Pearns Creek

Pearns Creek is a notable watercourse located southwest of Cameron Lake in the Kawartha region. Originating at the intersection of Sandhills and Lorneville roads, the creek flows northeast, passing under Glenarm Road to Pearns Road and Highway 35, eventually draining into Cameron Lake at McFarland Bay.

The Pearns Creek watershed encompasses approximately 44 square kilometers, featuring a total watercourse length of 65 kilometers. The landscape is characterized by 35% natural vegetation cover, predominantly mixed forests. This includes 220 hectares of forest interior and 23 hectares of deep forest interior, providing essential habitats for various plant and animal species.

Significant ecological features within the watershed include the Pearns Creek Provincially Significant Wetland, covering 616 hectares, and the Zion Road Cut, an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) spanning 2.6 hectares. These areas play a crucial role in maintaining regional biodiversity, water quality, and flood regulation.

Environmental assessments indicate that the surface water quality of Pearns Creek is rated as fair, with total phosphorus concentrations averaging 0.030 mg/L, meeting 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 good, with a score of 4.78. Forest conditions within the watershed are rated as fair, reflecting the need for conservation efforts to enhance the area's natural environment.

Understanding the characteristics and environmental conditions of Pearns Creek is essential for effective watershed management and conservation initiatives, ensuring the preservation of its ecological integrity and the health of the broader Cameron Lake ecosystem.