Contact(s)
The GRCA is participating in several subwatershed planning projects. Some projects are managed by GRCA while others are managed by municipalities with the GRCA providing its knowledge and expertise on environmental elements of the study. For example, the GRCA will monitor stream conditions, describe the natural features and their role in stream health and provide other information to support planning studies and management decisions.
Blair Creek
Blair Creek flows through southwest Kitchener, where a lot of development is taking place. A subwatershed plan was completed in 1997 and updated in 2010. The studies recommended ongoing monitoring in Blair Creek to better understand land and water conditions, and to track changes as new subdivisions are developed. We monitor water quality and temperature, stream flow, groundwater, invertebrates and fish.
- State of the Watershed Report for Upper Blair Creek describes pre-development conditions, sets out targets and updates the monitoring plan.
- Cumulative Efffects Monitoring - Blair Creek Case Study compares monitoring data from before and during the ongoing subdivision development.
East Side subwatersheds
The East Side area includes the land in the eastern part of Kitchener, Cambridge and Woolwich in Waterloo Region. The land is drained by Hopewell, Chilligo and Freeport creeks, as well as the Randall and Breslau drains. We carry out monitoring to provide information for subwatershed studies.
- The Freeport Creek Subwatershed Study was completed as part of the East Side Lands (Stage 1) Master Environmental Servicing Plan.
- Work is underway on a Subwatershed Study for Randall and Breslau Drains as part of the East Side Lands (Stage 2) Master Environmental Servicing Plan.
Cedar Creek subwatershed
Cedar Creek flows through the southwest corner of the City of Kitchener and the Township of North Dumfries. The Region of Waterloo and GRCA are working together on a Subwatershed Study. We carry out monitoring to provide information for the study.
Characterization studies
The Grand River Water Management Plan lists areas where subwatershed planning should take place to address water quality and quantity issues. GRCA has completed characterization studies for Fairchild and McKenzie creeks in the southern Grand River. Another study is looking at the urban, non-point sources of pollution in the central portion of the Grand River. These studies will describe current conditions and identify factors affecting subwatershed health.
