ISSUE 04 InStream September/October

2013

this issue Capital Region Tributaries P.1 Historical Perspective P.2 SSOs/CSOs in the City of P.3

River for Life Strategy P.3 NGO Forum P.4

Capital Region Tributaries

The NSWA is preparing an annotated bibliography of historical reports describing unique tribu‐ taries that flow through Capital Region sub watersheds. The purpose of this review is to assess what is known about these tributaries, to develop an understanding of what human impacts have occurred, and to provide context for future tributary management discussions. Tributaries flowing within the City of Edmonton boundaries include Horsehills Creek, , Blackmud Creek, Mill Creek, Fulton Creek, Gold Bar Creek and Wedgewood Creek. This review will evaluate a variety of City of Edmonton technical reports: Environmental Impact As‐ sessments, Area Structure Plans and geotechnical reports related to development.

These reports contain information describing plant and animal spe‐ cies, fish surveys, water quality and hydrology. Historical informa‐ tion for five creeks located within Strathcona County (Oldman Creek, Pointe Aux Pins Creek, Ross Creek, Astotin Creek and Bea‐ verhill Creek) will also be reviewed.

Knowing the state of Capital Region tributaries is important in the public eye for the part they play in recreational use and in support‐ ing the appreciation of the natural attributes of the river valley. To this end it is important that tributaries support fish populations, and the ravines through which they flow provide habitat for bird, mammal, invertebrate and plant species. Horsehills Creek, within the City of Edmonton (Associated Engineering, 2013) Because these tributaries are direct discharges to the North Sas‐ katchewan River, any increase in pollutant loads caused by urban and industrial development can also impact water quality and fish populations in the river.

Your watershed, your voice Historical Perspective—The Lost Creeks of Edmonton

This report, written by University of students Martel and Dam‐ 1 meyer (2001) , outlines creeks, lakes and wetlands that were impacted or lost early in the 20th century due to: settlement and agricultural patterns; housing, commercial and industrial development; and road construction.

For example, Groat Creek and its ravine were heavily altered in the 1950s during the construction of Groat Road; its flow was completely routed underground into the City’s storm sewer system. The only visible evi‐ dence of the creek today is the Groat Road storm water outfall on the north bank of the NSR upstream from the Groat Road Bridge (see photo Tree cutters clear MacKinnon Ravine for Jasper Freeway. Because of public protest below right). the proposed route was never completed.

In the 1960s and 70s, during the development of the Metro Edmonton

Transportation System, other creeks and ravines were in danger of de‐ struction. However, plans were changed to protect these key natural ar‐ eas.

Sections of Fulton Creek now flow underground through culverts, some sections have been paved over, and a few sections still flow free on the surface. Mill Creek also has natural and intercepted sections. The last several hundred meters are routed underground through the Mill Creek storm sewer, which emerges on the south bank of the NSR just upstream from the James MacDonald Bridge. McKernan Lake in southwest Edmon‐ ton once covered about 30 acres and was a popular spot for skating and curling. This lake, as well as Lendrum Lake, were drained to create resi‐ dential neighborhoods (below).

Although we understand more fully the value of urban ponds and wet‐ lands today, Martel’s report reminds us how easy it is to sacrifice an indi‐ Groat Creek today. vidual wetland in the flurry of new development. It emphasizes the im‐ portance of considering the cumulative effect of wetland loss across an urban landscape.

1Martel, K. and H. Dammeyer. 2001. Lost Creeks and Wetlands of Edmonton. Biology 601 / Anthropology 565, University of A: McKernan Lake area 1924 (McKernan Lake already drained) B: McKernan Lake area Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 2000. The creek in Belgravia Ravine was paved over to create Belgravia Road. Storm and Combined Sewer Outfalls in the City of Edmonton A large number of storm sewer outfalls (SSOs) and combined sewer outfalls (CSOs) discharge directly to the North Saskatchewan River and tributary creeks within the City of Edmonton. Storm sewers collect rain and snowmelt runoff from roads and developed land. Combined sewers convey sanitary sewage and, under dry conditions, direct the flow to the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant. In older parts of the city street drain‐ age is connected to the sanitary sewer system. During large rainstorms and fast snow melts, these combined flows can exceed the sewer pipe capacity and some must be released directly to the river. Currently, there are approximately 16 CSOs and 200 SSOs within the City, and the majority (13 CSOs, 115 SSOs) discharge di‐ rectly to the North Saskatchewan River.

The City has been working to reduce the quantity and improve the qual‐ ity of these discharges. Examples of this include the installation of an end‐of‐pipe underground stormwater treatment facility at the Groat Road outfall, and a large constructed treatment wetland at the Kenne‐ dale Outfall.

As part of this effort, the City also implements an annual Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP). In 2012, four stormwater outfalls (Quesnell, 30th Avenue, Kennedale and Groat), Mill Creek, a selection of stormwa‐ ter management ponds and two of the major Combined Sewer Outfalls (Rat Creek and Capilano) were monitored. Recently improved Outfall 46, Rossdale

In previous years, the program monitored some tributaries on an intermittent basis. Storm sewer and com‐ bined sewer outfalls were found to be a significant source of pollutant loading, especially suspended solids, chloride, phosphorus and fecal bacteria.

The City of Edmonton manages the quality and flow rate of stormwater released from new developments through the use of stormwater management ponds. These ponds store excess volume from large rain events and help to remove solids, nutrients and bacteria carried by surface runoff. This means cleaner water enters the tributaries and the North Saskatchewan River. The City has also developed a Low Impact Development Best Management Practices Guide as part of their The Way We Green program. This Guide provides general and technical guidance for those interested in LID, and it focuses on BMPs that can be used in the cold climate and soil conditions experienced in Edmonton. The guide can be found here: http://www.edmonton.ca/environmental/ documents/PDF/LIDGuide.pdf City of Edmonton’s River for Life Strategy

The City of Edmonton Drainage services has developed a River for Life strategy to support the City’s mission to “prevent pollution by continuously reducing discharge of contaminants towards a goal of net zero impact from human activity”. Three phases will roll out the strategy. The long‐term goal is to develop a 30‐year strategic plan to eliminate pollutant loadings to the North Saskatchewan River. Phase 1, completed in May 2012, set a framework for the strategy. Phase 2, currently underway, is focused on strategies the City can implement , as well as developing implementation plans. Phase 3 will include: developing financial resources and capacity, ex‐ amining funding mechanisms and adaptive management processes. ‐ See more at: http://www.urbansystems.ca/watershedplanning-project4.htm Join us! ‐ NSWA’s NGO Forum November 7, 2013

This is NSWA’s Fall Forum, featuring NGOs sharing information on the progress of initia‐ tives in the North Saskatchewan River watershed NSWA, in its role as a bridging organization, is pleased to offer this opportunity for creat‐ ing synergies towards improving the coordination and implementation of watershed man‐ Contact us agement for the North Saskatchewan River.

Check the agenda to find out which NGO groups will be giving presentations. There will 9504‐49 Street also be a round table discussion exploring collaborative opportunities. Edmonton, AB T6B 2M9 The event will be held in the Strathcona County Offices Agora Room, 2001 Sherwood 780 496 3474 ph Drive, Sherwood Park. Please join us and RSVP by November 4, 2013. 780 495 0610 fax To register, please go to: https://nswaforum.eventbrite.ca/ www.nswa.ab.ca

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We thank Strathcona County for generously providing the venue for this event.

Upcoming Events

 November 7, 2013—NSWA NGO Forum, Strathcona County

 November 20, 2013—The City of Edmonton The Way We Green Speaker Series—Environmental Sustainability, Edmonton, Alberta

 November 25‐26, 2013—ALIDP Implementing Low Impact Development, Edmonton, Alberta