This report reviews the manmade Lake Moodie and Lake Gibson inland gravity fed watershed reservoir owned by Ontario Power Generation (OPG). The site started out as a shallow valley known as the Beaverdams Creek watershed with meandering streams, ponds and wetlands. At the time, the Carolinian forest surrounded this valley providing valuable habitat and resources supporting Indigenous peoples. However, this rich and diversified ecosystem was transformed into farmland by settlers in the 1790's. In 1898, Cataract Power Company constructed a pilot AC hydroelectric power station (DeCew Falls I) which led to a large dam being constructed to form Lake Gibson in 1904. In addition, Lake Moodie became the connected feedstock reservoir in 1942, followed by a second larger power station (DeCew Falls II) the next year. By 1948, the completed Lake Gibson System became the largest inland lake in the Niagara Region. As a result, the south shore manmade embankment was added to the original power station canal wall to support the increase water level. The power stations consume more water than supply sources provide, thus water levels constantly fluctuate within the lake system. In addition, makeup water is supplied year-round by Lake Erie through the Welland Canal system. Since OPG owns the lakes, it can restrict access to the area for safety reasons. As signage indicates, it allows limited access for the Bruce Trail. Furthermore, the lakes are also the backup water supply for the local water treatment plant. The landscape presently includes the historic Beaverdams cottage community, Brock University, Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservatory, drinking water supply canal and an agricultural area on the south. Although urban encroachment threatens this watershed, the OPG is supporting sustainable revitalization by protecting over 100 wetland sites, marsh areas and a riparian forested area to renew the Carolinian forest zone. Environmental protection will help protect the watershed functionality from human impact.
Municipality: Thorold, Ontario
Local area name: Lake Gibson System
Other identifying names or descriptions Beaverdams Creek Community, Twelve Mile Creek Watershed – escarpment portion of upper section, Lake Moodie watershed, DeCew Power Plant watershed, Lake Gibson watershed
Latitude and longitude:
Lake Moodie
Latitude 43.0963 N
Longitude 79.1858 W
Lake Gibson
Latitude 43.0953 N
Longitude 79.1852 W
Lake Gibson System
Latitude 43.0943 N
Longitude 79.1869 W
Physical Dimensions (as appropriate):
Lake Moodie
Length: 1,659 m (approximate)
Width: 450 m (approximate)
Surface Area: approximately 475,825 m2 (using Google Earth – shoreline)
Lake Gibson
Length: 4,125 m (approximate)
Width: 385 m (approximate)
Surface Area: approximately 1.52 km2 (using Google Earth – shoreline)
Lake Gibson System
Length: 5,115 m (approximate)
Width: 1,185 m (approximate)
Surface Area: 4.31 km2
Elevation:
172 m / 165 m highest / lowest point of Lake Gibson Water Levels
204 m / 165 m highest / lowest point of Lake Gibson System (land/water level)
(lake depth data is missing)
Lakes Moodie and Gibson are two artificial lakes created from the original Beaverdams Creek watershed. These lakes supply feedwater for Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) DeCew Falls 1 which is a 23 MW continuous load plant. In addition, DeCew Falls 2 which is a 140 MW peak load intermittent power station also uses the same water supply. This working reservoir lake system is part of a functional industrial site (Map 1).
This site started out as a shallow valley complete with streams, beaver dams with connecting ponds, wetlands and a Carolinian ecosystem. At one time, the area was a rich and diversified ecosystem supporting Indigenous populations. Confirmed records of this area are not found, however information from historical accounts of the area are available (2012, NPCA). Indigenous people likely named the area based on the presence of beavers and their association with dams. Beavers would help ensure that wetlands and ponds would remain in place to support the ecosystem. The industrious beaver was vital in keeping the system healthy and functional. Seasonal water level changes would be common in this upper escarpment area watershed. The remaining original sections of Twelve Mile Creek even today go dry at certain times of the year. Wetlands and intermixed Carolinian forest provide habitat for deer, fox, rabbit, squirrel, star nosed mole, ground hog and snakes. Many edible nut trees such as the Black Walnut, American Chestnut, Butternut, Oaks, Kentucky Coffee were a food source for both animals and mankind. In addition, wetlands were home to turtles, toads, and a variety of plants with herbal and medicinal value, such as the Swap Rose Mallow. Thus, this site was known as a vital Carolinian habitat.
Today human industrial activity has replaced the beaver with a single large dam for the hydroelectric power stations. Operation of both power stations at full capacity can quickly lower the level of the water in the Lake Gibson System, so levels are known to rapidly fluctuate (2018, OPG). The creek was initially dammed at two locations in the 1870s to supply water for the needs of the growing community of St. Catharines. This water supply was and still is very economical because the water comes from a gravity fed origin verses a pumped source. Originally in 1898, the DeCew Falls 1 power plant was fed by a 7.6 km canal from the Allanburg Welland Canal with water sourced from Lake Erie. Increased water requirements of the growing DeCew Falls 1 power plant led to the forming of Lake Gibson in 1904. Damming up Beaversdams Creek watershed and providing water input from two Welland canal feeds allowed the lake to be replenished. Surrounding meadowland and farmland were purchased by the power plant to allow the lake to flood the shallow valley (Map 2). Lake Moodie was created as an enlargement of the power plant reservoir to ensure a constant year-round supply to the powerhouse penstocks. Furthermore, Lake Moodie was transformed over the years to support both increased power production from maximizing the first power station and the second larger power station installed during the 1940s (Map 3). Currently, plans to improve the efficiency of both power stations though a rebuild and turbine efficiency enhancement program are expected to be completed by 2023 (2018, OPG).
The original dedicated power plant feed canal changed roles to supply water for the DeCew Water Treatment Plant in 1925 (Map 5). Today, Lake Gibson acts as an emergency backup water supply with a tiny dam connection to the east water plant pond system. This dam has never been used and there is little chance that it will operate after nearly a century. The water treatment pond system also supplies excess flow to the historic Morningstar Mill reservoir. The excess water provides a flow for the original Twelve Mile Creek watershed which includes a waterfall feature. This water treatment plant canal is significant to the Lake Gibson System as it forms the majority of the southern Lake Gibson shoreline.
The Lake Gibson System is completely dedicated to supplying water for power generation. Lake Moodie is located next to the escarpment edge with its north side access restricted, as this section is the reservoir water intake for the two hydroelectric power plants. The east side of the lake is connected to a naturalized buffer zone with trails between the lake and Brock University's campus. To the west and south west, the Morningstar Historic Site as well as DeCew Water Treatment Plant complete with its holding ponds are protected by a large manmade dike to allow for higher water levels (Map 4). In addition, the Bruce Trail runs along the dike and service access roads. The south feed canal consists of the DeCew House Heritage Park and First Nations Peace Monument. Water feed for Lake Moodie consists of one large anthropogenic channel and a smaller original channel from Lake Gibson with water flow travelling to the north-north west.
Larger Lake Gibson is fed by both the Welland Canal with two major intakes and a third smaller overflow intake from the water treatment canal feed. All intake water is sourced from Lake Erie via the Third Welland Canal tributary feed from the commercially operating Welland Canal. The second intake currently acts as the primary water supply source. Any original remaining tributary sources of the Beaverdams Creek watersheds west of the Welland Canal still provide some water to the lake. The intake water supply to Lake Gibson can be reduced any time canal water is required to fill locks and support the needs of commercial shipping within the canal. This set up leads to supply fluctuations during the shipping season. The water flow to Lake Gibson is from the east and south east arms of the lake to the north west. The north side of the lake is mostly residential development separated from the lake by the Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park. To the east is the cottage like Beaverdams community and to the south east are hydro, railroad and canal rights of way. The south side of the lake contains the canal feed for St. Catharines' water supply with agriculture next to the canal. At the west end is an emergency dam to allow connection to the DeCew water treatment plant holding ponds. Over time this watershed transformed from meadowland and farmland to a dynamic and fluctuating hydroelectric power system reservoir which acts as a backup water source to the City of St. Catharines' water treatment plant.
The area is a dangerous industrial site. Human use is prohibited for fear of drowning. Water levels can change rapidly, along with associated currents, as the power plants are remotely controlled and used as peaking plants to supplement the power grid. Peaking hydroelectric plants allow greater use of wind generation on the electrical grid. To ensure the safety of this industrial site, incorporation of wetlands and riparian forested areas around the lakes are beneficial as a barrier to limit human interaction with the water. An opportunity to renew the area with Carolinian forest and wetlands, originally native to the area, will ensure sustainability and revitalization of the site. Limitation of human contact will ensure wetland and aquatic renewal. Incorporating naturalized trails like the Bruce Trail into the renewal plan also helps incorporate environmental ownership within the community.
Evidence will be provided from literature sources, graphical sources (maps, satellite imagery, air photos, illustrations, etc.) and field observations.
Map 1: Aerial View of Lake Gibson System consisting of Lakes Moodie and Gibson which shows today's
current landscape (Satellite Photo Google Map, 2018).
The Lake Gibson system was originally part of the Carolinian Forest system consisting of "woodland and forest, grassland and meadow, marshes and water (which were) the habitat for wildlife" (Hough, 2004, p.131). Over the years, the original landscape was modified by human intervention, yet Hough suggests that "the original forest that occupied the field will return, but only after a series of temporary plant communities have prepared the way" (2004, p.87). With the support of human engineering, the Lake Gibson system has become the largest permanent beaver dam pond within this landscape. The lake system provides the ideal landscape which allows "the interrelationships of climate, geology, and geomorphology, water, soils, plants and animals provid(ing) ecological information on which environmental planning and management of land" (Hough, 2004, p.94). This area is an idea location to reintroduce the complete Carolinian forest ecosystem from wetlands, meadowlands to woodlands.
Section IV: Images 1-6, 8-13 from Carolinian Canada (2004) as well as Images 7 and 14 from Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park (2018) show the variety of flora and fauna which have the potential to return to this landscape site. Currently, this site is home to deer, possums, rabbits, star nosed mole and red fox all of which are common to the Carolinian ecosystem.
Within the last century, one major Carolinian tree species that grew in this area disappeared as a result of an invasive fungus brought to North America by mankind traveling the world. The major missing tree species is known as the American Chestnut. This species would have provided valuable food for the local wildlife chain with predicable nut harvests year after year. Without human assistance, the American Chestnut will never return as a mast tree. If the College of Environmental Science and Forestry's researchers can provide a way to overcome the fungal blight, this landscape would be an ideal site for reintroduction (2018). For example, if Brock University could have a part in the reintroduction of such an important Carolinian forest mast species to the landscape ecology, this area could be revitalized.
As Hough states, "landscapes … (provide) functional roles as working environments" (2004, p. 93). This applies directly to the Ontario Power Generation hydroelectric plants. He goes on to state that, "frequent landscape improvement(s), intended to 'rehabilitate' a neglected area of the city, replaces the natural diversity of regenerating nature with the uniform and technology-dependent landscape of established design tradition" (p. 92). In addition, Brock University and friends of Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Area (2018) will provide opportunities to use the landscape at this site to allow the reintroduction of the Carolinian eco system with its "distinct environments that support different groups of species" (p.131). Actually, this landscape has the protentional to allow the "edges between one habitant and another (to be) more diverse" (p. 131). This location is the perfect "natural habitat structure (as it has complex) associations of forest, meadow, wetland, and open water" (p. 135). Furthermore, Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Area with its boardwalk structure "permit(s) wildlife viewing at a distance while excluding the public from entering the area itself" (p.151). This setup provides the perfect background for public support of the landscape while allowing the lake system to function as an industrial system for Ontario Power Generation.
This landscape has the potential for regeneration. Hough supports this idea and suggests that regeneration needs to be completed without human interaction and interference (p.128). He argues that "plants are a fundamental part of the urban scene (and) their significance for wildlife, for people, and for ecological health varies in proportion to the complexity and variety of their associations" (p.129). Thus, this plan to recreate the Carolinian Forest ecosystem could provide a balance of complexity and variety that will allow the area to revitalize.
Although humankind has changed the landscape throughout the years, this area still remains a key component to a connected core. The "Beaverdams and Shriners Creek Watershed Plan: Phase One" suggests that this landscape is vital to the Niagara area (2011). As part of this plan, renewal of the Carolinian life zone remains a key component. The following tables (Section IV: Table 1-4) obtained from the watershed plan show the flora and fauna is at risk. In fact, these tables indicate that many species found are either at risk or rare.
As a result of human activities, the original shallow Beaverdams Creek valley has been permanently flooded. This change has drastically reduced the size of the woodland and meadow area while opening opportunities for wetland, and riparian based meadows and reduced woodlands. For example, urbanization in St. Catharines and Thorold have encroached on the landscape from the north reducing woodland areas. In addition, the expansion of Brock University is expected to fill in any remaining open land within the next few decades. However, the operating Welland Canal remains to the east and this setup is now seen as a good measure to prevent further urban encroachment. o the benefit of the landscape, farming of mainly grain, corn and oilseed to the south continues and is protected under the Greenbelt Plan. Being an active part of the Carolinian Forest renewal area will help maintain the long-term viability of the area. The need to limit human interaction around this industrial water source used by Ontario Power Generation will allow this area the time and opportunity to potentially return to its original naturalized state, although in a much different form. As a result, the shoreline is longer and land habitat is minimized. In summary, this area will need to be protected from human encroachments in all directions.
Based on 2004 data from Environment Canada, heavily urbanized land is found to the north and farming occurs in the south. To the benefit of the landscape, farming of mainly grain, corn and oilseed is protected under the Greenbelt Plan. Furthermore, water within the area is used for industrial utility purpose. In addition, this area is also part of the Greenbelt Plan in promoting naturalized systems.
2004 Environment Canada data:
This landscape site consists of the largest manmade lake system within the Niagara Region, located on the top of the Niagara Escarpment. Soils under the lake consist of mixed clay, sand, silt and loam. Furthermore, very little organic soil or almost none is found as the majority of the landcover was not preserved and was lost during the transformation. Shorelines consist of clay, sand and loam with manmade rock fill dikes and cement walls in some locations. In addition, new areas of wetland have formed as the lake system has a shallow shoreline edge. Some of the forest around the lake system was planted with pine and spruce trees at the turn of the 20th century. Most of this planted woodland has reached the end of life, as observed from field visits during this course work. Recently, plantings of Carolinian species by conservationist groups as well as plants on their own are being reintroduced by natural processes from the nearby Short Hills Provincial Park (2018). The shoreline requires proper riparian shore land management to allow sustainable reintroduction of Carolinian ecoculture within the new artificial lake boundaries.
Topographically, this site is nearly flat as seen in Section II, Map 4 (2018). The north edge is more defined than the south edge leading to more manmade modifications to the south shore of the lake to ensure that the lake system can successfully hold the required water capacity. Manmade additions to the shoreline are quite prominent as seen by the straight lines within the Hillshade map.
According to the "Twelve Mile Creek Watershed Plan", the entire landscape is a result of the last major ice age (2006, p. 7). The plan describes the area in detail in technical terms which will be used to add to the understanding of the landscape in this section (p. 7). As mentioned, the plan states that the area bedrock originated from the mid-Ordovican period and Silurian period 425-410 million of years ago with Queenston shale which is the basal unit of the Niagara peninsula. In addition, intermittent trends of transgression and regression of the Paleozonic sea occurred. Escarpment cap rock currently consists of limestone and dolomites of the Lockport group created from clear water carbonate shelf deposition from the original sea. As mentioned in this source, later restrictions in shallower seas resulted in shale and fine grain dolostone deposition with evaporites and Salina formation. Basic soils are heavy clay consisting of a mixture of Halidmand, Beverly, Lincoln soils. These soils are imperfectly drained and slow to permeate with a high-water holding capacity. Furthermore, these soils are only suited to field crops or forests (p. 7). In other words, the lake bed is cap rock mixed with clay to ensure lake water retention while the shoreline is clay best suited for forest and meadow growth.
Human induced changes are very apparent within this landscape as seen in Section II air photos (Map 2 and 3, Air Photo Collection, 2018). The natural landscape is higher in elevation to the north, towards the escarpment and to the south in a more patchwork arrangement of minor watershed elevation changes occur. Originally, water drained from the south to north towards the Beaverdams Creek watershed. To provide a constant water supply for the DeCew I generating station, a water canal was created along the south shore of the Beaverdams Creek watershed in 1897. This canal ran from the Welland Canal to the power plant penstock reservoir. Water requirements increased as the power plants expanded and thus was in the need for a much larger water reservoir. The canal produced the perfect south shoreline for an artificial lake to be created out of the Beaverdams Creek watershed shallow valley. Lake Gibson was created in 1904 with a dam just west of the current Merritville Highway. During World War II, a second power plant known as DeCew II generating station, was rapidly installed to meet the local wartime energy needs. New cement walls were also built at this time to form the escarpment edge power plant penstocks. Furthermore, new water channels were developed to channel water from Lake Gibson to the penstocks as part of the creation of Lake Moodie. Lake Moodie increased the water capacity of the inland lake system, acting both as the penstock reservoir for the two power plants while increasing the lake system water level. New anthropogenic dikes (including an emergency only water treatment dam feed) were created for the south and west shores of Lake Moodie. At this point, the 1904 Lake Gibson dam was permanently opened up but not removed. Water inflow supply to the lake system was also increased via the use of one primary Welland Canal dam. In addition, a spillway supplies water from the original water canal feed, now supplying the DeCew Water Treatment Plant. A second backup water dam source from the Welland canal was added. The north/south cross channel was installed to allow better water level regulation in the eastern arms of Lake Gibson. Basically, innovation and engineering created the maximum sized dam pond the landscape could sustain.
A number of roads were added to the landscape. DeCew Road had a bridge installed over the Lake Moodie feed channel. Merritville Highway was straightened and a dike and bridge system in Lake Gibson as part of the 1940's upgrade was installed. Highway 67 cut across the arms of Lake Gibson in the 1950's as a "super two highway." Twin section highway 406 was installed during the late 1990's through the centre section of Lake Gibson. In all cases, road bridges were designed to allow maximum water flow to support the needs of the two power stations.
Natural changes occurred to the area as a result of glaciers from the last ice age. In fact, glaciers covered the area and then receded eventually forming the Great Lakes. Water from Lake Erie, travels to lower elevation Lake Ontario through this hydrogeological feature.
The major hydrogeological feature of this area are the two largest artificial inland water lakes of the Niagara Region. Water levels within this connected shallow lake system change rapidly depending upon the water consumption of the remotely controlled hydroelectric power plants. The lake system has shallow water shorelines and fluctuating water levels which can provide a perfect opportunity for healthy wetland. The development of wetlands in combination with riparian based forestland provide stability to the lake shoreline. "Bank erosion represents a serious threat" (Alberti, 2008, p.141) to this lake system. Furthermore, the introduction of "riparian vegetation slows the movement of water" (p.143) along the shorelines and this feature would help stabilize the shoreline. Changing water levels create a "healthy, functioning ecosystem (that) depends on a stable substrate, an irregular water depth…and shoreline cover" (p.146). This area has the potential to be a "heterogeneous and dynamic system" (p.160). As a result, the wetlands will provide a long term "functioning of aquatic ecosystems (that) depend(s) on the hydrological functions provided by both wetlands and riparian vegetation." (p.146). Thus, this water supply will remain in place long term for hydroelectric power generation.
The largest change was the damming of the Beaverdams Creek to its maximum extension to allow the greatest hydroelectric power generation potential from the watershed. This powerplant requirement resulted in the formation of the Lake Gibson System. The lake system would also not exist without the year-round feedwater availability from the third Welland canal ship navigation channel, sourced from Lake Erie. Although Alberti states that "water is a key factor in determining the productivity of ecosystems, species composition, and biodiversity", he also points out the benefit of water to run hydroelectric systems (p. 133). The air photos of Section II (2018) show the changes this area has undertaken over time with human influence.
The microclimate of this landscape was changed by the creation of a large artificial inland lake system. Hough mentions that climate "transcends all the boundaries of nature and human activities" (2004, p.189). Looking at this area with Hough's suggestion, climate in this area has changed through human activity as the land area now houses a water landscape. In addition, the large water surface absorbs the natural solar energy to warm the area. Thus, local area humidity has increased. Furthermore, wind now can move through the area via the smooth water surface. The moving water also becomes a buffer to the local climate as any water heat from sunlight is moved to the power plants. Lake Erie feeds water to this area and hydro power plant so Lake Erie in a way provides a source of thermal energy affecting the climate.
An increase in the lake size changed the wetland location and structure. The amount of wetland along the lake shoreline can potentially increase but the need for a riparian forest area to keep wind from increasing in speed across the flat surface of the lake is very important to moderate the climate. "Moderated by land form, vegetation and water" this lake system has the potential to provide a positive effect to the local area climate (p. 197). The water has the capacity to act as a thermal buffer as the water will provide moisture to the surrounding banks of the lakes year-round "restoring the hydrological balance" to the riparian shoreline area (p. 202).
Increased temperature extremes brought on by climate change will be moderated in this landscape by the thermal mass of the anthropogenic lakes. In addition, thermal consistency to support a reestablished Carolinian forest ecosystem around these lakes will also benefit. As the forest system matures, "the protection afforded and the effect of a wind barrier" will benefit this microclimate (p. 204). "Water and plants are the important natural element of climate amelioration in the city" (p.207). Thus, this landscape will definitely provide a natural element to the City of Thorold, Brock University and to a lesser extent the City of St. Catharines.
Archaeological influences: Prior to European settlement this area would have been meadowland with a meandering creek winding its way through a shallow valley. Based on the name and coupled with the meandering nature of the creek, this was a location where beavers would have set up home. As a result, there would have been beavers present and fish in tail ponds. Indigenous peoples would have been drawn to this location to fish and hunt. Instead, Indigenous settlements are not recorded in this area. Perhaps a reason may be that the area was considered a transitional hunting site, or they realized the value and important of this landscape and habitat to remain untouched. The Indigenous influence would not have changed the landscape in a permanent manner as their hunting and gathering practices left an area intact for natural renewal (Penny, 2012).
Land use history:
This landscape was used by settlers. According to the Beaverdams and Shriners Creek Watershed Plan, the only community established in the area was Beaverdams community in the early 1800's which is also indicated by the establishment of Beaverdams Church in 1832 (Google Maps, 2011). Industrial sites were established at the east end of the landscape with the introduction of the Moringstar Mill in 1883 as a rural industrial site (Google Images, 2018). Farms such as the DeCew family farm, changed the meandering stream and meadows into productive farmland (Exploring Niagara, 2014). Next came the Cataract Power Company's DeCew hydroelectric project in 1897 with the construction of the water canal and establishment of the power plant penstock water source (Ontario Power Generation, 2018). Beaverdams Creek watershed was transforming. By 1904, water needs for the power plant resulted in the creation of Lake Gibson with a dam just east of the current Merritville Highway (2018). Using this same source, farmlands were purchased and flooded to form the lake.
In 1925, the DeCew water treatment plant was established using the original power plant canal as a water supply source (Niagara Region, 2018). World War II brought the need for more power and a second DeCew power plant was installed with the creation of Lake Moodie maximizing penstock water supply for the power plants (2018). The 1904 dam was opened and the combined lakes Moodie and Gibson were formed.
Currently this area is controlled under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Places to Grow Act and the Greenbelt Plan as mentioned in the Source Protection Plan (2014). This land is currently the feedwater source for clean hydroelectric power which fits with the Provincial Policy Statement that "strong communities, a clean and healthy environment and a strong economy are inextricably linked" (2014). With ongoing upgrades to the hydroelectric power plants in progress, this landscape will be remain in its current state for the foreseeable future.
Education / Interpretation:
The 27-acre Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park is a significant educational area found along the north shore of Lake Gibson between Merritville Highway and Highway 406. This park is vital as both a naturalized interpretive centre and a boardwark that allows visitors to use the lake area. Furthermore, this location is being used to reintroduce a native Carolinian landscape (both forest, meadowland and wetlands) to the area.
Architectural Heritage:
According to "Friends of the Beaverdams Church", Beaverdams Church is the most historic building, still standing, located within the Lake Gibson System (2018). This building, under local heritage protection, was built in 1832 as part of the growth of Methodism in the late 1700's by settlers in the region. In addition, Israel Swayze was the prominent local settler allowing camp meetings on his property. Furthermore, the Reverend Egerton Ryerson of Beaverdams Methodist Church was one of the first founders of Ontario's educational system. Thus, this building has been maintained as a community building in its 1879 form since regular services were discontinued in 1890.
According to the site plaque and online DeCew House (2014), the lower stone walls are all that remain of this historical house which was destroyed by fire in 1950. Located next to the main feed channel for Lake Moodie, this heritage location is significant as John DeCew built this house in 1808 with 66 cm thick limestone walls (2014). In addition, this house was used as the detachment headquarters for the British army in 1812 and is historically known as the destination of Laura Secord. The source states that she warned the British of a planned American attack. As a result of Secord's warning, preparations occurred so that the Battle of Beaver Dams was as a successful cooperative effort between the British and Indigenous peoples, securing the surrender of a large American force of 500 men. Current discussions are underway to possibly rebuild DeCew house in the future due the site's historical significance but these discussions are not likely to result in any changes to the building. The building foundation is an important historic site which would be degraded through the process of rebuilding. Furthermore, this site is also the location of a First Nations Peace Monument, recognizing the importance and value of our Indigenous peoples.
A number of private cottage homes in the historic Beaverdams neighbourhood built at the start of the 20th century are located at the east end of the property. Many homes housed workers building and operating the Second and Third Welland Canals. This cottage like community is located in the midst of a mostly suburban landscape.
Any historic farm buildings where the current Lake Gibson is located were either removed or flooded over 100 years ago. Records and photographs of the area at that time could not be found. As the Photo 7 illustrates in this section, one of the remaining brick farmhouses can be found at the south shore's water edge next to the Merittville Highway.
The original 1904 dam's spillway walls are still present west of the current Merrittville Highway (Photo 8). Originally the road followed the dam contours until the road was realigned during the changes to the lake system to support the second power plant. The centre portion of the dam was removed in 1948 to allow increased free water flow to both DeCew power plants after the creation of Lake Moodie (DeCew II, 2018).
Recreational Uses:
This lake system has a primary purpose of providing supply water for the Ontario Power Generation DeCew Falls plants. Access to the water is thus completely restricted due to fluctuating water levels and changing currents.
According to "Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park", this area provides a number of trails and an extensive board walk along the north shore of the lake. This park covers 27 acres of farmland which is being naturalized back with Carolinian forest vegetation (2018).
The Bruce Trail Association has worked in cooperation with Ontario Power Generation to provide a number of main and secondary walking trails around the complete Lake Gibson system (Bruce Trail Conservancy). Access points, across road and water barriers through designated tunnels and footbridges are marked. An example as shown in Photo 9 is the designated tunnel under the 406 Highway system for both humans and wildlife. Many of the trails can be used as mountain bike routes as the path follows maintenance access roads in many locations. The Laura Secord Legacy Trail follows the same path as the Bruce Trail in this area as well, ending at the DeCew House Heritage Park.
Ownership, jurisdiction, access, and management
According to the online resources associated by the following places, this information highlights ownership, jurisdiction, access and management of the landscape.
The Lake Gibson System is owned by Ontario Power Generation as part of the DeCew I & II power plant water supply. Surrounding land is owned by a number of groups as this artificial lake system is encroached by both the City of St. Catharines (Lake Moodie) and the City of Thorold (Lake Gibson). Brock University, a private institution, has land along the north east side of Lake Moodie and north side of Lake Gibson. The Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park along the north side of Lake Gibson is owned by the City of Thorold. The Conservation Park separates Lake Gibson from urban growth. The historic Beaverdams community with a large number of grandfathered private homes are along the north east side of Lake Gibson is also part of the City of Thorold. The southeast corner of Lake Gibson connects to the Welland Canal owned by The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. DeCew Water Treatment Plant supply canal and ponds align with the south shore of Lake Gibson. The DeCew Water Treatment plant is next to the west side of Lake Moodie. This Region of Niagara has jurisdiction over the water treatment plant and the canal. DeCew House Heritage Park along the south west side of Lake Moodie is owned by the City of Thorold. Agricultural lands south of the lake system are in private hands.
Niagara Navigator also provides a map layer at closer zoom levels that shows detailed property parcel boundaries, so detailed land tenure can be determined.
Recently ownership of bridges over the lake system have been passed to the Region of Niagara after Ontario Power Generation agreed to both replace and maintain the bridges for the foreseeable future. Rights to allow roadway connections are clearly seen in Section VII: Map 1.
Limited public access is permitted in the area as part of the Bruce Trail system. Public access to the water is restricted for safety reasons as water levels can change rapidly based upon the operation of the remotely controlled DeCew power plants. Trail access is granted based upon respect of limitations clearly outlined in signage as seen in Section VII: Photos 1 and 2.
Land ownership by the various DeCew power plant operators has influenced the development of the Lakes Moodie and Gibson watershed. Development of the water reserve for power generation has slowed urban development in the area surrounding the lake system. A current need to prevent urban encroachment and human contact with the water now provides the opportunity to use this landscape for redevelopment of a Carolinian habitant zone. This opportunity is a rare occurrence where nature can help protect the viability of an industrial site. Recently, additional fencing was added to restrict access but a natural barrier will be more effective at protecting the shoreline both from erosion and humankind.
The landscape falls under the jurisdiction of a number of land use controls. The Lake Gibson system is part of the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area under the control of the Niagara Escarpment Commission (2006). The watershed plans for Twelve Mile Creek is also under control of the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Countryside surrounding the lake system and continuing to the south are Protected Countryside as part of the Greenbelt Plan (2006). In addition, a Natural Heritage System designation for the shore area of the lake system supports the Carolinian habitant zone. These controls have helped to protect the lake system, providing an opportunity to reestablish the area with a complete Carolinian ecosystem.
Major players act within the landscape. For example, Ontario Power Generation (2018) is concerned with the lake system including dikes, retaining walls, shore lines and lake sediment. A concerted effort is underway to improve the long-term viability of the lake system. The one area of the Lake Gibson arm with hydrolines is clear cut every 5 years. The railway line is also kept clear. Access roads are maintained for use in an emergency by both Ontario Power Generation and the City of Thorold. The access roads also act as part of the Bruce Trail system. Other trails surrounding the lake are also maintained by the Bruce Trail Association. Long term, these practices will have little effect on the attributes of the landscape. Access by the public using the Bruce Trail may even enhance the ecosystem as many of the users are supporters of ecosystem restoration.
Major road access requires yearly maintenance. The roadway brings garbage from users which must be cleaned up. Winter brings both road salt and sand. Road salt is a major concern and contaminant for the water system so the road maintenance crews in the area limit the use of road salt through the use of alternative procedures using wetting agents and more sand in place of standard road salt to protect the local environment. All these stakeholders are helping to support this industrial site.
The connectivity and context of the Lakes Moodie and Gibson watershed will be reviewed in a clockwise fashion around the landscape. Starting with the north west corner of the landscape as there are a variety of adjacent land uses around this landscape, this area is home to two power plants. At this point, DeCew I & II power plants are located at the base of the escarpment. Lake Moodie has two distinct locations of manmade cement penstock entrances. Water from the landscape is the industrial feedwater for the two hydroelectric power plants. The cement walls of the penstock entrances keep the landscape's water from freely passing over the escarpment. Moving east along the north side of landscape are the lands of Brock University. Currently these lands are vacant and naturalized but there are future plans to use these lands as an active part of the university. Next comes the 27 acre naturalized area of Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park. This park effectively acts as a buffer between the landscape's lake and urban housing of the City of Thorold. At the north east corner, the historic neighbourhood of Beverdams is located. To the east of the landscape is the working Welland canal system. Feedwater for the landscape lake comes from this canal through a series of dams and spillways. Furthermore, railway tracks and a powerline right of way run along the eastern edge of the landscape. Limited human access to this area other than a series of trails used in the daylight are marked by signage. In the south east corner is the water intake for the DeCew Water Treatment Plant Canal which provides the water supply to the water treatment plant for the City of St. Catharines and surrounding area. This canal makes up the physical south shoreline of the landscape. South of the lakes is farmland which is part of the Greenbelt Plan. At the south west corner are the holding ponds for the DeCew Water Treatment Plan. Also, a number of interspersed private homes at the west end of the landscape exist and are inhabited. West of the landscape are a number of historic and significant sites such as the Morningstar Mill, DeCew House and the Indigenous Reconciliation Memorial. The water treatment plant is placed along the west side of the landscape towards the starting point of the penstock reservoir walls. Throughout the landscape, the Bruce Trail has been provided access via a series of trails and plant usable roads. Basically, this landscape is an integrated part of the community. A significant part of the landscape is the adjacent use water treatment canal. This canal forms the south shoreline of Lake Gibson. Without this canal, a manmade dyke would have been required which may have been designed in a much different arrangement. The canal provides a shoreline which follows the natural contours of the area. The Welland Canal is also an adjacent site which is intangible in value to the landscape. This canal provides the eastern boundary of the landscape. In addition, the canal is also the source of water to provide the volumes required to make the landscape a working industrial hydroelectric plant water reservoir. Intersecting this landscape are a number of roads. Road beds act as divisors within the landscape, just as the original 1904 Lake Gibson dam. Care has been taken to ensure that the bridges within the roadbeds provide more than ample flow of water for feeding Lake Moodie which acts as the penstock water reserve for the two hydroelectric power plants. Within the last couple of years all of the bridges have been renewed to support long term operation of the industrial water reserve. The most restrictive bridge with the highest visible water flow rate is the DeCew Road bridge. The Merritville Highway bridge is designed to support a two-lane highway. Highway 406 incorporates a super two land twin bridge design which may even provide habitat for various aquatic species requiring shade within this shallow lake. Beaverdams Road has a bridge on both the north and south arm of the lake which are supported by a cross flow channel east of the road to ensure balance in the water flow. The roads provide a pathway through the industrial site with both benefits and implications. The benefit is that human interaction is minimized with the site as most of the roads are high speed and promote movement of goods and people. Implications from the roads are that more people can travel into the area to use the trails. Roads also have environmental impact with rubber particles, vehicle fluids getting into the water and into the aquatic system. Vehicles emit emissions which the site vegetation must adapt to in order to thrive. In the winter, road salt and sand also get into the aquatic system. This water is also the backup water supply for the city. Silt and corrosive particles damage the power plant turbines over time. Roads are a necessity so measures to limit road impact such as minimizing salt usage are mentioned periodically in the assessment reports of the Niagara Region Conservation Authority reports. This urban industrial landscape is fairly complex as there are "interactions between human agents and ecological processes" (Alberti, 2008, p.93). Even Ontario Power Generation has taken measures to minimize human use of the industrial water reservoir throughout the landscape. Roadways over the lake "corridor (are) primarily driven by decisions and socioeconomic objectives to maximize accessibility while minimizing transportation costs" (p.94). As a stakeholder, Ontario Power Generation understands as being the primary owner of the landscape that their business is directly tied to the economy to support the needs for transportation pathways, allowing them over this industrial site meanwhile still respecting the landscape. In conclusion, this industrial site demonstrates that human impact and natural landscape can be integrated into an area that would provide benefits to the local natural community and economy. Alberti calls this unique industrial framework an "urban ecological gradient" where "hydrological, ecological, and social phenomena" (p. 109) come together to provide a significant model to inspire other industries to show the benefits of economy and nature working together. Furthermore, this site is also used to reintegrate Carolinian native habitat and provide an opportunity for the community to visit and enjoy this area. This set up is a reminder that with planning, research, positive human impact involving all stakeholders that a sustainable future can connect industry and nature to create a healthy community.
Ontario Power Generation
DeCew Falls Power Plants I & II: Hydroelectric Power – Southwestern Region
Jennifer Grossi
Email: jennifer.grossi@opg.com
Head Office
700 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1X6
Telephone (416) 592-2555 or (877) 592-2555
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority
Tareq Al-Zabet, Director, Watershed Management
Email: talzabet@npca.ca
Phone: 905-788-3135 Ex. 230
Head Office
250 Thorold Road West; 3rd Floor
Welland, ON L3C 3W2
Phone: 905-788-3135
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Hunt, R. (2018) [Photos]
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This Local Landscape Report was prepared by Ryan Hunt for the Brock University course TOUR / GEOG 2P94: Human Dominated Ecosystems on November 02, 2018.
All copyrights for cited material rest with the original copyright owners.
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