Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula Conservation ...

These habitats provide a simple ecological function (i.e. downstream contributions) that can
likely be replicated or enhanced. They will not benefit much, if any, from rehabilitation, as their
potential is severely limited by base conditions (usually lack of water flow). Generally, these
habitats are swales and other ephemeral drainage features that are dry most of the time, and do
not support fish, although in some situations a few individuals of one or two tolerant species
such as brook stickleback or fathead minnow may be temporarily present.
These classifications provide guidance for how watercourses may potentially be treated in future
planning, whether in the context of development (urban, agricultural, transportation, etc.), or in
identifying candidate habitats that would most benefit from limited habitat restoration funds.
Their purpose is to help achieve an overall net gain in fish habitat and productivity within the
Fort Erie Creeks watershed. Application of the recommended treatments will result in the higher
quality natural habitats being retained or enhanced in-place, and the lower quality degraded
habitats being improved through natural channel design and habitat enhancement and creation.
The classification inherently acknowledges that there are some drainage features that do not
contribute directly to fish productive capacity.
Terrestrial Resources
Terrestrial resource constraints relate to the presence in, or near, the watercourse riparian zone of
high or medium constraint/value features, such as woodlots and wetlands.
The first rating is for vegetation adjacent to the creek and riparian zone. High corresponds to a
vegetated Environmental Protection Area or Locally Significant Area along greater than 25% of
the reach length; Moderate is vegetated Environmental Protection Area or Locally Significant
Area along 1% to 25% of the reach OR vegetated Environmental Conservation Area along
greater than 25% of the reach; and Low is the remainder.
The second rating is of the wetland rating associated with the creek itself and its immediate bank
area: High is Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) along greater than 25% of reach length;
Moderate is PSW along 1% to 25% of the reach; and Low is no PSW.
Stream Morphology
Stream Morphology morphological constraints relate to the drainage density, erosion
susceptibility, and/or stability of the channel form (aggradation/degradation).
Flooding/Conveyance
Flooding constraints are considered “high” if the reach is a natural watercourse, and has a
floodplain associated with it, has structures identified in the floodplain, and the conveyance
capacity cannot be replicated artificially. If there are no identified hazards such as structures or
roadway overtopping, then the constraint is considered “medium”.
Flooding constraints are also considered “medium” if the reach is a Municipal Drain, and has a
registered floodplain associated with it, however the conveyance capacity can be replicated
artificially.
March 2008 155 Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan
General Report (105116)