MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Release: 24 July 2019
Only 1 week left in the Hanlon Creek Crowd Funding Campaign
GUELPH – We need your help to raise enough dollars to move forward on the Hanlon Creek Weir Removal Project. So far, we have raised $2,725 but we must reach our goal of $10,000 by the 31stof July to schedule decommissioning for September of this year.
We have two incredible perks to be offered at the close of the Campaign when a 1st and 2ndplace winner will be drawn. For every $25 donated a ballot will be entered into the draw in the donor’s name. For more details or to donate check out our campaign page here: https://chuffed.org/project/hanlon-creek-weir-project-phase-ii
This is a sweet little project that will open up an additional 3.2 km of Brook Trout habitat and increase Hanlon Creek’s resilience to a warming climate. “What is good for Brook Trout is also beneficial for a wide range of species, including humans, especially in a city like Guelph that gets most of its drinking water from groundwater sources “, said Alex Meeker, Ontario Provincial Biologist, Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC).
Brook Trout are like the canary in a coal mine – they are a sensitive species that are more vulnerable in a warming climate. The Hanlon Creek weir causes upstream ponding with an increased surface area that warms in the sun. This warming of the creek has negative impacts on water quality and the Brook Trout that require clear, cool waters below 24°C. The weir is also a barrier to fish passage and interferes with sediment transport.
To resolve these challenges, we plan to remove the centre portion of the weir which impedes flow and is a barrier to fish passage. This will lower the upstream water level and narrow the channel, resulting in cooler stream temperatures, improved sediment transport, and will allow fish to freely pass. This will result in an overall healthier and expanded Brook Trout habitat. Most importantly, it will improve the fishery’s resilience to climate change.
“Hanlon Creek is a little miracle, and an amazing opportunity to show how delicate ecosystems and urban development can coexist when we choose to make it a priority”, said Kent Schubert, ORA Board of Directors and Director of Speed Valley Chapter of TUC.
The partners in this project are the Ontario Rivers Alliance, Trout Unlimited Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Grand River Conservation Authority, and the City of Guelph, in consultation with the Grand River Fisheries Management Plan Implementation Committee.
“Barriers to fish movement exist across Canada. In some cases, such as Hanlon Creek, solutions are obvious and easy. Let’s work together to reconnect our streams and rivers in Canada’”, said Nick Lapointe, Senior Conservation Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Federation.
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The Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA) is a Not-for-Profit grassroots organization acting as a voice for several stewardships, associations, private and Indigenous members who have come together to protect, conserve and restore healthy river ecosystems.
Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) is a registered Canadian not for profit organization. Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems and their coldwater resources for current and future generations.
Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a non-profit organization conducting its activities through a cooperative approach – working with people, corporations, non-government organizations and governments to inspire collaboration in achieving wildlife conservation.
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Alex Meeker
Ontario Provincial Biologist, Trout Unlimited Canada
AMeeker@TUCanada.org Tel: (519) 763-0888
Kent Schubert
Board of Directors, Ontario Rivers Alliance
Director – Speed Valley Chapter, Trout Unlimited Canada
Kent.Schubert@gmail.com Tel: (519) 856-0369
Nick Lapointe
Senior Conservation Biologists, Canadian Wildlife Federation
NLapointe@CWF-FCF.org Tel: 613-599-9594 x 219