GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
*Denotes additional information resulting from discussions during the tour
1. Hamilton Escarpment ESA
The Hamilton Escarpment ESA is immediately to the north of the Greenhill subwatershed and runs along the escarpment boundary. See Hamilton Escarpment ESA Natural Areas Inventory Site Summary provided.
Why Protect ESAs?
Hamilton, like many other municipalities, identifies significant natural areas in its Official Plan as a means to protect natural areas and ecological functions. These areas are an important part of what makes Hamilton a great city. Hamilton has a wealth of significant natural areas that improve the quality of our air, water, and lives. Also, the Provincial Government, through the Planning Act, Provincial Policy Statement, Niagara Escarpment Plan, and Greenbelt Plan, requires that municipalities develop policies to protect natural heritage features. By identifying Core Areas and providing policies to protect and enhance them, the City of Hamilton ensures that these areas and the important functions they provide are preserved for the benefit of everyone.
The above is information from the City of Hamilton Website:
City of Hamilton. “Environmentally Significant Areas Impact Evaluation Group." http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PlanningEcDev/Divisions/Planning/CommunityPlanning/NaturalH eritage/ESAIEG/?WT.mc_id=ESAIEG&WT.hamilton_redirect_friendly=1, City of Hamilton. 2012.
There are three ESA’s in Greenhill, Hannon, Upper Davis and Upper Ottawa Creeks subwatersheds. All three ESA’s are included in the City of Hamilton Natural Heritage Strategy Core Areas; All three are included in the Greenbelt Plan designated as Niagara Escarpment Commission; All three are included in the Niagara Escarpment Plan; the designations varying between Escarpment Protection, Escarpment Natural and Urban; Portions of all three ESA’s are included in the Niagara Escarpment Plan – Development Control Area; Numerous significant plant and animal species have been found in these ESA’s.
*The plant communities within the Hamilton Escarpment ESA within urban areas are disturbed and contain a large number of invasive and non native species. These species are potentially out-competing native species and are decreasing the biodiversity of the area. This may reduce the potential for these areas to support faunal species. Stewardship recommendations would be to manage invasive species and in-fill plant with native species.
2. Albion Falls
There are two reasons we have so many waterfalls in Hamilton, the Niagara and Eramosa escarpments. Of the 138 waterfalls all but 6 are created by the Niagara Escarpment. The remaining 6 waterfalls are created by the Eramosa Escarpment. The Eramosa Escarpment is a lesser known escarpment that runs parallel to the Niagara Escarpment about 1 km south. There are 6 waterfalls in the GHDO subwatersheds, 21 in the Red Hill watershed.
Melt water and recession of glaciers formed the Niagara Escarpment and its valleys. Gorges like this one at Albion Falls have been carved out by the melt water.
GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
Albion Falls is 19m high and 18m wide. It is a Complex Classical Cascade (Form, Dimension and Type). Its source water is Red Hill Creek (Hannon and Upper Ottawa subwatersheds). Site access and enhancements have been constructed for local residents and tourists to enjoy. Access and enhancements include: parking, trails and viewing platforms.
Albion Falls is designated as a Regional Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). It also falls within the Red Hill Creek Escarpment Valley ESA. See Red Hill Creek Escarpment Valley ESA NAI Site Summary provided.
ANSIs are areas of land and water that represent significant geological (earth science) and biological (life science) features. Earth science ANSIs include areas that contain examples of rock, fossil and landform features in Ontario. These features are the result of billions of years of geological processes and landscape evolution. Life science ANSIs are areas that contain examples of the many natural landscapes, communities, plants and animals found in the 14 natural regions of the province. The Ministry of Natural Resources identifies ANSIs that are 'provincially significant' by surveying regions and evaluating sites to decide which have the highest value for conservation, scientific study and education.
In 1792 a grist mill was erected near Albion Falls in Barton Township by William Davis. Not far from the grist mill, a saw mill was also built to serve a small but growing community. This community hosted three hotels, a general store, and a blacksmith shop. The grist mill changed hands several times over the years, but by the early 1900’s the small vibrant village called Albion Mills was all but forgotten. Albion was a poetic version of the name ‘Britain’. Albion is the oldest known name of the island of Great Britain. Not far from the original location of the mill in King’s Forest Park is one of the mill stones with a commemorative plaque. Albion Falls was once seriously considered as a possible source of water for Hamilton. Rocks for the Albion Falls area were used in the construction of the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Rock Garden.
Natural gas springs in the gorge used to fuel lamps in the village of Albion Mills. In the 1930’s residents would light the gas and cook hot dogs down in the gorge. Where the Red Hill Trail crosses the creek you can smell sulphur springing up out of the creek bed as well.
*The large stones at the base of Albion Falls were once at the part of the waterfall but were forced off the falls during an intense storm in 2009.
3. King’s Forest Restoration
The King’s Forest area has been identified as an area for key habitat restoration efforts as recommended in the Red Hill Valley Project Landscape Management Plan. It has been observed by local residents that Norway spruce and Red pine plantation as well as invasive species are being removed, leaving native deciduous trees and shrubs in place.
The Landscape Management Plan cites efforts to maintain or restore forest and talus communities along the Niagara Escarpment and maintain linkages for wildlife, particularly vulnerable species. The connection at the Escarpment is considered most important due to the provincially and regionally significant functions of the Escarpment natural corridor.
The Landscape Management Plan also describes plans for the Kings Forest Area during and after the construction of the RH Valley Parkway.
“The King’s Forest Area includes a range of special habitats; including floodplain and slope forest Carolinian communities, as well as dry meadows. At the foot of the Escarpment significant butterfly GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
meadows occur on the dry sandy soils of the sand scarps. These meadows occur along the proposed alignment of the Parkway. King’s Forest contains the only forest interior habitat (more than 100m from an edge) in this area of the City of Hamilton. This area is important to area sensitive breeding bird species, which is important for breeding of migrant bird species. The proposed creek realignment will necessitate some clearing of this habitat, with a reduction in interior habitat until the re-vegetation reaches maturity. Reintroduction of flooding into portions of the valley will result in changes to forest composition, and should be beneficial to existing high quality groundcovers, associated with the historic channel. A key objective in this area is the reinforcement of habitat linkages between the Escarpment and the Creek corridor.” (Red Hill Valley Project Landscape Management Plan, 2003.)
*A restoration area is approximately 300m north of the Albion Falls parking lot, following the regional trails. The pines were originally planted to stabilize sandy soil in the area. Buckthorn shrubs are being removed, allowing for the natural regeneration of serviceberry and chokecherry.
4. Mount Albion Stormwater Management Pond
Mount Albion SWM pond was constructed in 2005. It was intended to treat a portion of the flow generated from Upper Ottawa and Hannon subwatersheds. It is now intended as a water quality pond for development in Upper Ottawa subwatershed proposed after 2002. It is an off-line facility. Its design allows a portion of storm flows into the facility for treatment while normal base flow by-pass the facility. The pond has been damaged numerous times during storm events due to the high velocities and volume of water acting on the pond banks.
Some aspects of the pond are currently being considered, including: relocating the inlet, examination of the breach mid-berm, identification of the amount and quality of sediment accumulated at the facility, enhancements/modifications to the outlet, and review of creek stability. Additional capacity to accommodate the anticipated volumes of water is also under consideration.
*Damage was observed at the pond inlet and outlet caused by storm events and improper pond maintenance. The function of stormwater ponds for addressing water quality and quantity issues was discussed. The installation of oil grit separators at the lot level in new developments was also discussed as a measure for ensuring stormwater water quality. Dredging was discussed as a form of maintenance for SWM ponds. Some discussion around whether or not fish would inhabit the SWM pond arose. Fish can be dropped in by birds and/or come in during times of high water. There was discussion related to the atypical location of the pond in a floodplain, typically SWM ponds are at a higher elevation and the natural flood storage of the floodplain would also be utilized.
5. Felker’s Falls ESA
See Felker’s Falls Escarpment Valley ESA Natural Areas Inventory Site Summary provided.
Felker’s Falls is 22m tall and 6m wide. It is a Terraced Ribbon Waterfall. Its source water is Davis Creek. There is a second (twin) waterfall to the right of Felker’s Falls that is groundwater fed.
Felker’s Falls is designated as a Regional Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.
The Felker family owned the property on which this waterfall is located for over 140 years. Born Johann Friedrick Voelkel, John Frederick Felker (1757-1838) emigrated from Prussia to America before purchasing Lot 30, 6th Concession and Lot 27, 7th Concession, Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County in February 1820. Mr. GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
Felker and his wife, Mary, raised seven children on this land until he died in November 1838. At that time, his eldest son, John Frederick Felker II, (1794-1880) inherited the farm and he and his wife, Mary, raised their thirteen children. Following Frederick’s possession of the land his sons divided the land and Frederick’s youngest son, Hiram Albert Felker (1844-1911), inherited the property on which the falls is located, Lot 30, 6th Concession. Joseph Benjamin Felker (1880-1956) was one of Hiram and Mary’s, his wife, nine children and he lived all his life on the Felker’s Falls property farming the land. In 1961, Joseph died and his children sold the property to a construction company, however the land later became part of an acquisition program along the Niagara Escarpment to save and protect the natural land. Hamilton Conservation Authority now owns and manages this land. The Felker Family Cemetery still remains on the old homestead on Mud St. at First Rd. W. and here you can find all those who originally lived on the land that Felker’s Falls is located.
*Felker’s Falls CA is an example of isolated habitat. Maintaining and enhancing connections to nearby natural areas is important for local wildlife. The area is frequently used and so is an opportunity to educate users on topics related to wildlife and stewardship of natural areas. There is an opportunity to naturalize mown areas adjacent to the parking lot as demonstration sites.
* During the tour, the group was also able to observe from the trail along the escarpment brow, in-stream restoration being undertaken by the City of Hamilton on Lower Davis Creek at the base of the escarpment. The works being undertaken are meant to rehabilitate erosion and sedimentation issues. Stone material deposited by the large storm events is being taken from one site along Lower Davis Creek and is being used for pool/riffle creation further downstream. Grading to create a natural channel design and re-vegetation will also be completed as part of the project.
6. East Mountain Trail Loop
The East Mountain Trail Loop (EMTL) is a paved/multi purpose 10 km loop trail. 7km is owned/managed by the City of Hamilton and 3km is owned/managed by HCA. When completed, the EMTL will connect the Red Hill Valley Trail, Escarpment Rail Trail, Bruce Trail, and Chippewa/Trans Canada Trail to Caledonia. It will also connect Albion Falls, Felker’s Falls CA, Valley Park, Paramount Park, Stoneywood Park, Oak Knoll Park, King’s Forest Park, Mount Albion CA, and Eramosa Karst CA. It is accessible by public transit. The Peter Street Trail was the first accessible trail in Hamilton. The loop also consists of a pedestrian bridge crossing the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. This pedestrian bridge links to the pedestrian bridge crossing the QEW in the lower reaches of the Red Hill watershed, making it possible to use the trail network to walk from Lake Ontario to Caledonia.
*There is a brochure in the tour package called “Building a Trail of Green” that outlines the path of the EMTL. These trails provide local residents and visitors to the area with opportunities for recreation leading to healthy lifestyles and for opportunities to connect with nature. There are stewardship opportunities with residents along trails and near natural areas to educate about the importance of not encroaching into natural areas.
7. Eramosa Karst Feeder Lands
The Eramosa Karst Feeder Lands are designated as a Provincial Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest.
In 2012, the Provincial government agreed to lease the 36 hectare Eramosa Karst feeder lands to Hamilton Conservation Authority for the term of 20 years, with an option to renew. This agreement allows for the preservation of sensitive lands beside the Eramosa Karst, a rare geological formation of caves and sinkholes.
GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
The property is also habitat for three threatened bird species, including the bobolink, nighthawk and the chimney swift. In 2013 HCA plans to develop a strategy to preserve the environmentally sensitive areas that may include a trail system.
*The long-term lease of the Eramosa Karst feeder lands has protected the lands from potential development. These lands are important because the drainage from these lands contributes to the maintenance and formation of the karst features in the Eramosa Karst CA.
8. Headwaters of Upper Davis Creek
Headwaters are drainage areas, where precipitation filters into the ground, collects into pools or flows into surface water; they are also aquifers and groundwater upwellings, swales, wetlands and small streams.
Headwaters consist of first and second order streams. A first order stream is one with no tributaries; while a second order stream starts were two first order streams converge. (The Ontario Headwaters Institute, 2012).
Headwaters constitute 50-80% of the total length of a watercourse while contributing about 70% of mean annual flow to our rivers. (The Ontario Headwaters Institute, 2012).
The health of our headwaters and their catchment areas are important to the ecological integrity of Ontario. Among other benefits, headwaters: Nurture more of Ontario’s biodiversity than any other type of habitat; Filter, store and drain water from about two thirds of the lands in our watersheds; Contribute the majority of nutrients and organic material to our rivers and lakes; Provide the bulk of flow to our watercourses. (The Ontario Headwaters Institute, 2012).
Development can alter headwater drainage and therefore careful planning and design is necessary to minimize impacts on these significant areas.
9. Eramosa Karst Conservation Area
See the Eramosa Karst Natural Areas Inventory Site Summary provided.
The Eramosa Karst is the Hamilton Conservation Authority's newest conservation area. It extends from Highland Road to south of Rymal Road, and from Upper Mount Albion Road to Second Road West.
Karsts are geological formations including underground drainage, caves and passages caused by dissolving rock, found in limestone formations like the Niagara Escarpment. The Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Eramosa Karst lands as a Provincial Earth Science Area of Natural and Scientific Interest in 2003, because it is believed to have the largest number of unique karst features in any single area in the province. Several of its karst features are provincially significant. These include: soil pipes, a high concentration of suffosion dolines and sinking streams, overflow sinks, dry valleys and a 335 metre-long cave (the tenth longest in all of Ontario). There is also a natural dolomitic limestone bridge at the entrance of one of the sinkholes.
The diversity of geological features and its central location in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, makes the Eramosa Karst one of the best sites in Ontario for education and research opportunities. Protecting the Eramosa Karst’s unique network of features will ensure that scientists, students and naturalists can continue to enjoy this natural resource.
GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
Eramosa Karst Master Plan
The Nature Counts Hamilton Natural Areas Inventory of 2003 found that the Eramosa Karst natural area is made up of meadow, thicket, woodland and forest remnant communities. It is located in the Davis Creek watershed. The forest area is made up of sugar maple, ironwood, hawthorn, gray dogwood, white ash, pin cherry, black cherry, American beech, red oak, butternut and shagbark hickory and a variety of plant species. A total of 129 species of plants were documented at this site, 13 species of butterfly, 2 species of herpetofauna, 42 species of breeding birds and 6 species of mammals.
The Eramosa Karst plays a major role in the Hamilton East-end Open Space Replacement Strategy, which seeks to secure some 210 acres of land for new parklands and trail systems to link the karst lands to the Mount Albion and Felker’s Falls Conservation Areas, expand the latter, and address a number of related natural heritage issues. The strategy was developed in March 2004, by a committee representing the Conservation Authority, the City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, with input from the mayor’s office and local MPPs.
Eramosa Karst’s unique network of features will ensure that scientists, students and naturalists can continue to enjoy this natural resource.
* The area is frequently used by local residents.
*The majority of the EKCA and Mount Albion CA’s are meadow habitat. Meadow habitats are important because they support a number of bird, small mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect species that require the specific conditions that meadows provide. Meadow habitats are not as protected through legislation and policy and therefore stewardship efforts to preserve and enhance these habitats is important. The Greenhill, Hannon, Upper Davis and Upper Ottawa subwatersheds have 6% meadow cover.
*The Eramosa Karst is part of the Eramosa Escarpment. Outcroppings of the Eramosa Escarpment are visible throughout this area of the Red Hill Creek watershed. Some of the waterfalls in the area are the result of the Eramosa Escarpment.
*There is a brochure in the tour package for the EKCA outlining the location of all of significant karst features in the Conservation Area.
10. Mount Albion Conservation Area
The area of Mount Albion Conservation Area along the stream corridor is part of the Red Hill Creek Escarpment Valley ESA. See the Red Hill Creek Escarpment Valley ESA Natural Areas Inventory Site Summary provided.
Mount Albion and other CA and City parkland contribute to the 6% meadow cover in the GHDO subwatersheds. Meadows are important habitats that support a variety of wildlife which require the specific conditions that meadows provide. It will be important to enhance these habitats and create linkages between them to continue to support these species.
Mount Albion CA is also the site of the Billy Monkley Bird Sanctuary as noted by the bird houses installed throughout the southwestern portion of the CA. As part of the management of the area, the existing bird houses will be removed and some replaced with new bird boxes that are specific to the species found at the Conservation Area. GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
HCA is currently developing a Master Plan for the design and management of the Mount Albion Conservation Area.
11. Dartnall Road Extension
Dartnall Road is being extended from Rymal Road to Dickenson Road. It is being widened to 4 lanes from Rymal Road to the existing terminus at the hydro corridor. A new 4 lane arterial road from the hydro corridor to Dickenson Road is to be constructed. These road improvements are required to service development in the North Glanbrook Industrial/Red Hill Business Park.
An Environmental Study Report for the Class Environmental Assessment was completed in 2007. Under the provisions of the Ontario Environmental Assessment (EA) Act certain types of provincial and municipal undertakings can meet the requirements of the EA Act through the use of an approved environmental planning process referred to as a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA).A copy of the report is available on the City of Hamilton website.
The above is information from the City of Hamilton website:
City of Hamilton. “Dartnall Road Extension Class Environmental Assessment.” http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/Environment_Sustainable_Infrastructure/StrategicPl anning/StrategicEnvironmentalPlanningProjects/Dartnall+Road+Extension+Class+Environmental+Assessment .htm, City of Hamilton. 2012.
*There is a map of the location of the Dartnall Road extension in the tour package.
*A realignment of the creek along the road is also being undertaken as result of the extension project. The location of the extended road followed the same path as a tributary of Hannon Creek. The creek was realigned to the west of the new road location. A natural channel design was used to mimic the natural form of a watercourse. The area has been re-vegetated as part of the restoration work. The creek realignment is visible from the road along Twenty Road East.
*The Trinity Church Road extension and Upper Mount Albion Road closure were also discussed as changes to the road network required to service development in these areas.
12. Quarry Pond SWM Pond
Quarry pond is a former quarry that has been adapted for use as a storm water management pond to serve the Summit Park Phase 5 Subdivision at Trinity Church Road and Rymal Road. The storm water facility also manages storm water in the North Glanbrook/Red Hill Business Park. The property was owned by HCA and has been transferred to the City of Hamilton for the SWM purposes. As part of the land transfer, the HCA has requested that trails and an observation deck be created.
*We did not visit this site however we did drive by its location and the viewing platform was visible from the road.
13. Creek Realignment
This site is an example of the relocation of a watercourse to accommodate development in a headwaters area. Two watercourses are being realigned into one watercourse to allow for development and drainage of GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES the property. For example, storm water run off from the parking lot drains into the relocated watercourse through a storm sewer system. An oil and grit separator is installed to ensure water quality standards are maintained. The new channel length is approximately 234m.
Some considerations in a project of this nature include: Legislative approvals – CA Act, Fisheries Act, etc.; Sediment and erosion control; Recreating natural channel design – including a meandering form, riffle-pool sequences and appropriate substrate, etc.; Minimize potential erosion concerns; Vegetation established prior to re-establishing flows in the system; and Post construction monitoring.
*HCA only enforces sediment and erosion control for development occurring in areas regulated under our regulation (Ontario Regulation 161/06). However, the HCA does comment on new development and re- development outside of our regulated areas as it relates to stormwater quality and quantity issues.
14. Dartnall Road Extension Creek Realignment
See summary for tour site #11.
15. Headwaters of Hannon Creek
See summary for tour site #8
16. Headwaters of Hannon Creek
See summary for tour site #8
17. Headwaters of Upper Ottawa Creek / Dr. Wm Connell Park
“William Connell Park is a 20 ha (49 ac) land parcel, located at 1086 West 5th Street. This formerly agricultural land is currently undeveloped, City owned green-field, park land. There are a few small streams across the site and one small wet pond. Adjacent land uses are residential and agricultural, with plans for growth in residential subdivisions.
A large portion of this land parcel is contained within the Subject Area of the Mewburn and Sheldon Neighbourhoods Master Servicing Plan Class Environmental Assessment Study. This study was performed to plan for servicing the area in response to residential growth around the park. The study recommends that the existing pond be maintained and formalized into a storm water management pond.
In 2007 the City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department established the William Connell Park Development Steering Committee to assist with development plans for the park. Positions on the committee were advertised for in the Hamilton Spectator and is now made up of eleven citizens with a balanced cross section of demographic representation. Together, the William Connell Park Development Steering Committee, the City of Hamilton, and Glenn O’Connor Consultants Incorporated have worked toward a preferred plan for the park which includes soccer fields, tennis, multi-use courts, play equipment, a splash pad, and a sun shelter. The southern half of the park will be dedicated to ecological preservation and naturalization efforts. Development of the park programme is dependant on Council approval of the required construction funds.”
GREENHILL, HANNON, UPPER DAVIS & UPPER OTTAWA CREEKS STEWARDSHIP ACTION PLANS STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOUR NOTES
The above is information from the City of Hamilton Website:
City of Hamilton. "William Connell Park." http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/Environment_Sustainable_Infrastructure/OpenSpac e/William+Connell+Park.htm, City of Hamilton. 2012.
*It was recommended that a stewardship opportunity in this area would be to develop a booklet for residents of new developments in the Upper Ottawa (and all other subwatersheds where development is occurring) outlining the significance of the natural features in the area, i.e. headwater streams, as well as stewardship opportunities and practices that individuals can undertake. A booklet was developed for the residents of the Meadowlands area that could serve as an example for this recommendation.
18. Greenhill Subwatershed – This site was viewed on the way back to the tour starting point.
This subwatershed is an example of an urbanized subwatershed. The subwatershed boundaries for each of the Red Hill Creek subwatersheds were recently updated incorporating the ‘sewershed’. The sewer system was combined with surface drainage to account for all water flow in the subwatershed. As a result the subwatershed boundaries for Greenhill have changed slightly, splitting Greenhill into two subwatersheds, Upper Greenhill and Lower Greenhill, Lower Greenhill now including the lands between Upper Wellington and West 5th Street.
19. Greenhill Creek – The group did not visit this site due to lack of time.
This is an area of open channel of Upper Greenhill Creek. Greenhill Creek flows under the rail trail and then over Buttermilk Falls, immediately west of Albion Falls.
20. Tour End