Staples River is located southwest of Balsam Lake and flows from south to north into Balsam Lake starting roughly at the intersection of Glenarm and Kirkfield roads.
View a map of the Staples River Watershed
Watershed characteristics
Learn about the characteristics of the Staples River watershed.
Watershed size |
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The total watershed area is 48 km² or 4,792 ha and the total watercourse length is 67 km. |
Natural vegetation cover |
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The dominant forest type is mixed forest including:
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Significant natural sites |
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Provincially Significant Wetlands
Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) - Earth Science
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Environmental conditions
The following grades show the environmental conditions for the Staples River watershed.
| Indicator | Result | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Total phosphorus |
0.031 mg/L |
C |
Fair |
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Benthic macroinvertebrates |
5.23 (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 |
10.4 km² |
21.6% |
C |
Fair |
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Forest interior |
2.3 km² |
4.8% |
D |
Poor |
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Forest riparian cover |
1.4 km² |
35.0% |
C |
Fair |
The combined forest conditions grade for Staples River is ranked as poor.
| Indicator | Area cover | Percent cover | Grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wetland cover |
7.4 km² |
15.5% |
A |
Excellent |