Dwight Boyd

Grand River – Runoff Linkages
• Runoff is delivered back to the river
primarily through streams and wetlands.
• Large portions of the watershed have
been drained. Municipal drains have
been implemented to help move water
off the landscape and to facilitate
agriculture.
• Tile drainage creates a direct link to
watercourses and can have an impact on
water quality and quantity in streams.
• The Rural Water Quality Program and the
Environmental Farm Plan help
landowners with best management
practices to improve and protect water
quality.
• Urban drainage modifies the hydrologic
regime of both surface and groundwater;
including flooding, stream erosion and
water quality components.
• The sub watershed planning and storm
water management programs strive to
comprehensively identify, maintain and
restore key hydrologic functions. The aim
is to maintain or improve water quality
of lands converted to urban land use.