Headwaters in the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Ontario is a huge province, with extensive headwater areas. Given the size and variety of the landscape, this presentation will focus on headwater areas located in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, shown in the red circle.

the Greater Golden Horseshoe is the area in beige. It surrounds and includes the the Greenbelt, which itself arches above most of Ontario’s major cities in the south-central part of the province. In this view…

Yet even this area is still large, with extensive variations in: Climate & Natural Heritage; Geology & Headwater Types; and Regional Socio-economic Activity.

Let’s explore these variations by examining three areas: Pigeon River Headwaters The Britton Forest Tract, and Short Hills Provincial Park

Located just 150 Kms N of northern border of California; Annual average temperature of 8.8 o C, moderated by the presence of Lake Ontario; Fertile soil supports mixed forests, including rare Black Walnut savannahs Climate & Natural Heritage

Short Hills Provincial Park Undulating terrain with thin soil covering the fractured rock of the Niagara Escarpment presents an abundance of ephemeral run-off, as shown, pocket wetlands, and small streams that curl around the base of its many hills. Geology & Headwater Types

The landscape area around Short Hills is similar but flatter, making this one of the best agricultural areas in Ontario – The Niagara Fruit Belt. Short Hills Provincial Park Regional Socio-economic Activity As fruit includes grapes, the area boasts an extensive wine industry.

Britton Forest Tract, Halton Region About 50 Kms N of Short Hills, with the same annual average temperature of 8.8 o C; Further north and away from Lake Ontario, Britton has greater temperature variations; Much less soil cover results in early succession forests: evergreens, birch, maple; Climate & Natural Heritage

The fractured dolomite on this flatter portion of the Niagara Escarpment captures a lot of water near the surface, in wetlands and streams, making Britton a forest almost as full of water as it is of trees. Britton Forest Tract, Halton Region Geology & Headwater Types

While there are pockets of agriculture, recreation, and tourism in the landscape around Britton, the primary socio- economic activity is aggregate extraction. Britton Forest Tract, Halton Region Regional Socio-economic Activity

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area Another 75 Kms N of Britton, Pigeon River has an annual average temperature of 6 o C; Rich surface soils at Pigeon, however, host a wider variety of plant and animal life than found at the other two locations; Its more northerly position and higher elevation result in a LOT more snow; Climate & Natural Heritage

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area Pigeon exemplifies the Oak Ridges Moraine. Geology & Headwater Types This combination of surface and groundwater feeds 65 watersheds, which is why the Moraine is called The Rain Barrel of southern Ontario. In addition to its small streams and wetlands, the sand and gravel deposits of the Moraine allow the water to filter into the ground.

The land around Pigeon supports mixed agriculture, recreation, some forestry, and sand & gravel extraction. Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area Regional Socio-economic Activity

In summary, headwater areas in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are: Highly varied; Integrated to the ecological fabric of their watersheds; and, Representative of the natural capital upon which the socio-economic base of their rural areas is built.

For more information about these areas, and maps to help you explore them, please visit Headwater Hikes in the Education section of our website.

Thanks for watching. Please note that a click-to-advance version of this presentation is available on the Education page of our website.

ontarioheadwaters.ca