Using GIS in Two Sub-Watersheds in Southern Ontario to Conduct Consumptive Water Use Surveys, Produce Individual Hydrogeological Reports and Develop Integrated Water Resource Management Strategies for the Sub-Watershed

WESA and our team members developed and used a robust database tool and GIS to complete two separate consumptive water use surveys in predominantly agricultural settings between 2007 and 2008. The focuses of the studies were the Big Creek and Innisfil Creek Sub-Watersheds, both located in Southern Ontario.  The database tool and GIS were then used to develop Integrated Water Resources Management Strategies (IWRMS) for both sub-watersheds. The overall objectives of the two projects were to document historic and current consumptive water use on local and sub-watershed/ regional scales and to provide an inventory of existing water supplies and potential groundwater supply alternatives on a local and sub-watershed/ regional scale in order to meet stakeholder water demands in balance with the ecosystem needs of the sub-watershed. The survey targeted surface water users including agricultural and golf course water users where the ecosystem in the creeks was regularly stressed due to low flow conditions. The database tool and GIS mapping support was used during open house survey sessions as well as for telephone and on-site interviews with farmers. The database tool and GIS mapping support was also used to produce individual local scale and sub-watershed scale reports.  A total of 119 individual local scale hydrogeological summary reports were produced which can be used by individual stakeholders to implement aspects of the IWRMS between neighboring properties.

Funding was provided through the Canada Ontario Water Supply Expansion Program (COWSEP) as administered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council in Ontario.