Pigeon River flows from the Oak Ridges Moraine into Pigeon Lake, passing through Omemee along the way.
View a map of the Pigeon River Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Pigeon River watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 221 km² or 22,092 ha and the total watercourse length is 284 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 Scientific Interest (ANSI): Earth Science - Omemee Esker South: 58 ha |
Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Pigeon River watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total phosphorus |
0.024 mg/L |
B |
Good |
|
Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.22 (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 | Result | Indicator grade | Combined grade |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nitrate + nitrite |
0.050 mg/L |
A |
B |
|
Chloride |
141.0 mg/L |
C |
N/A |
| Indicator | Result | Indicator Grade | Combined Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nitrate + nitrite |
4.56 mg/L |
B |
A |
|
Chloride |
10.2 mg/L |
A |
N/A |
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forest cover |
70.9 km² |
32.1% |
B |
Good |
|
Forest interior |
16.6 km² |
7.5% |
C |
Fair |
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Forested riparian Cover |
7.2 km² |
41.9% |
C |
Fair |
The combined forest conditions grade for Pigeon River is ranked as fair.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
33.2 km² |
15.0% |
A |
Excellent |