Duffins & Carruthers Creek Watersheds Issues & Challenges
There are pressures on the watersheds due to a growing economy and an expanding urban boundary. The plan ensures the resources in the watersheds are identified, protected and preserved.
Watershed Issues
- Keeping the watersheds healthy while accommodating growth
- Promoting tourism in the watersheds and protecting the resources upon which public use is based
- Improving water quality
- Minimizing flood and erosion risk
- Conserving the natural environment and biodiversity
- Conserving heritage and a sense of place
- Protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine within the headwaters in light of the new provincial legislation and conservation plan
A watershed plan for Duffins Creek and Caruthers Creek was completed in August 2003. This project was a three year effort involving local and regional municipal governments, watershed residents and non-government agencies. It is an example of emerging approaches for watershed management in Ontario, reflecting a continuum of advancements in adapting ecosystem and sustainability principles.
The Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek State of the Watershed Reports
Committed to developing a watershed management strategy for the Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek, TRCA formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in 1999. The TAC consisted of TRCA staff, scientists and experts who were familiar with state-of-the-art watershed methods and modeling techniques. The TAC examined groundwater, surface water, terrestrial and aquatic resource information, fisheries, climate change and land use planning and prepared two State of the Watershed Reports, one for Duffins Creek and one for Carruthers Creek.
These State of the Watershed reports provided the knowledge base which the Duffins Creek Task Force and the Carruthers Creek Task Force members used to prepare the Watershed Management Strategy. Questions related to the State of the Watershed Reports should be directed to Gary Bowen at gbowen@trca.on.ca
