The Greenbelt protection has extended to 21 major urban river valleys and 7 coastal wetlands across the Greater Golden Horseshoe - including the Bowmanville Creek!
The addition of these waterways to the Greenbelt is an important recognition of the vital role the Greenbelt plays in protecting the hydrological features we rely on for clean drinking water, flood protection, and healthy ecosystems.
Bowmanville Creek is a watercourse in Durham County, that flows from its headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine to its mouth on Lake Ontario, at Bowmanville, Ontario. Every 5 years Central Lake Ontario Conservation releases a report card to assess the health of the Bowmanville Creek watershed. Grades around urbanized areas typically decline because of reduced natural vegetation and hard surfaces, such as roads and roofs. Protecting the urban river valleys is very important for our communities health.
Top facts about the Bowmanville Creek:
Bowmanville Creek borders Oshawa Creek, and Soper Creek, to the west and east, which have their headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Between Bowmanville Creek and Oshawa Creek, there are five smaller creeks, Farewell Creek, Robinson Creek, Tooley Creek, Darlington Creek and Westside Creek.
Bowmanville Creek watershed received an overall “C” grade surface water quality rating. The “C” grade is considered “fair”.
While there has been an improvement in surface water quality in the Bowmanville Creek, we have seen a decline in the Lynde, Oshawa and Farewell Creek watersheds since the 2013 Watershed Report Card.
Consumptive water use from groundwater sources in the Bowmanville Creek subwatershed constitutes only 2% of the total available supply for this subwatershed.
Want to learn more?
Right now, we are working with community groups, municipalities and organizations across the Greenbelt to ensure the urban river valleys and the Greenbelt remain healthy for generations to come.
The Central Lake Ontario Conservation (CLOC) has produced extensive research about the Bowmanville Creek Watershed.
The CLOC organizes many events to help you learn more about the watershed, or you could check-out our events page.
