A WATERSHED PLAN FOR DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK A Report of the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watershed Task Forces AUGUST, 2003 © Toronto and Region Conservation 2003 ISBN 0-9732764-0-1 5 Shoreham Drive, Toronto, Ontario M3N 1S4 phone: 416-661-6600 fax: 416-661-6898 www.trca.on.ca TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CARRUTHERS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . VI DUFFINS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . .VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . .1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . .17 1.1 Purpose of the Watershed Plan . .19 1.2 The State of the Watershed Reports . .19 1.3 The Role of the Task Forces . .20 1.4 Public Involvement and Consultation with Stakeholders . .21 2.0 INTRODUCTION TO WATERSHED MANAGEMENT . .23 3.0 THE VISION . .27 3.1 The Management Philosophy . .28 3.2 The Colour Wheel . .29 4.0 THE STUDY AREA . .31 4.1 The Carruthers Creek Watershed Study Area . .31 4.2 The Duffins Creek Watershed Study Area . .33 5.0 THE DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK WATERSHEDS - PAST . .35 5.1 The Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek Watersheds - Present . .37 5.2 Common Issues . .37 5.3 Climate and Climate Change . .37 5.4 Air Quality . .38 5.5 Environmentally Significant Areas and Terrestrial Natural Heritage Approach . .39 5.5.1 Environmentally Significant Areas . .39 5.5.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage Approach . .41 5.6 The Carruthers Creek Watershed – Current Conditions . .41 5.6.1 Water . .42 5.6.1.1 Groundwater . .42 5.6.1.2 Geologic Setting . .42 5.6.1.3 Hydrogeology . .43 5.6.1.4 Surface Water Quality . .44 5.6.1.5 Fluvial Geomorphology . .46 5.6.1.6 Surface Water Quantity . .47 5.6.1.7 Stormwater Management . .48 5.6.2 Habitats . .49 5.6.2.1 Aquatic Habitat and Species . .49 5.6.2.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage . .51 I 5.6.3 Public Use . .52 5.6.3.1 Greenspace, Trails and Recreation . .52 5.7 The Duffins Creek Watershed – Current Conditions . .52 5.7.1 Water . .56 5.7.1.1 Groundwater . .56 5.7.1.2 Geologic Setting . .56 5.7.1.3 Hydrogeology . .57 5.7.1.4 Surface Water Quality . .60 5.7.1.5 Fluvial Geomorphology . .63 5.7.1.6 Surface Water Quantity . .64 5.7.1.7 Stormwater Management . .65 5.7.2 Habitats . .68 5.7.2.1 Aquatic Habitat and Species . .68 5.7.2.2 Terrestrial Natural Heritage . .69 5.7.2.3 Habitat Size and Shape . .71 5.7.3 Public Use . .73 5.7.3.1 Greenspace, Trails and Recreation . .73 6.0 MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES . .75 6.1 Introduction . .75 6.2 Technical Analysis and Integration Process . .76 6.3 Overall Management Context . .84 6.3.1 Consistency with Task Force Management Philosophy . .84 6.3.2 Effectiveness . .86 6.3.3 Long Term Sustainability . .86 6.3.4 Feasibility . .86 6.3.5 Consistency with Great Lakes Basin Management Objectives . .87 6.4 Management Strategy Framework and Ratings . .87 6.5 Surface Water Quantity . .88 6.6 Groundwater Quality and Quantity . .107 6.7 Surface Water Quality . .116 6.8 Aquatic Habitat and Species . .128 6.9 Terrestrial Habitat and Species . .136 6.10 Public Use and Outdoor Recreation . .144 6.11 Human Heritage . .151 6.12 Sustainable Communities . .155 6.13 Integral Management Actions . .164 7.0 THE SUBWATERSHEDS . .167 7.1 Carruthers Creek . .170 7.2 Duffins Creek . .170 7.3 Management Considerations . .177 7.4 Management Actions . .177 II 7.5 Community Action Sites . .177 7.6 Partnerships in the Subwatersheds . .180 8.0 IMPLEMENTATION . .183 8.1 Government Initiatives in the Watershed . .184 8.2 Implementation Mechanisms . .185 8.3 Planning and Policy . .185 8.4 Stewardship and Regeneration . .187 8.5 Land Securement and Acquisition . .189 8.6 Education, Awareness and Advocacy . .192 8.7 Monitoring and Reporting . .193 8.8 What Can You Do? . .200 9.0 FINAL MESSAGES FROM THE DUFFINS CREEK AND CARRUTHERS CREEK TASK FORCE MEMBERS . ..