Rutherford Creek
Rutherford Creek is located on the northwestern arm of Sturgeon Lake between Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon and extends north to the intersection of Cedar Tree and Bulmers roads. Water flows southward into Sturgeon Lake.
View a map of the Rutherford Creek Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Rutherford Creek watershed.
Watershed size |
The total watershed area is 10 km² or 976 ha and the total watercourse length is 27 km. |
Natural vegetation cover |
The dominant forest type is coniferous forest including:
|
Significant natural sites |
None |
Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Rutherford Creek watershed.
Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Total phosphorus |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Benthic macroinvertebrates |
6.2 (FBI) |
D |
Fairly poor |
The surface water quality grade was based on total phosphorous (TP) and/or benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) family biotic index (FBI). The provincial water quality objective for TP in rivers and streams is 0.03 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L in lakes. These guidelines were set because levels highter than these guildelines provide conditions for nuisance algae and aquatic plant growth. A TP value below 0.03 mg/L (rivers) or 0.02 (lakes) meets the provincial guidelines and is in the B (good) or A (excellent) grade range, while the result for benthic macroinvertebrates must be 5.00 or lower to receive a B (good) or A (very good to excellent) grade.
Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Forest cover |
4.0 km² |
41.1% |
A |
Excellent |
Forest interior |
0.5 km² |
4.6% |
D |
Poor |
Forested riparian cover |
0.7 km² |
52.4% |
B |
Good |
The combined forest conditions grade for Rutherford Creek is ranked as good.
Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wetland cover |
1.7 km² |
17.2% |
A |
Excellent |