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The Credit River: Water Resources 2007

Click on the red circles to learn more about CVC's Water projects.




2006 Credit River: Water Project Listings


A

Subwatershed 19

This study is an update from the original Phase 1 characterization and Phase 3 implementation study that was completed in 1997. This study will review additional work completed since 1997, update Phase 1 characterization based on increased activities, and incorporate modeling tools in Phase 2 to evaluate impacts on the environment from land use activities.The intent of this study will be to provide direction for managing increased activities and water supply issues to protect the health of the Credit watershed.

Headwaters Subwatershed Study

Focus Group Members

B

Island Lake Water Budget

Phase 1 of this study involved the creation of subwatershed-scale groundwater and surface water models used to assess the flow of water into, and out of, the Island Lake and Mill Creek area. Wet, dry and average climate simulations were conducted and the groundwater fluxes under each scenario were analyzed. Phase 1 identified data gaps and the need for collection of additional local scale hydrogeological and hydrological information. Phase 2, scheduled to begin in the spring of 2005, will involve field work to fill the data gaps identified in Phase 1, and to refine the surface and groundwater models. The models will be recalibrated to this information, and the water budget under the 3 scenarios will be reexamined.

C

Subwatershed 13

Completion of the Phase 1 (Characterization Report) that is in draft process, and initialization and completion of the Phase 3 (Implementation and Monitoring) with Lands and Stewardship. Phase 2 will not be completed due to the limited development pressures with NEC and ORM coverage in this subwatershed.

 

D

Cheltenham SSMP

The Cheltenham Servicing and Settlement Management Plan (now called The Cheltenham Village Study) started in June of 2004 and is being managed by the Town of Caledon with servicing input from the Region of Peel and environmental input from CVC. Phases 1 to 3 have been completed in 2005. Finalization of communal sewage disposal system and outfall location. Assessment of additional water supply will also be evaluated. The Town of Caledon has prepared draft OPA policies for the area.

E

Gateway West Update

The Gateway Subwatershed Plan was prepared to provide input into the Bram West Secondary Plan. This Subwatershed study was initiated in 1992 and was completed in March 1999. In the intervening years sporadic work was conducted to add to the data initially collected in 1992 and 1993. The area covered by the Study included, Mullet Creek (Subwateshed 4), Levi Creek (Subwatershed 6) and the Main Credit (Subwatershed 9).

Given that the length of time that has elapsed since the initiation (13 years) and completion (6 years) of the Gateway West Subwatershed study, it is appropriate that we improve the subwatershed plan with knowledge gained from additional data and advances made in scientific assessments.

A workplan was developed in discrete components where it was felt that an update was needed due to improvements in modeling techniques, better monitoring methodologies, improvements in science and additional data generated in the intervening years.

F

Brampton Effectiveness Monitoring

The current monitoring results from the Fletcher's Creek monitoring program indicate that the current controls being implemented with new development are not sufficient to prevent degradation of water quality and stream stability. The Effectiveness Monitoring program will evaluate in greater detail the specific practices and assumptions related to land use change, in order to provide direction to the North West Brampton Urban Boundary Expansion area.

Fletcher's Creek Monitoring

This project will allow the 3 year monitoring study on this creek that was completed by Gartner Lee Ltd. to be extended for additional field seasons. The work in 2006 will be Year 6 of CVC's term.

Fletcher's Creek - 2006 Final Report

Outreach Program

The Outreach Program was created in response to trends observed through the monitoring of Fletcher's Creek. Educating the public on water quality concerns and promoting behavioural changes is key to protecting our water resources. Audiences in this program include elementary students, ESL students, and teachers. In addition, CVC is working with TRCA and local religious leaders to address concerns over ritual offerings being placed in local waterways.

G

North West Brampton

The North West Brampton is the subject of a City of Brampton 's Official Plan Amendment to convert 6000 acres of agricultural land to an urban designation. CVC is preparing terms of reference for the completion of subwatershed studies. These studies will address the needs of the environment, within the study area and downstream, to ensure that the proposed growth is sustainable. Key concepts including low impact development and best management practices such as roof gardens will form part of a set of management options to be assessed.

H

Erin SSMP

CVC staff will begin work on the environmental component of the Erin Village Study, early in 2006, when approved by the Town of Erin. In 2004, the Official Plan of the Town set out a community-based development process commonly referred to as a Servicing and Settlement Master Plan (SSMP) which addresses planning, environmental and servicing issues for the Town in a comprehensive manner. CVC will describe the existing environmental conditions, identify environmental limitations and sensitivities and make recommendations for environmental protection, enhancement and monitoring.

I

Subwatershed 15 Phase 2

Finalization of a project that builds upon the completed Phase 1 (characterization report) and partially completed Phase 3 (implementation and monitoring). Phase 2 assesses the impacts of future land use and Phase 3 is development of an implementation plan. Originally this was not an issue, however current land use pressures have increased so Phases 2 & 3 need to be completed.

J

Alton SSMP

The Alton Servicing and Settlement Management Plan started in June of 2004 and is being managed by the Town of Caledon with servicing input from the Region of Peel and environmental input from CVC. Credit Valley Conservation's portion of the work has been to complete the Phase I background report (to be complete in 2004), to evaluate the environmental impacts of different servicing and planning alternatives, and to make recommendations of a preferred alternative, implementation and monitoring. This project has been put on hold by the Town of Caledon pending feedback from local residents.

K

Subwatershed 17

The Shaw's Creek subwatershed (subwatershed 17) study was initiated in 2004. Since then, we have pulled together a Background report, identified data gaps, and filled in those data gaps through data collection. In 2006, we will be pulling together the Phase 1 - Characterization, Phase 2 - Impact Assessment and Phase 3 - Implementation Reports. These phases will include public consultation through public open houses and focus group meetings.

WATERSHED WIDE PROJECTS

Block 1 & 3 EIR and FSR

Project to get both effectiveness monitoring and comprehensive groundwater stations (including monitoring wells, baseflows and piezometers) established and/or retrofitted, to collect predevelopment, during and after development monitoring data.

 

Dam Assessments

Construction and maintenance works for both the Island Lake South Dam and Monora Dam as per recommendations made within the 2005 Dam Safety Assessments for both Island Lake South Dam and Monora Dam. A portion of this funding will come in the form of a grant from the MNR WEIC program.

 

Dynamic Assessment of Rainfall Gauges

A specially processed meteorological input time series will be used to replicate spatially dynamic storm events. Part of this assessment will involve evaluating the various rainfall gauges near or adjacent to the watershed and to conduct a spatial and dynamic assessment of major rainfall events. The purpose of this assessment is to document the influence and sensitivity of spatial variability, speed and direction on runoff in various locations within the watershed. It is further proposed that radar data be collected for these events to confirm the associated assumptions related to size, speed and direction.

 

Flood Warning

Credit Valley Conservation's Flood Warning Program is an on-going program which during a flood emergency CVC staff monitor river conditions and advise the Flood Emergency Officer who then advises the municipalities of changing watershed conditions. The Flood Emergency Coordinator may also assign CVC staff to specific sites to provide technical expertise where necessary and where requested by the municipalities.

 

Floodline Mapping

Floodline mapping projects for 2006 include Shaw's Creek, Subwatershed 17; and Avonhead and Clearview Creeks within the City of Mississauga . In turn, with the completion of the Avonhead and Clearview Creeks project all watercourses within the CVC watershed and the City of Mississauga will have complete and up-to-date floodline mapping.

 

Gauging Stations

CVC in cooperation with WSC currently operates six gauging stations strategically placed throughout the watershed to monitor water level and flow conditions. On-line monitoring of stream conditions assists with flood forecasting and warning, climate change and land use change monitoring.

 

Hydrology (Water Resources) Database

The development of a centralized data-base that houses information as it pertains to hydrology, hydraulics, and flood forecasting and warning. Information stored within the database will include CVC's hydrologic model, hydraulic models, watercourse crossings, flood damage centres, ice jam centres, and dam structures. On-line ponds with barriers, hydrometric data and floodline mapping. In addition a flood forecasting and warning system will be incorporated into the database, including technical information on damage centres and emergency contact information.

 

Monitoring Project

The Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program focuses on monitoring environmental parameters that act as indicators of ecosystem health. These include such things as fish communities, benthic invertebrates, water quality, water quantity, terrestrial features and stream morphology. With this information we will be able to determine the health of the watershed, assess the effectiveness of planning and restoration initiatives, and influence environmental management within the watershed.

 

Spills Management Strategy

This project will provide recommendations and a startup for a Spills Management Strategy for CVC. Communication response protocols and critical information (i.e spill travel times) will be developed.

 

Water Budget

The water budget work scheduled for 2006 will include surveying of actual water use of all the large permitted water takers within the watershed. This information will be incorporated into the groundwater flow model and additional modeling scenarios will be run to support the development of a decision support system in late 2006, and early 2007.

 

Water Quality Strategy

This project will develop a framework by which the watershed will be assessed with respect to the water quality conditions of the Credit River . Work for 2006 will focus on activities associated with Phase 3 (Recommendation and Implementation).

 

Watershed Management Strategy Update

This report will focus on how recommendations from the Water Management Strategy will be implemented and provide details on the costs associated with managing growth in the Credit Watershed.The Water Management Strategy was completed in 2005. Its aim was to ensure "abundant, safe and clean water" now and in the future for both people and wildlife that live in the Credit River watershed.Through the working partnerships with CVC municipalities, provincial agencies, educators and individual groups on the technical and steering committees, the implementation report will provide guidance on how much we can grow, and, where and how we can grow in order to ensure Credit River watershed health.

 

Subwatershed Studies

In the early 1990s, CVC divided the 1,000 km Credit River watershed into 20 subwatersheds. Since then, subwatershed studies have been carried out in 16 subwatersheds. These subwatershed studies help us to research and understand what is happening in each of these distinct smaller systems. The outcome of each subwatershed study is a Subwatershed Plan that provides guidance to local, regional and provincial governments by recommending how water resources and ecological functions should be protected and enhanced over time. When all the subwatershed studies in the Credit River watershed are completed, the information will be integrated to look at the watershed as a whole.

 

Geomorphic Guidelines Update

Develop guidelines that define what projects or activities require fluvial geomorphic consideration and clearly defines what specific geomorphic requirements must be met.

Examples of the areas to be covered in the Geomorphic Guidelines are:

1 - Meander belt width and Channel Migration Zone Analyses (this helps us establish hazard constraints)

2 - Urban Road Crossing Guidelines

3 - Channel sensitivity and erosion analysis (this helps us establish the sensitivity of watercourses receiving stormwater and what management options are best suited to protect that watercourse).

 

Water and Erosion Infrastructure Database

To update the locations and conditions of erosion sites and stormwater management ponds along the Credit River and its tributaries. This study is intended to update existing maps using GPS technology for accuracy.

 

Water Guideline Update

As an outcome from the Water Management Strategy and Peak Flow Study, this project will provide guidance in planning and stormwater management for proposed development within the Credit River watershed.

 

Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines

Generic guidelines are being prepared for Conservation Authorities in the GTA area in conjunction with DFO. Estimated completion is early 2006.

Guidelines will be prepared which will include specific requirements of CVC.

An Excel spreadsheet has been created and will be continually updated in an effort to track erosion and sediment control inspections, reports and responses.

 

Benthic Invertebrate Community Structure

This project will provide much needed information concerning the benthic invertebrate community structure from April through October.

 

Source Protection - MNR

Conservation Authorities are currently responsible for conducting technical studies that will in the near future be used to develop a source water protection plan for their watershed. Similar to other CA's across Ontario , CVC is conducting technical studies to support the SWP committees. These studies include the development of a watershed characterization report, a water budget study, and a groundwater risk assessment.

 

Grant Proposals:

1) Town of Mono / CVC - Wellhead Protection Areas Study.

2) Town of Erin / CVC Local Vulnerability.