Otonabee Conservation 2023 Watershed Report Card

Otonabee Conservation
Watershed Report Card 2023
Otonabee Conservation has

prepared this report card as a
summary of the state of your forests,
wetlands, and water resources.
WHO WE
ARE & WHAT
WE DO
Trent-Severn Waterway at Thompson Bay | City of Peterborough
About Us Distinct Physiographic Regions

Otonabee Conservation is a locally The Otonabee Region watershed is
focused, community-based environmental comprised of five distinct physiographic
agency that protects, restores, and regions. At the southern boundary, the
manages natural resources within region starts at the Oak Ridges Moraine
the Otonabee Region watershed. and Rice Lake. It then transitions from an
area dominated by agriculture to the rocky,
The Otonabee Region watershed forested lands of the Canadian Shield at
supports a population of nearly 120,000 the northern boundary, interspersed with
people in both rural and urban areas. drumlins, watercourses, and wetlands.
Municipalities in the watershed include:
• City of Peterborough Programs & Services

• City of Kawartha Lakes Otonabee Conservation delivers programs
and services that support the sustainability
• Municipality of Trent Hills
of the environment, within the physical
• Township of Asphodel-Norwood and economic context of the watershed
• Township of Cavan Monaghan and in consideration of the social, cultural,
and economic aspirations of our residents.
• Township of Douro-Dummer
These programs and services aim to:
• Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
• Safeguard people and property from
• Township of Selwyn
flooding and other natural hazards.
We work closely with our eight member • Contribute to the maintenance of a
municipalities to create a healthy, healthy and resilient environment.
environmentally diverse watershed that
improves the quality of life for residents, • Provide recreational opportunities
makes our area more appealing to visitors in the natural environment.
and new businesses, and helps to ensure
• Build awareness and understanding of
a more vibrant regional economy.
the value of the natural environment.
2
WHERE
ARE WE?
Otonabee Conservation was established in 1959 and is a member of Conservation Ontario. There are
36 conservation authorities across the province that protect the environment on a watershed basis.
Land and water resources are interconnected, so managing these resources on a watershed basis
is recognized as the best way to protect the environment.
What is a Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land drained by a creek or stream into a river, which then drains
into a body of water such as a lake or pond. Everything in a watershed is connected.
Our actions upstream can affect conditions downstream. Data from 12 subwatersheds
with the Otonabee Region watershed was used to report on the indicators below.
Why Measure?
Measuring helps us better
understand our watershed. We can
target our work where it is needed Groundwater Surface Water Forest Wetland
and track progress. We measured: Quality Quality Conditions Conditions
GRADING
A Excellent
B Good What is a Watershed Report Card?

C Fair Ontario’s Conservation Authorities report on watershed
D Poor conditions every five years. The watershed report cards
F Very Poor use Conservation Ontario guidelines and standards
developed by Conservation Authorities and their partners.
Insufficient Data
3
GRADE
SURFACE WATER QUALITY B
Surface water is found in our lakes, rivers, creeks, streams, and wetlands. It is a key component
of our environment and contributes to human health, wildlife habitat, and the economy.
Two indicators were used to assess surface water quality: phosphorus and benthic
macroinvertebrates (small aquatic organisms living in bottom sediments).
Phosphorus is a nutrient that occurs both naturally and from human activities. At high levels
it can trigger algae blooms, choke waterways with plants, and deplete oxygen levels in water.
Benthic macroinvertebrates have different tolerances to water quality

conditions, making them good indicators of long-term aquatic health.
Otonabee Conservation has been involved in monitoring surface water quality

since 1964 and is an active partner in the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring
Network (PWQMN) and the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN).
What Did We Find?

• Grades range from A to
C indicating excellent
to fair water quality.
• More developed
subwatersheds received
lower grades, indicating that
urbanization may be impacting
surface water quality.
• Changes in water quality

were identified in four
subwatersheds; grades in
Buckhorn/Lovesick Lake
and Indian River improved,
while grades for Cavan Creek
and Ouse River decreased
from good to fair since
the 2018 Report Card.
• An overall B grade indicates

good water quality.
watershedcheckup.ca 4
GRADE
FOREST CONDITIONS B
Forests provide many benefits including habitat, clean air and water, reduced flooding and
erosion, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Forests also make watersheds more resilient to
climate change impacts. Forest health can be negatively impacted by urbanization, agriculture,
invasive species, and disease.
Three indicators were used to assess forest conditions: forest cover, forest interior, and
forested riparian (shoreline) cover.
Environment Canada recommends a minimum of 30% forest cover to sustain the natural
biodiversity and environmental services that forests provide.
Forest interior is the area located 100 metres or more from the forest edge,
providing shelter for sensitive species - a minimum of 10% is recommended.
Forested riparian areas

(shorelines) keep the water cool,
prevent erosion, and provide
wildlife habitat. A vegetated
buffer at least 30 metres wide
is recommended along 75%
of the length of a stream.
What Did We Find?

• Forest condition grades
across the watershed range
from A to C indicating
excellent to fair conditions.
• The Otonabee Region

watershed has 42% forest
cover, 14% forest interior and
58%forested riparian cover.
• 50% of subwatersheds
received an A grade for
forest conditions.
• An overall B grade indicates

good forest conditions.
Otonabee Conservation * NOT
GRADED
GROUNDWATER QUALITY
Groundwater is precipitation that has infiltrated the ground to fill spaces and cracks in soil,
sand, gravel, and rock. It is found beneath the earth’s surface within saturated layers of
porous rock or sediment called aquifers, which are an important source of drinking water.
Groundwater plays an important ecological role by replenishing wetlands, creeks, streams,
rivers, and lakes.
Groundwater quality is assessed by measuring concentrations of several indicators including

nitrate, nitrite, and chloride, which can have an impact on human health. Otonabee
Conservation collects samples at six Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGWMN)
wells throughout the watershed.
Nitrogen occurs naturally in groundwater as nitrate and nitrite. Additional sources of nitrogen
can include septic systems and fertilizer. The Ontario Drinking Water Quality Guideline for
nitrate and nitrite (as nitrogen) is 10 mg/L.
Chloride can also be

found in groundwater and
elevated levels may be due
to anthropogenic sources
such as road salt or water
softeners. The Canadian
Drinking Water Quality
Guideline for chloride is less
than or equal to 250 mg/L.
What Did We Find?

• Levels of nitrate, nitrite,
and chloride meet the
Ontario Drinking Water
Quality Standard and the
Canadian Water Quality
Standard from 2017-2021 at
all six wells in the Otonabee
Region Watershed.
*Not assigned a letter grade due to data limitations.
Otonabee Conservation * NOT
GRADED
WETLAND COVER
Wetlands are a critical component of a healthy watershed that is resilient to climate change.
They contribute to a healthy watershed by providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and
reptiles, including Species at Risk. Wetlands are nature’s sponges, helping to reduce flooding
by storing water and releasing it slowly during dry periods. Wetland plants also act as filters to
improve water quality by removing contaminants from water.
Wetlands throughout the Otonabee Region watershed are determined using Provincial
data and air photos. Wetlands are evaluated with criteria from the Ontario Wetland
Evaluation System, which is a standardized, science-based ranking system used to
determine their significance.
What Did We Find?

• The Otonabee Region
Watershed has 11% Wetland
Cover; Environment Canada
recommends maintaining
a minimum 10%.
• Otonabee Conservation
owns over 2,500 hectares
of wetland including 17
different Provincially
Significant Wetlands.
• There are over 60 Provincially

Significant Wetlands in our
watershed, covering an area
of over 17,000 hectares.
• There are nearly 40,000

hectares of wetland in
the watershed, including
those that are Evaluated,
Not Evaluated, and
Provincially Significant.
*Not assigned a letter grade due to data limitations.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Miller Creek Wildlife Area - Provincially Significant Wetland | Selwyn Township
Surface Water Forests

• Subwatersheds across the Otonabee • Our watershed’s forests are
Region watershed, such as Cavan healthy, however urbanization,
Creek, Baxter Creek, and Ouse climate change and other
River support cold-water habitat, factors such as invasive species
making them less resilient to climate can impact forest health.
change and other disturbances.
• Continued effort is required to
• Winter maintenance products such enhance and maintain healthy
as road salt contain chlorides and forests. To achieve this, Otonabee
may negatively impact surface Conservation and partners
water quality. Public safety on roads planted over 100,000 trees in the
and sidewalks during the winter is watershed from 2017-2021.
important and must be carefully
balanced with the protection of • Forests grow slowly, but
our aquatic environments. environmental benefits begin
as soon as trees are planted.
Changes in forest cover will be
Groundwater noticed in five years or more.
• The quality of your well
water may vary from that of Wetlands
monitoring wells, so well water
should be tested regularly. • There are different types
of wetlands including bogs,
• Approximately 35% of the marshes, swamps, and fens.
residents in the Otonabee Region
watershed are dependent on • Visit Imagine The Marsh or Miller
groundwater for drinking water. Creek Wildlife Area to observe
local wetland species in the
• In the Otonabee Region watershed, Otonabee Region watershed.
groundwater feeds cold-water
streams that provide habitat for
trout and other cold-water species.
8
HOW CAN WE
ENHANCE THE
WATERSHED?
Tree Planting | Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
What Can You Do?

Taking action and working together makes a difference. Human health and
environmental health are closely linked, so a healthy watershed benefits everyone.
Here are some examples of things you can do to help enhance the watershed.
Drinking Water Source Protection

• Find out where your drinking water comes from and how to protect it.
• If you own a well, make sure it is in good condition with regular inspections.
• Be salt smart during winter months by only using necessary amounts.
• Ensure your septic system is properly maintained and inspected.
Land Stewardship
• Participate in a community clean up or tree planting event.
• Help stop the spread of invasive species.
• Plant native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in your

garden to enhance habitat and increase biodiversity.
Explore Your Watershed

• Become a citizen scientist and learn about local species and habitats.
• Get outside and visit a Conservation Area, park, or local natural area.
• Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting local

businesses or using alternative transportation.
9
CLIMATE
CHANGE &
PUBLIC HEALTH
Meade Creek | City of Peterborough
Climate Change
Climate change introduces stressors on our watershed including drought, flooding, disease,
invasive species, and more frequent extreme weather events.
The four indicators measured in this watershed report card are affected by climate change
in some of the following ways:
Surface Water Groundwater

Increased frequency and magnitude of Increased periods of
storms causing flooding, erosion, damage drought resulting in dry
to trees, buildings, and infrastructure wells and low stream flow.
like power lines, culverts, and roads.
Wetlands
Forest Conditions Changing water levels
Changes in average temperatures creating causing a risk of wetlands
conditions for invasive species to thrive; drying out or being flooded,
increased carbon dioxide levels creating ideal impacting many species.
conditions for nuisance species like poison ivy
and ragweed to increase in size and abundance.
Public Health
Healthy ecosystems are essential for human health and provide many benefits.
Ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers contribute to protecting

water quality, help to clean the air, cool the environment, and provide
opportunities for recreation and contact with nature to enrich our lives.
It is widely known that we gain physical and mental health benefits from having access
to natural areas and biodiversity. Otonabee Conservation’s programs support resilient
ecosystems and contribute to healthy forests, water, wetlands, and people.
10
Do you have questions not answered by this summary document?
Please contact us for more information:
250 Milroy Drive, Peterborough, ON K9H 7M9
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: otonabeeconservation.com
Phone: 705-745-5791
The Watershed Report Card is available online and in other formats upon request.
Front Cover Photo: Blandings Turtle | Conservation Ontario

Back Cover Photo: Jackson Creek | City of Peterborough

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Otonabee Conservation

Watershed Report Card 2023

Otonabee Conservation has

Trent-Severn Waterway at Thompson Bay | City of Peterborough

About Us Distinct Physiographic Regions

• City of Peterborough Programs & Services

B Good What is a Watershed Report Card?

Benthic macroinvertebrates have different tolerances to water quality

Otonabee Conservation has been involved in monitoring surface water quality

What Did We Find?

• Changes in water quality

• An overall B grade indicates

Forested riparian areas

What Did We Find?

• The Otonabee Region

• An overall B grade indicates

Groundwater quality is assessed by measuring concentrations of several indicators including

Chloride can also be

What Did We Find?

*Not assigned a letter grade due to data limitations.

What Did We Find?

• There are over 60 Provincially

• There are nearly 40,000

*Not assigned a letter grade due to data limitations.

Miller Creek Wildlife Area - Provincially Significant Wetland | Selwyn Township

Surface Water Forests

Tree Planting | Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan

What Can You Do?

Drinking Water Source Protection

• Be salt smart during winter months by only using necessary amounts.

• Ensure your septic system is properly maintained and inspected.

• Help stop the spread of invasive species.

• Plant native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in your

Explore Your Watershed

• Reduce your carbon footprint by supporting local

Meade Creek | City of Peterborough

Surface Water Groundwater

Ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, lakes, and rivers contribute to protecting

Front Cover Photo: Blandings Turtle | Conservation Ontario

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