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Scugog River

HomeEnvironmental SciencesUnderstanding your WatershedScugog River
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A sign for the Scugog River located in front of the river in the summerThe Scugog River is situated between Lake Scugog and Sturgeon Lake and is bisected by Hwy 35 and Hwy 7. It is roughly centered on the town of Lindsay, which covers a large portion of its landmass. Water flows northward through Lindsay into Sturgeon Lake.

View a map of the Scugog River Watershed

Watershed characteristics

Learn about the characteristics of the Scugog River watershed.

Watershed size

The total watershed area is 47 km² or 4,685 ha and the total watercourse length is 85 km.

Natural vegetation cover

The dominant forest type is coniferous forest including:

  • Forest interior (100 m): 23 ha
  • Forest interior (200 m): 7 ha
  • Natural cover: 20%

Significant natural sites

Provincially Significant Wetlands

  • East Cross Creek No.15: 1.7 ha
  • Scugog River & Mariposa Brook: 28 ha
  • Stoney Creek Headwaters: 110 ha
  • Sturgeon Lake 27: 3.5 ha

Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Life Science: East Cross Creek: 0.22 ha                                         

Environmental conditions

The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Scugog River watershed.

Surface water quality
IndicatorResultGradeStatus

Total phosphorus

0.027 mg/L

C

Fair

Benthic macroinvertebrates

N/A

N/A

N/A

Surrounding watershed surface water quality
IndicatorResultGradeStatus

Total phosphorus

0.053 mg/L

C

Fair

Benthic macroinvertebrates

6.58 (FBI)

F

Poor

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.

Well 432
IndicatorResultIndicator gradeCombined grade

Nitrate + nitrite

0.043 mg/L

A

B

Chloride

191.0 mg/L

D

 

Nitrogen levels in this well are excellent, falling below the Provincial Maximum Acceptable Concentration of 10 mg/L for drinking water. Chloride levels also receive an excellent grade, as they fall well below the Provincial Aesthetic Objective of 250 mg/L for drinking water. 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.

Forest conditions
IndicatorArea coverPercent coverGradeStatus

Forest cover

3.4 km²

7.5%

D

Poor

Forest interior

0.2 km²

0.5%

F

Very Poor

Forested riparian cover

0.8 km²

19.9%

D

Poor

The combined forest conditions grade for Scugog River is ranked as poor.

Wetland conditions
IndicatorArea coverPercent coverGradeStatus

Wetland cover

2.3 km²

5.15%

D

Poor

 

Environmental Sciences
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