KETTLE CREEK CONSERVATION AUTHORITY ANNUAL

20 18 REPORT THE KETTLE CREEK WATERSHED The Kettle Creek watershed is hourglass in shape and drains 520 square kilometers of land in the heart of the Carolinian Zone on the north shore of at Port Stanley. Kettle Creek drops approximately 141 metres over its 80 kilometre length. This steep drop in elevation can cause flash flooding, fluctuating base flows and a high degree of erosion. The main branch of Kettle Creek originates at Lake Whittaker, an 11 hectare spring-fed kettle lake. The watershed is comprised of three subwatersheds: Dodd Creek, Upper Kettle Creek, and Lower Kettle Creek.

There are seven member municipalities associated with the Kettle Creek watershed: Central Elgin, London, Malahide, Middlesex Centre, St. Thomas, Southwold and .

UPPER KETTLE CREEK SUBWATERSHED

DODD CREEK SUBWATERSHED

LOWER KETTLE CREEK SUBWATERSHED ~50,000 TREES 13,000 KILOMETRES22 PLANTED ANNUALLY VISITORS IN 2018 OF HIKING TRAILS

UPPER KETTLE CREEK SUBWATERSHED

WHAT IS A WATERSHED? A watershed or drainage basin is an area of land that drains into a river or a lake. The boundary of a watershed is based on the elevation (natural contours) of a landscape. A drop of water that lands anywhere inside this boundary will eventually end up draining into Kettle Creek before emptying into Lake Erie. This determination of boundaries is based on the natural shape of the land and therefore the watershed can fall across many municipal boundaries.

INDEX

Flood Forecasting and Low Water Response 5 Spotlight: 2018 Watershed Report Card 7 Outreach and Education 9 Planning and Regulations 11 Stewardship 13 Forestry 15 Conservation Lands 17 GIS/IT Technologies 21 Financial Statements 22

3 Ice jam in Port Stanley

9.75m 211m3 PER SECOND FEBRUARY, 9, 2018 FEBRUARY 20, 2018 MAX FLOW IN MAX ICE COVER ON MAX WATER LEVEL KETTLE CREEK ON LAKE ERIE 95.07% FEBRUARY 20, 2018

4 FLOOD FORECASTING AND LOW WATER RESPONSE

Across , the winter began early Flood prone areas throughout the with a polar vortex that unleashed watershed experienced high water frigid air, cold wind chills, and record levels and flooding. The main concern breaking temperatures across the was ice jamming in the Village of country. Despite a cold La Niña at Port Stanley where water could back the start of the year, temperatures up quickly with little notice. Staff across Canada were 0.04°C above the provided constant on-the-ground field baseline average. Overall, 2018 was observations to the Municipality of the fourth-warmest year observed Central Elgin as the ice jam moved since nationwide recording began 135 through Port Stanley. years ago. In June, a comprehensive inspection A January thaw prompted Kettle Creek of the Dalewood Dam was completed Conservation Authority (KCCA) to by WATECH Services. The inspection issue its first flood warning on January concluded that the dam is generally 12, 2018. The watershed received an in good condition with some areas of average of 40mm of rain over two days deterioration noted. In November that combined with melting snowpack 2018, new stone protection was and double digit temperatures installed along the upstream caused a major runoff and flooding embankment to prevent further event. There was also significant ice erosion. in the system. To help prevent an ice jam, the Municipality of Central For up-to-date flood information, Elgin brought in heavy equipment to watershed residents and businesses help break up the ice. A second flood can visit the KCCA website at warning was issued on February 20, www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca, or 2018, following three consecutive connect with KCCA socially on Twitter days of mild temperatures and 45.5- and Facebook. 67.25mm of rain. GET SOCIAL WITH KCCA

@kettlecreekca

5 Dan Patterson Conservation Area

30 BENTHIC OVERALL SAMPLES WATERSHED GRADE 14 FISH SPECIES ANALYZED 2018 IN 2018 WATERSHED IDENTIFIED IN REPORT 19 MUNICIPAL C CARD DRAINS

6 SPOTLIGHT: 2018 WATERSHED REPORT CARD

On March 22, 2018 Conservation Fortunately, KCCA’s tree planting program Authorities (CAs) across released is offsetting the negative rate of change, updated Watershed Report Cards (WRC). which is indicative of how critical planting Watershed Report Cards are used by CAs 50,000 trees a year is to the watershed. as a means of reporting on watershed health through the use of environmental Groundwater is the water found beneath indicators. The report card allows CAs and the earth’s surface in layers called aquifers. partners to monitor changes to watershed Within the Kettle Creek watershed, health and better target programs to the groundwater quality is an A grade. Nitrate issues identified in the watershed. and chloride concentrations are better than the drinking water guidelines in all WRCs use environmental health indicators monitored wells. divided into three resource categories: surface water quality, forest conditions Environment Canada recommends 10 and groundwater quality. These categories percent wetland cover in a watershed to relate to two key Conservation Authority support wildlife species. Within the Kettle business functions: protecting and Creek watershed, wetland coverage is only enhancing water quality, and preserving 1.34 percent, giving the watershed an F and managing natural areas. KCCA also grade. The Dodd Creek subwatershed has includes a fourth category: wetland cover. the lowest wetland cover with less than half a percent, making it an area of priority Nutrient loading of phosphorus is a key for restoration and wetland creation. factor contributing to the D grade for surface water quality in the Kettle Creek Since the release of the last Watershed watershed. In the last five years, 97.9 Report Card in 2013, the Kettle Creek percent of the phosphorus samples watershed has maintained a C grade collected have exceeded the Provincial overall meaning the health of the Water Quality Objective of 0.02 mg/L. watershed remains fair. To address the High levels of phosphorus can contribute issues highlighted in the Watershed to harmful algae blooms, low oxygen Report Card, KCCA is working with local, conditions and overall habitat loss and provincial, and federal government degradation. agencies, community organizations and local landowners to improve Environment Canada recommends 30 the environmental conditions of the percent forest cover in a watershed to watershed. Ontario’s Conservation support wildlife species. The current forest Authorities report on watershed cover in the Kettle Creek watershed is 14 conditions every five years. To learn more percent with grades ranging from D to C about Ontario’s Watershed Checkup, and depending on the subwatershed. Based on compare KCCA’s results with the rest of 2015 aerial photography, the watershed is Ontario, please visit: losing 7.32 hectares of forest per year. www.watershedcheckup.ca.

7 Early Learning Centre campers release Snapping Turtles OUTREACH AND EDUCATION

LANDSCAPES ON THE LAKE In August, the hatchlings were safely In June, KCCA partnered with the released back into Dalewood Reservoir Thames Valley District School Board and with the help of campers from the Early local artists to facilitate an art focused Learning Centre day camp. conference on the shores of Lake Erie in Port Stanley for 50 St. Thomas GO WILD GROW WILD high school art students. This event Staff assisted Carolinian Canada with the allowed students to connect with their organization of the Go Wild Grow Wild local environment and use nature to Expo. Staff led exhibitor registration inspire their artwork. Students learned and organized site logistics for the Expo. about and used a variety of mediums The Expo drew over 100 exhibitors, including photography, lino printing and featured 25 speakers and workshops and watercolour to create a collaborative attracted over 3,000 attendees. art piece that pairs nature and art. This event was showcased at the AD Latornell CAROLINIAN FOREST FESTIVAL Conservation Symposium in November. KCCA coordinated the 11th annual Carolinian Forest Festival which engaged GET OUT IN NATURE over 2,000 grade 6 and 7 students With funding from Ontario’s Healthy to learn about forest ecosystems Kids Community Challenge, staff led and species at risk through hands- eight outdoor education programs for on activities linked to the Ontario children attending the Early Learning Curriculum. Centre and City of St. Thomas summer camps. Each program had a different SOCIAL MEDIA theme and included outdoor activities KCCA’s social media community such as birdwatching, hiking and continues to grow using the hashtag exploring Dalewood Conservation Area. #LoveMyWatershed. In 2018, KCCA’s Facebook account was KCCA’s fastest In June, staff saved 150 Snapping turtle growing and most engaging social media eggs from nests located in unsafe areas platform and experienced a growth of within the watershed. With help from 40% with over 1,000 followers. KCCA’s Upper Thames River Conservation Twitter account has 1,200 followers and Authority, the eggs were incubated and Instagram has over 800 followers. monitored.

9 Lake Erie aerial photo captured with the KCCA UAV PLANNING AND REGULATIONS Ontario’s long-term prosperity, Conservation Authorities also have environmental health and social provincially delegated responsibilities well-being depend on reducing the for natural hazard policies of the potential for public costs or risk of Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). Ontario’s residents from natural or With this responsibility, KCCA human-made hazards. reviews and comments on municipal planning applications with regard One objective of Ontario’s planning to its responsibilities for natural and development policies is to direct hazard management. Through pre- development away from areas of consultation with proponents and natural or human-made hazards member municipalities, natural hazard where there is an unacceptable risk of constraints are discussed and avoided public health or safety, or of property up front in most cases. damage, and not create new or aggravate existing hazards. In 2018, KCCA reviewed and commented on over 100 planning The KCCA is responsible for managing applications and issued 39 permits development within areas of natural under Ontario Regulation 181/06. hazards in the Kettle Creek watershed KCCA also responds to requests for through ‘Ontario Regulation 181/06 property information from members – Development, Interference with of the public, lawyers, and real Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines estate agents. These inquiries are and Watercourses’. very important so that prospective buyers of property or people To prevent future risk and protect the wishing to undertake development interests and liability of our member in natural hazard areas have a prior municipalities, O.Reg.181/06 requires understanding of the potential landowners to obtain permission restrictions and risks involved. from KCCA prior to developing within natural hazard areas, associated river or stream valleys, shorelines, wetlands and watercourses.

11 Wetland creation project in the Lower Kettle Creek subwatershed STEWARDSHIP

KCCA completed a 3 year contract with KCCA worked with the Dalewood Glen Ontario Power Generation to create Condo Corporation to plant a five acre and restore wetlands throughout the site along the hydro corridor adjacent Kettle Creek and Upper Thames River to Dalewood Conservation Area into watersheds. In total, 30 wetland tallgrass prairie. projects were completed, totalling 45 wetland cells created/restored. KCCA staff was appointed to the newly formed St. Thomas Environmental The Elgin Clean Water Program Stewardship Committee, a group (ECWP) continues to be a great source tasked with looking at the City’s of technical advice and funding environmentally sensitive areas with for landowners. Since 2012, the an initial focus on Lake Margaret. ECWP has awarded over $480,000 grants to 175 projects totalling over The Kettle Creek Environmental $1,970,000 in total project costs that Youth Corps (EYC) was launched in directly benefit the health of the local 2018 with support from the Great environment. In 2018, 45 projects Lakes Guardian Community Fund. were completed totalling over $92,000 A new program for KCCA, the EYC in grants. was developed to provide local high school students with meaningful New in 2018, the ECWP provided an experience in the environmental incentive for farmers to plant cover field through hands-on stewardship crops that overwinter. Approximately projects. Twelve students participated, 540 acres of cover crops were planted providing over 170 volunteer hours to through this program, reducing better the environmental conditions erosion across the County and helping of the watershed. Projects included to build soil health. In addition, the planting 500 shrubs around newly ECWP partnered with the Elgin Soil created wetlands, removing three and Crop Improvement Association to invasive species from Dan Patterson present the first Elgin Sustainability Conservation Area, planting 2,000 Award to Stan Campbell and wildflower plugs adjacent to the Russtanda livestock farm. Dalewood reservoir, maintaining 6.4 kilometres of trails and assisting with environmental monitoring.

13 Tree planting at Fingal Wildlife Management Area Community tree planting event with Scouts

FORESTRY

Over 50,000 tree and shrubs seedlings Staff also engaged local students were planted throughout the in tree planting. Students from watershed in 2018 with an additional Central Elgin Collegiate Institute 2,220 seedlings sold to landowners helped to plant over 1,000 seedlings through the Greening Communities around newly created wetlands at program. In partnership with the Fingal Wildlife Management Area in Ministry of Transportation and the partnership with the Elgin Stewardship Municipality of Central Elgin, KCCA Council. In addition, students from planted nearly 4,000 trees along three local elementary schools planted Central Elgin roadsides and Highway 3. 40 large stock trees in their school yards. KCCA led a number of community tree planting events throughout the year KCCA supported TD Friends of the with local organizations including the Environment Foundation’s TD Tree Elgin Scouts, St. Thomas Railway City Days event by organizing and leading Rotary Club and the St. Thomas Rotary 60 volunteers to plant 300 large stock Club. trees at Pinafore Park in St. Thomas in September.

15 30th Tall Tales Fishing Derby at Lake Whittaker Conservation Area

FUN ON THE WATER LAUNCHED IN 2018 AND RESULTED IN 9% INCREASE CANOE AND IN THE NUMBER OF KAYAK RENTALS CAMPGROUND 2,803 75 VISITORS IN 2018 DAY-USE PERMITS 16 CONSERVATION LANDS CAMPGROUNDS The Fun on the Water initiative also The 2018 camping season was introduced a Fish and Tackle loan another successful year with revenues program which offered visitors fishing exceeding budget targets. This is rods, fully equipped tackle boxes and representative of an ever increasing children under 16 also received a free use of the conservation areas across fishing license. all user groups. Day use passes were up 14 percent over 2017, transient In July, KCCA partnered with the camping was up two percent, seasonal Ministry of Natural Resources and campers increased by 12 percent with Forestry to offer a free Learn to Fish the overall number of visitors to the program at Dalewood Conservation campgrounds increasing nine percent. Area. Two sessions were offered with a total of 90 participants. Infrastructure upgrades continued at both campgrounds. As a way to REWILD THE FAMILY contain the rising cost of hydro, KCCA With support from the Kettle Creek installed individual hydro metres Environmental Trust, KCCA offered on every seasonal site at Dalewood four local families the opportunity Conservation Area. Following the to experience camping for the first installation, overall hydro usage at the time. Each family received a free campground dropped by 35 percent. campsite, camping gear and a mentor At Lake Whittaker, a substantial for the weekend. This year, KCCA refurbishment of the Lakeshore included free canoe and kayak rentals washroom was completed and the to each family. Families emphasized campground pool’s mechanical system that in addition to reconnecting with was replaced. nature, the program allowed them to reconnect with one another. FUN ON THE WATER Thanks to financial support from the INVASIVE SPECIES Healthy Kids Community Challenge Staff continued to address invasive a number of new initiatives were species on Authority lands. Work introduced at Dalewood Conservation continued on a 1-acre site at Lake Area in 2018. The Fun on the Water Whittaker that was overwhelmed by initiative included the installation the invasive Phragmites australis. In of a publicly accessible platform on addition, KCCA received funding from Dalewood reservoir that allowed the Land Stewardship and Habitat community members water access to Restoration Program to control a fish, canoe and kayak. In addition, two multi-acre patch of phragmites in the canoes and kayaks were purchased for Dalewood Reservoir. users to rent.

17 Canoe and Kayak launch at Dalewood Conservation Area 18 Old Growth Trail launch at Dan Patterson Conservation Area

In 2018, staff re-established and that links Dan created new hiking trails and trail Patterson Conservation Area into the connections throughout the watershed heart of the Dalewood Conservation using sustainable trail building Area tract. A trail launch event was techniques. In June, KCCA launched held in June to thank project sponsors. the Old Growth Forest Trail at Dan Following opening remarks and a Patterson Conservation Area, and in ribbon cutting ceremony, staff led a 2019 a new section of trail connected group of 30 attendees on a guided to the Dalewood Reservoir Trail will tour of the Old Growth Forest Trail. open for trail users to enjoy. DALEWOOD TRAIL EXTENSION DAN PATTERSON TRAIL In November, staff began working on With support from TD Friends of the a new section of trail connected to Environment Foundation, Elgin St. the Dalewood Reservoir Trail. This Thomas Community Foundation and portion of the trail is located south the Kettle Creek Environmental Trust, of Ron McNeil Line. KCCA will also KCCA was able to hire a sustainable reopen a previously closed parking lot trail builder to rework the Dan connected to the trail that will offer Patterson Trail. A unique feature to the trail users a convenient parking place. trail is a new connection under

19 UAV training and demonstration session held at the Kettle Creek office GIS/IT TECHNOLOGIES Geographic information systems (GIS) Staff also sit on the St. Thomas Elgin and information technology (IT) are Community Data Table, which strives integral components of CAs in the to support and encourage data sharing province. CAs are highly regarded between organizations within the provincially and nationally for their region. expertise in these fields, and are organized with local and provincial Given the Authority’s expertise in working groups. In this context, KCCA is mapping with unmanned aerial vehicles a leader in geospatial science, especially (UAVs), various flights were conducted with regards to elevation data analysis, to document stewardship projects and UAV mapping, and erosion modelling. assistance was provided to other CAs who sought to develop their own UAV In 2018, staff continued to work with program. various organizations and completed two major projects in collaboration Internally, staff leveraged new with OMAFRA, the Canada-Ontario technologies to increase efficiencies, Agreement (COA), and researchers including supporting the surveying of at the University of Guelph. As part tree planting sites, wetlands, hazard of these projects, all watercourses trees, linear assets, and woodlots. In and water bodies in the Kettle Creek, addition, tasks that were previously Catfish Creek, and Long Point Region completed manually were streamlined watersheds were mapped at a 1:500 through the creation of new web scale and a technique was developed to applications, such as the Metadata monitor ephemeral gully erosion using Management System, Hydrometer UAV imagery. Database, BMP Database, and an online application form for seasonal campers. On an ongoing basis, staff represent The ongoing development of KCCA’s Western Ontario CAs on the provincial enterprise database system means Elevation Coordination and Consultation that in addition to improving internal Committee (EC3), which helps plan operations, it will be easier and faster to the acquisition and dissemination of supply quality data to staff, the public, elevation data in the province. and member municipalities.

21 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TOTAL REVENUES

Other Fundraising Levy, 34% and Grants, 22%

MNRF Grant, 5%

User Fees, 39%

TOTAL EXPENDITURES

Conservation Lands, 41%

Amortization, 5%

Conservation Awareness, 5%

Administration, 6%

Public Safety, 12% Environmental Protection, 31%

Full financial statements are available at www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca Old Growth Trail launch at Dan Patterson Conservation Area

OUR PARTNERS/DONORS

Thank you to the following for their financial and in-kind donations to Kettle Creek Conservation Authority in 2018.

Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation • Carolinian Canada • City of London • City of St. Thomas • Ducks Unlimited • • Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation • Elgin Stewardship Council • Forests Ontario • Graham Conservation Scott Enns • Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund (MECP) • Green Lane Lands, 41% Community Trust Fund • Huron Tractor St. Thomas• Kettle Creek Environmental Trust • Kettle Valley Pioneers • Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program (MNRF) • Ministry of Transportation • Municipality of Central Elgin • Municipality of Middlesex Centre • Municipality of Thames Centre • New Era Grafix • Northern Casket • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture • Ontario Nativescape • Ontario Power Generation • Police Association of Ontario • Riggs Engineering • Southwestern Public Health • St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club Inc. • St. Thomas Railway City Rotary Club • TD Friends of the Environment • Thames Valley District School Board • Township of Malahide • Township of Southwold • Trillium Mutual Insurance Company • United Way of Canada

(Please notify our office of any errors or omissions.) Environmental Protection, 31%

23 2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Heather Jackson, Chair Max Moore City of St. Thomas Township of Malahide

David Marr, Vice-chair Linda Stevenson Municipality of Central Elgin City of St. Thomas

Ian Chard Ralph Winfield Southwold Township City of London

Bill Mackie Stephen Harvey City of London Municipality of Middlesex Centre

Marcel Meyer Jared Zaifman Muncipality of Thames Centre City of London 2018 STAFF

Elizabeth VanHooren General Manager/Secretary Treasurer Kassandra Boddie Mike Buis Tim Chapman Jennifer Dow Emily Fenn Joe Gordon Jessica Kirschner Jeff Lawrence Marianne Levogiannis Rob Lindsay Betsy McClure Luiza Moczarski Clifford Patterson Kathleen Sebestyen-Scott Scott Pinnell

44015 Ferguson Line, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3T3 Phone: 519-631-1270 | Fax: 519-631-5026 www.kettlecreekconservation.on.ca