Rouge River Rouge River
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Rouge River State of the Watershed Report Groundwater Quantity and Quality Goal: Groundwater of sufficient quantity and quality to support ecological functions, aquatic habitats, native fish communities, and sustainable human needs, including drinking water, agricultural, industrial, and commercial uses. Groundwater Quantity and Quality Key Findings: • New hydrogeologic data and modelling tools are now available as a result of the York- Peel-Durham-Toronto Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition (YPDT-CAMC) Groundwater Management Study. • TRCA and its partners have identified and mapped three major regional aquifer systems across the watershed, namely the Oak Ridges (Upper Aquifer), Thorncliffe (Middle Aquifer), and Scarborough (Lower Aquifer). • Significant recharge and discharge zones as predicted by numerical modelling have been mapped and linked to baseflow measurements and coldwater stream habitats. • Baseline recharge targets have been established to guide future development design and approvals such that the protection of recharge functions can be assured. • Key regional recharge areas for the Rouge River watershed are located in the East Holland River watershed in the northeast and the Humber River watershed in the northwest. • Other elevated recharge areas are associated with the Oak Ridges Moraine in the upper most part of the watershed and Lake Iroquois sand plain in the lower Rouge. • Groundwater discharge is greatest in the middle reaches near Elgin Mills Road and 19 th Avenue where the Oak Ridges Aquifer is close to ground surface, and around Finch Avenue, where the Thorncliffe Aquifer is exposed in the floodplain. • Significant local recharge and discharge associated with a shallow aquifer system is especially important in supporting aquatic habitat on Upper Main Rouge River, Bruce Creek, Upper Robinson Creek, Upper Morningside Creek and Little Rouge River • Water use across the watershed has been mapped. The main users are municipal water takings for Whitchurch-Stouffville (4,000-6,000 m 3/day in 2006). • Groundwater quality assessment has been completed on a watershed scale - natural methane impacts identified in Rouge Park area. • Groundwater quality data is limited. Summary of Current CondCondiiiitionstions Ratings: ObjObjective:ective: Overall Rating • Protect, restore and enhance groundwater recharge and discharge. 1 Good • Protect, restore and enhance groundwater quality. Good • Ensure sustainable rates of groundwater use. Fair 1 “Enhance” does not include increasing recharge beyond natural background levels. TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.0 GROUNDWATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY.................................................................. 4-1 4.1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2 Understanding the Factors that Affect Groundwater .................................................. 4-2 4.3 Measuring and Evaluating Groundwater Quantity and Quality.................................. 4-4 4.3.1 Data Sources ........................................................................................................... 4-4 4.3.2 Groundwater Modelling for the Rouge River Watershed........................................ 4-5 4.3.3 Monitoring ................................................................................................................ 4-6 4.3.4 Groundwater Use..................................................................................................... 4-7 4.4 Existing Conditions...................................................................................................... 4-7 4.4.1 Hydrogeologic Setting............................................................................................. 4-7 4.4.2 Water Budget ......................................................................................................... 4-10 4.4.3 Groundwater Recharge ......................................................................................... 4-12 4.4.4 Groundwater Levels............................................................................................... 4-12 4.4.5 Groundwater Discharge ........................................................................................ 4-19 4.4.6 Groundwater Quality.............................................................................................. 4-22 4.4.7 Groundwater Use................................................................................................... 4-22 4.5 Objectives for Groundwater....................................................................................... 4-25 4.5.1 Groundwater Quality.............................................................................................. 4-26 4.5.2 Groundwater Use................................................................................................... 4-26 4.6 Summary and Management Considerations ............................................................ 4-27 4.6.1 Water Quantity (Availability)................................................................................... 4-27 4.6.2 Water Quality.......................................................................................................... 4-27 4.6.3 Water Use............................................................................................................... 4-27 4.7 References ................................................................................................................. 4-28 FIGURES Figure 4-1: Cross-Section along the Main Rouge...................................................................... 4-9 Figure 4-2: Cross-Section through the Middle Rouge Tributaries............................................. 4-9 Figure 4-3: Cross-Section along the Little Rouge River........................................................... 4-10 Figure 4-4: Overall Rouge River Watershed Water Balance.................................................... 4-11 Figure 4-5: WABAS Calculated Recharge (EarthFx, 2006)...................................................... 4-13 Figure 4-6: Modelled Groundwater Levels, Oak Ridges Aquifer (EarthFx, 2006) .................... 4-14 Figure 4-7: Modelled Groundwater Levels, Thorncliffe Aquifer (EarthFx, 2006) ...................... 4-15 Figure 4-8: Modelled Groundwater Levels, Scarborough Aquifer (EarthFx, 2006).................. 4-16 Figure 4-9: Reference Well Hydrographs, Oak Ridges (Upper) Aquifer ................................. 4-18 Figure 4-10: Reference Well Hydrographs, Thorncliffe (Middle) Aquifer ................................ 4-18 Figure 4-11: Reference Well Hydrograph, Scarborough (Lower) Aquifer............................... 4-19 Figure 4-12: Modelled Groundwater Discharge (EarthFx, 2006) ............................................ 4-20 Figure 4-13: Separated Baseflow from Long Term Flow Gauges ........................................... 4-21 TABLES Table 4-1: Summary of Groundwater Quality .......................................................................... 4-23 Table 4-2: Summary of Known Groundwater Extractions in the Rouge River Watershed...... 4-24 Table 4-3: Effect of Scale in Water Use Stress Assessment (Example).................................. 4-24 Unique Rouge River Watershed Feature MMMostMost of the high volume recharge areas for the Rouge River watershedwatershed are located outside of the watershed boundariesboundaries.... CHAPTER GROUNDWATER QUANTITY AND 444 QUALITY 4.04.04.0 GROUNDWATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY 4.14.14.1 Introduction Groundwater is water that is present below ground surface in the spaces between rock and soil particles. Groundwater is vital to the proper functioning of a watershed because it provides a constant source of clean, cold water to lakes and streams. Because groundwater discharge varies little from season to season, it forms an important part of the surface water flow system, particularly during dry periods when surface runoff is at its lowest level. Many aquatic species require minimum volumes of groundwater discharge for their survival and those that are dependent on cold-water environments require the highest ratio of groundwater discharge to total flow. Wetlands and other natural heritage systems may also be linked to groundwater. In addition, humans rely on groundwater for household, business, recreational, and agricultural water needs. A summary of the geologic setting was provided in Chapter 2, while Chapters 5, 6, 8 and 9 include more details regarding the links among the groundwater system and other aspects of the natural heritage system, including surface water quantity and quality and aquatic and terrestrial systems. This chapter provides a conceptual understanding of the groundwater system in the watershed, including both the quantity and the quality of groundwater resources in the major aquifer units, and outlines the sensitivity of the groundwater system to current rates of water withdrawals and land use activities. Overall groundwater management objectives are outlined and a rating of current conditions assigned for each objective. The provincial Clean Water Act (RSO 2006) for drinking water source protection was promulgated concurrently with this study, and therefore it should be noted that further water quantity risk assessment and source protection plans are being undertaken as per these new regulatory requirements and will take precedence over this plan where recommendations for protection of drinking water are made. 4-1 4.24.24.2 Understanding the