Watershed Management

Watershed management, in its simplest terms means managing upstream activities and resources wisely so that downstream remains healthy. The Conservation Authority watershed model has received worldwide recognition over its history and the watershed is now recognized as one of the premier natural ecosystem units on which to manage resources.

Conservation Authorities define watershed management as “managing water resources within specific watersheds by knowing how much water is in the system, where it comes from, who is using it, how it is being contaminated and where it is ends up. Watershed management takes into consideration all the outside activities that can influence the quality and quantity of our surface and groundwater.”

Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities carry out watershed planning across the province.

What is Watershed Planning?

Watershed planning is a continuous process that requires us to:

1. collect water resource data & analyze it to identify issues and problems;
   
   
2. design a watershed plan on the basis of this data to protect and promote resource sustainability;
   
   
3. implement the plan;
   
   
4. monitor and evaluate plan while continuously updating it to adapt to new information or technology. Enforcement and compliance efforts are also important in this component.
   

Why Is It Important to Do Watershed Planning?

• Everything is connected to everything else. Upstream activities affect the quality and quantity of water downstream. Eventually it all flows out of the public’s tap.
  
  
• Surface and groundwater systems can be easily contaminated and have a limited tolerance for stress. Long term problems can develop that are costly and difficult to deal with in the future so preventative actions are required now.
  
  
• Water resources can be protected more efficiently if watersheds are managed as whole ecosystems. By using a watershed approach to managing our resources, harmful impacts on the system can be identified quickly so that prevention, remediation or improvements can be carried out right away.
  
  
• Managing our water on a watershed basis and taking the necessary action to protect or rehabilitate it can prevent future community water shortages and poor water quality.

Partnerships Are Key to Success

Conservation Authorities work with partners such as landowners, other non-governmental agencies in planning as well as all levels of government to plan and deliver watershed management programs and services.

What role can Conservation Authorities play in the management of Ontario’s water resources?

Conservation Authorities play a key role in protecting and improving water quality and quantity for Ontario. These agencies have the expertise and experience to assist in designing and delivering effective watershed management. As well, their local networks are essential for ensuring opportunities for a variety of public, nonprofit, industry and government stakeholders to work together for the good of the local environment.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Watershed Planning

Clean and plentiful water supplies are among the most important natural resources. As the population grows and development intensifies, the challenge to maintain high quality and quantities of water has grown in scope and complexity. The Ontario government is working with many partners including conservation authorities,
stewardship councils, farmers, environmental groups, other stakeholders and interested citizens to address these challenges. From this collaboration, a series of watershed-based demonstrationprojects were carried out using new and innovative approaches to environmental stewardship. The project reports are intended to assist both practitioners and non-practitioners in applying the results in other local watersheds.

• FACT SHEET ENGLISH (670 KB) FRENCH (727 KB)  
• REPORT (4 MB) APPENDIX (27 MB)