Otonabee Conservation staff use an integrated, science-based approach to understanding the ecological processes and state of natural resources in the watershed. Field staff can be regularly seen in action monitoring water quality and quantity through partnership programs:
- Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network
- Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network
- Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network
Otonabee Conservation also participates in research and technical studies with a variety of partners.
Did you know that together, Ontario’s Conservation Authorities monitor 1,129 surface water sites and 489 groundwater sites? Learn more about how Conservation Authorities contribute to healthy watersheds.
Why monitor? Information collected through monitoring programs is used by Conservation Authorities across Ontario to produce a Watershed Report Card every 5 years. A standardized set of indicators is used to evaluate the health of the watershed including information on surface water quality, forest cover, groundwater resources, and wetlands. Watershed Report Cards also include information about CA programs and activities and practical ways that individuals can help protect watershed health.
Otonabee Conservation Watershed Report Cards have been published in 2013, 2018, and in 2023.
Learn more about the health of watersheds across Ontario, by viewing the State of Ontario’s Watersheds story map.
View Watershed Report Cards from Conservation Authorities across the Province.
Otonabee Conservation also undertakes a variety of research activities, monitoring programs and studies on behalf of municipal partners at specific locations throughout the watershed. Contact us for more details.
Interested in monitoring? Check out the following citizen science programs, which allow you to contribute valuable watershed health data. You can monitor local bird and amphibian populations, report invasive species and assist in documenting local occurrences of species at risk. Many of these programs even allow you to submit observations directly from your smartphone in the field!
- Nature watch (FrogWatch, IceWatch, PlantWatch, WormWatch)
- Early Detection and Distribution Maps for reporting invasive species
- Ontario Turtle Tally
- Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas
- Marsh Monitoring Program for frogs and birds
- eBird