Watershed Management
The Watershed Management Department is the umbrella for three divisions dedicated to monitoring, regulating, protecting and improving the health and safety of our watershed. Staff from all divisions work together on NPCA priorities with each responsible for specific programs and projects. The work of the Water Management Department generally applies to areas in or adjacent to waterways and their floodplains, wetlands, valley slopes, and the Great Lakes shorelines.
Watershed Development Services
The Watershed Development Services Division is primarily responsible for Plan Review under the Regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Niagara Region and administration of Ontario Regulation 155/06: Waterways, Valleylands and Wetlands Regulation. Watershed Plans have been developed to consider the best means to maintain water quality and quantity in each of our 32 Land Management Areas. The results of completed plans are also used to inform the work of the Watershed Stewardship Division.
Watershed Stewardship Services
The Watershed Stewardship Division implements restoration projects identified in NPCA Watershed Plans, often through cost-sharing programs with land owners, that help to improve and maintain water quality and wildlife habitat throughout the watershed. The division also works with the public and develops environmental awareness initiatives that help to educate residents about protecting our natural areas.
Niagara River Remedial Action Plan
In addition to its five divisions, the Watershed Management Department employs a Remidal Action Plan (RAP) coordinator for the joint Federal/Provincial program working to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes system.
Watershed Technical Services
The Watershed Technical Services group is responsible for a wide range of specialized technical support functions including flood control, water quality monitoring, source water protection and Geographic Information Systems.
This group provides services for both internal and external customers.
Flood Control, Monitoring and Warning
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority monitors stream flow (including dam operations), rainfall and other meteorological information at locations across the watershed. The information is transmitted from each station to the NPCA’s Head Office in Welland, Ontario, in near-real time where it is monitored and analyzed. The data gives us an up to date picture of the conditions within the watershed, and allows us to develop a deeper understanding of the fluxes and behaviour of the systems.
Water Quality Monitoring
The NPCA completes monthly sampling and testing at a number of surface water stations and groundwater wells across our watershed. Surface water samples are tested for numerous parameters, including: ecoli, nitrates and lead. Groundwater sample tests include: nutrients, metals and bacteria. For more information and access to annual water quality reports, visit the Water Quality Monitoring Program page.
Source Water Protection
The Clean Water Act was passed by the Ontario legislature to assist communities with protecting their municipal drinking water supplies at the source. Under the Act, this Division implements the Provincial Source Water Protection initiative.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
The GIS Division provides information management support to all other divisions with advanced technical services such as spatial analysis, digital mapping, geographic data creation and publication, database management and custom application development.
