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

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Usshers Creek Restoration StrategyUpstream from the Legends on the Niagara golf course, UsshersCreek is designated as a municipal drain; Union Marsh Drain.The main channel and its major tributaries have all beendesignated as critical (Type 1) fish habitat. Greater redhorseand grass pickerel have both been identified in Usshers Creekduring fish sampling conducted by the Ministry of NaturalResources. Several fish barriers have also been identified inthe Usshers Creek subwatershed, mainly consisting of log jamsand debris in the watercourse. Such barriers affect the streamflow as well as prevent the free movement of fish upstream anddownstream.Usshers Creek flows through several woodlots, wetlands,agricultural and abandoned fields as well as a golf course beforeemptying into the Niagara River. Numerous rural residentialareas are also scattered throughout the subwatershed.BioMAP samples in this watershed indicate water quality isimpaired and species composition is indicative of nutrientenrichment. Water quality testing also indicates poor waterquality with elevated concentrations of total phosphorus whichexceed the Provincial Water Quality Objective 100 percent ofthe time and E. Coli concentrations which occasionally exceedthe Provincial Water Quality Objective. In addition, elevatedconcentrations of chloride which occasionally exceed thefederal guideline for the protection of irrigation water havebeen noted in Usshers Creek (NPCA 2007a). Sewage discharge,runoff from urban and agricultural landuse, and soil erosion arelikely sources of total phosphorus in Usshers Creek. Potentialsources for E. Coli include urban and agricultural landuse,sewage discharge and animal waste (NPCA 2007a).In addition to Tee Creek and Lyons Creek, Willoughby MarshProvincially Significant Wetland also acts as a water storageand recharge area for the headwaters of Usshers Creek. A smallportion of Willoughby Marsh Conservation Area also fallswithin the boundary of Usshers Creek protecting approximately6 percent of this wetland in this watershed. Numerous wetlandsand woodlands are scattered amongst the landscape, coveringapproximately 38 percent of the subwatershed; includingBayers Creek Bush and Bowmans Archery Club Black GumWoods where ultra ancient Black Gums have been identified. Inaddition, several rare species have been identified throughoutthe watershed, including Shumard Oak which has beendesignated as a species of Special Concern under COSEWIC.The Usshers Creek Subwatershed Restoration Strategyidentifies two zones with specific stewardship and restorationrecommendations (Table 11).1. Usshers Creek south of the QEW: Opportunity exists to createcorridors between a number of fair sized wetlands and woodlotswhich would result in a large continuous natural area extendinginto Lyons Creek subwatershed. Coupled with enhancementaround Willoughby Marsh PSW and filling in the gaps betweenits adjacent natural areas, would result in an increase of thisareas ability to support a wide diversity of species whilefacilitating in the movement of flora and fauna throughout thisportion of the subwatershed as well as adjacent Lyons Creekand Tee Creek subwatersheds. With the headwaters receivingcover from Willoughby Marsh PSW, riparian restoration is nota priority in this portion of the subwatershed.2. Usshers Creek north of the QEW: Numerous woodlotsand wetlands are scattered throughout this portion of thesubwatershed, including Bowmans Archery Club Black GumWoods and Bayers Creek Bush which straddles the subwatershedboundary between Usshers and Bayers Creeks. In addition,Legends on the Niagara golf course is also located in this portionof the subwatershed. The fragmented pattern of the woodlotsand wetlands in this portion of the subwatershed provides anabundance of opportunity to create large contiguous naturalareas that extend throughout this portion of the subwatershed,as well as extending into the adjacent subwatersheds.Enhancement around the existing features to increase the coresize would increase its ability to support a wider diversityof wildlife and increase ecosystem functionality. Numeroussegments of watercourse flow through fields that offer little tono riparian buffer, therefore establishment of a buffer strip inthese areas is recommended.An abundance of opportunity exists in the Usshers Creeksubwatershed for creating ecological linkages betweenfragmented natural areas. Potential corridors exist allthroughout the subwatershed, as well as potential corridors thatextend into adjacent subwatersheds. The Upland RestorationSuitability mapping indicates a very high suitability for uplandrestoration in this subwatershed; in particular enhancementaround existing features is very high. Riparian cover is lackingin several sections of the watercourse, therefore establishmentof a buffer strip where currently not present is recommended.Riparian and upland restoration should be priority in thissubwatershed.72
Table 11: Usshers Creek Subwatershed Restoration ActionsRESTORATIONOPPORTUNITIESUSSHERS CREEK SOUTH OF THE QEW RECOMMENDED RESTORATION STRATEGIESRIPARIAN WETLAND UPLAND ANDECOLOGICAL LINKAGES USSHERS CREEK NORTH OF THE QEW Species atRisk 73
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Watershed ObjectivesEach watershed
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Figure 3: TopogRaphy6
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Figure 5: Geology8
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Town of Fort Erie. Some sections of
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Figure 8: Niagara River Area of Con
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WetlandsThe Ontario Wetland Evaluat
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The following descriptions of the r
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The Old Lincoln Street Woodlot is a
Page 27 and 28: Aquatic HabitatFish Community Studi
Page 29 and 30: Table 2: FISH SPECIES IN THE SOUTH
Page 31 and 32: Figure 13: MUNICIPAL DRAINS25
Page 33 and 34: Figure 14: WATER QUALITY AND POTENT
Page 35 and 36: Groundwater ResourcesA Groundwater
Page 37 and 38: Niagara Falls watershed, the roads
Page 39 and 40: Municipal Drain MaintenanceSeveral
Page 42 and 43: Water Quality Best Management Pract
Page 44 and 45: and site alteration shall not be pe
Page 46 and 47: table 6: provincially rare species
Page 48 and 49: Figure 16: natural heritage system
Page 50 and 51: Figure 18: wetland suitability mapp
Page 52: Grassy Brook Restoration StrategyGr
Page 55 and 56: table 7: Grassy brook subwatershed
Page 57 and 58: Hunters Drain Restoration StrategyH
Page 59 and 60: table 8: hunters drain subwatershed
Page 61 and 62: Tee Creek Restoration StrategyThe m
Page 63 and 64: table 9: tee creek subwatershed res
Page 69 and 70: Lyons Creek Restoration StrategyThe
Page 71 and 72: Table 10: Lyons Creek Subwatershed
Page 77: Table 10: Lyons Creek Subwatershed
Page 81 and 82: Table 11: Usshers Creek Subwatershe
Page 83 and 84: Table 11: Usshers Creek Subwatershe
Page 85 and 86: portion of the subwatershed, and a
Page 87 and 88: Table 12: Bayers Creek Subwatershed
Page 89 and 90: Table 12: Bayers Creek Subwatershed
Page 91 and 92: Table 13: Niagara River 9 Subwaters
Page 93 and 94: Table 13: Niagara River 9 Subwaters
Page 95 and 96: WATERSHED PLANOBJECTIVESWATER RESOU
Page 97 and 98: WATERSHED PLANOBJECTIVESNATURAL HER
Page 99 and 100: The recommended actions have also b
Page 101 and 102: Environment Canada. 2004b. Best Man
Page 103 and 104: GlossaryArea of Concern: An area is
Page 105 and 106: South Niagara FallsAPPENDICES
Page 107 and 108: Land Management Issues and Concerns
Page 109 and 110: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESTO
Page 111 and 112: Scoring Descriptions for Stream Vis
Page 113 and 114: APPENDIX bINSECT/INVERTEBRATE HABIT
Page 115 and 116: APPENDIX bSuspected Causes ofObserv
Page 121 and 122: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES MENUAPPEN
Page 127 and 128: APPENDIX DSOUTH NIAGARA FALLS WETLA
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APPENDIX ESPECIES REFERENCE LISTSCI
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APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX FHABITAT: WETLANDCRITERIA:
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APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX F
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APPENDIX F
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8132 - NPCA SNF Watershed Report.indd - Niagara Peninsula ...

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