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Forest Fish Project

Exploratory Sub-Watershed Protection Scenarios – Dickson Lake

We examined the Dickson Lake watershed in Algonquin Park using the Deterministic 8-Direction and Multiple Flow Direction TI models to determine the level of protection afforded to sub-watersheds under different hypothetical protection scenarios.  This work is a scoping exercise in sub-watershed protection only.  It does not reflect current or projected forest management practices in Algonquin Park for this watershed.

Details for the Hypothetical Protection Scenario Maps

  • Brook trout presence/absence was based on visual observation of YOY within a maximum 200m reach upstream of the lake shoreline
  • 19 YOY potential brook trout habitats were observed around the entire shoreline
  • 10 of the habitats had brook trout present
  • 9 of the habitats had brook trout absent
  • All maps are based on OMNR Natural Resources & Values Information System base data
  • The ‘Current Protection’ map is based on the document 'Timber management guidelines for the protection of fish habitat' (OMNR 1988) and does not represent actual guidelines in Algonquin Park
  • The “Top 10% of shoreline” on subsequent maps refers to shoreline sites that fall within the upper 10% of the cumulative distribution of TI values
  • The Deterministic 8-Direction (D8) and the Multiple Flow Direction (MFD) algorithms were chosen based on the analysis presented in the previous section Flow Routing and Topographic Index Analysis - Mykiss Lake
  • All mapped stream features draining into Dickson Lake have been omitted from the protection scenario analysis since these features already fall under the current guideline for forestry practices.

Maps Generated by the Hypothetical Protection Scenarios

Protection Under The Current Guidelines

Dickson Lake current protection

The current guidelines for fish habitat protection involve buffering “mapped” hydrographic features (lake shorelines, marshes & streams).  The term “mapped” refers to all features currently maintained in the Natural Resources & Values Information System.  Protection by the buffers is based on the adjacent hillslope gradient, inland from a lake shoreline, marsh or stream to a maximum of 90m in steep terrain.  The Forest Fish project has developed an automated method for the rapid delineation and assessment of slope-based buffer zones.

Using this method the amount of land protected around the shoreline of Dickson Lake would be:

  • 182 hectares

Using this method the number of YOY brook trout habitats protected would be:

  • 10 of 10

Protection using D8 Habitat Site Identification and Full Upslope Contributing Areas

Dickson Lake D8 protection

Using an “Upper 10% of the Shoreline” Topographic Index approach, based on the Deterministic 8-Direction (D8) algorithm, full catchment protection was calculated

Using this method the amount of land protected around the shoreline of Dickson Lake would be:

  • 1829 hectares

Using this method the number of YOY brook trout habitats protected would be:

  • 9 of 10

Using this method 1 of 10 YOY brook trout habitats would be offered no protection

Protection using MFD Habitat Site Identification and Full Upslope Contributing Areas

Dickson Lake MFD protection

Using an “Upper 10% of the Shoreline” Topographic Index approach, based on the Multiple Flow Direction (MFD) algorithm, full catchment protection was calculated

Using this method the amount of land protected around the shoreline of Dickson Lake would be:

  • 675 hectares

Using this method the number of YOY brook trout habitats protected would be:

  • 8 of 10

Using this method 2 of 10 YOY brook trout habitats would be offered no protection

Protection using D8 Habitat Site Identification and 90m Buffering Around Sites

Dickson Lake D8 & buffering protection

Using an “Upper 10% of the Shoreline” Topographic Index approach, based on the Deterministic 8-Direction (D8) algorithm, 90m buffer around TI identified sites was calculated

Using this method the amount of land protected around the shoreline of Dickson Lake would be:

  • 186 hectares

Using this method the number of YOY brook trout habitats protected would be:

  • 9 of 10

Using this method 1 of 10 YOY brook trout habitats would be offered no protection

Protection using MFD Habitat Site Identification and 120m Buffering Around Sites

Dickson Lake MFD & buffering protection

Using an “Upper 10% of the Shoreline” Topographic Index approach, based on the Multiple Flow Direction (MFD) algorithm, 120m buffer around TI identified sites was calculated

Using this method the amount of land protected around the shoreline of Dickson Lake would be:

  • 181 hectares

Using this method the number of YOY brook trout habitats protected would be:

  • 8 of 10

Using this method 2 of 10 YOY brook trout habitats would be offered no protection
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