Thames River Thames River Indicators Shared Accountability - Improving the Thames River

Shared Accountability - Improving the Thames River

The Thames River watershed is over 6,700 km in area. The responsibility to wisely manage this resource rests with many groups and organizations. Citizens as a whole also have responsibilities since water is a shared resource on which we all rely.

1. City Of London
2. Local Community (Citizens & Businesses)
3. Government
4. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

1. City Of London

The City of London is responsible to directly manage that portion of the river (approximately 43 km) that flows through the city. It also shares in the responsibility of the larger watershed community by being an active member of the Board of Directors of the 3 area Conservation Authorities (CA) (see below). This river system is arguably the most important natural heritage feature in the city and a large portion of the park land and recreational opportunities are associated with the river system.

The City has a number of programs and initiatives to ensure proper stewardship of the river and to address the needs of the community.

• Flood Management through several programs including:

1.       Flood Control Structures: Several dams and earthen berms exist along the river to control or direct flood flows. Although not built for flood control purposes, Springbank Dam is part of the flood control network on the river and operated by the UTRCA. It was built to provide water supply and recreation opportunities. Approximately six earthen berms, the largest being the West London Dyke, protect specific neighbourhoods in lower elevations from flood waters. Outlet control structures associated with these berms provide flood relief.

2.       Flood Plain Land Acquisition: It is not by accident that several of the city’s parks are located along the river. Many of these parks are flood plain lands of the river that have been acquired to prevent damage to development during flood events when the river overflows its banks. Examples include Harris and Gibbons Parks.

• Storm Water Management: The storm drainage system in the city is extensive. Over 1,100 km of storm sewers help remove surface water and transport it to creeks and rivers. Newer developments in the city require Storm water Management Facilities or storm water ponds to collect and slow the storm water to allow sediments to deposit before it is released to local watercourses. This prevents all the water from reaching the river at the same time and decreases river flood levels while preventing pollution.
   
• Drainage By-law: Eliminating roof downspout connections to the storm sewer system and ensuring that there are no connections to the sanitary sewer systems is another way to reduce the harmful affects to the river. The Drainage By-law has specific drainage related stipulations that require residents to handle storm water on their own property first by allowing it to infiltrate into the soil. It also illustrates why cross connections between the sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems can add more water for treatment at the Pollution Control Plants, which can cause sewers to bypass into the river during these wet weather events.
   
• Park Planning and Management: Since much of the parklands in London are located along the river corridor, the management and planning of these areas has a large part to do with river use and indirectly, river quality. For example, we limit our use of pesticides in City parks.
   
• Thames River Corridor Study: (in progress) an assessment of the Thames River Corridor through London will provide direction on management of this important resource by addressing the characteristics related to natural heritage, natural hazard as well as the social benefits and uses.
   
• Water Conservation measures have been instituted including:

  1.       full cost accounting to customers

  2.       summer water restrictions for outdoor watering via bylaw

  3.       implemented turf watering conservation at City-owned golf courses

  4.       active participation on the Joint Water Board, Water Conservation Committee
   

• Full participation in Source Water Protection Plans being prepared by the two regional planning areas that cover portions of the City.
   
• Public education on water stewardship and conservation through web site information and the periodic publications such as the annual “Waste Reduction & Conservation Calendar” and the monthly “EnviroWorks” bill insert.
   
• Active participation on the Board of Directors of all three conservation authorities: the Upper Thames River, Lower Thames Valley and Kettle Creek.

We are working with the community and local businesses to encourage best management practices dealing with water conservation.

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2. Local Community (Citizens & Businesses)

Friends of the Coves Subwatershed : The Friends of the Coves are an incorporated, community based, environmental group who believe the quality of life in their community is enhanced through the protection, conservation and wise stewardship of the Coves Subwatershed. With support from the City and the UTRCA, they carry out their vision for the Coves, a former meander of the Thames River, which includes improvements to water quality through:

• Public Access: enhance community enjoyment and appreciation of the Coves by bringing more lands into public ownership and by establishing trails;
• Stewardship: engage local landowners in adopting ecologically-friendly practices in their home and yard;
• Rehabilitation: enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat and establish nature corridors that connect with neighbouring watersheds;
• Ecosystem Education: the active involvement of area schools, community groups, and service clubs in ecosystem conservation and protection.

Friends of Stoney Creek : The Friends of Stoney Creek are a group of concerned citizens who work with the Upper Thames River CA, the City of London, and the local community to improve the health of Stoney Creek. Since 1992, the Friends and their partners have been implementing hands-on stream rehabilitation projects along the creek, creating educational opportunities, and sharing their experience and knowledge. Stoney Creek begins northeast of London, near the intersection of Ilderton Road and Clarke Road in the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and flows southwest into the city of London, emptying into the North Branch of the Thames River near Windermere Road and Adelaide Street. The creek drains a watershed of approximately 38 square kilometres.

Friends of Dingman Creek : The Friends of Dingman Creek is a community based, environmental group working together to improve the Dingman Creek watershed by conducting restoration and naturalization projects. The Friends of Dingman Creek Committee, formed in 2001 has representation from Lambeth Community Association, City of London, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, watershed residents, and concerned citizens. The Dingman Creek subwatershed is 176 square kilometres in area, forms part of the Thames River watershed and includes the municipalities of City of London, Middlesex Centre and Thames Centre. The watershed acts as an east-west natural corridor linking the large natural areas formed by Dorchester Swamp in the east with Komoka Provincial Park in the west.

Thames Talbot Land Trust : The Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT) is a non-profit, charitable organization which secures land for public benefit. These lands are of interest for both cultural (representing Colonel Thomas Talbot) and natural heritage purposes (representing the Thames River). The general focus of the land trust is in the Perth, Middlesex, Elgin County areas of southwestern Ontario. The trust is working to pursue landowner contacts and local partnership opportunities. The TTLT strives to acquire, hold and manage lands and waters, support sustainable farming and raise public awareness about the importance of protecting and restoring our natural and agricultural heritage.

The Thames Valley Trail Association, Inc. is a charitable organization with a Board of Directors made up of volunteers from all walks of life. The Board and members are interested in encouraging walking and hiking as recreation for families and individuals of all ages, and in fostering appreciation and conservation of our natural environment through the development and maintenance of marked trails. The Thames Valley Trail Association offers recreational hiking and cross-country skiing inside and outside the Thames Valley Region, as well as related social gatherings. They also maintain and develop walking and hiking trails in the London area, maintain over 130 kilometres of hiking trails, and promote hikes of varying difficulty from a one hour stroll to a demanding three day hike.

Thames River Anglers Association (TRAA): The TRAA was formed in 1986 by anglers concerned with the state of the fishery in the Thames River watershed, particularly the dwindling smallmouth bass population in the North Thames River. The TRAA is not a fishing club, although most members are anglers. They are a "hands on" environmental group. The TRAA is a volunteer organization, governed by a formal constitution and by-laws. An elected Executive, with the guidance of the General Membership, sets the policies and direction for the TRAA. TRAA is a registered charitable organization and operates within guidelines that govern and control this certification.

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3. Government

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has regulatory standards for surface waters and procedures that govern the operations and monitoring of such water (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/water.htm). Several pieces of legislation are administered under MOE and provide direction to manage surface water through Certificates of Approval and other water testing mechanisms:

·          Clean Water Act (Bill 43 - 2005)

·          Safe Drinking Water Act (2002)

·          Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act (2002)

·          Ontario’s Well Regulation (O.Reg.903)

·          Water Taking and Transfer Regulation (O.Reg.387/04)

·          Ontario Water Resources Act

·          Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) provides regulatory direction over the use and management of the river through application of the :

·          Public Lands Act

·          Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act

·          Planning Act

Environment Canada is involved in larger scale water management issues that impact the Great Lakes Basin including the Thames River basin. The latest of these issues involves climate change, however funding for this program is currently in question.

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4. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) has as its vision “to inspire a healthy environment”. Established in 1947, their mandate is to wisely manage all the lands that are drained by the Thames River and it’s tributaries, known as a watershed. This also includes the natural resources found within that watershed. Several programs are implemented to accomplish their mandate specifically related to water quality, environmental monitoring and remediation:

·         Clean Water Project – targeted remediation projects in rural areas to address water quality issues related to manure handling, soil erosion, nutrient loading and bacterial contamination from livestock waste and faulty septic systems.

·      Surface Water Monitoring Program – pollutants are monitored at stream and river locations throughout the Thames watershed to monitor changes in water quality.

·      Benthic monitoring – assessing the beetles and bugs of the streams to provide an indication of stream health.

·      Municipal Drain Classification – to determine the state of the drains with regards to temperature, habitat and fish populations.

·      Species at Risk program – assesses indicator species of aquatic life such as Spiny Softshell Turtles that thrive in specific reaches of the river dependant on habitat requirements.

·      Barrier inventory – assessing and managing watercourse barriers to fish migration. Dingman Creek Weir, a City owned structure was successfully removed in 2005 through application of this program in a joint project with the City.

·      Low Water Response Plan – determines when drought conditions have been met along the river and implements a response plan to ease the stress on the river during these low water conditions.

·         Flood Forecasting and Warning Program – is implemented through their water management section that monitors and implements procedures at the main flood control structures to lessen the impact of flood conditions. Climate change research with the local university is also providing some data to be used for this program.

·          Watershed Report Cards – assess the environmental health of the subwatersheds of the Thames River watershed related to surface water quality and forest health. Several of the subwatersheds contain area within the City of London.

For a complete listing of their programs, refer to their web site.

NOTE: Two additional Conservation Authorities (Lower Thames Valley and Kettle Creek) share watershed responsibilities within the City of London. However, their watershed area does not include the portion of the Thames River flowing through the city. They are responsible for other portions of the city and other resource issues.

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