Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy Survey

• Protect drinking water resources by implementing measures that reduce risks to water quality and availability.
• Characterize and monitor groundwater and surface water systems to support sustainable, clean water supply.
• Strengthen hydro-ecological functions to prepare for flood or drought conditions, reducing potential risks to public health and safety.
• Foster integrated planning for watershed management decisions to ensure the sustained beneficial uses of water resources.

• Avoid, reduce, or mitigate potential risks to public health and safety, and to property, from flooding and other natural hazards.
• Decrease local vulnerability to climatic extremes through adaption and mitigation strategies.
• Work collaboratively with municipalities and stakeholders to develop and implement natural hazard prevention and management strategies.

• Conserve and maintain Conservation Authority-owned lands to protect natural heritage, support outdoor recreation, and contribute to community well-being.
• Ensure the maintenance of biodiversity by protecting critical habitats and ecosystems within the watershed.
• Promote conservation and minimize degradation of natural resources through stewardship programs and community engagement.

• Educate and engage the watershed community to raise awareness of natural hazards, watershed health, and the importance of protecting land and water resources.
• Inspire community action and participation in conservation efforts through targeted educational programs and stewardship initiatives.
• Support the development of environmental awareness and promote actions that contribute to the health and resilience of the watershed.

• Support sustainable, healthy communities by integrating watershed knowledge into municipal and regional planning processes.
• Promote social and economic development that aligns with the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Identify and address key resource issues and stressors that impact the watershed, advocating for policies and funding that support sustainable management.

• Advance watershed knowledge through research, monitoring, and data sharing to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Identify, understand, and prioritize key resource issues, and develop solutions that adapt programs and services to address emerging challenges.
• Promote the use of best available scientific information to guide the management and protection of watershed resources.

The expansion of urban boundaries poses risks to natural areas, watercourses, and wetlands, as increased impervious surfaces lead to higher stormwater runoff, which can exacerbate flooding, erosion, and water quality issues.

A major challenge is the lack of integrated management of groundwater and surface water, making it difficult to address climate variability effectively.

One critical challenge is the missing link between groundwater and surface water management, which is essential for maintaining water quality and quantity in the face of climate variability.

Invasive species are a another pressing concern, as they outcompete native flora and fauna, disrupt ecosystem balance, and degrade habitats.

Species such as the emerald ash borer, phragmites, and dog-strangling vine have already impacted the region, and their continued spread poses ongoing risks to biodiversity and ecosystem function.

The Ganaraska Region is home to a variety of species at risk (SAR), whose habitats are increasingly threatened by development, invasive species, and climate change.

Loss of biodiversity not only diminishes the ecological resilience of the watershed but also reduces the range of ecosystem services it provides, such as clean water, flood regulation, and recreational opportunities.

As temperatures rise, the increased heat accelerates microbial activity in the soil, leading to faster decomposition of organic matter, which releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, while altered precipitation patterns disrupt soil moisture levels.

These combined effects lead to a destabilization of carbon stored in the soil, weakening its role as a natural carbon sink and contributing to higher levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases, which perpetuate climate change.

The vulnerability of soil is heightened under shifting climate conditions, with heavy rains leading to erosion and droughts causing desiccation, making land less stable and less capable of supporting vegetation.

This, in turn, contributes to increased sedimentation in water bodies, impacting water quality and raising the costs associated with water treatment for safe human consumption. Moreover, the erosion of natural buffers, such as wetlands and forests, further exacerbates flood risks and reduces the natural capacity of the environment to filter pollutants.

Agricultural land use covers approximately one-third of the Ganaraska Region watershed. The GRCA has historically had areas with severe erosion and soil degradation issues resulting from land clearing activities in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

Although reforestation restored much of the landscape, there is a need to continue to take a support proactive approaches to controlling crop field erosion and improving soil health, in addition to the other best management practices that agricultural producers implement.

A significant gap in current watershed management is the absence of comprehensive sub-watershed planning in the development process.

Sub-watershed plans are critical for understanding the unique characteristics and needs of different areas within the watershed, guiding sustainable land use decisions, and ensuring that growth does not compromise the ecological integrity of the region.