Otonabee Conservation Offering Spring Water Awareness Program Resources to Help Keep Children Safe During Spring Melt

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Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer Spring Water Awareness children’s program (SWAP) resources for parents to help keep children safe during the spring melt.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with OPG to offer SWAP to local schools, helping children understand and recognize the dangers around creeks, streams and rivers during the spring.

The spring melt, also called the spring freshet, occurs this time of year when temperatures increase, melting snow and ice, causing water volume and flows to increase in local watercourses. At this time of year, it is important to remind children to stay clear and stay safe around dams, hydroelectric stations and waterways.

Otonabee Conservation staff will be delivering the SWAP program to many local schools over the next several weeks, and digital SWAP Activity Booklets are available for parents to download from the website to share with their children. The 11-page booklet includes colouring sheets, activities and worksheets that help children to understand the rules for being safe around watercourses. The OPG Kid’s Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe is also available for download.

“Fast flowing, cold, deep water, slippery streambanks and unsafe ice present real dangers for everyone this time of year,” says Meredith Carter, manager of Watershed Management Programs at Otonabee Conservation. “We would like parents to talk with their children about avoiding watercourses this time of year, especially if they are outdoors playing during the March Break.”

Children and youth should also be reminded to obey all cautionary signs around waterways and dams, and stay safe by playing with a friend, letting an adult know where they are going and when they will return and dressing properly for the weather.

For further resources, including and a short video by OPG, visit the website.

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Otonabee Conservation Launches 2023 Seedling Program Encouraging Landowners to Enhance Their Property With Trees

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Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2023 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change announced on Wednesday.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager.“Last year, 115 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted over 14,000 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately, 2.5 million kg of sequestered Carbon over the lifetime of these trees.”

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry and Buttonbush, along with some unique species such as Tulip Tree, Bitternut Hickory, and Serviceberry. The minimum order is 25 seedlings of a selected species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”

Pickups are scheduled for spring 2023 with an order deadline of March 20.

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Otonabee Conservation Celebrates Revitalization of Jackson Creek Trail

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Otonabee Conservation celebrated the completion of the Jackson Creek Trail revitalization project with an event at the trail’s East Trailhead on Saturday.

Eliza Braden-Taylor, Chief Keith Knott and Anne Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation at the new Jackson Creek Trail trailhead sign. Photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Over 60 community members, local interest groups, project engineers, contractors and delegates from various levels of government gathered for the celebratory ribbon-cutting event, where new trailhead and educational signs were unveiled.

These signs were developed in partnership with the Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre, and allow more visitors to safely access the trail. Community members, supporters and donors also participated in a birdwatching hike led by the Peterborough Field Naturalists. 

Revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail also included addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges and railings, resurfacing the length of the trail and the addition of benches.

This project was made possible with a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), with additional funding of $61,500 from Trans Canada Trail.

“We are grateful to our funders who have made this project possible and we are especially humbled by the response from the community, who has come together to support the revitalization of the beloved Jackson Creek Trail,” said Otonabee Conservation CAO/Secretary Treasurer Janette Loveys Smith.

The community also raised over $60,000 in donations through the Your Metres Matter and Close the Gap fundraising campaigns over the last two years.

The Close the Gap fundraising campaign remains active as Otonabee Conservation seeks to fill the remaining gap of $10,000 to complete the final aspects of the project.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the Otonabee Conservation website.

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Otonabee Conservation Issues Flood Watch to Peterborough and Surrounding Area Due to Warm Weather and Rainfall

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Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch to Peterborough and the surrounding area due to the warm temperatures, rainfall and melting snow throughout the holidays announced on Thursday.

The watch is for the municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills and ORCA’s other partners in flood emergency management according to Otonobee Conservation.

The flood watch is issued to alert municipalities, residents and businesses that floods are possible.

Parks Canada reports that they are managing water throughout the entire system.  Increased flows are entering the Kawartha Lakes that increase water levels and could result in the potential breakup of ice cover and ice jams. Starting Thursday, the flows on the Otonabee River will be increased to convey the excess water within the system.

Otonabee Conservation expects a return of cold air temperatures over the next week, in combination with a lack of ice cover and turbulent flows on the Otonabee River may result in the generation of frazil ice (a kind of slush ice formed by cold air temperatures and wind chill combine to cause the surface water temperature to be super-cooled) which can lead to flooding.

Residents and businesses along the shores of the Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes — especially those located in low-lying areas — are strongly encouraged by Otonobee Conservation to keep a close watch for frazil ice generation, accumulation, and jamming and to take action to limit or prevent damages due to potential flooding.

Water levels can be monitored online at:

The flood watch is expected to expire next Thursday unless stated otherwise.

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Peterborough and District Wapiti Metis Council and Otonabee Conservation Plant Trees to Rehabilitate Gravel Pit in Ennismore

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Volunteers from the Metis Nation of Ontario (Peterborough & District Wapiti Metis Council) planted 450 native trees with Otonabee Conservation at a gravel pit in the Township of Selwyn on Sunday.

A variety of native species were planted, including Eastern White Cedar, White Spruce, Tamarack and White Pine. These trees will enhance habitat and increase biodiversity as part of ongoing rehabilitation of a site currently used for aggregate extraction. 

“This is a really great opportunity for Metis citizens and families to collaborate with Otonabee Region Conservation Authority and the community” said Christa Lemelin, president of the Peterborough and District Wapiti Metis Council. “Many of our citizens live in urban areas outside of their traditional territories, so this is an opportunity for them to connect with the land, to give thanks for the important resources that this property once provided to this area, and to get their hands dirty to help rehabilitate the property for future generations.”

Students from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNCCDSB) planted 750 trees at the same site last week, bringing the total of trees planted at the gravel pit site to 4,556.

The tree plantings were funded by Tree Canada and One Tree Planted, in partnership with Otonabee Conservation and the Township of Selwyn.

“We are pleased to work together on efforts to rehabilitate and naturalize this site while also collectively contributing to climate change mitigation efforts in our watershed,” said Janette Loveys Smith, CAO/secretary-treasurer at Otonabee Conservation.

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Jackson Creek Trail Closed For Construction and Resurfacing

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Jackson Creek Trail/Trans Canada Trail is closed for construction and resurfacing and everyone is urged not to use it during this time announced by Otonabee Conservation.

File Photo.

The closure extends from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township in the west to the concrete bridge at the entrance to Jackson Park, in the City of Peterborough in the east.

Signs, detour maps and barricades are in place during its closure no access to the trail at this time. You can view the Jackson Creek Trail Closures and Detours Map online.

Large equipment is moving along the entire length of the trail and will include bridge deck and railing replacements and resurfacing the trail for the week of Nov. 14.

Photo courtesy of Otonobee Conservation.

Detours are in place with alternate routes using local roads, sidewalks, and multi-use trails that extend from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township, to Parkhill Road West and Monaghan Road in the City of Peterborough.

The revitalization of Jackson Creek Trail has been made possible with a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), with additional funding of over $60,000 from Trans Canada Trail.

The community has also raised over $40,000 in donations to revitalize the Jackson Creek Trail. However, $25,000 must still be raised to ensure benches, educational signage, trail markers and accessible wayfinding signs can be designed and installed once the trail bed is repaired and re-opens this December. Those wishing to donate can go online.

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Trees and Shrubbery Planted at New Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre

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Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation enhanced habitat at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre grounds with the planting of over 160 native trees and shrubbery on Thursday.

File photo.

Siemens Canada employees in Peterborough planted the native trees and shrubs in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre.

A variety of native species of trees and shrubs including White Spruce, Ninebark, Serviceberry, Red Osier Dogwood, White Pine and Pussy Willow will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the off-leash dog park and outdoor animal runs.

“The protection of our urban forests is as crucial as ever, and it is through partnerships such as these that we can positively influence the health of urban trees and the health of the communities that rely on them,” said Nicole Hurtubise, Tree Canada CEO. “Through the support of Siemens Canada and Otonabee Conservation, together we can grow better places to live for Canadians one tree at a time.”

For over a decade, Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation have collaborated to enhance the habitat around the watershed community in the City of Peterborough.

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. To date, with their community partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 84 million trees.

“Since 2010 Siemens employees have planted thousands of trees in the Peterborough area, and overall more than 16,000 trees across Canada,” said Ian Almond from Siemens Canada. “Helping to beautify the community we live and work in and contributing to a more sustainable future is an honour and we’re grateful to our partners who help make it happen.”

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Fall Reservoir Drawdown To Occur on Oct. 24; Indian River Shoreline Residents to Expect Change In Water Levels

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Otonabee Conservation is adjusting water levels along the Indian River on or after Oct. 24 by manually removing stop-logs announced on Thursday.

Otonabee Conservation employees, Bruce Flemons and Gordon Earle conduct fall dam operations by removing stop logs at Lang Dam in fall 2021. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The stop-logs are being removed at the following structures:

  • Hope Mill Dam

  • Lang Mill Dam

  • Warsaw Auxiliary Dam

During operations, shoreline residents can expect water levels to decrease above the dams; water levels and flows will increase below the dams. Water levels and flows will stabilize in the days following operations. In total, water levels will decrease by six to 12 inches in the reservoirs.

Property owners upstream and downstream from the Hope, Lang, and Warsaw Dams should ensure that all boats, floating docks, etc. are removed from the water before this reservoir drawdown begins.

The Hope, Lang, and Warsaw reservoirs will not be restored to their current water levels until after the Spring freshet which usually occurs before the May 24 holiday long-weekend.

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Local Students Install Rain Garden and Shrubbery at New Beavermead Campground Gatehouse

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Otonabee Conservation and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board students from the Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) program installed a rain garden at Beavermead Campground on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The garden was designed to capture runoff from the roof of the gatehouse, temporarily storing it in the garden during a storm event and slowly draining it away to reduce flooding, filter pollutants and channel runoff into the ground.

“This project will create a welcoming entrance to Beavermead Campground and highlight best practices for habitat enhancement and water conservation,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO and secretary-treasurer.

Over 100 native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers planted are to enhance habitat and increase biodiversity in the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

Purple coneflower, big bluestem, red osier dogwood and black-eyed Susan were chosen for this site to provide a habitat for pollinators. These plants are drought-tolerant and will require minimal maintenance and watering.

YLS students breaking ground to plant over 100 trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“In the face of the climate and biodiversity crisis, it’s so important that students have opportunities for hands-on activities like this where they are engaged in constructive, restorative, solutions-based work,” said Cam Douglas, teacher and YLS program coordinator.

The community is encouraged to visit the park and campground to see the native plant species and learn about the benefits of water conservation. 

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Upcoming Construction Closures Planned on Jackson Creek Trail and Trans Canada Trail For Upgrades

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The revitalization of Jackson Creek Trail and Trans Canada Trail is closing from Oct. 11 to Dec. 16 for revitalization and construction announced by Otonabee Conservation on Thursday.

File Photo.

Upgrades extend from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township in the west to the concrete bridge at the entrance to Jackson Park.

The trail may reopen earlier should the work be completed sooner according to Otonobee Conservation.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Construction includes addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges, resurfacing of the length of the trail and the addition of benches and educational signage.

During the closure, detours will be in place that will direct trail users to alternate routes using local roads, sidewalks, and multi-use trails that extend from Ackison Road in Selwyn Township, to Parkhill Road West, and Monaghan Road in the City of Peterborough.

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