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

The Barrie Creeks, Lovers Creek and Hewitt’s Creek Subwatershed Plan
Figure 7-3: An agricultural landscape with appropriate best management practices implemented to
protect subwatershed health
A number of stewardship programs have been provided by various government agencies, with
the intent of engaging private landowners in undertaking these types of stewardship projects,
through increasing awareness of the importance of these actions, and by providing technical
and financial assistance to help these voluntary actions. Through such programs, the Lake
Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and
their partners have implemented extensive projects in the agricultural areas of the Lovers Creek
and Hewitt’s Creek subwatersheds, primarily related to stream bank fencing, establishment of
riparian buffers, repairs to failing septic systems, and improved management of manure and
milkhouse waste (Figure 7-4, Figure 7-5, Figure 7-6).
Despite this effort, many more opportunities to increase the amount of stream bank vegetation,
reduce barnyard runoff, and restrict livestock access still remain in these subwatersheds, and
there are many more septic systems which could contribute phosphorus to groundwater as they
age, which will require repairs or upgrades (Figure 7-4, Figure 7-5, Figure 7-6, Figure 7-7).
Chapter 7: Integration and implementation 320