This floodplain mapping study covers an area located north and west of the Town of Lindsay, draining both urban and rural lands to the Scugog River.
Technical Reports
Our technical reports provide the data-driven foundation for informed decision-making and effective watershed management. At Kawartha Conservation, we believe in transparency and evidence-based practices to protect and enhance the natural environment.
These reports delve into a wide range of topics, including water quality, flood plain mapping, natural heritage studies, and environmental monitoring. Each document reflects our commitment to thorough research, innovative solutions, and collaborative approaches to address current and future environmental challenges.
Explore our collection of technical reports to learn more about the state of the watershed, ongoing initiatives, and the science that guides our conservation efforts. Together, we can build a sustainable future for the Kawartha region.
Natural Hazards
Ops No. 1/Jennings Creek Floodplain Mapping Study
Sinister Creek Floodplain Mapping Study
This flood plain mapping study covers the area located northeast of the Town of Lindsay, draining both urban and rural lands to the Scugog River.
Fenelon Falls North Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study
This flood plain mapping study covers the area located north of the Fenelon River located in the town of Fenelon Falls, draining both urban and rural lands to the Fenelon River upstream to the falls.
Omemee East Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study
This creek drains rural lands east of Omemee and south of Highway 7 and outlets to the Omemee Mill Pond after crossing Queen Street South.
Dunsford Creek Floodplain Mapping Study
This water course drains rural lands west of Dunsford before flowing through the village and then along and under County Road 36 before entering Emily Creek south of County Road 36.
Burnt River Floodplain Mapping Study
Burnt River drains a very large area north of Cameron Lake and flooding occurs commonly on this river.
Bobcaygeon Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study
Located north of the village of Bobcaygeon this creek outlets to Big Bob Channel. West of the dam this channel is separated from Big Bob Channel by a concrete barrier.
Mariposa Brook Floodplain Mapping Study
The Mariposa Brook has a large watershed which primarily drains rural agricultural lands. Two large sections of the brook join immediately downstream of the village of Little Britain, and just north of Little Britain Road.
McLarens Creek Floodplain Mapping Study
McLarens Creek drains an area of land from Goose Lake through the Village of Cambray and outlets to Sturgeon Lake after crossing Highway 35. A small dam also exists within the village north of Cambray Road.
Fenelon Falls South Tributary Floodplain Mapping Study - in progress
Located on the south side of Fenelon Falls this water course drains urban lands into the Fenelon River.
Water Resources
Layton River Water Quality Report (2023)
A report on the water quality of Layton River (Region of Durham), using data collected from nine sampling sites during the year 2019 - 2022.
Durham Watershed Planning 2023 Activities Summary Report (2024)
In 2023, Kawartha Conservation undertook field verification activities to confirm the presence and location of the following key natural heritage and key hydrological features within the overlapping jurisdictions of Kawartha Conservation and Durham Region: Permanent and Intermittent Streams (Town of Port Perry), Fish Habitat (Scugog Island), and Sand Barrens, Savannahs, and Tallgrass Prairies. This information is used to update existing mapping that helps planners conform to provincial policy when reviewing development applications.
Durham Watershed Planning – 2023 Activities Summary Report (2024)
Durham Watershed Planning Project - 2021 and 2022 Summary Report (2023)
The purpose of this report is to provide Durham Region with up-to-date information on water resources in the Lake Scugog drainage basin. This information helps municipal land use planners review Planning Applications more efficiently. It summarizes key findings and management recommendations on the following items of interest: Streams, Coldwater Streams, Wetlands, Climate Change Impacts, and Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas.
Durham Watershed Planning Project - 2021 and 2022 Summary Report (2023)
Water Clarity (Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids) Report (2023)
A report on the water clarity (Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids of 75 river and creek sites in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids Survey Report (2023)
Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids Survey Summary Report (2023)
Jennings, McLarens, and Reforestation Creek Water Quality Report (2023)
A report on the water quality of Jennings, McLarens, and Reforestation Creek (City of Kawartha Lakes), using data collected from seventeen sampling sites across the three creek during the year 2017 - 2019.
Jennings, McLarens, and Reforestation Creek Water Quality Report (2023)
Jennings, McLarens, and Reforestation Creek Water Quality Summary Report (2023)
Nearshore Monitoring Report (2023)
A report on the nearshore water quality of Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, and Pigeon Lake, using data collected from Citizen Scientist with Ontario Tech University at fifty-six sites during the year 2019 and 2021.
Cawkers and Williams Creek Water Quality Report (2023)
A report on the water quality of Cawkers and Williams Creek (Port Perry), using data collected from seven sampling sites along each creek during the year 2018 - 2021.
Cawkers and Williams Creek Water Quality Report (2023)
Cawkers and Williams Creek Water Quality Summary Report (2023)
Bobcaygeon Beach Water Quality Report (2018)
A report on the water quality of the Bobcaygeon Beach (Sturgeon Lake), using data collected from six sampling sites along the public beach and adjacent camping area during the summer of 2017.
Omemee Beach Water Quality Report (2020)
A report on the water quality of the Omemee Beach (Pigeon River), using data collected from 10 water sampling sites and two sand sampling sites along the public beach during the summer of 2019.
Bond Street Beach Water Quality Report (2021)
A report on the water quality of the Bond Street Beach (Cameron Lake), using data collected from 15 sampling sites along three locations of the public beach during the summer of 2018.
This report provides a brief summary of monitoring results, with the intention of providing background information on the existing hydrological and ecological status of Lindsay streams. These results provide a benchmark.
The Environmental Health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Adjacent Greenbelt Lands Report Card
This report card provides science-based monitoring data and analysis to help inform the 10-year review of the Provincial land use plans for the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) and Greenbelt, as well as reporting on the environmental health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and adjacent Greenbelt lands (i.e. the study area), and recommends on-the-ground actions and additional tools needed to maintain, improve or restore the environmental health of these important lands.
The Environmental Health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Adjacent Greenbelt Lands Report Card
Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Report (2011 2015)
The Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Program has been undertaken by Kawartha Conservation on a yearly basis since 2006. Coldwater streams are particularly sensitive to impacts associated with development and climate change, and are a regulated feature as per the Conservation Authorities Act.
Coldwater Streams Water Temperature Monitoring Report (2011 – 2015)
Coarse Taxonomy (tolerance-value averaging) biases Hilsenhoffs Family-Level Biotic Index
Hilsenhoff’s family-level index (FBI) combines information about the relative abundances of taxaand their tolerances to pollution. Versions of this index are used extensively in North America to assess water quality.
Coarse Taxonomy (tolerance-value averaging) biases Hilsenhoff’s Family-Level Biotic Index
Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrate and Habitat Data on Wadeable Streams from 2004 to 2016
Watercourses are considered regulated features by Kawartha Conservation and as such are routinely monitored through an Environmental Monitoring Program. Biomonitoring using a standard approach to collecting live bottom dwelling organisms, also known as benthic macroinvertebrates, on streams is a core program area. The specific purpose of this report is to summarize data collected from 218 sampling events on shallow streams from 2004 to 2016 to set expectations for what benthic macroinvertebrate communities would be typically encountered within wadeable streams within Kawartha Conservation’s jurisdiction.
Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrate and Habitat Data on Wadeable Streams from 2004 to 2016
This report provides information related to flow conditions and fish communities on municipal agricultural drains within the City of Kawartha Lakes to inform the approval process when undertaking drain maintenance activities. In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Drain Classification Protocol.
Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Water Resources System 2020
This report represents a centralized location that describes information related to defining and mapping Key Hydrologic Features (permanent and intermittent streams, lakes and their littoral areas, seepage areas and springs, and wetlands), and Key Hydrologic Areas (significant groundwater recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, and significant surface water contribution areas), for the overlapping jurisdictions of Durham Region and Kawartha Conservation.
Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Water Resources System 2020
Rainfall interception on a small forested watershed within the Kawartha Lakes region(1983)
Vegetation affects how precipitation is delivered to the ground. Plants change precipitation amount, timing and area distribution as well as quality of water. Intersection and precipitation data were studied within the Kawartha Lakes region in an effort to quantify the effect of vegetation on the deposition of precipitation. The results can be used in developing of water budgets in the Kawartha Lakes region and other areas with similar hydrological settings.
Rainfall interception on a small forested watershed within the Kawartha Lakes region(1983)
In 2012, Conservation Authorities completed development of the Conservation Authority Watershed Report Card Guidelines to assist Conservation Authorities in developing a set of standardized watershed report cards which starting in 2013, are released every five years.
Ontario’s lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, forests, wetlands and other natural ecosystems contribute to our own health and well-being. They provide safe drinking water sources, filter pollutants, improve air quality and prevent flooding and erosion.
The main challenges to healthy watersheds continue to be the impacts of urbanization and climate change.
Through their watershed report cards, Conservation Authorities monitor three resource categories: surface water quality, forest conditions and groundwater quality.
Climate Change
Climate Change Strategy - June 2016
This Climate Change Strategy is Kawartha Conservation's response to the current climate challenge facuing our communities and member municipalities. Building on our mandate, our responsibilities and our expertise, Kawartha Conservation is embracing climate change as another challenge to be addressed in watershed management. We recognize that it is critical to incorporate climate change adaptation into existing policies and programs, and prioritize actions that have co-benefits for mitigation and adaptation.
Climate Change Background Paper - June 2015
Climate and weather is different. Weather is constantly changing. Next year’s weather will not be exactly the same as this year’s, and this year is different from the last. The long term average becomes our regional climate. It can be said that climate is what we expect – weather is what we get.
Natural Heritage
In the spring of 2022, Kawartha Conservation conducted field surveys at 70 properties along the shoreline of Lake Scugog to characterize the primary attributes of the lake's littoral zones, with the purpose of rehabilitating a minimum of 400m2 of nearshore shoal fish spawning habitat for the Lake Scugog Enhancement Project.
In the spring of 2019, 111 stations within 11 tributaries were sampled for key habitat features such as water depth, water velocity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and dominant substrate.
In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Drain Classification Protocol.
For fisheries sampling we visited 155 sites we sampled 50 of those sites for presence or absence of top predator fish species.
Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018)
A summary of fish community and aquatic habitat data collected from 12 sites on a coldwater stream originating from the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018)
Kawartha Conservation Authority Nest Box Implementation Project Fall 2015 (2015)
This report provides steps that were followed by the Fall 2015, Credit for Product students from Sir Sandford Fleming College, Ecosystem Management Program for the implementation of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority's Nest Box Project.
Kawartha Conservation Authority Nest Box Implementation Project – Fall 2015 (2015)
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Bird Box Implementation Report for Ken Reid Conservation Area
This report aims to provide steps for the creation, installation and monitoring of bird boxes in Ken Reid Conservation area.
Kawartha Region Conservation Authority Bird Box Implementation Report for Ken Reid Conservation Area
Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Key Natural Heritage Features 2020
This report represents a centralized location that describes information related to defining and mapping Key Natural Heritage Features including Wetlands, Fish Habitat, Significant Woodlands, Significant Valleylands, Habitat of Endangered Species and Threatened Species, Significant Wildlife Habitat, Life Science Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest, and Sand Barrens, Savannahs and Tallgrass Prairies for the overlapping jurisdictions of Durham Region and Kawartha Conservation.
Durham Region Watershed Planning Project - Key Natural Heritage Features 2020
Watershed Management
In the spring of 2019, 111 stations within 11 tributaries were sampled for key habitat features such as water depth, water velocity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and dominant substrate.
In the summer and fall of 2018, Kawartha Conservation sampled 135 sites on 40 drains according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Drain Classification Protocol.
For fisheries sampling we visited 155 sites we sampled 50 of those sites for presence or absence of top predator fish species.
Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018)
A summary of fish community and aquatic habitat data collected from 12 sites on a coldwater stream originating from the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Freshwater Ecology Field School 2017 Fleetwood Creek Summary Report (2018)
This report is a compilation of Official Plan shoreline land use policies from 22 lake-based municipalities across Ontario, which provides a range of options that could be considered by City of Kawartha Lakes planning staff when updating land use policies that seek to improve the health of lake shorelines.
This report provides a characterization of apparent trends and relationships between shoreline development and water quality in the major lakes across the municipality to provide background information to municipal planners to assist with any efforts in considering enhanced shoreline related planning and policy approaches.
Review the Canal and Mitchell Lakes, Talbot River, and Whites Creek Subwatershed Plan and the Canal and Mitchell Lakes, Talbot River, and Whites Creek Implementation Plan. These plans were created in partnership with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and includes the Talbot River and Whites Creek Subwatersheds.
Review the Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan
Contact Us
Kawartha Conservation
277 Kenrei Road
Lindsay, ON K9V 4R1
Tel: 705.328.2271
Fax: 705.328.2286
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