Since 2006, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and Pinery Provincial Park staff have collected water samples to monitor water quality in the Old Ausable Channel (OAC). These samples are collected monthly from March to November each year. Prior to this undertaking, very little was known about the water quality in the OAC.

Every 5 years, ABCA publishes a Watershed Report Card that summarizes multiple environmental parameters, including water quality. Learn more about these report cards and findings here.

Water Sampling in the OAC

Water samples are analyzed for the following eight indicators:

BACTERIA

1. E. coli

NUTRIENTS

2. Total Phosphorus
3. Total Dissolved Phosphorus
4. Ammonia
5. Nitrate
6. Nitrite
7. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen

PARTICLES

8. Total Suspended Solids

Why Collect Water Samples?

The ongoing collection of water quality data is important to help guide management decisions and to keep track of water quality changes over time. Since numerous species at risk live within the OAC, it is particularly important to be aware of what is going on within the channel waters to ensure their habitat is not being degraded. If concentrations of a parameter are noticed to be too high or too low, it may lead to further actions to protect the channel’s health. Species at risk fish and their associated habitat are protected under the provincial Endangered Species Act, as well as the federal Species at Risk Act and Fisheries Act.

image of person lifting the lid off a Septic tank — Septic systems are a common cause of bacterial contamination in the OAC. Maintain your septic systems by ensuring they are inspected and monitored by professionals regularly.

Bacteria

Most types of bacteria aren’t harmful – many are even helpful! They make up your gut microbiome, supplying us with essential nutrients. However, one bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. coli) that we sample for can sometimes stir up trouble. While E. coli naturally occurs in our intestines, it can be harmful to ingest even in small amounts.

High E. coli numbers in waterbodies are an indicator of sewage or animal waste contamination. This can tip us off to an incident such as a manure spill or septic leachate from residential homes in the area. Testing for E. coli also allows us to ensure the water is safe for recreational activities like swimming.

image of 2 ducks swimming through a bright green algal bloom — An example of a harmful algal bloom caused by excessive nutrients. Conditions like this harm wildlife by reducing sunlight, water clarity, and oxygen levels.

Nutrients

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus naturally occur in the environment as part of the nutrient cycle. However, too many nutrients will increase vegetative growth to an unsustainable level. This can lead to hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions when plants begin to decay. If oxygen levels drop too low, fish will begin to die off. Excessive nutrients can also encourage the growth of harmful algal blooms and reduce water clarity. Species at risk fish like the Pugnose Shiner are very sensitive to excessive nutrients and low oxygen levels. High levels of nutrients can be found in lawn fertilisers, which can end up in the OAC when it rains.

Particles

Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measurement of small particles (>2 microns) in the water that get caught in filters. It is measured by weighing the dried material on the filter. These particles can include inorganic compounds (gravel, sand, and silt) and organics (algae, plankton, and decaying plant matter). Too many suspended solids makes it difficult for light to reach plants and algae, reducing habitat and food sources for aquatic species. Too much soil and silt in the water can also clog fish gills and potentially bury fish eggs.

Species at risk fish like the Pugnose Shiner rely on clean, clear water to survive. By monitoring TSS, we can keep tabs on their habitat and ensure their habitat remains pristine.

Water Quality in the OAC

graph showing e. coli counts in the OAC highlighting lowest counts in the OAC compared to neighbouring watercourses — E. coli counts in the Ausable Bayfield Watershed

Total Phosphorus in the Ausable Bayfield Watershed showing lower levels than neighbouring watercourses — Total Phosphorus in the Ausable Bayfield Watershed

These two graphs taken from the Watershed Report Card, show that the OAC consistently has some of the best water quality in its watershed. Click here for the full report on surface water quality in the Ausable Bayfield watershed.

These results are not surprising, as the small and isolated nature of the OAC acts as a buffer from various sources of contaminants, such as agricultural runoff. While other subwatersheds tend to accumulate contaminants from the many creeks and drains that feed the watercourse, the OAC is closed off from outside influence for the most part.

Threats

While the OAC has some of the best water quality in its watershed, this does not mean it is free from any threats. With such a sensitive ecosystem, we must be extra cautious to ensure that water quality does not degrade. Some of the biggest threats to the OAC right now are invasive European Water-milfoil and pollution from runoff, especially as development increases in the area. Both of these threats lead to the excessive aquatic plant growth sometimes seen in the channel.

HELP KEEP THE OAC CLEAN

Plant native plants
Native riparian buffer zones help keep our water clean and provide habitat for wildlife.

Remove invasive species
Invasive species degrade habitat for native fish and plants. If left unmanaged, they can end up taking over an area.

Maintain your septic system
Septic systems can leach contaminants into the OAC. Ensure that your septic systems are regularly inspected and monitored.

Use rain barrels or rain gardens
They help prevent flooding and runoff from contaminating the local waterways. Read more on the benefits here.

Eliminate fertilizer usage in your yard
Excessive nutrients from fertilizers can end up in the OAC, leading to excessive plant growth and potential fish kill events.

Help develop community projects
Explore our “Get Involved” and “Successes” pages for some inspiration!