8132 - NPCA SNF Watershed Report.indd - Niagara Peninsula ...

Table 2: FISH SPECIES IN THE SOUTH NIAGARA FALLS WATERSHEDFISH SPECIESStriped ShinerTadpole MadtomTessellated DarterTrout-perchWhite BassWhite CrappieWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow PerchBAYERSCREEKGRASSYBROOKHUNTERDRAINLYONSCREEKTEECREEKUSSHERSCREEK¸¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸¸¸¸¸ ¸ ¸ ¸¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸¸¸¸ ¸ ¸ ¸ ¸sensitive species. Type 2 habitat is less sensitive and requires amoderate level of protection. These areas are considered “idealfor enhancement or restoration projects” and include feedingareas for adult fish and unspecialized spawning habitat. Thethird habitat type is considered marginal or highly degradedand does not contribute directly to fish productivity. Examplesof Type 3 habitat include channelized streams and artificiallycreated watercourses (MNR 2000).Fish habitat type in the South Niagara Falls watershed hasbeen delineated according to the Ministry of Natural Resourcesstream classification data. These areas are depicted on Figure12 as critical habitat (Type 1), important habitat (Type 2) andmarginal habitat (Type 3). As illustrated, the main channel ofBayers Creek, Usshers Creek, Tee Creek, Hunters Drain andGrassy Brook have been classed as Type 1 habitat. The majorityof Lyons Creek has been classed as Type 1 habitat with theexception of some of the upper tributaries, which have beenclassed as Type 2 habitat.Municipal DrainsUnder the Ontario Drainage Act (R.S.O. 1990, Chapter D.17)drainage works “include a drain constructed by any means,including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includesworks necessary to regulate the water table or water level withinor on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain,reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall,protective works or any combination thereof.”Four drains currently exist in the South Niagara Falls watershed(Figure13). Even though their purpose is to remove excess waterfrom the land, municipal and agricultural drains do contain fishhabitat. To better manage these drains, Fisheries and OceansCanada has developed a classification system which identifiesmunicipal drains as Types A through F using variables suchas flow conditions, temperature, fish species present, and thelength of time since the last clean out (Fisheries and OceansCanada No Date). This classification system has been createdfor use by municipal drainage superintendents for the purposeof drain maintenance. Therefore, the classification assigned toa drain is subject to change frequently.A Type A drain has permanent flow with cold or cool watertemperature and no presence of trout or salmon present.A Type E drain also has a permanent flow with warm watertemperatures and top predators (e.g., largemouth bass,northern pike, muskellunge and crappie) present in the drain.A Type F drain is characterized by intermittent flow (Fisheriesand Oceans Canada No Date).As illustrated on Figure 13 the drains in the South Niagara Fallswatershed include Union Marsh Drain (Class E), Young Drain(Class E-F), Boyers Creek Drain (Class E), and Tee Creek Drain(Class E). Please note, drain classification is subject to change(see above).The City of Niagara Falls has submitted a proposal to thedepartment of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the NiagaraPeninsula Conservation Authority for maintenance andextension of Boyers Creek Drain and Union Marsh Drain,Usshers Creek Branch. In addition, the City of Niagara Fallshas proposed to maintain Hunters Drain as a municipal drain(Barrett Personal Communication NPCA 2007).23