Western Newfoundland Model Forest
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STEADY BROOK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN September 2005 STEADY BROOK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN September 2005 Prepared by Debbie Hearn Western Newfoundland Model Forest Contributions by: Paula Dawe and Rob Holloway Dept. of Environment and Conservation Water Resources Management Division and Leah Soper Dept. of Natural Resources Forest Resources Branch 9/7/2006 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of rivers, lakes and ponds that supply clean drinking water to the majority of the province’s population. It is the provincial government’s mandate to ensure that these sources continue to supply safe and secure drinking water for our residents. Municipalities also have a role in the protection of our public water supplies, as they have the power to make regulations controlling the use of their source of water, their watershed. Vigilance about drinking water quality has existed in the Town of Steady Brook for some time and as early as 2000, residents, with the blessing of Town Council, established the first Steady Brook Watershed Monitoring Committee. This committee however was limited by a lack of resources. So when the Western Newfoundland Model Forest offered to coordinate the development of a watershed management plan in 2003, the Town jumped at the opportunity. Many months and many meetings later, Steady Brook is proud to present the Steady Brook Watershed Management Plan. We are pleased with the finished product and confident that it has provided us with a decision-making process based on accepted practices and research in watershed management. We’re also very proud to have been involved in the pilot project to produce a watershed management methodology for other communities in Newfoundland and Labrador to follow. As Mayor, I would like to extend my thanks to all the members of the Steady Brook Watershed Management Planning Committee who contributed many hours to this project. The Town looks forward to working with you on the implementation of this plan. Leona Gillette Mayor, Town of Steady Brook i 9/7/2006 ABSTRACT Multiple uses of protected water supply areas are an issue for many municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Historical uses such as cabins, commercial harvesting, domestic cutting, mining and recreation are well ingrained. Increased pressures on these areas from pre-existing and new users cause concerns as to the potential impairment to the quality of drinking water. As early as 2000, the Town of Steady Brook recognized the need for a formalized plan to help protect the Town’s water supply, while allowing, if possible, the sustainable development of the watershed’s resources. This Steady Brook Watershed Management Plan has addressed this need by providing a process of informed decision-making in the management of the watershed. A committee of community representatives and resource specialists gathered background information, and assessed the risks of potential contaminants resulting from possible activities in the watershed. From this information, a strategy was suggested to assist the Town in achieving their goal. This strategy is based on existing and recommended approaches to three management components: regulations, best management practices and education and stewardship. The plan also makes recommendations for monitoring water quality, monitoring of the watershed and implementation of the management strategy. The goal of this process was to develop a comprehensive integrated watershed management planning methodology, using Steady Brook watershed as an example. The methodology, to be extracted from this plan and produced separately, will hopefully be used by other municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador to develop management plans for their protected water supply areas. ii 9/7/2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR...........................................................................I ABSTRACT ..........................................................................................................ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ..............................................................................................vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.....................................................................................vii INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................1 Background................................................................................................................................................... 1 Goals and Objectives.................................................................................................................................... 1 Report Organization .................................................................................................................................... 3 WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION.................................................................4 Location and Physiographic Characteristics ............................................................................................. 4 Location .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Ecoregion .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Geology...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Soils............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Topography .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Climate...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Natural and Historic Resources .................................................................................................................. 8 Water......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Water Supply System .......................................................................................................................... 9 Water Quality Data ........................................................................................................................... 10 Water Quantity .................................................................................................................................. 13 Forest....................................................................................................................................................... 15 Forest Description.............................................................................................................................. 15 Other Vegetation................................................................................................................................17 Forest Disturbances........................................................................................................................... 17 Wildlife.................................................................................................................................................... 18 Big Game ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Small Game and Furbearers............................................................................................................. 20 Small Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 21 iii 9/7/2006 Inland Fish Species ............................................................................................................................ 22 Avian Species...................................................................................................................................... 22 Amphibian and Invertebrate Species............................................................................................... 22 Mineral Potential.................................................................................................................................... 23 Historic Resources.................................................................................................................................. 23 Watershed Use ............................................................................................................................................ 23 Water Use ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Land Use ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Forestry..............................................................................................................................................