Upper Welland River Watershed Plan - Niagara Peninsula ...

UPPER WELLAND RIVER WATERSHED PLANWest Wolf Creek SubwatershedTable 14: West Wolf Creek Subwatershed CharacteristicsAttribute Description CommentsArea 13.8 km 2Land Use Agriculture TynesideMunicipal Water and Sewer NoServicesAquatic ResourcesLength of Watercourse 45.9km Outlets to Welland RiverFish Habitat Unevaluated The watercourses within Haldimand County and the City of Hamilton havenot been evaluated in terms of importance for fish habitatMunicipal DrainsN/AWater QualityGroundwater VulnerabilityN/AMix of Low and MediumGroundwater Vulnerability withpockets of high vulnerability togroundwater contaminationpresent94Land use in areas with medium vulnerability to groundwater contaminationis agriculture. Transport pathways such as private wells (active andinactive), unknown status oil and gas wells have been identified as posinga high vulnerability to groundwater through SWP ProgramNatural Heritage ResourcesRiparian Cover 28.7% EC recommends 75% with 30m bufferUpland Habitat 11.5% EC recommends 30% to support viable wildlife populationWetland Habitat 2.2% EC recommends 10% or to historic valueANSI, Conservation AreasN/ARestoration Projects Completed to dateRiparian Enhancement 1 project in 2000 Planted 1800 Bare Root Trees and 1000 ft of fencingReforestation 1 project in 2007 Planted 4705 Bare Root Trees covering an area roughly 7 acresNutrient Management 1 project in 2005 Manure Pad ; Compost Yard for ManureRestoration Opportunities: Recommended Actions for Public and Private LandsNPCA Water Quality Improvement ProgramRiparianEstablishment/Enhancement•currently amount of riparian habitat is below EC recommendations (28.7%)•very little vegetative cover in headwater region•large extents of watercourse flow through agricultural fields identified as having a medium vulnerability togroundwater contamination with little to no riparian buffer•riparian buffers will help to reduce sediment and contaminant loads from adjacent land uses, and cool thewater to enhance water quality and fish habitat.•potential opportunity to build on previous NPCA Water Quality Improvement projectUpland and Ecological Linkages •currently amount of upland habitat is below EC recommendations (11.5%)•potential opportunity to establish and enhance ecological linkages between fragmented natural areas within