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Watershed planning

We work with municipalities and others to draw up plans to protect the environmental features of areas identified for future development, or with challenges that need to be addressed. These are called subwatershed plans. A subwatershed is the area drained by a stream or group of streams within the larger Grand River watershed.

  • A subwatershed plan identifies streams,  wetlands, forests, groundwater recharge areas, and other natural areas. It includes an inventory of plants, animals, birds, and other species. Information on stream flows, water quality, groundwater movement and other natural features goes into the plan. 
  • The plan lists the policies and actions that will protect environmental features and functions when the area is developed, or actions that can be taken now to improve the health of the area.
  • In most cases, municipal governments lead the process. We provide information and advice and often undertake scientific studies. 
  • Subwatershed planning is a public process. Interested citizens and representatives of landowners, developers and others may be invited to sit on an advisory committee. Public meetings, open houses and other methods are used to collect comments from the general public.

Current Studies

Please go to our current studies page for information on subwatershed plans now being developed. 

Completed studies

Over the years we have participated in many subwatershed plans. Electronic copies of many of these studies are available on request. Please email Chris Lorenz, Subwatershed Planning Supervisor, or phone 519-621-2763 ext. 2236.

  • Gilbert Creek Subwatershed Study - Background Review (1999)
  • Fairchild Creek Conservation Report (1965)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)
  • McKenzie Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • D'Aubigny Creek - Zone B (2000)
  • D'Aubigny Creek - Zone A (1994)
  • D'Aubigny Creek Master Watershed Study (1992)
  • Fairchild Creek Conservation Report (1965)
  • East Ward Creek Report (1965)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)
  • Cambridge West Master Environmental Servicing Plan (2013)
  • East Side Lands (Stage 1) Master Environmental Servicing Plan and Community Plan (Freeport Creek and Tributary to the Grand subwatershed study) (2013)
  • Hespeler West Subwatersheds Study (2004)
  • Forbes Creek Subwatershed Study (2002)
  • Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (1997)
  • Mill Creek Subwatershed Study (1997)
  • Moffat Creek Watershed Plan and Comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (1996)
  • Hespeler East Master Storm Drainage Study (1990)
  • Pinebush South Master Drainage Plan (1990)

  • Environmental Implementation Report, North West Fergus Secondary Plan Area (Nichol Drain No.1 Subwatershed Study-Phase 2) (2013)
  • Township of Centre Wellington, County of Wellington Community Planning Area Subwatershed Study (Phase 2) (2012)
  • Township of Centre Wellington, County of Wellington Community Planning Area Subwatershed Study (Phase 1) (2010)
  • Nichol Drain No.1 Subwatershed Study Phase 1 (2008)

  •  A Watershed Plan for the Upper Grand River Watershed (1999)

  • East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)
  • Hanlon Creek State of the Watershed Study (2004)
  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Watershed Study (1999)
  • Torrance Creek Subwatershed Study - Management Strategy (1998)
  • Mill Creek Subwatershed Study (1997)
  • Torrance Creek Subwatershed Study-Phase 1 Characterization Report (1997)
  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Linear Corridor Initiative (1995)
  • Hanlon Creek Watershed Plan (1993)
  • Hanlon Creek Watershed Study Interim Report (1992) (not available digitally)
  • Hanlon Creek Watershed Study Background Report (1990) (not available digitally)

  •  East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)

  • Argyle Industrial Park and Moore Industrial Park Stormwater Management and Servicing Study (Cumulative Impact on Seneca Creek) (1994)
  • Dunnville Master Drainage Plan (1992)
  • South Caledonia Maser Drainage Plan Study (1990)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)
  • McKenzie Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Watershed Study (1999)
  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Linear Corridor Initiative (1995)

  • City of Hamilton Airport Economic Growth District - Phase 2 Subwatershed Study and Stormwater Master Plan (2011)
  • Addendum to Shaver Neighbourhood Master Drainage Plan (1997)
  • Spring Valley West and Shaver Neighbourhoods Master Drainage Plan - Town of Ancaster (1993)
  • Fairchild Creek Conservation Report (1965)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • State of the Watershed Report for Upper Blair Creek (2016)
  • East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)
  • East Side Lands (Stage 1) Master Environmental Servicing Plan and Community Plan (Freeport Creek and Tributary to the Grand subwatershed study) (2013)
  • Upper Blair Creek (Kitchener) Functional Drainage Study (2009)
  • Upper Strasburg Creek Class Environmental Assessment (2008)
  • Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (Phase 1) (2002)
  • Upper Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (2019)
  • Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (1997)
  • Detweiler Drainage Study (1995)
  • Doon South Creek Subwatershed Management Plan (1994)
  • Laurentian West Master Drainage Plan (1993)
  • Melitzer Creek Master Drainage Plan (1993)
  • Idlewood Creek Master Drainage Plan (1992)
  • Strasburg Creek Master Watershed Plan (1991)
  • Detweiler Drainage Study (1989)
  • Upper Shoemaker Creek Watershed Study (1978)

  •  Nichol Drain No.2 Subwatershed Study (1996)

  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)
  • McKenzie Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • Cambridge West Master Environmental Servicing Plan (2013)
  • Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (Phase 1) (2002)
  • Upper Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (2019)
  • Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (1997)
  • Mill Creek Subwatershed Study (1997)
  • Moffat Creek Watershed Plan and Comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (1996)
  • Bannister Lake Watershed Study (1979)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan Update (2008)
  • Alder Creek Watershed Study - Phase 1 - Discussion Paper (2000)
  • Kenny Creek Watershed Survey (1972)

  • Hanlon Creek State of the Watershed Study (2004)
  • Mill Creek Subwatershed Study (1997)
  • Pinebush South Master Drainage Plan (1990)
  • Kenny Creek Watershed Survey (1972)

  • McKenzie Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • North Waterloo Scoped Subwatershed Study - Laurel Creek (2013)
  • Waterloo Master Drainage Study - Urbanized Subwatersheds (2005)
  • Clair Creek Subwatershed 317 Drainage Study (2003)
  • Forwell Creek Functional Drainage Study (2001)
  • Laurel Creek Nature Centre Scoped Subwatershed Study (2000)
  • Laurel Creek: Scoped Subwatershed Report Owen Lands (1999)
  • Laurel Creek Subwatershed #314 Management Plan (1998)
  • Laurel Creek: Scoped Subwatershed Study - Forwell Creek/Lincoln Lands (1998)
  • Eastbridge District North Master Drainage Plan (1997)
  • Laurel Creek Subwatershed Plans #309/313 (1997)
  • Colonial Creek Rehabilitation Plan Functional Design Study (1995)
  • Laurel Creek Subwatershed #311 Subwatershed Plan (1994)
  • Laurel Creek Watershed Study (1993)
  • Melitzer Creek Master Drainage Plan (1993)
  • Colonial Creek Master Drainage Plan (1990)
  • Clair Creek Watershed Study (1977)

  • East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)
  • East Side Lands (Stage 1) Master Environmental Servicing Plan and Community Plan (Freeport Creek and Tributary to the Grand subwatershed study) (2013)
  • Alder Creek Watershed Study and Upper Strasburg Creek Subwatershed Plan Update (2008)
  • Cambridge West Master Environmental Servicing Plan (2013)
  • A Watershed Plan for the Canagagigue Creek Watershed - Phase 1 Final Report (2002)
  • Cedar Creek Scoped Subwatershed Study (Phase 1) (2002)
  • Alder Creek Watershed Study - Phase 1 - Discussion Paper (2000)
  • Blair, Bechtel and Bauman Creeks Subwatershed Plan (1997)
  • Grand River Corridor Conservation Plan (1995)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  • Firella Creek Master Drainage Plan (1998)
  • Laurel Creek Watershed Study (1993) 

  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Watershed Study (1999)
  • A Watershed Plan for the Upper Grand River Watershed (1999)
  • Eramosa River Blue Springs Creek Linear Corridor Initiative (1995)
  • Hanlon Creek Watershed Plan (1993)
  • Highland Creek Watershed Study (1992)
  • Fergus West Side Master Drainage Plan (1988)
  • Fairchild Creek Subwatershed Characterization Study (2016)

  •  Laurel Creek Watershed Study (1993)

  • East Side Subwatersheds Study: Phase 1 Subwatersheds Characterisation Report 2005-2010 (2014)
  • A Watershed Plan for the Canagagigue Creek Watershed - Phase 1 Final Report (2002)
  • Laurel Creek Watershed Study (1993)
  • Conestogo Village Drainage Study (1989)

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