Saugeen Conservation Update

Sampling in the first full year of the Rural Stormwater Management Model project has yielded some excellent base information to better understand how water flows in the Pine River.

Staff from the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority collected surface water samples to monitor water quality and collected flow information from both the Ripley Gauge and a temporary site on the south Pine River.

A total of 32 bridges and 53 culverts in the Pine River watershed were also photographed and measured.

This information helps to accurately determine the flow of water, whether culvert sizes are adequate and if bridges act as possible restrictions to river flow patterns.

In 2013 SVCA staff also sampled six different storm runoff events and sent 83 surface water samples for analysis, with funding assistance from Bruce County’s Clean Water Fund.

Monitoring and flow measurement of the Pine River will continue so resource managers can gain a deeper understanding of the watershed, measure the effectiveness of implementing best management practices and determine how we can succeed in improving the well-being of the Pine River.