Creek Experts in the Making! Saturday May 10th a group of curious and dedicated nature lovers joined Trout Unlimited Canada for a River Walk Workshop on the banks of Bronte Creek in Courtcliffe Park, Carlisle, ON. The workshop focused on the site of the upcoming Bronte Creek restoration project in Courtcliffe Park. As a group we looked at the downstream (southern) location in the park where the gravel path crosses Bronte Creek via a culvert (a metal pipe that water passes through under the path). We discussed why the culvert is too small to move all the water flowing in Bronte Creek and the effect that this has on the health of the creek. One of the effects of the culvert being too small is backwatering. Because the culvert is not big enough to allow water to freely pass through it, water is held back behind the culvert, much like a dam. This backwatering is causing: - widening of the creek (disturbing the proper width to depth ratio of the creek) - slowing of water flow (disturbing proper hydrological function of the creek) - dropping of sediment load carried by water flow (disturbing proper sediment transfer of the creek) - shallowing, caused by dropping of sediment (disturbing proper width to depth ratio of the creek) - water temperature warming caused by increased creek width and surface area (disturbing proper temperature regime of the creek) - increased speed of water traveling through culvert, causing increase pressure on downstream bank (disrupting proper water flow speeds) - downstream bank instability, causing trees to fall into the creek (disturbing proper creekside habitat) - downstream bank erosion (disturbing proper sediment load and width to depth ratio of creek) - I could go on ...! So... What does all this mean? Poor water quality, less habitat (homes) for animals and no Brook Trout. Why the focus on Brook Trout? Brook Trout are an indicator species (fish) of good creek health. They require clean, cold water to survive. They are Southern Ontarios only native stream dwelling Trout. When Brook Trout are absent from the creek it tells us that there is a problem. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem that will benefit all animals that use it, including humans.
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 22:11:49 +0000
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