Martindale pond is located in Port Dalhousie, an area of the city of St. Catharines that sits on Lake Ontario's banks and was named for the ninth Earl of Dalhousie. In recent years, the Port Dalhousie area has been affected by significant flooding from the lake, negatively impacting water quality on the shores that lead into Martindale Pond and affecting the tourism that Port Dalhousie often boasts due to the picturesque natural landscape, including Martindale Pond which is home to many areas in which people can walk along the waters.

The area was originally part of the first three Welland Canals, and the pond itself resulted from the canal's dam construction. The ownership of the land that Martindale sits on was originally owned by Natives, being invaded by Mississauga Natives before being sold to the Canadian government.

Martindale Pond is the Henley rowing course location, an essential feature of the area as rowing teams are a significant part of the local culture within high school sports. Regattas and training can often be seen on the water if one is travelling through Port Dalhousie. The Royal Canadian Henley Regatta has been held on Martindale Pond for almost 100 years.

The Martindale Marsh, a part of the pond's landscape, is a vital part of the local watershed and has been classified as a Class 1 Wetland, boasting many diverse and unusually seen species to the city of St. Catharines. Some flora and fauna it attracts include wild grapes, white water-lily, gizzard shad, and painted turtles.

The Pond and Marsh belong to the Twelve Mile Creek watershed system, and the specific section, including the Pond, encompasses 91 hectares of water reservoir.

Municipality: St. Catharines

Local area name: Port Dalhousie

Latitude and longitude: 43.189827, -79.272520

Physical Dimensions:

Surface Area: 91 hectares

Elevation: 79m

Martindale Pond is a section of the Twelve Mile Creek watershed system that spans from the Queen Elizabeth Way Highway into the banks of Lake Ontario. It encompasses many distinct areas including old sections of the original Welland Canal locks system, the site of the Royal Henley Regatta including Henley Island, and the Heywood Generating Station. The banks of Martindale Pond boast a wide variety of plants and wildlife, some being unique within the St. Catharines region of Niagara. The landscape around the pond is largely developed for commercial and residential use as it is situated within the Port Dalhousie municipality of St. Catharines, a local tourist spot. It harbours the Port Dalhousie Yacht club, several parks, bridges, and walking trails, as well as shops and restaurants. Its banks also host many privately and commercially owned residential properties, as the land around the pond has been developed, and is in continued development for housing purposes.

Aerial map of Martindale Pond, provided by Google Maps

Because of the Martindale Marsh, a class 1 wetland, there are many unique plant species on the banks of Martindale Pond. The unique ecosystem provided by the Pond and the Marsh allow for species that are not seen in other parts of the Niagara Region to make their home in the Martindale Pond area (Martindale Marsh, 2012). As well as the plants that were included in the initiative to bring more pollinators to assist in the declining population of bees and monarch butterflies, there are local plants such as the flowering dogwood and paw-paw. The plant community of Martindale Pond could be described, as Hough states, as a naturalized urban plant community, as not all of the plants have existed there untouched by human development, but have adapted to exist within the urban surroundings (Hough, 90-91).

One of the more well-known of the endangered plant species in the area around Martindale Pond is the cherry birch, only being found in Canada along the slopes near Lake Ontario. The cherry birch is a deciduous tree that reaches up to 25 m in height and 95 cm in diameter, and can live 200 years or more. Its bark is a dark reddish-brown that becomes light grayish brown as the tree ages. The government of Ontario has taken measures to protect and recover the endangered tree, as its existence is only in this one very specific area in all of the country (Cherry Birch, 2019). Other endangered species in the area include the henslow's sparrow and gray ratsnake, among others (Species Monitoring, 2016).

There has been attention brought to the problem of an overabundance of Canadian Geese in the Niagara region, specifically in Port Dalhousie along the lakeside park and Martindale Pond trails. They were introduced to Ontario in 1967 to provide hunting and wildlife viewing, but have since become overly populous in the area, providing trouble for locals as they tend to be aggressive and make wherever they are quite messy with their droppings (Goose Management, 2016). Also a newer threat to the wildlife is the coyotes and the hybrid coyowolves that have been increasingly prevalent in St. Catharines and appear to be not scared of humans at all, causing many to be fearful of the larger amount of the predators (Walter, 2019). Aside from species that cause problems for locals, there are many non-intrusive animal species as well. There are over 300 bird species, 53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 types of fish and 1500 vegetation species in the Niagara region, such as peregrine falcon, woodland vole, the lake chubsucker, and many others, many of which call Martindale Pond their home (Species Monitoring, 2016).

The nature of the creation of Martindale Pond is tied directly to the change of the location of the Welland Canal Pathway. The old Welland Canal path was filled in as it was no longer needed when the new canal was built, and the drainage basin was kept filled, creating the Martindale Pond (Marshall, 2019). This in turn created the whole ecosystem of the pond, which would not exist if not for the influence of human activity and development. Hough classifies this type of activity as fortuitous succession (Hough, 93-94). There have been initiatives to help local pollinators, like the one in 2016, attention being drawn to this by information along walkways (Zettel, 2016).

Martindale Pond sits, at 79 m, just above the lowest elevation in the Niagara Region, that being the 73 m of Lake Ontario (Google Maps, 2020). The soil morphology of the Niagara Region is a mineral-rich combination of sandy and silty soils, perfect for growing the soft fruits such as peaches and grapes that the region is known for, and the land around Martindale Pond is no exception (Imagine Niagara, 2015). A significant feature in this section of the Twelve Mile Creek Watershed, which Martindale Pond is a part of, is the Martindale Marsh, which as noted above hosts many of the area's wildlife.

The land where Port Dalhousie sits near the banks of Lake Ontario, and the entirety of the Niagara Region, was at one time covered in a Lake, as evidenced by the soil in the basin wine country in the Niagara Region. The entire great lakes basin was once covered in ice sheets that were about 2 km thick. When these glaciers moved northwards, they gouged out the basins for the great lakes. This didn't form the pond itself, but it greatly influenced the landscape around it (Williamson, 2014).

Martindale Pond itself was a created water source, with the flooding occurring with the construction of the original Welland Canal. The landscape around the Pond has been developed for many years, with the Heritage District being created in the early 19th century, hosting landmarks such as the historic Lakeside Park Carousel (Port Dalhousie Heritage District, 2014). According to Wessoleck, parks, such as the land surrounding Martindale Pond, are cultural stamped biotopes, meaning that the vegetation is in a constant state of development as it is regularly disturbed (Wessoleck, 172). There is also the added landscape features of the remnants of the old canal locks, seen in the Jaycee park and within the water of the pond itself. Additionally, the creation of the power station and the modern walking trails and bridges have created changes to the landscape around the pond.

Martindale Pond, through the pathway towards the power station and the old remnants of the locks, drains into Lake Ontario. Martindale Pond is part of the Lower Twelve Mile Creek watershed system, but the whole system encompasses many other water features in the Niagara Region including Shriners Creek and Lake Gibson which are part of the Upper Twelve Mile Creek portion of the system (NPCA, 2020). Watersheds are an important part of urban hydrological functions. One of the main purposes of Martindale Pond is its provision of a habitat for the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the wetland acting as a place to filter and remove sediments and toxins from water, as explained by Alberti (142).

In recent years, as close as the last event in 2019, one of the more significant changes to the area of Martindale Pond was the flooding of Lake Ontario into the surrounding areas. The rising water levels caused extremely expensive damage to the shorelines and prompted the community to put in significant efforts to pier and shoreline restoration. This is not the first time that the Lake has flooded, records showing that high water levels have accompanied wet weather patterns since the 1940s (Russel, 2019).

Martindale pond was created as a result of the filling of the original location of the pathway for the welland canals. It has been used as a method to deal with the water discharge from the Ontario Hydro DeCew Falls Generating Station, and additionally has been used as a means to transport wastewater from several businesses and industries that are located further up the creek (NPCA, 2020).

The natural microclimate of Martindale Pond is mostly influenced by the location near Lake Ontario, as areas beside large bodies of water are affected by the delayed heating and cooling created by them. Human-induced changes that have occurred, however, mostly have to do with the development of the area. The more developed an area is, the higher the temperature created will be, as seen with urban heat islands (Hough, 193). Although the development of Port Dalhousie as a whole and Martindale Pond isn't as significant as a large city such as Toronto, not creating a large heat island, there are changes that are made with the small developments of an area. In addition to the increase in runoff caused by the less permeable ground surface of asphalt or pavement (Alberti, 146), there is also more heat created as the albedo of dark metal or asphalt surfaces is higher (Hough, 190).

There is not much available information on the pre-European ownership of the area of Martindale Pond. It was owned first by an unnamed Native group before being taken over by the Mississauga Natives, and eventually sold to the Canadian Government (Martindale Marsh, 2012). Today the area is owned and maintained largely by local government. Historically, the main use of the land surrounding the Martindale Pond has been for tourism.

The heritage district has long been used as a source for business and commercial activities. Martindale Pond itself hosted, as mentioned, the original first three locks of the Welland Canal before it was moved to its current location. With the creation of the Pond, there has been the presence of the Royal Henley Regatta taking place on the waters for over a century (Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, 2020). A significant building that has stood on the banks of Martindale Pond for many years is the old Maple Leaf Rubber Company mill building, which in more modern times has been used as the cite of Lincoln Fabrics, and is currently under construction to become luxury harbourside condos (Walter, 2020). More and more development is being focused in and around the area of Martindale Pond, with the increased number of people moving to the Niagara region requiring housing and preferring their homes to be in picturesque and historic locations.

The history of the Welland Canals can be explored fairly close to Port Dalhousie at the St. Catharines museum, which is located at Lock 3 of the current site of the Welland Canal. The museum includes the history of the Welland Canals, as well as the current use of them, information on their construction, and on the whole of the Canal system. As well, there are other exhibits on other historically significant events in the St. Catharines area, and especially a focus on the lacrosse of the area.

In Port Dalhousie a lot of the historical architecture has been preserved, including the old rubber mill, and the lakeside park carousel. The use of Martindale Pond for the Canadian Royal Henley Regatta has also stayed strong for over 100 years (Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, 2020). There has been expansion of both the residential and commercial sectors of Port Dalhousie, but they have also preserved some of the historical elements which are what people come to old Port Dalhousie to see. The history of the area is important to the cultural footprint of the St. Catharines area, and as well preserving and maintaining those buildings is what makes the area around Martindale Pond so special. The historical nature of the various districts and areas around Martindale Pond, including the pond itself, has prevented the over-development of the land as the residential sprawl increases (Ewing, 525).

Martindale Pond has been used for over a century, and is still used today, as the site for rowing training for local rowing clubs and school teams, as well as the site for the Royal Henley Regatta. Around the pond there are many parks and walking trails, including a bridge that crosses the face of the water. They are open year-round for locals and tourists alike (Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, 2020).

The land around Martindale Pond and the pond itself are owned by a combination of government, public, and private sources. Sections of the pond back onto housing, others onto docks owned by boat owners in the Port Dalhousie area, and some onto the stands for the regatta, as well as others. The main owner for the Pond itself would be the city, as upkeep of the pond and its parks and trails is a public affair. Jurisdiction is municipal under St. Catharines, as Port Dalhousie is a municipality of the city (St Catharines (City of). Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, 2020).

The public is encouraged to explore the trails and parks surrounding the Pond. There is Jaycee park, which is connected to Port Dalhousie by a bridge crossing the surface of the Pond, the park adjacent to the pond itself, Rennie Park, and Lakeside park further up the road. Access to the water is less encouraged, as swimming is not permitted, but when necessary, the pond is able to be used by students for rowing, and by other individuals who row as the course is a common practice spot in the rowing seasons (Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, 2020).

The ownership of the land has affected the development of the area. The area around Port Dalhousie, and St. Catharines in general, has become more and more developed over the years as more people move from the Greater Toronto Area down to Niagara. This has meant that the Lakeside areas, such as Martindale Pond's surrounding banks, have been the site for many housing projects and efforts to make the area more desirable for tourism and new residents (Vivosweb, 2017). Private ownership, as well as ownership by contracting companies to build upon it, has dramatically changed the landscape of the area where Martindale pond sits.

As a part of the Lower Twelve Mile Creek Watershed System, the Pond receives a water grade report to make sure that everything is doing well with the local environment (NPCA, 2012), but the Pond itself doesn't fall under any specific zoning. It is affected by the residential zoning areas on its banks, which the Rankin Construction company and Port Dalhousie Harbour Club are the main developers of.

The parks in St. Catharines, including those in Port Dalhousie and surrounding Martindale Pond are maintained by the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Service of St. Catharines. There are other organizations responsible for specific attractions, such as the friends of the carousel for the Lakeside Park Carousel, but general park and pond maintenance falls to the city.

As previously mentioned, the main uses of Martindale Pond are for recreational and tourism purposes. The many adjacent parks, shops, attractions, and restaurants are a draw for visitors in the Niagara Region and Greater Toronto Area, as the historical and beautiful surroundings are perfect for a visit. The major adjacent uses correspond to those uses. The entire area of Port Dalhousie is manufactured to draw in consumers, developers, and residents. There is increasing rejuvenation, restoration, and development projects in the works for the surrounding areas of Martindale Pond. Lakeside Park went through a major upheaval in recent years to make the pavilion and beachfront more accessible to families and other visitors, and there are several condo projects in the works as of 2020. The landscape over time has succumb to the influences of human development more than any other influence. There may be the occasional flood of Lake Ontario, as has been the trend since the 1940s, but overall, the largest influence on the shaping and reshaping of Port Dalhousie, the shores of Lake Ontario, and Martindale Pond have been human construction and design. The Pond itself would not exist without human interference, and if the older buildings were not preserved and restored over the years, there would not be nearly as much draw for tourists to spend time in the area.

If you wish to reach out to the City of St. Catharines Parks, Recreation & Culture Services, who maintain Martindale Pond's surrounding parks and trails, you can contact them here:

Parks, Recreation & Culture Services

City of St. Catharines

Administrative Offices

320 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, ON L2N 2G6

Tel: 905.688.5601 x3222

Fax: 905.646.9262

TTY: 905.688.4TTY (4889)

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This Local Landscape Report was prepared by Julia Schultz for the Brock University course TMGT 2P94: Human Dominated Ecosystems on November 07, 2020.

All copyrights for cited material rest with the original copyright owners.