Barrie Creeks, Lovers Creek, and Hewitt's Creek Subwatershed Plan

The Barrie Creeks, Lovers Creek and Hewitt’s Creek Subwatershed Plan
will quickly transport surface sediment and debris to the creek, exacerbate channel erosion, and
keep particulate in suspension, all of which lead to higher TSS concentrations in the system.
Hotchkiss Creek
Hewitts Creek
Lovers Creek
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 180 200
CWQG = 30 mg/L
mg/L
Figure 3-8: Lovers, Hewitt’s, and Hotchkiss Creeks TSS concentrations (mg/L) 2008-2010.
3.2.3.4.
Beach Postings
The Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit (SMU) collects samples at each of the beaches in the City of
Barrie and Town of Innisfil, to test for E. coli levels. Table 3-5 and Table 3-6 list each of the
beaches in the municipalities and indicate which years had an advisory or closure posted, and
for how many days.
An advisory indicates that bacteria levels in the water are at a concentration that could
potentially cause minor skin, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections and stomach disorders.
Warning signs are posted at the beach and those who still choose to swim are advised not to
put their head under water or swallow the water.
A closure, which rarely occurs, happens when there is a catastrophic event or an immediate risk
to health present. Examples that could cause a beach closure include sewage spills or the
release of a toxic chemical release.
Since 2006, beaches in the City of Barrie have only been closed once. In August 2006 there
was major sewage spill, creating a large brown stain in the water. Beaches were immediately
closed as a precaution, but when the brown, murky water was tested, bacteria levels were not
higher than normal. Minets Point and Tyndale Beaches also experienced one advisory in that
year. Since then, Minets Point Beach has had an advisory posting in 2009, 2010, and two in
2011. Wilkins Beach had one advisory posting in 2011 (Table 3-5).
Chapter 3: Water Quality – Surface and Groundwater 90