NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO RIVERS ALLIANCE
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The Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA), Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC), Canadian Wildlife Federation, and four other partners are announcing Phase II of the Hanlon Creek Crowd Funding Campaign. We are looking to raise $10,000 by July 31. The funds are required to pay for the weir modification and river rehabilitation work, scheduled to take place in September of this year.
“We have a very short time-line and need your help to reach our fundraising goal”, said Alex Meeker, Ontario Provincial Biologist with TUC.
We are very excited to have two incredible perks that will be offered to all donors in a draw at the close of the Campaign. A 1st and 2nd place winner will be drawn. The 1st place winner will have the choice of perks – either a guided boat tour for two people on the historic French River in French River Provincial Park - a value of $700; or a stunning limited-edition print entitled “Autumn Cascades” by Mary-Dawn Roberts – a value of $750.
For every $25 donated a ballot will be entered into the draw in the donor’s name. Check out our Campaign page for more details and to donate.
A big thank you to all those generous donors who have provided perks and supported the first phase of this Campaign last March. We raised $2,250 to complete the engineered design work, 2 pay for the permitting, and there was enough left over to create a sign to be installed at the construction site to inform the public about the project and how it will benefit local Brook Trout. Hanlon Creek is a coldwater Brook Trout stream, with its headwaters rising within the City of Guelph.
The Hanlon Creek weir was built in 1972 to measure stream flow but has been inactive since the 90s. The Grand River Fisheries Management Plan identified issues and management strategies to improve the coldwater tributaries of the Speed River Basin, which includes the Hanlon Creek and the removal of the weir.
The problem is that the Hanlon Creek weir is a barrier to fish passage, it interferes with sediment transport and causes upstream ponding with an increased surface area that warms in the sun. This warming of the creek has negative impacts on water quality and the Brook Trout that require clear, cool waters below 24°C.
The plan is to remove the centre portion of the weir to lower the upstream water level. This will narrow the channel and result in cooler stream temperatures, improved fish passage and an overall healthier Brook Trout habitat. Most importantly, it will improve the fishery’s resiliency to climate change for years to come.
Our partners in this project are the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Grand River Conservation Authority, and the City of Guelph, in consultation with the Grand River Fisheries Management Plan Implementation Committee.
“We are reaching out to the public at this final phase of the Project to raise the necessary funds to complete the weir removal and stream restoration work. So, all donations are appreciated”, said Linda Heron, Chair of the ORA.
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