Layton River

The Layton River, located west of Lake Scugog, flows from north to south until it reaches the Nonquon River southwest of Seagrave.The river's watershed covers an area of 56 square kilometers, with a total watercourse length of 54 kilometers.The landscape is characterized by 36% natural cover, predominantly coniferous forests, including 261 hectares of forest interior and 12 hectares of deep forest interior.

Significant natural features within the watershed include the Nonquon River #7 Wetland, covering 1,191 hectares, and the Layton River Wetland Complex, spanning 358 hectares.These Provincially Significant Wetlands provide essential habitats for a variety of plant and animal species, contributing to the region's biodiversity.

Environmental assessments indicate that the surface water quality of the Layton River is rated as fair, with total phosphorus concentrations averaging 0.045 mg/L, exceeding the provincial objective of 0.03 mg/L for rivers and streams.The health of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, as measured by the Family Biotic Index (FBI), is considered fair. Forest conditions within the watershed are also rated as fair, reflecting the need for conservation efforts to enhance the area's natural environment.

Understanding the characteristics and environmental conditions of the Layton River is essential for effective watershed management and conservation initiatives, ensuring the preservation of its ecological integrity and the health of the broader Nonquon River system.