2022 Aquatic Restoration Program: Stream Rehabilitation and Removal of Instream Barriers in the West Duffins Creek Watershed in Rouge National Urban Park

The purpose of this project is to restore natural grade, alignment and flow to two separate tributaries of the West Duffins Creek Watershed in Rouge National Urban Park: one located at PIN 614192 southeast of Concession Road 2 and Webb Road and one located at PIN 614639-1 southeast of Sideline 32 and Uxbridge-Pickering Townline in Pickering. Both tributaries historically supported coldwater fish species but now support fewer species than they did historically. To help improve overall watershed health it is important to restore the function of these streams and the riparian habitats adjacent to them in order to help stabilize base flow conditions, provide thermoregulatory habitat for coldwater species, provide enhanced filtration of urban and agricultural run-off to improve water quality, and improve habitat connectivity for fish and other aquatic species. These projects will also reduce the export of sediments and nutrients into downstream channels, improve overall flood capacity within each sub-watershed, and restore habitat for fish and wildlife. As part of each stream rehabilitation project, a small tracked excavator and skid steer will grade and realign stream channels to more natural vertical elevations while providing additional horizontal contours to improve the overall form and function of each tributary. Wetland pockets will be restored adjacent to each stream channel, and native tree and shrub species will be planted at both sites in fall 2022. At PIN 192, an existing berm, concrete farm access bridge and perched culvert will be removed from the stream channel to reconnect upstream and downstream reaches and improve conditions for fish passage. Nest boxes and structural habitats such as woody log tangles will be strategically placed in each restoration area to provide additional habitat for a wildlife. Aquatic restoration will take place during the appropriate timing window for in-water work (July 1 through to August 31) and tree planting will take place in the fall. Erosion and sediment control will be installed downstream of each work area and disturbed areas will be seeded with a mix of native riparian plants to hold soils in place following restoration. The total area to be restored including stream and wetland restoration as well as riparian and upland forest plantings is approximately 2.9 hectares at PIN 192 and approximately 0.92 hectares at PIN 639-1.

Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

Latest update

August 15, 2022 - The assessment decision statement has been issued to the proponent.

Participate

Contacts

Rouge National Urban Park
3545 Kingston Road, Floor #2
Scarborough, Ontario M1M 1R6
Telephone: 416-264-2020
Fax: 416-264-2167
Email: rouge@pc.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Rouge National Urban Park (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Water Management
    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2022-06-15

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    83712

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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