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2016A report on theenvironmentalhealth of theJock River

JOCK RIVERSubwatershed Report

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watershed is an area of land that drains to a river, lake or stream. In the Rideau Watershed, there are six major subwatersheds: Jock River, Kemptville Creek,

Lower Rideau, Middle Rideau, Rideau Lakes and Tay River.

This report looks at the Jock River Subwatershed. The Jock River flows from headwater wetlands in Beckwith and Montague Townships near Franktown, through the rich agricultural lands in the former municipalities of Goulbourn and Nepean,and finally, through Barrhaven in Ottawa’s South Urban Community to the Rideau River just north of Manotick where it connects to the Lower Rideau Subwatershed.

In 2011, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) released the Jock River Subwatershed Report 2010. The report summarized the health of the Jock River Subwatershed looking at four key indicators: forest cover, wetlands, shoreline vegetation and surface water quality. That report showed mixed results. In the lower reaches of the Jock River, the more urbanized and intensively farmed areas were showing the effects of changes to the natural landscape, whereas in the middle to upper reaches, forests, wetlands and watercourses were generally numerous and well connected. Similarly, shorelines are typically natural in many of the same areas and water quality conditions were generally fair across the subwatershed. The report called for continued protection and enhancement of these key natural features through good land stewardship practices with hopes of maintaining, if not improving on, the last reported conditions.

Welcome to theJock River Subwatershed

Length of River 66 kilometres

Length of Tributaries 888 kilometres Catchment Areas• Flowing Creek — 50 km2

• Hobbs Drain — 32 km2

• Jenkinson Drain — 23 km2

• Jock River – Ashton-Dwyer Hill — 81 km2

• Jock River – Barrhaven — 31 km2

• Jock River – Franktown — 79 km2

• Jock River – Leamy Creek — 20 km2

• Jock River – Richmond — 31 km2

• Jock River – Richmond Fen — 26 km2

• Kings Creek — 91 km2

• Monahan Drain — 45 km2

• Nichols Creek — 47 km2

Total drainage area 556 km2

RVCA and Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation Lands • Brown — 0.8 ha• Fine — 40.4 ha• Richmond Weir — 0.2 ha• Richmond — 2.6 ha• Hearts Desire — 0.1 ha• Hornung — 121.5 ha• Lanark County — 5.7 ha• Ruiter — 19.5 ha

Total conservationland area 190.8 ha

What We Monitor and Why?The RVCA’s goal is for clean water, healthy shorelines and sustainable land use. Monitoring environmental conditions helps us see trends over time, focus our actions where they can do the most good and evaluate the effectiveness of our watershed policies and programs.

This report, together with the more detailed catchment reports prepared for each of the 12 catchments of the Jock River (available at www.rvca.ca), show conditions using the most up-to-date data available for key indicators of subwatershed health. This document also highlights any changes and trends in indicator conditions.

The Rideau Watershed

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Forest Cover

The Benefits of Forest CoverForests are important parts of a healthy watershed because of their role in the hydrologic cycle. Runoff after rain and snowmelt, from an area of forested land, is significantly less in both its volume and peak flow rate than run off from a similar area that has been cleared or urbanized. Trees make subwatersheds more resilient to climate change’s heavy rainfall, irregular storms and unseasonal precipitation. Forests provide habitat for many plants and animals. They also clean the air and reduce erosion along riparian areas.

Experts believe a minimum forest cover of 30 percent is needed to sustain the natural biodiversity and environmental services forests provide.

Forest Cover by Catchment

CatchmentForest

Cover in 2014

Forest Change

Since 2008

Ashton-Dwyer Hill 25.0% -0.42%

Barrhaven 11.1% -0.88%

Flowing Creek 25.6% -1.91%

Franktown 28.8% -0.15%

Hobbs Drain 30.0% -0.71%

Jenkinson Drain 26.8% -0.97%

Kings Creek 41.4% -0.18%

Leamy Creek 8.0% -0.92%

Monahan Drain 7.1% -0.81%

Nichols Creek 41.8% -0.18%

Richmond 17.5% -1.32%

Richmond Fen 17.7% +0.07%

Subwatershed Average 26.5% -0.60%

Most of the reported change in forest cover (increase/decrease) across the subwatershed can be attributed to anthropogenic activities (conversion of woodland to crop and pastureland, settlement and aggregate extraction) and natural processes (reversion of crop and pastureland to woodland). Results and changes to woodland cover are shown in the accompanying chart and map.

Urban areas of the subwatershed have seen greater percentage losses of forest cover as compared to rural areas, although the physical area of that loss is less. Between 2008 and 2014, there was a 13.7 percent (47 ha) decline in forest cover in urban areas of the Jock versus a 2.1 percent (289 ha) loss in rural areas.

Across the subwatershed, average forest cover is below the recommended 30 percent minimum,1 suggesting that we are in a high-risk state where the forests may only support less than one half of the potential species and contribute moderately to the health of the aquatic system. Increasing forest cover will improve biological diversity and help to restore hydrologic functions.

Going forward, efforts should be made to protect what forest cover remains and focus

1 Environment Canada. 2013. How Much Habitat is Enough? Third Edition. Environment Canada. Toronto, Ontario.

Forest Cover in the Jock River SubwatershedForest cover in the Jock River was classified using the 2008 and 2014 DRAPE ortho-imagery (colour aerial photography). Results for 2008 and 2014 show that forest cover remains largely unchanged in the subwatershed at 26 percent with a decline of less than one percent over this period.

Across the Jock River, forest cover (in 2014) ranges from a high of 41.8 percent in the Nichols Creek Catchment to a low of 7.1 percent in the Monahan Drain Catchment. All catchments have seen a decrease in forest cover (between 9 and 96 hectares) with the exception being the Richmond Fen Catchment where a slight increase (of two hectares) was recorded.

tree planting efforts in those areas with low forest and natural shoreline cover.

For more detailed information on forest cover, please see each of the 12 catchment reports (available at www.rvca.ca).

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Wetlands

The Benefits of WetlandsWetlands are nature’s flood control and water supply reservoirs — places for the temporary storage of runoff from rain and snowmelt. Thanks to wetlands, peak flows during floods are lower, low flows are sustained during dry weather and groundwater supplies are replenished. Wetlands provide habitat for many common and rare plants and animals as well as fishing, hunting and recreational opportunities.

RVCA hydrologists estimate that the existing wetlands across the Rideau Watershed are responsible for a peak flow (and its resulting flood damage) that is about 10 percent lower than what we would see without wetlands! This flood control function is significant, natural and free. Wetlands are also recognized for the ecological goods and services they provide such as water supply, waste treatment, climate

many areas of the Jock landscape. Many of these wetlands are large, well connected to forests and watercourses and are an important and distinctive feature of the mid to upper reaches.

Today, wetlands cover 132.4 square kilometres (23.8 percent) of the Jock River Subwatershed and filter over 950 kilometres of catchment creeks, streams and drains. This cover ranges from a high of 49.4 percent in the Richmond Fen Catchment to a low of less than one percent in the Barrhaven, Leamy Creek and Monahan Drain Catchments. Since 2008, five catchments have seen a slight increase in wetland cover with another four experiencing a slight decrease (all within less than one percent); three remained unchanged over the six-year period.

Loss of wetlands since pre-settlement times varies widely across the subwatershed: from a 26 percent decline in the upper reaches; to a 51 percent decline in the middle reaches and over a 93 percent decline in the lower reaches (rivaling the rate of wetland loss in parts of southern Ontario). Much of this historic loss of wetland, while reducing biological diversity and water retention/storage, has produced gains in farming productivity and provided areas of urban settlement.

Efforts should be made to protect remaining wetlands to maintain critical hydrological

regulation as well as flood control. These services have been valued at $247 per person per year in a 2009 Ontario study. In other words, wetlands do for free what we would otherwise have to pay millions of dollars to do through technology and infrastructure. In the long term, sustained water supplies and effective flood damage reduction will depend, in part, on maintaining the remaining wetland features throughout the watershed.

Wetlands in the Jock River SubwatershedThe Jock River Subwatershed contains the third largest total area of wetland in the Rideau Valley (constituting 16 percent of all Rideau Valley wetlands). In combination, the geological setting, climate and generally flat topography of this area results in high water tables making wetlands a dominant feature in

Wetland Cover by Catchment

CatchmentWetland Cover in

2014

WetlandChange

Since 2008

Ashton-Dwyer Hill 21.2% -0.75%

Barrhaven 0.5% +0.07%

Flowing Creek 9.6% +0.03%

Franktown 48.1% +0.03%

Hobbs Drain 23.7% -0.07%

Jenkinson Drain 14.2% -0.17%

Kings Creek 25.8% +0.13%

Leamy Creek 0.1% 0.00%

Monahan Drain 0.3% 0.00%

Nichols Creek 43.0% +0.21%

Richmond 15.2% -0.39%

Richmond Fen 49.4% 0.00%

Subwatershed Average 23.8% -0.09%

and ecological functions, along with related recreational and economic benefits that wetlands provide, as recommended in the 2005 Lower Rideau Watershed Strategy. Consideration should also be given to restoring wetlands in the lower reaches of the Jock River Subwatershed, where feasible.

For more detailed information on wetland cover, please see each of the 12 catchment reports (available at www.rvca.ca).

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Shorelines

The Benefits of Well-Vegetated ShorelinesThe riparian zone or shoreline zone is the special area where land meets water. Maintaining well-vegetated shorelines is a key goal because of their importance in preserving water quality and supporting healthy aquatic habitats. Natural shorelines intercept sediments, pesticides and fertilizers that could reduce water quality and harm fish habitat in streams. Well-established vegetative cover protects stream banks against erosion, improves habitat for fish by shading and cooling the water and provides protective cover for birds and other wildlife that feed and rear their young near water.

Experts believe that a naturally-vegetated buffer of at least 30 metres on either side of a watercourse should be maintained for the protection of water quality and instream riparian habitat.

Shoreline Cover by Catchment

CatchmentShoreline Cover in

2014

Shoreline Change

Since 2008

Ashton-Dwyer Hill 56.7% -0.61%

Barrhaven 21.0% -0.20%

Flowing Creek 39.1% -1.81%

Franktown 88.1% -0.11%

Hobbs Drain 58.4% -0.49%

Jenkinson Drain 40.4% -2.38%

Kings Creek 74.6% +0.02%

Leamy Creek 23.0% +0.01%

Monahan Drain 7.7% -0.18%

Nichols Creek 91.4% +0.07%

Richmond 44.9% -0.65%

Richmond Fen 66.6% +0.62%

Subwatershed Average 53.4% -0.52%2 Environment Canada. 2013. How Much Habitat is Enough? Third Edition. Environment Canada. Toronto, Ontario.

A recommended target in the Great Lakes region is to have 30 metres of natural vegetation on both sides of a stream for at least 75 percent of its length.2

Shoreline Cover in the Jock River SubwatershedShoreline cover percentages for the Jock River Subwatershed are provided in the table for each of the 12 catchments of the Jock River with two of them meeting or exceeding the 75 percent target figure. The map highlights (in fuchsia) those watercourses with natural shoreline cover falling below that figure along with any changes in natural cover that have occurred since 2008.

Three catchments — Flowing Creek, Jenkinson Drain and Ashton-Dwyer Hill — account for most of the observed decrease in natural shoreline cover between 2008 and 2014 in the subwatershed, which can generally be attributed to the conversion of wetland and woodland to roads, settlement areas and aggregate extraction.

Much of the altered shoreline in the Jock River Subwatershed is located in its mid to lower reaches as shown by the many fuchsia-coloured lines illustrated on the map, which are generally indicative of previous watercourse straightening and wetland drainage efforts to improve surrounding lands for agricultural purposes.

Continuing efforts should be made to maintain existing natural shorelines and to naturalize those areas where benefits to water quality and in-stream riparian habitat can be realized without unduly affecting agricultural activity.

For more detailed information on shoreline cover, please see each of the 12 catchment reports (available at www.rvca.ca).

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Water Quality

The Benefits of Good Water Quality Clean water is essential for healthy families and communities. We rely on clean water for farming, fishing, water sports and other recreational activities. Good water quality promotes a diverse and healthy aquatic ecosystem. Healthy waterbodies support local tourism, business activities and municipal economies.

How is Water Quality Measured?We blended together many water quality parameters to allow water quality to be

represented by a single rating of Very Poor, Poor, Fair, Good or Very Good. This is based on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Ratings are based on how often a parameter exceeds the guideline, how many of the different parameters exceed the guideline and by how much sample results for each parameter exceed the guideline.

The final water quality rating for streams is based on an analysis of the following parameters (22) from water samples taken at 13 sites by the City of Ottawa through its Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program

within the Jock River Subwatershed over a 12-year period:3 • Nutrients (total phosphorous, total Kjeldahl

nitrogen and nitrates) as indicators of excessive nutrient loadings which may result in abundant vegetation growth and reduced dissolved oxygen available for the aquatic community

• E. coli as an indicator of the presence of bacteria from human and animal waste

• Metals (including aluminum, iron and copper) that may pose a health risk to aquatic life and indicate the presence of pollution

• Additional chemical/physical characteristics such as pH, alkalinity and total suspended solids which may indicate stresses to aquatic life and stream function

Water Quality in the Jock River Subwatershed Water quality at the 13 stream sampling sites ranged from “Good” to “Poor” depending on the specific location and adjacent land uses for both monitoring periods (2004-2009 and 2010-2015). Each monitored site is unique. To understand any changes in water quality, one needs to look at individual sampling results over time. In the majority of cases, water quality will only be improved by reducing nutrient sources, by protecting natural shorelines and by reducing known point and non-point sources of pollution. The Jock River Subwatershed is dominated by crop and pastureland, wetlands and

woodlands in its upper and middle reaches and increasing urbanization in its lower reaches, all of which can have an impact on water quality.

Four of the stream sampling sites attained a “Fair” rating, and experienced no change in the water quality rating between the two reporting periods. One site at Flowing Creek (CK67-008) rated “Poor” during both periods. A decline in the water quality rating was observed at the Jock River site at Bleeks Road which changed from “Fair” to “Poor.” For seven sites data is only available for the 2010-2015 period. In most cases ratings are influenced by elevated nutrient concentrations, high bacterial counts and occasional elevated metals. Kings Creek is the only stream in the Jock River Subwatershed to have a “Good” rating in the 2010-2015 monitoring period.

Continued efforts should be made to reduce known point and non-point sources of pollution. The impacts of human activity should be minimized with good land stewardship and the use of shoreline best management practices. For more detailed information on water quality, please see the 12 catchment reports (available at www.rvca.ca).

3 The City of Ottawa Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Program has also applied the CCME WQI to monitored sites. The parameters used and time periods differ between the RVCA and City of Ottawa’s application of the WQI, resulting in different ratings at some sites.

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Actions

healthy watershed supports our local economies and communities. Now is the time for all of us to take meaningful steps — big and small — to help maintain and improve the health of the Jock River Subwatershed. We know that water quality and quantity is

influenced by our use of land, so we need to understand how our actions affect lakes, streams and wetlands and then take steps to improve conditions. Only by working together will we make gains. Here is what each of us can do …

RVCA

Municipalities

• Develop and implement environmental strategies and initiatives such as the City of Ottawa’s Water Environment Strategy

• Ensure new development, re-development and site alterations adhere to current development standards (as described in municipal Official Plans, Zoning By-laws and the Ontario Building Code)

• Monitor that conditions outlined in planning and development approvals are implemented

• Create a site alteration by-law to protect natural features and other sensitive areas such as wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitat and shorelines

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• Initiate actions in key program areas to adapt to the effects of climate change and mitigate its effect on the watershed

• Continue to monitor stream characteristics, classify land cover and analyze water quality to identify trends for use in watershed reporting, land-use planning, development approvals and targeting stewardship efforts

• Work with municipalities to review and coordinate water quality monitoring sites

• Continue to provide technical and financial support to landowners to plant trees, naturalize shorelines, adopt agricultural best management practices and undertake projects that improve water quality

• Promote tile drainage management through education and funding in partnership with farmers and agricultural organizations

• Work with municipalities through land-use planning processes to protect natural watercourses, headwater drainage features, wetlands and what remains of naturally vegetated riparian zones

• Promote low impact development practices and natural channel design in urban and urbanizing areas (bio-swales, pervious pavers, infiltration trenches, stormwater management retrofits)

• Continue regulating development and providing planning advice to municipalities on hazard lands (flood prone areas, steep slopes, unstable soils) and in environmentally sensitive areas (wetlands, shorelines, valleylands)

• Focus new and updated regulatory mapping (floodplain, unstable slopes, wetlands) in areas where there is development pressure

• Continue to provide technical and planning advice to municipalities and provincial ministries on aggregate applications (pits and quarries) and environmental assessments (large scale municipal infrastructure proposals, utility projects)

• Work with municipalities and agencies to implement land use planning and development policies in a more consistent manner across the watershed to achieve net environmental gains (particularly development setbacks and vegetated shorelines)

• Continue to provide review and approval services for septic systems in the City of Ottawa

• Monitor that conditions of regulatory approvals are implemented

• Acquire and protect additional lands that are ecologically important such as shorelines, wetlands, floodplains and significant wildlife/woodland habitats through land donations or other land acquisitions

• Provide passive recreational and interpretive opportunities at our Conservation Areas which are managed using wise resource management principles

• Help municipalities implement environmental strategies and initiatives including the City of Ottawa’s Water Environment Strategy

Photo: Simon Lunn

• Use RVCA’s subwatershed and catchment reports when updating Official Plan policies and schedules to protect water resources and the natural environment (including woodlands, wetlands and shoreline cover) and to educate residents about environmental conditions

• Make use of technical and environmental recommendations coming from planning and environmental staff and professionals

• Implement best practices for stormwater management including low impact development measures and stormwater retrofits for existing development

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Actions

Residents, Businesses, Community Groups and Agricultural Associations

• Ensure new development and re-development (including houses,

septic systems, swimming pools, auxiliary buildings and decks) meet appropriate development setbacks from creeks, streams and rivers (30 metre minimum)

• Use advanced wastewater treatment systems where development setbacks cannot be met

• Ensure septic systems and wells are constructed and functioning properly

• Reduce property runoff by allowing surface water to infiltrate into the ground (minimize hardened surfaces, use permeable materials, direct runoff to vegetated areas, install rain barrels)

• Preserve important natural features on properties like woodlots, windbreaks and wetlands

• Plant trees, especially reforesting retired land • Maintain a healthy, vegetated shoreline

buffer and naturalize degraded or ornamental shorelines

• Implement agricultural best management practices (retire sensitive lands, control soil erosion and nutrient loss, restrict livestock streamside grazing, maintain soil moisture through tile drainage best practices, and year-round cover crop management)

• Take steps to help prevent the spread of invasive species

• Donate environmentally sensitive lands to a public land trust or other such organization

Help is Out There

Working together we can make the Jock River Subwatershed even better!

Interested in doing something? There are a number of programs that provide technical support and grant dollars. The best way to learn about these programs is to contact the RVCA. Staff will connect you to the best program within the RVCA or through partner organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, Lanark and Ottawa Stewardship Councils or the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association.

Planning a project on your property? Be sure to check with your municipality and the RVCA to see if permits are required. Checking first could save you time and money. Thinking of buying a property? We can let you know if and how the property might be affected by RVCA policies and regulations.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority1-800-267-3504 or 613-692-3571info@rvca.ca

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3889 Rideau Valley Drive, P.O. Box 599Manotick ON K4M 1A5

T 613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504

F 613-692-0831

info@rvca.ca

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