Pigeon River

The Pigeon River originates from the Oak Ridges Moraine and flows northward into Pigeon Lake, passing through the community of Omemee along its course. The river's watershed encompasses approximately 221 square kilometers, featuring a total watercourse length of 284 kilometers. The landscape is characterized by 44% natural vegetation cover, predominantly coniferous forests. This includes 1,554 hectares of forest interior and 317 hectares of deep forest interior, providing essential habitats for various plant and animal species.

Significant ecological features within the watershed include several Provincially Significant Wetlands, such as the Cowan's Bay Wetland (15 hectares), Emily Park Wetland (186 hectares), Pigeon Lake No.14 Wetland (1 hectare), Pigeon River No.20 Wetland (2,049 hectares), and the Pigeon River No.23 Complex (539 hectares). Additionally, the Omemee Esker South, an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI), spans 58 hectares, highlighting the region's ecological importance.

Environmental assessments indicate that the surface water quality of the Pigeon River is rated as good, with total phosphorus concentrations averaging 0.024 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 fair, with a score of 5.22. 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 the Pigeon River is essential for effective watershed management and conservation initiatives, ensuring the preservation of its ecological integrity and the health of the broader Pigeon Lake ecosystem.