Emily Creek is sandwiched between Pigeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake, roughly centered on the intersection of Kings Wharf Road and Sturgeon Road. Water flows northward past Downeyville and Dunsford into the eastern arm of Sturgeon Lake.
View a map of the Emily Creek Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Emily Creek watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 161 km² or 16,064 ha and the total watercourse length is 229 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 Wetlands
Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Life Science: Emily River Swamp: 1,724.58 ha |
Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Emily Creek watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Total phosphorus |
0.025 mg/L |
B |
Good |
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Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.68 (FBI) |
C |
Fair |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Forest cover |
44.70 km² |
27.83% |
B |
Good |
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Forest interior |
12.7 km² |
7.9% |
C |
Fair |
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Forested riparian cover |
4.7 km² |
34.7% |
C |
Fair |
The combined forest conditions grade for Emily Creek is ranked as fair.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
34.2 km² |
21.3% |
A |
Excellent |