NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO RIVERS ALLIANCE
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The Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA) has only a few days left on a crowdfunding Campaign looking to raise $2,050 for the Hanlon Creek Weir Project. We need your help to reach our goal by March 4! Donations will go towards the design work and permitting in this critical first phase of the project.
An amazing original acrylic painting by Sydney Campbell, will go to the person making the largest donation. All donations are welcome and will help move this important project forward. Please go to this link to take part.
Hanlon Creek is a coldwater Brook Trout stream, with its headwaters rising within the City of Guelph, and the Hanlon Creek weir was built in 1972 to measure stream flow. The Grand River Fisheries Management Plan identified issues and management strategies to improve the coldwater tributaries of the Speed River Basin, which includes the Hanlon Creek.
The problem is that the Hanlon Creek weir is a barrier to fish passage, it interferes with sediment transport and causes upstream ponding which results in increased surface water that warms in the sun. This warming of the creek has negative impacts on the Brook Trout that require clear, cool waters below 24°C.
ORA and partners have a plan to mitigate this issue by removing a centre portion of the weir to lower the upstream water level. This will narrow the channel, resulting in cooler stream temperatures and improved Brook Trout habitat. Most importantly, it will improve the fishery’s resiliency to climate change.
Our partners in this project are the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Grand River Conservation Authority, Trout Unlimited Canada, City of Guelph, in consultation with the Grand River Fisheries Management Plan Implementation Committee.
Each partner has taken on a portion of the responsibility for bringing this project to completion. ORA has taken on the challenge of raising the amount required for these crucial first steps of the Project.
“ORA is reaching out to the public at this critical first phase of the project, where up-front funds are required to complete the engineered design and pay for a key regulatory permit, so all donations are appreciated”, said Linda Heron, Chair of the ORA.
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.
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