kelso conservation area: study site investigation
DESCRIPTION
An environmental report regarding the interaction of the four spheres (atmosphere, biophere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere) at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, ON.TRANSCRIPT
KELSO CONSERVATION AREA
S T U DY S I T E I N V E S T I G AT I O N :F I N A L R E P O RT B Y K E L LY KO R N E T
E R S 3 1 5 : E n v i r o n m e n t a l G e o l o g y
P r o f e s s o r J o h n J o h n s t o n
A P R I L 2 0 1 3
1
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Kelso Conservation Area was established in 1960 on the Niag-
ara Escarpment in Milton, Ontario (GPS Coordinates 43.503,
-79.947). The 397 hectare park is recognized as a Regional
Environmentally Sensitive Area and includes 16 km of hiking and
mountain biking trails.1 At Kelso, visitors can enjoy the sites of
the natural landscape from the geologic formation of the es-
carpment to the ancient Eastern White Cedars, many up to 700
years old.2 The conservation area was created to manage water
resources through flood control. On site, a dam and reservoir
provide flood protection and regulate the Sixteen Mile Creek.1 In
addition, a 35-hectare man-made lake draws visitors to the site
during the summer and offers supervised swimming and kayaking.
Kelso Conservation Area owns and operates Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre within the park.3 Open seasonally,
Glen Eden offers 6 ski lifts with access to 14 slopes and a snow-tubing park.3 In addition, the Halton Region Museum Is
located in Kelso Conservation Area and houses 35,000 artifacts and several exhibits on Halton’s local history through
it’s 6 heritage buildings located on historic farmland.4
History
From 1836-1950 a section of the land was cultivated by four generations of farmers (the Alexanders from Scotland).5
Two 55 foot stone chimneys remain on site as artifacts of Christie Lime Kiln’s historic operations from 1903-1929.5
Stone draw kilns were used to create quicklime by heating limestone to temperatures between 1300 and 1800
degrees Fahrenheit and speeding the calcination process.6 The lime was utilized by the building industry as a binding
agent in mortar.6 Milton Quarries further utilized the natural resource of the Niagara Escarpment dolostone at Kelso
from 1969-2001.6 The company operated on the East side of the conser-
vation area, extracting aggregate from the escarpment to support urban
infrastructure in the GTA.6 In 2006, the Milton Limestone Quarry sold
71.09 hectares of land to Conservation Halton and the area is currently
undergoing rehabilitation, later to open as the Milton Quarry Park.7
View from Kelso Conservation Area outcrop looking NW. Taken June 15, 2012.
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
2
LAND USE
View from Kelso Conservation Area outcrop looking NW. Taken June 15, 2012.
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Directions to Kelso Conservation Area from University of Toronto Mississauga. Retrieved via Google Maps February 2013.
Kelso Conservation Area is currently utilized as a public park for out-
door activities such as hiking/biking, swimming, skiing/snowboarding,
kayaking, camping and rock-climbing. Within the park one can access
educational information on Halton’s local history and its diverse
environment
PROXIMITY TO SERVICES8
Kelso Conservation Area is located in close proximity to the city
of Milton. While there is no direct transit available to the park, the
Milton GO station is positioned at a 6.3 km distance. Both the Milton
Fire Station No. 1 and the Milton Home Hardware Building Centre are located 6.4 km from Kelso CA. Additionally, the
Halton Healthcare Services – Milton District Hospital and the 1 District – 12 Division Halton Regional Police Service are
located 8 km away.
DIRECTIONS TO UTM AND ACCESS8
Kelso Conservation area is about 32 km (driving distance) from the University of Toronto Mississauga at Mississauga Road
just Southwest of the 401 highway. From UTM, head northwest on Mississauga Rd toward Outer Circle Rd. Continue onto
Queen St S, then onto Mississauga Rd. Turn right onto Mississauga Rd/Regional Road 1 N5 then merge onto ON-401 W via
the ramp to London. Take exit 320 to merge onto Regional Road 25 N toward Halton Hills/Acton. Turn left onto No. 5 Sid-
eroad and continue onto Campbellville Rd. Turn
left onto Tremaine Rd/Regional Road 22. Turn
right onto Kelso Rd. Follow Kelso Road until
the main access gates (about 1-2 km). Additional
access points can be found at Steeles Avenue
West and Appleby Line.
Topographic map of Kelso and surrounding area featuring elevations and artificial infrastructure (quarry, buildings, rail and roadways). Natural Resources Canada Atlas of Canada, 2013.
3
Biosphere
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Left: view of Eastern white cedar at Kelso CA. Taken June 14, 2012. Right: endangered jefferson salamander. (Public Domain Photo)
The city of Milton, Ontario is located 17 km Northeast of Kelso Conservation Area and boasts a rapidly growing popula-
tion of 75,573. 9 There are no residential properties located within conservation area boundaries yet urban development is
steadily expanding towards the Conservation Halton parks. The vegetation classification of the park includes mixed wood
plains and Carolinian (deciduous) forest.10 In Halton Region, there are over 150 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and
amphibians, 60 species of fish and 800 species of flora.5 Kelso Conservation Area is the home of two unique species - 700
year old Eastern white cedars and the endangered jefferson salamander.2 Since 2008, Conservation Halton has been working
to protect endangered species through the development of the Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Program by collecting
information on species, ecosystems and changes to the environment over time.11 The Species At Risk designation is given to
plant and animal species that are threatened with extinction, extirpation or endangerment.12 Visitors can help by reporting
sightings of rare species (as designated by the Species at Risk in Ontario list) online through the Conservation Halton web-
site. Conservation Halton aims to increase awareness and knowledge of species at risk and encourage stewardship actions
to protect them.12
4
Atmosphere
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Climograph information (temperature left, precipitation right) from Toronto/Pearson Airport ~30 km E of Kelso CA.14
There are nine meteorology stations within a 25 km radius of Kelso Conservation Area. The closest station is located about
15 km Northeast at the Georgetown Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).13 Monthly data is available from 1962-2006
with initially sparse information and gaps until 1964.13 Daily data is currently available and has been fairly consistently mea-
sured from 1962-2006.13 Hourly data is unavailable.13 There are no meteorology stations within Kelso Conservation Area.
The unique topography and environment of the park will offer significant discrepancies from the data collected at George-
town WWTP. The closest climograph information can be retrieved from Toronto/Pearson Airport Station about 30 km East
of Kelso CA.14 At this distance, the information is not at all applicable to the conditions of Kelso Conservation Area as the
interference of Lake Ontario near Pearson will offer much different weather patterns than those of the Niagara Escarpment
at the park.
5
Lithosphere
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Kelso CA with elevation profile (be-low) at Niagara Escarpment cliff and bedrock exposures A) Kelso Quarry Park, B) quarry, C) sand and gravel pit D) dam and reservoir. Retrieved via Google Earth, March 21, 2013
Kelso CA demonstrates an 85-meter range in elevation with 243 m at the
shoreline of Kelso Lake and 328 m at the peak of the Niagara Escarpment
(maximum slope at 29.4%).15 Kelso CA contains soils of the luvisolic order
with both loamy soil and clay loam.16 Loamy soil features relatively equal
amounts of sand, silt, and clay; retains moisture and drain water efficiently.17
Clay loam consists of sand and silt with increased clay content and is imper-
meable with poor or imperfect draining.17 The bedrock formation beneath
the park is Phanerozoic in age and of sedimentary classification. Both the
Clinton-Cataract (sandstone, shale, siltstone) formation and Amabel (dolos-
tone) formation were formed in the lower Silurian from sedimentary depo-
sition beneath a warm shallow sea.18 To the East, bedrock consists of the
Queenston formation of shale, limestone, dolostone, and siltstone from the
Upper Ordovician.19 To the West, the Salina formation of limestone, dolos-
tone, shale, sandstone, gypsum, and salt dates back to the Upper Silurian.19 At
Kelso CA the bedrock is exposed at the Kelso Quarry Park (43°30’5.64”N
79°55’35.29”W), a bedrock quarry (43°30’25.23”N 79°56’23.58”W), a sand
and gravel pit (43°30’34.81”N 79°56’34.81”W), the Kelso Lake dam and reser-
voir (43°30’46.53”N 79°56’41.81”W) and at the Escarpment Trail which offers
a scenic lookout within the park.1,19 There is a significant range of surficial
geology within Kelso Conservation Area. As demonstrated by the above-men-
tioned exposures, Paleozoic bedrock from the early and middle Silurian (400
Ma) makes up a considerable amount of the surficial material as part of the
Niagara Escarpment.20 The park is located on the Milton Outlier, an isolated
portion of the Niagara Escarpment developed through the process of stream
erosion.1,5 The advance of glaciers carved out the present day landscape in the
park and the subsequent retreat resulted in the deposition of glacial deposits
from the Quaternary age (2 Ma – 12,000 years ago).20 These deposits include
ice-contact stratified deposits of sand and gravel, minor silt, clay and till and
glaciofluvial deposits of gravel from previous river systems.20 Within the past
12,000 years, Kelso CA includes organic deposits of peat, muck, and marl from
past wetland activity in addition to modern alluvial deposits from river activity
prior to stream augmentation.20
Organic Deposits - peat, muck, marl
Glaciofluvial Deposits river and delta gravelly deposits
Modern Alluvial Deposits clay, silt, sand, gravel
Ice-contact Stratified Deposits sand, gravel, silt, clay, and till
Paleozoic Bedrock
Till - clay to silt-textured till from glaciolacustrine
Approximate Conservation Area Boundary
SURFICIAL GEOLOGY
Early and Middle Silurian (400 Ma)
Quaternary Glacial Deposits (2 Ma - 12,000 ya)
Holocene Deposits (12,000 ya - Present)20
20
20
6
HYDROSPHERE
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Real time hydrograph from Oakville Creek at Milton (~3.5 km from Kelso CA) demonstrating discharge from 03/2012 - 03/2013.
*54 years of data (1957 - 2011) real time and sediment data available22
Kelso Conservation Area is located central SW of Great Lakes, 24 km from Lake Ontario. Within the park, a 35 hectare
man-made reservoir (Lake Kelso) was created for flood and erosion control of the Sixteen Mile Creek. The Sixteen Mile
Creek runs through Halton Region from the Niagara Escarpment in Milton through Oakville to Lake Ontario and covers
357 square kilometers of land.7 The Niagara escarpment crosses the northwestern region of the Sixteen Mile Creek wa-
tershed, which drains into Lake Ontario through Oakville. Within the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed, three reservoirs have
been created for flood control, flow augmentation and recreation.7 Some areas of the park are underlain by shale bedrock, a
material characterized by low permeability resulting in high quality groundwater.21 The groundwater drains from Northwest
to Southeast in the park and the recharge and movement rate is low.21 There are no available gauge stations within Kelso
Conservation Area that offer data on the Kelso Lake reservoir to the public. Real time hydrograph data is available about 3.5
km from Kelso CA from Oakville Creek at Milton.22 This gauge station demonstrates real time discharge rates from 1957 to
2013 and offers sediment data.22
7
Data Quality/Quantity
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
Information on the background and introduction to Kelso Conservation Area is sufficient in terms of both quantity and
quality. All of the information under this portion was up to date and readily available online. The history of Kelso Conserva-
tion Area can be demonstrated by an amalgamation of resources, yet a comprehensive guide to historic information with the
inclusion of specific locations, scale of activity, and time-frame would be valuable. Additionally, up-to-date information (per-
haps a blog) on the development and progress of the Milton Quarry Park could benefit current and future visitors of Kelso
CA. This information could potentially benefit Kelso CA by stirring up anticipation for and increasing park visitation with the
opening of the public park.
There was a great range in both quality and quantity on the four spheres of Kelso Conservation Area. While Statistics
Canada offers thorough information on the human population, it should be noted that the information regarding plant and
animal species is far from adequate. Few animal and plant species are specifically mentioned for Kelso CA and the only
available quantification of animal species covers the entire Region of Halton. It is unclear whether a study of all species
within Kelso CA has been executed, as the data is not made available to the public. Concerning the atmosphere of Kelso
Conservation Area, there are no meteorology stations within an adequate distance of the park. The meteorology information
made available is inapplicable to Kelso as variables in topography and vegetation would likely alter the data. Furthermore,
the closest climograph data is about 30 km from the park14 and is thus considered obsolete. There is a significant quantity of
publicly available information for the lithospheric component of Kelso CA. The data collected from the Ontario Geological
Society is very recent (Surficial Geology – 2010, Aggregate Resources – 2012, Bedrock Geology – 2009).23 However, there
could be a greater amount of access to the original sources of information used to create the OGSEarth files. One area of
the lithosphere with considerably poor quality information is that of the soil. As a surface feature, soil is prone to variations
in atmospheric activity and land use changes. The most recent soil survey dates back to 197116 and may or may not reflect
the current soil profile of Halton County. The hydrosphere component of the conservation area was sufficiently covered
in terms of general information and patterns, however, both park management and visitors alike could benefit from public
access to information provided by a gauge station at Kelso Lake.
Overall, the general information of Kelso Conservation Area is quite accessible to the public, yet the park could benefit by
further developing information within the park boundaries. It is recommended that both a meteorology and water gauge sta-
tion be introduced to Kelso CA in compliance with Environment Canada’s quality controlled standards24 and made accessible
to the public. Together, these tools could offer insightful information towards the effects of atmospheric conditions on flood
control of the Sixteen Mile Creek within Kelso CA.
8
Important Anthropogenic Issues at Kelso Conservation Area
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
1. Ski and Snowboard Operations
Conservation Halton has expressed a concern for best environmental practices towards the management of ski hill oper-
ations, incorporating the implementation of a sustainable slopes program in the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan.26 The anthropo-
genic forces of ski hill operations are likely causing physical weathering processes to the surface of the Niagara Escarpment
slope at Kelso Conservation Area over time as evidenced by various regions impacted by ski resort activity.27,28 Conserva-
tion Halton should pursue a thorough study of anthropogenic disturbances at Kelso CA with regards to the activity of Glen
Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre. Subsequent to retrieving data, park management should explore mitigation processes and
consider fully implementing the sustainable slopes program.
2. Rock Climbing and Conservation of Eastern white cedars
Rock-climbing may offer a great source of outdoor entertainment to visitors yet consistent human-activity can severely in-
crease the processes of weathering over-time. This activity can become an anthropogenic disturbance as wildlife habitats may
be at risk due to the alteration of ecosystems. In 1997, a study regarding the effects of rock climbing on the ancient eastern
white cedars of the Niagara escarpment was made public.29 According to the study, there was a “strong relationship between
the presence of rock climbing and the frequency of Type 3 (obvious human impact) damage to trees on cliff faces and edg-
es.”29 The park is home to several of the at-risk tree species, some up to 700 years old. Thus, protection of the eastern white
cedars at Kelso Conservation Area should be of great concern to Conservation Halton.
3. Stream Augmentation of Sixteen Mile Creek through Kelso Lake Reservoir
Monitoring of Kelso Lake water levels and ecosystems could offer valuable insight into the future of this reservoir and the
effects of stream augmentation on the natural environment. The water-dependent ecosystems within Kelso CA could be
studied to interpret the potential anthropogenic interferences to wildlife as a result of Sixteen Mile Creek mitigation. The
impacts of artificial dams on ecosystems are currently understood as “profound, complex, varied, multiple and mostly nega-
tive.”30 Kelso Conservation Area features a dam and reservoir which alters the natural discharge of the Sixteen Mile Creek
in order to protect the nearby city of Milton. As a result, stream augmentation alters the temperature and chemistry of the
water and modifies the sediments and nutrients.30 The direct effects of the Kelso Lake Reservoir on the natural environment
should be further studied in order to understand the extent of anthropogenic changes.
9
References
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
1. Conservation Halton. (2013). Kelso conservation area trail and facility guide. Retrieved from http://www.ontarioconservationareas.ca/
trail_maps/Halton/maps/kelso_map.pdf
2. Halton Region. (2012, 01 01). The natural setting. Retrieved from http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=8932
3. Conservation Halton. “Who We Are Glen Eden Skiing and Snowboarding - Kelso Conservation Area .” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7,
2013. http://gleneden.on.ca/glen-eden/who-we-are.
4. Halton Region. “A Brief History of the Halton Region Museum.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.halton.ca/cms/One.
aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=70857.
5. Halton Region Museum. (2011). Formation & development. Retrieved from http://jeffshome.halton.ca/escarpmentinhalton/formation-devel-
opment/
6. Halton Region, . “Jeff ’s Home - Halton Region.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.halton.ca/cms/One.aspx?por-
talId=8310&pageId=20302.
7. Conservation Halton. (n.d.). Parks and recreation: Kelso facts. Retrieved from http://www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1483 on
February 25, 2013
8. Information accessed via Google Maps. April 7, 2013. ©2013 Google.
9. Statistics Canada. 2012. Milton, Ontario (Code 0532) and Ontario (Code 35) (table). Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics Canada.
Catalogue no. 98-316-XWE. Ottawa. Released October 24, 2012. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011
/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed March 22, 2013).
10. Atlas of Canada. (2012). Canada’s terrestrial ecosystems [Web]. Retrieved from http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/assets/file/504
11. Conservation Halton. “What is Biodiversity, and why is it important?” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.conserva-
tionhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1590.
12. Conservation Halton. “Natural Environment - Overview.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.conservationhalton.
on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?maincategory=1&subCatID=777.
13. Forensic Engineering Inc. (n.d.). Ontario weather stations. Retrieved from http://www.forensiceng.ca/ontario-weather-stations.html
14. Weather Online Ltd. (2013). Climate - graph - Toronto Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.weatheronline.co.uk
15. Google, Inc. Elevation of Kelso Conservation Area. Generated by Kelly Kornet February 24, 2013; using Google Earth
16. Gillespie, J. E et al. Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food, (1971). Soils of Halton County (No. 43). Retrieved from Canada De-
partment of Agriculture website: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/surveys/on/on43/index.html
17. Lerner, B. R. (2000, 01 06). What is loam? Retrieved from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/loam.html
18. Google, Inc. Bedrock Geology of Kelso Conservation Area. Data retreived from OGS Earth Bedrock Geology at http://www.mndm.
gov.on.ca/en/minesandminerals/applications/ogsearth/bedrock-geology. Generated by Caitlin Hanley February 24, 2013; using Google Earth
19. Google, Inc. Data retrieved from OGS Earth Aggregate Resources at http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-andminerals/applications/
ogsearth/aggregate-resources February 24, 2013; using Google Earth.
10
References
Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s
20. Google, Inc. Surficial Geology of Kelso Conservation Area. Data retreived from OGS Earth Surficial Geology at http://www.mndm.gov.
on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/ogsearth/surficial-geology. Generated by Caitlin Hanley February 24, 2013; using Google Earth.
21. AMEC ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE. AMEC, “MILTON EDUCATIONAL VILLAGE LANDS SCOPED CHARACTERIZA-
TION AND BASELINE INVENTORY.” Last modified February 2012. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.milton.ca/en/build/resources/
MEV_Scoped_Characterization_Baseline_Inventory.pdf.
22. Environment Canada. (2012, 11 21). Graphical data - real - time hydrometric data. Retrieved from http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/
index_e.html
23. OGS. “OGSEarth.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/og-
searth.
24. Environment Canada. National Climate Data and Information Archive, “Frequently Asked Questions.” Last modified 2013. Accessed
April 7, 2013. http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/FAQ_e.html.
25. Sarah, Lowe, and Yundt Sherry . Aggregates and Roadbuilding, “Kelso Quarry Park.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 8, 2013. http://
www.rocktoroad.com/content/view/1032/.
26. Conservation Halton. Conservation Halton’s Strategic Plan 2009-2013 - Towards a Healthy Watershed (2009). Accessed April 7, 2013.
http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/uploads/Strategic%20Plan/Theme%202%20Parks.pdf
27. Ristic, R. et. al. Land Degradation at the Stara Planina Ski Resort. Environmental Management (2012) 49: 580-592. Accessed April 8,
2013. http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/tmp/2496528473317979769.pdf
28. Graydon, P.A. Stability considerations of the ski slopes in the blue mountains area of the Niagara escarpment (1975).
29. Kelly, P.E. and Larson, D. W. Effects of Rock Climbing on Populations of Presettlement Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) on
Cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Canada (1997). Conservation Biology 11, 1125-1132. http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.
utoronto.ca/tmp/1963971471133556706.pdf
30. World Commission on Dams Thematic Review – Environmental Issues II.1. Dams, Ecosystem Functions and Environmental Resto-
ration (2000). http://acad.carleton.edu/curricular/BIOL/classes/bio252/DamsReport.pdf