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Watershed Report Card

Our 2009 Watershed Report Card is available on-line.

Click here to view a pdf version or our report card ( 2.0 MB). Printed copies are available at the CRCA Administration Office.

Past Studies

Recent and Current Projects

Studies and Mapping

Establishing levels along watercourses and valley lands is one of the first steps in producing floodplain and fill line mapping.

To manage and protect our natural resources, we need to know what is on the landscape. We do this by undertaking studies and developing mapping.

Because of the size and complexity of our jurisdiction, and because the environment is always changing, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Information about our most recent studies is available on this website. Please follow the links to the appropriate pages.

Floodplain mapping and copies of our older studies are available for viewing at the CRCA Administration Office. We recommend that you call ahead to make an appointment if you would like to view our mapping or reports.

Current and Recent Studies

Development can put a lot of stress on the natural environment, but this stress can be minimized through watershed planning. Watershed planning involves studying the condition of the natural environment within a watershed, developing measures and actions to maintain and improve the natural resources, and working cooperatively with municipalities, landowners and other interested parties.

Little Cataraqui Creek Floodplain Mapping Update

This was started in 2010 and is currently underway. The most recent version of floodplain mapping for Little Cataraqui Creek dates back to 1987 and there have been many changes to the landscape and development in the Kingston area. It is anticipated that this project will be completed by early 2012. Click here for more information.

Lake and Watershed Planning in the Cataraqui Region

This report was prepared for the CRCA by the Queen's School of Urban and Regional Planning. The purpose of the report was to research and evaluate the best land use planning and management practices to ensure the health of the nearly 200 lakes in the Cataraqui Region. The report was completed in 2008.

Central Cataraqui Region Natural Heritage Study

The City of Kingston, Loyalist Township and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority undertook a study to identify a system of natural features and areas. This included woodlands, wetlands and significant wildlife areas. The study, which was completed in 2006, contains recommendations on how the two municipalities can update their policies guiding new development to minimize its impact on the local natural heritage. The data collected will also be used for landowner stewardship initiatives. For more information about the study click here.

Napanee Natural Heritage Study

This study was prepared by CRCA and Quinte Conservation staff. The purpose of the first phase of the study was to undertake an inventory and assessment of the natural heritage features that would be applicable to land use planning, stewardship and restoration opportunities. The study, which was finished in 2005, completes one of the actions recommended in the Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The Natural Heritage Study was identified to assist with the protection of fish and wildlife habitats. Further information about this study will be available shortly on this website.

Millhaven Creek Pilot Project

Beginning in 2004, the CRCA, Ministry of Environment and Conservation Ontario conducted a pilot project to examine water flows and water taking permits in the Millhaven Creek system. It looked at various techniques on measuring water flow in the Millhaven Creek watershed, and on how much water can be taken from the creek system without causing any environmental problems. For more information about this study click here.

Western Cataraqui Region Groundwater Study

The rural areas of the western Cataraqui Region (Kingston, Loyalist, Greater Napanee and South Frontenac) rely mainly on groundwater for drinking water supplies. This study, completed in 2007, fournd that most of the groundwater in the study area was vulnerable to contamination. A combination of recommended measures will be used to protect the area's groundwater resources. For more information about this study click here.

Drinking Water Source Protection

Conservation authorities across Ontario are in the process of preparing source water protection plans that are focused mainly on protecting municipal drinking water supplies. This process is currently underway and is expected to continue until 2012. For more details about drinking water source protection click here.

Floodplain Mapping

The CRCA has undertaken floodplain or fill line mapping for many of the watercourses in our watershed. This mapping is used by our staff to identify areas which should not be developed, such as floodplain areas, erosion prone areas and wetlands. These maps are also used by municipalities in preparing official plans and zoning by-laws, which guide future development in their municipalities.

Completed Studies:

  • Hay Bay (1978)
  • Millhaven Creek - Lake Ontario to Odessa (1978-79) Remapped (1989); Ice Hazard Update (1999)
  • Millhaven Creek - Odessa to Sydenham (1989)
  • Collins Creek (1975, 1979)
  • Little Cataraqui Creek (1972, 1976) Remapped (1987) West Branch Remapped (2003)
  • Cataraqui River - Lake Ontario to Hwy. 401 (1976)
  • Pittsburgh Township - Sections of Butternut, Hartnett and Brewers Mills Creeks (1979)
  • Gananoque River (1985)
  • Lyn and Golden Creeks (1978)
  • Buells and Butler Creeks (1975) Remapped (1983) (1996)
  • St. Lawrence River-Lake Ontario Shoreline (1992, 1993, 2001)
  • Butternut Creek remapping (1994)

Studies in Progress:

  • Fill line mapping of various watercourses
  • Little Cataraqui Creek floodplain mapping update

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Resource Inventories

In order to determine the best way to manage lands owned by the CRCA, we undertake resource inventories of our own properties. Often this is done as the first stage in the preparation of a master plan or management plan for the property. In addition, preliminary inventories are often undertaken of properties that we are considering for acquisition.

Completed Inventories:

  • Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area (1982, 1983 & 1988)
  • Gould Lake Conservation Area (1983)
  • Lees Pond (1983)
  • Mac Johnson Wildlife Area (1982)
  • Parrott's Bay (1986)
  • Three Lakes Conservation Area (1989)
  • Clancy Property (1990)

Preliminary Inventories:

  • Queen's Acres (1984)
  • Lyn Valley Conservation Area (1984)
  • Lemoine Point Conservation Area (1984)
  • Marble Rock Conservation Area (1984)
  • Parrott's Bay (1986)
  • Larue Mills Forest Property (1987)
  • Bastard & South Burgess Forest Agreement Property (1987)
  • Eden Grove Forest Agreement Property (1987)
  • Property at Collins Creek (1991)

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Erosion Control and Flood Control Studies

Although our focus is on preventing problems, sometimes there are existing flooding or erosion problems that need to be corrected. Between 1984 and 1996 the CRCA undertook the following studies to determine the causes of local erosion and flooding problems and to identify possible solutions. Projects were then completed to fix the problems. These projects were funded through provincial programs that were in place at the time.

  • Delta/Mill Creek Erosion Control (1984)
  • Buells Detention Basin Erosion Control (1987)
  • Confederation Park (Gananoque) Erosion Control (1988)
  • City of Kingston Waterfront-MacDonald Park Erosion Control (1993)
  • Breakwater Park (1995)
  • City of Kingston/Public Utilities Commission Erosion Control (1995)
  • Litte Cataraqui Creek - East Branch Drainage Study (1986)
  • Highgate Creek Flood Control (1988)
  • Upper Highgate Creek Drainage Plan (1995)
  • Grass Creek Park Shoreline Plan (1996)
  • Upper Butlers Creek Drainage Plan (1996)

Other Studies

  • Pittsburgh Township Hazard Land Study (1979)
  • Gananoque River Management Study (1983)
  • Collins Watershed Study (1993)
  • Pittsburgh Township E.S.A. Study (1996)
  • Lemoine Point Conservation Area Master Plan (1999)
  • Phase 1- Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Waterfront Strategy for the Kingston Bioregion (1996)
  • Kingston Waterfront Stabilization Strategy (1997)
  • Cataraqui Trail Master Plan (2000)
  • Dam Assessment Study (2003)
  • Mac Johnson Wildlife Area Master Plan (2007)
  • Parrott's Bay Conservation Area Master Plan (in progress)

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Contact Us:
P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

©2011 Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority