Cawkers Creek

Cawkers Creek is a notable watercourse situated southwest of Lake Scugog in the Kawartha region. Originating from the Oak Ridges Moraine, the creek flows northward through Port Perry before emptying into Lake Scugog.It is flanked by the Nonquon River to the west and the South Scugog Tributaries to the east.

The Cawkers Creek watershed encompasses an area of approximately 12 square kilometers, with the creek itself extending over 16 kilometers. The landscape is predominantly characterized by deciduous forests, contributing to 14% natural vegetation cover.Notably, there are no significant natural sites within this watershed.

Environmental assessments have identified concerns regarding water quality in Cawkers Creek. The surface water quality has been rated as poor, with total phosphorus concentrations averaging 0.078 mg/L, exceeding the provincial objective of 0.03 mg/L for rivers and streams. Additionally, the health of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, as indicated by the Family Biotic Index (FBI), is considered fairly poor, with a score of 5.88.

These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation efforts to improve water quality and support the ecological health of the Cawkers Creek watershed. Ongoing monitoring and community engagement are essential to address these environmental challenges and promote the sustainability of this important watercourse.