Twelve Mile Creek
THE HEADWATERS OF TWELVE MILE CREEK
Twelve Mile Creek is the last remaining spring-fed cold water stream in the Niagara Peninsula with a known native population of Brook Trout.
OUR FOCUS
Human activities have altered the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of Twelve Mile Creek.
True restoration can only be accomplished by working at the watershed level. To achieve long-term success, we address the causes and not just the symptoms of ecological disturbance.
As a result, the quality of the water has degraded, causing the population of native Brook Trout to dwindle. Today, we have a better understanding of the importance of watersheds and the impacts that people can have on them. Restoring watersheds takes time, commitment and community involvement, but the benefits of a healthy aquatic environment are easily worth the effort.
The first objective of our restoration plan is to prevent further degradation of habitat. Healthy watersheds, clean water, and healthy aquatic habitats should be of interest to all of us. Healthy watersheds mean increased biodiversity, healthy water quality, and decreased flooding and erosion risks.
Changes in the Twelve Mile Creek watershed:
Changes between 1934 and 1954:
Changes between 1954 and 2018:
STREAM REHABILITATION
Stream Rehabilitation is the conservation and rehabilitation of watersheds and streams by trained and knowledgeable restoration experts.
The Niagara Chapter utilizes ecological restoration techniques to rehabilitate fish habitat and reduce erosion and sedimentation in the system. Such restoration techniques include riparian planting, reforestation, live cribwalls, LUNKERS, cross vanes,
deflector vanes, etc.
Examples of the methods our project uses to improve the conditions of a stream include:
The stabilization of stream banks and shorelines with natural materials such as vegetation, woody debris, and stones/boulders.
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