Pigeon Lake Watershed Characterization Report 2018
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Pigeon Lake Watershed Characterization Report 2018 About Kawartha Conservation Who we are We are a watershed-based organization that uses planning, stewardship, science, and conservation lands management to protect and sustain outstanding water quality and quantity supported by healthy landscapes. Why is watershed management important? Abundant, clean water is the lifeblood of the Kawarthas. It is essential for our quality of life, health, and continued prosperity. It supplies our drinking water, maintains property values, sustains an agricultural industry, and contributes to a tourism-based economy that relies on recreational boating, fishing, and swimming. Our programs and services promote an integrated watershed approach that balance human, environmental, and economic needs. The community we support We focus our programs and services within the natural boundaries of the Kawartha watershed, which extend from Lake Scugog in the southwest and Pigeon Lake in the east, to Balsam Lake in the northwest and Crystal Lake in the northeast – a total of 2,563 square kilometers. Our history and governance In 1979, we were established by our municipal partners under the Ontario Conservation Authorities Act. The natural boundaries of our watershed overlap the six municipalities that govern Kawartha Conservation through representation on our Board of Directors. Our municipal partners include the City of Kawartha Lakes, Region of Durham, Township of Scugog, Township of Brock, Municipality of Clarington, Municipality of Trent Lakes, and Township of Cavan Monaghan. Kawartha Conservation 277 Kenrei Road, Lindsay ON K9V 4R1 T: 705.328.2271 F: 705.328.2286 [email protected] KawarthaConservation.com Acknowledgements This Watershed Characterization Report was prepared by the Technical Services Department team of Kawartha Conservation with considerable support from other internal staff and external organizations. Kawartha Conservation would like to thank everyone who provided comments, suggestions and any kind of input during the four-year period of research, monitoring and preparation of the report. We are particularly thankful for the information, input, and advice received from the following organizations that comprise the Science and Technical Committee. Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment Fleming College Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit Kawartha Lakes Fisheries Assessment Unit Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Trent University Funding for this project was provided by the City of Kawartha Lakes PIGEON LAKE WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION REPORT – 2018 vi KAWARTHA CONSERVATION Table of Contents About Kawartha Conservation ............................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. vi Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................................. xi 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project History ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Area ......................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Socio-Economic Characterization ........................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps ........................................................ 4 2.2 Brief History ....................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Trent-Severn Waterway .................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Population and Housing .................................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Industry and Employment .................................................................................................................. 9 3.0 Land Use ........................................................................................................................................................ 14 3.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps ...................................................... 14 3.2 Human Use Areas ........................................................................................................................... 17 3.3 Natural Areas ................................................................................................................................... 20 4.0 Physical Characteristics .............................................................................................................................. 23 4.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps ...................................................... 23 4.2 Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 24 4.3 Physiography and Topography ....................................................................................................... 26 4.4 Soils ................................................................................................................................................. 29 4.5 Aggregate ........................................................................................................................................ 29 7.0 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 68 7.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps ...................................................... 68 7.2 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 70 7.3 Methodology .................................................................................................................................... 71 7.4 Pigeon Lake Tributaries .................................................................................................................. 72 7.5 Lake Water Quality .......................................................................................................................... 85 7.6 Sources of Phosphorus and Nitrogen ............................................................................................. 95 7.7 Phosphorus Load .......................................................................................................................... 101 7.8 Nitrogen Load ................................................................................................................................ 104 PIGEON LAKE WATERSHED CHARACTERIZATION REPORT – 2018 vii KAWARTHA CONSERVATION 8.0 Aquatic Ecosystems .................................................................................................................................. 107 8.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps .................................................... 107 8.2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 110 8.3 Lake Ecosystems .......................................................................................................................... 110 8.3.1 Aquatic Habitat .............................................................................................................................. 110 8.3.2 Fish Communities .......................................................................................................................... 115 8.3.3 Exotic and Invasive Species .......................................................................................................... 125 8.4 Tributary-Based Ecosystems ........................................................................................................ 126 8.4.1 Aquatic Habitat ............................................................................................................................... 126 8.4.2 Fish Communities ........................................................................................................................... 136 8.4.3 Benthic Macroinvertebrates ........................................................................................................... 138 9.0 Terrestrial Ecology ..................................................................................................................................... 143 9.1 Summary of Observations, Key Issues, and Information Gaps .................................................... 143 9.2 Natural Cover ...............................................................................................................................