Thompson Creek Flood Study Report - City of Peterborough

Thompson Creek Detailed Flood Reduction Study
City of Peterborough
riffles, runs), substrate composition, presence of barriers, percent canopy cover, riparian
vegetation community, water clarity, and presence of aquatic vegetation was recorded
for each station. The 40 m sample reaches were then divided into 5 transects, each 10
m apart and then subdivided into 5 points equally spaced across the channel based upon
bankfull width at the transect. Data recorded at each transect includes bankfull width,
wetted width, water depth measured at each point and dominant substrate.
3.3.1.2 Summary and Conclusions re. Fisheries
A detailed description of the fish communities and fish habitat by Reach is presented in
Appendix D. These should be considered in the impact assessment of any flood
protection alternatives that directly affect the creek. The following provides a summary
of the findings.
The fish community captured in Thompson Creek indicates that the creek functions as
warmwater habitat. Although coolwater species are present, these species are tolerant
of a wide thermal range and are commonly captured in warmwater habitats. The
presence of blackchin shiner indicates that the creek has clear water and good water
quality as it is intolerant to turbidity and pollution. Top predator species including
largemouth bass, rock bass and smallmouth bass were captured at many of the sampling
stations indicating that Thompson Creek can support these species. The presence of
YOY rock bass and largemouth bass indicates that the slow moving, well vegetated
areas are functioning as nursery habitat for these species. There is likely a reproducing
population of these species in the creek as the dense submergent vegetation and coarse
substrate provides suitable spawning habitat for these fish. Furthermore, adult
Centrarchid species were observed in suitable spawning habitat during June
investigations suggesting they were spawning.
Upstream of Armour Road, in-water cover is abundant providing refuge areas and
potential nursery habitat for the fish community captured during investigations.
Downstream of Armour Road, in-water cover is reduced and the lack of submergent
vegetation is likely the result of canopy cover increasing in density along this reach.
Although in-water cover in Reach 3 is not as dense as the remainder of the creek, a
similar fish community was captured in the reach. The presence of a similar fish
community within Thompson Creek suggests that water quality and habitat conditions
are similar throughout the creek.
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