Envisioning the Future

Envisioning the Future: The Credit River Watershed in 50 Years

In the year 2056, the Credit River Watershed is quite different than it is today. Credit Valley Conservation, as a key supporter of environment, has helped to ensure that the watershed is ecologically healthy and that its citizens are kept well informed about watershed conditions and environmental issues.

The Credit River and its tributaries are a naturalized river system. Watercourses are connected with each other and have effective natural buffers.

Water quantity in the watershed is sufficient to meet the needs of the population. Water quality in the watershed has improved and is better than provincial guidelines.

There are no more CVC Species of Concern because their habitats have been protected, enhanced and restored.

There are community-oriented waste reduction, energy conservation and water conservation programs in place throughout the watershed. There are rarely, if ever, any smog alerts, because the public is well aware of how their actions impact the environment, and have reduced their CO2 emissions accordingly.

Green roofs, pervious surfaces and other low impact development technologies have been implemented. Numerous communities are walkable and contain large greenspaces which are filled with native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, established from local seed sources.

Rural areas include a vibrant agricultural community with large tracts of protected agricultural land. Both urban and rural environments are wildlife-friendly and safe.

The Credit River is canoeable, swimmable and drinkable. Further, residents from all areas of the watershed can not only fish in the Credit River, but can eat what they catch.

Understanding the Credit River Watershed

A watershed is an area of land that drains into a river or stream. The Credit River watershed covers an area of 1000 square kilometers. Its boundaries are based on ecology, making the watershed fall partially within the Region of Peel and the Region of Halton. Both regional governments provide financial support to the CVC for the protection of the river.

The river falls within the boundaries of 10 municipalities who help to fund its operation:

City of Brampton
City of Mississauga
Township of Amaranth
Town of Caledon
Township of East Garafraxa
Town of Erin
Town of Halton Hills
Town of Mono
Town of Oakville
Town of Orangeville

Watershed Population and Land Use

• 600,000 people live in the watershed\
• 87% of the population lives in the lower 1/3 of the watershed
• the watershed's population is growing at a rate of approx. 2%
• in 1999, 21% of the watershed was developed
• by 2020, 40% of the watershed will be developed (based on approved development and the official plans of our municipalities)

The River and Its Tributaries

The Credit River is 90 kilometres long but over 1500 kilometres of tributaries, streams and creeks feed into it, including:

Black/Silver Creek - 27 km
West Credit - 26 km
Shaws Creek - 19 km
East Credit - 17 km
Caledon Creek - 18 km

The Credit River watershed also includes 15 kilometres of the Lake Ontario shoreline.The average daily flow of the Credit River is 690,000 cubic metres, 65% of which comes from groundwater.

Plants and Animals

The Credit River is home to a wide range of wildlife. Some species are permanent or seasonal residents while others are sighted occasionally. CVC currently has:

244 species of birds
64 fish species
41 species of mammals
5 species of turtles
8 kinds of snakes17 amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders & newts)
1330 species of plants

Current Pressures facing the Credit River Watershed

The environmental face of the Credit Valley Watershed has changed dramatically over the years. Mounting development pressures have replaced large areas of natural vegetation and nearby urban populations have altered the Credit River landscape. An increasing proportion of the watershed is now covered by rapidly growing urban settlements as the urban-based population spills over from the Greater Toronto Area in search of more affordable housing.

The pressures facing the watershed are numerous and include (not an inclusive list):

• Drought and Flooding
• Lack of Adequate Development Standards
• Deteriorating Urban Environment
• Impervious Surfaces
• Natural Hazards
• Sediment and Erosion
• Dams, Liability, Environmental Impact
• Loss of Habitat & Need for Protected Spaces
• Water Supply
• Disease and Pests
• Prohibited Use
• Neighbourhood/ Development Pressures
• Biodiversity
• Fragmentation, Corridors, & Connectivity
• Spills
• Rural Pollution
• Species At Risk/ Species Abundance
• Septic Systems and Municipal Servicing
• Invasive Species
• Aggregate Extraction
• Lack of General Environmental Awareness
• Soil Quality and Quantity
• Landform Conservation
• Fishing & Hunting
• Pesticides and Insecticides
• Great Lakes Shoreline
• Harvesting/ Hunting
• Need for Cultural Heritage Management
• Climate Change