• connection between watershed and marsh
• source of seeds, nutrients, freshwater and sediment
• spawning and nursery habitats for many fish species
• habitat areas and travel corridors for wildlife
• sources of enjoyment for people

Spencer, Borer’s and Chedoke Creeks all flow directly into the Cootes Paradise marsh. The health of these creeks and their watersheds is a very important factor in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in Cootes Paradise.

Watershed Studies
The Remedial Action Plan partners, led by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority, completed a Spencer Creek Watershed Study. (A watershed is the name given to all the land draining into a creek.) This comprehensive plan directs urban and rural land management. Programs to improve natural areas and to reduce the impact of runoff from existing urban areas will improve the quality of the marsh. Computer modeling will identify measures required to sustain the quality of the water flowing into the Spencer Creek and subsequently into the marsh. Since the marsh is a product of its watershed, programs to regenerate the quality of natural habitat along tributaries will enhance the ecological linkages and quality of the marsh.
     This study examines the inter-relationships between the physical landscape, the flora and fauna of the landscape and the cultural or human aspect. It provides input into future official plans and establishes stewardship strategies.
     In addition to watershed planning, the Conservation Authority administers alterations to watercourse regulations on behalf of the province and the federal governments.

Watershed Sediment Control
Urban construction may account for half the sediment load to the Cootes Paradise marsh. Monitoring shows 95% of construction sites in the watershed have ineffective sediment control. As a result, the Hamilton and Halton Region Conservation Authorities prepared guidelines for "Keeping Soils on Construction Sites". Reducing the sediment load will also reduce contaminants and nutrients carried with the sediment.

Combined Sewer Overflow Tanks

The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth constructed a massive CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) tank. It is located under Cathedral Park in Hamilton. Now during rain storms, instead of sewers and storm water in this area overflowing into Cootes Paradise as in the past, it is stored in the CSO tank until it can be pumped at a later time to the sewage treatment plant.

The tank holds 74.25 million litres and is expected to stop 1.485 billion litres a year from discharging into the marsh during storm events.

The Region is planning to construct CSO tanks in other locations.

Stewardship Program

Utilizing the "Yellow Fish Road" program, school children are actively marking storm drains and educating resident landowners. This effort reduces pollution entering storm sewers which outlet to creeks draining into the marsh. In rural areas, gate post signs now recognize farms actively participating in a "Watershed Stewardship" program to reduce pollution and regenerate natural areas.

Chedoke Creek Restoration

The City of Hamilton designed and constructed a vegetated shoreline and trail along the lower section of Chedoke Creek in Cootes Paradise. The project includes a wetland component, fish habitat structures and shoreline planting beds.
Chedoke Creek Before
Chedoke Creek After