Rideau Lakes. Subwatershed Report. A report on the environmental health of the

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1 s Subwatershed Report 2014 A report on the environmental health of the s

2 Welcome to the s Subwatershed The Watershed Ottawa River West Ottawa River East ( Manotick Richmond ( Jock River Lower Kemptville Burritts ( Rapids ( Awatershed is an area of land that drains to a river, lake or stream. In the large watershed of Eastern Ontario s River, there are six major subwatersheds (or tributaries): Jock River, Kemptville Creek, Lower, Middle, s and Tay River. Westport Tay River ( ( Perth s Merrickville ( Middle Kemptville Creek ² ( Brockville This report is a snapshot of one subwatershed s, a recreational jewel made up of a network of over 31 lakes and connecting streams covering 455 square kilometres in five municipalities. Kilometres This fabled subwatershed is an integral part of the Canal National Historic Site, the Waterway Canadian Heritage River, the Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve and Heritage Route. The population is a mix of seasonal and permanent residents. It is cottage country for thousands of families. Permanent households are living on large rural properties (farms or forested lands), in country estate subdivisions, very small to very large lakeside residential lots, or villages such as Newboro, Portland, Ferry and Westport. Previous steps to protect this highly-valued land and waterscape include the s Basin Carrying Capacity Study (1992) and associated site evaluation guideline, the Canal National Historic Site of Canada/World Heritage Site Management Plan (2005), s Watershed Plan Priorities and Recommendations (2009), various fisheries management plans and land-use planning and development policies described in municipal official plans and zoing by-laws. The major priorities documented in the 2009 s Watershed Plan were: Water Quality calling for more intensive and coordinated water quality monitoring programs for all lakes; expanding shoreline stewardship work; expanding septic re-inspection programs on all lakes Planning and Regulations maintaining a site plan approval process for all waterfront development applications; increasing compliance monitoring; increasing RVCA administration of waterway alteration and interference regulations around watershed lakes and wetlands 2

3 What We Monitor and Why? The Valley Conservation Authority s (RVCA) goal is clean water, healthy shorelines and sustainable land use. Monitoring environmental conditions helps us see trends over time, focus our actions where they can do the most good and evaluate the effectiveness of our watershed policies and programs. This report, together with the more detailed catchment reports prepared for each of the eight catchments of the s subwatershed (available at shows the 2013 conditions using four key indicators of subwatershed health: water quality, forests, shorelines and wetlands. We also look at water levels as they can impact watershed health. Previous data is used where applicable for comparison with current conditions. s Subwatershed Drainage Area 455 square kilometres Length of Shoreline 1,013 kilometres Length of Tributaries 860 kilometres Catchment Areas Big Portland 107 km 2 Big Ferry 55 km 2 Black Creek 27 km 2 Black 67 km 2 Lower 48 km 2 Upper 61 km 2 Westport Sand 17 km 2 Wolfe 73 km 2 RVCA and Valley Conservation Foundation Lands Bula Dworschak Foley Mountain Mill Pond Portland Bay Ferry Yacht Club Sister Island Weiss Total Hectares: 982 Cover: Big Simon Lunn 3

4 Water Quality How is Water Quality Measured? Our water quality ratings are made up of many water quality parameters blended together to allow water quality to be represented by a single rating of Very Poor, Poor, Fair, Good or Very Good. This is based on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Ratings are based on how often a parameter exceeds the guideline, how many of the different parameters exceed the guideline and by how much sample results for each parameter exceed the guideline. s The final water quality rating for lakes is based on an analysis of five of the following parameters from many water samples taken at 19 lakes within the s Subwatershed over a six to 12 year period. Nutrients (total phosphorus and total Kjeldahl nitrogen) as indicators of excessive nutrient loadings which may result in abundant vegetation growth and depleted dissolved oxygen Dissolved oxygen as an indicator of suitable fish habitat, as fish are unable to survive in oxygen depleted environments ph as an indicator of change from a waterbody s natural state Sechhi depth as an indicator of water clarity Streams The final water quality rating for streams is based on an analysis of 22 of the following parameters from many water samples taken at three sites within the s Subwatershed over a 12 year period. Nutrients (total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and nitrate); excessive nutrients may result in excessive vegetation and reduced dissolved oxygen available for the aquatic community E.coli as an indicator of the presence of bacteria from human or animal waste Metals (including lead, iron and copper) that may pose a health risk to aquatic life and indicate the presence of pollution Additional chemical/physical characteristics such as ph, alkalinity and total suspended solids which may indicate stresses to aquatic life and stream function Water Quality in the s Subwatershed This section provides a general description of water quality in the subwatershed. For more detailed water quality results, please see the eight catchment reports (available at containing more site-specific water quality information and analysis. Water quality at the 24 lake sites and three stream sampling sites in the s Subwatershed ranges from Good to Very Poor depending on the specific location and adjacent land uses. 4 Big

5 Each monitored site is unique. To understand any changes in water quality, one needs to look at individual sampling results over time. In the majority of cases, water quality will only be improved by reducing nutrient sources, by protecting natural shorelines and by reducing known point and non-point sources of pollution. The waterbodies of the s subwatershed have a diversity of features which protect or impact water quality: Small to mid-sized lakes surrounded by both natural settings and cottage developments Stream systems that wind through forests, wetlands, fields and residential landscapes The large s with substantially developed shorelines and protected natural areas Many of the small lakes are shallow and produce nutrient rich wetlands. As a result these lakes are sensitive to changes like: nutrient inputs, warming of the water column, limited dissolved oxygen and re-suspension of nutrients from wind and mixing events. Some of these lakes received a lower water quality rating. This highlights their susceptibility to influencing factors and shows their vulnerability to additional pressures. In several cases rather than the need for restoration these lakes require protection of natural habitat and application of sound land use management to safeguard water quality. There is a difference in the water quality ratings across the three major basins of the s (Upper, Big and Lower ) ranging from Fair to Very Poor. Forming part of the historic Canal system this waterbody has been under development pressure for centuries from land cover/use changes, recreational and commercial activities (boating, fishing, etc.) and residential development (seasonal and permanent). All these factors have contributed to the current state of the lake and it is important to consider the impact of past and present land-use practices on today s water quality. What is needed are targeted land management practices, stewardship and shoreline restoration to protect and enhance existing water quality conditions. The stream sites are under many of the same influences as lakes and water quality ratings range from Good to Poor with no observed changes over the 12 year period of this report. Improved management and stewardship is needed in most of these systems to directly improve water quality and that of the receiving waters to which they flow. s and streams that rate Fair to Very Poor could benefit from stewardship incentive grants offered by RVCA and other partners. 5

6 Water Quality What Does the Rating Mean? The following ratings show how susceptible a waterbody may be to additional nutrient inputs. Very Good: (CCME WQI Value ) water quality is protected with a virtual absence of threat or impairment with conditions being very close to natural or pristine levels. These index values can only be obtained if all measurements are within objectives virtually all of the time. Good: (CCME WQI Value 80 94) water quality is protected with only a minor degree of threat or impairment; conditions rarely depart from natural or desirable levels. Fair: (CCME WQI Value 65 79) water quality is usually protected but occasionally threatened or impaired; conditions sometimes depart from natural or desirable levels. Poor: (CCME WQI Value 45 64) water quality is frequently threatened or impaired; conditions often depart from natural or desirable levels. Very Poor: (CCME WQI Value 0 44) water quality is almost always threatened or impaired; conditions usually depart from natural or desirable levels A departure from natural or desirable levels may include: excessive aquatic plant growth and algae blooms along with poor conditions for fish habitat s age naturally through a process known as eutrophication. The aging process is caused by the deposition of nutrient rich sediment into lakes over a long period of time. Nutrient rich lakes typically have more aquatic plant growth and poorer water quality. Shallower and smaller lakes, in comparison to the larger, deeper lakes are less resilient and more susceptible to nutrient enrichment and consequently, may be more likely to depart from natural or desirable water quality levels. Black is the only lake where sufficient data for the two periods, the water quality rating has improved from Poor to Fair over this period. Human activity can affect the aging process of lakes. The more intensive the land use is surrounding a lake, the greater the likelihood that there will be an increase in nutrient rich runoff and sedimentation, causing the lake to age much faster than would be the case otherwise. Existing conditions make the s more vulnerable to this aging process, which can be minimized with good land stewardship and the use of shoreline best management practices. We can act together to slow this aging process. 6

7 Why Maintain Good Water Quality? Healthy water is fundamental to healthy families and communities Reliance on a natural source of clean water for farming, fishing, water sports, wildlife viewing and other recreational activities Good water quality promotes a diverse and healthy aquatic ecosystem The waterbodies in the s subwatershed are a key tourist attraction, visual feature and a major source of business activity and economic contributor to local municipalities 7

8 Water Levels There are 31 named lakes in the s subwatershed. The largest of them (Big, Lower, Upper and Wolfe s) serve as reservoirs for the Canal. Upper is the top of the Canal system draining in two directions via the cut that connects it to Newboro in the Cataraqui River section of the Canal and through the dam at Narrows Locks into Big. Numerours smaller unnamed water bodies also exist. All three s are controlled by dams that are operated by Parks Canada. In cooperation with Parks Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry operates the two dams on Westport Sand and Westport Pond (between Wolfe and Upper ). All of the dams are operated according to what are called rule curves. The rule curves consist of specific operational targets for each day of the year to maintain water levels at a minimum of 1.5 metres of draft during the navigation season throughout the Canal system. The small graphs on the profile of the reservoir lakes show the rule curves (solid red line) within the operating range between the Upper and Lower Conservation levels (dashed blue lines). This 200 Water Level (metres) water level (metres) Wolfe Wolfe Rule Curve Wolfe Dam Westport/Sand Dam Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Westport Pond Dam Upper Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct No 0.0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 Water Level (metres) Legend for Rule Curves Upper Rule Curve Spill Zone Lower Conservation Level mean Narrows Locks and Dam metr Upper Con :100 yea 8

9 depicts the lowered water level through the winter, the increased level into the spring, the spring thaw maxima and the gradual decline through the summer to the winter level in October. The entire seasonal range is about one metre for Wolfe and Upper and 1.4 metres for Big and Lower. Typically, however, as shown by the solid blue line depicting the Historical Average (1984 to 2013), the annual fluctuation is actually closer to half a metre on each of the lakes. The other lines show the more recent short term averages that vary considerably due mainly to differences in climatic conditions from year to year. For the Canal operations, it demonstrates how difficult it is to keep to established operational policies. While navigation is the primary purpose of the control of water levels on the lakes, Parks Canada staff recognize that there are seasonal and permanent residents on these three lakes who have interests in water levels beyond boating. They want to have water levels that fluctuate as routinely as possible to avoid shoreline erosion, damage to and functionality of structures such as docks and boathouses and that allows for water recreational activities like swimming and fishing. The system is also operated with consideration for fish and wildlife breeding and habitat requirements v Dec es Big Water Level (metres) :100 year flood level rule curve (normal level) Ferry Bridge Big Rule Curve Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 Poonamalie Dam Lower Water Level (metres) servation Level 3 mean r flood level Target Levels (rule curve) Historic Average

10 Water Levels As with all of the other lakes in the subwatershed, the reservoir lakes are subject to environmental conditions. Hot, dry summers cause a lot of evaporation from waterbodies (as much as two centimetres per day from Big ) leading to lower water levels. Wet summers bring the possibility of minor flooding. With more people taking up permanent residency around lakes, The Narrows 10 Poonamalie Dam

11 there are now year-round water level issues associated with a little or a lot of precipitation along with colder or warmer temperatures. For further information about Canal operations, contact Parks Canada at Poonamalie Dam 11

12 Forest Cover The Benefits of Forest Cover Forests are a fundamental part of any healthy subwatershed because of their critical role in the water cycle. Runoff from forested lands into streams after a rain or snowmelt is significantly cleaner and lower in both volume and peak flow than runoff from an unforested area. Trees help protect streams from storm or runoff erosion and make subwatersheds more resilient to climate change s expected heavy rainfall, irregular storms and unseasonal precipitation. In addition, forests: Clean the air Clean water seeping into the ground Reduce erosion and encourage infiltration of stormwater Create wildlife habitat Buffer wind and noise Provide wood products and recreational opportunities Experts believe that a minimum forest cover of 30 percent is needed to sustain the natural biodiversity and environmental services they provide (Environment Canada 2013 How Much Habitat is Enough?). The goal is to convert marginal and abandoned land into forest cover. s catchments with less than 30 percent forest cover are prime areas for tree planting that can be improved with help from various incentive grants offered by RVCA and other partners. Forest Cover by Catchment Lower 24% Westport Sand 31% Big -Portland 38% Upper 40% Big - Ferry 41% Wolfe 55% Black 56% Black Creek 61% 12 Forest cover on Upper

13 Existing Forest Cover in the s Subwatershed Forest cover in the eight catchments of the s subwatershed was classified in 2014 using 2008 DRAPE imagery and compared to previous work carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (from 2004 to 2006) using data from 2000 to Forest cover ranges from a high of 61 percent in the Black Creek catchment to a low of 24 percent in the Lower catchment. For the s subwatershed as a whole, forest cover was calculated to be at 198 square kilometres (or 44 percent) across the subwatershed in This coverage was compared to the best available data last updated in 2002 which shows forest cover to be at 194 square kilometres (43 percent of the subwatershed). This comparison highlights a general change/increase of one percent in forest cover. Forest cover change across the subwatershed has been very modest through this period. The largest change/increase in forest cover is reported in the Black catchment (at three percent) followed by the Black Creek and Upper catchments (at two percent). Declines in forest cover vary by catchment with the largest change/decrease occurring in the Wolfe catchment (at two percent) followed by Lower (at one percent). Since forests and wooded shorelines are some of the greatest protectors of water quality, any change/decrease in forest cover is worth watching over the next monitoring period, especially in those catchments where surface water quality is reported to be Poor and Very Poor. Forest Cover (%) Maberly Forest Change Decrese Increase ² Bolingbroke Kilometres TAY VALLEY Black De Witts Corners Stanleyville Glen Tay Black Creek PERTH Big (Portland) DRUMMOND/ NORTH ELMSLEY Big ( Ferry) Lower Ferry Wolfe Westport Sand WESTPORT Upper Newboro Crosby Portland RIDEAU LAKES SOUTH FRONTENAC 13

14 Wetlands The Benefits of Wetlands Wetlands are nature s flood control and water supply reservoirs places for the temporary storage of runoff from rain and snowmelt. Thanks to the Valley wetlands, peak flows during floods are lower, low flows are sustained during dry weather and groundwater supplies are replenished. RVCA hydrologists estimate that the existing wetlands across the entire watershed are responsible for a peak flow (and its resulting flood damage) that is about 10 percent lower than what we would see without the wetlands This flood control function is significant, natural and free. It doesn t come much better than that. Wetlands are increasingly valued for the ecological goods and services they provide such as water supply, water regulation, water cleansing and climate regulation. These services have been valued at $247 per person per year in a recent Ontario study (Natural Credit Estimating the Value of Natural Capital in the Credit River Watershed). In other words, wetlands do for free what we Wetland Cover by Catchment would otherwise have to pay millions of dollars to do through technology and infrastructure. Wetlands also provide habitat for many common and rare plants and animals as well as Upper Westport Sand 7% 7% fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities like canoeing Wolfe 13% and bird watching. Big -Portland 15% Wetlands are valuable green infrastructure that pay for themselves many times over. Conserving or restoring wetlands is right up there with tree planting and shoreline naturalization as simple, cost-effective measures with huge watershed management benefits. Big - Ferry Black Lower Black Creek 15% 24% 26% 27% Black Creek wetland 14

15 Existing Wetlands in the s Subwatershed Wetlands make up a large part of the overall area of the s subwatershed as a result of the geological setting, corresponding topography, the climate and resulting high water tables. Wetlands, characterized by their organic soils and water-tolerant vegetation, have formed throughout the region wherever depressions occur in both small isolated pockets and broad, extensive pockets that are such an important and distinctive feature of the area. Wetland cover averages 16 percent in the s subwatershed ranging from a high of 27 percent in the Black Creek drainage area to a low of seven percent in the Upper and Westport Sand catchments. Across the subwatershed, 68 percent of wetlands are found on the Canadian Shield; the remaining 32 percent are off-shield. Many of these wetlands are small to medium in size and well connected to surrounding forests, lakes, rivers and streams. Because of the specific geographical conditions in each of the six s subwatersheds (which may or may not be conducive to wetland formation and retention), local targets for wetland cover focus on no net loss of wetlands (as is the case along the Lower River, as described in the 2005 Lower Watershed Strategy), rather than on specific targets (percentages) in a subwatershed. Wetland Cover (%) 0 to to to to 25 Maberly 25.1 to to 100 ² Kilometres TAY VALLEY De Witts Corners Stanleyville Glen Tay PERTH DRUMMOND/ NORTH ELMSLEY Big ( Ferry) Lower Ferry Bolingbroke Black Black Creek Big (Portland) Wolfe Westport Sand WESTPORT Upper Newboro Crosby Portland RIDEAU LAKES SOUTH FRONTENAC 15

16 Shorelines The Benefits of Well-Vegetated Shorelines The shoreline (or riparian) zone is that special and vulnerable area where the land meets the water. Keeping shorelines well vegetated with native trees and shrubs is a major goal because of their importance in preserving water quality and supporting healthy aquatic habitats. Natural shorelines intercept runoff that carries sediment, pesticides and fertilizers that can reduce water quality and harm fish habitat in streams, creeks and rivers. Well established vegetative buffers also protect streambanks from erosion, improve habitat for fish by shading and cooling the water and provide protective cover for birds and other wildlife that feed and rear young near water. In the Great s Region, a minimum shoreline buffer of 30 metres is recommended for at least 75 percent of the length of the creek, stream, river or lake (Environment Canada 2013 How Much Habitat is Enough?). s catchments with less than 75 percent shoreline cover are prime areas for shoreline naturalization that can be improved with help from the various incentive grant programs offered by the RVCA and other partners. Catchments with more than 75 percent riparian cover could also be enhanced in areas where shoreline conditions have become degraded through vegetation removal. Existing Shoreline Cover in the s Subwatershed Shoreline cover percentages for lakes and streams (by catchment) are given for each of the eight catchments of the s along with a lake by lake comparison. The table shows that seven catchments meet or exceed the 75 percent target figure with the exception of Lower catchment. Vegetated Shoreline Cover by Catchment Lower 68% Westport Sand 75% Upper 76% Big - Ferry 80% Big -Portland 84% Black 90% Wolfe 90% Black Creek 95% A different story unfolds when looking at shoreline cover, lake by lake. Ten lakes have shoreline cover below the guideline target and of those, it is worth noting that five of them (Adams, Bass, Lower, Upper and Westport Sand ) have Poor to Very Poor water quality. This suggests a link between a lake s shoreline cover, adjacent land cover and land-use practices and water quality. 16

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18 Actions This report has identified some areas where natural conditions are not ideal. Since lakes support our local economies and communities, now is the time for all of us to take meaningful steps big and small to help improve the health of our lakes. We know that water quality is influenced by our use of land, so we need to understand how our actions affect lake heath and take steps that will improve water quality. Only by working together will we make gains. Here is what each of us can do RVCA Continue monitoring surface water quality and consider additional monitoring where required Provide detailed water quality reporting through our subwatershed reports and catchment sheets Identify areas with poor water quality and recommend options for improvement Support the investigation of local causes of algae and aquatic plant growth Maintain stream assessment monitoring and land cover classification for use in subwatershed reporting as well as municipal land-use planning Promote our stewardship programs that provide technical and financial support to landowners to help them plant trees, naturalize their shorelines and undertake projects that improve water quality Acquire and protect additional lands that are ecologically important such as shorelines, wetlands, floodplains and significant wildlife/woodland habitats through land donations, conservation easements or other land acquisitions Provide passive recreational opportunities at our Conservation Areas which are managed using wise resource management principles Continue providing planning advice to municipalities and regulating development on hazard lands (flood prone areas, steep slopes, unstable soils) and in environmentally sensitive areas (wetlands, shorelines, valleylands) Monitor implementation of conditions of regulatory approvals Identify flood hazard levels and produce regulation limit mapping around additional lakes Work with municipalities and agencies to implement current land use planning and development policies in a more consistent manner to achieve net environmental gains (particularly development setbacks and vegetated shorelines) Support beaver management and facilitate communication among agencies, businesses, municipalities and lake residents to address water level concerns Municipalities Ensure new development, re-development and site alterations adhere to current development standards (as described in municipal Official Plans, Zoning By-laws and through septic system approvals) Continue to use the s Basin Carrying Capacity Study (1992) and revised Site Evaluation Guidelines (2014) to guide decision-making regarding development around lakes Monitor implementation of conditions of planning and development approvals Encourage Committees of Adjustment to take advantage of technical and environmental recommendations coming from planning and environmental professionals Create a site alteration bylaw to protect natural features and other sensitive areas such as wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitat and shorelines along lakes, streams and rivers Use RVCA s subwatershed reports and catchment sheets when updating Official Plan policies to protect surface water resources and the natural environment (including woodlands, wetlands and shoreline cover) Support more sustainable stormwater management practices including retrofits in existing settlement areas Continue voluntary septic system re-inspection programs and consider mandatory programs on lakes and tributaries 18

19 Residents, Businesses, Community Groups and Associations Ensure new development and re-development on waterfront lots (including houses, septic systems, auxillary buildings and decks) meets appropriate development setbacks from the shoreline (30 metres or more) Maintain a healthy, vegetated shoreline buffer and naturalize degraded or ornamental shorelines Ensure septic systems are properly functioning and well maintained Participate in voluntary septic system re-inspection programs and advocate for municipalities to adopt mandatory programs in environmentally sensitive areas Promote the use of advanced septic treatment systems where development setbacks cannot be met Plant trees on retired land Protect and enhance wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat Choose marinas with sewage pump-out facilities certified by the Clean Marinas Program Respect Watch Your Wake areas when boating Take measures to help prevent the spread of invasive species Restrict livestock access to lakes and streams Consider land conservation options including donations of environmentally sensitive lands to public land trusts or other interested non-profit organizations Help is Out There The s Subwatershed can be improved through work by residents, municipalities, community associations, environmental groups, families, schools, individuals and collaborations of all kinds. One of the best ways to get involved is to join your local Association. Your Association will help you support local lake projects and stay informed about lake and community issues. There are also a number of programs that can provide technical support and grant dollars. The best way to learn about these programs is to contact the RVCA. Staff will connect you to the best programs available through groups such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Leeds and Grenville Stewardship Council, Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association, RVCA, Valley Conservation Foundation and Watersheds Canada. Lastly, if you are planning a project on your property, be sure to check with your municipality and the RVCA to see if approvals are required. Checking first can save you time and money by avoiding costly mistakes. If you are thinking of buying property, the RVCA can also let you know if and how the property is likely to be affected by the Conservation Authority s policies and regulations. Valley Conservation Authority or postmaster@rvca.ca The Narrows 19

20 RIDEAU VALLEY CONSERVATION AUTHORITY How to reach us 3889 Valley Drive, P.O. Box 599 Manotick ON K4M 1A5 Tel Fax Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter (ValleyCA) View from Spy Rock at Foley Mountain Conservation Area March 2015