Stream Rehabilitation

The NVCA coordinates stream rehabilitation through the Healthy Waters Program. Candidate restoration sites are selected based on documented stream health impairments (severe erosion, degraded fish habitat) potential opportunities for rehabilitation, downstream benefits, and the value of contributions from other project partners. The NVCA can help to access funding support for high priority work sites. Projects may be completed on both public and private lands and may include:

• Reforestation and revegetation of streamside corridors
  
• Fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation
  
• Natural channel restoration
  
• Erosion control
  
• Livestock exclusion fencing
  
• Dam removal
  
• Installation of bottom discharges on dams
  
• Enhancement of fish migratory routes

The NVCA is currently coordinating large-scale stream habitat rehabilitation programs on Beeton Creek and the Boyne River working in concert with the New Tecumseth Streams Committee and the Nottawasaga Steelheaders respectively. We are always looking for volunteer support for field work days! If you have any questions or are interested in completing a stream rehabilitation project within the NVCA area of jurisdiction, please contact Fred Dobbs, Manager of Stewardship Services. fdobbs@nvca.on.ca 

Fisheries Management

Fish habitat improvement projects comprise a large percentage of stream habitat rehabilitation work completed by the NVCA. For example, the enhancement of rainbow, brook and brown trout habitats is a primary goal of the Boyne River Rehabilitation Program jointly supported by the Nottawasaga Steelheaders and the NVCA.

The NVCA is also actively involved in fisheries habitat protection as part of the work permit review process. Through a partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the NVCA currently reviews all work permit applications to ensure the protection of fish habitat and compliance with the Federal Fisheries Act.

The NVCA also participates in fish population management programs working in concert with the Midhurst District Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The NVCA and MNR recently partnered on a project to monitor the status of the Nottawasaga River walleye population. Walleye (and other species) were collected using trap nets set at Jack's Lake near the Town of Wasaga Beach. Information generated by the survey is being used to determine the health of Nottawasaga River walleye.

The NVCA and MNR are currently working on fisheries management options for Nottawasaga River rainbow trout through a partnership with the Nottawasaga Steelheaders. Fluctuations in the size of the Boyne River rainbow trout spawning run have raised questions about the health of the fishery and possible impacts from over harvest. A public input document has recently been developed. It identifies the nature of the harvest problem and provides various management options for public scrutiny. This document is available by contacting our Manager of Stewardship Services, Fred Dobbs fdobbs@nvca.on.ca.

If you have any questions about fish habitat in the Nottawasaga River and Blue Mountain Watersheds or you are interested in participating in any fisheries management programs, please contact Fred Dobbs fdobbs@nvca.on.ca