UPPER BLACK RIVER SUBWATERSHED

Grades Land: A Water: A Wetland: —

Index Map

The Upper Black River subwatershed is 39,311 hectares in size. Most of the Upper Black River flows from its headwaters in Haliburton County through the eastern portion of The District Municipality of Muskoka into the County of Victoria where it joins the Lower Black River.

Less that 2% of the subwatershed is developed with 76% of the land through which the river flows being Crown land. There are no major urban areas within the subwatershed and shoreline residential development comprises most of the land use. 11% of the subwatershed is protected through provincial parks, crown nature reserves, or local land trusts.

This report card describes the health of the land, water and wetlands of the Upper Black River subwatershed and is part of the larger report The 2010 Muskoka Watershed Report Card that is posted on the MWC website www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed.

Partnering with Nature Land GradeA

Natural Large Natural Cover Areas

The Upper Black River subwatershed is of a moderate size and dominated by the river itself. It is dominated by mixed forest vegetation with little development. The development pattern has resulted in a large undisturbed area that supports many of the large mammals native to southern Canadian shield region. These natural areas are important to help maintain local biodiversity, purify the air, maintain good water quality and provide a carbon sink.

Twenty-four percent of the subwatershed is privately owned and strong private land stewardship programs are important to compliment the Crown land management in the area. Currently only 3% of the land is under active private land stewardship, such as participation in MFTIP, CLTIP, and land trusts activites.

Both healthy riparian areas and interior forests are important to support local wildlife and maintain Managed & Interior good water quality. Protected Areas Forest

Upper Black Muskoka Indicator River Watershed Indicator Description % Grade % Grade Natural cover is defined as lakes, wetlands, forests, rock barrens Natural Cover 99 A 94 A and other natural systems. Large Natural Areas 98 A 79 B 200 - 499 ha 1 7 Areas of natural cover that are 200 ha or greater. 500 - 9,999 ha 31 52 >10,000 ha 66 20 Interior forest is defined as a forested area with a 100-metre Interior Forest 61 A 58 C forested buffer surrounding it. Managed & Protected Areas 90 A 48 A Protected areas are defined as lands within national or provincial parks, Crown conservation reserves, Crown land, and land held Parks & Protected Areas 11 17 by land trusts. Managed areas are defined as lands under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program or Conservation Land Crown Land 76 26 Tax Incentive Program, or have a conservation easement held by Private Stewardship 3 5 a reputable conservation organization. No Riparian area is defined as the shoreline of a lake or river plus an Riparian Area — 68 B Data area 20 metres inland from the shore. GradeA Water The Upper Black River subwatershed flows through the less populated southeastern region of Muskoka, Haliburton and . It is a popular recreational river supporting both seasonal and permanent development along with canoeing and other water sports.

Total phosphorus is an indication of the nutrient level of waterbody. A background or undeveloped level of total phosphorus has been determined for each lake. Scientists In Muskoka there are no notable indicate that a lake may become unhealthy with an increase in phosphorus greater than point sources of industrial 50% from that background level. This is considered the threshold for that lake. There are contamination in lakes and rivers. no lakes that are Over Threshold in the Upper Black River subwatershed for a total of 0% Most industrial contamination is of the total water surface area in the subwatershed. generally a result of air pollutants Shoreline vegetation protects waterbodies from nutrients and toxic chemicals that can traveling long distances and being contribute to water quality issues. It also protects the lake edge from erosion caused by deposited in local lakes. In inland waves and ice. The shoreline zone provides critical habitat for fish and other animals, lakes on the Canadian Shield, helping to maintain a natural balance in sensitive aquatic ecosystems. There is insufficient mercury in fish is the most significant data to determine the amount of shoreline in the subwatershed that has been altered. contaminant. Upper Black Muskoka Mercury levels in lakes does not Indicator River Watershed Indicator Description pose a significant human health % Grade % Grade threat, however, wildlife like loons are more sensitive. Loons eat fish % Surface This is a measure of recreational water that are 4 to 10 centimeters in size. If Area Over 0 A 4.9 B quality as phosphorus is generally the fish in a particular lake do not reach Threshold limiting nutrient in algae production. the 0.033 ppm standard until the fish This is a measure of fish habitat. Many is over 10 centimeters, then loons % Natural No fish species require overhanging — 91 B will not be impacted. Otherwise, Shoreline Data vegetation, rock shoals, and aquatic there could be a possible vegetation found in undisturbed sites. neurological impact. There are Mercury levels in lakes do not pose a insufficient data available to Mercury significant human health threat, determine the impact of mercury on Levels in Fish No N/A N/A B however, wildlife like loons are less fish in the Upper Black River Less Than 10 Data tolerant to mercury and may be subwatershed. cm in Size impacted in some cases.

Wetlands —No Grade

Wetland Values

 Control and storage of surface water and recharge groundwater;  Maintain and improve water quality, aid The Upper Black River subwatershed in flood control, and protect shorelines has 3,400 hectares of wetlands, which from erosion; covers 8.6% of the subwatershed.  Trap sediments which would otherwise fill watercourses;  Support and initiate complex food A value of no net loss of chains; wetlands from the 2010 level  Provide important habitat will be used as the  Support species at risk; benchmark. In future report cards, wetland area will be  Provides fish populations; measured as a deviation  Provide active and passive recreational from current wetland area. opportunities, including canoeing, bird watching, hunting and fishing. A changing climate

The biggest unknown in watershed health is the impact of climate change. What will climate change mean in Muskoka?

Warmer summers will see increased evaporation of water from lake surfaces and increased transpiration of water by wetlands and forests, meaning less Get involved and be a watershed steward runoff, less water, lower lake levels, and longer periods of drought. Warmer When all is said and done, the fate of sustainable management of a watershed winters will see more winter thaws and lies in the hands of grass-roots residents as they go about their day-to-day winter rains potentially leading to more business. It is the citizens of the watershed who must generate the interest and flooding. If the snowpack is reduced enthusiasm to create, continue and expand local projects which lead to positive due to mid-winter thaws then less snow actions and results. pack remains for the spring run-off, which could result in an earlier onset of 1. Maintain large natural areas drought and lower water levels.  Practice sustainable forestry  Use existing roads and rights of way for access Warmer lakes will likely lead and utility corridors to:  Reduce cleared areas in the rural area

 less habitat for lake trout 2. Retain shorelines in a natural state  more algae blooms and possibly blue  Maintain a wide natural buffer of plants and -green algae blooms trees around shorelines of lakes, rivers and streams Warmer temperatures will  Obey speed signs in erosion sensitive low wake likely: areas  allow a greater range of insects and  Reduce grassed lawns in the waterfront area disease in our forests, such as the and minimize the use of fertilizer Mountain Pine Beetle  Pick up after pets  allow more invasive species, such as  Plant native species ticks that carry lyme disease  result in more smog days and result 3. Protect wetlands in human health impacts  Leave wetlands alone  eliminate winter recreation although  Keep recreational vehicles out of wetlands summer recreation may be enhanced  Learn about wetland values  extend the growing season 4. Reduce your carbon footprint More severe weather events  Plant native trees will likely:  Reduce your use of electricity

 damage large tracts of commercially  Improve energy efficiency of your home and important forests vehicle Reduce waste  overload municipal infrastructure   result in more damage to agricultural crops

Drier conditions will likely lead to more drought.

Rapid change in habitat conditions will likely reduce biodiversity.

The Muskoka Watershed Report Card is produced by the Muskoka Watershed Council. The mission of the Muskoka Watershed Council is to champion watershed health.

For the full background report, visit www.muskokaheritage.org/watershed.