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TRANSCRIPT
June 2019
Upper Poole Creek Restoration Plan
Based on Objectives of
the Upper Poole Creek
Subwatershed Study
Page 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Background of Upper Poole Creek .......................................................................................................................3
2.0 Review of Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Study Objectives ..........................................................................3
3.0 Upper Poole Creek Restoration Plan ....................................................................................................................5
3.1 Restoration Recommendations .....................................................................................................................5
4.0 Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................................7
4.1 City Stream Watch .......................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Invasive Species ...........................................................................................................................................8
5.0 Stormwater Management Strategy .......................................................................................................................9
5.1 Outreach and Education................................................................................................................................9
5.2 SWM Options for Arena Parking Lot ...........................................................................................................9
5.3 SWM Options for Strip Mall Ditch ............................................................................................................12
5.4 Summary.....................................................................................................................................................13
6.0 Benefits of Stream Restoration on Upper Poole Creek ......................................................................................14
6.1 Riparian Zone Planting ...............................................................................................................................14
6.2 Erosion ........................................................................................................................................................14
6.3 Removal of Blockages ................................................................................................................................14
6.4 Instream Structures .....................................................................................................................................14
6.5 Stormwater Management Strategies ...........................................................................................................14
6.6 Promote Public Awareness and Stewardship .............................................................................................15
7.0 Summary ............................................................................................................................................................15
Appendix A - Detailed Summary of Progress of Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Plan .......................................16
Appendix B - Site Descriptions ................................................................................................................................19
Site 1 .................................................................................................................................................................19
Site 2 .................................................................................................................................................................19
Site 3 .................................................................................................................................................................20
Site 4 .................................................................................................................................................................20
Site 5 .................................................................................................................................................................21
Site 6 .................................................................................................................................................................21
Site 7 .................................................................................................................................................................22
Site 8 .................................................................................................................................................................22
Site 9 .................................................................................................................................................................23
Site 10 ...............................................................................................................................................................23
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Site 11 ...............................................................................................................................................................24
Site 12 ...............................................................................................................................................................24
Appendix C – Stormwater Management Strategies and Calculations ......................................................................25
Swale and bioretention/rain garden at Johnny Leroux Arena Parking Lot .......................................................27
Enhanced Grass Swale at Strip Mall ................................................................................................................28
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Actions completed and not completed from the objectives of the Subwatershed Plan (2000) ....................4
Table 2. Recommendations to Restore Upper Poole Creek and Meet Subwatershed Study Goals ...........................5
Table 3: Description of monitoring activities at each site show in Figure 2 below. ..................................................7
Table A1. Progress of goals created in the Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Plan in May 2000, and outstanding
actions. ......................................................................................................................................................................16
Page 3
1.0 Background of Upper Poole Creek
Upper Poole Creek (UPC) is one of few cold or cool water streams in the City of Ottawa. Its headwaters originate
in the Upper Poole Creek Wetland Complex - a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW). The Upper Poole Creek
flows north-east through the Village of Stittsville and drains into the Carp River.
The temperature of the Upper Poole Creek fluctuates along its length changing from a warm water system at its
uppermost section into a cool water system as it flows through the Jonathan Pack Street area, remaining cool
from Main Street to the Amberwood Golf and Country Club; then returning to a warm water state from the golf
course until its confluence at the Carp River.
The Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Study (UPCSWS) was completed in May 2000 to identify potential impacts
of development pressure on the subwatershed.
The purpose of this report will be to review the original objectives of the UPCSWS and provide a work plan to
meet the restoration objectives set forth in the UPCSWS. This restoration plan deals specifically with the area
between West Ridge Drive and the pedestrian bridge located just downstream of Main Street in Stittsville.
2.0 Review of Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Study Objectives
The purpose of the UPCSWS was to acquire an understanding of the subwatershed in its entirety, and to prepare
a plan that would maintain and enhance a healthy ecosystem while development proceeds. Two overarching goals
were identified:
Goal 1: “The subwatershed plan is to seek to maintain a cold to cool water aquatic habitat. Continued presence of
the Mottled Sculpin shall be regarded as an indicator of this goal. The Brown Trout program will be continued for
its historic and symbolic value.”
Goal 2: “The subwatershed plan is to seek to extend the existing pathways to make a pedestrian connection
between Poole Creek and the upstream provincially significant wetlands. Opportunities to produce an interpretive
and educational experience should be investigated, while observing the constraints necessary to protect important
habitat and significant species.”
Not all of the objectives initiated by the Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Study have been completed to date.
Table 1 summarizes the completed and outstanding work. A detailed summary of the objectives of the
Subwatershed Plan can be found in Appendix A.
Page 4
Table 1. Actions completed and not completed from the objectives of the Subwatershed Plan (2000)
SWS Objective Agency
Involvement Has It Been Completed? Work Outstanding
Aquatic Strategy
Buffer and Riparian Plantings City, MVCA Yes - partial More plantings required - mowed
lawns
Instream Structures City, MVCA Yes No
Terrestrial Strategy
Invasive Species Pilot Project City, MVCA No
Invasive species still present in area
Results will be in the 2018 City
Stream Watch Poole Creek
Catchment Report
Wildlife Management City, MNRF Yes No
Monitoring Strategy
Indicator Species MVCA, MNRF Yes - partial Assessment needs to be completed
Fish Community MVCA Yes - partial
Need more sites with regular
monitoring – ongoing action, to be
updated through 2018 City Stream
Watch. Two UPC sites were sampled
in 2018.
Benthic Community MVCA Yes - partial
Need more sites with regular
monitoring. One UPC site was
sampled in 2018.
Water Quality and Stream
Temperature MVCA Yes - partial
Need more sites with regular
monitoring. One water quality site
and two water temperature sites
were monitored in 2018 in the UPC.
City Stream Watch MVCA Yes Initially completed in 2013. Stream Watch monitoring was expanded and updated in 2018.
Administrative
Volunteer Works MVCA Yes Ongoing action
Public Education City, MVCA Yes Ongoing action
Page 5
3.0 Upper Poole Creek Restoration Plan
Previous work by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) on UPC started in 2013 with the Upper Poole
Creek Restoration Plan performed for the stretch of UPC from West Ridge Drive to Stittsville Main Street based
on the objectives of the UPCSWS. This included mapping blockages, areas of erosion, areas needing riparian
plantings, and mapping other areas of concern along the creek.
This report is an update of the Restoration Plan performed in 2013. The following sections are recommendations
for how additional funding could be spent for the restoration and rehabilitation of the creek.
3.1 Restoration Recommendations
A full list of recommendations to enhance UPC is outlined in Table 2. This table was created based on an
assessment of work completed since the original UPCSWS (November 2013) and the UPC Restoration Plan
(December 2013). All of the sites were verified in field and assessed based on their contributions to Goal 1 of the
UPCSWS; maintaining a cold to cool water aquatic habitat. The location of each of these sites can be found in
Figure 1. A photo and a detailed description of each of the proposed sites can be found in Appendix B.
Table 2. Recommendations to Restore Upper Poole Creek and Meet Subwatershed Study Goals
Proposed
Site Main Concern Work Necessary
Is action an
Objective
of SWS?
Land
Ownership
Site 1 Small blockage (slowing flow) Area needs maintenance to improve
flow and reduce blockages Yes Public
Site 2 Shoreline erosion, trail too close to the
creek
Stabilize banks rock or
bioengineering Yes Public
Site 3 Small blockage (slowing flow) Area needs maintenance to improve
flow and reduce blockages Yes Public
Site 4 Erosion, fence falling into creek Stabilize banks with rock or
bioengineering Yes Private
Site 5 Shoreline erosion, trail too close to the
creek
Stabilize banks with rocks or
bioengineering Yes Public
Site 6 Blockage Area needs maintenance to improve
flow and reduce blockages Yes Public
Site 7 Blockage (severely impeding flow)
Beaver Dam
Area needs maintenance to improve
flow and reduce blockages, impeding
fish passage
Yes Public
Site 8 Lack of shoreline vegetation Needs planting enhancements Yes Private
Site 9 Blockage Area needs maintenance to improve
flow and reduce blockages Yes Public
Site 10 Lack of shoreline vegetation Needs planting enhancements Yes Private
Site 11 Lack of shoreline vegetation Needs planting enhancements Yes Private
Site 12 Blockage Large downed tree needs to have
sections blocking flow removed Yes Public
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Figure 1: Map of sites recommended for restoration as described in Table 2.
Along UPC, there is a section upstream of the pedestrian bridge at Stitt Street Park that has been diverted from
the existing channel into a manmade channel. It was observed that water was pooling over the banks. Sites 10
and 11 are along this section of the creek and have been identified for potential rehabilitation due to erosion. The
Restoration Plan from 2013 recommended channel realignment to bring the creek back to its original state;
however, this would be an expensive process. Instead, the current recommendation is to stabilize the shorelines
along the manmade channel to minimize erosion, specifically at Sites 10 and 11.
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4.0 Monitoring
4.1 City Stream Watch
City Stream Watch is an ongoing monitoring program that is performed approximately every five years based on
availability of funding. City Stream Watch is currently funded through grants and funding from the MVCA
Foundation. The last two City Stream Watch cycles for UPC were performed in 2009 and 2013. City Stream Watch
was completed for UPC in 2018. The benefits include better understanding of the aquatic and terrestrial
environment, community involvement in stewardship and restoration, and cost effective acquisition of data
through the mobilization of community volunteers. City Stream Watch assessed water temperature, shoreline
conditions, fish community, and will help with the restoration and rehabilitation of the creek and the shorelines.
Before 2018, the City of Ottawa and MVCA completed separate water chemistry monitoring programs within
Poole Creek, for a total of four sites being monitored. Water chemistry has been monitored monthly during the
ice-free season by MVCA at Jonathan Pack Street, while the City staff monitored water quality at Maple Grove
Road, Stittsville Main Street, and West Ridge Drive. Additional monitoring for water temperature and biological
communities composition have occurred on a multi-year rotational basis by both the City and MVCA. Figure 2
shows the locations of active monitoring sites in the UPC and Table 3 describes what is monitored at each site. To
date there has been little analysis of this data, which is important for monitoring the overall health of the creek.
In 2017, while MVCA continues monitoring at Jonathan Pack Street on a monthly basis, the City has changed the
mandate of their water quality monitoring crew and all biological sampling on Poole Creek has stopped. As of
2018 MVCA has adopted the City’s water chemistry sampling site at Maple Grove, and is maintaining the site at
Jonathan Pack Street. The two other City water chemistry sites (Stittsville Main Street and West Ridge Drive) have
been discontinued to reduce monitoring costs.
The implementation of a City Stream Watch Program in the UPC allows for an effective monitoring regime which
adds detail and context to the results collected by the water quality sampling program.
Table 3: Description of monitoring activities at each site show in Figure 2 below.
Site Number Water Chemistry Fish Sampling Benthic Sampling Temperature
1: Stittsville Main Historic by the City 2018 2018 2018
2: Beside the Arena 2017
3: Johnathan Pack St 2005 - Present
4: Westridge Drive Historic by the City 2018 2018
Page 8
Figure 2: Map of active MCVA monitoring sites in the Upper Poole Creek area as of 2018.
4.2 Invasive Species
During the field assessments for this plan, which were completed as part of the 2018 City Stream Watch visits to
Poole Creek, notes where taken on invasive species observed along the UPC. These include garlic mustard,
buckthorn, and wild parsnip. Most notably an invasive species called the multiflora rose was discovered along the
UPC trail near Alexander Grove Park. The multiflora rose is native to Asia and can grow in shade or sun, taking
habitat in open areas, forest edges, woodlands, savannahs, and prairies. This perennial, thorny, and scrambling
shrub forms dense, impenetrable thickets that limits access and use of recreational land by wildlife and humans.
Some of the impacts on the creek if the multiflora rose is not dealt with include; displacing native plants that are
essential for the creek, and decreasing biodiversity. It is recommended that every year the multiflora rose be cut
back until it can finally be removed from the site. This action will take 2-3 days over the summer and can be
completed by MVCA staff and volunteers.
The presence and extent of other invasive species directly adjacent to the creek was assessed as part of the 2018
City Stream Watch monitoring efforts.
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5.0 Stormwater Management Strategy
Stormwater management (SWM) strategies are used to mitigate the impacts of increased runoff and stormwater
pollution. The measures considered in this study manage runoff as close as possible to the source, minimizing
runoff and distribution with small scale structural practices that mimic natural or pre-development hydrology.
This is achieved through the processes of infiltration, evapotranspiration, harvesting, filtration, and detention of
stormwater.
5.1 Outreach and Education
The Upper Poole Creek Watershed Community Engagement project will be delivered by EnviroCentre in 2019.
EnviroCentre will prepare an outreach and engagement strategy to educate homeowners near Poole Creek on
stormwater issues and practical steps they can take to manage rainwater on their property as well as general
stewardship awareness.
The project will be broken down into three main areas:
1. Research and Planning
- Develop an outreach plan for community engagement in the targeted area (summer 2019)
2. Outreach and Education
- Development of educational materials to be distributed
- Oversee the logistics for any events, booths, or other engagement strategies as identified in the
outreach plan
3. Reporting and Evaluation
- Prepare and submit a summary report for the project and analyze data collected
5.2 SWM Options for Arena Parking Lot
There is opportunity for SWM practices to be implemented for the Johnny Leroux Arena parking lot. Currently,
there is just a grass strip (approximately 130 m) along the parking lot edge which slopes towards UPC. Below are
three possible SWM strategies that can be implemented along this stretch of grass.
Option 1: Bioretention or Rain Garden Facilities (preferred option)
The most effective and optimum SWM option for the parking lot edge is using a bioretention or rain garden.
Detailed information needs to be gathered from the site before choosing and designing the best possible option
(e.g., soil type and bed rock depth). Bioretention and rain garden facilities are amongst highly recommended Low
Impact Development (LID) retrofits that can enhance infiltration rate and reduce the TSS concentration for the
receiving water body (i.e., Poole Creek). The site should be graded (with a combination of grassed swale and
possibly filter strip) in a way to convey the runoff from the parking lot and the road to the SWM facility (adjacent
to the UPC trail entrance). The expected performance of Bioretention and Rain Garden facilities are as follows:
45-85% runoff volume reduction
Up to 90% of TSS removal with adequate pre-treatment
Up to 50% removal of Total Nitrogen (TN)
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Up to 90% removal of Total Phosphorus (TP)
Other than the above mentioned benefits of this option, it can also be an aesthetical improvement for the area.
An additional engineering assessment should be completed to review the feasibility of this SWM option, including
testing of the soil, determining the height of the water table and measuring depth of the bed rock. Figure 3 shows
the catchment area for the proposed location of the bioretention/raingarden facility. The total catchment area
has been calculated to be around 1.4 ha which consists of 0.83 ha pavement and 0.57 ha of vegetation (Figure 3).
The preliminary design, following STEP bioretention design workshop, suggests that around 430 m2 of footprint
for a bioretention with 1.5 m total depth (Figure 4) and 0.3 m of possible ponding is required. However, since the
mentioned method is considerably conservative, the flow has been calculated using the rational method as well
and the required foot print of the facility has shown to be around 206 m2, 273 m2 and 469 m2 for 2 year, 5 year
and 100 year events, respectively. The details of the mentioned calculations can be found in Appendix C. Based
on the preliminary design two separate sections of 35m × 5m (350 m2) are proposed (Figure 3) that can store more
than the calculated 5 year event (from rational method). Based on the SWM design guideline (MECP, 2003) an
overflow passage should be considered for larger storm events.
Figure 3: Catchment area for the bioretention facility at the Arena parking lot.
Page 11
Figure 4: A cross section of different layers of the proposed bioretention facility.
Option 2: Filter Strip
Another possible SWM option for the parking lot edge is a filter strip using a typical level spreader design,
consisting of a level spreader and planted vegetation. The level spreader creates a damming effect, which prevents
stormwater from entering the vegetation until the water level exceeds the height of the spreader. The level
spreader would be 2 m in width and would stretch along the length of the parking lot edge. The vegetation would
be a combination of the existing vegetation and additional plantings to filter out pollutants and promote
stormwater infiltration. It is recommended to plant shrubs in addition to the existing trees. A perforated pipe (100
mm) would be installed in the spreader berm to allow drainage of water trapped behind the berm. The pipe should
be wrapped in a filter sock to prevent native materials from infiltrating the pipe. The location of the pipe will be
dependent on the contractor, but it is expected that due to the sloping of the parking lot, that the pipe will be
located approximately in the middle of the filtration strip. As stated in the Draft Low Impact Development
Stormwater Management Manual (November 2008), the expected performance of the filtration strip is as follows:
25-50% runoff volume reduction
Low pollutant removal levels
Low maintenance
An additional engineering assessment should be completed to review the feasibility of this SWM option, including
testing of the soil and determining the height of the water table.
Option 3: Infiltration Trench
Another option for the parking lot edge is the implementation of an infiltration trench. A two metre wide trench
would be dug up along the 130 m edge of the parking lot and filled in with stones to infiltrate and hold the runoff
from the parking lot. As mentioned earlier, the MOE Guidelines recommend that the infiltration trench should be
1-2 m deep and filled in with 50 mm diameter clean stone. Non-woven filter fabric should be installed at the
interface of the trench and native soil to prevent clogging in the trench. As stated in the Draft Low Impact
Development Stormwater Management Manual (November 2008), the expected performance of a soakaway pit
(which is similar to an infiltration trench) is as follows:
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90% runoff volume reduction
High pollutant removal levels
Medium maintenance
An additional engineering assessment should be completed to review the feasibility of this SWM option, including
testing of the soil and determining the height of the water table.
Based on aesthetic aspects, higher pollution removal and less impactful construction, Option 1 of a
bioretention/rain garden facility is the recommended option for SWM of the arena parking lot.
5.3 SWM Options for Strip Mall Ditch
There is opportunity for SWM practices to be implemented for the existing ditch next to the strip mall, which is
located just off of Stittsville Main Street. The ditch is 65 m long, shallow and collects runoff from both the strip
mall and its parking lot, which then outlets directly to UPC via a culvert. There are two options to improve the
SWM for this ditch.
Option 1: Infiltration Trench
The first option is the construction of an infiltration trench in the existing ditch. The trench will follow the same
design as the infiltration trench discussed earlier, by being dug 1-2 m and being filled in with 50 mm clear stone,
as per the MOE Guidelines. There are two curb outlets along the parking lot curb where either riprap or a
vegetation strip could be installed as a pre-treatment for the infiltration trench. As stated in the Draft Low Impact
Development Stormwater Management Manual (November 2008), the expected performance of a soakaway pit
(which is similar to an infiltration trench) is as follows:
90% runoff volume reduction
High pollutant removal levels
Medium maintenance
An additional engineering assessment should be completed to review the feasibility of this SWM option, including
testing of the soil and determining the height of the water table.
Option 2: Enhanced Grass Swale (preferred)
The second option for the existing ditch is an enhanced grass swale with two check dams that would temporarily
pond runoff to increase pollutant retention and infiltration and decrease flow velocity. The recommendation is to
put riprap at both of the curb outlets and at the top of the ditch slope, to act as a pre-treatment. A check dam
would then be installed downstream of each of the curb outlets (2 outlets, 2 dams). The first curb outlet is
approximately 13 m from the outlet culvert (culvert is at the edge of the parking lot along Stittsville Street and
Warner-Colpitts Lane intersection) and the second curb outlet is 46 m from the outlet culvert. The check dams
Page 13
should be constructed of non-erosive material, such as wood, riprap, or concrete and then the dams should be
underlain with filter fabric. As stated in the Draft Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Manual
(November 2008), the expected performance of a grass channel (which is similar to an enhanced grass swale) is
as follows:
10-20% runoff volume reduction
Low pollutant removal
Low maintenance
An additional engineering assessment should be completed to review the feasibility of this SWM option, including
testing of the soil and determining the height of the water table.
Based on lower cost, lower maintenance, and less impactful construction, Option 2 of an enhanced grass swale
with check dams is the recommended option for SWM of the strip mall and its parking lot.
It should be noted that where the culvert outlets to the creek, there is a small trench that is lined with rock. When
on site, there was some erosion noticed in the trench. This is not a priority site for UPC, but if work along the ditch
is to be done, then possible enhancements to the trench could be done at the same time to help minimize the
erosion impacts.
5.4 Summary
The Upper Poole Creek Watershed Community Engagement project will educate homeowners in the Stittsville
area on stormwater issues and provide an opportunity to collect and analyze information from the project. SWM
options and locations were investigated for UPC, including the Independent Grocer on Stittsville Main Street.
However, the bioretention/rain garden and the enhanced grass swale were determined to be the most effective
SWM practices for UPC given the current stormwater management and development in the UPC area.
To summarize, the following SWM options are recommended as priorities for different locations:
Bioretention/rain garden facility for the arena parking lot
Enhanced grass swale with check dams for the strip mall and its parking lot
A map highlighting the location of SWM for the arena parking lot, and the strip mall and parking lot can be found
in Appendix C. Photos of the existing condition of the location of the two proposed SWM options can also be
found in Appendix C.
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6.0 Benefits of Stream Restoration on Upper Poole Creek
6.1 Riparian Zone Planting
The vegetative communities that make up the riparian zone directly influence the aquatic habitat and water
quality of the stream. Riparian zones filter sediments and nutrients, stabilize stream banks, slow runoff and
provide wildlife habitat. The areas targeted for restoration lack vegetated riparian zones, leaving the creek
unprotected and vulnerable to degradation. The planting of mixed, diverse native species along the shorelines of
these targeted areas would positively impact the creek.
6.2 Erosion
Stream bank erosion causes an increase in the sedimentation, which can negatively impact the aquatic habitat.
Areas that need extensive work to prevent further bank erosion have been identified. The targeted areas are along
the trail’s path and in landowner’s backyards. Landowner education will help minimize erosion and limit further
damage to properties.
6.3 Removal of Blockages
The removal of beaver dams, fallen trees, large woody debris, garbage, and man-made obstructions (such as
bridges) will help improve the flow of the water in the creek. Obstructions limit baseflow in the creek allowing
water to pool and remain stagnant. Areas with these blockages and little overhead cover cause the water to warm
which could result in excessive algal growth. Large blockages requiring extensive work to be removed have been
identified. There are other sections along the creek with partial blockages that are not impeding flow but could
be removed. These partial blockages can be removed as part of a stream clean-up day.
6.4 Instream Structures
Two lunker structures (cedar boxes placed underwater to enhance habitat for fish) currently exist in Upper Poole
Creek and provide a shaded refuge for fish. Leaving a downed tree root wad and strategically placing woody
debris to provide more cover and habitat is an additional recommendation for UPC. A third lunker box will be
considered for installation in the area behind the arena.
6.5 Stormwater Management Strategies
The implementation of additional stormwater management practices will decrease runoff and stormwater
pollution into UPC. The practices considered in this study will not have a significant impact on the current
development along the creek. Minimizing runoff will reduce the volume and intensity of the stormwater flows to
help the creek maintain its cold to cool water temperature. Additionally, infiltration will remove the nutrients,
pathogens, and metals from runoff before it enters into the creek.
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6.6 Promote Public Awareness and Stewardship
Poole Creek is a cool water system. There has been significant investment over the past years to maintain and
enhance this reach of Poole Creek. There has been substantial development and intensification within the
catchment area of UPC. With the help of EnviroCentre, an outreach and engagement strategy will be developed
to educate local landowners on stormwater issues as well as general stewardship awareness. Involving the public
and other agencies will assist in promoting good stewardship practices and maintaining water quality.
7.0 Summary
There is concern that this section of the creek experiences poor water quality and constant changes in habitat
availability for fish and other organisms. The monitoring data collected through the 2018 City Stream Watch
monitoring program will be analyzed and a catchment report will be written in 2019 to assist in addressing these
issues.
Pending the results and recommendations from the Catchment Report, seven actions have been identified to
improve water quality and habitat in the UPC:
Complete several visits with the City Stream Watch program and use results to update targets for
enhancement
Enhancing riparian zones
Stabilizing shorelines
Removing blockages
Implementing strategic erosion control
Implementing Stormwater Management strategies
The successful completion of the actions will help UPC:
Maintain its cold to cool water temperature
Support a diverse aquatic habitat
Provide better flood and erosion control
Improve fish habitat
Improve water flow
Provide effective monitoring, restoration, and rehabilitation of the creek
Manage runoff into the creek
These combined actions will meet the goals outlined in the UPCSWS.
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Appendix A - Detailed Summary of Progress of Upper Poole Creek
Subwatershed Plan
Table A1. Progress of goals created in the Upper Poole Creek Subwatershed Plan in May 2000, and
outstanding actions.
Agency
Involvement Has this Action Been
Completed? Work Outstanding
AQUATIC STRATEGY
Buffer and Riparian Plantings (development of tree and shrub cover along the watercourse)
MVCA, City, Private
YES YES
1. An open field area is located immediately downstream of Jonathan Pack Road and represents the area with the least overhead canopy cover
The City and MVCA completed riparian plantings here.
NO
2. Plantings in the buffer, which is being dedicated as part of the West Ridge Development
YES NO
3. Plantings along the trail Some Needs more work, need to limit cutting grass so far beyond trails
4. Plantings on east side of the creek (if permission is received from adjacent landowners)
Some Needs more work, lots of empty spaces lacking cover
5. Remediation - planting of herbaceous cover and shrubs along the banks for 5-10 m upstream and downstream of existing lunker
YES NO
6. Grass cutting should not extend right up to the watercourse, but should stop a minimum of 1 m away from top of bank
NO Ongoing – Outreach and education with private landowners
Instream Structures (create habitat in areas that are deficient in the cold water section)
MVCA, City, MNRF
YES YES
1. Implementation of 3 lunkers MVCA implemented 2 lunkers.
N/A
2. Implementation of 6 point bars
External company implemented two point bars downstream of Main St.
N/A
3. Remediation - modify or eliminate the riffles (wooden weirs should be removed)
Weirs and riffles were modified/eliminated. Two rock vortex weirs and one wooden weir were installed by an external company.
N/A
Fish Community MNRF YES YES
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Agency
Involvement Has this Action Been
Completed? Work Outstanding
1. Stocking of Upper Poole Creek with Brown Trout (MNRF) program
MNRF typically stock 500 Brown Trout into Poole Creek every year.
MNRF did not have the stock available for 2018 but they do plan to stock it again in 2019.
TERRESTRIAL STRATEGY
Invasive Species Pilot Project
City, MVCA
NO YES
1. Pilot project establishment: monitor the effectiveness of different measures to control buckthorn, garlic mustard, multiflora rose, and wild parsnip
No action done (March 2005)
Invasive species still present in this area – was assessed during City Stream Watch 2018 and work will be undertaken in 2019.
Wildlife Management
City, MNRF
YES NO
1. Implementation of programs aimed at controlling beaver activity in the reaches below the Upper Poole Creek wetland
The City has taken action to control beaver activity along Poole Creek between Main St. and Jonathan Pack St. (March 2005). MVCA hired external company to remove beaver and dam a few years ago.
NO
MONITORING STRATEGY
Indicator Species
City, MVCA
YES YES
1. Monitoring program to assess the abundance or location of the Mottled Sculpin (ex. Location of the species and quality of habitats that are currently utilized, presence/absence of the species, specific habitats available that are not currently being utilized)
A monitoring project will be developed. Fish, benthic invertebrates, water quality and water temperature parameters monitored after habitat improvement project is implemented to see if there was benefits (2005).
Needs improvements, only the species types and abundances are monitored at three sites. Fish habitat quality and utilization has not been a focus of current studies. No current assessments over time.
Fish Community
City, MVCA
YES YES
1. The overall fish community should be monitored to determine if there have been any changes in terms of composition, numbers and habitat utilization
The City of Ottawa’s Water Environment Protection Program (WEPP) has prepared a monitoring strategy to assess the effectiveness of the aquatic habitat improvements being carried out on Poole Creek downstream of Main St. in Stittsville. Fish community is monitored at one site (Main St.) every year. In 2006 and 2007, the lunker structures
No assessment of whether fish communities have changed over time (important to know for restoration), fish community should be monitored at several spots in Upper Poole Creek.
Page 18
Agency
Involvement Has this Action Been
Completed? Work Outstanding
were checked to see the utilization.
Benthic Community
City, MVCA
YES YES
1. Implementation of a benthic monitoring program (OSAP or Biomap) to effectively monitor water quality
The City's WEPP undertook benthic monitoring as part of their fisheries/water quality program for Poole Creek in 2001. Monitored the benthic community at Main Street every year until 2016.
Need more regular monitoring at multiple locations of creek. Only 1 site in the UPC was monitored in 2018.
Water Quality and Stream Temperature
City
YES YES
1. Implementation of water quality and stream temperature monitoring program
Monitoring in Poole Creek, downstream from the stormwater management pond outlet is required by developers as conditions of approval.
There is one site in Upper Poole Creek where the City monitored monthly water quality and daily temperature (Stittsville Main Street). MVCA maintains a monthly water quality monitoring site at Jonathan Pack Street, and deployed two temperature loggers in 2018 (at Stittsville Main St, and Westridge Drive). More sites should be monitored more regularly.
2. Region should report on trends and observations on an annual basis, or if this is not possible, then the data should be assessed at about 5 year intervals
The City's WEPP monitored one baseline site (Main St.) in Poole Creek on a monthly basis until 2016.
Need more monitoring at multiple locations, and need assessment of changes over time.
3. City Stream Watch (CSW) stream condition monitoring protocol
MVCA
YES. CSW has been completed on Poole Creek to varying degrees three times (2009, 2013, and the most extensive 2018).
YES. The CSW program will continue to visit Poole Creek on a 5-year rotation.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Volunteer Works MCVA (Technical
Support), City (Liaison)
YES Volunteers have helped monitor (City Stream Watch), helped plant shorelines and remove garbage.
YES This needs to be ongoing
Public Education MVCA (all)
YES Signage has been put into place to promote creek protection.
YES This needs to be checked regularly as signage is prone to vandalism.
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Appendix B - Site Descriptions
The priority areas were chosen based on initiatives that could be completed immediately to improve water quality
and fish habitat and to maintain a cold to cool water creek. All proposed actions attempt to minimize any
environmental impacts to the creek and adjacent lands. Most of the actions can be completed by staff and
volunteers; very few require additional resources.
Site 1
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to improve flow and reduce blockages.
Issues: Blockages in water are impeding flow of water.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Hesse Crescent)
Plan: Remove blockages.
Action: The blockages will be removed; any woody debris removed will be placed along shoreline (to contribute
to habitat).
Site 2
This site is City of Ottawa-owned. It requires maintenance to stabilize the shorelines and minimize the erosion.
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Issues: Pedestrian Trail along the south bank is too close to the water and is eroding the stream banks.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Hesse Crescent)
Plan: Potential to stabilize the banks with rock or a bioengineering solution.
Action: Eroding shoreline downstream of Main Street that needs to be stabilized. Access is easy for this site
because it is right along the trail. Area has dense shade and establishing plantings will be challenging.
Site 3
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to improve flow and reduce blockages.
Issues: Blockages in water are impeding flow of water.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Hesse Crescent)
Plan: Remove blockages.
Action: The blockages will be removed; any woody debris removed will be placed along shoreline (to contribute
to habitat).
Site 4
This site is a City of Ottawa owned (former Township of Goulbourn) property that is maintained by adjacent private
landowners. The landowners need to be contacted and informed of the purpose of the project.
Issues: Fence retaining rubble is falling into the creek and there is a lack of shoreline vegetation.
Plan: Contact landowners and discuss potential work that could enhance their shoreline.
Action: There is the opportunity for potential work to be completed for this property’s shoreline. The type of work
will be dependent upon the response of the landowner.
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Site 5
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to stabilize the shorelines and minimize the erosion.
Issues: Pedestrian Trail is too close to the water, causing erosion.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Hesse Crescent)
Plan: Potential to stabilize the banks with riprap or a bioengineering solution.
Action: There is approximately 10 m of eroding shoreline upstream of Main Street that may need to be stabilized
with riprap by an external company. Access is fairly easy for this site because it is right along the trail. Area has
dense shade and establishing plantings will be challenging.
Site 6
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to improve flow and reduce blockages.
Issues: Blockages in water are impeding flow of water.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Jonathan Pack)
Plan: Remove blockages.
Action: The blockages will be removed; any woody debris removed will be placed along shoreline (to contribute
to habitat).
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Site 7
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to improve flow and reduce blockages. Beaver Dam.
Issues: Blockages in water are impeding flow of water.
Access: Trail (stretch from Main Street to Jonathan Pack)
Plan: Remove blockages. No new feed bed visible.
Action: The blockages will be removed; any woody debris removed will be placed along shoreline (to contribute
to habitat).
Site 8
This site was specifically outlined in the UPCSWS. This site is a City of Ottawa owned property that is maintained
by adjacent private landowners. The landowners need to be contacted and informed of the purpose of the project.
Issues: Property lawn is mowed to water’s edge; minimal riparian zone; no overhead cover.
Plan: To create a 3 - 4.5 m riparian zone from the water’s edge.
Action: Plant partial sun tolerant, native shrubs with deep roots to stabilize the banks and enhance the riparian
zone along a 40 m stretch. Red Osier Dogwood, Sandbar Willow, Staghorn Sumac, Pussy Willow, Nannyberry and
Highbush Cranberry may be planted 1.5 m apart in 2 - 3 staggered rows.
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Site 9
This site is City of Ottawa owned. It requires maintenance to improve flow and reduce blockages.
Issues: Blockages in water are impeding flow of water.
Plan: Remove blockages.
Action: The blockages will be removed; any woody debris removed will be placed along shoreline (to contribute
to habitat).
Site 10
This site is City of Ottawa owned. This is where the creek has been diverted to create a man-made channel.
Issues: Lawn is mowed to the edge and the shoreline is eroding.
Plan: Contact landowner and discuss potential work that could enhance their shoreline.
Action: There is the opportunity for potential work to be done for this property’s shoreline. The type of work will
be dependent upon the response of the landowner.
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Site 11
This site is a City of Ottawa owned (former Township of Goulbourn) property that is maintained by private
landowners. The landowners need to be contacted and informed of the purpose of the project.
Issues: Landowner’s garden is stretched close to the bank. The bank has destabilized and is eroding into the
creek. Gardening and clearing efforts have extended to opposite bank, accessed by a foot bridge.
Plan: Contact landowner and discuss potential work that could enhance their shoreline.
Action: There is the opportunity for potential work to be done for this property’s shoreline. The type of work will
be dependent upon the response of the landowner.
Site 12
This site is City of Ottawa owned (former Township of Goulbourn). Maintenance is required to remove blockages.
Issues: Downed tree is blocking flow of water.
Access: Trail (stretch between Stitt Street and West Ridge Drive)
Plan: Remove sections of tree that are blocking flow.
Action: There is a point where this downed tree splits into three smaller sections; the three sections can be cut
off (so that they are no longer blocking the flow of the creek) and the main trunk and root wad can remain where
they are (as they provide cover and habitat for the fish, armour the stream bank and deflect flow). The sections
that are cut off can be placed strategically in nearby areas of the creek to add habitat and refuge for organisms.
In the future, if a full inventory of plant species is completed in this area, you could selectively harvest some of
the cedar trees and plant shrubs and other species of trees to enhance the riparian zone and improve erosion
control.
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Appendix C – Stormwater Management Strategies and Calculations
Rational Method Flow:
a) Area and Run-off coefficient
Total Area (m2) TA (ha)
13741.07138 1.37411 A (ha) C
Asphalt 0.828081186 0.8 C total
Vegetation 0.546025952 0.1 0.521843
b) Calculating Time of Concertation
Length (m) slope % Tc (min) Bransby-Williams Formula
150 2 7.21
c) Flow and Required storage (City of Ottawa IDF curves)
Flow (L/s) V (m3)
2YR 178.4345 77.19481
5YR 240.1887 103.9111
100YR 416.4365 180.1599
Required Storage:
2 yr I (mm/hr) Q (L/s) V (m3)
5 103.57138 206.46413 61.93924
10 76.805 153.10676 91.86405
15 61.767424 123.13013 110.8171
20 52.031258 103.72159 124.4659
25 45.166974 90.038004 135.057
30 40.043379 79.824385 143.6839
35 36.059254 71.882239 150.9527
40 32.864161 65.512989 157.2312
45 30.239398 60.280661 162.7578
50 28.041083 55.898435 167.6953
55 26.170501 52.169527 172.1594
60 24.557564 48.954221 176.2352
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5 yr I (mm/hr) Q (L/s) V (m3)
5 139.764 278.6122 83.58367
10 103.1491 205.6223 123.3734
15 82.72001 164.898 148.4082
20 69.54725 138.6388 166.3666
25 60.28591 120.1768 180.2652
30 53.38729 106.4248 191.5646
35 48.03142 95.74812 201.0711
40 43.74175 87.1969 209.2726
45 40.22155 80.17957 216.4848
50 37.27595 74.30765 222.923
55 34.77144 69.31504 228.7396
60 32.61337 65.01304 234.0469
100 yr I (mm/hr) Q (L/s) V (m3)
5 242.7039 483.8175 145.1452
10 178.559 355.9481 213.5689
15 142.8942 284.8521 256.3669
20 119.9504 239.1149 286.9379
25 103.8471 207.0137 310.5206
30 91.86819 183.1344 329.642
35 82.57856 164.6161 345.6937
40 75.14531 149.7982 359.5158
45 69.05043 137.6484 371.6507
50 63.95411 127.4892 382.4675
55 59.62378 118.8569 392.2277
60 55.89463 111.423 401.1229
STEP work shop method required storage:
27 mm for City of Ottawa (from MOECC Runoff volume control targets for Ontario)
V=A*0.027= 371.01 m3
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Bioretention Storage capacity calculation and footprint based on different methods:
Depth (m) Poro Storage Rational
Ponding 0.3 1 0.3 Required V (m3) A (m2)
Mulch 0.1 0.7 0.07 2yr 176.2351963 206.123
Filter Media 0.75 0.3 0.225 5yr 234.0469477 273.7391
Choker 0.1 0.4 0.04 100yr 401.1229062 469.1496
Storage 0.55 0.4 0.22 STEP Total 1.8 0.855 Required V (m3) A (m2)
371.0089272 433.9286
Bioretention layers is Based on Figure 4
Swale and bioretention/rain garden at Johnny Leroux Arena Parking Lot
The images below show the possible location of the swale that will convey the runoff toward the proposed
bioretention/rain garden facility near the pathway to the UPC trail.
View along north of roadway looking west.
View along north of roadway looking west (with the possible location of the SWM facility near the pathway)
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View along north of roadway looking east.
Enhanced Grass Swale at Strip Mall
The images below are of the existing ditch next to the strip mall and its parking lot, where an enhanced grass
swale could be installed. The ditch is on City of Ottawa owned lands. The culvert outlets directly to UPC.
View along south of roadway looking west.
View along south of roadway looking east.