The tall limestone cliffs and turquoise water of the Bruce Peninsula provide a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Credit: Scott Parker
Sharing information on Best Management Practices is an important part of collaboration between the individuals, communities, watershed groups and governmental agencies at work for Lake Huron. Credit: BPBA
Exposed limestone bluffs at Cave Point, Bruce Peninsula.
Rocky islands of eastern Georgian Bay. Photo credit: Ellen Perschbacher
Southern Ontario agriculture along Lake Huron’s southeast shore. Credit: Daniel Holm Photography
Sand beach and dune complexes are found along the southeastern shores, such as those pictured here near Pinery Provincial Park. Credit: Daniel Holm Photography
Lake Huron waters support a thriving agricultural sector, particularly in the southeastern portion of the watershed. Credit: Daniel Holm Photography
Volunteers engaged in stream restoration efforts in a Lake Huron tributary. Photo credit: MSIA
Rocky islands of eastern Georgian Bay. Photo credit: Ellen Perschbacher
The St. Marys River flows from Lake Superior to Lake Huron, contributing 8 billion liters/hour to the receiving basin in Lake Huron. Photo credit: Mark Chambers

Petun Dam Removal on Black Ash Creek, 2020

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The 6m high Petun Dam located in the headwaters of Black Ash Creek near Collingwood, supported a 100m long stagnant head pond full of sediment and nutrients which promoted algae growth and impacted water quality downstream. This stagnant head pond also served as a heat sink which increased mean summer heat wave temperatures in Black Ash Creek by 4C and negatively impacted coldwater trout habitat. Starting in 2010, the Nottawasaga Watershed Improvement Program began to work with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and partner groups such as the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust and Nottawasaga Steelheaders to design a construction plan and obtain necessary permits for a dam removal project. With support from Bruce Power, Greenbelt Foundation, Enbridge, Environment Canada, Province of Ontario, and the Community Action Framework, the dam removal was completed in 2020. The NVCA is working with local groups on a 2021 plan to naturalize the new creek and valley corridor.

Nearest city or town: Town of the Blue Mountains, near Collingwood
Project start date: July 2, 2020

Project focus: Ecosystem Restoration
Project contact: Fred Dobbs

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