Stoney Creek

Stoney Creek is a significant watercourse located east of Lindsay, Ontario. It flows southwest through Reaboro, passing under Highways 7 and 35, before draining into East Cross Creek.

The Stoney Creek watershed encompasses approximately 82 square kilometers, with a total watercourse length of 100 kilometers. The area is characterized by 36% natural vegetation cover, predominantly mixed forests. This includes 468 hectares of forest interior and 37 hectares of deep forest interior, providing essential habitats for various plant and animal species.

Significant ecological features within the watershed include the East Cross Creek No.15 Provincially Significant Wetland, covering 854 hectares, and the Stoney Creek Headwaters Provincially Significant Wetland, spanning 597 hectares. Additionally, the East Cross Creek Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) encompasses 16 hectares, highlighting the region's ecological importance.

Environmental assessments indicate that the surface water quality of Stoney Creek is rated as poor, with total phosphorus concentrations averaging 0.079 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 not available. 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 Stoney Creek is essential for effective watershed management and conservation initiatives, ensuring the preservation of its ecological integrity and the health of the broader East Cross Creek ecosystem.