Volunteers restore Willow Creek to improve stream habitat

MINESING, Ontario, (November 8, 2012) – On a beautiful autumn morning, volunteers from Stayner Collegiate Institute, Free Spirit Tours and Environment Canada joined Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority staff, donning chest waders and literally getting immersed in restoring a local river.

The project was conducted in October on a stretch of Willow Creek in the Minesing Wetlands, and designed to help correct stream flow issues resulting from dredging and straightening the creek. The work was coordinated by the NVCA and the Nottawasaga Watershed Improvement Program (N-WIP).

“Unfortunately, when natural watercourses are straightened they usually fill up with sediment and become very shallow,” said Shannon Stephens, a stewardship specialist at the NVCA. “The habitat in straightened streams is not as productive for fish and aquatic insects and we see a decrease in biodiversity.”

The volunteers hauled cut coniferous trees into the margins of the creek and anchored them into wedge-shaped “wing deflectors”. The deflectors redirect the current and create a more varied habitat including deeper pools for larger fish and shallow bars for aquatic plants, insects and young fish. During spring runoff, the deflectors trap sediment, providing a place for new vegetation to grow.

Shannon provided guidance to the volunteers during the restoration day, and was impressed with the effort. “It was great to see the students’ and volunteers’ enthusiasm and exceptional teamwork,” she said.

“I love canoeing the Minesing Wetland and the local rivers,” said Jennie from Free Spirit Tours. “It’s great to be able to give something back.”

The project to restore Willow Creek has spanned four years so far, combining volunteer efforts with the river’s natural processes to speed it’s restoration. “Already you can see that the stream is developing a more natural meandering pattern in the section that was restored,” Shannon said.