Taking Action

Constructed many years ago for agriculture, industry or aesthetics, man made ponds were created by damming the creek. These “online” ponds interrupt the stream’s flow and allow the sun to warm the surface water, leading to increased downstream temperatures. 

Removing dams or bypassing them can take these ponds “offline”.

To prevent having warm surface water flow downstream from online ponds, a “bottom draw” structure can be installed to pull deep, cold water for discharge.

The use of innovative construction methods and materials to restore a sustainable water balance are becoming increasingly commonplace. These Low Impact Development (LID) techniques reduce peak flow to the creek after rain events by facilitating groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration.

How can we incorporate Low Impact Development in public areas?

• use permeable concrete or porous asphalt

• retro-fit curb cutouts to connect roads and parking lots to bio-swales

• stormwater pond design

How can homeowners apply Low Impact Design principles?

• use rain barrels and drain them after storm events

• connect downspouts to soak away pipe covered with non woven fabric

• direct runoff to a rain garden planted with native species

• select un-grouted options for patios

Vegetation on the landscape reduces runoff volumes. Plants structures intercept and slow precipitation, while stems, trunks and roots channel water into the soil for groundwater recharge.

Also important to restoring water balance is the return of water vapour to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration; the combination of evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation converts surface water clinging to leaves and stems from liquid to vapour, while transpiration draws moisture up from the soil through plant roots and releases vapour through evaporation from the stomata of leaves.

Canopy cover provided by trees and shrubs shades the land and influences microclimates by intercepting solar radiation. Trees are important everywhere, including along riparian zones, around ponds and over hard surfaces.

Planting native vegetation across the watershed is highly beneficial to water balance and water quality.

Ecological engineering solutions use natural materials to stabilize banks and restore natural channel function.

Trout Unlimited Canada has installed structures for bank stabilization including:

• Crib walls- Logs stacked and secured into the streambank, backfilled with soil and overplanted  with live plant material which will root for added stability;

• Vegetated buttress - Large stones secured into the streambank and overplanted with native species;

• Live fascines - Bundles of woody stems bound and secured along a slope.

In stream projects undertaken by TUCN include the installation of Wing Deflectors and Cross Vanes to restore channel stability.

We all play an important part in rehabilitating and restoring the natural environment to reduce the effects of stressors and improve stream structure and function.

Over 80% of the stream bed in Twelve Mile Creek’s  watershed is privately owned. The Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada has worked since 2011 to engage local landowners and provide support through education and resources for restoration.

Stewardship across the land drained by Twelve Mile Creek can improve groundwater recharge and consequently improve water quality indicators like temperature and clarity. 

Specific restoration projects aim to improve in-stream habitat, manage riparian zones, stabilize stream banks, and allow fish to pass barriers.