| Groundwater recharge |
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The sand and gravel that make up the Oak Ridges Moraine allow water to easily penetrate into the ground. Precipitation that falls on the moraine reaches the water table faster than in other areas where the soils may be less permeable. For this reason, there are very few streams found on the actual moraine. Instead of flowing across the land, surface water tends to flow into the ground. This inflow adds to the groundwater ensuring there is adequate supply for use and maintaining natural systems. |
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| Stream baseflow |
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| Water that moves into the moraine also contributes to many of the major river systems flowing south into Lake Ontario and north into Lake Scugog and Lake Simcoe. Water that penetrates the moraine travels downward until it hits a less penetrable layer, forcing the water to travel laterally. The water then comes out of the moraine providing for the headwaters of many creeks and rivers. Stream baseflow is important because it provides water throughout the year, even when there is no precipitation. The creeks and rivers fed by the Oak Ridges Moraine support some of the most significant native coldwater fish populations in southern Ontario, such as Brook Trout. |
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| Drinking water supply |
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The Oak Ridges Moraine acts as a giant rain barrel, storing water underground. These groundwater resources supply drinking water to over 250,000 people. Water from the moraine is also used for agriculture, golf courses and ski resorts. |
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| Wildlife corridors and other natural areas |
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| Many wildlife species require connected habitat to thrive. The connections between smaller patches of habitat are called corridors. The Oak Ridges Moraine provides many corridors which connect to the watersheds flowing off of it and naturally vegetated stream valleys between Lake Ontario, the moraine, Kawartha Lakes, Lake Simcoe and beyond. Small, isolated islands of natural habitat rarely contain all the features needed by certain species, especially those with less mobility. |
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| Recreation |
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The unique landscape of the Oak Ridges Moraine provides many recreational opportunities that are area close to the majority of southern Ontario 's population. Some of these opportunities include skiing, golfing, sight seeing, fishing and hiking. An accessible trail system for non-motorized uses is being established across the whole moraine.
Fleetwood Creek Natural Area, Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area and Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area offer spectacular recreational opportunities on the Oak Ridges Moraine, which include non-motorized activities such as hiking, cross country skiing and wildlife viewing. |
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| Large woodlands and forest interior |
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Much of southern Ontario's forest cover is now comprised of small, scattered woodlands separated by agricultural land, our expansive transportation network and residential areas. Large, continuous woodlands are now very rare in southern Ontario, with those on the moraine being the most significant remaining forests within the Greater Toronto Area. These woodlands provide a unique type of habitat referred to as ‘forest interior.'
An interior forest is surrounded by 100 metres or more of woodland. It provides a specialized habitat for a large number of woodland plants and many species of birds – including migratory warblers and thrushes. A small 10 acre (4 hectare) woodlot will contain less than 1 acre of interior habitat. Nesting pairs of some bird species require up to 5 acres of such habitat for their home range, and will not tolerate other nesting pairs of the same species within their range. |
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| Cultural heritage and scenic vistas |
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The societal values of the Oak Ridges Moraine are significant. Located within an hour of downtown Toronto, and stretching across the northern portion of the Greater Toronto Area, the moraine is readily accessible to millions. Families and other day-trippers regularly take this short drive to see the fall colours, take in the rural and forested landscape, as well as stop off at the many farmers' markets and restaurants in the small moraine communities. |
