TABLES Table 1: Ontario Regulation 9/06 Evaluation of the Duthill Bridge ...... 19

FIGURES Figure 1: Study Area ...... 2 Figure 2: Site Plan ...... 3

PLATES Plate 1: View of Sydenham River looking south from the Duthill Bridge ...... 4 Plate 2: Double Front survey system, 1818-1829 ...... 5 Plate 3: Duthill Bridge as it appeared during its opening ceremony, Wallaceburg News, Aug. 9, 1951 ...... 7 Figure 3: Study Area, 1880 ...... 8 Figure 4: Topographic Series, 1957 ...... 9 Plate 4: View of the Duthill Bridge, looking south from the McKeough Dam, 200 m north of the bridge ...... 10 Plate 5: East approach to the bridge showing gravel road, ditching, and flat topography ...... 11 Plate 6: West approach showing flat topography, crash rails, and open railing system used for original design of the bridge ...... 11 Plate 7: Southeast abutment showing concrete abutments and wingwall, and connection with the truss ...... 12 Plate 8: View looking east from the approach to the bridge, showing diagonal end post, portal bracing, and sway bracing ...... 13 Plate 9: View looking south showing vertical, diagonal, and horizontal members used in the assembly of the main panels ...... 14 Plate 10: Detail of the diagonal end post showing rivets used to join the steel channels ...... 14 Plat 11: View showing vertical members consisting of steel channels joined by a riveted plate ...... 15 Plate 12: Top chord connection showing riveted connections (centre), and portal bracing (right) ...... 15 Plate13: Bottom chord showing steel channels and riveted gusset plates ...... 16 Plate 14: Open railing system and more recent crash barrier added to the bridge approaches ...... 16 Plate 15: Concrete deck showing soffit, curb, and open railing system ...... 17 Plate 16: View looking north showing main panel on north side of the bridge, and McKeough Floodway ...... 18

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APPENDICES APPENDIX A Historic Bridge Drawings

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1.0 STUDY PURPOSE AND METHOD

1.1 Study Process Golder Associates Ltd. was retained by B.M. Ross and Associates Ltd. (B.M. Ross) to undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) for the proposed rehabilitation or replacement of the of the Duthill Bridge, also known as the Holt Line Bridge, located on Holt Line in the Township of St. Clair, Ontario. The objective of the HIA was to determine whether the structure represented a built heritage resource or a part of a cultural heritage landscape of cultural heritage value or interest.

1.2 Study Method This HIA was prepared according to the guidelines set out in the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport’s Ontario Heritage Toolkit: Heritage Resources in the Land Use Planning Process. An overview history of the bridge was prepared to evaluate its cultural heritage value. A field assessment was undertaken on August 21, 2015 to identify and document the structures and its associated landscape.

The potential cultural heritage value of the structure was evaluated according to the criteria set out in Ontario Regulation 9/06, Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest. The potential impacts of the rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge on the heritage attributes were evaluated. Mitigation options and recommendations were prepared based on the anticipated impacts.

1.3 Technical Note Between 1971 and 1984 Canada adopted the metric system. All structural dimensions in the text are given in Imperial units. In general, the use of Imperial rather than metric is preferred for describing historic structures. Engineered structures were built to standard Imperial dimensions and distinctive patterns within such structures can be obscured by converting the original Imperial into metric units. Unless there are historical issues (i.e. contract specifications), all distances and other common measurements are given in metric units.

Historically, the bridge which is the subject of this report has been described as the Duthill Bridge. Today the structure has become locally known as the Holt Line Bridge, and is identified as such in the Environmental Assessment documents for this project. For the purposes of this HIA, the historic name is used to identify the bridge. As such, the bridge is identified throughout this report as the Duthill Bridge.

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2.0 BACKGROUND HISTORY

2.1 Natural Environment The Duthill Bridge crosses the north branch of the Sydenham River approximately two kilometres west of the hamlet of Duthill, and two kilometres southwest of the community of Wilkesport, in the Township of St. Clair, Lambton County, Ontario (Figures 1 and 2).

The Sydenham River drains most of Lambton County and the adjacent parts of Middlesex County covering approximately 1,000 square miles. The north branch of the river above Wilkesport rises above Arkona, and empties into Lake St. Clair. The shallow valleys and low gradient of the river has prevented much use for power. At Wilkesport, the W. Darcy McKeough Floodway was constructed and completed in 1984. The floodway is the largest flood diversion project in Ontario and consists of an earth filled dam embankment and concrete control structure housing two vertical sluice gates. During potential flooding the control gates are closed to divert the river approximately seven kilometres west to the St. Clair River. The bridge is located approximately 200m south of the dam at the McKeough Floodway. The river runs in a wide channel, and the bridge sits in a shallow valley.

Plate 1: View of Sydenham River looking south from the Duthill Bridge

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2.1.1 Historical Context The Duthill Bridge is located within the former Township of Sombra (now a part of St. Clair Township), in Lambton County. Sombra Township was the first plot of land acquired by the Crown in Lambton County, and was surveyed in 1820 using the Double Front survey system that was widely used between 1818 and 1829. This system produced a rectangular pattern of ten 100-acres lots (two deep and five wide) bounded on all four sides by road allowances (Plate 1). The resulting survey created the modern farm landscape and road pattern that is visible in the rural parts of southern Ontario today. The Sydenham River cuts across all of the concession lines in Sombra Township.

Plate 2: Double Front survey system, 1818-1829

Settlers first began to arrive in Sombra Township immediately after it was surveyed. By the 1840s most of Lambton County was reported as settled, however, parts of Sombra were not fully settled until the 1880s. In the late-19th century Lambton was described as the “principal seat of the great petroleum industry in Canada” as a reference to the area’s oil and gas discoveries and production in the 19th century. Nonetheless, Sombra Township has been predominantly known for its agricultural industry which has remained its main industry well into the 20th and 21st centuries.

In 1880 the population of Sombra was 2,891, and within ten years it had grown again to about 4,000. However, the population steadily declined and reached 2,951 by 1941. Throughout the late-20th century it rose again to 4,274 in 1981. As a part of various municipal restructurings in the late-20th century the Township of Sombra joined with the neighbouring Township of Moore to form a new township, known now as St. Clair Township. The amalgamation took place in 2000, and in 2011 the reported population of St. Clair was 14,515.

2.2 Bridge Building Context In the 19th century, most public highway bridges were built and owned by a municipality such as a county or a township. Much more rarely, they were owned by the province. Matters pertaining to bridge ownership have been dictated by the Ontario Municipal Act since 1867. The construction and operation of bridges over watercourses that formed boundaries between townships were historically assumed by the County. The Duthill

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Bridge crossing has always remained a municipally-owned bridge, first owned by Sombra Township, and now by St. Clair Township.

Until the early 20th century most bridges in southern Ontario were built of timber. Short spans were beam structures; longer spans employed simple trusses, such as King and Queen Post trusses. A few iron truss bridges were built in the 1870s-1880s, but were generally too costly to be widely used.

The economic value to rural communities of good roads, and by extension good bridges, was evident by 1900. Nineteenth-century wooden bridges could not carry the weight of heavier wagons and farm equipment coming into use. By the First World War, motor vehicles were becoming increasingly common and the provincial government began to provide grant programs and technical advice on bridge building. At the same time, counties began to create county-wide road networks by assuming the ownership of key township roads and bridges.

Inexpensive steel trusses came into use in the 1890s and the designs were commonly used into the 1930s. The Pratt truss and Warren truss dominated the early 20th century and were typically used for spans of up to 250 feet. The Duthill Bridge is a unique bridge that does not fit the trend for a standard Pratt, Warren, or Pennsylvania truss. Rather, it uses a Parker truss design, a rendition of a Pratt truss with a curved top chord. In addition, its construction as a steel bridge in the mid-20th century makes it a late example of a steel truss structure.

In the early 20th century concrete became widely used to construct short span bridges. One of the earliest forms was the solid spandrel concrete arch design that was inexpensive to build. In 1931 the Ontario Department of Highways constructed the first rigid frame bridge in Ontario. By the late 1930s, the concrete rigid frame structure had become the preferred bridge design for grade separations and was utilized in major highway construction and in single span crossings under 60 feet (18 metres) in length.1

2.3 Duthill Bridge History Prior to the construction of the bridge, the only crossing at the site of the existing bridge was by a ferry service, known locally as the Brown’s Ferry. Planning for the construction of a bridge over the north branch of the Sydenham between Concessions 9 and 10 began in 1948. At the time, it was moved by Sombra Township Council to authorize George A. McCubbin to begin producing plans and specifications for the construction of a bridge crossing. In January 1950, a bridge committee was set up, and by March of 1950 contracts were awarded for the construction of the bridge. The contract for the construction of the substructure was awarded to Waltham and Fuller of Kerwood, and the superstructure was awarded to the Sarnia Bridge Company of Sarnia. The fill for the earthworks was awarded to Robert Fleck. The construction of the bridge took place during the summer of 1951, and by July of the same year plans were in place for a bridge opening ceremony.

The Duthill Bridge was opened on August 2, 1951. The Canadian Observer newspaper described the bridge as a “steel truss span of 180 feet” and the “only crossing of the river between Wilkesport and Becher” and “an important link in the Sombra Township road system.”2 A ceremony was held on the day of the bridge opening

1 Archaeologix Inc./Historica Research Ltd., Inventory of Highway 400 and 401 Underpass Bridges, Central Region. 2 “New Bridge Opening Date” Canadian Observer, August 1, 1951.

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which included a ribbon cutting by Sombra’s oldest resident, Mrs. Nancy McGrath, followed by a banquet at a nearby school house.3

Plate 3: Duthill Bridge as it appeared during its opening ceremony, Wallaceburg News, Aug. 9, 1951

3 “Bridge Span Opening Set at Duthill” Canadian Observer, August 2, 1951; “Opening Ceremonies of the New Duthill Bridge which replaces Brown’s Ferry in Sombra Twp.” The Wallaceburg News, Aug 9, 1951.

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3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 Context The Duthill Bridge is a single span through truss bridge that carries Holt Line over the north branch of the Sydenham River. The bridge has a span of approximately 180 feet and utilizes the Parker Truss design, a rendition of the Pratt Truss. This Parker Truss is similar in its construction to a Pennsylvania Truss, however, it is missing key vertical members that classify it as such.

Plate 4: View of the Duthill Bridge, looking south from the McKeough Dam, 200 m north of the bridge

3.2 Approaches The bridge carries Holt Line, a gravel road, over the Sydenham River approximately two kilometres west of Duthill, and two kilometres southwest of Wilkesport. The east approach is flat in grade, and the west approach incudes a very shallow valley. The edges of the road are on the east side of the bridge are heavily forested, and include steep ditching, while the west side of the bridge borders a residential/agricultural property. The property borders the river; however, the closest structure on the property, the house, is approximately 130 metres west of the bridge. The straight road east-west road connects Highway 40 to Highway 31/Kimball Road, and is representative of the grid pattern that was laid out as a part of the original double front survey used for Sombra Township.

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Plate 5: East approach to the bridge showing gravel road, ditching, and flat topography

Plate 6: West approach showing flat topography, crash rails, and open railing system used for original design of the bridge

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3.3 Abutments The abutments are constructed of cast-in-place concrete and are built into the sloping embankments of the riverbank. Due to the high water levels at the time of the assessment, a full analysis of the abutments was difficult to undertake. Both abutments are showing signs of spalling. The horizontal lines visible on the exterior of the abutments and wingwalls are the remnants of the timber formwork used to cast the concrete in place. The wingwalls extend back from the abutment approximately 26 feet, or 8 metres.

Due to the restricted access to the connection joints between the abutments and the bottom chords of the truss, it was determined if either connections formed a fixed connection, or an expansion bearing. However, previous Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) investigations for the bridge have noted that bearing/roller plates are present on the abutments.

Plate 7: Southeast abutment showing concrete abutments and wingwall, and connection with the truss

3.4 Truss The Duthill Bridge is a single span, steel, Parker Truss structure. The bridge has a span of 180 feet and a deck width of approximately 20 feet with an open railing system. The two trusses consist of five main panels and two half panels at the end posts. The top chords and end posts are constructed of steel channels separated with riveted top plates. Lattice bracing is riveted between the channels on the underside. The bottom chords are assembled with thinner steel channels and are connected by riveted plates. Diagonal members are used in each

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of the three central panels and are riveted to a central gusset plate in each of the respective panels. The trusses are assembled with riveted connections on both the top and bottom chords. Thin steel channels connected with riveted plates are also used as sway bracing between the two top chords of the trusses. The portal bracing over each approach to the bridge consists of a series of quarry panels that are formed by the connection of steel channels, lattice bracing, and gusset plates.

Plate 8: View looking east from the approach to the bridge, showing diagonal end post, portal bracing, and sway bracing

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Plate 9: View looking south showing vertical, diagonal, and horizontal members used in the assembly of the main panels

Plate 10: Detail of the diagonal end post showing rivets used to join the steel channels

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Plat 11: View showing vertical members consisting of steel channels joined by a riveted plate

Plate 12: Top chord connection showing riveted connections (centre), and portal bracing (right)

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Plate13: Bottom chord showing steel channels and riveted gusset plates

Plate 14: Open railing system and more recent crash barrier added to the bridge approaches

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3.5 Deck Due to the high water levels at the time of the assessment, a full assessment of the underside of the bridge was not possible. Nonetheless, based on previous OSIM inspections for the bridge it appears that the deck is supported on cross beams riveted to the bottom chords of the two trusses. The cross beams support steel I- beam stringers that run the length of the bridge. A concrete deck with drainage holes was built on the stringers. Pipe railings are fastened to the trusses on either side of the deck.

Plate 15: Concrete deck showing soffit, curb, and open railing system

3.6 Cultural Landscape Holt Line is a two-lane gravel road located within St. Clair Township. The bridge is located along a level road with a shallow valley, approximately two kilometres west of Duthill. At the bridge site, the banks of the river are relatively steep and do not extend far back at the location of the abutments. Approximately 200 metres north of the bridge is the McKeough Floodway, a diversion dam meant to divert water away from Wallaceburg downstream from the bridge.

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Plate 16: View looking north showing main panel on north side of the bridge, and McKeough Floodway

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4.0 EVALUATION

4.1 Ontario Regulation 9/06 Ontario Regulation 9/06 provides criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest. If a property meets one or more of the following criteria it may be designated under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest according to Ontario Regulation 9/06 are as follows:

1) The property has design value or physical value because it:  Is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method;  Displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit; or  Demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. 2) The property has historic value or associative value because it:  Has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization, or institution that is significant to a community;  Yields, or has the potential to yield information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture; or  Demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer, or theorist who is significant to a community.

3) The property has contextual value because it:  Is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area;  Is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings; or  Is a landmark.

Table 1: Ontario Regulation 9/06 Evaluation of the Duthill Bridge Criteria Site Specific Evaluation

1) The property has design value or physical value because it:

i) Is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, Representative example of a Parker type, expression, material or construction method; truss structure from the mid-20th century.

ii) Displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit; or None identified

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Criteria Site Specific Evaluation

iii) Demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific None identified achievement.

2) The property has historic value or associative value because it:

i) Has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, Sarnia Bridge Company, example of activity, organization, or institution that is significant to a bridge manufacturing company in early- community; mid 20th century

ii) Yields, or has the potential to yield information that contributes None identified to an understanding of a community or culture; or

iii) Demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer, or theorist who is significant to a None identified community.

3) The property has contextual value because it:

i) Is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the None identified character of an area; ii) Is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its None identified surroundings; or iii) Is a landmark. None identified

4.1.1 Cultural Heritage Value

4.1.1.1 Design/Physical Value The Duthill Bridge and its design consisting of the Parker truss system is an uncommon truss structure that was not widely used for steel truss bridge construction in the 19th and 20th centuries in Ontario. In addition, the use of this style of bridge construction in the 1950s represents a relatively late example of steel truss construction, in an era when concrete construction was mostly used. The length of the span likely required the use of a steel truss at the time of construction.

4.1.1.2 Historic/Associative Value The steel trusses were fabricated and assembled by the Sarnia Bridge Company, one of the many bridge construction companies that existed in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The award and construction of the bridge by two different companies, one to construct the substructure, and one to construct the superstructure was a common practice in early-20th century southern Ontario.

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4.1.1.3 Contextual Value None identified

4.1.2 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value The Duthill Bridge is a single span, steel through truss structure that utilizes the Parker truss design, with riveted connections and concrete abutments. The structure, constructed in 1951, was built to replace the Brown’s Ferry and was the first bridge crossing at this location. The trusses was fabricated and assembled by the Sarnia Bridge Company, a well-known bridge manufacturing company in the early-20th century, and the concrete abutments were constructed by Waltham and Fuller of Kerwood. The Duthill Bridge is a relatively late example of steel truss construction, as by the mid-20th century the preferred bridge construction technique for municipal roads was utilizing concrete rigid frame construction. The bridge is a rare survivor of steel truss bridges found in southern Ontario.

4.1.3 Heritage Attributes The following are the character-defining heritage attributes of the Duthill Bridge:  Rivet-connected, Parker truss system with distinctive top chord arch, which includes: . Five main panels, and two half panels;

. Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal steel channels and beams;

. Open railing system commonly found on early-mid-20th century bridges.

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5.0 ASSESSMENT

5.1 Proposed Undertaking St. Clair Township is currently undertaking an Environmental Assessment to consider the replacement or rehabilitation of the Duthill Bridge (Holt Line Bridge). Subject to the confirmation of replacement or rehabilitation alternatives, for the purposes of this HIA, Golder has assumed a series of potential undertakings. Some potential undertakings include:  Construction of a new bridge: This would result in the demolition of the existing Duthill Bridge and replacement with a new structure.  Construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure: This would result in the construction of a new bridge, while retaining the existing bridge in situ. The existing bridge could be closed to vehicle traffic and rehabilitated for pedestrian use.  Rehabilitation/restoration of the existing bridge: This would result in the stabilization and rehabilitation of the concrete and steel elements of the bridge that are deemed to require rehabilitation efforts.  Integration of the bridge into a new bridge: This would result in the construction of a new bridge while integrating design elements, such as the retention of some of the steel truss components of the bridge.

5.2 Potential Impacts The potential alternatives indicated in Section 5.1 present a variety of potential impacts to the heritage value of the Duthill Bridge. The impacts for each potential alternative are as follows:  Construction of a new bridge: This would result in the removal of the existing Duthill Bridge. Removal of the bridge would result in the loss of the heritage structure on site.  Construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure: This would result in the construction of a new bridge, or new crossing in an adjacent location. If the existing heritage structure is retained and closed to vehicular traffic the bridge could remain open to pedestrian or recreational vehicle use such as snowmobiles or atvs. This would alter the character and original use of the bridge crossing, but would retain the heritage structure in place.  Rehabilitation/restoration of the existing bridge: This would result in the stabilization and rehabilitation of the concrete and steel elements of the bridge that are deemed to require rehabilitation efforts. The impacts of this undertaking would be minimal as this option would retain the bridge in situ.  Integration of the bridge into a new bridge: This would result in the construction of a new bridge while integrating design elements, such as the retention of some of the steel truss components of the bridge. This option would ultimately result in the construction of a new bridge, however, design elements of the original bridge, such as the steel trusses could be incorporated into the new bridge design to conserve the heritage value of the bridge.

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5.3 Potential Mitigation Options There is no, one, correct way to mitigate the direct or indirect impacts of an undertaking on heritage resource. Strictly from the perspective of best practice for heritage conservation, the preferred mitigation options are ones that conserve the heritage value of a resource. Typically, this involves maintaining a resource in situ. In reality, economic, environmental, and/or technical site considerations and the conservation of heritage value may require some form of compromise.

As indicated in Sections 5.1 and 4.2, the potential mitigation options for the Duthill Bridge relate to the potential proposed undertakings:  Construction of a new bridge: Mitigation options for this potential undertaking could include photographic documentation of the bridge for public/archival record, or interpretation panels or plaques on site, or at the McKeough Floodway to commemorate the former bridge.  Construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a pedestrian or recreational vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Rehabilitation/restoration of the existing bridge: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a continued vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Integration of the bridge into a new bridge: This would result in the construction of a new bridge while integrating design elements, such as the retention of some of the steel truss components of the bridge. The integration of the steel truss elements, if integrated successfully, would conserve the heritage attributes and thus, the cultural heritage value of the bridge.

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS Subject to the confirmation of preferred alternatives for the potential rehabilitation or replacement of the Duthill Bridge, St. Clair Township should consider the mitigation options identified in Section 5.3 of this report to evaluate the potential options that would conserve the cultural heritage value of the bridge. From a best practice standpoint for the conservation of heritage resources, the preferred alternative for the Duthill Bridge would be one of the following three options:  Construction of a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a pedestrian or recreational vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Rehabilitation/restoration of the existing bridge: The retention of the bridge in situ as a part of a continued vehicle crossing would act as a form of mitigation.  Integration of the bridge into a new bridge: This would result in the construction of a new bridge while integrating design elements, such as the retention of some of the steel truss components of the bridge. The integration of the steel truss elements, if integrated successfully, would conserve the heritage attributes and thus, the cultural heritage value of the bridge.

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7.0 SOURCES Archaeologix Inc./Historica Research Ltd. Inventory of Highway 400 and 401 Underpass Bridges, Central Region.

“Bridge Span Opening Set at Duthill” Canadian Observer. August 2, 1951.

Chapman, John Lyman and Donald F. Putnam. The Physiography of Southern Ontario. 3rd ed. Ontario Geological Survey Special Volume 2. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1984.

Dalgety, Maude. A History of Sombra Township. . Sombra Township, 1984.

Dean, W.G. and G.J. Matthews. Economic Atlas of Ontario. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1969.

Johnston, Albert J. Lambton County Names and Places. Sarnia: Lambton County Council, 1925.

“New Bridge Opening Date” Canadian Observer. August 1, 1951.

“Opening Ceremonies of the New Duthill Bridge which replaces Brown’s Ferry in Sombra Twp” The Wallaceburg News. August 9, 1951.

Ontario Agricultural Commission. Proceedings of the Ontario Agricultural Commission: Appendix A. Toronto: Department of Agriculture, 1880.

Sombra Township Council Minutes, 1948-1951.

Statistics Canada. “Census Profile, Township of St. Clair.” www.statscan.gc.ca (accessed September 2015).

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HIA - HOLT LINE BRIDGE - TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR

8.0 IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS REPORT Golder Associates Ltd. has prepared this report in a manner consistent with the standards and guidelines developed by the Ontario Heritage Bridge Guidelines and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Programs and Services Branch, Cultural Division, subject to the time limits and physical constraints applicable to this report. No other warranty, expressed or implied is made.

This report has been prepared for the specific site, design objective, developments and purpose described to Golder Associates Ltd., by BM Ross and Associates Limited (the Client). The factual data, interpretations and recommendations pertain to a specific project as described in this report and are not applicable to any other project or site location.

The information, recommendations and opinions expressed in this report are for the sole benefit of the Client. No other party may use or rely on this report or any portion thereof without Golder Associates Ltd.’s express written consent. If the report was prepared to be included for a specific permit application process, then upon the reasonable request of the Client, Golder Associates Ltd. may authorize in writing the use of this report by the regulatory agency as an Approved User for the specific and identified purpose of the applicable permit review process. Any other use of this report by others is prohibited and is without responsibility to Golder Associates Ltd. The report, all plans, data, drawings and other documents as well as electronic media prepared by Golder Associates Ltd. are considered its professional work product and shall remain the copyright property of Golder Associates Ltd., who authorizes only the Client and Approved Users to make copies of the report, but only in such quantities as are reasonably necessary for the use of the report by those parties. The Client and Approved Users may not give, lend, sell, or otherwise make available the report or any portion thereof to any other party without the express written permission of Golder Associates Ltd. The Client acknowledges the electronic media is susceptible to unauthorized modification, deterioration and incompatibility and therefore the Client cannot rely upon the electronic media versions of Golder Associates Ltd.’s report or other work products.

Unless otherwise stated, the suggestions, recommendations and opinions given in this report are intended only for the guidance of the Client in the design of the specific project.

October 9, 2015 Report No. 1534665-R01 26

HIA - HOLT LINE BRIDGE - TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR

9.0 CLOSURE We trust that this report meets your current needs. If you have any questions, or if we may be of further assistance, please contact the undersigned.

GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD.

Michael Greguol, M.A., CAHP Intern Carla Parslow, Ph.D. Cultural Heritage Specialist Associate, Senior Archaeologist

MG/CAP/ly

Golder, Golder Associates and the GA globe design are trademarks of Golder Associates Corporation.

n:\active\2015\3 proj\1534665 bmross_holt line brdg hia_st. clair\8-correspondence\5-rpts\1534665-r01-(final) oct 9 15-hia-holt line bridge.docx

October 9, 2015 Report No. 1534665-R01 27

HIA - HOLT LINE BRIDGE - TOWNSHIP OF ST. CLAIR

APPENDIX A Historic Bridge Drawings

October 9, 2015 Report No. 1534665-R01

Golder Associates Ltd. 309 Exeter Road, Unit #1 London, Ontario, N6L 1C1 Canada T: +1 (519) 652 0099

APPENDIX B

WATERSHED REPORT CARD

Lower North Sydenham Watershed Features Lower North Sydenham Watershed Report Card 2013 Area 253 km2, 6.1% of the St. Clair Region watershed Municipalities St. Clair (160 km2), Chatham-Kent (49 km2), Dawn-Euphemia (45 km2) First Nations None This report card summarizes surface water quality and forest condition in the Lower North Sydenham watershed within the St. Clair Physiography 62% bevelled till plain; 37% clay plain; 1% sand plain Region Conservation Authority jurisdiction from 2001 to 2010. The summary is intended to provide citizens, community groups, Soil Type 93% silt and clay; 3% loam; 2% bottom land and beach; 1% sand loam; 0.5% silt and clay loam; 1% not mapped municipalities, industries and agencies with information so they can take actions to protect or enhance the environmental features of the watershed. The ongoing monitoring will be reported on a five-year cycle which will help local people manage their local The river bottom is at lake level throughout this watershed therefore flow is heavily influenced by lake levels and wind Streamflow environment. This card uses the 2011 guidelines and updated grading system for Conservation Authority Watershed Report Cards. effects. Water levels are monitored at the McKeough dam and in Wallaceburg. These new province-wide standards have a more stringent grading system and result in generally lower grades in the intensely The average annual precipitation at Wallaceburg from 2002-2010 was 887 mm. From 2006-2010, levels were usually developed regions of southwestern Ontario. Precipitation below this value, and ranged from 848 to 1022 mm. The previous period, from 2002-2005, was at or below the mean, ranging from 749 to 963 mm. This report card is part of a larger report entitled the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Watershed Report Card (2013) available The average annual temperature at Wallaceburg is 10.3°C. From 2006 to 2010, average annual temperatures were at www.scrca.on.ca. Further information including methodology, comparisons with the other 13 St. Clair Region watersheds, Air Temperature close to the normal, ranging from 10.1 to11.4°C. The previous period of record, 2002-2005, was cooler with a range of regional maps and summary tables are also found in that document. 9.2 to 10.5°C. Tileage 8% randomly tiled; 70% systematically tiled; 22% unknown drainage Watercourse Total length: 275 km Length & Type Watercourse type:13% natural; 74% open municipal drain; 0% buried; 12% unclassified SURFACE WATER QUALITY Steady D Dams and Barriers 2 dams including one public dam that is normally open at McKeough C.A. Lower North St. Clair Sewage Treatment Rural residents are serviced by private septic systems. Provincial Indicator Sydenham Region Indicator Description Plants Guideline 13 fish species have been recorded. No game fish were documented. No freshwater mussel species were documented, 2005 2010 2010 Fisheries Resources but more sampling is needed. Total 0.14 0.13 Phosphorus is found in products such as detergents, fertilizer Plants: Blue Ash, Dense Blazingstar, Kentucky Coffee-tree, Climbing Prairie Rose, Shumard Oak, Swamp Rosemallow Phosphorus and pesticides, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen Reptiles: Butler’s Gartersnake, Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake 0.15 D 0.03 Species at Risk D Birds: Bobolink (mg/L) Steady in streams and lakes. Fish: Pugnose Minnow, Blackstripe Topminnow, Spotted Sucker 100 Fecal bacteria are found in human and animal (livestock/ Stewardship 30 stewardship projects have been completed in this watershed from 2006 to 2010, including the planting of 27,340 Bacteria (#E. No 169 wildlife) waste. Their presence in water indicates fecal trees and shrubs. Memorial Forest and Conservation Area tree planting from 1988 to 2012 includes an additional 4 No data (recreational Projects coli/100mL) data C contamination and is a strong indicator that other disease- projects (120,682 trees and shrubs). use) causing organisms are in the watercourse. The only aquifer is at the interface between the overburden and the bedrock, and is known as the Fresh Water Aquifer. 6.2 Benthic invertebrates are small animals without backbones Groundwater It has high sodium and chloride and is of limited quantity. Most of the residents are supplied by municipal piped water Benthic 5.9 that live in stream sediments. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) from Lake Huron intakes. Wallaceburg residents have a municipal intake on the Chenal Ecarte. 6.4 D None Score (FBI) D scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance and ranges 53 ha (0.2% of the watershed) are identified as wetlands by MNR. Screening by the SCRCA did not identify any Wetland Cover Steady from 1 (healthy) to 10 (severely degraded). potential wetlands.

Largest Number of Total Woodland % of Total Woodland Size Category % of Woodlots Woodlot Woodlots Area (ha) Area (ha) FOREST CONDITION D <5 ha 138 55 297 12 79 Lower North St. Clair Woodlot Size 5-10 ha 39 15 291 12 Indicators Sydenham Region 10-30 ha 53 21 867 35 Indicator Description 2005 2010 2010 >30 ha 22 9 1,010 41 Forest Cover is the percentage of a watershed that is forested. Environment Total 252 2,464 Forest 9.8 11.4 9.4 Canada recommends that 30% of a watershed should be forest and other Cover % D D natural cover to sustain native plants and animals. Forest Interior is the core area inside a woodlot that some bird species need Forest 1.4 2.0 1.1 to breed successfully. The outer 100 m perimeter of a woodlot is prone to high Interior % F F predation, sun and wind damage, and alien species invasion. Forested No data 14.1 21.2 Forested Riparian Buffer is the 30 m area that is forested on both sides of an St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Riparian open watercourse. Natural cover in this area aids in sediment and nutrient D D 205 Mill Pond Crescent, Strathroy ON N7G 3P9 Buffer % removal. E-mail: [email protected] The changes in forest condition percentages between the two time periods may reflect more accurate mapping, rather than an actual gain or loss of forest cover. Web site: www.scrca.on.ca Phone (519) 245-3710 D Forest Condition D Surface Water Quality Steady Highlights Since 2005 The three forest condition indicators score a D, The surface water quality indicators each score a D F and D, producing an overall grade of D. This producing an overall grade of D (using the provincial watershed has poor forest cover, poor riparian • Private landowners completed 30 stewardship projects grading system). cover and very poor forest interior. The majority of including wetland enhancement and planting over 27,000 Levels of phosphorus remain elevated at more than the woodlands are less than 5 hectares in size. The trees and shrubs plantings percent forest cover (9.8%) is one of the lowest in four times the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) guidelines. They have remained steady since 2005. the St. Clair Region and too low for sustainability. • Sydenham Field Naturalists organized regular hikes at Reid

The target for southern Ontario is 30% forest a t

o Conservation Area, and encouraged public appreciation ofe the R Fecal bacteria values are not available for this

d r

t s cover. The percent forest interior (1.4%) is very a

a t

S o

o a

l watershed.

significant woodland R n

i F

low indicating that most woodlots are too narrow a

e si

i A

to support area sensitive species such as Scarlet k n y

c e • Local residents protected snapping turtle nests, and reported Water quality based on benthic scores ranks a D and G

e l

Tanager and Ovenbird. The target for southern S B

d G o has been steady since 2005. a sightings of rare snakes and turtles u o th

Ontario is 10% forest interior. The percentage of the R P Oil Spring s Line l l l a

a n k riparian zone that is forested (14.1%) is one of the b R

m o i p a Aniline S lowest in the St. Clair Region, and much lower than K d treet the target of 50%. L o w e r N o r tt h S y d e n h a m Although there have been a significant number Forested Riparian Buffer Local Solutions to Improve XW EnXYnisBeknthiilc lSeamnpling Site of tree-planting projects in this watershed, forests p Wetland St. Clair p Surface Water Quality Monitoring Site Water Quality grow very slowly, and recent reforestation efforts Potential Wetlands are not likely to be visible in aerial photography. p Ground Water Quality Monitoring Site Forest Interior • Implement Environmental Farm Plans,

Young trees are not considered to be forests Municipal Boundaries Forest I until the trees are at least 3 m tall and a canopy is p White Line N particularly for fertilizer and nutrient

XW D 0 1.5 3 6 I developing. Forest loss from land use changes will A Kilometers management, to reduce nutrient loss

N p

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R • Fix faulty septic systems and establish Wilkesport Li

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d K Dawn-Euphemia a septic maintenance plan a Burman Line

y • Develop and maintain streamside

r Local Solutions to Improve Bentpath Line P buffers along one side of all Sombra ANNETTE DRAIN Forest Condition watercourses, especially municipal drains, to stabilize the banks Smith Line WOO IN DS OUTLET DRAIN DRA ND • Conserve woodlands on private YLA Holt Li HE ne d

properties, and support woodlot o

n owners e d

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B • Plant trees to establish or enlarge R

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l d

R a

a woodlots, using a variety of native Impacts of Climate Change o

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species to reduce the impact of i a C a

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D K R o err Line e m E l l R aggressive insects and of extreme T a • We can expect more severe weather:

r T vi r

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T E p d and more extended droughts. d H • Woodlot owners should prepare and a

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R • We can expect flooding conditions more

D t

r follow Woodlot Management Plans a

m K E e

d b N E

y R often throughout the summer. h

A E t

w g Ch arlem n l ont Li ne i u H l R n H XW a

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d White B I E bread Li K ne V n in species diversity and will put pressure T E a R T Kent Line M O

on species at risk.

E • LessR predictable weather increases the

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r Chatham-Kent neede to carry out stewardship projects n

La o EK ngstaff Line OTTER CRE C and improved stormwater management

f Sarnia f S u tewart Line ! to help protect watersheds. !Strathroy H EK M Petrolia RE ccreary Line ! G C NIN RUN Wallacebuprg Tupperville

d Dresden !Wallaceburg R XW

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C s Walpole First Nations e a n y i P Base Line L e r R n in in d e re L c in e e e L W l A n y Public Bush Road e va l i e in w b L v e L o e h a in e d rt s P L in e a R u L g e B sh e d ta d n n ri M a e a b La Unknown a e a in o w s S H e e W L la R n in n i i S L L ne b so n i i n w a L sh w w e ie M r a cr e u o B o in t q n kt L ryv n A r e r t li kn a o d n s o C el u p e n r i o S C f lci L d U C e in l D e O R d Lower North Sydenham Watershed Features Lower North Sydenham Watershed Report Card 2013 Area 253 km2, 6.1% of the St. Clair Region watershed Municipalities St. Clair (160 km2), Chatham-Kent (49 km2), Dawn-Euphemia (45 km2) First Nations None This report card summarizes surface water quality and forest condition in the Lower North Sydenham watershed within the St. Clair Physiography 62% bevelled till plain; 37% clay plain; 1% sand plain Region Conservation Authority jurisdiction from 2001 to 2010. The summary is intended to provide citizens, community groups, Soil Type 93% silt and clay; 3% loam; 2% bottom land and beach; 1% sand loam; 0.5% silt and clay loam; 1% not mapped municipalities, industries and agencies with information so they can take actions to protect or enhance the environmental features of the watershed. The ongoing monitoring will be reported on a five-year cycle which will help local people manage their local The river bottom is at lake level throughout this watershed therefore flow is heavily influenced by lake levels and wind Streamflow environment. This card uses the 2011 guidelines and updated grading system for Conservation Authority Watershed Report Cards. effects. Water levels are monitored at the McKeough dam and in Wallaceburg. These new province-wide standards have a more stringent grading system and result in generally lower grades in the intensely The average annual precipitation at Wallaceburg from 2002-2010 was 887 mm. From 2006-2010, levels were usually developed regions of southwestern Ontario. Precipitation below this value, and ranged from 848 to 1022 mm. The previous period, from 2002-2005, was at or below the mean, ranging from 749 to 963 mm. This report card is part of a larger report entitled the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Watershed Report Card (2013) available The average annual temperature at Wallaceburg is 10.3°C. From 2006 to 2010, average annual temperatures were at www.scrca.on.ca. Further information including methodology, comparisons with the other 13 St. Clair Region watersheds, Air Temperature close to the normal, ranging from 10.1 to11.4°C. The previous period of record, 2002-2005, was cooler with a range of regional maps and summary tables are also found in that document. 9.2 to 10.5°C. Tileage 8% randomly tiled; 70% systematically tiled; 22% unknown drainage Watercourse Total length: 275 km Length & Type Watercourse type:13% natural; 74% open municipal drain; 0% buried; 12% unclassified SURFACE WATER QUALITY Steady D Dams and Barriers 2 dams including one public dam that is normally open at McKeough C.A. Lower North St. Clair Sewage Treatment Rural residents are serviced by private septic systems. Provincial Indicator Sydenham Region Indicator Description Plants Guideline 13 fish species have been recorded. No game fish were documented. No freshwater mussel species were documented, 2005 2010 2010 Fisheries Resources but more sampling is needed. Total 0.14 0.13 Phosphorus is found in products such as detergents, fertilizer Plants: Blue Ash, Dense Blazingstar, Kentucky Coffee-tree, Climbing Prairie Rose, Shumard Oak, Swamp Rosemallow Phosphorus and pesticides, and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen Reptiles: Butler’s Gartersnake, Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake 0.15 D 0.03 Species at Risk D Birds: Bobolink (mg/L) Steady in streams and lakes. Fish: Pugnose Minnow, Blackstripe Topminnow, Spotted Sucker 100 Fecal bacteria are found in human and animal (livestock/ Stewardship 30 stewardship projects have been completed in this watershed from 2006 to 2010, including the planting of 27,340 Bacteria (#E. No 169 wildlife) waste. Their presence in water indicates fecal trees and shrubs. Memorial Forest and Conservation Area tree planting from 1988 to 2012 includes an additional 4 No data (recreational Projects coli/100mL) data C contamination and is a strong indicator that other disease- projects (120,682 trees and shrubs). use) causing organisms are in the watercourse. The only aquifer is at the interface between the overburden and the bedrock, and is known as the Fresh Water Aquifer. 6.2 Benthic invertebrates are small animals without backbones Groundwater It has high sodium and chloride and is of limited quantity. Most of the residents are supplied by municipal piped water Benthic 5.9 that live in stream sediments. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) from Lake Huron intakes. Wallaceburg residents have a municipal intake on the Chenal Ecarte. 6.4 D None Score (FBI) D scores each taxa according to its pollution tolerance and ranges 53 ha (0.2% of the watershed) are identified as wetlands by MNR. Screening by the SCRCA did not identify any Wetland Cover Steady from 1 (healthy) to 10 (severely degraded). potential wetlands.

This report card summarizes water quality and forest conditions for the Lower North Sydenham watershed within Grades: the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority jurisdiction. The summary is intended to provide landowners, groups, municipalities and agencies with information to protect, enhance and improve natural features of the watershed. The Forest Conditions - D ongoing monitoring will be reported on a five-year cycle which will help local people manage their natural features. Surface Water Quality - C This report card is part of a larger report entitled The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Watershed Report Card available at: www.scrca.on.ca. Further information, including methodology, comparisons to the other 13 St. Clair Region watersheds, and references are also found in the report.

St. Clair Region Watershed Report Card Lower North Sydenham Watershed Features

Area 253 sq km or 62 420 acres or 98 square miles Municipalities St. Clair, Dawn-Euphemia, Chatham-Kent First Nations none North Sydenham River, Heyland Drain, Gooden Creek, Indian Creek, Running Creek, Otter Creek Drain, East Otter Creek Watercourses Drain, West Otter Creek Drain Land Use 88% agriculture; 11% woodlot; 1% urban/industrial (OMAFRA 1983) 62% bevelled till plains; 37% clay plains; 1% sand plains (GIS derived from physiographic maps)(Chapman and Putnam Geology 1984) Soils 93% silt and clay; 3% loam; 2% bottom land and beach; 1% sand loams; 1% not mapped

Streamside Cover 11% of the 15 metre area on both sides of open streams is vegetated (SOLRIS Woodlands OMNR 2005, SCRCA 2007)

Wetlands 0.2% (SOLRIS Wetlands OMNR 2005) The only aquifer is at the interface between the overburden and the bedrock, and is known as the Fresh Water Aquifer. Groundwater It has high sodium and chloride and is of limited quantity. Most of the residents are supplied by municipal piped water from Lake Huron intakes. Provincially Significant Wetlands: Snye River Marshes, Reid Conservation Area (Duthill Woods #2) and Wetlands Locally Significant Wetlands: Chicken Island Wetland, McKeough Grant’s Wetland Natural Areas Significant Natural Areas: Wallaceburg Woods, McKeough Conservation Area (Duthill Woods #1), Wilkesport Woods, Combine Woods, Terminus Woods, McKeough Floodway Fishes Warm water fish community with 13 species including sunfish. Important habitat for fish species at risk. Waste Water none Treatment Plants Vegetation: Blue Ash, Kentucky Coffee-tree, Dense Blazingstar, Riddell’s Goldenrod, Butternut, Shumard Oak, Prairie Rose Species at Risk Reptiles: Spiny Softshell Turtle, Eastern Foxsnake Sources: Birds: Northern Bobwhite, NHIC, 2007; SCRCA, 2007 Fishes: Blackstripe Topminnow, Bigmouth Buffalo, Spotted Sucker Mussels: None known at this time Mammals: None known at this time Lower North Sydenham Forest Condition and Water Quality Indicator and Description Lower North SCRCA Area FOREST CONDITIONS Sydenham Result Grade Result Grade

Forest Cover is the percentage of the watershed that is forested. Environment Canada recommends 30% of a watershed should be in forest cover. 9.4% D 11.5% D

Forest Interior is the area inside a woodlot that some bird species need for breeding. Environment Canada recommends 10% of a watershed should be in 1.1% F 1.8% D forest cover that is at least 100 m from the forest edge.

Lower North SCRCA Area SURFACE WATER Sydenham QUALITY Result Grade Result Grade

Total Phosphorus is an element that enhances plant growth and contributes to excess algae and low oxygen in streams and lakes. The Ministry of the Environment 0.15 mg/l C 0.14 mg/l C has established an environmental health objective concentration of 0.03 mg/L.

E. coli (Escherichia coli) are bacteria found in human and animal waste. Their presence in water indicates the potential for water to have other disease-causing No Data 181 cfu C organisms. The Ministry of Health has established a guideline of 100 cfu (colony forming units)/100 mL in recreational waters.

Benthic Invertebrates are small animals without backbones that live in stream or lake sediments. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) summarizes the information about 6.4 FBI C 6.1 FBI C the numbers and types of these animals in a sediment sample. FBI values provide stream health information and values range from 1 (healthy) to 10 (degraded).

Data collected 2001 - 2005, printed 2008 St. Clair Region Watershed Report Card Lower North Sydenham Local Solutions

Local Solutions to Improve Forest Conditions: Thumbs Up!

• Encourage woodlot owners to prepare and follow Woodlot • All those landowners who have Environmental Farm Plans Management Plans • Lena Reid and Jean Lye for donating a 69 hectare woodland and • Conserve woodlands through designation in Official Plans, enforce the farmland property along the Sydenham River for public conservation Tree Conservation Bylaw, and landowner incentives and education as the Reid Conservation Area • Plant trees to increase the size of existing woodlots, using a range of • Robert Bossu for retiring row cropland along the Sydenham River and native species to protect against diseases and aggressive pests such as developing the Bossu Wetlands the Emerald Ash Borer and Hickory Bark Beetle

Local Solutions to Improve Water Quality:

• Identify tile drain projects, where restrictions in tile drains would raise groundwater levels after the crop has been established St. Clair Region Conservation Authority • Repair or replace faulty septic systems and establish a regular 205 Mill Pond Crescent, Strathroy ON N7G 3P9 maintenance program E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.scrca.on.ca • Encourage municipalities to follow Best Management Practices on Phone (519) 245-3710 municipal drains including buffer strips to stabilize the banks

St. Clair Region Watershed Report Card