Garvey-Glenn efforts pay off

Farmers and cottagers are working with Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) on continuing efforts to improve soil and water quality within the Garvey-Glenn, a 1,600+ hectare area north of Goderich that’s also a Healthy Lake Huron priority watershed.

The impacts of climate change and changing land-use patterns have caused significant
erosion problems in the watershed, especially at the swiftly eroding gully where it enters Lake Huron. Work is underway throughout the watershed to remedy this.

In the headwaters, the goal is to slow down surface water runoff after a rainfall to reduce erosion and retain topsoil.

Five erosion control berms, along with French drains to help filter sediment, have been
constructed in farmers’ fields and two more will be added in 2014.

In the mid-section of the watershed, efforts are focused on buffering streams and
constructing grassed waterways to allow for drainage, and minimize soil and nutrient loss.

Just over a hectare of land in this section was retired from active farming in 2013 and planted with trees, with another hectare of tree planting planned for spring 2014.

Information signs for two projects will also be installed in spring.

A berm with French drain in this field planted with beans slows down storm runoff but drains quickly enough to ensure healthy crops.

But the most cost-effective solution may be improved soil management. A recent Soil Health Project sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food has already had substantial farmer interest.

In addition to soil sampling, some farmers are trying no-till and strip-till farming techniques – combined with planting cover crops – to improve soil health on their farms.

In support of these efforts, MVCA has hired a consultant and added a new staff person to work specifically on this project. Funding from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in 2014 also allowed for three more watershed sub-basins to be surveyed and designed with landowner input.

To improve communications and maintain momentum for the project, MVCA staff
members are also producing quarterly newsletters and ensuring one-on-one ongoing contact with both farmers and funders.

More information on the Garvey-Glenn project is available on Facebook (/ggsweep) or on Twitter (@ggsweep).