Junction's Growth Spurt - Exploring the regreening of Junction Creek Watershed

junction’s growth spurt

Exploring the

re-greening of Junction Creek Watershed

arch 2326 april 2019 Sarah Chin, Jonathan Kabumbe, and Rebecca McLennanŠ

table of contents

1. introduction //2 2. the story //6 3. geography //8 4. discussion //20

characters

Cooper:

A silly and curious younger brother with a thirst for adventure.

Macey:

A kind and daring older sister who wants to know more about the world around her.

Ms. Anna Grayson:

A caring and knowledgeable Junction Creek Stewardship worker with a love for trees and animals.

introduction

The study of the Junction Creek watershed project focused on the different ecological services in and around the creek in different areas. Different groups studied soil conditions and permeable surfaces, point sources into the creek, mining and the effects they have on the landscape, human affects, hydrology and re-greening to name a few. Re-greening is the main area of focus for this project, with areas of study being Copper Cliff Mine, Maley Branch and the Garson mine and surrounding areas. Junction Creek has had a large effect on the success and health of the vegetation near the water. Site conditions vary from each of the three sites analyzed, and have produced different ecological conditions (soil and acidity, water quality, tree species, and human interaction). The three areas of focus are different demographically, some are neighbourhood areas, industrial areas, mining areas or a mix. The three main sites of focus are all extremely different based on where they are located along the watershed.

While studying the re-greening process, all of the conditions had to be looked at in conjunction with the plantings because trees are sensitive, living organisms that need healthy soils and healthy water conditions to thrive in. Through the studies of each area, each individual person found different results and came to different conclusions mainly because of where the site is along the creek, the ecological conditions of each area and human interventions. The three areas of focus will be further investigated and detailed in the following pages.

2

Siblings Cooper and Macey are at Junction Creek Stewardship Committee to volunteer after hearing about it in school...

What about planting trees?

Hmmm... which one should we sign up for?

TREES!

Cooper and Macey tell the worker at the Junction Stewardship Committee their choice to help with the planting of trees.

WOW!Re-greening is a great choice!

These are the 3 sites we’re going to visit: Copper Cliff, Maley, and Garson.

When can we start?

Hi! My name is Anna Grayson. Forty-years ago, Sudbury was barren because of the mining, logging, and farming. In 1978, we decided to change that with re-greening!

LET’S GO!

To be continued...

4

garson

maley

copper

junction creek watershed

1980----------------1990---------------2000

the story The timber trade was one of the first local industries in the late 1800s, and in 1885 copper and other metal deposits were discovered in the Sudbury basin. In 1886, the roast bed and smelter came into play with eleven roast beds located in or near Copper Cliff. Crushed or was piled on beds of wood chips and left to burn for up to seven months resulting in clouds of sulfur dioxide to be released which killed and damaged all the surrounding vegetation. The Sudbury basin was formed from the impact of a large meteorite 1.8 billion years ago. The basin is 60km large and is rich in copper, nickel and platinum deposits. As people began to move to Sudbury, they started farming and logging. As a result of forest fires, logging, and of roasting ore to extract desired minerals, vegetation in Sudbury became sparse. Sudbury was therefore given its reputation of being one of Canada’s most unattractive urban centers and being compared to the landscape of the moon. The barren land needed to be assessed to see how well it could support new plant life. The acidity and soil quality were tested in many locations in order to determine the sites that would need to be limed before they could then be regreened. The areas that were limed had a low pH and the process of liming helped to raise the pH so that the conditions were suitable for plant growth, further decreasing the uptake of metals. Due to the air quality, and reputation, the process of transforming its urban landscape began through the regreening and rehabilitation program in 1978. From 1978 to 2017, 9.7 million deciduous and coniferous trees were planted to help restore badly damaged landscapes and 3,400 ha of badly damaged land was restored. The regreening program has a focus on rehabilitating Sudbury’s landscape and watersheds through the plantings of native tree and shrub species.

6

Anna begins to explain the history and and purpose of re-greening in Sudbury.

It all began with the cultivation of resources from the land

Back then, Sudbury was full of trees until they began logging...

Wow those are big trees!

Sudbury also became a large farming town which led to the decrease in vegetation

After mining, Sudbury had no trees and was given the reputation of looking like the moon. Sudbury became barren and the quality of life and air decreased.

Mining was also very harmful to the trees and the land because of the run-off into water that is full of chemicals.

So that was when the Re-greening program started?

Today, more than 9 million trees have been re-planted, and the process continues

Yes! In 1978, Sudbury put together a volunteer-based program to help repair Sudbury’s landscape

8

copper cliff creek

copper cliff

Copper Cliff creek is in the Upper Junction watershed before draining to Kelly Lake. The Copper Cliff site has been largely impacted by the Superstack smelter and the mining industry that has in the past polluted the water, acidified the silt soil and removed plant and animal species. The mining site also contained roast yards, that burn wood for fuel, and have increased the site’s toxicity. The creek contains elements of Copper, Nickel and Cobalt with high levels of Calcium below the 0.49m Copper Cliff Creek input. As well, all along the colourful mine tailings are large areas that have been limed to reduce the soil’s acidity. Copper Cliff has had the largest amount of re-greening beginning in the 1980’s, with the highest number of trees and species diversity. This may be due to the lack of growth and contaminated site conditions, an increase in re-greening on the Copper Cliff site is necessary and beneficial. The creek’s surrounding area mainly consists of Red Pine, White Pine and White Spruce, and more such as, Tamarack, Black Locusts and Red Oak.

10

The three arrive at Copper Cliff...

This is the Superstack which produced most of the chemicals in the air.

The water is orange because of the copper from the mine tailings and roast beds.

There aren’t many trees here!

It might seem like there aren’t many trees in the area, but there are over twelve species planted here.

The area had to be limed so that the soil was healthy enough for the new trees.

The dirty water led us to increase the trees and shrubs in the area, but the soil conditions are not great for planting

The mining really negatively affected this site.

The creek connects to Kelly Lake.

Which site are we going to next?

To be continued...

12

maley creek

maley

The Maley area in Junction Creek is the healthiest in terms of trees but also biodiversity. Situated in a mainly residential and commercial area, it acts as a hub for recreational activity but also scientific data collection. A trail passing Twin Forks Park and connecting LaSalle Boulevard and Maley Drive encourage social interaction especially with the 8 schools surrounding the area. Overall the past replanting focuses on Spruce, Red and Jack Pine as the deciduous were already abundant in the area. Even though Maley Branch is the area that has been touched the least by mining, an 80.1-million-dollar project was implemented 20 years ago for the expansion of Maley Drive to upgrade roads in the City and to connect the boundary of Sudbury. After the discovery of Blanding’s turtles and Whippoorwills, a halt has been put on the project knowing that those species are at risk and slowly re-making the Creek their habitat. To conclude, A thorough management of the existing landscape and a continuous regreening promoting diversity of tree species will not only benefit the community around the Creek at Maley but also allow for a healthier biodiverse creek.

14

The three travel to Maley...

We are on our way to Maley which is considered the healthiest part of the creek.

Like real scientists!

After we plant some trees, we’re going to fish and take soil samples to test the quality.

The area is full of spruce and old deciduous trees.

By planting deciduous trees, we increase the biodiversity.

That’s awesome!

The soil samples will help compare to Garson...

We recently discovered Blanding’s turtles in the area.

Amazing!

Seeing turtles means that the area is doing very well.

To be continued...

16

garson

garson

The Garson Mine and its surrounding areas have proven to be quite successful given its soil conditions and water quality along Junction Creek. The soil in the area is Wendigo Sand which means that it is not the greatest material for growing vegetation.

The Wendigo Soil does not retain water very well, which makes it difficult for plants to get water up their stem and roots. Garson is home to not only the mine, but also a large sewage lagoon that is right beside Junction Creek and from time-to-time runs off into the creek causing bile in the water. Given the soil conditions and the sewage and mining runoff, vegetation would struggle to grow in the area, so mainly Jack Pines were planted as they are resilient and can grow in virtually any condition. The water along the creek in Garson has different metallic elements such as copper and nickel, but despite these qualities it is also proven that there are at least six fish species living in the creek, as well as Blanding’s Turtle.

18

Travel to the Garson Mine...

This is the beginning of Junction Creek where it all starts.

The run-off from the mine goes directly into the creek, making the water polluted.

By planting trees along the creek, it not only helps prevent flooding but they help clean the water.

Travel to the Sewage Lagoon...

Garson also holds a large sewage storage that means waste goes into the creek

Garson must need a lot of trees!

How can the water be cleaned?

Thanks for telling us about the Re-greening!

How come each site was so different?

So... can we plant one now?

Well, let’s talk about the things we saw that make each site different.

20

discussion

After analyzing the different sites of Junction Creek, they have shown their relation to the watershed and the re-greening process. When looking at the two mining sites, Garson has had a more successful re-greening in comparison to Copper Cliff. Research was done on the plants species, soil conditions, the amount of liming, human density, hydrology and number of trees planted. It was found that Copper Cliff had the poorest site conditions resulting in an increase of biodiversity in trees planted and a smaller human and fish population. Disregarding the initiative around the development of Maley Drive, the neighbourhood serves as a hub for the community and scientific research, as it represents the healthiest site of Junction Creek.

Although, Copper Cliff and Garson are connected by the Junction Creek watershed, being located at either end of the creek they have differing results. In Garson, there are many fish species and the main species planted is Jack Pine, it is resilient and can thrive in various conditions. Overall, the Copper Cliff site has had the most difficult site conditions in comparison to Maley and Garson.

When looking at the Junction Creek Watershed as a whole, each site from the upper and lower Junction differ immensely. The re-greening process and results as specific to each part of the watershed based on the site’s conditions. Each of these site conditions depend and affect each other and are all ecologically connected.

After re-greening at each of the three watershed sites, they take a bus back to the office.

When I think about it, Copper Cliff was where we planted the most amount of different kinds of trees. It was also a mining site where the water was bright orange and the soil was very acidic.

And in Garson, we saw that it was also a mining site with a sewage plant. When we were planting in Garson we didn’t even need to lime. Now you can see how the quality of the watershed affects the re-greening process and results.

That’s true! When we looked at Maley Creek, we saw it had the most amount of trees and is the healthiest of the the three. There were also Blanding turtles in the neighbourhood full of houses and shops.

Once they arrived at the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee office, it was time to say goodbye.

Thanks Anna for taking us to each of the re-greening sites and explaining how each Junction Creek site is different.

No problem! I hope to see you again to help re-green!

I am definitely going to sign up to re-green again.

How about you?

The end.

22

works cited

Canada. Earth Tech Canada. City of Greater Sudbury Official Plan Stormwater Background Study. Sudbury, Ontario, 2006. 37. url: https://www.greatersudbury.ca/linkservid/D0886D42-CD5D-42FB-250A508C19F8C0C4/showMeta/0/ (p.18) Canada. Regional Municipality of Sudbury. Land Reclamation Program 1978 - 1984. By William E. Lautenbach.

Sudbury, Ontario, 1985. (p.6) Lemieux, Emily S., John M. Gunn, and Jennifer Sheardown. Fish Community Assessment of Junction Creek 2004.

Report. Laurentian University. Accessed 2004. (p.18) “Regreening Program.” n.d. Greater Sudbury. Accessed March 28, 2019. https://www.greatersudbury.ca/live/environment-and-sustainability1/regreening-program/. (p.10) Steve, Sudbury. “No Social License for Maley Drive Phase 1 Project.” No Social License for Maley Drive Phase 1 Project. January 01, 1970. Accessed April 1, 2019. https://sudburysteve.blogspot.com/2016/01/no-social-license-for-maley-drive-phase.html?m=1. (p.14) “Sudbury: The Journey from Moonscape to Sustainably Green.” ActiveHistory.ca. June 10, 2013. Accessed March 31, 2019. http://activehistory.ca/2013/06/11360/. (p.6) “Sudbury.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. October 21, 2012. Accessed March 31, 2019. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sudbury-greater. (p.6) https://sudbury.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=73fcef8187864784a3a6aad98eb9c1ba (Sudbury Re-greening App) (9, 13, 17)

Help make the Junction Creek Watershed a better place and RE-GREEN TODAY.

Sarah Chin, Jonathan Kabumbe, and Rebecca McLennanŠ