Background:

The Watershed Report Card is a resource that is developed by Conservation Authorities across Ontario. The intent of this resource is to outline the conditions of our lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater, forests and wetland resources.

In 2018 Lower Trent Conservation provided a Watershed Report Card, with insufficient data for surface water, groundwater, wetlands and forest cover. Our municipal partners recognized the importance and value of this information and supported Lower Trent Conservation in the growth in our Surface Water Monitoring program.

Lower Trent Conservation has been able to focus our efforts to provide a more complete understanding of the Surface Water Quality throughout our watersheds, and is now able to provide grades for all of our watersheds.

Insufficient Data:

Due to a variety of issues, some of the parameters previously reported on were unable to be fully assessed, resulting in data gaps. As a result, Lower Trent Conservation is unable to provide grades or updates for the Forest Conditions and Wetland Cover previously evaluated in our 2018 Watershed Report Card. Further, the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network data is not comprehensive enough to provide an accurate grade of the wells currently monitored.

Future:

• Providing advice to local municipalities and the public regarding development near waterways and wetlands, and administering our Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.
• Seeking opportunities to enhance our monitoring programs.
• Providing information and services to the public to improve environmental awareness and encourage environmental action (e.g., public events, tree seedling sales, incentive programs).
• Protecting and maintaining 1500 hectares of natural areas in our Conservation Lands.
• Providing youth environmental education opportunities to foster environmental values in the next generation.