Page 16 - HumberHappeningsMagazine_Spring2021

COMMUNITY News
WET(DRY?)LANDS, WATER, AND HUMBER BAY PARK:
HOW NATURE AND HUMAN MANAGEMENT SHAPE OUR PARKS AND WATERWAYS
BY BRUNO CLAUSI PHOTOS: IRENE JARDINE
As anyone who goes to Humber Bay Park can attest, the water levels of Lake Ontario and Mimico Creek have been quite low. This may alarm some park visitors, but there is an explanation. Lake Ontario, as we know, is part of an interconnected system of water routes that is managed by the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board (ILO- SLRB). The water level of Lake Ontario was kept low to avoid spring flooding (think of 2017/2019), but lower than average precipitation and winter snow runoff resulted in decreased inflows to Lake Ontario. These inflows have resulted in lower water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, and the waterways of Humber Bay Park are naturally affected.
In early Spring, visitors to Humber Bay Park expecting to see Northern Map Tur- tles sunning themselves on a log at the
west end of the storm water ponds would have only seen drying garbage and other debris. The wetland pond beside Mimico Creek, which is another great spot to watch turtles, was more mud than water. Instead of great numbers of turtles on driftwood logs, visitors would see water- fowl walking on the mud looking for plants to eat. Mimico Creek was so shallow in spots that Swans and Canada Geese were seen walking in some places where they used to swim, and many gulls could be seen standing on the mud banks in the creek.
In response to the low water levels, the ILO-SLRB decided to reduce outflows from Lake Ontario beginning on April 10, 2021 to restore the extra water removed during the winter to Lake Ontario at a rate of about 0.8 inches per week for three weeks. After these three weeks, the board will have reverted to plan-prescribed out- flows. This will allow Lake Ontario and Lake St. Lawrence levels to increase more than they would under plan-prescribed flows over the next few weeks. The board said it now appears likely that Lake Ontario levels will remain below long- term average over the summer unless very wet weather occurs.
The effect of this initiative along with late April showers has helped, and we are starting to see the impact at Humber Bay Park. Turtles have been spotted, and hopefully we’ll see more of them soon. Egrets and Great Blue Herons are returning in order to fish. Paddle boards, kayaks, and other small watercraft will soon be able to navigate Mimico Creek.
It is important to remember that addi- tional factors connected to but also differing from climate change affect the lake and our neighbourhood park. Hopefully by the time you read this, water levels will have further risen, and we will see more of the fantastic wildlife at Humber Bay Park. HH
For more information or to become
a member follow us on Facebook (Friends of Humber Bay Park) friendsofhumberbaypark@gmail.com
16 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | SPRING 2021
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