Protecting Your Drinking Water During Winter

Tips for Safe and Sustainable Snow and Ice Management Ìý

It's that time of year again! Snow is falling, and with it comes icy roads and sidewalks. While road salt and snow plowing are essential for keeping our roads, parking lots, walkways, and driveways safe, the overuse and improper storage of road salt can pose a significant threat to drinking water quality. Fortunately, there are easy mitigation measures you can adopt to safeguard your water supply while maintaining safety this winter. Ìý

Why Road Salt is a Concern Ìý

Runoff from rain and melting snow that comes into contact with road salt can carry harmful chemicals into groundwater and surface water sources. These sources are critical for supplying clean drinking water to our communities. Excessive use of salt can increase chloride levels in water, which is harmful to aquatic ecosystems and can make water treatment more challenging and costly. Ìý

In recognition of these risks, the application and storage of road salt are regulated under Source Protection Plans established by the province's Clean Water Act, 2006. These plans are designed to protect sources of drinking water from potential contamination and to promote sustainable practices. Ìý

The Role of Winter Maintenance Contractors Ìý

One way to minimize the environmental impact of road salt is to hire certified winter maintenance contractors who follow best management practices for snow and ice control. Programs like Smart About Salt (smartaboutsalt.com) offer training to help contractors optimize their use of salt and snow plowing techniques, ensuring safe conditions while protecting the environment and drinking water sources. Ìý

By choosing contractors who prioritize sustainability, you're contributing to the broader effort to protect our natural water resources. Ìý

Tips for ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥owners: Safe and Eco-Friendly Ice Management Ìý

You can take steps in your own home to reduce the impact of winter maintenance on drinking water sources. Here are some simple yet effective tips: Ìý

1. Shovel Early and Often: Clear snow as soon as possible to prevent it from compacting and turning into ice. This reduces the need for salt and deicers. Ìý

1. Consider Alternative Deicers: Use eco-friendly deicing materials, such as those made with less sodium and chloride, to minimize their environmental impact. Ìý

1. Use Sand for Traction: Sand can improve traction on icy surfaces without introducing harmful chemicals to the environment. Ìý

1. Use Salt Sparingly: Remember, a little salt goes a long way! If you can see visible salt granules on the ground, you've likely used too much. Spread it thinly and evenly for maximum effectiveness. Ìý

1. Store Salt Properly: Keep road salt in a covered, dry area to prevent it from leaching into nearby soil and water sources. Ìý

A Shared Responsibility Ìý

Protecting drinking water during winter is a shared responsibility between municipalities, contractors, and individuals. By implementing sustainable practices and making small changes to how we manage snow and ice, we can all play a role in safeguarding this vital resource for future generations. Ìý

This winter let's keep our sidewalks safe, our roads clear, and our water clean. Together, we can enjoy the season responsibly while protecting the environment and the health of our communities! Ìý

Cold Weather Preparation at Pittock Conservation AreaÌýÌý

Staff at Pittock Conservation Area (PCA) have been busy since the end of the camping season preparing PCA for the winter months. There are several projects underway to get ready for the next season of camping.ÌýÌý

In an extension of last year's project, two additional sections of the aged underground water distribution system were replaced – from the PCA store to washroom and the Maple Crest section to Cedar Shores camping section. In total, 700 feet of new water lines were installed. Ìý

Colin and Andrew working on the new line

There will be a new 800 feet chip and dust gravel shoreline trail installed. This pathway will run from the newly installed landscape stairs that connect the campers pavilion to the canoe rental and lake access area. Campers will be able to enjoy the shoreline, unobstructed, with easy footing and rest spots.ÌýStaff will also continue the erosion work that was completed on the Maple Crest section in 2023. This work will extend from the Cedar Shores section to the second boat launch. Additionally, there will be secondary access stairs installed for PCA's watercraft rental program.Ìý

Rocks ready to be installed along the shoreline

Finally, there will be two new pavilions installed at PCA in partnership with the City of Woodstock. One will be located at Roth Park on the south shore of PCA and the second will be in the day-use area.ÌýÌý

Many thanks to our campers and staff for another great season! We're already looking forward to the 2025 camping season and the warmer temperatures that come with it!ÌýCamping reservations will be available for the 2025 season on February 1, 2025 at 8 am at Ìý

Thanks for a great season!

A Fun-filled Fall at Wildwood Nature SchoolÌý

Wildwood Nature School had a busy fall season this year. We extended our session from four to six weeks for maximum forest fun! Our smallest Nature School participants are our Falcons and Fledglings who had fun exploring the stream, dressing up for Halloween, running around like squirrels in the fall, and learning about local animals and what they do during the winter. On our final day together, we made a yummy snack by the fire and hand-fed the chickadees together. Ìý

Our older Nature School group is the Eagles. They spend some more time playing and learning new skills in the Spruce Grove and throughout Wildwood Conservation Area. This season, we made natural dye and built bridges out of logs! On their last day, they made Bannock over the fire and had their badge ceremony to congratulate everyone on this fall session!Ìý

We will be running Wildwood Nature School again in the spring of 2025. For more information, please visit the Nature School web page.Ìý

Lake St. Clair Conference 2024

In November Water Quality Specialist Craig Irwin represented the ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) at the 2024 Binational Lake St. Clair Conference. The conference represented 25 years of joint environmental management by the U.S. and Canada in the Lake St. Clair watershed. The Thames River has a direct impact on Lake St. Clair as it is the outlet of the river.Ìý

Craig presented UTRCA's involvement in collaboratively managing the Thames River using the (SWA), a watershed management strategy. The SWA involves First Nations, municipalities, Conservation Authorities, Federal and Provincial governments committed to a healthy and vital Thames River watershed, which will ultimately benefit Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. A goal of the SWA is balancing protection and restoration of the Thames River watershed while supporting economic and urban development. To achieve this common goal, all member of the SWA developed their own recommendations and action plans for implementation. UTRCA is implementing these actions with success through various programs including over 3,700 projects completed through the , collaborative water quality sampling with the City of London, and education with the UTRCA's .Ìý

Overall, the conference shared many success stories featuring great environmental and conservation work, while acknowledging there are still challenges and work to do. UTRCA will continue to do our part to improve the Thames River, Lake St.Clair, and the Great Lakes watershed.Ìý

Contact: Craig Irwin, Water Quality SpecialistÌý

2024 Field Surveying SeasonÌý

Borland Drain

The ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥'s (UTRCA) 2024 field surveying season is nearing its end as winter arrives. Beginning in early June, the team of surveyors used high-accuracy GPS to gather over 30,000 elevation points for the flood modelling team to use in building flood models. GPS points were collected from bank to bank across more than 150 kilometres of creeks and drains to better understand their shape, size, and depth. The surveyors also compiled data for 330 bridges and culverts to determine how much water could flow through or under them before flooding would occur.Ìý

When the City of London and surrounding areas experienced flooding in July of this year, the surveyors captured elevation points for the high-water levels to track flood heights for different storm events and to check existing flood models. Models are used to simulate different flows in a river and determine where flooding could occur so the opportunity to compare data from a real flood is valuable.ÌýÌý

The surveying crew this year included returning members Bailey Arnold and Kenny Tomljenovic, as well as two excellent new additions, Dolan Bohnert and Taryn Smit. The team persevered through tough field conditions, dense bush, mud, insects, and difficult weather while troubleshooting equipment to accurately gather this data. Their efforts are greatly appreciated!Ìý

Thank you Kenny, Taryn, Dolan, and Bailey! (left to right in image below)Ìý

More Experiential Programming Coming to the Museum of Ontario ArchaeologyÌýÌý

The ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) has recently partnered with the Museum of Ontario Archaeology (MOA)Ìýand Friends of Medway Creek thanks to funding from the City of London Community Grants Program! Over the next threeÌýyears, the UTRCA and Friends of Medway Creek will work with the MOA to expand the interpretive programming offered at the museum by providing in-classroom experiences, nature walks, and community events. Ìý

So far, in June of 2024, we hosted a free community event at the MOA that brought in 500 attendees and over 10 community partners to learn about our local environment, the Medway Creek, and more!Ìý

This fall, UTRCA education staff were invited to celebrate International Archaeology Day with a guided hike at Sifton Bog to explore the natural and cultural history of the bog. On November 21st, our staff visited the Museum and provided hands-on learning opportunities to 25 elementary students. Through this program, students learned about historic and present land use in our region and its impact on flooding in urban areas and participated in demonstrations to discover the journey of stormwater and how it impacts the Thames River. Students ended their time with an art project aimed to inspire others to help protect our local waterways and share their learning.Ìý

Stay tuned to learn more about the community events and nature walks that we will be providing in the coming years!Ìý

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Creating Wetland ScrapesÌý

Wetland scrapes are shallow ponds or temporary pools that are designed to hold rain and flood water seasonally, but become relatively dry for much of the year. Often created in floodplains or low areas with a high water table, they are constructed to mimic natural pools in open areas. They make a significant difference to wildlife, especially in agricultural areas, by providing breeding habitat for amphibians and a source of water for birds and mammals.

A wetland scrape under construction

These shallow depressions are usually less than one meter in depth, with both shallow and deep areas provided to increase habitat diversity. To enhance its value, a varied shoreline with spits and bays, and gently sloping edges is preferred. An uneven shoreline and broad, marshy areas around the wetland provides more edge habitat that is attractive to wildlife. They do not necessarily need to be large in size. Even small pools in the corner of a field are beneficial.Ìý

Despite their tendency to change between wet and dry, these temporary ponds support a wide range of aquatic life. They offer important habitat and refuge for amphibians, wading birds and small mammals, as well as insects and plants that provide food for these organisms. Scrapes also hold excess surface water to help reduce the risk of flooding.Ìý

American toad tadpoles start life in a shallow pond or wetland

Ideally, a scrape should hold water from March to late June, allowing water levels to naturally recede as the weather becomes hotter and drier. The drying conditions prevent fish from establishing. This provides a predator-free environment for tadpoles and many aquatic invertebrates to thrive. Eggs and tadpoles of toads, spring peepers and wood frogs develop rapidly and transform into juveniles in the few weeks before the pool dries out.ÌýÌý Ìý

ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) staff have assisted many landowners in the watershed to create scrapes on their farms, with the latest being at the Cade Tract. This scrape was created to enhance the fen-like features that exist on the property and is fed by natural springs or seeps. Landowners interested in creating a wetland can contact UTRCA staff.Ìý

Shallow wetlands are a nursery for baby toads in spring

Contact:ÌýBrenda Gallagher, Forestry Technician

Phosphorus Professional Development Day RecapÌý

On October 23rd, ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) Education and Stewardship staff hosted a Phosphorus Professional Development Day at the Watershed Conservation Centre (WCC) and Thorndale Demonstration Farm. This event brought together Specialist High Skill Major (SHSM) leads, Learning Coordinators, and rural educators to focus on phosphorus-related issues impacting the Thames River watershed and Lake Erie.Ìý

The day began at the WCC with an overview of the phosphorus issue, including its role in Lake Erie algal blooms and the importance of reducing runoff from agricultural and urban sources. Educators were introduced to UTRCA’s four-year project, funded by the Canada Water Agency, which supports phosphorus reduction through education and stewardship programming.Ìý

Participants then travelled to the Thorndale Demonstration Farm to observe agricultural practices and research aimed at reducing phosphorus loss. UTRCA Stewardship Specialists provided practical examples of fieldwork that can be connected to classroom learning.Ìý

The day concluded with a brainstorming workshop where educators discussed ways to incorporate phosphorus-focused content in their teaching. Feedback from the session will help shape future curriculum-linked resources and classroom activities.Ìý

This event was an important step in equipping educators to engage students in addressing a key environmental challenge in the watershed. UTRCA Education staff look forward to continuing this work and supporting phosphorus education initiatives.Ìý

Medway High School Students Stabilize Soil Along Medway Creek

Medway High School students joined staff from the ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ (UTRCA) to help establish a woody streambank along a 150-metre section of Medway Creek thanks to the Canada Water Agency's EcoAction Community Funding Program. Using shrub willow, cut and shaped into live stakes, the students hammered over 200 cuttings directly into the eroded bank.Ìý

Why Willow? Willow trees naturally combat erosion with strong root systems that stabilize soil along riverbanks and reduce flooding impacts. They also filter runoff, trapping sediments and absorbing excess nutrients to protect water quality and prevent algal blooms, supporting a healthier creek and ecosystem.Ìý

Thank you, Medway students!Ìý

Fantastic Fall with Fanshawe Nature School!Ìý

Let's celebrate fall! This is what the participants (ages 2-5 with caregivers) of Fanshawe Nature School were thinking and doing while immersing themselves in one of their favourite places to be – in nature!Ìý

Our fall session of Fanshawe Nature school was a delight from start to finish with our mornings filled with exploration, discovery and most importantly play!Ìý Highlights were helping the trees we planted in the spring by mulching and putting a rodent guard around them, painting our pumpkin rocks and feeding the chickadees!Ìý

We ended off our fall session by enjoying s'mores around the campfire, thinking about what adventures we will be up to in the spring of 2025! We left Fanshawe Nature School with full tummies, happy memories and time to think of all the ways we want to spend more time in nature with our friends at Fanshawe Nature School.Ìý

Contact:ÌýKim Gilbert, Community Education TechnicianÌý

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