Did you know? Contacts Grand River Conservation Authority 400 Clyde Road, Box 729 Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 519-621-2761 866 900 4722 (toll free) www.grandriver.ca Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association 1 Stone Road West Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 1-800-265-9751 www.ontariosoilcrop.org Trout Unlimited Canada Speed Valley Chapter Guelph, Ontario 519-249-1085 www.tucanada.org Wellington County Stewardship Council Ministry of Natural Resources 1 Stone Road West Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 519-826-4936 www.ontariostewardship.org In 1999, the Wellington County Stewardship Council passed a resolution to adopt Marden Creek as a stream improvement project. In 2005 they were joined by volunteers from the Speed Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada as a partner. Both groups have contributed a great deal of time and expertise on several projects to restore the stream channel and enhance aquatic habitat. These projects include removing a dam and reconstructing a channel at the township park on Marden Road, redirecting Marden Creek around the gravel pit pond on the Mann Construction Ltd Property, building trout habitat features in the newly formed channel, and removing beaver dams and other debris to improve flow and fish habitat at various locations within the creek’s channel. These projects were done in conjunction with the Ontario Stewardship Ranger crew, students from the University of Guelph, Gencor, Don Blyth and the Mann family. In 1999 the Wellington Rural Water Quality Program began helping agricultural landowners implement best management practices to improve and protect water quality. Many have benefited from the financial and technical assistance the program provides. It is generously funded by the County of Wellington and the City of Guelph and is delivered by the Grand River Conservation Authority. In 2005 a small population of brook trout was discovered in Marden Creek, indicating a healthy cold water stream. The population is growing and their range is expanding. Only four trout were observed in 2005 while 13 were seen just two years later. The original population was discovered north of Highway 6 and the fish have moved south. Now there are plans to remove the last barriers to fish migration in Marden Creek. Removing these barriers would allow the fish to reconnect with brook trout in the Speed River. Unrestricted movement of brook trout will be a significant restoration achievement, because the Marden Creek population has not had access to the Speed River in more than 120 years. Beaver dam removal by the Ontario Stewardship Ranger Crew Upstream of Marden Township Park, August 2 to September 29, 2005. Ponded water heats up in the summer stressing coldwater fish species like brook trout. Dam removal restores the natural flow of the creek improving aquatic habitat. The results The restoration work completed by agency staff and volunteer groups coupled with the environmental stewardship work undertaken by landowners is paying off. Restoration and stewardship work is paying off. The population of brook trout is growing and their range is expanding in Marden Creek. Photo by Steve May The difference is clear! Marden Creek during a flood event. Schneider Creek during a flood event. Natural vegetation beside creeks — called riparian buffers — can filter sediment from water flowing over farmer’s field during flood events. Marden Creek (left) is almost completely surrounded by grasses and trees and the water remained clear during a flood event in December of 2008. In contrast, Schneider Creek (right) has a much smaller amount of streamside buffer and allowed a great deal more sediment to enter the creek during a flood event in July of 2005. Environmental stewardship Wheat field Painted turtle Photo by Daniel Cadieux www.dancadphotography.com Sharp-shinned hawk Pearl dace Photo by John J. Mosesso www.images.nbii.gov A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Watershed history Over The Marden Creek Watershed The Marden Creek Watershed The Marden Creek Watershed Men working on a ditch drain contract in West Luther township, circa 1895. (Wellington County Museum & Archives, ph 14271) Trout Unlimited Canada (Speed Valley Chapter) volunteers working on a channel reconstruction project, autumn 2008. Before European settlement, the Marden Creek watershed was covered with forests and wetlands. Watercourses were cold and clear for most of the year and supported cold-water fish like brook trout, mottled sculpins and pearl dace. European settlers brought dramatic change to the landscape. They cleared and drained the land. This degraded small streams by raising water temperatures and adding sediment. Mill dams cut off fish from spawning grounds, cold pools and spring seepage areas. This degradation was compounded by land-use practices such as stream channelization and using floodplains as pasture for animals. By the mid 1970s, brook trout — a native cold water fish — had disappeared from Marden Creek. Farming practices within the Marden Creek watershed have changed a lot since those early days. Water-powered mills have become obsolete and small mixed farms have given way to specialized agricultural enterprises. New cultivation techniques, livestock management practices and increasing environmental awareness mean small agricultural watercourses are being restored. Local landowners, together with the Wellington County Stewardship Council, Trout Unlimited Canada, the Environmental Farm Plan and the Rural Water Quality Program, have produced remarkable results. Brook trout observed spawning in the headwaters of Marden Creek during the autumn of 2008. The spawning area had been rehabilitated by the Ontario Stewardship Ranger Crew in August of 2008.