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Middle Grand River Chapter |
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Conserving, Protecting and Restoring freshwater ecosystems |
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FALKLAND CREEK CONSERVATION PLAN |
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In the case of the lower Nith River watershed it states Fish Community Objectivescold water fish community (consisting of native brook trout and seasonal migratory rainbow trout) in areas where geological and biophysical characteristics are present and habitat exists or has been rehabilitated. IssuesInadequate information on status of fish community and condition of related fish habitaton bait fish industry and impact on fish community (game fish, forage supply and on VTE fish species) insufficient information to enable evaluation of impacts of interactions among resident top predators.”
The Nith has a significant number of these cold water tributaries that join the river as it flows to the Grand. The importance of these tributaries is well understood. Although, as identified in the GRFMIP, little data has been collected in terms of structures, flows, temperatures, aquatic life or habitat. Falkland Creek, or Mud creek as indicated on some sources, is a typical cold water tributary of the Nith River
Purpose and Scope The purpose of this project is to complete the work required to meet the objectives of section 2.2 of the GFMIP by collecting the information for a specific tributary, namely, Falkland Creek. In addition, this work will serve as a pilot project, establishing the methodology for similar stream studies in the lower Nith River watershed.
The scope for Falkland Creek will include · engagement and organization of the various stakeholder groups that are the stewards of the creek · documentation of the current condition of the creek in terms of the physical and aquatic habitat sufficient to support the analysis required for a resource and restoration plan · recommending actions to maintain and where possible improve the habitat for aquatic species · providing a model and methodology for this work for the balance of the tributaries in the South Nith watershed |
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Background The Grand River Fisheries Management Implementation Plan (GRFMIP) was prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). In 1998, following an extensive series of public meetings throughout the watershed, it obtained public input and support along with the input and assistance of a dozen different partners and associations.
In more detail the GRFMIP documents the status of individual features in terms of objectives, issues, deficiencies, etc. |
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Project Plan Meeting the objectives will require the completion of 3 tasks.
Task 1 - Stakeholder Organization which will be structured as 2 sub tasks based on the landowner and agency stakeholder groups
Task 2 - Assessment of Current Condition which includes · documentation and mapping the physical geography & geology within the drainage area including topography, ownership, land uses and geological structure. |
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· Conducting a habitat assessment including monitoring and recording water temperature and flows at approximately 5 stations using standard habitat assessment methods, documenting the physical structure of the creek over the complete length including cross sections of the stream bed, characteristics, etc · Conducting aquatic sampling within the creek by engaging in spring and fall spawning surveys, aquatic sampling by electro fishing and benthic sampling at a number of predefined stations along the creek
All work during this phase will be carried out using the appropriate professional standards and under the supervision of professional staff. |
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Task 3 - Recommendations Based on the information collected in tasks 1 and 2, develop recommendations that will meet the objectives of maintaining and improving the habitat. Those recommendations should be structured as both general recommendations and site specific where it can be determined that specific actions or work will be of benefit |
