| Upper Grand River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Upper Grand River subwatershed is located in the most northern portion of the Grand River watershed. It is an area where the Grand River begins. The subwatershed comprises portions of the Townships of Amaranth, East Garafraxa, Grand Valley, Melancthon, Southgate, and Wellington North. The Grand River bgeins northeast of Dundalk. The southernmost portion of the watershed is at the Shand Dam, at Belwood Lake. The subwatershed drains 79,100 hectares or 12% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 14,568 hectares or 18% of the subwatershed (62% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
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Woodland area is 12,158 hectares or 15% of the subwatershed.
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There are four distinct physiographic regions: the Dundalk Till Plain, Stratford Till Plain, Hillsburgh Sandhills, and the Guelph Drumlin Field.
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There are 7 provincially-designated areas of natural and scientific interest, totalling 4,672 hecatres or 6% of the subwatershed.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 1,128 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 50 kilometres.
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Luther Lake and Belwood Lake are the largest waterbodies in the subwatershed. Both reservoirs were constructed and are currently operated by the GRCA to provide flood control and baseflow augmentation. The Shand Dam at Belwood Reservoir also generates hydropower.
Plants and Animals
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34 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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6 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Two invasive aquatic species, the rusty crayfish and the round goby, have been detected at Belwood Lake.
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38 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed, many of which occur at Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include Henslow's sparrow, loggerhead shrike, Butler's gartersnake, black tern, and least bittern.
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| Conestogo River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Conestogo River subwatershed is located within the north-west portion of the Grand River watershed. The Conestogo River starts in the Damscus-Kennilworth area of the Township of Wellington North and flows through the towns of Glen Allan, Wallenstein, Hawkesville, and St. Jacobs before joining the Grand River in the Village of Conestogo. Subwatershed drains 82,000 hectares or 12% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 3,750 hectares or 5% of the subwatershed (10% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
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Woodland area is 8,615 hectares or 11% of the subwatershed.
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There are three distinct physiographic regions: the Dundalk Till Plain and Stratford Till Plan, plus the northern flank of the Waterloo Moraine.
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There are 12 provincially-designated areas of natural scientific interest, totalling 8,615 hectares or 10% of the subwatershed.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 1,409 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 1 kilometre.
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Conestogo Lake is a constructed resevoir that provides flood control and also generates hydropower.
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Conestogo Lake represents the midway point of the river system and partially regulates flows within the lower reaches.
Plants and Animals
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46 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 species at risk (black redhorse and silver shiner).
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13 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 species at risk (rainbow and wavy-rayed lampmussel).
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29 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Other examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include butternut, cerulean warbler, red knot, and loggerhead shrike.
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| Upper Middle Grand River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Upper Middle Grand River subwatershed includes sections of Mapleton, Wellington North, Centre Wellington, and Guelph-Eramosa Townships in the County of Wellington; a small section of the Town of Grand Valley in Dufferin County; and the northern half of Woolwich Township in the Region of Waterloo. Subwatershed total area is 64,000 hectares or 9% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
- Wetland area is 4,593 hectares or 7% of the subwatershed (51% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
- Woodland area is 7,557 hectares or 12% of the subwatershed.
- There are four distinct physiographic reigons: the Stratford Till Plain, Guelph Dumlin Field, Oxford Till Plain, and the Dundalk Till Plain.
- There are 9 provincially-designated areas of natural scientific interest totalling 1,065 hectares or less than 2% of the subwatershed.
Water
- Total watercourse length is 927 kilometres.
- Total cold water stream length is 164 kilometres.
- Woolwich reservoir is the largest waterbody in the subwatershed. The constructed reservoir is operated by the GRCA for flood control.
Plants and Animals
- 34 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 3 species at risk (black redhorse, redside dace, and silver shiner).
- 6 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 specis at risk (wavy-rayed lampmussel and rainbow).
- Brown trout was introduced into the Grand River downstream of Shand Dam in 1946. Continual re-stocking of this species supports a world class trout fishery in this portion of the Grand River.
- 29 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
- Other examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include American ginseng, monarch, bank swallow, bobolink, eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, and red-headed woodpecker.
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| Speed River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Speed River subwatershed drains eastern portions of the City of Cambridge, portions of the Town of Erin, the Townships of Centre Wellington and Puslinch, the City of Guelph, a small portion of the Town of Milton, and the southern tip of the Township of East Garafraxa. The subwatershed drains 78,000 hectares or 12% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 13,523 hectares or 17% of the subwatershed (89% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
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Woodland area is 18,546 hectares or 24% of the subwatershed.
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There are three distinct physiographic reigons, the Guelph Drumlin Field, the Paris-Galt Moraine, and a small portion of the Orangeville Moraine.
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Fractured bedrock at the ground surface and unique, karst features such as caves and potholes are located within the Rockwood area.
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There are 23 provincially-designated areas of natural scientific interest totalling 4,405 hectares or 6% of the subwatershed.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 1,039 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 276 kilometres.
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Two major rivers, the Speed and the Eramosa, flow in a southwesterly direction through the subwatershed.
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Major tributaries of the Eramosa River, which joins the Speed River in the City of Guelph, include Blue Springs Creek and Clythe Creek.
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Guelph Lake Reservoir is the largest waterbody in the subwatershed. The constructed reservoir is operated by the GRCA to provide flood control and recreational opportunities. The dam also generates hydropower.
Plants and Animals
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40 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 species at risk (silver shiner and black redhorse).
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11 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed, inclduding 1 species at risk (wavy-rayed lampmussel).
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50 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Other examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include American ginseng, bank swallow, chimney swift, least bittern, Canada warbler, little brown Myotis, and northern map turtle.
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| Nith River Subwatershed |
Overview
The subwatershed includes portions of the Townships of Mapleton, Wellesley, Wilmot, and North Dumfries, Perth East, Blandford-Blenheim, and a small portion of Brant County. A very small portion of the west side of Kitchener is contained within this subwatershed. The subwatershed contains smaller portions of the City of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge, which are mostly located to the east. The start of the Nith River is located in Mapleton Township at the extreme north end of the subwatershed. The river flows in a southeasterly direction and joins the Grand River in the Town of Paris. The subwatershed drains a total area of 112,800 hectares or 17% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 6,481 hectares or 6% of the subwatershed (58% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
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Woodland area is 14,559 hectares or 13% of the subwatershed.
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There are three distinct physiographic regions, Stratford Till Plains, Waterloo Hills, and the Horseshoe Moraines.
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There are 28 provincially-designated areas of natural scientific interest totalling 3,389 hectares or 5% of the subwatershed.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 1,680 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 17 kilometres.
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The GRCA owns and operates 4 small dams, in Baden, New Dundee, Ayr, and Wellesley. A 5th dam (an overflow weir) is situated along the river in New Hamburg.
Plants and Animals
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60 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 3 species at risk (black redhorse, northern sunfish, and silver shiner).
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18 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 3 species at risk (kidneyshell, rainbow, and wavy-rayed lampmussel).
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50 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Other examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include American chestnut, queensnake, Acadian flycatcher, cerulean warbler, loggerhead shrike, short-eared owl, yellow-breasted chat, eastern ribbonsnake, northern map turtle, and eastern spiny softshell turtle.
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| Middle Grand River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Middle Grand River subwatershed is located within the central portion of the Grand River watershed and contains large portions of the Cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, and Cambridge, as well as portions of the Townships of Puslinch, Guelph Eramosa, North Dumfries, County of Brant, and small corner of the City of Brantford. The subwatershed experiences a great amount of development pressures. The subwatershed drains 60,400 hectares or 9% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 6,428 hectares or 11% of the subwatershed (82% by area is considered provincially significant wetland).
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Woodland area is 11,351 hectares or 19% of the subwatershed.
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There are four distinct physiographic regions, Waterloo Hills, Horeshoe Moraines, Guelph Drumlin Field,
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There are 21 provincially-designated areas of natural scientific interest totalling 2,798 hectares or 5% of the subwatershed.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 722 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 9 kilometres.
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The GRCA owns and operates dams at Laurel Creek Conservation Area and Shades Mills Conservation Area. Both dams provide flood control, base flow augmentation, and recreational opportunities.
Plants and Animals
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56 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 species at risk (black redhorse and silver shiner).
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14 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed, including 2 species at risk (rainbow and wavy-rayed lampmussel).
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82 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Other examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include American colombo, American chestnut, Acadian flycatcher, Henslow's sparrow, hooded warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, peregrine falcon, American badger, Jefferson salamander, and queensnake.
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| Fairchild Creek Subwatershed |
Overview
Fairchild Creek subwatershed is located within the east central portion of the Grand River watershed and contains sections of the City of Hamilton and Brant County. Fairchild Creek flows southwest from Puslinch Township and then southeast before joining the Grand River near the Village of Onandaga. Subwatershed total area is 40,100 hectares or 6% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 4,245 hectares or 11% of the subwatershed.
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Woodland area is 7,820 hectares or 20% of the subwatershed.
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There are four distinct physiographic regions, Horseshoe moraines, Flamborough plain, Norfolk sand plain, and the Haldimand clay plain.
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There are 2 areas of natural scientific interest.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 981 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 24 kilometres.
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Major tributaries include Barlow Creek and Big Creek.
Plants and Animals
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47 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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12 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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99 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include king rail, American chestnut, Jefferson salamander, little brown bat, eastern sand darter, and round pigtoe.
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| Whitemans Creek Subwatershed |
Overview
Whitemans Creek subwatershed drains portions of Perth County, Oxford County, and Brant County. Whitemans Creek has 2 main branches: Horner Creek, which flows south through Blandford-Blenheim Township, and Kenny Creek, which flows south through Norwich Township in Oxford County and eastward through Brant County. The confluence of these 2 main branches represents the beginning of Whitemans Creek, which enters the Grand River 5 km upstream of the City of Brantford. Subwatershed total area is 64,000 hectares or 9% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 5,412 hectares or 13% of the subwatershed.
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Woodland area is 6,819 hectares or 17% of the subwatershed.
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There are 5 distinct physiographic regions, the Stratford Till Plain, Oxford Till Plain, Mount Elgin Ridges, Norfolk Sand Plain, and the Horseshoe Moraines.
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There are 8 areas of natural scientific interest.
Water
Plants and Animals
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41 fish species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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7 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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32 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include large whorled pogonia, eastern hog-nosed snake, and prothonotary warbler.
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| Lower Middle Grand River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Lower Middle Grand River subwatershed captures middle portions of the Grand River watershed, including portions of the City of Hamilton, City of Brantford, Brant and Haldimand Counties, and the Six Nations of the Grand River lands. The subwatershed includes the section of the Grand River between the mouth of the Nith River in Paris to the Village of York in Haldimand County. Subwatershed total area is 47,600 hectares or 7% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 1,895 hectares or 4% of the subwatershed.
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Woodland area is 6,860 hectares or 14% of the subwateshed.
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The subwatershed is characterized largely as agricultural with a small section of urban land use in the City of Brantford.
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There are 3 distinct physiographic regions, the Haldimand Clay Plain, the Norfolk Sand Plain, and the Galt-Paris Moraine.
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There are 5 areas of natural scientific interest.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 1,343 kilometres.
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Total cold water stream length is 54 kilometres.
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Significant tributaries of the Grand River include Fairchild Creek and Whitemans Creek.
Plants and Animals
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65 fish species are found in the subwatershed, including Brook trout found in Mount Pleasent and D'Aubigny Creeks.
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25 mussel species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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106 provincially significant species have been recorded in the subwatershed.
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include American colombo, Acardian flycatcher, cerulean warbler, American badger, Jefferson's salamander, queensnake, eastern sand darter, and kidneyshell.
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| McKenzie Creek Subwatershed |
Overview
The McKenzie Creek subwatershed is located within the central portion of the Grand River watershed. The creek system includes a north branch (McKenzie Creek), which originates in the Oakland Swamp, and a south branch (Boston Creek), which originates on the Norfolk Sand Plain. The subwatershed drains portions of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk Counties as well as large portions of 2 First Nations Territories: Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Surface flows are generally eastward toward the Grand River in the Village of York. Subwatershed total area is 36,800 hectares or 5% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 1,351 hectares or 4% of the subwatershed.
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Woodland area is 9,667 hectares or 26% of the subwateshed.
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There are 3 area of natural scientific interest.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 616 kilometres.
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0 kilometres are classified as cold water stream.
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501 kilometres are not classified.
Plants and Animals
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include eastern flowering dogwood, gray ratsnake, barn owl, American badger, and eastern pondmussel.
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| Lower Grand River Subwatershed |
Overview
The Lower Grand River subwatershed is located at the southern end of the watershed and is situated almost entirely within Haldimand County. This subwatershed drains a very small area of the Six Nations of the Grand River lands. This subwatershed includes the section of the Grand River between York and the river mouth, which is located at Port Maitland on the Lake Erie shoreline. Subwatershed total area is 35,600 hectares or 5% of the Grand River watershed.
Land
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Wetland area is 1,805 hectares or 5% of the subwatershed.
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Woodland area is 6,960 hectares or 20% of the subwateshed.
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Agricultural lands account for 65-75% of the land area.
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There is one distinct physiographic region, the Haldimand Clay Plain.
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There are 12 areas of natural scientific interest.
Water
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Total watercourse length is 820 kilometres.
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0 kilometres are classified as cold water stream.
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616 kilometres are not classified.
Plants and Animals
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Some examples of species at risk that have been recorded in the subwatershed include virginia mallow, king rail, American badger, Fowler's toad, eastern sand darter, and lilliput mussel.
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