Norton’s Creek: Phase 2
Norton’s Creek has been severely impacted by livestock over the past century, which destroyed the riparian vegetation, canopy and eroded the shoreline banks which caused sediment to cover over important spawning grounds as well as widening the width of the creek and reducing the depth of the water. This project’s objective included using bio-engineering techniques such as rehabilitating the channel centre and reducing the creeks width/depth ratio by narrowing and deepening the channel. This stream bank restoration involved stabilizing banks with boulders and creating pool and riffle areas with the placement of weeping and vortex weirs along the creek. Aquatic substrate habitat was created through the extensive addition of spawning gravel, as well as medium and large rock boulders to provide staging areas, and placing boulders along the new shoreline so that it can withstand the force of peak flood flow conditions while providing fish habitat along its edges.
Fish habitat was also created by installing LUNKERS as well as placing root wads and a variety of larger woody materials along the shoreline and in-stream to create shade, shelter and protection from predators. Re-establishment of the riparian zone and its corresponding vegetation/canopy was completed by seeding Right-of-Way grass mixture along the shoreline and planting native riparian vegetation to shade the creek so it cools and reduces the overall water temperatures. Re-vegetation of the riparian area was carried out in disrupted areas along the creek using native species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, and heart leaved willow and native grass seed. In addition, split cedar rail fencing was installed to prevent livestock from inhibiting and further damaging the newly rehabilitated creek and riparian zone.
All work was completed by November 23, 2009. There was a total of 2,000 trees planted within the riparian area, a total of 203m2 of riparian habitat created, 448 linear meters of rail fencing installed and 489 linear meters of page wire fencing installed along the creek up to the natural springs that feed the creek and 934 linear meters of page wire fencing installed to the east-west of the creek to the edge of the property to block off livestock access through forested land to get to the creek. A total of 160 acres of land was retired at Norton’s Creek and a total of 100 acres of land was protected and retired from livestock access to an adjacent headwater area Lilly Lake that feeds into Lake Manitou due to the installation of the split cedar rail fencing.
There was a total of 214 in-stream structures added and a total of 4,225m2 of fish and aquatic ecosystem habitat added including, (57) gravel spawning beds creating 156m3 of spawning gravel spawning beds, (110) pieces of woody material were added, (47) root wads added to the stream.
In-kind support contributions were in forms of labour and services, equipment, and materials. Labour was completed by the landowner(s) along with the assistance of our partner volunteer groups, (Lake Manitou Area Association, Manitoulin Stewardship Rangers and the Killarney Ontario Stewardship Rangers Program, the landowner and local volunteers). This project has dramatically improved the aquatic and riparian habitats of this site. This “high visibility” project located along Bidwell Road demonstrated the valued benefits of this community stewardship initiative to the public and other local landowners who were apprehensive about participating. Materials and use of machinery for the project (seed, fencing materials, boulders, and operation of tractor and chainsaw) was provided by Bob Hutton (landowner) as well as the Lake Manitou Area Association and Manitoulin Streams members (operation of ATV and trailers). Funds to complete this project were as follows: Bob Hutton donation, CFWIP, COA and Environmental Farm Plan.
The landowner Bob Hutton took an Environmental Farm Plan Course and was able recover 50% of his funds invested into installing fencing to restrict livestock along Norton’s Creek through this cost share program. The farmers leasing the land Ralph and Larry Moggy provided 86 hours of labour, materials for installing fencing and use of equipment such as tractor and chainsaws. 50% of these costs were provided as in-kind support toward Manitoulin Streams.
The MNR Manitoulin Stewardship Rangers began work on July 13, 2009 and worked until August 12, 2009. Their group consisted of 1 Stewardship Ranger leader and 4 Stewardship Rangers. They contributed 280 hrs of labour, 8 vehicle days and traveled 1356km.
The Killarney Ontario Rangers came and participated in the Norton’s Creek project with 24 rangers and 4 leaders. They contributed 707 hrs of labour, had 7 vehicle days and traveled 1257km.
Volunteers came out to Norton’s Creek to help out with the tree planting and they had 31 volunteers that contributed 4.5hrs of labour and they had members that brought 2 ATV’s used to transport trees to various locations along the creek.
Bob Hutton has provided 26hrs of labour, traveled 4,130 km’s from St. Mary’s Ontario to Manitoulin Island during the summer, had additional costs (meals and lodging) and root wads from his land.
1 relative (Delmer Fields) of Bob Hutton contributed 12.5 hours of labour, provided equipment for use (6.5 hrs of tractor use), 1 hour use of their chainsaw. This project had 7 volunteers from the Board of Directors of Manitoulin Streams, 2 co-workers. “Manitoulin Streams” Board members (8 meetings, 125 people attending, 159 hrs) attended meetings to discuss planning procedures.
Fish habitat was also created by installing LUNKERS as well as placing root wads and a variety of larger woody materials along the shoreline and in-stream to create shade, shelter and protection from predators. Re-establishment of the riparian zone and its corresponding vegetation/canopy was completed by seeding Right-of-Way grass mixture along the shoreline and planting native riparian vegetation to shade the creek so it cools and reduces the overall water temperatures. Re-vegetation of the riparian area was carried out in disrupted areas along the creek using native species such as eastern white cedar, speckled alder, and heart leaved willow and native grass seed. In addition, split cedar rail fencing was installed to prevent livestock from inhibiting and further damaging the newly rehabilitated creek and riparian zone.
All work was completed by November 23, 2009. There was a total of 2,000 trees planted within the riparian area, a total of 203m2 of riparian habitat created, 448 linear meters of rail fencing installed and 489 linear meters of page wire fencing installed along the creek up to the natural springs that feed the creek and 934 linear meters of page wire fencing installed to the east-west of the creek to the edge of the property to block off livestock access through forested land to get to the creek. A total of 160 acres of land was retired at Norton’s Creek and a total of 100 acres of land was protected and retired from livestock access to an adjacent headwater area Lilly Lake that feeds into Lake Manitou due to the installation of the split cedar rail fencing.
There was a total of 214 in-stream structures added and a total of 4,225m2 of fish and aquatic ecosystem habitat added including, (57) gravel spawning beds creating 156m3 of spawning gravel spawning beds, (110) pieces of woody material were added, (47) root wads added to the stream.
In-kind support contributions were in forms of labour and services, equipment, and materials. Labour was completed by the landowner(s) along with the assistance of our partner volunteer groups, (Lake Manitou Area Association, Manitoulin Stewardship Rangers and the Killarney Ontario Stewardship Rangers Program, the landowner and local volunteers). This project has dramatically improved the aquatic and riparian habitats of this site. This “high visibility” project located along Bidwell Road demonstrated the valued benefits of this community stewardship initiative to the public and other local landowners who were apprehensive about participating. Materials and use of machinery for the project (seed, fencing materials, boulders, and operation of tractor and chainsaw) was provided by Bob Hutton (landowner) as well as the Lake Manitou Area Association and Manitoulin Streams members (operation of ATV and trailers). Funds to complete this project were as follows: Bob Hutton donation, CFWIP, COA and Environmental Farm Plan.
The landowner Bob Hutton took an Environmental Farm Plan Course and was able recover 50% of his funds invested into installing fencing to restrict livestock along Norton’s Creek through this cost share program. The farmers leasing the land Ralph and Larry Moggy provided 86 hours of labour, materials for installing fencing and use of equipment such as tractor and chainsaws. 50% of these costs were provided as in-kind support toward Manitoulin Streams.
The MNR Manitoulin Stewardship Rangers began work on July 13, 2009 and worked until August 12, 2009. Their group consisted of 1 Stewardship Ranger leader and 4 Stewardship Rangers. They contributed 280 hrs of labour, 8 vehicle days and traveled 1356km.
The Killarney Ontario Rangers came and participated in the Norton’s Creek project with 24 rangers and 4 leaders. They contributed 707 hrs of labour, had 7 vehicle days and traveled 1257km.
Volunteers came out to Norton’s Creek to help out with the tree planting and they had 31 volunteers that contributed 4.5hrs of labour and they had members that brought 2 ATV’s used to transport trees to various locations along the creek.
Bob Hutton has provided 26hrs of labour, traveled 4,130 km’s from St. Mary’s Ontario to Manitoulin Island during the summer, had additional costs (meals and lodging) and root wads from his land.
1 relative (Delmer Fields) of Bob Hutton contributed 12.5 hours of labour, provided equipment for use (6.5 hrs of tractor use), 1 hour use of their chainsaw. This project had 7 volunteers from the Board of Directors of Manitoulin Streams, 2 co-workers. “Manitoulin Streams” Board members (8 meetings, 125 people attending, 159 hrs) attended meetings to discuss planning procedures.
