DFO Request for Review - Miller Paving Limited, Carden Quarry, Nov. 16, 2015.

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Debra Franklin
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1 DFO Request for Review - Miller Paving Limited, Carden Quarry, Nov. 16, Section D: Description of the Aquatic Environment Upstream of Site The northeast boundary of the property is along the Kirkfield Road (County Road 6). This area is part of the Carden Plain where the limestone bedrock is covered with very shallow soils. There are two areas where drainage enters the property through culverts from the northeast. The habitat upstream is a mix of wetlands (cattail marsh), forest and pasture. Although there is some standing water at the culvert, there is no obvious flow and no defined channel. The area is very flat which may explain why there is no define channel. Any flow caused by spring runoff or heavy rain just moves through the vegetation. No fish were observed at the culvert and no fish habitat appears to be present upstream of the site. 1

2 On Site Due to the variability of conditions on site, the affected area was divided into sections to more accurately describe the habitat. Sections 1 to 3 2

Section 1 This section covers approximately 370 m. Water enters the property through two metal culverts. At the culverts there is some standing water, but no observable flow.

The cattail marsh transitions into an area with an increase in willows, Salix spp, sedges, Carex spp, grass and red maple, Acer rubrum.

3 Section 1 This section covers approximately 370 m. Water enters the property through two metal culverts. At the culverts there is some standing water, but no observable flow. This area is dominated by cattails, Typha sp, with a few alders, Alnus incana, and red maples, Acer rubrum. The cattail marsh transitions into an area with an increase in willows, Salix spp, sedges, Carex spp, grass and red maple, Acer rubrum. Through most of this section there is no defined channel except at the very south end where it transitions into Section 2. In this area old beaver activity has resulted in old dams and dug out channels. There is some shallow standing water. No fish were caught or observed. Section 2 This section covers approximately 310 m. This section also has cattails, Typha sp, sedges, Carex spp, and grass, but has a much higher proportion of willows, Salix spp, alders, Alnus incana, red maples, Acer rubrum and white cedar Thuja occidentalis. There is no continuous channel although there is some 3

evidence of flow during high water events through certain areas. There is also old beaver activity with some dug out areas. No visible flow and no fish were caught or observed.

The dam acts as a barrier to fish migration in either direction except in extremely high flows.

The largest pool was 5m X 2m and 30 cm deep. The substrate was approximately 1 m of organic soil over hard sand or bedrock. No visible flow was observed.

4 evidence of flow during high water events through certain areas. There is also old beaver activity with some dug out areas. No visible flow and no fish were caught or observed. Section 3 This section extends 150 m and ends at an old beaver dam which is the start of Section 4. The dam acts as a barrier to fish migration in either direction except in extremely high flows. Section 3 contains fewer trees and shrubs and more grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and cattails (Typha sp). There is old beaver activity with several isolated pools. The largest pool was 5m X 2m and 30 cm deep. The substrate was approximately 1 m of organic soil over hard sand or bedrock. No visible flow was observed. Fish collection site FS6 is located in this section. Two dip net hauls caught 5 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. Air temperature on Oct. 5, 2015 was 15 C and water temperature was 14.5 C. Sections 4 through 10 run through areas of wetland and upland where heavy machinery has scraped out down to bedrock a 5 m wide ditch to facilitate the movement of water through the site. In some areas 4

the channel has grown in or been altered by beaver activity. A 3 m berm parallels the watercourse from Section 4 to the middle of Section 8 where a road crosses the watercourse.

5 the channel has grown in or been altered by beaver activity. A 3 m berm parallels the watercourse from Section 4 to the middle of Section 8 where a road crosses the watercourse. Sections 4 to 8 Section 4 Section 4 begins at an old beaver dam and extends approximately 180 m. The channel goes through a willow (Salix spp) thicket swamp with approximately 1 m of organic soil over bedrock. There is a continuous channel of standing water 1 5 m wide and up to 40 cm deep. The substrate is 10 cm of muck over bedrock. An active beaver lodge is present and the beavers are digging out muck to increase water volume. Section 4 ends at an old beaver dam which is not being maintained by the beavers. The water level in the channel is 50 cm below the top of the old dam and no flow was observes over or through the dam. The dam acts as a barrier to fish migration in either direction except during very high flows. Fish collection site FS5 is located in this section. Four dip net hauls were made throughout the section and caught 8 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. Air temperature at 11:10 on Oct. 5, 2015 was 15 C and water temperature was 14.5 C. 5

Section 5 This section also runs through the willow (Salix spp) thicket swamp and has a continuous channel that extends approximately 90 m to the next old beaver dam.

At the top end there is another channel that connects from the east. This channel is approximately 90 m long and varies in wide from 1 to 5 m with a depths up to 30 cm.

No beaver activity was noted in this section. The water level in the channel is 50 cm below the top of the old dam and no flow was observes over or through the dam.

Four dip net hauls were made throughout the section. Most of the fish were collected in the deeper pool at the downstream beaver dam.

6 Section 5 This section also runs through the willow (Salix spp) thicket swamp and has a continuous channel that extends approximately 90 m to the next old beaver dam. The wide varies from 1 to 5 m and the average water depths are shallower than Section 4 with a maximum of 35 m. At the top end there is another channel that connects from the east. This channel is approximately 90 m long and varies in wide from 1 to 5 m with a depths up to 30 cm. The bottom is 6 cm of muck over bedrock. Similar to Section 4, Section 5 ends at an old beaver dam which is not being maintained by the beavers. No beaver activity was noted in this section. The water level in the channel is 50 cm below the top of the old dam and no flow was observes over or through the dam. The dam acts as a barrier to fish migration in either direction except during very high flows. Fish collection site FS7 is located in this section. Four dip net hauls were made throughout the section. Most of the fish were collected in the deeper pool at the downstream beaver dam. The following fish were caught: 17 northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos, mm FL; 9 brassy minnow, Hybognathus hankinsoni, mm FL; 3 finescaled dace, Phoxinus neogaeus, mm FL and 2 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. Air temperature at 12:00 on Oct. 5, 2015 was 15 C and water temperature was 14.8 C. 6

Section 6 Section 6 is a small continuous channel that extends approximately 90 m through a willow (Salix spp) thicket swamp to a pool upstream from

At the bottom end there is another channel that connects from the east.

The bottom is 2 cm of muck over bedrock and covered with aquatic vegetation. Although fish sampling was attempted no fish were captured.

7 Section 6 Section 6 is a small continuous channel that extends approximately 90 m through a willow (Salix spp) thicket swamp to a pool upstream from the next old very small beaver dam. The wide is 10 cm and the water depth is 4 cm. At the bottom end there is another channel that connects from the east. This channel is approximately 80 m long and varies in wide from 1 to 4 m with depths up to 15 cm. The bottom is 2 cm of muck over bedrock and covered with aquatic vegetation. Although fish sampling was attempted no fish were captured. A few small minnows were observed darting into the vegetation. Section 7 This section extends 50 m and is bordered by upland forest and old fields. It was almost dry with a few isolated pools up to 10 cm deep. The bottom is covered with aquatic vegetation over bedrock with a small layer of muck (up to 2 cm) in some areas. No fish were observed or caught. 7

Section 8 This section is a 5 m wide channel of exposed bedrock approximately 300 m long.

The channel crosses a road and then runs adjacent to a large stockpile of aggregate.

through the vegetation from the stockpile.

8 Section 8 This section is a 5 m wide channel of exposed bedrock approximately 300 m long. It is bordered by old field. There are some pools but no flow. The channel crosses a road and then runs adjacent to a large stockpile of aggregate. Through this section the channel has partially grown in and there is evidence of water seeping through the vegetation from the stockpile. There is a very small amount of flow that continues to the end of the section and disappears into the vegetation at the start of Section 9. No fish were observed or caught. Sections 9 to Pond 4 8

On the east side it is bordered by grasses, sedges (Carex spp), herbs and shrubs (willows, Salix spp and alders Alnus incana) and then transitions into mixed forest.

9 Section 9 Section 9 is a more natural looking 140 m channel approximately 0.5 m wide and covered with aquatic vegetation over most of its length. It is bordered on the west side by grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and herbs which transition into old field. On the east side it is bordered by grasses, sedges (Carex spp), herbs and shrubs (willows, Salix spp and alders Alnus incana) and then transitions into mixed forest. On Sept 21, 2015, after a few days of rain there was water flowing through. However, on Oct 6 and 14, 2015 no flow or standing water was observed. No fish were observed or caught during the three site visits. Section 10 Section 10 is 110 m long, 5 m wide and similar to Section 8. It is a section of exposed bedrock. It is bordered on the west side by old field and mixed forest on the east. There is little standing water and no flow. It ends at Section 11 where it drops into an old stream bed. This drop creates a barrier to upstream fish migration except during high flows. 9

Section 11 Section 11 appears to be the original stream bed for this intermittent watercourse. It runs approximately 120 m through mixed forest to Pond 1 and is 0.5 1.0 m wide.

There were several shallow pools (15 cm deep) at the start of the section and a few throughout its length that held baitfish.

10 Section 11 Section 11 appears to be the original stream bed for this intermittent watercourse. It runs approximately 120 m through mixed forest to Pond 1 and is m wide. The bottom is mainly rubble with scattered aquatic vegetation. The was some standing water but no obvious flow. There were several shallow pools (15 cm deep) at the start of the section and a few throughout its length that held baitfish. But the water depth in the majority of this section was too shallow for baitfish and none were observed, except in the pools. Fish collection site FC8 was located at the upstream end in the largest pool. Two dip net hauls were made. The following fish were caught: 16 creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, mm FL; 8 common shiners, Luxilus cornutus, mm FL; and 2 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. Air temperature at 13:56 on Oct. 5, 2015 was 16 C and water temperature was 14 C. 10

Section 12 This section appears to be an old intermittent watercourse which receives the water pumped out of the quarry.

Minnow traps were set at two locations in this section at FS3 and FS4. The traps were set at 11:00 and 11:05, respectively. The air temperature was 14.

The air temperature was 17 C and the water temperature16.5 C.

11 Section 12 This section appears to be an old intermittent watercourse which receives the water pumped out of the quarry. It runs through mixed forest and empties into Pond 1. It is approximately 80 m long and m wide. The bottom is gravel, sand and rubble with a layer of silt. Minnow traps were set at two locations in this section at FS3 and FS4. The traps were set at 11:00 and 11:05, respectively. The air temperature was 14.5 C and the water temperature14 C. The traps were removed at 14:20 and 14:30, with a set time of 3 hours and 20 minutes and 3 hours and 25 minutes, respectively. The air temperature was 17 C and the water temperature16.5 C. The following fish were caught at FS3: 10 creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, mm FL; and 18 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. The following fish were caught at FS4: 104 creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, mm FL; 11 common shiners, Luxilus cornutus, mm FL; and 22 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL. 11

The shoreline is stable with a mix of grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and wetland shrubs and herbs.

12 Pond 1 Pond 1 is approximately 200 m long, 60 m at the widest point and a maximum of 2 m deep. It is approximately 0.3 ha in area. It is man- made with a 1.0 m high armour stone dam holding back the water. This dam appears to be a barrier to upstream fish migration. The bottom is mainly muck with a layer of silt. The shoreline is stable with a mix of grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and wetland shrubs and herbs. The forest cover is mixed with conifers such as white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), white spruce (Picea glauca) and white pine (Pinus strobus); and deciduous trees such as white elm (Ulmus americana), white ash (Fraxinus americana), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white birch (Betula papyrifera) and basswood (Tilia americana). There are abundant aquatic plants in some sections especially in the upstream end. A minnow traps was set at FS2 just to the west of the dam. The traps were set at 10:20. The air temperature was 14 C and the water temperature14.5 C. The trap was removed at 14:52 for a set time of 4 hours and 32 minutes. The air temperature was 17 C and the water temperature16 C. The following fish were caught at FS2: 26 creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, mm FL; 10 common shiners, Luxilus cornutus, mm FL; 5 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, mm TL; 1 northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos, 49 mm FL; and 1 pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus 21 mm FL. Six northern clearwater crayfish Orconectes propinquus were also collected. Pond 2 Pond 2 is approximately 100 m long, 50 m at the widest point and a maximum of 1 m deep. It is approximately 0.13 ha in area. The water level is maintained by a beaver dam. The vegetation around the pond is similar to Pond 1. However, there is more aquatic vegetation due to the shallower water level. A minnow traps was set at FS1 just downstream of the dam. The traps were set at 10:30. The air temperature was 14C and the water temperature14.5 C. The trap was removed at 14:42 for a set time of 4 hours and 12 minutes. The air temperature was 16 C and the water temperature16 C. The following fish were caught at FS1: 25 creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, mm FL; 11 common shiners, Luxilus cornutus, mm FL; 12 northern redbelly dace, Phoxinus eos, mm FL; 1 finescale dace Chrosomus neogaeus 65 FL, 3 bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus, mm; 2 fathead 12

minnow Pimephales promelas, 43 50 mm;1 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, 42 mm TL; and 1 pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus 30 mm FL.

13 minnow Pimephales promelas, mm;1 brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, 42 mm TL; and 1 pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus 30 mm FL. 4 northern clearwater crayfish Orconectes propinquus were also collected. Pond 3 Pond 3 is approximately 140 m long, 10 m at the widest point and a maximum of 1 m deep. It is approximately 0.14 ha in area. The water level is maintained by a beaver dam. The vegetation around the pond is similar to Pond 2. No fish sampling was done. It is assumed that the fish species will be similar to upstream sections. Section 13 Section 13 is approximately 70 m long, m wide and a maximum of 0.5 m deep. The water level is maintained by the culverts under Miller Road where there is a small pond. Beaver damming activity at the culverts requires maintenance. The vegetation around Section 13 is stable with a mix of cattails (Typha sp), grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and wetland shrubs and herbs. No fish sampling was done. It is assumed that the fish species will be similar to upstream sections. 13

Downstream of Site Downstream of the site the intermittent watercourse flows through old pasture fields, through a wetland, into a defined valley system and then through

Immediately downstream of Miller Road the watercourse has a defined channel approximately 0.5-1.0 m wide and 40cm deep. These dimensions vary with the flow.

14 Downstream of Site Downstream of the site the intermittent watercourse flows through old pasture fields, through a wetland, into a defined valley system and then through a large wetland and finally into the south end of Lake Dalrymple, approximately 7.9 km from the site. Immediately downstream of Miller Road the watercourse has a defined channel approximately m wide and 40cm deep. These dimensions vary with the flow. During some months there is no flow. There appears to be a band of wetland vegetation along much of its length. Vegetation is dominated by grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and cattails, (Typha sp), with a few willows (Salix spp) and alders (Alnus incana). 14

One concession downstream of the site where the watercourse crosses the Mara-Carden Boundary Road (County Road 47) it flows through a valley system. The channel is 4 10 m wide and up to 1.5 m deep.

15 One concession downstream of the site where the watercourse crosses the Mara-Carden Boundary Road (County Road 47) it flows through a valley system. The channel is 4 10 m wide and up to 1.5 m deep. There was evidence of low flow on Oct. 14, The watercourse has a wide band of wetland on either side. The vegetation is dominated by grasses, sedges (Carex spp) and cattails, (Typha sp), with a few willows (Salix spp) and alders (Alnus incana). Water lilies and pondweeds (Potemogetan spp) dominate the vegetation in the channel. The presence of these species in the channel would suggest flow rates are low during much of the year. 15

16 Observed Flows in Un-named Tributary at Carden Quarry Flow measurements have been taken once a month (near the end of the month) in the open water period (March December) at four stations for 6 years from 2009 to 2014 by Carden Quarry staff. The data for Station Sw1, Sw3 and SW4 is included in the attached graph. The location of these stations is included on the aerial photos of the site. 16

17 The actual flow measurements are included in the following table: Streamflow Records Carden Quarry Miller Aggregate Resources P Table 1 Measured Flows Year Month Date Station SW1 Station SW2 Station SW3 Station SW4 m3/s m3/s m3/s m3/s 2009 Jan. NA Feb. NA Mar. 26/03/ April 30/04/ May 26/05/ June 29/06/ July 30/07/ Aug. 26/08/ Sep. 29/09/ Oct. 28/10/ Nov. 30/11/ Dec. 15/12/ Jan. NA Feb. 26/02/2010 frozen 0 frozen Mar. 30/03/ April 30/04/ May 31/05/ June 29/06/ July 27/07/ Aug. 31/08/ Sep. 29/09/ Oct. 01/11/ Nov. 29/11/ NA Dec. 06/12/ Jan. NA Feb. NA Mar. 25/03/ April 27/04/ May 27/05/ June 22/06/ July Aug. 02/08/ Sep. 19/09/ Oct. 25/10/ Nov. 31/11/ Dec. 19/12/ Jan. NA Comments very low flow very low flow very low flow 17

18 Feb. NA Mar. 28/03/2012 NA NA April 03/05/2012 min. flow May 30/05/ June 27/06/ July 02/08/ Aug. 30/08/ Sep. 28/09/2012 min. flow Oct. 01/11/ Nov. 29/11/2012 min. flow Dec. 02/01/ Jan. NA Feb. NA Mar. 26/03/ very low flow very low flow very low flow very low flow stream frozen April 01/05/ May 23/05/ June 27/06/2013 min. flow July 31/07/ Aug. 30/08/ Sep very low flow very low flow very low flow Oct. 03/10/2013 min. flow Nov. 04/11/ ice Dec. 26/11/2013 ice ice 0 Dec. 19/12/ frozen 2014 Jan. NA Feb. NA 0 Mar. 27/03/ April 24/04/ May 02/06/ June 02/07/2014 July 31/07/ Aug. 19/08/ Sep. 09/09/ Oct. 30/10/ Nov. 26/11/ Dec. 22/12/2014 ice ice stream frozen very low flow very low flow stream frozen 18

Station SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 Location Description - stream inlet at access road crossing to undeveloped East part of quarry property - pumped discharge from quarry - on discharge channel from quarry,

19 Station SW1 SW2 SW3 SW4 Location Description - stream inlet at access road crossing to undeveloped East part of quarry property - pumped discharge from quarry - on discharge channel from quarry, upstream of beaver pond - stream outlet at twin culverts at Miller Road Station SW1 + SW3 = SW4 approx. Stations SW2 & SW3 are on the same discharge channel from the quarry operation Legend NA min. flow - stream frozen over, no measurements - less than 4 cm flow depth approx. The flow information shows that from May to September in most years from 2009 to 2014 there was no or very low flows in the intermittent watercourse on site (SW1) and at the outlet from the property (SW4). In dry months, the pond system is probably essential to maintaining fish populations in this section of the watercourse. In addition to the measured flow, observations of flow were made during site visits on Sept. 21, Oct. 6 and Oct. 14, The Sept. 21, 2015 site visit occurred after several days of rain. There was standing water in the channel of Sections 4 to 6, but no flow over the beaver dams. There was a small amount of flowing water through Sections Water was being pumped out of the quarry through Section 12 and into Pond 1. The flow over the Pond 1 dam was comprised mainly of the flow of water pumped out of the quarry. 19

20 There was a similar flow of water through Section 13, through the culverts and off the site. The Oct. 6, 2015 site visit occurred after a dry period. There was approximately 15 cm less standing water in the pools and channel of Sections 4 to 6 and no flow over the beaver dams. There no observable flow through Sections 7 to 11. Water was being pumped out of the quarry through Section 12 and into Pond 1. The flow over the Pond 1 weir was comprised entirely of water pumped out of the quarry. The Oct. 14, 2015 site visit occurred after a few showers the day before. There was a similar amount of water in the channel of Sections 4 to 6 and no flow over the beaver dams as on the Oct. 6, 2015 site visit. There was a very small amount of flowing water from seeps through the lower half of Sections 8 and no observable flow through Sections 7 the upper half of Section 8 and Sections 9 to 11. Water was not being pumped out of the quarry through Section 12 and into Pond 1. There was no flow over the Pond 1 weir and downstream of the site. The flow measurements and observations support the conclusion that this tributary is intermittent with no flow from upstream areas for a number of months each year. Fish Species Use of the Site Fish sampling was conducted on Oct. 6, A Licence to Collet Fish for Scientific Purposes was not obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) as a minnow trap and 90 cm by 90 cm dip net was used under a personal fishing licence issued to David Bell. This was agreed to by David Flowers from the Minden office of MNRF. The location of sampling and detailed information by section 20

21 and pond was presented above. The following table summarizes information concerning the nine species of fish and one species of crayfish found on site: 21

22 Common Name Bluntnose Minnow Brassy Minnow Brook Stickleback Common Shiner Creek Chub Fathead Minnow Scientific Name Pimephales notatus Hybognathus hankinsoni Culaea inconstans Luxilus cornutus Semotilus atromaculatus Pimephales promelas Number Caught Length FL mm Adult Length mm TL * Number of Sites Site Found Spawning Habitat * Habitat Preference Pond 2 Nest built in shallow water over mud, sand and gravel. Eggs deposited on under surface of objects Section 5 Quiet water over silty bottoms All sites sampled Sections 11 & 12, Ponds 1 & Sections 11 & 12, Ponds 1 & Nest builders in reeds and grasses Dig depressions in gravelly stream beds. Dig depressions in gravelly stream beds , Pond 2 Nest built in shallow water over mud, sand and gravel. Eggs deposited on Sand and gravel shallows of clear lakes rivers and ponds Boggy lakes, shallow bays and pools of small rivers Vegetated margins of creeks, small rivers, lakes and ponds Pools of clear creeks, small rivers, and lakes Pools of clear creeks, small rivers, and lakes Still water of ponds lakes and rivers Tolerance + Tolerant Intermediate Tolerant Intermediate Tolerant Tolerant 22

23 Finescale Dace Northern Redbelly Dace Pumpkinseed Northern Clearwater Crayfish # Phoxinus neogaeus Section 5 & Pond 2 Phoxinus eos Section 5 & Pond 1 & 2 Lepomis gibbosus Orconectes propinquus under surface of objects Unknown Deposit eggs in masses of filamentous algae 2 21, Pond 1 & 2 Nests in shallows of ponds and lakes over sand and gravel. Bog ponds, streams and lakes Boggy lakes, creeks and ponds Shallow vegetated ponds, lakes and rivers. 10 NA NA 2 Pond 1 & 2 NA Small muddy or rocky streams, large rivers, ponds and lakes. Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate * Scott, W.B., and E.J. Crossman Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184 Freshwater Research Board of Canada, Ottawa. 966 pp. + American Fisheries Society Ontario Chapter Ontario Freshwater Fishes Life History Database. # Bait Association of Ontario and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources The Essential Bait Field Guide for Eastern Canada, the Great Lakes Region and Northeastern United States. 193 pp. 23

24 No fish were caught or observed in Sections 1 and 2. There is some standing water in pools created by old beaver activity, but they are too hard to access and/or fish do not survive dry periods or winter. In Sections 3 (150 m) there are a few isolated pools created by old beaver activity that contain only low numbers of mostly young of the year (YOY) brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans. Section 4 has standing water throughout its length (180 m), but it also has only low numbers of young of the year (YOY) brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans. The water depth in this section varies with rain events. However, similar to Section 3, fish cannot migrate into the section or out except under very high flow conditions. Given the shallow water depths it is likely that in very dry years this section could go dry and/or freeze to the bottom in winter. This may explain why there are low numbers of only one fish species present. Section 5 (180 m) is similar to Section 4 with standing water throughout its length that varies in depth with rain events. Also, fish cannot migrate into the section or out except under very high flow conditions. It contained 31 fish of 4 different species. The population include mainly YOY and low numbers of adult fish. All are baitfish species. Given the shallow water depths it is likely that in very dry years this section could go dry and/or freeze to the bottom in winter. No fish could be caught in this Section 6 (170m) due to shallow water and abundant aquatic vegetation. A few small minnows mm in length (YOY) were observed darting into the vegetation in some of the deeper sections. Given the shallow water depths and low numbers of fish it is likely that in very dry months this section could go dry and/or freeze to the bottom in winter. Sections 7 to 10, a total distance of 600 m did not have any standing water deep enough for fish to survive. At the bottom end of Section 10 there is a drop off the bedrock which prevents upstream fish migration except in very high flow conditions. Although Section 11 (120 m) appears to be the old historic stream bed, other than a few pools at the upstream end and throughout its length, there is no standing water deep enough to hold fish. 26 fish of three species were caught in the pools. Based on length all of the fish were YOY. The three species are common baitfish species and also found in Pond 1. It appears that they had migrated upstream during higher flow conditions and got trapped in the pools below the barrier at the end of Section 10 when the flows dropped. Given the shallow water depths and low numbers of fish it is likely that in very dry months this section could go dry and/or freeze to the bottom in winter. The water depth of Pond 1 is maintained by an armour stone dam constructed by Miller Paving Limited to create a sediment pond for water pumped out of the quarry. 43 fish of 5 species were caught during sampling. Adult and YOY were present. Four of the five are common baitfish species. Only the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus is considered a gamefish and only 1 YOY was capture. The pond appears to provide habitat all year; even in dry months and winter. Section 12 which is 80 m. Most of its length has standing water even when water is not being pump from the quarry. 165 fish of three species were caught in the two traps. Adult and YOY were present. All three are common baitfish species. Creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, and common shiners, Luxilus 24

25 cornutus require flowing water over gravel to reproduce. It appears that Section 12 is the only section upstream of the Pond 1 dam that provides suitable spawning habitat for these species. Water depth in Pond 2 is maintained by an old beaver dam. 56 fish of 8 species were captured in the minnow trap. Six of the species were also caught upstream from Pond 2. Seven of the eight are common baitfish species. Only the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus is considered a gamefish and only 1 YOY was capture. Although pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus was captured in Pond 1 and 2, only one YOY was caught in each pond. Therefore, the population must be very small. One bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus and 2 fathead minnows Pimephales promelas were caught in Pond 2, but not captured upstream. It appears that the dam between Pond 1 and 2 is acting as a barrier to upstream movement of these two species. The pond appears to provide habitat all year; even in dry months and winter. Also, northern Clearwater crayfish Orconectes propinquus were captured in Pond 1 and 2. This would support the view that these ponds are providing permanent habitat on site and the watercourse upstream is intermittent. No fish sampling was done in Pond 3 or Section 13. It was assumed that it was providing similar habitat for the species of fish found upstream. No fish Species at Risk (SAR) or suitable habitat was found on site or have been reported in the area. Habitat for Blanding s turtle has been identified on site, although not confirmed) and will be protected. In conclusion, the ponds and several sections of watercourse on the site are providing habitat mainly for baitfish species. The fish species captured on site, the intermittent nature of the watercourse and air temperatures and water temperatures taken during the site visits would support the view that this is a warmwater fishery and not coldwater fishery. With regards to an active fishery downstream of the site, MNRF indicated that the entire Carden Township including the area downstream of this site is licenced as a commercial baitfish harvesting area. Also, this watercourse enters Lake Dalrymple 7.9 km downstream of the site. MNRF also indicated that Lake Dalrymple provides an excellent warmwater sport fishery. The following fish species have been confirmed in Lake Dalrymple: banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromacutatus), bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), burbot (Lota lota), carp (Cyprinus carpio), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum), lake herring (Coregonus artedi ), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), northern pike (Esox Lucius), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomeiu), spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), yellow perch (Perca flavescans), walleye (Sander vitreus), and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). Section E: Potential Effects of the Proposed Project The aerial photo below shows the existing licenced property with the area to be extraction outlined in red. In order to extract the remaining area, the unnamed intermittent watercourse must be rerouted. 25

The following options were explored: Leave the stream in the present location and quarry on either side. Relocate the stream in a new channel around the site.

26 The following options were explored: Leave the stream in the present location and quarry on either side. Relocate the stream in a new channel around the site. Relocate the watercourse across the floor of the quarry and into the existing sump pond and pump it out of the quarry into the existing channel, stream and pond system. The first two options have been rejected due to cost and logistics. The accepted option is to direct the flow into the quarry. Approximately 70 m of the 370 m of Section 1 and all of Sections 2 11 will be removed through quarrying activities. The water that normally flows through this area will be directed into the quarry across the quarry floor through a constructed channel to a sediment pond and then pumped out of the quarry into the existing channel. It then flows through Section 12, into Ponds 1-3, Section 13, through the culvert and off the property, downstream. All of Section 12 and 13 and Ponds 1-3 will be retained and protected with a minimum buffer of 50 m. All of the higher quality and permanent fish habitat will be maintained. 26

27 The following table shows the amount of fish habitat that will be lost and retained. Location Length m Fish Habitat Area Retained sq. m. Fish Present Lost sq. m. Section Most retained None. Section None. Section species, low numbers in isolated pools. Section species low numbers. Section species low numbers. Section Very low numbers. Section None, migration route. Section None, migration route. Section None, migration route. Section None, migration route. Section species, low numbers in isolated pools. Pond sq. m. 0 All species, permanent habitat. Section All 60 3 species, permanent habitat. Pond sq. m. 0 All species, permanent habitat. Pond sq. m. 0 All 1400 Similar to Pond 2, permanent habitat. Section All 50 Similar to Pond 2, may be intermittent in dry months or when water is not pumped from quarry. Total Approximately, 6736 sq. m. of fish habitat is located on the site. Approximately, 926 sq. m. or 14 % of the habitat will be removed. The fish habitat to be removed is marginal spawning habitat for some species and marginal nursery for all the species caught during the site visit. Much of this habitat is isolated due to old beaver dams and probably goes dry periodically or freezes to the bottom in winter. These observations are supported by the low number of species, the low number of fish and the presence of mainly YOY fish. All of the best fish habitat on site (5810 sq. m.) will be protected. A minimum vegetated buffer of 50 m will be maintained between the fish habitat and the extraction area. Also, although the water entering the site will be directed into the quarry, it will continue to be pumped out of the quarry into Section 12 and downstream through the existing pond system. Therefore, there will be no noticeable change in downstream water volumes or flows. This should maintain the best fish habitat on site and downstream to Lake Dalrymple. Also, once quarrying activities end the entire quarry will be allowed to fill with water 27

28 to create a new lake. The new lake will have an outlet into the existing pond system and downstream off the property. The entire quarry will become fish habitat. Work required to divert the runoff from the intermittent watercourse will be done during dry periods when no flow is present. Any fish that are trapped in the isolated pools and sections will be caught and released downstream in Ponds 1 or 2. The work required to construct the drainage channel across the quarry floor will be done in the dry. The flow will be directed into a pond to allow the sediment to settle out before it is pumped out of the quarry and into Section 12. Additional sediment controls can also be implemented between the pump outlet and the start of Section 12, if required. Once the flow is diverted there should be no additional impacts above existing conditions. All of the fish species found are intermediate or tolerant and can live with some disturbance and sediments. Prepared by David Bell BSc. MSc. Nov.16,

Student Worksheet: River Health and Indicator Species

1 Student Worksheet: River Health and Indicator Species Mink frogs (Lithobates septentrionalis). Credit: Allan G. Austin Activity 1: Biodiversity and Indicator Species Watch the videothe Importance of