Watershed Characterization Report Thames Watershed & Region (Upper Thames River & Lower Thames Valley Source Protection Areas) Volume 1 1 Introduction 2 Watershed Description 2.1 Source Protection Region 2.2 Physical Description 2.3 Hydrology & Climate 2.4 Naturally Vegetated Areas 2.5 Aquatic Ecology 2.6 Human Characterization 2.7 Water Uses Volume 2 3 Water Quality 3.1 Selecting Indicator Parameters 3.2 Raw Water Characterization for Inland Surface Water 3.3 Groundwater Quality 3.4 Raw Water Characterization for Drinking Water Intakes 3.5 Data and Knowledge Gaps for Water Quality Volume 3 4 Water Quantity 4.1 Water Use 4.2 Data and Knowledge Gaps for Water Use 5 Description of Vulnerable Areas 5.1 Identification of Source Protection Areas 5.2 Groundwater: Aquifer Vulnerability, Wellhead Protection Areas & Potential Drinking Water Sources 5.3 Surface Water: Intake Protection Zones 6 Existing Drinking Water Threats Inventories 6.1 Threats to Water Quality 6.2 Known Water Quality Issues 6.3 Data and Knowledge Gaps for Existing Drinking Water Threats Inventories 7 Summary of Identified Issues and Concerns Appendices A: Data Gap Reporting B: List of Acronyms C: Significant Natural Areas and Wetlands (UTRCA) D: References Watershed Characterization Report – Thames Watershed & Region - Volume 1 i Thames Watershed & Region Maps Map 1: Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection Region Map 2: Major Subwatershed Delineations Map 3: Bedrock Topography Map 4: Bedrock Geology Map 5: Overburden Thickness Map 6: Surficial Geology Map 7: Physiography Map 8: Soils Information Map 9: Ground Surface Elevation Map 10: Environment Canada Climate Monitoring Stations Map 11: Climate Monitoring Network Map 12: Bedrock Water Table Map 13: Water Table Elevation Map 14: Areas of Potential Groundwater Discharge Map 15: Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network Map 16: Permit to Take Water by Location Map 17: Permit to Take Water General Purpose of Taking Map 18: Intrinsic Susceptibility Index Map 19: Agricultural Tile Drains Map 20: Watercourse Classification (UTRCA) Map 21: Stream Flow and Water Level Monitoring Stations Map 22: Watercourse Dams and Barriers Map 23a: Percent Wetland Cover (UTRCA) Map 23b: Percent Wetland Cover (LTVCA) Map 24: Percent Riparian Woodland Cover (UTRCA) Map 25a: Percent Woodland Cover (UTRCA) Map 25b: Percent Woodland Cover (LTVCA) Map 26: Fish Sampling Locations Map 27: Mussel Sampling Locations Map 28: Benthic Monitoring Sampling Sites Map 29: Species At Risk (SAR) Map 30: Generalized Land Cover Map 31: Oil and Gas Wells Map 32: Transportation Map 33: Land Capability for Agriculture Map 34: Water Well Record Locations Map 35: Municipal Wellhead Protection Areas Map 36: Wastewater Treatment Map 37: Surface Water Quality Sampling Sites Map 38: Drinking Water Supplies/Intakes Watershed Characterization Report – Thames Watershed & Region - Volume 1 ii Table of Contents - Volume 1 Table of Contents - Volume 1 ........................................................................................................ iii List of Figures - Volume 1 .............................................................................................................. v List of Tables - Volume 1 .............................................................................................................. vi 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Data Sources ................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Data and Knowledge Gaps.............................................................................................. 3 2 Watershed Description ............................................................................................................ 4 2.1 Source Protection Region ............................................................................................... 4 2.1.1 Stakeholders and Partners ....................................................................................... 7 2.2 Physical Description ..................................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Bedrock Geology .................................................................................................. 10 2.2.2 Surficial Geology .................................................................................................. 16 2.2.3 Physiography......................................................................................................... 26 2.2.4 Soil Characteristics ............................................................................................... 30 2.2.5 Topography ........................................................................................................... 37 2.2.6 Land Forms and Human Character of the Watershed ........................................... 39 2.3 Hydrology & Climatic Character .................................................................................. 40 2.3.1 Climate and Meteorological Trends ...................................................................... 40 2.3.2 Groundwater Hydrogeology ................................................................................. 58 2.3.3 Surface Water Hydrology ..................................................................................... 73 2.4 Naturally Vegetated Areas .......................................................................................... 107 2.4.1 Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 107 2.4.2 Riparian Zone...................................................................................................... 110 2.4.3 Woodlands/Forest ............................................................................................... 112 2.5 Aquatic Ecology.......................................................................................................... 115 2.5.1 Fish ...................................................................................................................... 119 2.5.2 Mussels ............................................................................................................... 129 2.5.3 Aquatic Macroinvertebrates ................................................................................ 131 2.5.4 Species At Risk (SAR)........................................................................................ 151 2.5.5 Invasive Species .................................................................................................. 160 2.6 Human Characterization ............................................................................................. 165 2.6.1 Population Distribution and Density ................................................................... 165 2.6.2 Population Projections ........................................................................................ 167 2.6.3 Land Use and Settlement Areas .......................................................................... 169 2.6.4 Brownfields ......................................................................................................... 175 2.6.5 Landfills .............................................................................................................. 176 2.6.6 Mining/Aggregates ............................................................................................. 183 2.6.7 Oil and Gas ......................................................................................................... 184 2.6.8 Forestry ............................................................................................................... 184 2.6.9 Transportation, Services & Utilities ................................................................... 184 2.6.10 Wastewater Treatment ........................................................................................ 188 2.6.11 Agriculture .......................................................................................................... 190 2.6.12 Recreation ........................................................................................................... 200 2.6.13 Protected Areas ................................................................................................... 205 Watershed Characterization Report – Thames Watershed & Region - Volume 1 iii 2.7 Water Uses .................................................................................................................. 209 2.7.1 Drinking Water Sources ...................................................................................... 210 2.7.2 Recreational Water Use ...................................................................................... 222 2.7.3 Ecological Water Use ......................................................................................... 223 2.7.4 Agricultural Water Use ....................................................................................... 223 2.7.5 Industrial/Commercial ........................................................................................ 224 2.7.6 Water Use Comparison ....................................................................................... 225 Watershed Characterization Report – Thames Watershed & Region - Volume 1 iv List of Figures - Volume 1 Figure 1.0-1: Summary of Components for Source Protection Plans ..................................