Watershed Health Checks
Watershed Health Checks
NVCA has produced nine subwatershed health checks and one watershed-wide health check in 2023. The health checks provide an overview of forest, wetlands, stream and groundwater health within the larger NVCA watershed. They also identify stewardship priorities, future challenges and opportunities to improve environmental health.
Our science monitoring staff collects samples from forests, wetlands, streams and groundwater for data analysis. Our stewardship staff uses this information to determine the success of past restoration projects and areas in need of improvement.
Explore NVCA’s subwatershed health checks below!
Nottawasaga River Health Check
NVCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities across Ontario and is a proud member of Conservation Ontario. Our watershed is approximately 3,700 km2, with jurisdiction in 18 municipalities and is the source of watercourses that flow into Georgian Bay at Wasaga Beach, Collingwood and Severn Sound. It includes 35 km of Georgian Bay shoreline along the Wasaga Beach and Collingwood waterfront.
Blue Mountains Subwatershed Health Check
The Blue Mountains subwatershed consist of four main creek systems, all originating from the Niagara Escarpment – a World Biosphere Reserve.
It covers the the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Township of Amaranth, Township of Essa, Township of Melancthon, Town of Mono, Township of Mulmur, Town of New Tecumseth and the Town of Shelburne
Boyne River Subwatershed Health Check
The Boyne River subwatershed arises as a series of tributaries from headwater wetlands northwest of Shelburne.
It covers the the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Township of Amaranth, Township of Essa, Township of Melancthon, Town of Mono, Township of Mulmur, Town of New Tecumseth and the Town of Shelburne
Innisfil Creek Subwatershed Health Check
The Innisfil Creek subwatershed consists of Innisfil Creek, Bailey Creek, Beeton Creek and Penville Creek – that drain the southeast portion of the Nottawasaga River watershed
It covers the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Town of Caledon, Township of Essa, Town of Innisfil the Town of Mono and the Town of New Tecumseth
Lower Nottawasaga River Subwatershed Health Check
The Lower Nottawasaga River extends from Angus downstream through the Minesing Wetlands, emerging from this vast wetland at Edenvale.
It covers the Township of Clearview, Township of Springwater and the Town of Wasaga Beach
Mad River Subwatershed Health Check
The Mad River arises as two stream branches (Mad River and Noisy River) within a series of wetlands west of the Niagara Escarpment.
The Mad River subwatershed covers the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Township of Clearview, CFB Borden, Municipality of Grey Highlands, Township of Melancthon, Township of Mulmur and the Township of Springwater
Middle Nottawasaga River Subwatershed Health Check
The Middle Nottawasaga River extends from the river confluence with Innisfil Creek (southeast of Alliston) downstream to Angus.
The Middle Nottawasaga River subwatershed covers the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Town of Caledon, CFB Borden, Township of Essa, Town of Innisfil, Town of Mono and Town of New Tecumseth.
Pine River Subwatershed Health Check
The Pine River arises within a series of wetlands southwest of Redickville.
The Pine River subwatershed covers the Adjala-Tosorontio, CFB Borden, Township of Melancthon and the Township of Mulmur.
Upper Nottawasaga River Subwatershed Health Check
The Upper Nottawasaga River arises as two stream branches within a series of wetlands west of the Niagara Escarpment near the hamlets of Elba and Camilla.
The Upper Nottawasaga River subwatershed covers the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Township of Amaranth, Town of Mono and the Town of New Tecumseth.
Willow Creek Subwatershed Health Check
Willow Creek and Matheson Creek are the two main streams in the Willow Creek subwatershed.
The Willow Creek subwatershed the City of Barrie, Township of Oro-Medonte and the Township of Springwater.
Older versions of the NVCA's Watershed Health Checks are available below.
The NVCA began producing Subwatershed Report Cards in 2007. In 2013, these were re-launched with the title “Health Check” to ensure a distinction between these and the provincial Watershed Report Cards.
- Nottawasaga Watershed Health Check
- Blue Mountains Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Boyne River Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Innisfil Creek Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Lower Nottawasaga River Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Mad River Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Middle Nottawasaga River Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Pine River Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Upper Nottawasaga Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
- Willow Creek Subwatershed Watershed Health Check
Provincial Watershed Report Cards
Along with many of the 36 conservation authorities in Ontario, the NVCA produces a Watershed Report Card. This was designed by conservation authority staff under the guidance of Conservation Ontario in order to allow a province-wide snapshot of water quality, forest conditions, groundwater quality and wetlands based on a common set of measurements and criteria.
Oak Ridges Moraine Report Card
This report card is a measurement of the health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and adjacent Greenbelt watersheds. It has been prepared with the Conservation Authorities Moraine Coalition to provide science-based monitoring data and analysis to help inform the 2015 review of the Greenbelt Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. Funding support was generously provided by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.
