East Cross Creek is located east of Lake Scugog, flowing from the Oak Ridges Moraine to the Scugog River.
View a map of the East Cross Creek Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the East Cross Creek watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 108 km² or 10,824 ha and the total watercourse length is 148 km. |
Natural vegetation cover |
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The dominant forest type is coniferous forest including:
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Significant natural sites |
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Provincially Significant Wetland: East Cross Creek Wetland #15: 1,721 ha ANSI - Life Science
Additional:
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Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the East Cross Creek watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.017 mg/L |
A |
Excellent |
|
Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.65 (FBI) |
C |
Fair |
The surface water quality grade was based on total phosphorous (TP) and/or benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects) and their 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 | Result | Indicator grade | Combined grade |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nitrate + nitrite |
0.093 mg/L |
A |
A
|
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Chloride |
1.70 mg/L |
A |
| Indicator | Result | Indicator grade |
|---|---|---|
|
Nitrate + nitrite |
0.093 mg/L |
A |
|
Chloride |
1.70 mg/L |
A |
Chloride levels in both wells are excellent and fall below the Provincial Drinking Water Aesthetic Objective of 250 mg/L. Nitrogen levels in both wells are below the Provincial Drinking Water Maximum Acceptable Concentration of 10 mg/L. Groundwater quality results from the wells do not represent groundwater quality across the subwatershed, but rather, the water quality within the aquifer in which the well is located.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forest cover |
45.2 km² |
41.7% |
A |
Excellent |
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Forest interior |
16.3 km² |
15.1% |
A |
Excellent |
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Forested riparian cover |
4.4 km² |
51.0% |
B |
Good |
The combined forest conditions grade for East Cross Creek is ranked as fair.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
19.9 km² |
18.4% |
A |
Excellent |