Watershed Health

Stream Flow Monitoring

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority monitors stream flow, rainfall and other meteorological information at locations across the watershed. The information is transmitted from each station to the NPCA’s Head Office in Welland, Ontario, in near-real time where it is monitored and analyzed. The data gives us an up to date picture of the conditions within the watershed and allows us to develop a deeper understanding of the fluxes and behaviour of the systems.

Please note that our Watershed Explorer map below is currently out of service. We are working diligently to get it back up and running. In the meantime, please click here for the latest Stream Flow Monitoring updates.

Water Quality Monitoring

Since 2001, the NPCA has developed an extensive water quality monitoring program for the Niagara Peninsula Watershed. Both surface water from our local watercourses and groundwater from our significant aquifers are being monitored.

Surface Water Monitoring

The NPCA collects surface water samples eight times a year on a monthly basis during ice-free periods from a network of 80 surface water sampling sites across the Niagara Peninsula Watershed. The NPCA tests the water for numerous parameters, including general chemistry, nutrients, metals and bacteria. This water chemistry program is operated in partnership with the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) and the Niagara Region.

The NPCA also has an in-depth biological monitoring program, the goal of which is to assess aquatic ecosystems using benthic invertebrates as indicators of water quality. Benthic macroinvertebrates are large, bottom dwelling insects such as crustaceans, worms, mollusks and related organisms that live in the water. They are good indicators of water quality as they respond to changes in water quality. The NPCA uses Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network Protocol for its biomonitoring.

Overall, this monitoring of water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrates allows the NPCA to identify potential sources/causes of poor stream health and target effective strategies to improve stream health ​within our watershed.

Groundwater Monitoring

A network of groundwater monitoring wells has been established across the watershed to monitor the quality and quantity of the groundwater resources in the region. Data from these wells is being used to make informed decisions about water testing and treatment of private wells, water allocation (under the MECP’s Permit To-Take-Water program), drinking water source protection planning and potential climate change impacts. Results from water quality sampling areas are used to inform municipalities of any exceedances of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards that might occur in aquifers within their jurisdiction.

The 15 wells established by the NPCA are part of the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN), and monitor a number different aquifers. The establishment of
this province-wide network is a partnership between Conservation Authorities and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Results Monitoring

Water Quality Reports detailing this initiative are produced annually and available here: Summary Report of the Year 2018. The Water Quality Monitoring Program completed the NPCA Groundwater Study in 2005.

Water Quality data that is collected by the NPCA is now available through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s map portal.

This section also administers the Water Well Decommissioning Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to landowners to properly close inactive water wells and ensure they do not become a future threat to ground water quality. For information about the program, and to apply, visit the Water Well Decommissioning Grant Program page.

Watershed Studies

The Niagara Water Quality Protection Strategy is a multi-stakeholder initiative based on public and agency consultation. The NWQPS was developed by the Regional Municipality of Niagara in partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Ministry of the Environment, with help from watershed municipalities and local stakeholders. One of the recommendations of the NWQPS was to complete watershed plans for all of the watersheds in the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s jurisdiction. The NWQPS identified 32 Local Management Areas (LMAs) that is based on watershed boundaries. To this end, the completed watershed plans have adopted the vision as presented in the Niagara Water Quality Protection Strategy:

“Niagara’s watersheds will contribute to an improved quality of life for all living things. There will be enough water, of the necessary quality, to sustain healthy rural and urban communities, in harmony with a natural environment, and rich in species diversity. Citizens and neighbours of Niagara will share the responsibility of efficient water use, and will respect the long-term sustainability of all our water systems and the life that depends on them.”

• 12 Mile Creek
• 15-16-18 Mile Creek
• 20 Mile Creek
• Beaverdams & Shriners Creeks
• Central Welland River Watershed Plan
• Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan
• Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan | Figures 1 - 20
• Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan | Figures LO
• Fort Erie Creeks Watershed Plan | Technical Figures
• Lake Erie North Shore Watershed Plan
• Lower Welland River Characterization Report
• NOTL Watershed Plan
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix A
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix B
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix C
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix D
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix E1
• NOTL Watershed Plan | Appendix E2
• One Mile Creek Watershed Plan
• Port Robinson West Subwatershed Plan
• South Niagara Falls Watershed Plan
• Upper Welland River Watershed Plan

Watershed Report Cards

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is pleased to present the 2018 Watershed Report Card—a check up on the health of the Niagara Peninsula watershed, focusing on surface and groundwater quality, forest conditions, and wetland cover.

Since 2005, the NPCA and its partners have produced report cards to inform its residents on the overall health of the Niagara Peninsula watershed. The 2018 Watershed Report Card is part of an initiative by conservation authorities to evaluate key indicators of watershed health with guidelines and grading system provided by Conservation Ontario.

The 2018 report card, despite some low grades, gives a clear snapshot of the status of the watershed in 2018, a baseline against which we can use to measure all future efforts. These grades are typical of watersheds in Southern Ontario. The good news is that the Niagara Peninsula watershed scored well with respect to groundwater quality, and the amount of wetland cover within its area, but there is still some work to do regarding the quality of surface water and forest cover.

The NPCA works in many local, provincial and federal partnerships with governments, other agencies, landowners, and residents to plan and deliver watershed management programs that strive to keep the Niagara Peninsula watershed healthy.

Back in October 2017, it announced eight exciting initiatives which set aggressive targets for improving water resource management and the overall health of the watershed. Environmental health is everyone’s responsibility, and these goals can’t be achieved without the help of the people of the watershed.

The watershed report cards are used to target specific actions to address issues and improve conditions. These actions can result in better watershed health and provide benefits to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, improved forest conditions and quality of life for residents. It is anticipated that with the help of the people of the watershed, grades will improve over time.

Individuals, community groups, and businesses alike are encouraged to get involved and play a key role in improving the health of their watershed by planting native trees and/or rainwater gardens, sponsor community clean ups to keep waste and garbage out of natural areas, or invest in ‘greener’ alternatives to current practices.

To find out more about what individuals, community groups, and businesses can do to help, please see complete 2018 Niagara Peninsula Watershed Report Card.

Surface Water Quality Map, Groundwater Quality Map, Forest Cover Map, and Wetland Cover Map.

Please note: The NPCA’s role is to evaluate the quality of local watersheds and provide that information to the public and our partners. By doing this, the NPCA can measure environmental change, improve local knowledge, focus natural resource management actions where they are needed most, and motivate action in our watershed. The NPCA’s water and land resources provide important ecological, economic, and societal benefits to its residents, and the organization continues to ensure its programs contribute to a healthier watershed.

The NPCA fulfills its responsibility to evaluate the quality of the watershed alongside upper and lower tier local municipalities, The Province of Ontario (MOECC, MNRF and OMARFA) and Environment Canada and Climate Change.