Natural Hazards
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Ops No. 1/Jennings Creek Floodplain Mapping Study |
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This floodplain mapping study covers an area located north and west of the Town of Lindsay, draining both urban and rural lands to the Scugog River. |
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Sinister Creek Floodplain Mapping Study |
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This flood plain mapping study covers the area located northeast of the Town of Lindsay, draining both urban and rural lands to the Scugog River. |
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Fenelon Falls North Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study |
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This flood plain mapping study covers the area located north of the Fenelon River located in the town of Fenelon Falls, draining both urban and rural lands to the Fenelon River upstream to the falls. |
| Omemee East Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study |
| This creek drains rural lands east of Omemee and south of Highway 7 and outlets to the Omemee Mill Pond after crossing Queen Street South. |
| Dunsford Creek Floodplain Mapping Study |
| This water course drains rural lands west of Dunsford before flowing through the village and then along and under County Road 36 before entering Emily Creek south of County Road 36. |
| Burnt River Floodplain Mapping Study |
| Burnt River drains a very large area north of Cameron Lake and flooding occurs commonly on this river. |
| Bobcaygeon Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study |
| Located north of the village of Bobcaygeon this creek outlets to Big Bob Channel. West of the dam this channel is separated from Big Bob Channel by a concrete barrier. |
| Mariposa Brook Floodplain Mapping Study |
| The Mariposa Brook has a large watershed which primarily drains rural agricultural lands. Two large sections of the brook join immediately downstream of the village of Little Britain, and just north of Little Britain Road. |
| McLarens Creek Floodplain Mapping Study |
| McLarens Creek drains an area of land from Goose Lake through the Village of Cambray and outlets to Sturgeon Lake after crossing Highway 35. A small dam also exists within the village north of Cambray Road. |
| Fenelon Falls South Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study - in progress |
| Located on the south side of Fenelon Falls this water course drains urban lands into the Fenelon River. |
Water Resources
| Bobcaygeon Beach Water Quality Report (2018) |
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A report on the water quality of the Bobcaygeon Beach (Sturgeon Lake), using data collected from six sampling sites along the public beach and adjacent camping area during the summer of 2017. |
| Omemee Beach Water Quality Report (2020) |
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A report on the water quality of the Omemee Beach (Pigeon River), using data collected from 10 water sampling sites and two sand sampling sites along the public beach during the summer of 2019. |
| Bond Street Beach Water Quality Report (2021) |
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A report on the water quality of the Bond Street Beach (Cameron Lake), using data collected from 15 sampling sites along three locations of the public beach during the summer of 2018. |
| Aquatic Habitat and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring of three streams within the Town of Lindsay (2010-2014) |
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This report provides a brief summary of monitoring results, with the intention of providing background information on the existing hydrological and ecological status of Lindsay streams. These results provide a benchmark. |
| The Environmental Health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Adjacent Greenbelt Lands Report Card |
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This report card provides science-based monitoring data and analysis to help inform the 10-year review of the Provincial land use plans for the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) and Greenbelt, as well as reporting on the environmental health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and adjacent Greenbelt lands (i.e. the study area), and recommends on-the-ground actions and additional tools needed to maintain, improve or restore the environmental health of these important lands. The Environmental Health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Adjacent Greenbelt Lands Report Card |
| Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Report (2011 – 2015) |
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The Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Program has been undertaken by Kawartha Conservation on a yearly basis since 2006. Coldwater streams are particularly sensitive to impacts associated with development and climate change, and are a regulated feature as per the Conservation Authorities Act. Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Report (2011 – 2015) |
| Coarse Taxonomy (tolerance-value averaging) biases Hilsenhoff’s Family-Level Biotic Index |
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Hilsenhoff’s family-level index (FBI) combines information about the relative abundances of taxaand their tolerances to pollution. Versions of this index are used extensively in North America to assess water quality. Coarse Taxonomy (tolerance-value averaging) biases Hilsenhoff’s Family-Level Biotic Index |
| Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrate and Habitat Data on Wadeable Streams from 2004 to 2016 |
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Watercourses are considered regulated features by Kawartha Conservation and as such are routinely monitored through an Environmental Monitoring Program. Biomonitoring using a standard approach to collecting live bottom dwelling organisms, also known as benthic macroinvertebrates, on streams is a core program area. The specific purpose of this report is to summarize data collected from 218 sampling events on shallow streams from 2004 to 2016 to set expectations for what benthic macroinvertebrate communities would be typically encountered within wadeable streams within Kawartha Conservation’s jurisdiction. Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrate and Habitat Data on Wadeable Streams from 2004 to 2016 |
| Classifying Sites on Municipal Drains in the City of Kawartha Lakes Based on the Presence of Flow and Sensitive Fishes (2018) |
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This report provides information related to flow conditions and fish communities on municipal agricultural drains within the City of Kawartha Lakes to inform the approval process when undertaking drain maintenance activities. In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Drain Classification Protocol. |
| Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Water Resources System 2020 |
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This report represents a centralized location that describes information related to defining and mapping Key Hydrologic Features (permanent and intermittent streams, lakes and their littoral areas, seepage areas and springs, and wetlands), and Key Hydrologic Areas (significant groundwater recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, and significant surface water contribution areas), for the overlapping jurisdictions of Durham Region and Kawartha Conservation. Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Water Resources System 2020 |
| Rainfall interception on a small forested watershed within the Kawartha Lakes region(1983) |
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Vegetation affects how precipitation is delivered to the ground. Plants change precipitation amount, timing and area distribution as well as quality of water. Intersection and precipitation data were studied within the Kawartha Lakes region in an effort to quantify the effect of vegetation on the deposition of precipitation. The results can be used in developing of water budgets in the Kawartha Lakes region and other areas with similar hydrological settings. Rainfall interception on a small forested watershed within the Kawartha Lakes region(1983) |
| Watershed Report Cards |
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In 2012, Conservation Authorities completed development of the Conservation Authority Watershed Report Card Guidelines to assist Conservation Authorities in developing a set of standardized watershed report cards which starting in 2013, are released every five years. Ontario’s lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems contribute to our own health and well-being. They provide safe drinking water sources, filter pollutants, improve air quality and prevent flooding and erosion. The main challenges to healthy watersheds continue to be the impacts of urbanization and climate change. Through their watershed report cards, Conservation Authorities monitor three resource categories: surface water quality, forest conditions and groundwater quality. |
Climate Change
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Climate Change Strategy - June 2016 |
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This Climate Change Strategy is Kawartha Conservation's response to the current climate challenge facuing our communities and member municipalities. Building on our mandate, our responsibilities and our expertise, Kawartha Conservation is embracing climate change as another challenge to be addressed in watershed management. We recognize that it is critical to incorporate climate change adaptation into existing policies and programs, and prioritize actions that have co-benefits for mitigation and adaptation. |
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Climate Change Background Paper - June 2015 |
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Climate and weather is different. Weather is constantly changing. Next year’s weather will not be exactly the same as this year’s, and this year is different from the last. The long term average becomes our regional climate. It can be said that climate is what we expect – weather is what we get. |
Natural Heritage
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Summary of key findings for the Spring 2022 Lake Scugog nearshore spawning habitat survey, to support the Fish Offsetting Plan for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project (2022) |
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In the spring of 2022, Kawartha Conservation conducted field surveys at 70 properties along the shoreline of Lake Scugog to characterize the primary attributes of the lake's littoral zones, with the purpose of rehabilitating a minimum of 400m2 of nearshore shoal fish spawning habitat for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project. |
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An assessment of potential Walleye spawning habitat within certain tributaries of Lake Scugog and Scugog River (2019) |
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In the spring of 2019, 111 stations within 11 tributaries were sampled for key habitat features such as water depth, water velocity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and dominant substrate. |
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Classifying Sites on Municipal Drains in the City of Kawartha Lakes Based on the Presence of Flow and Sensitive Fishes (2018) |
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In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Drain Classification Protocol. |
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Drain Classification Project Report For Kawartha Conservation, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (2003) |
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For fisheries sampling we visited 155 sites we sampled 50 of those sites for presence or absence of top predator fish species. |
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Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018) |
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A summary of fish community and aquatic habitat data collected from 12 sites on a coldwater stream originating from the Oak Ridges Moraine. Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018) |
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Kawartha Conservation Authority Nest Box Implementation Project – Fall 2015 (2015) |
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This report provides steps that were followed by the Fall 2015, Credit for Product students from Sir Sandford Fleming College, Ecosystem Management Program for the implementation of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority's Nest Box Project. Kawartha Conservation Authority Nest Box Implementation Project – Fall 2015 (2015) |
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Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Bird Box Implementation Report for Ken Reid Conservation Area |
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This report aims to provide steps for the creation, installation and monitoring of bird boxes in Ken Reid Conservation area. Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Bird Box Implementation Report for Ken Reid Conservation Area |
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Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Key Natural Heritage Features 2020 |
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This report represents a centralized location that describes information related to defining and mapping Key Natural Heritage Features including Wetlands, Fish Habitat, Significant Woodlands, Significant Valleylands, Habitat of Endangered Species and Threatened Species, Significant Wildlife Habitat, Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, and Sand Barrens, Savannahs and Tallgrass Prairies for the overlapping jurisdictions of Durham Region and Kawartha Conservation. Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Key Natural Heritage Features 2020 |
Watershed Management
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An assessment of potential Walleye spawning habitat within certain tributaries of Lake Scugog and Scugog River (2019) |
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In the spring of 2019, 111 stations within 11 tributaries were sampled for key habitat features such as water depth, water velocity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and dominant substrate. |
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Classifying Sites on Municipal Drains in the City of Kawartha Lakes Based on the Presence of Flow and Sensitive Fishes (2018) |
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In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Drain Classification Protocol. |
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Drain Classification Project Report For Kawartha Conservation, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (2003) |
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For fisheries sampling we visited 155 sites we sampled 50 of those sites for presence or absence of top predator fish species. |
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Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018) |
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A summary of fish community and aquatic habitat data collected from 12 sites on a coldwater stream originating from the Oak Ridges Moraine. Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018) |
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Shoreline Planning and Policy in the City of Kawartha Lakes - Comparison of municipal land use policies 2020 |
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This report is a compilation of Official Plan shoreline land use policies from 22 lake-based municipalities across Ontario, which provides a range of options that could be considered by City of Kawartha Lakes planning staff when updating land use policies that seek to improve the health of lake shorelines. |
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Shoreline Planning and Policy in the City of Kawartha Lakes - Trends in shoreline development and water quality 2020 |
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This report provides a characterization of apparent trends and relationships between shoreline development and water quality in the major lakes across the municipality to provide background information to municipal planners to assist with any efforts in considering enhanced shoreline related planning and policy approaches. |
Lake plans
Fisheries plans
Oak Ridges Moraine plans
The Oak Ridges Moraine is a significant land feature in Ontario that is important because of its unique concentration of environmental, geological and hydrological characteristics.
Review the plans for the Oak Ridges Moraine watershed:
- Blackstock Creek Watershed Management Plan and Blackstock Creek Watershed Characterization Report
- East Cross Creek Subwatershed Management Plan and East Cross Creek Subwatershed Characterization Report
- Nonquon River Watershed Management Plan and Nonquon River Watershed Characterization Report
- Southern Lake Scugog Tributaries Watershed Management Plan and Southern Lake Scugog Tributaries Watershed Characterization Report
Stormwater plans
Urban areas greatly impact the hydrologic cycle and are major contributors of contaminants to water systems. A significant proportion of these contaminants can be attributed to stormwater runoff.
Kawartha Conservation has developed the following stormwater management plan:
Management plans
Ken Reid Conservation Area (Ken Reid CA) is a 110-hectare (272 acre) property located on Sturgeon Lake at the outlet of McLaren Creek, 6 km north of Lindsay, Ontario. It was purchased by Kawartha Conservation in 1981, with the goal of providing the community a place to interact with the and to appreciate the natural environment.