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REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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Chapter 5: Ecology & Biology
Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the diversity, or variety of plants and
animals and other living things in a particular area or region. It is the variety within and between all
species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and
interact.
Ecological biodiversity is the diversity of ecosystems, natural communities, and habitats. In essence,
ecological biodiversity is the variety of ways that species interact with each other and their
environment, including humans. It is biodiversity on a larger scale. All natural areas are made up of a
community of plants, animals, and other living things in a particular physical and chemical
environment. In practice, conservation of biodiversity requires sustaining the diversity of species in
each ecosystem as we plan human activities that affect the use of the land and natural resources.
Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is necessary to preserve the web of life that
sustains all living things. Each species of vegetation and each creature have a place on the earth and
play a vital role in the circle of life. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no
matter how small have an important role to play. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and
depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.
Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability and increased stability in the food web for all
life forms. Therefore, healthy ecosystems and biodiversity influence and sustain natural ecosystems
and the natural resources those ecosystems support, such as water. This chapter outlines the
important biological components and ecology of the watershed. Protection of all organisms within an
ecosystem, such as fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and plants should be considered in order to retain
ecological biodiversity. By outlining the distribution of key indicators of ecological health in a given
region, we can identify necessary improvements to mitigate impact from human activity.
Ecological Regions within the Watershed
The 1.5 million acres of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed contains a variety of ecological
conditions in regards to land cover, topography, hydrology, and geology. The headwaters contain
distinct topographic relief and are dominated by large patches of forested cover, while the northern
part of the watershed is flat and consists mostly of low-lying wetland habitat. More specific
differences throughout the watershed are reflected through the classification of ecological regions
(ecoregions). Defined by US EPA, ecoregions delineate areas containing similar ecological
characteristics that provide a spatial framework recognizing the different potentials and capacities
that are associated with the various environmental features within each region. Within the
watershed, seven physiographic ecological regions exist (See Figure 5.1) and are listed here according
to size from largest to smallest acreage:
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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Cattaraugus Hills (461,639 acres or 30.4% of the watershed)
Ontario Lowlands (387,091 acres or 25.5% of the watershed)
Erie/Ontario Lake Plain (341,879 acres or 21.1% of the watershed)
Glaciated Low Allegheny Plateau (175,818 acres or 11.6% of the watershed)
Low Lime Drift Plain (141,597 acres or 9.3% of the watershed)
Glaciated Allegheny Hills (10,060 acres or 0.7% of the watershed)
Unglaciated High Allegheny Plateau (737 acres or < 0.1% of the watershed)
Figure 5.1: Ecoregions of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
Cattaraugus Hills
This ecoregion contains the upland headwater area of Eighteenmile Creek, Buffalo River, Buffalo
Creek, Cayuga Creek, and Upper Tonawanda Creek sub-watersheds. The topography is characterized
as dissected plateau, rolling hills, and plateau toe-slopes. Streams within this ecoregion are generally
low gradient with substrates consisting of gravel or silt, and in some cases are spring-fed and
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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therefore able to support populations of native trout. Land cover within the Cattaraugus Hills
contains significant areas of both deciduous and evergreen forest, emergent herbaceous wetlands, and
fens. Rural residential, urban and, farmed lands also exist throughout this ecoregion.
Ontario Lowlands
The delineation of the Ontario Lowlands ecoregion stems from the extent of glacial Lake Iroquois.
This zone covers the northern portion of the watershed, including Lower Tonawanda Creek, Middle
Tonawanda Creek, Ellicott Creek and Murder Creek sub-watersheds. This area was once dominated
by forests, however much of it has been cleared due to the agricultural capability of the land. Much
of the land is low-lying, containing large wetland complexes, glacial lake plains, grasslands, and kettle
topography. Streams within this zone are characterized as low-gradient, and transition into a channel
closer to the confluence with the Niagara River. The built landscape contains residential, urban
centers, and farmed land for both livestock and crop cultivation.
Erie/Ontario Lake Plain
The middle portion of the watershed is characterized by the Erie/Ontario Lake Plan ecoregion. The
physiography of this ecoregion consists of flat lake plain bounded inland by Pleistocene beach ridges.
Streams empty into the Niagara River and Lake Erie, and host a variety of Great Lakes migratory fish
species. Historically the area had natural vegetation types including beech-maple forest along with
chestnut and oak, however the land is now dominated by residential and urban land uses.
Glaciated Low Allegheny Plateau
This ecoregion has shallow and stony soils, which drain well in moderately sloped areas, and are used
for farmland. However, much of the ecoregion has a very dense layer of subsurface soil called
fragipan, which is difficult for roots to penetrate through and drains very poorly. This leads to a
patchwork of land use throughout the ecoregion, which consists of low rolling hills alternated by
steep forested shale slopes. The forests are a mix of northern hardwood-conifers, Appalachian oaks,
and hemlocks.
Low Lime Drift Plain
This ecoregion is just inland of the Erie/Ontario Lake Plain, so it is more protected from lake-effect
weather conditions. A glacial moraine prevents Chautauqua Lake from draining into Lake Erie. The
Low Lime Drift Plain has beech-maple forests with hemlocks. The soils do not drain properly, which
makes the land better for dairy and livestock farming instead of crop cultivation.
Glaciated Allegheny Hills
This ecoregion is adjacent to the unglaciated High Allegheny plateau, but is more rounded with more
lake features, due to its glaciated geologic history. The soils are stony, acidic, and nutrient depleted.
As such, this ecoregion is highly forested and not well-suited for farming. Bedrock is Devonian
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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sandstone and shale. There are many steep cliffs and waterfalls where the bedrock was not as
susceptible to erosion, which causes a rugged look to the landscape. Forests are northern hardwoods
and Appalachian oak.
Unglaciated High Allegheny Plateau
This ecoregion has lower quality soil for agriculture than its glaciated low plateau counterpart. The
plateau is more dissected by streams, leading to a very steep topography interrupted by valleys and
waterfalls. This area receives more precipitation than the unglaciated adjacent ecoregion as well.
Historically, the area was forested by beech-hemlock, although currently there is more of a mix of
hardwoods, maples, and basswoods scattered throughout the ecoregion. The waterways originate
from Pleistocene glacial melt.
Watershed Biology
Fish
Various fish sampling efforts have
taken place in select locations
throughout the watershed; however
most data exists for the Niagara River
and the Niagara River/Lake Erie
waterfront communities. Much of the
data collection within the watershed
has been conducted by NYSDEC, D.
Carlson, and studies conducted in
relation to the New York Power
Authority’s relicensing process.
Typical fish species within the watershed include: smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, yellow
perch, white sucker, muskellunge, northern pike, carp, various shiners and minnows, brown
bullhead, bluegill, and rainbow smelt.1 Generally, migratory fishes travel upstream along the
tributaries off of the Niagara River, however many are impeded by both man-made and naturally
caused barriers. Figure 5.3 depicts the known fish barriers within the tributaries of the Niagara River
Greenway Communities2 from the Niagara River Greenway Habitat Strategy Phase 1. Barriers within
the river itself are also present, and include water level fluctuations and changes in water velocities
1 From Niagara River Greenway Plan and Final EIS.
2 Niagara River Greenway Communities were designated as such as part of the New York Power Authority’s relicensing process
and include the City of Buffalo; Town of Tonawanda; Village of Kenmore; City of Tonawanda; City of North Tonawanda; Town of Wheatfield; Town of Grand Island; Town of Niagara, City of Niagara Falls, Town of Lewiston; Village of Lewiston, Town of Porter; and Village of Youngstown.
Figure 5.2: Native Brook Trout
Scott Cornett (NYSDEC)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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caused by man-made influences. In the upper portions of the watershed smaller populations of non-
migratory fishes are present, including self-sustaining populations of native and naturalized trout.
These trout streams are documented within the water quality classifications section found in Chapter
4 and in Figure 5.4.
The master list of fish
species is provided in
Chart 5.1 and was
compiled as part of the
evaluation for Ramsar
designation3 of the
Niagara River Corridor.
The Niagara River
Watershed Phase 1 list
detailed 102 fish species
that have been
documented within the
Niagara River Watershed.
However, the following
list has been updated to
reflect other fishes found
in the additional seven
sub-watersheds. There are
now 123 fish species
listed. Within the Niagara
River corridor, species
community composition
differs above and below
the falls. The upper
Niagara River has been
recorded to support 89 species of fish, 36 of which have been introduced since 1960. The lower
Niagara River has had 38 species documented, two of which were not observed until after the late
1800s.4
3 https://www.ramsar.org/about-the-ramsar-convention
4 Carlson, D.M. 2001. Species accounts for the rare fishes of New York. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany,
NY.
Figure 5.3 Fish Barriers in the Niagara River Greenway
Communities
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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Chart 5.1: Fish Species in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
FIS
H
Specie
s
IU
CN
Red L
ist
CIT
ES
Appen
dix
US
(En
dan
gered
Specie
s A
ct)
New
York
Sta
te
(En
viron
men
tal
Con
serva
tion
Law
)
Can
ada (
Specie
s
at
Ris
k A
ct)
On
tario
(En
dan
gered
Specie
s A
ct)
AB
CE
Lake S
turg
eo
n (
Acip
en
ser
fulv
esc
en
s)L
east
co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
II
-T
hre
ate
ned
-T
hre
ate
ned
X
X
Giz
zard
Sh
ad
(D
oro
som
a c
ep
ed
ian
um
) L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
X1
Rain
bo
w S
melt
(O
smeru
s m
ord
ax)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
1
Cen
tral M
ud
min
no
w (
Um
bra
lim
i)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Am
eri
can
Eel (A
ng
uil
la r
ost
rata
) -
--
--
En
dan
gere
dX
X
Lake W
hit
efi
sh
(C
ore
go
nu
s clu
pea
form
is)
--
--
--
X
Lake H
err
ing
(C
ore
go
nu
s a
rted
i)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Am
eri
can
Bro
ok L
am
pre
y (
La
mp
etr
a a
pp
en
dix
)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
*-
-X
X
Lo
ng
no
se G
ar
(Lep
iso
steu
s o
sseu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Bo
wfi
n (
Am
ia c
alv
a)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Gra
ss P
ickere
l (E
sox a
meri
ca
nu
s verm
icu
latu
s)-
--
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
X
X
Mo
on
ey
e (
Hio
do
n t
erg
isu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
Th
reate
ned
--
X
Lo
ng
no
se S
ucker
(Ca
tost
om
us
ca
tost
om
us)
-
--
SG
CN
--
X
Wh
ite S
ucker
(Ca
tost
om
us
co
mm
ers
on
ii)
--
--
--
X
XX
X
No
rth
ern
Ho
gn
ose S
ucker
(Hyp
en
teli
um
nig
rica
ns)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Go
lden
Red
ho
rse (
Mo
xo
sto
ma
ery
thru
rum
) L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Sh
ort
head
Red
ho
rse (
Mo
xo
sto
ma
ma
cro
lep
ido
tum
) L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Gre
ate
r R
ed
ho
rse (
Mo
xo
sto
ma
va
len
cie
nn
esi
)
--
--
--
X
X
Bla
ck R
ed
ho
rse (
Mo
xo
sto
ma
du
qu
esn
ei)
Least
co
ncern
--
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
-T
hre
ate
ned
X
X
Silv
er
Red
ho
rse (
Mo
xo
sto
ma
an
isu
rum
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Red
ho
rse s
p. (M
oxo
sto
ma
sp
.)
--
--
--
X
Qu
illb
ack C
arp
su
cker
(Ca
rpio
des
cyp
rin
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Lake C
hu
bsu
cker
(Eri
myzo
n s
ucett
a)
Least
co
ncern
--
Th
reate
ned
En
dan
gere
dT
hre
ate
ned
X
X
Bla
ck B
ullh
ead
(A
meiu
rus
mela
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
X
Yello
w B
ullh
ead
(A
meiu
rus
na
tali
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bro
wn
Bu
llh
ead
(A
meiu
rus
neb
ulo
sus)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Ch
an
nel C
atf
ish
(Ic
talu
rus
pu
ncta
tus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Sto
necat
(No
turu
s fl
avu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Tad
po
le M
ad
tom
(N
otu
rus
gyri
nu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bri
nd
led
Mad
tom
(N
otu
rus
miu
rus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bu
rbo
t (L
ota
lo
ta)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Wh
ite P
erc
h (
Mo
ron
e a
meri
ca
na
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
X
1
Wh
ite B
ass (
Mo
ron
e c
hry
sop
s)-
--
--
-X
X
Bro
ok S
ilv
ers
ide (
La
bid
est
hes
siccu
lus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Bro
ok S
tickle
back (
Cu
laea
in
co
nst
an
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Th
ree-s
pin
e S
tickle
back (
Ga
stero
steu
s a
cu
lea
tus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Tro
ut-
perc
h (
Perc
op
sis
om
isco
ma
ycu
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Gre
en
sid
e D
art
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
ble
nn
ioid
es)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Iow
a D
art
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
exil
e)
Least
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
X
Rain
bo
w D
art
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
ca
eru
leu
m)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Fan
tail D
art
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
fla
bell
are
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
cksid
e D
art
er
(Perc
ina
ma
cu
lata
) L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Tessela
ted
Dart
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
olm
sted
i)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Sta
tus
Records
Spaw
nin
g R
ecords
Intr
odu
ced
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 7
Joh
nn
y D
art
er
(Eth
eo
sto
ma
nig
rum
)-
--
--
-X
X
XX
Fre
sh
wate
r D
rum
(A
plo
din
otu
s g
run
nie
ns)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Deep
wate
r S
cu
lpin
(M
yo
xo
cep
ha
lus
tho
mp
son
i)
Least
co
ncern
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Mo
ttle
d S
cu
lpin
(C
ott
us
ba
ird
i)
--
--
--
X
XX
Slim
y S
cu
lpin
(C
ott
us
co
gn
atu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Lo
gp
erc
h (
Perc
ina
ca
pro
des)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Ho
rny
head
Ch
ub
(N
oco
mis
big
utt
atu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Riv
er
Ch
ub
(N
oco
mis
mic
rop
og
on
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Lake C
hu
b (
Co
uesi
us
plu
mb
eu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
Fallfi
sh
(S
em
oti
lus
co
rpo
rali
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Cre
ek C
hu
b (
Sem
oti
lus
atr
om
acu
latu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Ch
ub
sp
p. (S
em
oti
lus
spp
.)-
--
--
-X
Go
lden
Sh
iner
(No
tem
igo
nu
s cry
sole
uca
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Str
iped
Sh
iner
(Lu
xil
us
ch
ryso
cep
ha
lus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Co
mm
on
Sh
iner
(Lu
xil
us
co
rnu
tus)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Em
era
ld S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
ath
eri
no
ides)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Sp
ott
ail S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
hu
dso
niu
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Ro
sy
face S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
ru
bell
us)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Sp
otf
in S
hin
er
(Cyp
rin
ell
a s
pil
ote
rus)
-
--
--
-X
X
San
d S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
str
am
ineu
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Mim
ic S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
vo
lucell
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
ckch
in S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
hete
rod
on
)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
XX
Bla
ckn
ose S
hin
er
(No
tro
pis
hete
role
pis
)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
XX
Bri
dle
Sh
iner
(No
tro
pis
bif
ren
atu
s)N
ear
Th
reate
ned
--
SG
CN
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
X
Red
fin
Sh
iner
(Lyth
ruru
s u
mb
rati
lis)
--
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
--
X
X
Fath
ead
Min
no
w (
Pim
ep
ha
les
pro
mela
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Blu
ntn
ose M
inn
ow
(P
imep
ha
les
no
tatu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Lo
ng
no
se D
ace (
Rh
inic
hth
ys
ca
tara
cta
e)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
ckn
ose D
ace (
Rh
inic
hth
ys
atr
atu
lus)
L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Cen
tral S
ton
ero
ller
(Ca
mp
ost
om
a a
no
ma
lum
) L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Atl
an
tic S
alm
on
(S
alm
o s
ala
r)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
X
Lake T
rou
t (S
alv
eli
nu
s n
am
aycu
sh)
--
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
No
rth
ern
Pik
e (
Eso
x l
uciu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Mu
skellu
ng
e (
Eso
x m
asq
uin
on
gy)
Least
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
XX
Sm
allm
ou
th B
ass (
Mic
rop
teru
s d
olo
mie
ui)
--
--
--
X
XX
X
Larg
em
ou
th B
ass (
Mic
rop
teru
s sa
lmo
ides)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Wh
ite C
rap
pie
(P
om
oxis
an
nu
lari
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
ck C
rap
pie
(P
om
oxis
nig
rom
acu
latu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Yello
w P
erc
h (
Perc
a fla
vesc
en
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Sau
ger
(Sa
nd
er
ca
na
den
sis)
L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
*;
Pre
su
med
Ext
irp
ate
d-
-X
X
Walley
e (
Sa
nd
er
vit
reu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Ro
ck B
ass (
Am
blo
pli
tes
rup
est
ris)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Gre
en
Su
nfi
sh
(L
ep
om
is c
ya
nell
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Pu
mp
kin
seed
(L
ep
om
is g
ibb
osu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
Blu
eg
ill (L
ep
om
is m
acro
ch
iru
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Lo
ng
ear
Su
nfi
sh
(L
ep
om
is m
eg
alo
tis)
Least
co
ncern
--
Th
reate
ned
--
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 8
Sea L
am
pre
y (
Petr
om
yzo
n m
ari
nu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
Ale
wif
e (
Alo
sa p
seu
do
ha
ren
gu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
X
Co
ho
Salm
on
(O
nco
rhyn
ch
us
kis
utc
h)
--
--
--
X
X
Ch
ino
ok S
alm
on
(O
nco
rhyn
ch
us
tsh
aw
yts
ch
a)
--
--
--
X
XX
Rain
bo
w T
rou
t (O
nco
rhyn
ch
us
myk
iss)
--
--
--
X
XX
Bro
wn
Tro
ut
(Sa
lmo
tru
tta
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Go
ldfi
sh
(C
ara
ssiu
s a
ura
tus)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
X
Co
mm
on
Carp
(C
yp
rin
us
ca
rpio
) V
uln
era
ble
--
--
-X
X
XX
X
Ro
un
d G
ob
y (
Neo
go
biu
s m
ela
no
sto
mu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
X
Ban
ded
Killifi
sh
(F
un
du
lus
dia
ph
an
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
XX
X
1
Ru
dd
(S
ca
rdin
ius
ery
thro
ph
tha
lmu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
X
X
Big
mo
uth
Bu
ffalo
(Ic
tio
bu
s cyp
rin
ell
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
-X
Big
ey
e C
hu
b (
Hyb
op
sis
am
blo
ps
)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
*-
-X
Silv
er
Ch
ub
(M
acrh
yb
op
sis
sto
reri
an
a)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dT
hre
ate
ned
X
Sp
oo
nh
ead
Scu
lpin
(C
ott
us
ricei)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
Pre
su
med
Ext
irp
ate
d-
-X
Lo
ng
head
Dart
er
(Perc
ina
ma
cro
cep
ha
la)
Data
Defi
cie
nt
-
-
Th
reate
ned
-
-
X
Easte
rn S
an
d D
art
er
(Am
mo
cry
pta
pell
ucid
a)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
Th
reate
ned
Th
reate
ned
En
dan
gere
dX
No
rth
ern
Su
nfi
sh
(L
ep
om
is p
elt
ast
es
)-
-
-
Th
reate
ned
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
-
X
Pad
dle
fish
(P
oly
od
on
sp
ath
ula
)V
uln
era
ble
-
-
Ext
irp
ate
d, cu
rren
tly
bein
g s
tocked
Ext
irp
ate
dE
xtir
pate
dX
No
rth
ern
Bro
ok L
am
pre
y (
Ich
thyo
myzo
n fo
sso
r)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
X
X
Silv
er
Lam
pre
y (
Ich
thyo
myzo
n u
nic
usp
is)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
- -
-
X
No
rth
ern
Red
belly
Dace (
Ch
roso
mu
s eo
s)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
- -
-
X
Big
mo
uth
Sh
iner
(No
tro
pis
do
rsa
lis
)L
east
co
ncern
-
-
SG
CN
-
-
X
Bro
ok T
rou
t (S
alv
eli
nu
s fo
nti
na
lis
)-
-
-
SG
CN
-
-
X
X
Cis
co
(C
ore
go
nu
s a
rted
i)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
SG
CN
-
-
X
Pir
ate
Perc
h (
Ap
hre
do
deru
s sa
ya
nu
s)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
SG
CN
-
-
X
Red
sid
e D
ace (
Cli
no
sto
mu
s elo
ng
atu
s)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
-E
nd
an
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
Gra
ss C
arp
(C
ten
op
ha
ryn
go
do
n i
dell
a)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
- -
-
X
X
Alleg
hen
y P
earl
Dace (
Ma
rga
risc
us
ma
rga
rita
)L
east
co
ncern
-
-
- -
-
X
Weste
rn B
lackn
ose D
ace (
Rh
inic
hth
ys
ob
tusu
s)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
- -
-
X
Sp
ott
ed
Su
cker
(Min
ytr
em
a m
ela
no
ps
)L
east
co
ncern
-
-
-
Sp
ecia
l C
on
cern
Sp
ecia
l C
on
cern
X
Pin
k S
alm
on
(O
nco
rhyn
ch
us
go
rbu
sch
a)
- -
-
-
-
-
XX
Tig
er
Mu
skellu
ng
e (
Eso
x l
uciu
s x
Eso
x m
asq
uin
on
gy
)-
-
-
- -
-
X
X
Ch
ain
Pic
kere
l (E
sox n
iger
)L
east
co
ncern
-
-
-
-
-
XX
Ch
an
nel D
art
er
(Perc
ina
co
pela
nd
i)
Least
co
ncern
-
-
- -
T
hre
ate
ned
X
Sou
rce
s o
f Sta
tus
Ne
w Y
ork
Sta
te (D
ep
art
me
nt
of E
nvi
ron
me
nta
l Co
nse
rva
tio
n) -
Sp
eci
es
of G
rea
test
Co
nse
rva
tio
n N
ee
d (h
ttp
://w
ww
.de
c.n
y.go
v/d
ocs
/wil
dli
fe_p
df/
sgn
c20
15
list
.pd
f)
Ne
w Y
ork
Sta
te (D
ep
art
me
nt
of E
nvi
ron
me
nta
l Co
nse
rva
tio
n) -
Sp
eci
es
of P
ote
nti
al C
on
serv
ati
on
Ne
ed
(htt
p:/
/ww
w.d
ec.
ny.
gov/
do
cs/w
ild
life
_pd
f/sp
nc2
01
5li
st.p
df)
Sou
rce
s o
f Re
cord
s
Ad
dit
ion
al N
ote
s
C -
Tro
me
ter,
Be
tsy.
20
11
. La
rva
l an
d y
ou
ng-
of-
the
-ye
ar
fish
es
fou
nd
in t
he
Up
pe
r a
nd
Lo
we
r N
iaga
ra R
ive
r - D
raft
. USF
WS
– Lo
we
r G
rea
t La
kes
Fish
an
d W
ild
life
Co
nse
rva
tio
n O
ffic
e. (
U.S
. re
cord
s o
nly
)
D -
Ka
pu
scin
ski,
Ke
vin
. 20
14
. Un
pu
bli
she
d fi
sh s
am
pli
ng
da
ta fr
om
th
e lo
we
r &
up
pe
r N
iaga
ra. S
UN
Y, C
oll
ege
of E
nvi
ron
me
nta
l Sci
en
ce a
nd
Fo
rest
ry. (
U.S
. re
cord
s o
nly
)
A -
Yagi
A.R
an
d C
. Blo
tt. 2
01
2. N
iaga
ra R
ive
r W
ate
rsh
ed
Fis
h C
om
mu
nit
y A
sse
ssm
en
t (1
99
7 t
o 2
01
1).
On
tari
o M
inis
try
of N
atu
ral R
eso
urc
es
un
pu
bli
she
d r
ep
ort
. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.np
ca.c
a/w
p-
con
ten
t/u
plo
ad
s/N
IAG
AR
A-R
IVER
-WA
TER
SHED
-FIS
H-C
OM
MU
NIT
Y-FI
NA
L-A
ug-
20
13
.pd
f) (C
an
ad
a r
eco
rds
on
ly)
On
tari
o (E
nd
an
gere
d S
pe
cie
s A
ct) -
"Sp
eci
es
at
Ris
k in
On
tari
o (S
AR
O) L
ist"
(htt
p:/
/ww
w.m
nr.
gov.
on
.ca
/en
/Bu
sin
ess
/Sp
eci
es/
2C
olu
mn
Sub
Pa
ge/M
NR
_SA
R_C
SSR
_SA
RO
_LST
_EN
.htm
l)
Intr
od
uce
d s
pe
cie
s a
re a
sp
eci
es
livi
ng
ou
tsid
e t
he
ir n
ati
ve d
istr
ibu
tio
na
l ra
nge
, wh
ich
ha
ve a
rriv
ed
th
ere
by
hu
ma
n a
ctiv
ity,
eit
he
r d
eli
be
rate
or
acc
ide
nta
l.
Spe
cie
s m
ark
ed
wit
h X
1 a
re fo
un
d in
bo
th t
he
low
er
an
d u
pp
er
Nia
gara
Riv
er,
an
d a
re c
on
sid
ere
d n
ati
ve t
o t
he
low
er
Nia
gara
Riv
er
bu
t in
tro
du
ced
in t
he
up
pe
r N
iaga
ra R
ive
r.
CIT
ES A
pp
en
dix
- "C
on
ven
tio
n o
n t
he
Inte
rna
tio
na
l Tra
de
in E
nd
an
gere
d S
pe
cie
s o
f Wil
d F
lora
an
d F
au
na
" (h
ttp
://w
ww
.cit
es.
org
/)
IUC
N R
ed
Lis
t - "
Inte
rna
tio
na
l Un
ion
for
the
Co
nse
rva
tio
n o
f Na
ture
, Re
d L
ist
of T
hre
ate
ne
d S
pe
cie
s" (h
ttp
://w
ww
.iu
cnre
dli
st.o
rg/)
US
(En
da
nge
red
Sp
eci
es
Act
) - "
U.S
. Fis
h a
nd
Wil
dli
fe S
erv
ice
, En
da
nge
red
Sp
eci
es"
(htt
p:/
/ww
w.f
ws.
gov/
END
AN
GER
ED/s
pe
cie
s/u
s-sp
eci
es.
htm
l)
Ne
w Y
ork
Sta
te (E
nvi
ron
me
nta
l Co
nse
rva
tio
n L
aw
) - L
ist
of E
nd
an
gere
d, T
hre
ate
ne
d a
nd
Sp
eci
al C
on
cern
Fis
h &
Wil
dli
fe S
pe
cie
s o
f Ne
w Y
ork
Sta
te (h
ttp
://w
ww
.de
c.n
y.go
v/a
nim
als
/74
94
.htm
l)
Ca
na
da
(Sp
eci
es
at
Ris
k A
ct) -
"Sp
eci
es
at
Ris
k P
ub
lic
Re
gist
ry"
(htt
p:/
/ww
w.s
ara
regi
stry
.gc.
ca/s
ar/
ind
ex/
de
fau
lt_e
.cfm
)
B -
NYS
De
pa
rtm
en
t o
f En
viro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
we
bsi
te. "
Fish
Atl
as
Ma
ps
of N
ew
Yo
rk".
Re
trie
ved
on
Ju
ly 2
9, 2
01
4. (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.d
ec.
ny.
gov/
an
ima
ls/8
46
22
.htm
l) (U
.S. r
eco
rds
on
ly)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 9
Figure 5.4: Stream Temperature in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
(Source: NYSDEC Classifications, USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 10
Loss of fish habitat within the watershed has been significant, resulting from human activities
including development, dredging, water diversions, and bulk heading. This loss is most dramatic in
the upper Niagara River, where valuable habitat including submerged aquatic vegetation and coastal
wetlands have been destroyed and degraded. The Niagara River Remedial Action Plan lists the loss of
both fish and wildlife habitat as a Beneficial Use Impairment for both the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers
that need to be addressed before they can be delisted as Areas of Concern (AOC). However,
improving trends have been observed within the past 20 years, as more sensitive fish species are
showing recovery within the Niagara River.4
Water temperature is another factor affecting the viability of certain fish species in the watershed.
The U.S. Geological Survey tracks water temperature data from its stream gauge locations and
identifies which streams fall into warm and cold categories. Figure 5.4 outlines the water temperature
classifications for the sub-watersheds from the research conducted as part of the Niagara River
Greenway Habitat Conservation Strategy.5
Birds
A total of 338 bird species were documented in the Niagara River Watershed as part of the Niagara
River Corridor Ramsar Site6 nomination package, 2016 and was used in the Niagara River Habitat
Conservation Strategy. A master list of bird species is provided in Chart 5.2.7 The Niagara River
corridor is currently designated as an Important Bird Area, signifying it is internationally recognized
for its ability to support large populations of migratory gulls and waterfowl. A number of species
flock to this area and rely on the resources it provides for both wintering and breeding activities. The
sensitive bird areas that exist along the Niagara River corridor are detailed in the Table 5.1.
Information on bird species was not updated for the Phase 2 watershed expansion to the Lake Erie
portion of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed as it was beyond the scope of this project.
5 NYSDEC Classifications, USGS National Hydrography Dataset
6 https://www.ramsar.org/about-the-ramsar-convention
7 In this report we use the English capitalization standard for all species common names except birds. Cornell and Audubon
have set a standard that bird common names should be written in title case.
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 11
Chart 5.2 Birds of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
BIR
DS
Sp
ecie
s
IU
CN
Red
Lis
tC
ITE
S
Ap
pen
dix
US
(En
da
ng
ere
d
Sp
ecie
s A
ct)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(En
vir
on
men
tal
Co
nse
rva
tio
n L
aw
)
Ca
na
da
(Sp
ecie
s a
t
Ris
k A
ct)
On
tari
o
(En
da
ng
ere
d
Sp
ecie
s A
ct)
AB
CD
EF
Gre
ater
White-
fro
nte
d G
oo
se (
An
ser
alb
ifro
ns)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Sno
w G
oo
se (
Ch
en c
aer
ule
scen
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Ro
ss's
Go
ose
(C
hen
ross
ii)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Bra
nt
(Bra
nta
ber
nic
la)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Cac
klin
g G
oo
se (
Bra
nta
hu
tch
insi
i)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Can
ada
Go
ose
(B
ran
ta c
an
ad
ensi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
X
Mute
Sw
an (
Cyg
nu
s olo
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
XX
X
Tru
mp
eter
Sw
an (
Cyg
nu
s b
ucc
ina
tor)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Tund
ra S
wan
(C
ygn
us
colu
mb
ian
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Wo
od
Duck (
Aix
sp
on
sa)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
X
Gad
wal
l (A
na
s st
rep
era
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Eura
sian
Wig
eon (
An
as
pen
elop
e)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Am
eric
an W
igeo
n (
An
as
am
eric
an
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Am
eric
an B
lack D
uck (
An
as
rub
rip
es)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Mal
lard
(A
na
s p
laty
rhyn
chos)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Blu
e-w
inged
Tea
l (A
na
s d
isco
rs)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
XX
Cin
nam
on T
eal (A
na
s cy
an
op
tera
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
No
rther
n S
ho
vel
er (
An
as
clyp
eata
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
X
No
rther
n P
inta
il (A
na
s a
cuta
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Gre
en-w
inged
Tea
l (A
na
s cr
ecca
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
X
Can
vas
bac
k (
Ayt
hya
va
lisi
ner
ia)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
XX
Red
hea
d (
Ayt
hya
am
eric
an
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
XX
Rin
g-n
ecked
Duck (
Ayt
hya
coll
ari
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
XX
Tuft
ed D
uck (
Ayt
hya
fu
lig
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Gre
ater
Scau
p (
Ayt
hya
ma
rila
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Les
ser
Scau
p (
Ayt
hya
aff
inis
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Kin
g E
ider
(S
om
ate
ria
sp
ecta
bil
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Co
mm
on E
ider
(S
om
ate
ria
moll
issi
ma
)N
ear
Thre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Har
leq
uin
Duck (
His
trio
nic
us
his
trio
nic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
NS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n-
XX
XX
XX
Surf
Sco
ter
(Mel
an
itta
per
spic
illa
ta)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
White-
win
ged
Sco
ter
(Mel
an
itta
deg
lan
di)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Bla
ck S
co
ter
(Mel
an
itta
am
eric
an
a)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed
--
SG
CN
--
XX
XX
X
Lo
ng-t
aile
d D
uck (
Cla
ng
ula
hye
ma
lis)
Vuln
erab
le-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Buff
lehea
d (
Bu
cep
ha
la a
lbeo
la)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Co
mm
on G
old
eney
e (B
uce
ph
ala
cla
ng
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Bar
row
's G
old
eney
e (B
uce
ph
ala
isl
an
dic
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
n-
XX
X
Ho
od
ed M
ergan
ser
(Lop
hod
ytes
cu
cull
atu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
XX
Co
mm
on M
ergan
ser
(Mer
gu
s m
erg
an
ser)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
XX
Red
-bre
aste
d M
ergan
ser
(Mer
gu
s se
rra
tor)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
XX
Rud
dy D
uck (
Oxy
ura
ja
ma
icen
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
No
rther
n B
ob
white
(Coli
nu
s vi
rgin
ian
us)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N*
End
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
Rin
g-n
ecked
Phea
sant
(Ph
asi
an
us
colc
hic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Nest
ing
Reco
rds
Overw
inte
rin
g
Mig
rato
ry
Wa
terb
ird
sIn
tro
du
ced
S
tatu
sR
eco
rds
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 12
Ruff
ed G
rouse
(B
on
asa
um
bel
lus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
Wild
Turk
ey (
Mel
eag
ris
ga
llop
avo
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Red
-thro
ated
Lo
on (
Ga
via
ste
lla
ta)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Pac
ific
Lo
on (
Ga
via
pa
cifi
ca)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Co
mm
on L
oo
n (
Ga
via
im
mer
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
XX
X
Pie
d-b
illed
Gre
be
(Pod
ilym
bu
s p
od
icep
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-T
hre
aten
ed-
-X
XX
XX
XX
X
Ho
rned
Gre
be
(Pod
icep
s a
uri
tus)
Vuln
erab
le-
-S
GC
NS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
Red
-nec
ked
Gre
be
(Pod
icep
s g
rise
gen
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Ear
ed G
reb
e (P
od
icep
s n
igri
coll
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Wes
tern
Gre
be
(Aec
hm
op
horu
s occ
iden
tali
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Bla
ck-c
app
ed P
etre
l (P
tero
dro
ma
ha
sita
ta)
End
anger
ed-
--
--
XX
Wils
on's
Sto
rm-P
etre
l (O
cea
nit
es o
cea
nic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Lea
ch's
Sto
rm-P
etre
l (O
cea
nod
rom
a l
euco
rhoa
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Bro
wn B
oo
by (
Su
la l
euco
ga
ster
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
No
rther
n G
annet
(M
oru
s b
ass
an
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Do
ub
le-c
rest
ed C
orm
ora
nt
(Ph
ala
croco
rax
au
ritu
s)Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
XX
Gre
at C
orm
ora
nt
(Ph
ala
croco
rax
carb
o)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Am
eric
an W
hite
Pel
ican
(P
elec
an
us
eryt
hro
rhyn
chos)Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
-T
hre
aten
edX
XX
Bro
wn P
elic
an (
Pel
eca
nu
s occ
iden
tali
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Am
eric
an B
itte
rn (
Bota
uru
s le
nti
gin
osu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
XX
X
Lea
st B
itte
rn (
Ixob
rych
us
exil
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-T
hre
aten
edT
hre
aten
edT
hre
aten
edX
XX
XX
X
Gre
at B
lue
Her
on (
Ard
ea h
erod
ias)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Gre
at E
gre
t (A
rdea
alb
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
XX
Sno
wy E
gre
t (E
gre
tta
th
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Little
Blu
e H
ero
n (
Eg
rett
a c
aer
ule
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
Tri
co
lore
d H
ero
n (
Eg
rett
a t
rico
lor)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
Cat
tle
Egre
t (B
ub
ulc
us
ibis
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
Gre
en H
ero
n (
Bu
tori
des
vir
esce
ns)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Bla
ck-c
row
ned
Nig
ht-
Her
on (
Nyc
tico
rax
nyc
tico
rax)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
XX
Yel
low
-cro
wned
Nig
ht-
Her
on (
Nyc
tan
ass
a v
iola
cea
)Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
Glo
ssy I
bis
(P
leg
ad
is f
alc
inel
lus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
White-
faced
Ib
is (
Ple
ga
dis
ch
ihi)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Bla
ck V
ulture
(C
ora
gyp
s a
tra
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Turk
ey V
ulture
(C
ath
art
es a
ura
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Osp
rey (
Pa
nd
ion
ha
lia
etu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Sp
ecia
l C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
X
XX
Go
lden
Eag
le (
Aq
uil
a c
hry
saet
os)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
End
anger
ed-
End
anger
edX
-
No
rther
n H
arri
er (
Cir
cus
cya
neu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Thre
aten
ed-
-X
XX
XX
XX
X
Shar
p-s
hin
ned
Haw
k (
Acc
ipit
er s
tria
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Sp
ecia
l C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
XX
X
Co
op
er's
Haw
k (
Acc
ipit
er c
oop
erii
)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Sp
ecia
l C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
X
X
No
rther
n G
osh
awk (
Acc
ipit
er g
enti
lis)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Sp
ecia
l C
oncer
n-
-X
X
Bal
d E
agle
(H
ali
aee
tus
leu
coce
ph
alu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Thre
aten
ed-
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
X
XX
Red
-sho
uld
ered
Haw
k (
Bu
teo l
inea
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
Sp
ecia
l C
oncer
nS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n-
XX
X
Bro
ad-w
inged
Haw
k (
Bu
teo p
laty
pte
rus)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
Red
-tai
led
Haw
k (
Bu
teo j
am
aic
ensi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
XX
Ro
ugh-l
egged
Haw
k (
Bu
teo l
ag
op
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 13
Yel
low
Rai
l (C
otu
rnic
op
s n
ove
bora
cen
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
n
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
X
Kin
g R
ail (R
all
us
eleg
an
s)N
ear
Thre
aten
ed-
-T
hre
aten
edE
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
Vir
gin
ia R
ail (R
all
us
lim
icola
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
So
ra (
Porz
an
a c
aro
lin
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Co
mm
on G
allin
ule
(G
all
inu
la g
ale
ata
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Am
eric
an C
oo
t (F
uli
ca a
mer
ica
na
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
X
San
dhill
Cra
ne
(Gru
s ca
na
den
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
X
Am
eric
an A
vo
cet
(R
ecu
rvir
ost
ra a
mer
ica
na
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Bla
ck-b
ellie
d P
lover
(P
luvi
ali
s sq
ua
taro
la)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Am
eric
an G
old
en-P
lover
(P
luvi
ali
s d
om
inic
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
Sem
ipal
mat
ed P
lover
(C
ha
rad
riu
s se
mip
alm
atu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Pip
ing P
lover
(C
ha
rad
riu
s m
elod
us)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
End
anger
edE
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
X
Kill
dee
r (C
ha
rad
riu
s vo
cife
rus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Sp
ott
ed S
and
pip
er (
Act
itis
ma
cula
riu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
So
litar
y S
and
pip
er (
Tri
ng
a s
oli
tari
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Gre
ater
Yel
low
legs
(Tri
ng
a m
ela
nole
uca
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Will
et (
Tri
ng
a s
emip
alm
ata
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
X
Les
ser
Yel
low
legs
(Tri
ng
a f
lavi
pes
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Up
land
San
dp
iper
(B
art
ram
ia l
on
gic
au
da
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-T
hre
aten
ed-
-X
X
XX
X
Whim
bre
l (N
um
eniu
s p
ha
eop
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
X
Hud
sonia
n G
od
wit (
Lim
osa
ha
ema
stic
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
Mar
ble
d G
od
wit (
Lim
osa
fed
oa
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
Rud
dy T
urn
sto
ne
(Are
na
ria
in
terp
res)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Red
Kno
t (C
ali
dri
s ca
nu
tus)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N*
End
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
XX
Ruff
(C
ali
dri
s p
ug
na
x)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Stilt S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
him
an
top
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Curl
ew S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
ferr
ug
inea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
San
der
ling (
Ca
lid
ris
alb
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
X
Dunlin
(C
ali
dri
s a
lpin
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Purp
le S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
ma
riti
ma
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
Bai
rd's
San
dp
iper
(C
ali
dri
s b
air
dii
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Lea
st S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
min
uti
lla
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
White-
rum
ped
San
dp
iper
(C
ali
dri
s fu
scic
oll
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Buff
-bre
aste
d S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
sub
rufi
coll
is)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
X
Pec
tora
l S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
mel
an
oto
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Sem
ipal
mat
ed S
and
pip
er (
Ca
lid
ris
pu
sill
a)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
XX
Wes
tern
San
dp
iper
(C
ali
dri
s m
au
ri)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Sho
rt-b
illed
Do
witcher
(L
imn
od
rom
us
gri
seu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
XX
Lo
ng-b
illed
Do
witcher
(L
imn
od
rom
us
scolo
pa
ceu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Wils
on's
Snip
e (G
all
ina
go d
elic
ata
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Am
eric
an W
oo
dco
ck (
Sco
lop
ax
min
or)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Wils
on's
Phal
aro
pe
(Ph
ala
rop
us
tric
olo
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Red
-nec
ked
Phal
aro
pe
(Ph
ala
rop
us
lob
atu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
Red
Phal
aro
pe
(Ph
ala
rop
us
fuli
cari
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Po
mar
ine
Jaeg
er (
Ste
rcora
riu
s p
om
ari
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 14
Par
asitic
Jae
ger
(S
terc
ora
riu
s p
ara
siti
cus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Lo
ng-t
aile
d J
aeger
(S
terc
ora
riu
s lo
ng
ica
ud
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Thic
k-b
illed
Murr
e (U
ria
lom
via
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
X
Raz
orb
ill (
Alc
a t
ord
a)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
Bla
ck-l
egged
Kittiw
ake
(Ris
sa t
rid
act
yla
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Ivo
ry G
ull
(Pa
gop
hil
a e
bu
rnea
)N
ear
Thre
aten
ed-
--
End
anger
ed-
XX
X
Sab
ine'
s G
ull
(Xem
a s
ab
ini)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bo
nap
arte
's G
ull
(Ch
roic
oce
ph
alu
s p
hil
ad
elp
hia
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Bla
ck-h
ead
ed G
ull
(Ch
roic
oce
ph
alu
s ri
dib
un
du
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Little
Gull
(Hyd
roco
loeu
s m
inu
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
XX
XX
Ro
ss's
Gull
(Rh
od
ost
eth
ia r
ose
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
Thre
aten
ed-
XX
XX
Lau
ghin
g G
ull
(Leu
cop
ha
eus
atr
icil
la)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
Fra
nklin
's G
ull
(Leu
cop
ha
eus
pip
ixca
n)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Mew
Gull
(La
rus
can
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Rin
g-b
illed
Gull
(La
rus
del
aw
are
nsi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Cal
ifo
rnia
Gull
(La
rus
cali
forn
icu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Her
ring G
ull
(La
rus
arg
enta
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
XX
Thay
er's
Gull
(La
rus
tha
yeri
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
XX
XX
X
Icel
and
Gull
(La
rus
gla
uco
ides
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Les
ser
Bla
ck-b
acked
Gull
(La
rus
fusc
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Sla
ty-b
acked
Gull
(La
rus
sch
isti
sag
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Gla
uco
us
Gull
(La
rus
hyp
erb
ore
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Gre
at B
lack-b
acked
Gull
(La
rus
ma
rin
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
XX
Cas
pia
n T
ern (
Hyd
rop
rog
ne
casp
ia)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
Bla
ck T
ern (
Ch
lid
on
ias
nig
er)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-E
nd
anger
ed-
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
X
XX
Co
mm
on T
ern (
Ste
rna
hir
un
do)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-T
hre
aten
ed-
-X
XX
XX
XX
X
Fo
rste
r's
Ter
n (
Ste
rna
fors
teri
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
X
Ele
gan
t T
ern (
Th
ala
sseu
s el
ega
ns)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
--
--
XX
X
Ro
ck P
igeo
n (
Colu
mb
a l
ivia
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
X
X
Mo
urn
ing D
ove
(Zen
aid
a m
acr
ou
ra)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Yel
low
-bill
ed C
ucko
o (
Cocc
yzu
s a
mer
ica
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bla
ck-b
illed
Cucko
o (
Cocc
yzu
s er
yth
rop
tha
lmu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
Bar
n O
wl (T
yto a
lba
)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
SG
CN
*E
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
X
Eas
tern
Scre
ech-O
wl (M
ega
scop
s a
sio)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
XX
Gre
at H
orn
ed O
wl (B
ub
o v
irg
inia
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
XX
Sno
wy O
wl (B
ub
o s
can
dia
cus)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
X
Lo
ng-e
ared
Ow
l (A
sio o
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
SG
CN
--
XX
XX
Sho
rt-e
ared
Ow
l (A
sio f
lam
meu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
End
anger
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
Bo
real
Ow
l (A
egoli
us
fun
ereu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
No
rther
n S
aw-w
het
Ow
l (A
egoli
us
aca
dic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
X
X
Co
mm
on N
ighth
awk (
Ch
ord
eile
s m
inor)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nT
hre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
Eas
tern
Whip
-po
or-
will
(A
ntr
ost
om
us
voci
feru
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nT
hre
aten
edT
hre
aten
edX
X
Chim
ney
Sw
ift
(Ch
aet
ura
pel
ag
ica
)N
ear
Thre
aten
ed
--
-T
hre
aten
edT
hre
aten
edX
XX
XX
Rub
y-t
hro
ated
Hum
min
gb
ird
(A
rch
iloch
us
colu
bri
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Rufo
us
Hum
min
gb
ird
(S
ela
sph
oru
s ru
fus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 15
Bel
ted
Kin
gfi
sher
(M
ega
cery
le a
lcyo
n)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Red
-hea
ded
Wo
od
pec
ker
(M
ela
ner
pes
ery
thro
cep
ha
lus)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nT
hre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
X
Red
-bel
lied
Wo
od
pec
ker
(M
ela
ner
pes
ca
roli
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Yel
low
-bel
lied
Sap
sucker
(S
ph
yra
pic
us
vari
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Do
wny W
oo
dp
ecker
(P
icoid
es p
ub
esce
ns)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
X
Hai
ry W
oo
dp
ecker
(P
icoid
es v
illo
sus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
X
Am
eric
an T
hre
e-to
ed W
oo
dp
ecker
(P
icoid
es d
ors
ali
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
No
rther
n F
licker
(C
ola
pte
s a
ura
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Pile
ated
Wo
od
pec
ker
(D
ryoco
pu
s p
ilea
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Am
eric
an K
estr
el (
Fa
lco s
pa
rver
ius)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
SG
CN
--
XX
XX
X
Mer
lin (
Fa
lco c
olu
mb
ari
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
I-
--
-X
XX
X
Gyrf
alco
n (
Fa
lco r
ust
icolu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
--
--
X
Per
egri
ne
Fal
co
n (
Fa
lco p
ereg
rin
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
nA
pp
end
ix I
-E
nd
anger
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
X
X
Oliv
e-si
ded
Fly
cat
cher
(C
on
top
us
coop
eri)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
--
Thre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
X
Eas
tern
Wo
od
-Pew
ee (
Con
top
us
vire
ns)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
-S
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
Yel
low
-bel
lied
Fly
cat
cher
(E
mp
idon
ax
fla
vive
ntr
is)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Acad
ian F
lycat
cher
(E
mp
idon
ax
vire
scen
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
End
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
Ald
er F
lycat
cher
(E
mp
idon
ax
aln
oru
m)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Will
ow
Fly
cat
cher
(E
mp
idon
ax
tra
illi
i)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Lea
st F
lycat
cher
(E
mp
idon
ax
min
imu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Eas
tern
Pho
ebe
(Sa
yorn
is p
hoeb
e)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Gre
at C
rest
ed F
lycat
cher
(M
yia
rch
us
crin
itu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Eas
tern
Kin
gb
ird
(T
yra
nn
us
tyra
nn
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Lo
gger
hea
d S
hri
ke
(La
niu
s lu
dovi
cia
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-E
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
XX
No
rther
n S
hri
ke
(La
niu
s ex
cub
itor)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
White-
eyed
Vir
eo (
Vir
eo g
rise
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Yel
low
-thro
ated
Vir
eo (
Vir
eo f
lavi
fron
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Blu
e-hea
ded
Vir
eo (
Vir
eo s
oli
tari
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
War
blin
g V
ireo
(V
ireo
gil
vus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Phila
del
phia
Vir
eo (
Vir
eo p
hil
ad
elp
hic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Red
-eyed
Vir
eo (
Vir
eo o
liva
ceu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Blu
e Ja
y (
Cya
noci
tta
cri
sta
ta)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bla
ck-b
illed
Mag
pie
(P
ica
hu
dso
nia
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Am
eric
an C
row
(C
orv
us
bra
chyr
hyn
chos)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Fis
h C
row
(C
orv
us
oss
ifra
gu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Co
mm
on R
aven
(C
orv
us
cora
x)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Ho
rned
Lar
k (
Ere
mop
hil
a a
lpes
tris
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
n-
-X
XX
XX
X
No
rther
n R
ough-w
inged
Sw
allo
w (
Ste
lgid
op
tery
x se
rrip
enn
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Purp
le M
artin (
Pro
gn
e su
bis
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Tre
e S
wal
low
(T
ach
ycin
eta
bic
olo
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Ban
k S
wal
low
(R
ipa
ria
rip
ari
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
-T
hre
aten
edX
XX
X
X
Bar
n S
wal
low
(H
iru
nd
o r
ust
ica
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
-T
hre
aten
edX
XX
X
X
Clif
f S
wal
low
(P
etro
chel
idon
pyr
rhon
ota
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Cav
e S
wal
low
(P
etro
chel
idon
fu
lva
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Bo
real
Chic
kad
ee (
Poec
ile
hu
dso
nic
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 16
Bla
ck-c
app
ed C
hic
kad
ee (
Poec
ile
atr
ica
pil
lus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
X
Tuft
ed T
itm
ouse
(B
aeo
lop
hu
s b
icolo
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Red
-bre
aste
d N
uth
atch (
Sit
ta c
an
ad
ensi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
White-
bre
aste
d N
uth
atch (
Sit
ta c
aro
lin
ensi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
X
Bro
wn C
reep
er (
Cer
thia
am
eric
an
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Ho
use
Wre
n (
Tro
glo
dyt
es a
edon
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Win
ter
Wre
n (
Tro
glo
dyt
es h
iem
ali
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Sed
ge
Wre
n (
Cis
toth
oru
s p
late
nsi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-T
hre
aten
ed-
-X
X
X
Mar
sh W
ren (
Cis
toth
oru
s p
alu
stri
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Car
olin
a W
ren (
Th
ryoth
oru
s lu
dovi
cia
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Blu
e-gra
y G
nat
cat
cher
(P
oli
op
tila
ca
eru
lea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Go
lden
-cro
wned
Kin
gle
t (R
egu
lus
satr
ap
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Rub
y-c
row
ned
Kin
gle
t (R
egu
lus
cale
nd
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Eas
tern
Blu
ebir
d (
Sia
lia
sia
lis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
To
wnse
nd
's S
olit
aire
(M
yad
este
s to
wn
sen
di)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Vee
ry (
Ca
tha
rus
fusc
esce
ns)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Gra
y-c
hee
ked
Thru
sh (
Ca
tha
rus
min
imu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Sw
ainso
n's
Thru
sh (
Ca
tha
rus
ust
ula
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Her
mit T
hru
sh (
Ca
tha
rus
gu
tta
tus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Wo
od
Thru
sh (
Hyl
oci
chla
mu
stel
ina
)N
ear
Thre
aten
ed-
-S
GC
N-
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
XX
Am
eric
an R
ob
in (
Tu
rdu
s m
igra
tori
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Var
ied
Thru
sh (
Ixore
us
na
eviu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Gra
y C
atb
ird
(D
um
etel
la c
aro
lin
ensi
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bro
wn T
hra
sher
(T
oxo
stom
a r
ufu
m)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
XX
X
No
rther
n M
ockin
gb
ird
(M
imu
s p
oly
glo
ttos)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Euro
pea
n S
tarl
ing (
Stu
rnu
s vu
lga
ris)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Am
eric
an P
ipit (
An
thu
s ru
bes
cen
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Bo
hem
ian W
axw
ing (
Bom
byc
illa
ga
rru
lus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
Ced
ar W
axw
ing (
Bom
byc
illa
ced
roru
m)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Lap
land
Lo
ngsp
ur
(Ca
lca
riu
s la
pp
on
icu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Sno
w B
unting (
Ple
ctro
ph
ena
x n
iva
lis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Oven
bir
d (
Sei
uru
s a
uro
cap
illa
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Wo
rm-e
atin
g W
arb
ler
(Hel
mit
her
os
verm
ivoru
m)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
Lo
uis
iana
Wat
erth
rush
(P
ark
esia
mota
cill
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
NS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
n
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
X
X
X
No
rther
n W
ater
thru
sh (
Pa
rkes
ia n
ove
bora
cen
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
X
X
Blu
e-w
inged
War
ble
r (V
erm
ivora
cya
nop
tera
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
Go
lden
-win
ged
War
ble
r (V
erm
ivora
ch
ryso
pte
ra)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nT
hre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
X
Bla
ck-a
nd
-white
War
ble
r (M
nio
tilt
a v
ari
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Pro
tho
no
tary
War
ble
r (P
roto
nota
ria
cit
rea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
End
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
XX
XX
Sw
ainso
n's
War
ble
r (L
imn
oth
lyp
is s
wa
inso
nii
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Ten
nes
see
War
ble
r (O
reoth
lyp
is p
ereg
rin
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
PC
N-
-X
X
X
Ora
nge-
cro
wned
War
ble
r (O
reoth
lyp
is c
ela
ta)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Nas
hvill
e W
arb
ler
(Ore
oth
lyp
is r
ufi
cap
illa
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Co
nnec
ticut
War
ble
r (O
poro
rnis
ag
ilis
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Mo
urn
ing W
arb
ler
(Geo
thly
pis
ph
ila
del
ph
ia)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 17
Ken
tucky W
arb
ler
(Geo
thly
pis
form
osa
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
X
Co
mm
on Y
ello
wth
roat
(G
eoth
lyp
is t
rich
as)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Ho
od
ed W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
cit
rin
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
Thre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
X
X
Am
eric
an R
edst
art
(Set
op
ha
ga
ru
tici
lla
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Cap
e M
ay W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
tig
rin
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Cer
ule
an W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
cer
ule
a)
Vuln
erab
le-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nT
hre
aten
edX
XX
X
No
rther
n P
arula
(S
etop
ha
ga
am
eric
an
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Mag
no
lia W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
ma
gn
oli
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Bay
-bre
aste
d W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
ca
sta
nea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
--
XX
X
Bla
ckb
urn
ian W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
fu
sca
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Yel
low
War
ble
r (S
etop
ha
ga
pet
ech
ia)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Ches
tnut-
sid
ed W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
pen
sylv
an
ica
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bla
ckp
oll
War
ble
r (S
etop
ha
ga
str
iata
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Bla
ck-t
hro
ated
Blu
e W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
ca
eru
lesc
ens)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
Pal
m W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
pa
lma
rum
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Pin
e W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
pin
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Yel
low
-rum
ped
War
ble
r (S
etop
ha
ga
coro
na
ta)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Yel
low
-thro
ated
War
ble
r (S
etop
ha
ga
dom
inic
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
Pra
irie
War
ble
r (S
etop
ha
ga
dis
colo
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
X
X
Bla
ck-t
hro
ated
Gra
y W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
nig
resc
ens)Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
Bla
ck-t
hro
ated
Gre
en W
arb
ler
(Set
op
ha
ga
vir
ens)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Can
ada
War
ble
r (C
ard
elli
na
ca
na
den
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
Thre
aten
edS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nX
X
X
Wils
on's
War
ble
r (C
ard
elli
na
pu
sill
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Yel
low
-bre
aste
d C
hat
(Ic
teri
a v
iren
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
nS
pec
ial
Co
ncer
nE
nd
anger
edX
X
X
Eas
tern
To
whee
(P
ipil
o e
ryth
rop
hth
alm
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X X
X
Am
eric
an T
ree
Sp
arro
w (
Sp
izel
la a
rbore
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Chip
pin
g S
par
row
(S
piz
ella
pa
sser
ina
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Cla
y-c
olo
red
Sp
arro
w (
Sp
izel
la p
all
ida
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Fie
ld S
par
row
(S
piz
ella
pu
sill
a)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Ves
per
Sp
arro
w (
Pooec
etes
gra
min
eus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
n-
-X
X
X
Lar
k S
par
row
(C
hon
des
tes
gra
mm
acu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Sav
annah
Sp
arro
w (
Pa
sser
culu
s sa
nd
wic
hen
sis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Gra
ssho
pp
er S
par
row
(A
mm
od
ram
us
sava
nn
aru
m)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
pec
ial C
oncer
n-
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
nX
XX
X
X
Hen
slo
w's
Sp
arro
w (
Am
mod
ram
us
hen
slow
ii)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
-T
hre
aten
edE
nd
anger
edE
nd
anger
edX
X
X
Fo
x S
par
row
(P
ass
erel
la i
lia
ca)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
So
ng S
par
row
(M
elosp
iza
mel
od
ia)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Lin
co
ln's
Sp
arro
w (
Mel
osp
iza
lin
coln
ii)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
Sw
amp
Sp
arro
w (
Mel
osp
iza
geo
rgia
na
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
White-
thro
ated
Sp
arro
w (
Zon
otr
ich
ia a
lbic
oll
is)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Har
ris'
s S
par
row
(Z
on
otr
ich
ia q
uer
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
White-
cro
wned
Sp
arro
w (
Zon
otr
ich
ia l
euco
ph
rys)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Dar
k-e
yed
Junco
(Ju
nco
hye
ma
lis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
XX
Sum
mer
Tan
ager
(P
ira
ng
a r
ub
ra)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
Scar
let
Tan
ager
(P
ira
ng
a o
liva
cea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N-
-X
XX
XX
No
rther
n C
ard
inal
(C
ard
ina
lis
card
ina
lis)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 18
Ro
se-b
reas
ted
Gro
sbea
k (
Ph
euct
icu
s lu
dovi
cia
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Blu
e G
rosb
eak (
Pa
sser
ina
ca
eru
lea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Ind
igo
Bunting (
Pa
sser
ina
cya
nea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Pai
nte
d B
unting (
Pa
sser
ina
cir
is)
Nea
r T
hre
aten
ed-
--
--
X
Dic
kcis
sel (S
piz
a a
mer
ica
na
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Bo
bo
link (
Doli
chon
yx o
ryzi
voru
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
-T
hre
aten
edX
XX
XX
Red
-win
ged
Bla
ckb
ird
(A
gel
aiu
s p
hoen
iceu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Eas
tern
Mea
do
wla
rk (
Stu
rnel
la m
ag
na
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
-S
GC
N*
-T
hre
aten
edX
XX
XX
Yel
low
-hea
ded
Bla
ckb
ird
(X
an
thoce
ph
alu
s xa
nth
oce
ph
alu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Rust
y B
lackb
ird
(E
up
ha
gu
s ca
roli
nu
s)V
uln
erab
le-
-S
GC
N*
Sp
ecia
l
Co
ncer
n-
XX
X
Bre
wer
's B
lackb
ird
(E
up
ha
gu
s cy
an
oce
ph
alu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
X
Co
mm
on G
rackle
(Q
uis
calu
s q
uis
cula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Bro
wn-h
ead
ed C
ow
bir
d (
Molo
thru
s a
ter)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Orc
har
d O
rio
le (
Icte
rus
spu
riu
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
X
Bal
tim
ore
Ori
ole
(Ic
teru
s g
alb
ula
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Pin
e G
rosb
eak (
Pin
icola
en
ucl
eato
r)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
Ho
use
Fin
ch (
Ha
emorh
ou
s m
exic
an
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Purp
le F
inch (
Ha
emorh
ou
s p
urp
ure
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
XX
Red
Cro
ssb
ill (
Loxi
a c
urv
irost
ra)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
White-
win
ged
Cro
ssb
ill (
Loxi
a l
euco
pte
ra)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
X
Co
mm
on R
edp
oll
(Aca
nth
is f
lam
mea
)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Ho
ary R
edp
oll
(Aca
nth
is h
orn
ema
nn
i)-
--
--
-X
X
Pin
e S
iskin
(S
pin
us
pin
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Am
eric
an G
old
finch (
Sp
inu
s tr
isti
s)L
east
Co
ncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
X
Even
ing G
rosb
eak (
Cocc
oth
rau
stes
ves
per
tin
us)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
XX
XX
Ho
use
Sp
arro
w (
Pa
sser
dom
esti
cus)
Lea
st C
oncer
n-
--
--
X
XX
XX
So
urc
es
of
Sta
tus
So
urc
es
of
Reco
rds
Ad
dit
ion
al
No
tes
6/6
/20
17
: J
o J
I d
id n
ot
atte
mp
t to
up
dat
e ad
ditio
nal
bir
ds
onto
this
lis
t. I
nst
ead
I s
earc
hed
DE
C s
tatu
s, t
o u
pd
ate
whet
her
or
no
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me
pla
nts
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to
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.
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id t
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r S
AR
A (
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ore
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ncie
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hip
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da
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es.
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lonia
l W
ater
bir
ds
Nes
ting o
n t
he
Nia
gar
a R
iver
, 1976-2
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t
CIT
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Ap
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dix
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nven
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he
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rnat
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de
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nd
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pec
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of
Wild
Flo
ra a
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Fau
na"
(htt
p://w
ww
.cites
.org
/)
US
(E
nd
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ed S
pec
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Act)
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nd
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pec
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(htt
p://w
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s.go
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ND
AN
GE
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pec
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us-
spec
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htm
l)
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ada
(Sp
ecie
s at
Ris
k A
ct)
- "
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/Busi
nes
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ub
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e/M
NR
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N.h
tml)
A -
eB
ird
dat
a fo
r th
e N
iagar
a R
iver
Co
rrid
or
IBA
. R
etri
eved
on F
ebru
ary 1
, 2014.
(ww
w.e
bir
d.o
rg)
(U.S
. an
d C
anad
a R
eco
rds)
B -
Nia
gar
a R
iver
Co
rrid
or
IBA
Wo
rkin
g G
roup
. 2002.
Nia
gar
a R
iver
Co
rrid
or
Imp
ort
ant
bir
d A
rea
Co
nse
rvat
ion P
lan.
Bir
d S
tud
ies
Can
ada,
Bir
dlif
e
C -
DiT
om
mas
o,
Dea
n,
and
Dav
id S
uggs.
B.O
.S.
No
tew
ort
hy R
eco
rds
Dat
abas
e, 1
964-2
013.
"The
Pro
tho
no
tary
." v
ols
. 30-7
9.
Buff
alo
Orn
itho
logic
al S
ocie
ty.
Mig
rato
ry b
ird
s ar
e th
ose
that
sho
w s
ignif
ican
t chan
ges
in a
bund
ance
by s
easo
n,
exclu
din
g t
ho
se o
nly
lis
ted
as
ver
y r
are
or
excep
tio
nal
, in
rec
ord
s fr
om
:
Intr
od
uced
sp
ecie
s ar
e a
spec
ies
livin
g o
uts
ide
thei
r nat
ive
dis
trib
utio
nal
ran
ge,
whic
h h
ave
arri
ved
ther
e b
y h
um
an a
ctivity,
eith
er d
elib
erat
e o
r ac
cid
enta
l.
Wat
erb
ird
s ar
e d
efin
ed b
y A
ud
ub
on a
s b
ird
s p
red
om
inan
tly a
sso
cia
ted
with w
ater
, ei
ther
eco
logic
ally
or
taxo
no
mic
ally
.
Over
win
teri
ng b
ird
s ar
e th
ose
lis
ted
as
co
mm
on,
fair
ly c
om
mo
n,
or
unco
mm
on in r
eco
rds
fro
m: S
easo
nal
Chec
klis
t o
f th
e B
ird
s, N
iagar
a F
rontier
Reg
ion.
2002.
E -
N
YS
Dep
artm
ent
of
Envir
onm
enta
l C
onse
rvat
ion w
ebsi
te.
"N
YS
Bre
edin
g B
ird
Atlas
(2000-2
005)
." C
onfi
rmed
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rob
able
and
po
ssib
le r
eco
rds.
Ret
riev
ed
IUC
N R
ed L
ist
- "I
nte
rnat
ional
Unio
n f
or
the
Co
nse
rvat
ion o
f N
ature
, R
ed L
ist
of
Thre
aten
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pec
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(htt
p://w
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.iucnre
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t.o
rg/)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(E
nvir
onm
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rvat
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aw)
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oncer
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ish &
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Sp
ecie
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ew Y
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te (
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.dec
.ny.g
ov/a
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7494.h
tml)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 19
While most of the water bird species are located along the river, the species that rely on other
habitats such as early successional forests, grass and shrub lands, and deciduous and mixed forests
exist in the outer regions of the watershed where these land cover types are more abundant. Sources
of species data around the watershed come from wildlife surveys related to the Niagara River and
Buffalo River AOCs, NYS Natural Heritage Program occurrences, and lists that are developed by
wildlife preserves including Beaver Meadow Audubon Center. This master list also includes data
collected in the Niagara
River corridor from
Canadian resources.
The Great Lakes Marsh
Monitoring Program
(MMP) examines the
presence of indicator bird
and amphibian species
associated with the AOCs
in order to gauge the
restoration status of
wetland and marsh
habitats. Indicator species
are those which are
sensitive to degraded
ecosystems, so their
presence suggests that a
marsh or wetland is
functionally adequate to host these
sensitive species. The MMP results
from 1995 to 2002 suggest that
marsh nesting birds within these
areas are at a moderate level of
diversity. For the Niagara River
AOC, nine out of twelve indicator
species were found during surveys
completed in 2009-2010. These
species include the American Coot,
Black Rail, Common Moorhen, Least
Bittern, Marsh Wren, Pied-billed
Grebe, Sora Rail, and Swamp
sparrow. Only one site was
Location Type of Bird Species
Buffalo Harbor: Donnelly's Wall,
South Breakwall and Short BreakwallApproximately 1,300 pairs of Common Tern
Former Bethlehem Steel Site Gulls: Ring-billed, Herring, Great Black Backed
Motor IslandGreat Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great-blue
Heron, Double-crested Cormorant
Strawberry Island Cormorant and Great-blue Heron
Tonawanda and North Tonawanda
Intake12-75 pairs of Common Tern
Buckhorn WeirHistorical Tern colony, abandoned c. 1988. Ring-billed
and Herring gulls, Double-crested Cormorants
Near Crib/Far Crib (NYPA-owned
parcels)2-80 pair of Common Tern
Tower Island Historical Tern colonies, abandoned c. 1998.
Goat IslandRing-billed gulls, Herring Gulls, Double-crested
Cormorants, Peregrine Falcon nest.
Source: NYSDEC, 2006 (HAB43)
Table 5.1 Sensitive Bird Areas along Niagara River Corridor
Figure 5.5: Great Blue Herron nesting on Strawberry Island
(Niagara River)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 20
Table 5.2 Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of New York
Flatworms (Platyhelminthes)
Mussels and Clams (Pelecypoda)
Snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda)
Worms (Oligochaeta)
Leeches (Hirundinea)
Scuds or Side Swimmers (Amphipoda)
Crayfish (Decapoda)
Sow Bugs (Isopoda)
Mayflies (Ephermeroptera)
Dragonfiles and Damselfl ies (Odonata)
Stoneflies (Plecoptera)
True Bugs (Hemiptera)
Dobsonflies, Hellgrammites, Fishfiles, Alderflies (Megaloptera)
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Caddisfl ies (Trichoptera)
True fl ies, mosquitoes, gnats, midges (Diptera)
Source: NYSDEC
monitored for bird species within the Buffalo River AOC, however no indicator species were
recorded. Recommendations from the MMP stress the need to further improve marsh conditions
within both the Niagara and Buffalo River AOCs in order to support more robust marsh bird
communities.8
Several studies on grassland birds within the watershed have been published by Norment et al. (2002,
2006).9 10 Grassland bird species have been decreasing throughout the region. Within the Lake Erie
Basin, 16 out of 22 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, which rely on grassland and shrubland
habitat are said to be experiencing a decreasing trend according to the New York State
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Norment et al. conducted two studies regarding
grassland birds and their habitats in order to evaluate the status of populations and breeding success
and provide management recommendations. Both studies took place at Iroquois National Wildlife
Refuge and Tonawanda and Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Areas, portions of which are in the
Niagara River/ Lake Erie Watershed. In most of the fields assessed, four or fewer species were
observed, and Savannah Sparrow and Bobolink were the two most commonly seen. Results show that
nest success was generally high in the Northeast (study area) compared to other comparable regions
in the Midwest, however this could be improved through management practices such as increasing
field area, controlling the presence of shrubs, encouraging the growth of cool-season grasses, and
haying or mowing either early or late in the season when birds are not nesting. If managed correctly,
areas of the watershed have a great potential to offer high-quality breeding habitat for obligate
grassland bird species.
Macroinvertebrates
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, macroinvertebrates are organisms that
are large (macro) enough to be seen with the
naked eye and lack a backbone (invertebrate).
They inhabit all types of running water and
include such varieties as crayfish, clams, snails,
and worms. Table 5.2 outlines the variety of
macroinvertebrate groups found in New York
State. Many of these taxa include up to several
hundred species families within their biological
classification as well.
8 Legacy Conserving New York State Biodiversity (American Museum of Natural History NYS Biodiversity Research Institute,
2012) & Bi National Assessments of Marsh Habitat Quality for the Niagara River and Buffalo River Areas of Concern (Archer, Rankin 2011) 9 Norment, C. J. 2002. Grassland bird conservation in the Northeast. Auk 119: 271-279.
10 Norment, C.J. and Saskia Windig. 2006. Influence of distance to habitat edge on depredation rates of simulates grassland bid
nests. Final Report, Challenge Cost Share Agreement between the Research Foundation of SUNY Brockport and USFWS.
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 21
Macroinvertebrates are important
indicators of ecosystem health and often
utilized to track water quality
conditions over time, such as with
NYSDEC’s Stream Biomonitoring
Program. Different species of
macroinvertebrates are affected by
certain levels of pollution. Absence of
the most sensitive species indicates
lower water quality conditions in a
given waterway. Macroinvertebrate
data specific to the Niagara River/Lake
Erie Watershed is collected and
documented by the NYSDEC’s Stream
Biomonitoring Unit and includes period
Biotic Assessment Profiles (BAP), which
are documented in Chapter 4: Water
Quality.
The presence and diversity of macroinvertebrates reflects
the health of waterways ecosystems, and thus they are
commonly recognized as good water quality indicators.
Aside from their extremely important role in the food
web (Figure 5.6), many of these species are very
susceptible to pollution and water quality, such as abrupt
changes in temperature or oxygen levels. Current trends
highlighted in the Niagara River Habitat Conservation
Strategy have indicated that there has been a slight
increase in macroinvertebrate levels in the Niagara River
Watershed between the 2005 and 2010 BAP scoring. The
BAP model accounts for four commonly accepted
metrics that describe macroinvertebrate community
composition (species richness, EPT richness, biotic index,
and percent model affinity), where a higher BAP score
indicates a healthier system.
Figure 5.6 General Water-based Food Web Structure
Figure 5.7: Macroinvertebrate sampling
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 22
Chart 5.3: Mollusks of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
11
11
Mollusk table created as part of Niagara River Corridor Ramsar Site nomination package, 2016.
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REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 23
There is great concern regarding native mussel populations. Some invasive species of mussels,
particularly Dreissenids, exceed native populations, and directly harm natives by using native mussel
shells as a substrate for their own growth. Additionally, there has been decline in the populations of
some host fishes necessary for native freshwater mussel dispersal. Unionidae, a native mussel family
that historically dominated the Great Lakes, has a parasitic larval life stage, in which it attaches to
free-moving fish in order to disperse throughout the watershed. Certain mussels have extremely high
host-specificity and can only attach to a certain species of fish.12 With increased fragmentation of
streams, the loss of free movement among connecting channels for a fish also means the loss of
movement for native mussels. Increased siltation and other pollution sources such as agriculture
runoff, wastewater, and urban stormwater runoff are also suspected as a threat to mussel populations
in the region.13
Herptiles
Herptiles, or herps for short, refer to both amphibian species such as frogs, toads, and salamanders,
and reptile species such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises. Much of the data regarding
amphibians within the region come from the Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP), the NYSDEC, and
Niagara Parks Commission Authority. A chart documenting amphibians and reptiles in the Niagara
River region is provided on the following page and includes 31 documented species.
It’s important to note that the presence or
absence of indicator species can be used to
determine the health of marsh habitats in the
watershed, and to make inferences about the
restoration status of specific areas. In the
Niagara River AOC, MMP sampling between
2009 and 2010 found six total amphibian
species, including three out of four indicator
species (bullfrog, northern leopard frog, and
spring peeper). Similarly, within the Buffalo
River AOC three indicator species were
recorded (bullfrog, western chorus frog, and northern leopard frog), and five total species were found.
Results from amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity calculations showed that Niagara River AOC sites
were classified as “good” to “fair”, whereas Buffalo River sites were “fair” and “poor”. Within the
12
Paterson, W.L., Griffith, T.A., Krebs, R.A., Burlakova, L.E., & D.T. Zanatta. 2015. An evaluation of the genetic structure of mapleleaf mussels (Quadrula quadrula) in the Lake Erie watershed. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 41:1123-1130. 13
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/sgcnfreshwatermollusks.pdf
Figure 5.8: Northern Spring Peeper
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 24
Chart 5.4: Amphibians of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
Am
ph
ibia
ns
Sp
ecie
s
IUC
N R
ed L
ist
CIT
ES
Appendix
US
(E
ndangere
d
Speci
es
Act
)
New
York
Sta
te
(Envir
onm
enta
l
Conse
rvati
on L
aw
)
Canada (
Speci
es
at
Ris
k A
ct)
Onta
rio (
Endangere
d
Speci
es
Act
)A
BC
DE
Sala
manders
Jeff
ers
on
Sala
man
der
(Am
byst
om
a jeffers
on
ian
um
)L
east
co
ncern
--
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
Th
reate
ned
En
dan
gere
dX
Sp
ott
ed
Sala
man
der
(Am
byst
om
a m
acu
latu
m)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Blu
e-s
po
tted
Sala
man
der
(Am
byst
om
a l
ate
rale
)L
east
co
ncern
--
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
--
XX
X
No
rth
ern
Du
sky
Sala
man
der
(Desm
og
na
thu
s fu
scu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
En
dan
gere
dX
X
Alleg
hen
y M
ou
nta
in D
usky
Sala
man
der
(Desm
og
na
thu
s o
ch
rop
ha
eu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
En
dan
gere
dX
X
No
rth
ern
Tw
o-l
ined
Sala
man
der
(Eu
rycea
bis
lin
ea
ta)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-
No
rth
ern
Sp
rin
g S
ala
man
der
(Gyri
no
ph
ilu
s p
orp
hyri
ticu
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
-S
pecia
l C
on
cern
Ext
irp
ate
d
Fo
ur-
toed
Sala
man
der
(Hem
ida
cty
liu
m s
cu
tatu
m)
Least
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
*-
-X
Mu
dp
up
py
(N
ectu
rus
ma
cu
losu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
XX
Easte
rn N
ew
t (N
oto
ph
tha
lmu
s vir
idesc
en
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Red
-backed
Sala
man
der
(Ple
tho
do
n c
inere
us)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
X
No
rth
ern
Slim
y S
ala
man
der
(Ple
tho
do
n g
luti
no
sus
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Fro
gs
and T
oads
Easte
rn A
meri
can
To
ad
(A
na
xyru
s a
meri
ca
nu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
XX
Fo
wle
r’s T
oad
(A
na
xyru
s fo
wle
ri)
Least
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
X
Gra
y T
reefr
og
(H
yla
vers
ico
lor)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-
XX
Am
eri
can
Bu
llfr
og
(L
ith
ob
ate
s ca
tesb
eia
nu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
X
Gre
en
Fro
g (
Lit
ho
ba
tes
cla
mit
an
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
XX
Pic
kere
l F
rog
(L
ith
ob
ate
s p
alu
stri
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-
XX
No
rth
ern
Leo
pard
Fro
g (
Lit
ho
ba
tes
pip
ien
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
XX
Wo
od
Fro
g (
Lit
ho
ba
tes
sylv
ati
cu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-
XX
XX
Sp
rin
g P
eep
er
(Pse
ud
acri
s cru
cif
er)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
XX
Weste
rn C
ho
rus F
rog
(P
seu
da
cri
s tr
iseri
ata
)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
Th
reate
ned
-X
XX
XX
Sou
rces o
f S
tatu
s
Sou
rces o
f R
ecords
Accessed
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/2017h
ttp
://n
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ara
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ov
/Relicen
sin
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reen
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nd
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reen
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pen
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Sou
rce D
Addit
ion
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Note
s
SG
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re s
pecie
s o
f g
reate
st
co
nserv
ati
on
need
wit
h h
igh
pri
ori
ty, th
ose w
ith
ou
t aste
risk a
re o
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nserv
ati
on
need
, b
ut
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t h
igh
pri
ori
ty (
DE
C)
SP
CN
are
sp
ecie
s o
f p
ote
nti
al co
nserv
ati
on
need
, m
ay
be d
eclin
ing
bu
t it
is n
ot
well u
nd
ers
too
d (
DE
C)
A -
Mars
h B
ird
an
d A
mp
hib
ian
Co
mm
un
itie
s in
th
e N
iag
ara
Riv
er
(Can
ad
a a
nd
US
A)
AO
C, 1995 –
2002. R
esu
lts o
f th
e M
ars
h M
on
ito
rin
g P
rog
ram
. (U
.S r
eco
rds o
nly
)
B -
NY
S D
ep
art
men
t o
f E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
web
sit
e. "H
erp
Atl
as P
roje
ct"
. R
etr
iev
ed
on
Ju
ly 2
3, 2014. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.dec.n
y.g
ov
/an
imals
/7140.h
tml)
(U
.S. re
co
rds o
nly
)
Sta
tus
Reco
rds
IUC
N R
ed
Lis
t -
"In
tern
ati
on
al U
nio
n f
or
the C
on
serv
ati
on
of
Natu
re, R
ed
Lis
t o
f T
hre
ate
ned
Sp
ecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.iu
cn
red
list.
org
/)
CIT
ES
Ap
pen
dix
- "
Co
nv
en
tio
n o
n t
he I
nte
rnati
on
al T
rad
e in
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s o
f W
ild
Flo
ra a
nd
Fau
na" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.c
ites.o
rg/)
US
(E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
U.S
. F
ish
an
d W
ild
life
Serv
ice, E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.f
ws.g
ov
/EN
DA
NG
ER
ED
/sp
ecie
s/u
s-s
pecie
s.h
tml)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
Law
) -
Lis
t o
f E
nd
an
gere
d, T
hre
ate
ned
an
d S
pecia
l C
on
cern
Fis
h &
Wild
life
Sp
ecie
s o
f N
ew
Yo
rk S
tate
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.dec.n
y.g
ov
/an
imals
/7494.h
tml)
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ad
a (
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk P
ub
lic R
eg
istr
y" (
htt
p:/
/ww
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ara
reg
istr
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c.c
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ar/
ind
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defa
ult
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tari
o (
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk in
On
tari
o (
SA
RO
) L
ist"
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.mn
r.g
ov
.on
.ca/e
n/B
usin
ess/S
pecie
s/2
Co
lum
nS
ub
Pag
e/M
NR
_S
AR
_C
SS
R_
SA
RO
_L
ST
_E
N.h
tml)
De
par
tme
nt
of
Envi
ron
me
nta
l Co
nse
rvat
ion
- N
ew
Yo
rk h
ttp
://w
ww
.de
c.n
y.go
v/an
imal
s/74
94.h
tm
C -
On
tari
o N
atu
re w
eb
sit
e. "O
nta
rio
Rep
tile
an
d A
mp
hib
ian
Atl
as P
rog
ram
". R
etr
iev
ed
on
Ju
ne 3
0, 2014. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.on
tari
on
atu
re.o
rg/p
rote
ct/
sp
ecie
s/r
ep
tile
s_
an
d_
am
ph
ibia
ns/i
nd
ex.
ph
p#
liza
rd)
(Can
ad
a r
eco
rds o
nly
)
D -
Yag
i A
.R, A
.Bra
nt
an
d R
.Terv
o. 2009. N
iag
ara
Reg
ion
Natu
ral A
reas I
nv
en
tory
Rep
tile
an
d A
mp
hib
ian
Stu
dy
2006 t
o 2
008. O
nta
rio
Min
istr
y o
f N
atu
ral R
eso
urc
es a
nd
Lan
d C
are
Nia
gara
un
pu
blish
ed
rep
ort
fo
r th
e N
atu
ral A
reas I
nv
en
tory
pre
pare
d f
or
the
Nia
gara
Pen
insu
la C
on
serv
ati
on
Au
tho
rity
. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.np
ca.c
a/w
p-c
on
ten
t/u
plo
ad
s/1
2.0
-Rep
tile
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d-A
mp
hib
ian
-Stu
dy
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o-2
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df)
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an
ad
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sh M
on
ito
rin
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rogr
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tari
o H
erp
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nal
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arga
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On
tari
o N
atu
re h
ttp
://w
ww
.on
tari
on
atu
re.o
rg/p
rote
ct/s
pe
cie
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pti
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and
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ph
ibia
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od
uced
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ecie
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ve d
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ibu
tio
nal ra
ng
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hic
h h
av
e a
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ere
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man
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her
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Accessed
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ttp
s:/
/np
ca.c
a/s
ites/d
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AI-
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rce C
Nia
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ks C
om
mis
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uth
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ttp
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pd
f
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 25
Niagara River, amphibian communities exceeded expectations while Buffalo River sites showed
species richness levels lower than that of reference communities.14
In 2012, a wildlife survey was conducted within the Lower Buffalo River AOC for the purpose of
developing a baseline assessment of species to aid in determining management actions associated with
the Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan. Herpetofauna observed were mostly species that are highly
adaptive and can be found in urban settings with the exception of the eastern spiny softshell. This
species is intolerant of degraded water quality and low oxygen conditions, making its presence and
re-colonization within the area a good metric for water quality and river bank habitat conditions. No
salamander species were observed although they have been previously documented in the area.
Results from the survey suggest breeding pools for amphibians as a restoration opportunity in order to
increase frog and toad populations.15
Salamanders prefer dark, damp areas as habitat, including vegetative stream banks, swampy
woodland, and vernal pools, but have also been found in coniferous forests and fields. Like many
other herpetiles, salamanders are extremely sensitive to water quality conditions. They can easily
absorb toxins found in water because their skin is
very thin and permeable to water, and they
typically cannot survive in highly polluted
waterways. Because of their sensitivity and
environmental needs, salamanders are a good
indicator of habitat and water quality where they
are found.
As part of two studies conducted within the
watershed,16 three species of salamander have been
documented; the blue-spotted salamander, the
eastern redback salamander, and the Jefferson
salamander. Only the blue-spotted salamander was found at Tifft Nature Preserve in the Buffalo
River sub-watershed. Both the Jefferson and the blue spotted salamanders were found along the
Niagara River and in its tributaries, from the southern tip of Grand Island downstream to its mouth at
Lake Ontario. The blue-spotted salamander is significant because it is on the NYSDEC Special
Concern species list, and requires a hearty organic layer of
14
Bi National Assessments of Marsh Habitat Quality for the Niagara River and Buffalo River Areas of Concern (Archer, Rankin 2011) 15
Eckel, P. Regional Economic Growth Through Ecological Restoration of the Niagara Gorge Rim, Niagara Falls, New York, Syracuse: EDR Companies, December 2011. 16
Studies include the Buffalo River Wildlife Survey (Riverkeeper 2012) conducted for areas in and around the Buffalo River AOC; and the Assessment of the Potential Effects of Water Level Fluctuations and Land Management Practices on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species and Significant Occurrences of Natural Communities at the Niagara Power Project (Riveredge Associates, LLC 2005) conducted for the NYPA Greenway Commission communities.
Figure 5.9: Blue-spotted Salamander
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 26
Chart 5.5 Reptiles of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
Rep
tile
s
Sp
ecie
s
IU
CN
Red
Lis
t
CIT
ES
Ap
pen
dix
US
(En
da
ng
ere
d S
peci
es
Act
)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(En
vir
on
men
tal
Co
nse
rva
tio
n L
aw
)
Ca
na
da
(S
peci
es
at
Ris
k A
ct)
On
tari
o
(En
da
ng
ere
d
Sp
eci
es
Act
)
AB
CD
E
Tu
rtle
s
Easte
rn S
pin
y S
oft
sh
ell (
Ap
alo
ne s
pin
ifera
)L
east
co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
III
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
Th
reate
ned
Th
reate
ned
XX
X
Sn
ap
pin
g T
urt
le (
Ch
ely
dra
serp
en
tin
a)
Least
co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
III
-S
GC
NS
pecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
XX
XX
X
Pain
ted
Tu
rtle
(C
hry
sem
ys
pic
ta)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
X
Mid
lan
d P
ain
ted
Tu
rtle
(C
hry
sem
ys
pic
ta m
arg
ina
ta)
--
--
--
X
Sp
ott
ed
Tu
rtle
(C
lem
mys
gu
tta
ta)
En
dan
gere
dA
pp
en
dix
II
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
X
Co
mm
on
Map
Tu
rtle
(G
rap
tem
ys
geo
gra
ph
ica
)L
east
co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
III
-S
GC
NS
pecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
X
X
Wo
od
Tu
rtle
(G
lyp
tem
ys
insc
ulp
ta)
En
dan
gere
dA
pp
en
dix
II
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
Th
reate
ned
En
dan
gere
dX
Easte
rn B
ox
Tu
rtle
(T
err
ap
en
e c
aro
lin
a)
Vu
lnera
ble
Ap
pen
dix
II
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
-E
xtir
pate
dX
X
Red
-eare
d S
lid
er
(Tra
ch
em
ys
scri
pta
ele
ga
ns)
--
--
--
XX
Sn
ak
es
No
rth
ern
Rin
gn
eck S
nake (
Dia
do
ph
is p
un
cta
tus
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
ck R
at
Sn
ake (
Ela
ph
e a
lleg
an
ien
sis
)-
--
--
-X
X
Easte
rn M
ilksn
ake (
La
mp
rop
elt
is t
ria
ng
ulu
m)
Least
co
ncern
--
-S
pecia
l co
ncern
-X
XX
Co
mm
on
Wate
rsn
ake (
Nero
dia
sip
ed
on
)L
east
co
ncern
--
-E
nd
an
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
XX
X
Sm
oo
th G
reen
Sn
ake (
Op
heo
dry
s vern
ali
s)
Least
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
XX
X
Qu
een
sn
ake (R
eg
ina
sep
tem
vit
tata
)L
east
co
ncern
--
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
X
X
No
rth
ern
Bro
wn
sn
ake (
Sto
reri
a d
ek
ayi)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
No
rth
ern
Red
-bellie
d S
nake (
Sto
reri
a o
ccip
ito
ma
cu
lata
)L
east
co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Sh
ort
head
Gart
er
Sn
ake (
Th
am
no
ph
is b
rach
yst
om
a)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
Easte
rn R
ibb
on
Sn
ake (
Th
am
no
ph
is s
au
ritu
s)L
east
co
ncern
--
SG
CN
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
Sp
ecia
l co
ncern
X
Easte
rn G
art
ers
nake (
Th
am
no
ph
is s
irta
lis)
Least
co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
XX
Sou
rces o
f S
tatu
s
Sou
rces o
f R
ecords
Accessed
6/5
/2017h
ttp
://n
iag
ara
.ny
pa.g
ov
/Relicen
sin
gG
reen
way
Fu
nd
s/E
co
log
icalG
reen
way
/NG
R_
Ap
pen
dix
B.p
df
Sou
rce D
E -
Ap
plied
Eco
log
ical S
erv
ices, In
c. 2012. A
Wild
life
Su
rvey
of
the L
ow
er
Bu
ffalo
Riv
er
Are
a o
f C
on
cern
, B
uff
alo
, E
rie C
ou
nty
, N
ew
Yo
rk. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.bn
riv
erk
eep
er.
org
/bu
ffalo
-riv
er-
wild
life
-su
rvey
) (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
Addit
ion
al
Note
s
Ch
rysem
ys p
icta
marg
inata
do
esn
't h
av
e a
ny
dis
trib
uti
on
data
DE
C: S
GC
N -
Sp
ecie
s o
f G
reate
st
Co
nserv
ati
on
Need
Lis
t
Sta
tus
IUC
N R
ed
Lis
t -
"In
tern
ati
on
al U
nio
n f
or
the C
on
serv
ati
on
of
Natu
re, R
ed
Lis
t o
f T
hre
ate
ned
Sp
ecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.iu
cn
red
list.
org
/)
CIT
ES
Ap
pen
dix
- "
Co
nv
en
tio
n o
n t
he I
nte
rnati
on
al T
rad
e in
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s o
f W
ild
Flo
ra a
nd
Fau
na" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.c
ites.o
rg/)
Intr
od
uced
Reco
rds
Intr
od
uced
sp
ecie
s a
re a
sp
ecie
s liv
ing
ou
tsid
e t
heir
nati
ve d
istr
ibu
tio
nal ra
ng
e, w
hic
h h
av
e a
rriv
ed
th
ere
by
hu
man
acti
vit
y, eit
her
delib
era
te o
r accid
en
tal.
C -
Yag
i A
.R, A
.Bra
nt
an
d R
.Terv
o. 2009. N
iag
ara
Reg
ion
Natu
ral A
reas I
nv
en
tory
Rep
tile
an
d A
mp
hib
ian
Stu
dy
2006 t
o 2
008. O
nta
rio
Min
istr
y o
f N
atu
ral R
eso
urc
es a
nd
Lan
d C
are
Nia
gara
un
pu
blish
ed
rep
ort
fo
r th
e N
atu
ral A
reas I
nv
en
tory
pre
pare
d f
or
the N
iag
ara
Pen
insu
la C
on
serv
ati
on
Au
tho
rity
. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.np
ca.c
a/w
p-c
on
ten
t/u
plo
ad
s/1
2.0
-Rep
tile
-an
d-A
mp
hib
ian
-Stu
dy
-2006-t
o-2
008.p
df)
(Can
ad
a r
eco
rds o
nly
)
US
(E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
U.S
. F
ish
an
d W
ild
life
Serv
ice, E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.f
ws.g
ov
/EN
DA
NG
ER
ED
/sp
ecie
s/u
s-s
pecie
s.h
tml)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
Law
) -
Lis
t o
f E
nd
an
gere
d, T
hre
ate
ned
an
d S
pecia
l C
on
cern
Fis
h &
Wild
life
Sp
ecie
s o
f N
ew
Yo
rk S
tate
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.dec.n
y.g
ov
/an
imals
/7494.h
tml)
Can
ad
a (
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk P
ub
lic R
eg
istr
y" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.s
ara
reg
istr
y.g
c.c
a/s
ar/
ind
ex/
defa
ult
_e.c
fm)
On
tari
o (
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk in
On
tari
o (
SA
RO
) L
ist"
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.mn
r.g
ov
.on
.ca/e
n/B
usin
ess/S
pecie
s/2
Co
lum
nS
ub
Pag
e/M
NR
_S
AR
_C
SS
R_
SA
RO
_L
ST
_E
N.h
tml)
B -
On
tari
o N
atu
re w
eb
sit
e. "O
nta
rio
Rep
tile
an
d A
mp
hib
ian
Atl
as P
rog
ram
". R
etr
iev
ed
on
Ju
ne 3
0, 2014. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.on
tari
on
atu
re.o
rg/p
rote
ct/
sp
ecie
s/r
ep
tile
s_
an
d_
am
ph
ibia
ns/i
nd
ex.
ph
p#
liza
rd)
(Can
ad
a r
eco
rds o
nly
)
A -
NY
S D
ep
art
men
t o
f E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
web
sit
e. "H
erp
Atl
as P
roje
ct"
. R
etr
iev
ed
on
Ju
ly 2
3, 2014. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.dec.n
y.g
ov
/an
imals
/7140.h
tml)
(U
.S. re
co
rds o
nly
)
D -
En
vir
on
men
tal D
esig
n &
Researc
h, L
an
dscap
e A
rch
itectu
re, P
lan
nin
g, E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal S
erv
ices, E
ng
ineeri
ng
an
d S
urv
ey
ing
, P
.C. (E
DR
). 2
010. E
co
log
ical In
ven
tory
of
the N
iag
ara
Riv
er
Go
rge a
nd
Rim
-
Dra
ft. (S
pecie
s id
en
tifi
ed
du
rin
g o
n-s
ite e
co
log
ical su
rvey
s c
on
du
cte
d b
y E
DR
in
Ju
ne 2
010 o
nly
) (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
Accessed
6/5
/2017: h
ttp
s:/
/np
ca.c
a/s
ites/d
efa
ult
/files/N
AI-
Vo
l-2.p
df
Sou
rce C
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 27
woody debris at various states of decay, plus fishless ephemeral ponds for breeding and egg laying.17
The eastern red back salamander is a more adaptive species, tolerating a wider array of habitat
conditions, but still requires decaying woody debris. The eastern redback salamander was
documented in the Buffalo River AOC. For salamanders to increase their extent and numbers within
the watershed, contiguous healthy forested riparian buffers are needed, along with low toxicity
waters.
Mammals
Many of the mammals found
within the watershed are
common species found in
similar northern suburban-
rural areas of the United
States, such as deer, mink,
bats, mice, squirrels, and fox.
Other less common species
such as river otter, grey fox,
some bat species, and
opossum have also been
documented in the Niagara River corridor. A full list of mammals is provided as Chart 5.6.
In recent years, some of the urban water courses have seen mammal populations return as water
quality and food supplies have improved. One example of this is the Buffalo River AOC within the
City of Buffalo. Once an industrialized corridor, vacant land has been replaced with vegetation, while
populations of beaver, deer, and fox have become more prevalent in the area. This can be both good
and bad, as certain rebounding species, such as deer and beaver, are good indicators for improved
ecosystems. However these same populations can also threaten restoration projects with their
excessive browsing and grazing.
According to a 2012 report, a total of 20 mammal species were identified in the Niagara River
Watershed.18 Chart 5.6 has been updated to reflect the inclusion of seven additional sub-watersheds
flowing to Lake Erie, particularly because of the presence of black bears and bobcats in those areas.
The 2012 survey outlined small mammals, mink, bats and deer as species that require various
considerations as land use patterns change along the Buffalo River AOC. For example, mink were
17
Petranka, J. W. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press. 1998. 18
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER, A Wildlife Survey of the Lower Buffalo River Area of Concern, Buffalo: (Applied Ecological Services, Inc.) 2012.
Figure 5.10: Buck at Riverbend (Buffalo River)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 28
Chart 5.6 Mammals of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
Ma
mm
als
Sp
ecie
s
IU
CN
Red L
ist
CIT
ES
Appendix
US
(Enda
ng
ere
d
Speci
es
Act
)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(Env
iro
nm
enta
l
Co
nse
rva
tio
n L
aw
)
Ca
na
da
(S
peci
es
at
Ris
k A
ct)
Onta
rio
(Enda
ng
ere
d
Speci
es
Act
)
AB
CD
E
Ba
ts
Big
Bro
wn
Bat
(Ep
tesi
cu
s fu
scu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Easte
rn R
ed
Bat
(La
siu
rus
bo
rea
lis
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
Ho
ary
Bat
(La
siu
rus
cin
ere
us
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
SG
CN
--
X
Silv
er-
hair
ed
Bat
(La
sio
nycte
ris
no
cti
va
ga
ns)
Least
Co
ncern
--
SG
CN
*-
-X
Lit
tle B
row
n B
at
(Myo
tis
lucif
ug
us)
Least
Co
ncern
--
SG
CN
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
d
XX
No
rth
ern
Lo
ng
-eare
d B
at
(Myo
tis
sep
ten
trio
na
lis
)T
hre
ate
ned
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
La
rge M
am
ma
ls
Co
yo
te (
Ca
nis
la
tra
ns)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Bo
bcat
(Lyn
x r
ufu
s)
Least
Co
ncern
Appendix
II
X
Str
iped
Sku
nk (
Mep
hit
is m
ep
hit
is)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Erm
ine (
Mu
stela
erm
inea
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-
X
Can
ad
ian
Ly
nx
(Lyn
x c
an
ad
en
sis
)L
east
Co
ncern
Appendix
II
Thre
ate
ned
XX
1
Wh
ite-t
ailed
Deer
(Od
oco
ileu
s vir
gin
ian
us)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Bla
ck B
ear
(Urs
us
am
eri
ca
nu
s)
Least
Co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
II
--
--
X
Gra
y F
ox
(Uro
cyo
n c
inere
oa
rgen
teu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
Th
reate
ned
X
Red
Fo
x (V
ulp
es
vu
lpes)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Sm
all M
am
ma
ls
No
rth
ern
Sh
ort
-tailed
Sh
rew
(B
lari
na
bre
vic
au
da
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Beav
er
(Ca
sto
r ca
na
den
sis)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Sta
r-n
osed
Mo
le (
Co
nd
ylu
ra c
rist
ata
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-
XX
Vir
gin
ia O
po
ssu
m (
Did
elp
his
vir
gin
ian
a)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Fere
l C
at
(Feli
s ca
tus
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Riv
er
Ott
er
(Lo
ntr
a c
an
ad
en
sis
)L
east
Co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
II
--
--
X
Gro
un
dh
og
or
Wo
od
ch
uck (
Ma
rmo
ta m
on
ax
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
X
Fis
her
(Ma
rtes
pen
na
nti
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Mead
ow
Vo
le (
Mic
rotu
s p
en
nsy
lva
nic
us)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Ho
ary
Mo
use (
Mu
s m
usc
ulu
s)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Lo
ng
-tailed
Weasel (M
ust
ela
fre
na
ta)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Am
eri
can
Min
k (
Mu
stela
vis
on
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Wo
od
lan
d J
um
pin
g M
ou
se (
Na
pa
eo
zap
us
insi
gn
is)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Mu
skra
t (O
nd
atr
a z
ibeth
icu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Hair
yta
il M
ole
(P
ara
sca
lop
s b
rew
eri
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Wh
ite-f
oo
ted
Mo
use (
Pero
mysc
us
leu
co
pu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Deer
Mo
use (
Pero
mysc
us
ma
nic
ula
tus)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Racco
on
(P
rocyo
n l
oto
r)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
No
rway
Rat
(Ra
ttu
s n
orv
eg
icu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Reco
rds
Intr
od
uced
Sta
tus
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 29
Easte
rn M
ole
(S
ca
lop
us
aq
ua
ticu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
-S
pecia
l C
on
cern
Sp
ecia
l C
on
cern
X
Gra
y S
qu
irre
l (S
ciu
rus
ca
roli
nen
sis)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Fo
x S
qu
irre
l (S
ciu
rus
nig
er)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Masked
Sh
rew
(S
ore
x c
inere
us)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Sm
oky
Sh
rew
(S
ore
x fu
meu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Pig
my
Sh
rew
(S
ore
x h
oyi)
Least
Co
ncern
--
SP
CN
--
X
Easte
rn C
ott
on
tail R
ab
bit
(S
ylv
ila
gu
s fl
ori
da
nu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
So
uth
ern
Bo
g L
em
min
g (
Syn
ap
tom
ys
co
op
eri
)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Red
Sq
uir
rel (T
am
iasc
iuru
s h
ud
son
icu
s)L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Easte
rn C
hip
mu
nk (
Ta
mia
s st
ria
tus)
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Sou
rces o
f S
tatu
s
Sou
rces o
f R
ecords
Addit
ion
al
Note
s
X1: C
anadia
n L
ynx a
re o
ccasi
onal vis
itors
because
they c
an t
ravel lo
ng d
ista
nces
and h
ave b
een v
eri
fied a
few
tim
es,
but
they a
re n
ot
resi
dent
to N
Y
E -
Ap
plied
Eco
log
ical S
erv
ices, In
c. 2012. A
Wild
life
Su
rvey
of
the L
ow
er
Bu
ffalo
Riv
er
Are
a o
f C
on
cern
, B
uff
alo
, E
rie C
ou
nty
, N
ew
Yo
rk. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.bn
riv
erk
eep
er.
org
/bu
ffalo
-riv
er-
wild
life
-su
rvey
) (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
D -
DeP
riest,
Tim
. R
ecen
t N
YS
DE
C N
iag
ara
Riv
er
reco
rds. U
np
ub
lish
ed
. (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
IUC
N R
ed
Lis
t -
"In
tern
ati
on
al U
nio
n f
or
the C
on
serv
ati
on
of
Natu
re, R
ed
Lis
t o
f T
hre
ate
ned
Sp
ecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.iu
cn
red
list.
org
/)
CIT
ES
Ap
pen
dix
- "
Co
nv
en
tio
n o
n t
he I
nte
rnati
on
al T
rad
e in
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s o
f W
ild
Flo
ra a
nd
Fau
na" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.c
ites.o
rg/)
US
(E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
U.S
. F
ish
an
d W
ild
life
Serv
ice, E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.f
ws.g
ov
/EN
DA
NG
ER
ED
/sp
ecie
s/u
s-s
pecie
s.h
tml)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal C
on
serv
ati
on
Law
) -
Lis
t o
f E
nd
an
gere
d, T
hre
ate
ned
an
d S
pecia
l C
on
cern
Fis
h &
Wild
life
Sp
ecie
s o
f N
ew
Yo
rk S
tate
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.dec.n
y.g
ov
/an
imals
/7494.h
tml)
C -
En
vir
on
men
tal D
esig
n &
Researc
h, L
an
dscap
e A
rch
itectu
re, P
lan
nin
g, E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal S
erv
ices, E
ng
ineeri
ng
an
d S
urv
ey
ing
, P
.C. (E
DR
). 2
010. E
co
log
ical In
ven
tory
of
the N
iag
ara
Riv
er
Go
rge a
nd
Rim
- D
raft
. (S
pecie
s id
en
tifi
ed
du
rin
g o
n-s
ite
eco
log
ical su
rvey
s c
on
du
cte
d b
y E
DR
in
Ju
ne 2
010 o
nly
) (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
Can
ad
a (
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk P
ub
lic R
eg
istr
y" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.s
ara
reg
istr
y.g
c.c
a/s
ar/
ind
ex/
defa
ult
_e.c
fm)
On
tari
o (
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk in
On
tari
o (
SA
RO
) L
ist"
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.mn
r.g
ov
.on
.ca/e
n/B
usin
ess/S
pecie
s/2
Co
lum
nS
ub
Pag
e/M
NR
_S
AR
_C
SS
R_
SA
RO
_L
ST
_E
N.h
tml)
A -
Do
bb
yn
, Jo
n. 1994. A
tlas o
f th
e M
am
mals
of
On
tari
o. O
nta
rio
: F
ed
era
tio
n o
f O
nta
rio
Natu
ralists
. (h
ttp
://w
ww
.on
tari
on
atu
re.o
rg/d
isco
ver/
reso
urc
es/p
ub
licati
on
s.p
hp
#atl
ases)
(Can
ad
a R
eco
rds)
B -
Ris
ing
, G
err
y, an
d B
ob
An
drl
e. F
au
na o
f T
imes B
each
Natu
re P
reserv
e f
rom
1994 t
o 2
004. U
np
ub
lish
ed
. (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
Intr
od
uced
sp
ecie
s a
re a
sp
ecie
s liv
ing
ou
tsid
e t
heir
nati
ve d
istr
ibu
tio
nal ra
ng
e, w
hic
h h
av
e a
rriv
ed
th
ere
by
hu
man
acti
vit
y, eit
her
delib
era
te o
r accid
en
tal.
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 30
identified as a factor in the Common Tern colony losses at the Lake Erie break wall, just outside of
the AOC. As a mid-size carnivore, mink has the ability to influence prey source populations.
However, the lack of apex predators (that would typically consume mink) causes an imbalance which
exacerbates the effects of mink predation of prey species. The lack of shoreline connectivity creates
fragmentation, and mink become concentrated in certain areas, leading to over predation of Common
Terns and other valuable species.
Botanicals
The botanical species documented within the Niagara River Watershed are provided in Chart 5.7 and
includes 734 species. Much of the literature within the region regarding vegetation was written by a
botanist Patricia Eckel, who specialized in the unique gorge and island habitats of the Niagara River.
Studies containing vegetation occurrences can also be found related to NYPA relicensing documents,
habitat surveys in relation to Niagara and Buffalo River AOC work. Adding species to this list for the
Lake Erie portion of the watershed was beyond the scope of work for this project.
The Niagara Gorge and
the Niagara Falls vicinity
is noted for its
exceptionally rich flora,
which despite impacts
from development and
tourism is still in good
condition, containing a
variety of rare species.
The forest communities
(calcareous cliff
community and talus
slope woodland) along
the gorge are of statewide
significance regarding the
specificity of the conditions required for their existence and the diversity of species that rely on
them. The vegetative community on Goat Island is also of particular importance. Located directly
above the falls, a river mist microclimate on the island presents conditions favorable for seed
deposition, making its vegetative character of national significance.19
19
Buffalo Niagara Rivers Habitat Assessment Strategy and Conservation Framework (Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, 2011)
Figure 5.11: Niagara River Gorge
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 31
Chart 5.7 Botanicals of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
PL
AN
TS
IUC
N R
ed L
ist
CIT
ES
Appen
dix
US
(E
ndan
gered
Specie
s A
ct)
New
York
Sta
te
(Natu
ral
Herit
ag
e
Prog
ram
)
Can
ada
(Specie
s a
t
Ris
k A
ct)
On
tario
(En
dan
gered
Specie
s A
ct)
AB
Orig
in
Bals
am
Fir
Ab
ies
ba
lsa
mea
(L
.) M
ille
rL
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Th
ree-s
eed
ed
Merc
ury
Aca
lyp
ha
rh
om
bo
idea
Ra
f.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Man
ito
ba M
ap
leA
cer
neg
un
do
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
No
rway
Map
leA
cer
pla
tan
oid
es
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sy
cam
ore
Map
leA
cer
pse
ud
op
lata
nu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Red
Map
leA
cer
rub
rum
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Silv
er
Map
leA
cer
sacch
ari
nu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bla
ck M
ap
leA
cer
sacch
aru
m M
ars
ha
ll s
ub
sp. n
igru
m (
Mic
ha
ux f.)
Desm
ara
is-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Su
gar
Map
leA
cer
sacch
aru
m M
ars
ha
ll s
ub
sp. sa
cch
aru
m-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Mo
un
tain
Map
leA
cer
spic
atu
m L
am
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Yarr
ow
Ach
ille
a m
ille
foli
um
L.
--
--
--
XX
XN
ati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Wh
ite B
an
eb
err
yA
cta
ea
pa
ch
yp
od
a E
llio
tt-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Bla
ck C
oh
osh
Acta
ea
ra
cem
osa
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Red
Ban
eb
err
yA
cta
ea
ru
bra
(A
ito
n)
Wil
ld.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
(A. p
ach
yp
od
a X
A. ru
bra
)A
cta
ea
x l
ud
ovic
ii B
. B
oiv
in-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
No
rth
ern
Maid
en
hair
Ad
ian
tum
ped
atu
m L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
rse-c
hestn
ut
Aesc
ulu
s h
ipp
oca
sta
nu
m L
.N
ear
Th
reate
ned
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Sle
nd
er-
leav
ed
Ag
alin
isA
ga
lin
is t
en
uif
oli
a (
M. V
ah
l) R
af.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pu
rple
Gia
nt
Hy
sso
pA
ga
sta
ch
e s
cro
ph
ula
riif
oli
a (
Wil
ld.)
Ku
ntz
e-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ag
rim
on
yA
gri
mo
nia
gry
po
sep
ala
Wa
llr.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sm
all-f
low
ere
d A
gri
mo
ny
Ag
rim
on
ia p
arv
iflo
ra A
ito
n-
--
Rare
--
XN
ati
ve
Cre
ep
ing
Ben
t G
rass
Ag
rost
is s
tolo
nif
era
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Tre
e-o
f-H
eav
en
Ail
an
thu
s a
ltis
sim
a (
Mil
ler)
Sw
ing
le-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Garl
ic M
usta
rdA
llia
ria
peti
ola
ta (
M. B
ieb
.) C
ava
ra &
Gra
nd
e-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Wild
Garl
icA
lliu
m c
an
ad
en
se L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Leek
All
ium
tri
co
ccu
m A
ito
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bla
ck A
lder
Aln
us
glu
tin
osa
(L
.) G
aert
ner
Least
Co
ncern
-
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Fo
xtail
Alo
pecu
rus
sp.
--
--
--
XX
Pale
Aly
ssu
mA
lyss
um
aly
sso
ides
(L.)
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Co
mm
on
Rag
weed
Am
bro
sia
art
em
isii
foli
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Jun
eb
err
yA
mela
nch
ier
am
ab
ali
s W
ieg
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Jun
eb
err
yA
mela
nch
ier
arb
ore
a (
Mic
ha
ux f.)
Fern
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Jun
eb
err
yA
mela
nch
ier
san
gu
inea
(P
urs
h)
DC
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Lo
w J
un
eb
err
yA
mela
nch
ier
sto
lon
ifera
Wie
g.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
g-p
ean
ut
Am
ph
ica
rpa
ea
bra
cte
ata
(L
.) F
ern
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Blu
e B
ug
loss
An
ch
usa
arv
en
sis
(L.)
M. B
ieb
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Big
Blu
este
mA
nd
rop
og
on
gera
rdii
Vit
ma
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sh
arp
-lo
bed
Hep
ati
ca
An
em
on
e a
cu
tilo
ba
(D
C.)
La
wso
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ro
un
d-l
ob
ed
Hep
ati
ca
An
em
on
e a
meri
ca
na
(D
C.)
Ha
ra-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Can
ad
a A
nem
on
eA
nem
on
e c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Lo
ng
-fru
ited
Th
imb
lew
eed
An
em
on
e c
yli
nd
rica
A. G
ray
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
An
em
on
eA
nem
on
e q
uin
qu
efo
lia
L. va
r. q
uin
qu
efo
lia
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Th
imb
lew
eed
An
em
on
e v
irg
inia
na
L. va
r. a
lba
(O
ak
es)
Wo
od
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Th
imb
lew
eed
An
em
on
e v
irg
inia
na
L. va
r. v
irg
inia
na
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pu
ssy
toes
An
ten
na
ria
ho
well
ii E
. G
reen
e-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fie
ld P
ussy
toes
An
ten
na
ria
neg
lecta
--
--
--
X
Pla
nta
in-l
eav
ed
Ev
erl
asti
ng
An
ten
na
ria
pa
rlin
ii F
ern
. su
bsp
. fa
lla
x (
E. G
reen
e)
R.J
. B
ayer
&
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sta
tus
Specie
s
Intr
odu
ced
Records
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 32
Gro
un
dn
ut
Ap
ios
am
eri
ca
na
Med
icu
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pu
tty
-ro
ot
Ap
lectr
um
hyem
ale
(M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.) N
utt
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Sp
read
ing
Do
gb
an
eA
po
cyn
um
an
dro
saem
ifo
liu
m L
. su
bsp
. a
nd
rosa
em
ifo
liu
m-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ind
ian
Hem
pA
po
cyn
um
ca
nn
ab
inu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Co
lum
bin
eA
qu
ileg
ia c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Gard
en
Co
lum
bin
eA
qu
ileg
ia v
ulg
ari
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sic
kle
-po
dA
rab
is c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Div
ari
cate
Ro
ck-c
ress
Ara
bis
div
ari
ca
rpa
A. N
els
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Dru
mm
on
d's
Ro
ck-c
ress
Ara
bis
dru
mm
on
dii
A. G
ray
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Hair
y R
ock-c
ress
Ara
bis
hir
suta
(L
.) S
co
p.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
lbo
el's
Ro
ck-c
ress
Ara
bis
ho
lbo
eli
i H
orn
em
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sm
oo
th R
ock-c
ress
Ara
bis
la
evig
ata
(M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.) P
oir
et
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ly
re-l
eav
ed
Ro
ck-c
ress
Ara
bis
lyra
ta L
. va
r. l
yra
ta-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Sars
ap
ari
lla
Ara
lia
nu
dic
au
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Sp
iken
ard
Ara
lia
ra
cem
osa
L. su
bsp
. ra
cem
osa
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Bu
rdo
ck
Arc
tiu
m m
inu
s (H
ill)
Bern
h. su
bsp
. m
inu
s-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Bear-
berr
yA
rcto
sta
ph
ylo
s u
va
-urs
i (L
.) S
pre
ng
el
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Th
ym
e-l
eav
ed
San
dw
ort
Are
na
ria
serp
yll
ifo
lia
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Jack-i
n-t
he-p
ulp
itA
risa
em
a t
rip
hyll
um
(L
.) S
ch
ott
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Tall O
at
Gra
ss
Arr
hen
ath
eru
m e
lati
us
(L.)
P. B
ea
uv. ex J
.S. &
C. P
resl
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Mu
gw
ort
Art
em
isia
vu
lga
ris
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Wild
-gin
ger
Asa
rum
ca
na
den
se L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Po
ke M
ilkw
eed
Asc
lep
ias
exa
lta
ta L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sw
am
p M
ilkw
eed
Asc
lep
ias
inca
rna
ta L
. su
bsp
. in
ca
rna
ta-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Fo
ur-
leav
ed
Milkw
eed
Asc
lep
ias
qu
ad
rifo
lia
Ja
cq
.-
--
--
En
dan
gere
dX
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Milkw
eed
Asc
lep
ias
syri
aca
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Bu
tterf
ly-w
eed
Asc
lep
ias
tub
ero
sa L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Wh
orl
ed
Milkw
eed
Asc
lep
ias
vert
icil
lata
L.
--
-R
are
--
XN
ati
ve
Gard
en
Asp
ara
gu
sA
spa
rag
us
offic
ina
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Eb
on
y S
ple
en
wo
rtA
sple
niu
m p
laty
neu
ron
(L
.) B
ritt
on
, S
tern
s-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Walk
ing
Fern
Asp
len
ium
rh
izo
ph
yll
um
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Am
eri
can
Hart
's-t
on
gu
eA
sple
niu
m s
co
lop
en
dri
um
L. va
r. a
meri
ca
nu
m (
Fern
.) K
art
esz
&
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Maid
en
hair
Sp
leen
wo
rtA
sple
niu
m t
rich
om
an
es
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Co
op
er's M
ilk-v
etc
hA
stra
ga
lus
neg
lectu
s (T
orr
ey &
A. G
ray)
E.
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
No
rth
easte
rn L
ad
y F
ern
Ath
yri
um
fil
ix-f
em
ina
(L
.) R
oth
su
bsp
. a
ng
ust
um
(W
illd
.) C
lau
sen
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Yello
w F
als
e F
oxg
lov
eA
ure
ola
ria
fla
va
(L
.) F
arw
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Do
wn
y F
als
e F
oxg
lov
eA
ure
ola
ria
vir
gin
ica
(L
.) P
en
nell
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Win
ter
Cre
ss
Ba
rba
rea
vu
lga
ris
R. B
r.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
En
glish
Dais
yB
ell
is p
ere
nn
is-
--
--
-X
X
Jap
an
ese B
arb
err
yB
erb
eri
s th
un
berg
ii D
C.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Co
mm
on
Barb
err
yB
erb
eri
s vu
lga
ris
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Yello
w B
irch
Betu
la a
lleg
ha
nie
nsi
s B
ritt
on
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Ch
err
y B
irch
Betu
la l
en
ta L
.-
--
-E
nd
an
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
Nati
ve
Riv
er
Bir
ch
Betu
la n
igra
--
-R
are
--
XX
Pap
er
Bir
ch
Betu
la p
ap
yri
fera
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Gra
y B
irch
Betu
la p
op
uli
foli
a-
--
--
-X
No
dd
ing
Beg
gart
icks
Bid
en
s cern
uu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Dev
il's
Beg
gart
icks
Bid
en
s fr
on
do
sus
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Dis
secte
d G
rap
efe
rnB
otr
ych
ium
dis
sectu
m S
pre
ng
el
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Mo
on
wo
rtB
otr
ych
ium
lu
na
ria
(L
.) S
w.
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 33
Ratt
lesn
ake F
ern
Bo
trych
ium
vir
gin
ian
um
(L
.) S
w.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Beard
ed
Sh
ort
hu
sk
Bra
ch
yely
tru
m e
rectu
m (
Sch
reb
er)
Bea
uv. va
r. e
rectu
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fri
ng
ed
Bro
me
Bro
mu
s cil
iatu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sm
oo
th B
rom
eB
rom
us
inerm
is-
--
--
-X
X
Kalm
's B
rom
eB
rom
us
ka
lmii
A. G
ray
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bro
me G
rass
Bro
mu
s n
ott
ow
aya
nu
s F
ern
.-
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Can
ad
a B
rom
eB
rom
us
pu
besc
en
s M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Do
wn
y C
hess
Bro
mu
s te
cto
rum
L.
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Larg
ele
af
Bru
nn
era
Bru
nn
era
ma
cro
ph
yll
a-
--
--
-X
X
Co
rn G
rom
well
Bu
glo
sso
ides
arv
en
sis
(L.)
I.M
. Jo
hn
sto
n-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Can
ad
a B
lue-j
oin
tC
ala
ma
gro
stis
ca
na
den
sis
(Mic
ha
ux)
P. B
ea
uv
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Lo
w B
ind
weed
Ca
lyst
eg
ia s
pit
ha
ma
ea
(L
.) R
.Br.
su
bsp
. sp
ith
am
aea
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Tall B
ellfl
ow
er
Ca
mp
an
ula
am
eri
ca
na
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Hare
bell
Ca
mp
an
ula
ro
tun
dif
oli
a L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sh
ep
herd
's-p
urs
eC
ap
sell
a b
urs
a-p
ast
ori
s (L
.) M
ed
icu
s-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sp
rin
g C
ress
Ca
rda
min
e b
ulb
osa
(S
ch
reb
er
ex M
uh
l.)
Bri
tto
n, S
tern
s &
Po
gg
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Cu
t-le
av
ed
To
oth
wo
rtC
ard
am
ine c
on
ca
ten
ata
(M
ich
au
x)
Sch
wein
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Tw
o-l
eav
ed
To
oth
wo
rtC
ard
am
ine d
iph
yll
a (
Mic
ha
ux)
Wo
od
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Pu
rple
Sp
rin
g C
ress
Ca
rda
min
e d
ou
gla
ssii
(T
orr
.) B
ritt
on
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
--
XX
Nati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex a
lbic
an
s W
illd
. ex S
pre
ng
. va
r. a
lbic
an
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite-b
ear
Sed
ge
Ca
rex a
lbu
rsin
a E
. S
held
on
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Go
lden
-fru
it S
ed
ge
Ca
rex a
ure
a N
utt
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wo
od
lan
d S
ed
ge
Ca
rex b
lan
da
Dew
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ov
al-
leaf
Sed
ge
Ca
rex c
ep
ha
lop
ho
ra M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Sed
ge
Ca
rex c
om
mu
nis
L. B
ail
ey v
ar.
co
mm
un
is-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Beard
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex c
om
osa
Bo
ott
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Cra
we's
Sed
ge
Ca
rex c
raw
ei
Dew
ey
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
--
XN
ati
ve
Fri
ng
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex c
rin
ita
La
m.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Fin
ger
Sed
ge
Ca
rex d
igit
ali
s W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bri
stl
e-l
eaf
Sed
ge
Ca
rex e
bu
rnea
Bo
ott
ex H
oo
ker
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Elk
Sed
ge
Ca
rex g
arb
eri
Fern
.-
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex g
racil
esc
en
s S
teu
del
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Mead
ow
Sed
ge
Ca
rex g
ran
ula
ris
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex g
rise
a W
ah
len
b.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex h
irsu
tell
a M
ack
en
zie
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Hit
ch
co
ck's
Sed
ge
Ca
rex h
itch
co
ck
ian
a D
ew
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Po
rcu
pin
e S
ed
ge
Ca
rex h
yst
eri
cin
a M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Inla
nd
Sed
ge
Ca
rex i
nte
rio
r L
. B
ail
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Dis
tan
t-fl
ow
ere
d S
ed
ge
Ca
rex l
axif
lora
La
m.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Mu
hle
nb
erg
's S
ed
ge
Ca
rex m
ueh
len
berg
ii S
ch
ku
hr
ex W
illd
.-
--
Rare
--
XN
ati
ve
Few
-flo
were
d S
ed
ge
Ca
rex o
lig
oca
rpa
Sch
k. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ped
un
cle
d S
ed
ge
Ca
rex p
ed
un
cu
lata
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pen
nsy
lvan
ia S
ed
ge
Ca
rex p
en
sylv
an
ica
La
m.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Pla
nta
in-l
eav
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex p
lan
tag
inea
La
m.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bro
ad
-leav
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex p
laty
ph
yll
a J
. C
are
y-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Dro
op
ing
Sed
ge
Ca
rex p
rasi
na
Wa
hle
nb
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex r
ad
iata
(W
ah
len
b.)
Sm
all
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sed
ge
Ca
rex r
ose
a S
ch
ku
hr
ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ro
ug
h S
ed
ge
Ca
rex s
ca
bra
ta S
ch
wein
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sp
iked
Sed
ge
Ca
rex s
pic
ata
Hu
dso
n-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 34
Aw
l-fr
uit
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex s
tip
ata
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sle
nd
er
Sed
ge
Ca
rex t
en
era
Dew
ey v
ar.
ten
era
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Rig
id S
ed
ge
Ca
rex t
eta
nic
a S
ch
k. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wri
nkle
d-s
eed
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex t
on
sa (
Fern
.) B
ick
n. va
r. r
ug
osp
erm
a (
Ma
ck
.) C
rin
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Hair
y-f
ruit
ed
Sed
ge
Ca
rex t
rich
oca
rpa
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Um
bellate
Sed
ge
Ca
rex u
mb
ell
ata
Sch
ku
hr
ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fo
x S
ed
ge
Ca
rex v
ulp
ino
idea
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
's S
ed
ge
Ca
rex w
oo
dii
Dew
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Blu
e-b
eech
Ca
rpin
us
ca
roli
nia
na
Wa
lter
sub
sp. vir
gin
ian
a (
Ma
rsh
.) F
url
ow
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bit
tern
ut
Hic
ko
ryC
ary
a c
ord
ifo
rmis
(W
an
g.)
K. K
och
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Sh
ag
bark
Hic
ko
ryC
ary
a o
va
ta (
Mil
ler)
K. K
och
va
r. o
va
ta-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ind
ian
Pain
tbru
sh
Ca
stil
leja
co
ccin
ea
(L
.) S
pre
ng
el
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Cata
lpa
Ca
talp
a s
pecio
sa-
--
--
-X
X
Blu
e C
oh
osh
Ca
ulo
ph
yll
um
gig
an
teu
m (
Fa
rw.)
Leco
nte
& B
lack
well
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
New
Jers
ey
Tea
Cea
no
thu
s a
meri
ca
nu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ori
en
tal B
itte
rsw
eet
Cela
stru
s o
rbic
ula
tus
Th
un
b.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Clim
bin
g B
itte
rsw
eet
Cela
stru
s sc
an
den
s L
.-
--
Rare
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Hackb
err
yC
elt
is o
ccid
en
tali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sp
ott
ed
Kn
ap
weed
Cen
tau
rea
ma
cu
losa
La
m.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Bu
tto
nb
ush
Cep
ha
lan
thu
s o
ccid
en
tali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fie
ld C
hic
kw
eed
Cera
stiu
m a
rven
se L
.-
--
--
-X
X
Intr
od
uced
Mo
use-e
are
d C
hic
kw
eed
Cera
stiu
m fo
nta
nu
m B
au
mg
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ch
ickw
eed
Cera
stiu
m g
lom
era
tum
Th
uil
l.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
No
dd
ing
Ch
ickw
eed
Cera
stiu
m n
uta
ns
Ra
f. v
ar.
nu
tan
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Cu
rtis
Mo
use-e
are
d C
hic
kw
eed
Cera
stiu
m p
um
ilu
m C
urt
is-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sp
rin
g M
ou
se-e
are
d C
hic
kw
eed
Cera
stiu
m s
em
ideca
nd
rum
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Easte
rn R
ed
bu
dC
erc
is c
an
ad
en
sis
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Dw
arf
Sn
ap
dra
go
nC
ha
en
orr
hin
um
min
us
(L.)
La
ng
e-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Dev
il's
Bit
Ch
am
aeli
riu
m l
ute
um
(L
.) A
. G
ray
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Hair
y-f
ruit
ed
Sp
urg
eC
ha
ma
esy
ce m
acu
lata
(L
.) S
ma
ll-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Ey
eb
an
eC
ha
ma
esy
ce n
uta
ns
(La
ga
sca
) S
ma
ll-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Cela
nd
ine
Ch
eli
do
niu
m m
aju
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Tu
rtle
head
Ch
elo
ne g
lab
ra L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Lam
b's
-qu
art
ers
Ch
en
op
od
ium
alb
um
L. va
r. a
lbu
m-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Oak-l
eav
ed
Go
osefo
ot
Ch
en
op
od
ium
gla
ucu
m L
. su
bsp
. g
lau
cu
m-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Map
le-l
eav
ed
Go
osefo
ot
Ch
en
op
od
ium
sim
ple
x (
To
rrey)
Ra
f.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ox-
ey
e D
ais
yC
hry
san
them
um
leu
ca
nth
em
um
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Ch
ico
ryC
ich
ori
um
in
tyb
us
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sm
all E
nch
an
ter's-n
igh
tsh
ad
eC
irca
ea
alp
ina
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
En
ch
an
ter's-n
igh
tsh
ad
eC
irca
ea
lu
teti
an
a L
. -
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Can
ad
a T
his
tle
Cir
siu
m a
rven
se (
L.)
Sco
p.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sw
am
p T
his
tle
Cir
siu
m m
uti
cu
m-
--
--
-X
Bu
ll T
his
tle
Cir
siu
m v
ulg
are
(S
avi)
Ten
ore
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sp
rin
g B
eau
tyC
layto
nia
ca
roli
nia
na
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Sp
rin
g B
eau
tyC
layto
nia
vir
gin
ica
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Vir
gin
's-b
ow
er
Cle
ma
tis
vir
gin
ian
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Blu
eb
ead
Lily
Cli
nto
nia
bo
rea
lis
(Ait
on
) R
af.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
rseb
alm
Co
llin
son
ia c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Basta
rd-t
oad
flax
Co
ma
nd
ra u
mb
ell
ata
(L
.) N
utt
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sq
uaw
roo
tC
on
op
ho
lis
am
eri
ca
na
(L
.) W
all
r.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 35
Lily
-of-
the-v
alley
Co
nva
lla
ria
ma
jali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Fie
ld B
ind
weed
Co
nvo
lvu
lus
arv
en
sis
--
--
--
XX
Ho
rsew
eed
Co
nyza
ca
na
den
sis
(L.)
Cro
nq
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Go
ldth
read
Co
pti
s tr
ifo
lia
(L
.) S
ali
sb.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sp
ott
ed
Co
ral-
roo
tC
ora
llo
rhiz
a m
acu
lata
(R
af.)
Ra
f.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Lan
ce-l
eav
ed
Co
reo
psis
Co
reo
psi
s la
nceo
lata
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Alt
ern
ate
-leav
ed
Do
gw
oo
dC
orn
us
alt
ern
ifo
lia
L.f.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Silky
Do
gw
oo
dC
orn
us
am
om
um
--
--
--
X
Bu
nch
berr
yC
orn
us
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ro
ug
h-l
eav
ed
Do
gw
oo
dC
orn
us
dru
mm
on
dii
C. M
eyer
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Flo
weri
ng
Do
gw
oo
dC
orn
us
flo
rid
a L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
Nati
ve
Gre
y D
og
wo
od
Co
rnu
s fo
em
ina
Mil
ler
sub
sp. ra
cem
osa
(L
am
.) J
.S. W
ilso
n-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ro
un
d-l
eav
ed
Do
gw
oo
dC
orn
us
rug
osa
La
m.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Red
-osie
r D
og
wo
od
Co
rnu
s st
olo
nif
era
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Cro
wn
Vetc
hC
oro
nil
la v
ari
a-
--
--
-X
X
Eu
rop
ean
Haze
lnu
tC
ory
lus
avell
an
aL
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Beaked
Haze
lC
ory
lus
co
rnu
ta M
ars
ha
ll s
ub
sp. co
rnu
ta-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Haw
tho
rnC
rata
eg
us
intr
ica
ta L
an
ge
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
On
eseed
Haw
tho
rnC
rata
eg
us
mo
no
gyn
a-
--
--
-X
X
Sle
nd
er
Cliff
-bra
ke
Cry
pto
gra
mm
a s
tell
eri
(S
. G
meli
n)
Pra
ntl
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ivy
-leav
ed
To
ad
flax
Cym
ba
lari
a m
ura
lis
P. G
aert
ner,
Meyer
& S
ch
erb
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
No
rth
ern
Wild
Co
mfr
ey
Cyn
og
loss
um
bo
rea
le F
ern
.-
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Ho
un
d's
-to
ng
ue
Cyn
og
loss
um
offic
ina
le L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Yello
w L
ad
y's
-slip
per
Cyp
rip
ed
ium
ca
lceo
lus
L.
Least
Co
ncern
Ap
pen
dix
II
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Bu
lble
t B
lad
der
Fern
Cyst
op
teri
s b
ulb
ifera
(L
.) B
ern
h.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Mackay
's B
ritt
le F
ern
Cyst
op
teri
s te
nu
is (
Mic
ha
ux)
Desv
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Orc
hard
Gra
ss
Da
cty
lis
glo
mera
ta L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Fla
t-ste
mm
ed
Dan
tho
nia
Da
nth
on
ia c
om
pre
ssa
Au
stin
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Po
vert
y O
at
Gra
ss
Da
nth
on
ia s
pic
ata
(L
.) P
. B
ea
uv. ex R
oem
er
& S
ch
ult
es
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wild
Carr
ot
Da
ucu
s ca
rota
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Hay
-scen
ted
Fern
Den
nst
aed
tia
pu
ncti
lob
ula
(M
ich
au
x)
T. M
oo
re-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Silv
ery
-sp
leen
wo
rtD
ep
ari
a a
cro
stic
ho
ides
(Sw
art
z) M
. K
ato
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sh
ow
y T
ick-t
refo
ilD
esm
od
ium
ca
na
den
se (
L.)
DC
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Tic
k-t
refo
ilD
esm
od
ium
cu
spid
atu
m (
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.) D
C. ex L
ou
do
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Po
inte
d-l
eav
ed
Tic
k-t
refo
ilD
esm
od
ium
glu
tin
osu
m (
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.) A
lph
. W
oo
dL
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Dep
tfo
rd P
ink
Dia
nth
us
arm
eri
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sq
uir
rel-
co
rnD
icen
tra
ca
na
den
sis
(Go
ldie
) W
alp
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Du
tch
man
's-b
reech
es
Dic
en
tra
cu
cu
lla
ria
(L
.) B
ern
h.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bu
sh
-ho
ney
su
ckle
Die
rvil
la l
on
icera
Mil
ler
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Sm
oo
th C
rab
Gra
ss
Dig
ita
ria
isc
ha
em
um
(S
ch
reb
er
ex S
ch
wein
.) S
ch
reb
er
ex M
uh
len
b.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wild
Yam
Dio
sco
rea
qu
ate
rna
ta J
. G
meli
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
No
rth
ern
Ru
nn
ing
-pin
eD
iph
asi
ast
rum
co
mp
lan
atu
m (
L.)
Ho
lub
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Gla
de F
ern
Dip
lazi
um
pycn
oca
rpo
n (
Sp
ren
gel)
M. B
rou
n-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Wall R
ocket
Dip
lota
xis
ten
uif
oli
a (
L.)
DC
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Co
mm
on
Teasel
Dip
sacu
s fu
llo
nu
m L
. -
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Leath
erw
oo
dD
irca
pa
lust
ris
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Yello
w M
an
dari
nD
isp
oru
m l
an
ug
ino
sum
(M
ich
au
x)
Nic
ho
lso
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fla
t-to
pp
ed
Wh
ite A
ste
rD
oell
ing
eri
a u
mb
ell
ata
(M
ill.
) N
ees
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sp
inu
lose W
oo
d F
ern
Dry
op
teri
s ca
rth
usi
an
a (
Vil
lars
) H
.P. F
uch
s-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Cre
ste
d W
oo
d F
ern
Dry
op
teri
s cri
sta
ta (
L.)
A. G
ray
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 36
Go
ldie
's W
oo
d F
ern
Dry
op
teri
s g
old
ian
a (
Ho
ok
. ex G
old
ie)
A. G
ray
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ev
erg
reen
Wo
od
Fern
Dry
op
teri
s in
term
ed
ia (
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.) A
. G
ray
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Marg
inal W
oo
d F
ern
Dry
op
teri
s m
arg
ina
lis
(L.)
A. G
ray
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Ind
ian
Str
aw
berr
yD
uch
esn
ea
in
dic
a (
An
drz
.) F
ock
e-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Barn
yard
Gra
ss
Ech
ino
ch
loa
cru
sga
lli
(L.)
P. B
ea
uv.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Vip
er's-b
ug
loss
Ech
ium
vu
lga
re L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Au
tum
n O
liv
eE
laea
gn
us
um
bell
ata
--
--
--
XX
Inte
rmed
iate
Sp
ike-r
ush
Ele
och
ari
s in
term
ed
ia (
Mu
hl.
) S
ch
ult
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Can
ad
a W
ild
-ry
eE
lym
us
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bo
ttle
bru
sh
Gra
ss
Ely
mu
s h
yst
rix L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Weste
rn W
heat
Gra
ss
Ely
mu
s sm
ith
ii (
Ryd
b.)
Go
uld
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Hair
y W
ild
-ry
eE
lym
us
vil
losu
s M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Vir
gin
ia W
ild
-ry
eE
lym
us
vir
gin
icu
s L
. va
r. v
irg
inic
us
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wie
gan
d's
Wild
-ry
eE
lym
us
wie
ga
nd
ii F
ern
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pu
rple
-leav
ed
Willo
w-h
erb
Ep
ilo
biu
m c
olo
ratu
m B
ieh
ler
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sm
all-f
low
ere
d W
illo
w-h
erb
Ep
ilo
biu
m p
arv
iflo
rum
Sch
reb
er
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Helleb
ori
ne
Ep
ipa
cti
s h
ell
eb
ori
ne (
L.)
Cra
ntz
-A
pp
en
dix
II
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Fie
ld H
ors
eta
ilE
qu
isetu
m a
rven
se L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Sco
uri
ng
-ru
sh
Eq
uis
etu
m h
yem
ale
L. su
bsp
. a
ffin
e (
En
gelm
.) S
ton
eL
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Vari
eg
ate
d S
co
uri
ng
-ru
sh
Eq
uis
etu
m v
ari
eg
atu
m S
ch
leic
her
ex W
eb
er
& M
oh
r-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Tu
fted
Lo
ve G
rass
Era
gro
stis
pecti
na
cea
(M
ich
au
x)
Nees
va
r. p
ecti
na
cea
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Dais
y F
leab
an
eE
rig
ero
n a
nn
uu
s (L
.) P
ers
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ph
ilad
elp
hia
Fle
ab
an
eE
rig
ero
n p
hil
ad
elp
hic
us
L. su
bsp
. p
hil
ad
elp
hic
us
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Ro
bin
's-p
lan
tain
Eri
gero
n p
ulc
hell
us
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sp
read
ing
Fle
ab
an
eE
rig
ero
n s
trig
osu
s M
uh
len
b. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sto
rk's
-bill
Ero
diu
m c
icu
tari
um
(L
.) L
'Her.
su
bsp
. cic
uta
riu
m-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Wh
itlo
w-g
rass
Ero
ph
ila
vern
a (
L.)
Ch
eva
ll.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wh
ite T
rou
t L
ily
Ery
thro
niu
m a
lbid
um
Nu
tt.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Yello
w T
rou
t L
ily
Ery
thro
niu
m a
meri
ca
nu
m K
er
Ga
wle
r su
bsp
. a
meri
ca
nu
m-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Win
ged
Eu
on
ym
us
Eu
on
ym
us
ala
ta (
Th
un
b.)
Sie
bo
ld-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Bu
rnin
g B
ush
Eu
on
ym
us
atr
op
urp
ure
a J
acq
. va
r. a
tro
pu
rpu
rea
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Win
terc
reep
er
Eu
on
ym
us
fort
un
ei
(Tu
rcz.
) H
an
d.-
Ma
zz.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ru
nn
ing
Str
aw
berr
y-b
ush
Eu
on
ym
us
ob
ova
ta N
utt
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sp
ott
ed
Jo
e-P
ye-w
eed
Eu
pa
tori
um
ma
cu
latu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Bo
neset
Eu
pa
tori
um
perf
oli
atu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sw
eet
Joe-P
ye-w
eed
Eu
pa
tori
um
pu
rpu
reu
m L
. va
r. p
urp
ure
um
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite S
nakero
ot
Eu
pa
tori
um
ru
go
sum
Ho
utt
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Cy
pre
ss S
pu
rge
Eu
ph
orb
ia c
yp
ari
ssia
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Su
n S
pu
rge
Eu
ph
orb
ia h
eli
osc
op
ia L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Wh
ite W
oo
d A
ste
rE
ury
bia
div
ari
ca
ta (
L.)
Neso
m-
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
Th
reate
ned
XN
ati
ve
Larg
e-l
eav
ed
Aste
rE
ury
bia
ma
cro
ph
yll
a (
L.)
Ca
ss. in
Cu
vie
r-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Gra
ss-l
eav
ed
Go
lden
rod
Eu
tha
mia
gra
min
ifo
lia
(L
.) N
utt
. ex C
ass
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Am
eri
can
Beech
Fa
gu
s g
ran
dif
oli
a E
hrh
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Beech
Fa
gu
s sy
lva
tica
--
--
--
XX
Red
Fescu
eF
est
uca
ru
bra
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
No
dd
ing
Fescu
eF
est
uca
su
bvert
icil
lata
(P
ers
.) E
. A
lexeev
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
lan
d S
traw
berr
yF
rag
ari
a v
esc
a L
. su
bsp
. a
meri
ca
na
(P
ort
er)
Sta
ud
t-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Str
aw
berr
yF
rag
ari
a v
irg
inia
na
Mil
ler
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Wh
ite A
sh
Fra
xin
us
am
eri
ca
na
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Ash
Fra
xin
us
excels
ior
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 37
Bla
ck A
sh
Fra
xin
us
nig
ra M
ars
ha
ll-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Red
/Gre
en
Ash
Fra
xin
us
pen
nsy
lva
nic
a M
ars
ha
ll-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sh
ow
y O
rch
isG
ale
ari
s sp
ecta
bil
is (
L.)
Ra
f.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Cle
av
ers
Ga
liu
m a
pa
rin
e L
.-
--
--
-X
X
Nati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
No
rth
ern
Bed
str
aw
Ga
liu
m b
ore
ale
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wild
Lic
ori
ce
Ga
liu
m c
irca
eza
ns
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Lan
ce-l
eav
ed
Wild
Lic
ori
ce
Ga
liu
m l
an
ceo
latu
m T
orr
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wild
Mad
der
Ga
liu
m m
oll
ug
o-
--
--
-X
X
Sw
eet-
scen
ted
Bed
str
aw
Ga
liu
m t
rifl
oru
m M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Win
terg
reen
Ga
ult
heri
a p
rocu
mb
en
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bla
ck H
uckle
berr
yG
aylu
ssa
cia
ba
cca
ta (
Wa
ng
.) K
. K
och
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Clo
sed
Gen
tian
Gen
tia
na
an
dre
wsi
i G
rise
b. va
r. a
nd
rew
sii
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Fri
ng
ed
Gen
tian
Gen
tia
no
psi
s vir
ga
ta (
Ra
f.)
Ho
lub
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Gera
niu
mG
era
niu
m m
acu
latu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Herb
Ro
bert
Gera
niu
m r
ob
ert
ian
um
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Yello
w A
ven
sG
eu
m a
lep
pic
um
Ja
cq
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite A
ven
sG
eu
m c
an
ad
en
se J
acq
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Cu
t-le
av
ed
Av
en
sG
eu
m l
acin
iatu
m M
urr
ay
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Herb
Ben
nett
Geu
m u
rba
nu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Gill-
ov
er-
the-g
rou
nd
Gle
ch
om
a h
ed
era
cea
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Ho
ney
Lo
cu
st
Gle
dit
sia
tri
aca
nth
os
--
--
--
XX
Fo
wl M
an
na G
rass
Gly
ceri
a s
tria
ta (
La
m.)
A.S
. H
itch
c.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Fra
gra
nt
Cu
dw
eed
Gn
ap
ha
liu
m o
btu
sifo
liu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sti
ckseed
Ha
ck
eli
a v
irg
inia
na
(L
.) I
.M. Jo
hn
sto
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wit
ch
-haze
lH
am
am
eli
s vir
gin
ian
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Am
eri
can
Pen
ny
roy
al
Hed
eo
ma
pu
leg
ioid
es
(L.)
Pers
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
En
glish
Iv
yH
ed
era
heli
x-
--
--
-X
X
Sn
eeze
weed
Hele
niu
m a
utu
mn
ale
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Su
nfl
ow
er
Heli
an
thu
s a
nn
uu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Th
in-l
eav
ed
Su
nfl
ow
er
Heli
an
thu
s d
eca
peta
lus
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
lan
d S
un
flo
wer
Heli
an
thu
s d
iva
rica
tus
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ora
ng
e D
ay
Lily
Hem
ero
ca
llis
fu
lva
(L
.) L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Dam
e's
Ro
cket
Hesp
eri
s m
atr
on
ali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Kin
g D
ev
ilH
iera
ciu
m c
aesp
ito
sum
Du
m.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Can
ad
a H
aw
kw
eed
Hie
raciu
m c
an
ad
en
se M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Haw
kw
eed
Hie
raciu
m g
ron
ovii
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Yello
w H
aw
kw
eed
Hie
raciu
m p
ilo
sell
oid
es
Vil
lars
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Ratt
lesn
ake W
eed
Hie
raciu
m v
en
osu
m L
. va
r. n
ud
ica
ule
(M
ich
x.)
Fa
rw.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
(H. caesp
ito
su
m X
H. la
ctu
cella)
Hie
raciu
m x
flo
rib
un
du
m W
imm
er
& G
raeb
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Fo
xtail B
arl
ey
Ho
rdeu
m ju
ba
tum
L. su
bsp
. ju
ba
tum
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Fri
ng
ed
Ho
usto
nia
Ho
ust
on
ia c
an
ad
en
sis
Wil
ld.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Lo
ng
leaf
Blu
et
Ho
ust
on
ia l
on
gif
oli
a-
--
--
-X
Sh
inin
g F
ir-m
oss
Hu
perz
ia l
ucid
ula
(M
ich
au
x)
Tre
vis
an
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Gre
en
Vio
let
Hyb
an
thu
s co
nco
lor
(T. F
ors
ter)
Sp
ren
gel
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Go
lden
Seal
Hyd
rast
is c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-T
hre
ate
ned
Th
reate
ned
Th
reate
ned
XN
ati
ve
Can
ad
a W
ate
rleaf
Hyd
rop
hyll
um
ca
na
den
se L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Vir
gin
ia W
ate
rleaf
Hyd
rop
hyll
um
vir
gin
ian
um
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
St.
Jo
hn
's-w
ort
Hyp
eri
cu
m p
erf
ora
tum
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sp
ott
ed
St.
Jo
hn
's-w
ort
Hyp
eri
cu
m p
un
cta
tum
La
m.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Yello
w S
targ
rass
Hyp
oxis
hir
suta
(L
.) C
ovil
le-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 38
Am
eri
can
Ho
lly
Ilex o
pa
ca
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
X
Sp
ott
ed
To
uch
-me-n
ot
Imp
ati
en
s ca
pen
sis
Meerb
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Pale
To
uch
-me-n
ot
Imp
ati
en
s p
all
ida
Nu
tt.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Yello
w-f
lag
Iris
pse
ud
aco
rus
L.
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Bu
ttern
ut
Ju
gla
ns
cin
ere
a L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
XN
ati
ve
Bla
ck W
aln
ut
Ju
gla
ns
nig
ra L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Join
ted
Ru
sh
Ju
ncu
s a
rtic
ula
tus
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Balt
ic R
ush
Ju
ncu
s b
alt
icu
s W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Du
dle
y's
Ru
sh
Ju
ncu
s d
ud
leyi
Wie
g.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
So
ft R
ush
Ju
ncu
s effu
sus
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Path
Ru
sh
Ju
ncu
s te
nu
is W
illd
. va
r. t
en
uis
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
To
rrey
's R
ush
Ju
ncu
s to
rreyi
Co
v.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Ju
nip
er
Ju
nip
eru
s co
mm
un
is L
.L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Red
Ced
ar
Ju
nip
eru
s vir
gin
ian
a L
. va
r. v
irg
inia
na
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Can
ad
a-l
ett
uce
La
ctu
ca
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pri
ckly
-lett
uce
La
ctu
ca
serr
iola
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Hen
bit
La
miu
m a
mp
lexic
au
le L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Pu
rple
Dead
-nett
leL
am
ium
pu
rpu
reu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Wo
od
-nett
leL
ap
ort
ea
ca
na
den
sis
(L.)
Wed
d.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bu
rseed
La
pp
ula
sq
ua
rro
sa (
Retz
.) D
um
ort
. su
bsp
. sq
ua
rro
sa-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Nip
ple
wo
rtL
ap
san
a c
om
mu
nis
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Tam
ara
ck
La
rix l
ari
cin
a (
Du
Ro
i) K
. K
och
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pale
Vetc
hlin
gL
ath
yru
s o
ch
role
ucu
s H
oo
k.
--
-R
are
--
XN
ati
ve
Ric
e C
ut
Gra
ss
Leers
ia o
ryzo
ides
(L.)
Sw
art
z-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite G
rass
Leers
ia v
irg
inic
a W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Mo
therw
ort
Leo
nu
rus
ca
rdia
ca
L. su
bsp
. ca
rdia
ca
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Fie
ld P
ep
per-
gra
ss
Lep
idiu
m c
am
pest
re (
L.)
R. B
r.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wan
dlike B
ush
-clo
ver
Lesp
ed
eza
in
term
ed
ia (
S. W
ats
on
) B
ritt
on
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Vio
let
Bu
sh
-clo
ver
Lesp
ed
eza
vio
lacea
(L
.) P
ers
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Cy
lin
dri
c B
lazi
ng
-sta
rL
iatr
is c
yli
nd
racea
Mic
ha
ux
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Pri
vet
Lig
ust
rum
vu
lga
re L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Can
ad
a L
ily
Lil
ium
ca
na
den
se L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
Lily
Lil
ium
ph
ila
delp
hic
um
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Bu
tter-
an
d-e
gg
sL
ina
ria
vu
lga
ris
Mil
ler
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sp
iceb
ush
Lin
dera
ben
zoin
(L
.) B
lum
e-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Tu
lip
-tre
eL
irio
den
dro
n t
uli
pif
era
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Gro
mw
ell
Lit
ho
sperm
um
offic
ina
le L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Ind
ian
-to
bacco
Lo
beli
a i
nfl
ata
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Kalm
's L
ob
elia
Lo
beli
a k
alm
ii L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Gre
at
Lo
belia
Lo
beli
a s
iph
ilit
ica
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Tall F
escu
eL
oli
um
aru
nd
ina
ceu
s (S
ch
reb
er)
Da
rbysh
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Pere
nn
ial R
ye G
rass
Lo
liu
m p
ere
nn
e L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Fly
Ho
ney
su
ckle
Lo
nic
era
ca
na
den
sis
Ba
rtra
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Ho
ney
su
ckle
Lo
nic
era
dio
ica
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Am
ur
Ho
ney
su
ckle
Lo
nic
era
ma
ack
ii (
Ru
pr.
) M
axim
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Mo
rro
w's
Ho
ney
su
ckle
Lo
nic
era
mo
rro
wii
A. G
ray
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Tart
ari
an
Ho
ney
su
ckle
Lo
nic
era
ta
tari
ca
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Bir
d's
Fo
ot
Tre
foil
Lo
tus
co
rnic
ula
tus
--
--
--
XX
Mo
ney
Pla
nt
Lu
na
ria
an
nu
a-
--
--
-X
X
Wild
Lu
pin
eL
up
inu
s p
ere
nn
is L
. su
bsp
. p
ere
nn
is-
--
Rare
--
XN
ati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 39
Fla
t-b
ran
ch
ed
Tre
e C
lub
-mo
ss
Lyco
po
diu
m o
bsc
uru
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Am
eri
can
Wate
r-h
ore
ho
un
dL
yco
pu
s a
meri
ca
nu
s M
uh
len
b. ex B
art
ram
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Wate
r-h
ore
ho
un
dL
yco
pu
s eu
rop
aeu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Bu
gle
weed
Lyco
pu
s u
nif
loru
s M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Vir
gin
ia W
ate
r-h
ore
ho
un
dL
yco
pu
s vir
gin
icu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fri
ng
ed
Lo
osestr
ife
Lysi
ma
ch
ia c
ilia
ta L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Cre
ep
ing
Jen
nie
Lysi
ma
ch
ia n
um
mu
lari
a-
--
--
-X
X
Sp
ott
ed
Lo
osestr
ife
Lysi
ma
ch
ia p
un
cta
ta L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Pu
rple
Lo
osestr
ife
Lyth
rum
sa
lica
ria
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Wild
Lily
-of-
the-v
alley
Ma
ian
them
um
ca
na
den
se D
esf
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fals
e S
olo
mo
n's
-seal
Ma
ian
them
um
ra
cem
osu
m (
L.)
Lin
k s
ub
sp. ra
cem
osu
m-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sta
rry
Fals
e S
olo
mo
n's
-seal
Ma
ian
them
um
ste
lla
tum
(L
.) L
ink
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Wild
Cra
bM
alu
s co
ron
ari
a (
L.)
Mil
ler
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ap
ple
Ma
lus
pu
mil
a M
ille
r-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Co
mm
on
Mallo
wM
alv
a n
eg
lecta
--
--
--
XX
Pin
eap
ple
Weed
Ma
tric
ari
a m
atr
ica
rio
ides
(Less
.) P
ort
er
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ind
ian
Cu
cu
mb
er-
roo
tM
ed
eo
la v
irg
inia
na
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bla
ck M
ed
ick
Med
ica
go
lu
pu
lin
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Co
w-w
heat
Mela
mp
yru
m l
inea
re D
esr
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite S
weet-
clo
ver
Meli
lotu
s a
lba
Med
icu
s-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Co
mm
on
Balm
Meli
ssa
offic
ina
lis
L. su
bsp
. o
ffic
ina
lis
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Mo
on
seed
Men
isp
erm
um
ca
na
den
se L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fie
ld M
int
Men
tha
arv
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
Mille
tM
iliu
m e
ffu
sum
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Part
rid
ge-b
err
yM
itch
ell
a r
ep
en
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bis
ho
p's
-cap
Mit
ell
a d
iph
yll
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Osw
eg
o T
ea
Mo
na
rda
did
ym
a L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Wild
Berg
am
ot
Mo
na
rda
fis
tulo
sa L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ind
ian
Pip
eM
on
otr
op
a u
nif
lora
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite M
ulb
err
yM
oru
s a
lba
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Red
Mu
lberr
yM
oru
s ru
bra
L.
--
--
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
Nati
ve
Wir
e-s
tem
med
Mu
hly
Mu
hle
nb
erg
ia fro
nd
osa
(P
oir
et)
Fern
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sati
n G
rass
Mu
hle
nb
erg
ia m
exic
an
a (
L.)
Tri
n.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Nim
ble
Will
Mu
hle
nb
erg
ia s
ch
reb
eri
J.F
. G
meli
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Mu
hly
Mu
hle
nb
erg
ia s
ylv
ati
ca
(T
orr
ey)
To
rrey e
x A
. G
ray
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sle
nd
er
Sati
n G
rass
Mu
hle
nb
erg
ia t
en
uif
lora
(W
illd
.) B
SP
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Fie
ld S
co
rpio
n G
rass
Myo
soti
s a
rven
sis
(L)
Hil
l-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Catn
ipN
ep
eta
ca
tari
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Bla
ck-g
um
Nyss
a s
ylv
ati
ca
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Hair
y Y
ello
w E
ven
ing
-pri
mro
se
Oen
oth
era
bie
nn
is L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Su
nd
rop
sO
en
oth
era
pere
nn
is L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
On
e-f
low
ere
d C
an
cer-
roo
tO
rob
an
ch
e u
nif
lora
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
On
e-s
ided
Py
rola
Ort
hil
ia s
ecu
nd
a (
L.)
Ho
use
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ro
ug
h-l
eav
ed
Mo
un
tain
-ric
eO
ryzo
psi
s a
speri
foli
a M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Mo
un
tain
-ric
eO
ryzo
psi
s ra
cem
osa
(S
mit
h)
Ric
ker
ex A
. H
itch
c.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sw
eet-
cic
ely
Osm
orh
iza
cla
yto
nii
(M
ich
au
x)
C.B
. C
lark
e-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Lo
ng
-sty
led
Sw
eet-
cic
ely
Osm
orh
iza
lo
ng
isty
lis
(To
rrey)
DC
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Inte
rru
pte
d F
ern
Osm
un
da
cla
yto
nia
na
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Am
eri
can
Ro
yal F
ern
Osm
un
da
reg
ali
s L
. va
r. s
pecta
bil
is (
Wil
ld.)
Gra
y-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ho
p-h
orn
beam
Ost
rya
vir
gin
ian
a (
Mil
ler)
K. K
och
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 40
Eu
rop
ean
Wo
od
-so
rrel
Oxa
lis
stri
cta
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Am
eri
can
Gin
sen
gP
an
ax q
uin
qu
efo
liu
s -
Ap
pen
dix
II
-V
uln
era
ble
En
dan
gere
dE
nd
an
gere
dX
Nati
ve
Dw
arf
Gin
sen
gP
an
ax t
rifo
liu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pan
ic G
rass
Pa
nic
um
acu
min
atu
m S
w.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Fo
rked
Pan
ic G
rass
Pa
nic
um
dic
ho
tom
um
L. va
r. d
ich
oto
mu
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bro
ad
leaf
Pan
ic G
rass
Pa
nic
um
la
tifo
liu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Lin
dh
eim
er's P
an
ic G
rass
Pa
nic
um
lin
dh
eim
eri
Na
sh-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sw
itch
Gra
ss
Pa
nic
um
vir
ga
tum
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pellit
ory
Pa
rieta
ria
pen
sylv
an
ica
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Gra
ss-o
f-P
arn
assu
sP
arn
ass
ia g
lau
ca
Ra
f.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Vir
gin
ia C
reep
er
Pa
rth
en
ocis
sus
inse
rta
(A
. K
ern
er)
Fri
tsch
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Vir
gin
ia C
reep
er
Pa
rth
en
ocis
sus
qu
inq
uefo
lia
(L
.) P
lan
ch
on
ex D
C.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Pu
rple
-ste
mm
ed
Cliff
-bra
ke
Pell
aea
atr
op
urp
ure
a (
L.)
Lin
k-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sm
oo
th C
liff
-bra
ke
Pell
aea
gla
bell
a M
ett
. ex K
uh
n s
ub
sp. g
lab
ell
a-
--
Th
reate
ned
--
XX
Nati
ve
Fo
xglo
ve B
eard
-to
ng
ue
Pen
stem
on
dig
ita
lis
Nu
tt. ex S
ims
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Hair
y B
eard
-to
ng
ue
Pen
stem
on
hir
sutu
s (L
.) W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Mo
ck-o
ran
ge
Ph
ila
delp
hu
s co
ron
ari
us
XX
Tim
oth
yP
hle
um
pra
ten
se L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Blu
e P
hlo
xP
hlo
x d
iva
rica
ta L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Reed
Ph
rag
mit
es
au
stra
lis
(Ca
v.)
Tri
n. ex S
teu
del
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Nin
eb
ark
Ph
yso
ca
rpu
s o
pu
lifo
liu
s (L
.) M
axim
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Fals
e D
rag
on
head
Ph
yso
steg
ia v
irg
inia
na
(L
.) B
en
th.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Po
kew
eed
Ph
yto
lacca
am
eri
ca
na
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Blu
e S
pru
ce
Pic
ea
pu
ng
en
sL
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
X
Bla
ck-s
eed
ed
Cle
arw
eed
Pil
ea
fo
nta
na
(L
un
ell
) R
yd
b.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Cle
arw
eed
Pil
ea
pu
mil
a (
L.)
A. G
ray
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Jack P
ine
Pin
us
ba
nk
sia
na
La
mb
ert
Least
Co
ncern
--
Rare
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Red
Pin
eP
inu
s re
sin
osa
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Easte
rn W
hit
e P
ine
Pin
us
stro
bu
s L
.L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sco
ts P
ine
Pin
us
sylv
est
ris
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
En
glish
Pla
nta
inP
lan
tag
o l
an
ceo
lata
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Co
mm
on
Pla
nta
inP
lan
tag
o m
ajo
r L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ru
gel's
Pla
nta
inP
lan
tag
o r
ug
eli
i D
ecn
e.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Tu
berc
led
Orc
hid
Pla
tan
thera
fla
va
(L
.) L
ind
ley v
ar.
herb
iola
(R
. B
r. e
x A
it. f.)
Lu
er
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
oker's O
rch
idP
lata
nth
era
ho
ok
eri
(T
orr
. ex G
ray)
Lin
dl.
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Tall N
ort
hern
Gre
en
Orc
hid
Pla
tan
thera
hyp
erb
ore
a (
L.)
Lin
dle
y v
ar.
hyp
erb
ore
a-
Ap
pen
dix
II
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Rag
ged
Fri
ng
ed
-orc
hid
Pla
tan
thera
la
cera
(M
ich
au
x)
G. D
on
va
r. l
acera
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sy
cam
ore
Pla
tan
us
occid
en
tali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
An
nu
al B
lue G
rass
Po
a a
nn
ua
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Bu
lbo
us P
oa
Po
a b
ulb
osa
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Can
ad
a B
lue G
rass
Po
a c
om
pre
ssa
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
Blu
e G
rass
Po
a n
em
ora
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ken
tucky
Blu
e G
rass
Po
a p
rate
nsi
s L
. su
bsp
. p
rate
nsi
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ro
ug
h B
lue G
rass
Po
a t
rivia
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
May
-ap
ple
Po
do
ph
yll
um
pelt
atu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sen
eca S
nakero
ot
Po
lyg
ala
sen
eg
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
So
lom
on
's-s
eal
Po
lyg
on
atu
m b
iflo
rum
(W
alt
er)
Ell
iott
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Hair
y S
olo
mo
n's
-seal
Po
lyg
on
atu
m p
ub
esc
en
s (W
illd
.) P
urs
h-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Halb
erd
-leav
ed
Tear-
thu
mb
Po
lyg
on
um
ari
foli
um
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pro
str
ate
Kn
otw
eed
Po
lyg
on
um
avic
ula
re L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 41
Jap
an
ese K
no
tweed
Po
lyg
on
um
cu
spid
atu
m S
ieb
old
& Z
ucc.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Pin
kw
eed
Po
lyg
on
um
pen
sylv
an
icu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Lad
y's
-th
um
bP
oly
go
nu
m p
ers
ica
ria
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Jum
pseed
Po
lyg
on
um
vir
gin
ian
um
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Leafc
up
Po
lym
nia
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Ro
ck P
oly
po
dy
Po
lyp
od
ium
vir
gin
ian
um
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ch
ristm
as F
ern
Po
lyst
ich
um
acro
stic
ho
ides
(Mic
ha
ux)
Sch
ott
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
lly
Fern
Po
lyst
ich
um
lo
nch
itis
(L
.) R
oth
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite P
op
lar
Po
pu
lus
alb
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Bals
am
Po
pla
rP
op
ulu
s b
als
am
ifera
L. su
bsp
. b
als
am
ifera
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
tto
nw
oo
dP
op
ulu
s d
elt
oid
es
Ba
rtra
m e
x M
ars
ha
ll-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Larg
e-t
oo
thed
Asp
en
Po
pu
lus
gra
nd
iden
tata
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Tre
mb
lin
g A
sp
en
Po
pu
lus
trem
ulo
ides
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Silv
erw
eed
Po
ten
till
a a
nse
rin
a L
. su
bsp
. a
nse
rin
a-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Silv
ery
Cin
qu
efo
ilP
ote
nti
lla
arg
en
tea
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ro
ug
h C
inq
uefo
ilP
ote
nti
lla
no
rveg
ica
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ro
ug
h-f
ruit
ed
Cin
qu
efo
ilP
ote
nti
lla
recta
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Co
mm
on
Cin
qu
efo
ilP
ote
nti
lla
sim
ple
x M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite-l
ett
uce
Pre
na
nth
es
alb
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Tall W
hit
e-l
ett
uce
Pre
na
nth
es
alt
issi
ma
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Heal-
all
Pru
nell
a v
ulg
ari
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wild
Plu
mP
run
us
am
eri
ca
na
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sw
eet
Ch
err
yP
run
us
aviu
m (
L.)
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Perf
um
ed
Ch
err
yP
run
us
ma
ha
leb
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Peach
Pru
nu
s p
ers
ica
(L
.) B
ats
ch
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wild
Bla
ck C
herr
yP
run
us
sero
tin
a E
hrh
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ch
oke C
herr
yP
run
us
vir
gin
ian
a L
. su
bsp
. vir
gin
ian
a-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ho
p-t
ree
Pte
lea
tri
foli
ata
L. va
r. t
rifo
lia
ta-
--
En
dan
gere
dT
hre
ate
ned
Th
reate
ned
XX
Nati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Easte
rn B
racken
Pte
rid
ium
aq
uil
inu
m (
L.)
Ku
hn
va
r. l
ati
usc
ulu
m (
Desv
.) U
nd
erw
. ex
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Refl
exe
d S
alt
mars
h G
rass
Pu
ccin
ell
ia d
ista
ns
(Ja
cq
.) P
arl
. su
bsp
. d
ista
ns
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Vir
gin
ia M
ou
nta
in-m
int
Pycn
an
them
um
vir
gin
ian
um
(L
.) D
ura
nd
& J
ack
son
ex F
ern
ald
&
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ro
un
d-l
eav
ed
Py
rola
Pyro
la a
meri
ca
na
Sw
eet
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Gre
en
ish
Py
rola
Pyro
la c
hlo
ran
tha
Sw
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sh
inle
af
Pyro
la e
llip
tica
Nu
tt.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite O
ak
Qu
erc
us
alb
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Sw
am
p W
hit
e O
ak
Qu
erc
us
bic
olo
r W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bu
r O
ak
Qu
erc
us
ma
cro
ca
rpa
Mic
ha
ux
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ch
inq
uap
in O
ak
Qu
erc
us
mu
hle
nb
erg
ii E
ng
elm
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pin
Oak
Qu
erc
us
pa
lust
ris
Mu
en
ch
h.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
No
rth
ern
Red
Oak
Qu
erc
us
rub
ra L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Bla
ck O
ak
Qu
erc
us
velu
tin
a L
am
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Kid
ney
-leav
ed
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
ab
ort
ivu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
acri
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Fig
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
fica
ria
--
--
--
XX
His
pid
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
his
pid
us
Mic
ha
ux v
ar.
his
pid
us
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bri
stl
y C
row
foo
tR
an
un
cu
lus
pen
sylv
an
icu
s L
.f.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Ho
oked
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
recu
rva
tus
Po
iret
va
r. r
ecu
rva
tus
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Cre
ep
ing
Bu
tterc
up
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
rep
en
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
vasiv
e
Cu
rsed
Cro
wfo
ot
Ra
nu
ncu
lus
scele
ratu
s L
. va
r. s
cele
ratu
s-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Bu
ckth
orn
Rh
am
nu
s ca
tha
rtic
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 42
Glo
ssy
Bu
ckth
orn
Rh
am
nu
s fr
an
gu
la L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Jetb
ead
Rh
od
oty
po
s sc
an
den
s (T
hu
nb
.) M
ak
ino
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Fra
gra
nt
Su
mac
Rh
us
aro
ma
tica
Ait
on
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Clim
bin
g P
ois
on
-iv
yR
hu
s ra
dic
an
s L
. su
bsp
. n
eg
un
do
(E
. G
reen
e)
McN
eil
l-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Ry
db
erg
's P
ois
on
-iv
yR
hu
s ra
dic
an
s L
. su
bsp
. ry
db
erg
ii (
Sm
all
ex R
yd
b.)
McN
eil
l-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sta
gh
orn
Su
mac
Rh
us
typ
hin
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Hair
-lik
e B
eak-r
ush
Rh
yn
ch
osp
ora
ca
pil
lacea
To
rrey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wild
Bla
ck C
urr
an
tR
ibes
am
eri
ca
nu
m M
ille
r-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Pri
ckly
Go
oseb
err
yR
ibes
cyn
osb
ati
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Gard
en
Red
Cu
rran
tR
ibes
rub
rum
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Bla
ck L
ocu
st
Ro
bin
ia p
seu
do
aca
cia
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Cla
mm
y L
ocu
st
Ro
bin
ia v
isco
sa V
en
t. e
x V
au
q.
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Do
g R
ose
Ro
sa c
an
ina
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Caro
lin
a R
ose
Ro
sa c
aro
lin
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sm
all-f
low
er
Sw
eetb
rier
Ro
sa m
icra
nth
a B
orr
er
ex S
mit
h i
n S
ow
erb
y-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Mu
ltif
lora
Ro
se
Ro
sa m
ult
iflo
ra T
hu
nb
. ex M
urr
ay
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sw
eetb
rier
Ro
sa r
ub
igin
osa
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Co
mm
on
Bla
ckb
err
yR
ub
us
all
eg
hen
ien
sis
Po
rter
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
No
rth
ern
Dew
berr
yR
ub
us
fla
gell
ari
s W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wild
Red
Rasp
berr
yR
ub
us
ida
eu
s L
. su
bsp
. m
ela
no
lasi
us
(Die
ck
) F
ock
e-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bla
ck R
asp
berr
yR
ub
us
occid
en
tali
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Pu
rple
-flo
weri
ng
Rasp
berr
yR
ub
us
od
ora
tus
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Win
eb
err
yR
ub
us
ph
oen
ico
lasi
us
--
--
--
XX
Cu
rly
Do
ck
Ru
mex c
risp
us
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Bit
ter
Do
ck
Ru
mex o
btu
sifo
liu
s L
. su
bsp
.. o
btu
sifo
liu
s-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Pearl
wo
rtS
ag
ina
pro
cu
mb
en
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Wh
ite W
illo
wS
ali
x a
lba
L.
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Beb
b's
Willo
wS
ali
x b
eb
bia
na
Sa
rg.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pu
ssy
Willo
wS
ali
x d
isco
lor
Mu
hle
nb
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Heart
-leav
ed
Willo
wS
ali
x e
rio
cep
ha
la M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
San
db
ar
Willo
wS
ali
x e
xig
ua
Nu
tt. su
bsp
. in
teri
or
(Ro
wle
e)
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Up
lan
d W
illo
wS
ali
x h
um
ilis
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
(S. alb
a X
S. fr
ag
ilis
)S
ali
x x
ru
ben
s S
ch
ran
k-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Co
mm
on
Eld
er
Sa
mb
ucu
s ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Red
-berr
ied
Eld
er
Sa
mb
ucu
s ra
cem
osa
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Blo
od
roo
tS
an
gu
ina
ria
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XX
Nati
ve
Gard
en
Bu
rnet
Sa
ng
uis
orb
a m
ino
r S
co
p.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Bla
ck S
nakero
ot
Sa
nic
ula
ma
rila
nd
ica
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Larg
e-f
ruit
ed
Sn
akero
ot
Sa
nic
ula
tri
foli
ata
Bic
kn
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bo
un
cin
g B
et
Sa
po
na
ria
offic
ina
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Pit
ch
er-
pla
nt
Sa
rra
cen
ia p
urp
ure
a L
.-
Ap
pen
dix
II
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Sassafr
as
Sa
ssa
fra
s a
lbid
um
(N
utt
.) N
ees
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Earl
y S
axi
frag
eS
axif
rag
a v
irg
inie
nsi
s M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Pu
rple
Melic G
rass
Sch
iza
ch
ne p
urp
ura
scen
s (T
orr
ey)
Sw
all
en
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Lit
tle B
lueste
mS
ch
iza
ch
yri
um
sco
pa
riu
m (
Mic
ha
ux)
Nees
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Dark
Gre
en
Bu
lru
sh
Scir
pu
s a
tro
vir
en
s W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Wo
ol G
rass
Scir
pu
s cyp
eri
nu
s-
--
--
-X
No
dd
ing
Bu
lru
sh
Scir
pu
s p
en
du
lus
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Carp
en
ter's-s
qu
are
Scro
ph
ula
ria
ma
rila
nd
ica
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Sku
llcap
Scu
tell
ari
a g
ale
ricu
lata
L.
--
-R
are
--
XN
ati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 43
Mad
-do
g S
ku
llcap
Scu
tell
ari
a l
ate
rifl
ora
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sm
all S
ku
llcap
Scu
tell
ari
a p
arv
ula
Mic
hx. va
r. p
arv
ula
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Mo
ssy
Sto
necro
pS
ed
um
acre
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Liv
e-f
ore
ver
Sed
um
sa
rmen
tosu
m B
un
ge
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Bu
ck's
Mead
ow
Sp
ikem
oss
Sela
gin
ell
a e
cli
pes
Bu
ck
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Go
lden
Rag
wo
rtS
en
ecio
au
reu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bals
am
Rag
wo
rtS
en
ecio
pa
up
erc
ulu
s M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Gro
un
dsel
Sen
ecio
vu
lga
ris
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Yello
w F
oxt
ail
Seta
ria
pu
mil
a (
Po
iret)
Sch
ult
es
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Gre
en
Fo
xtail
Seta
ria
vir
idis
(L
.) P
. B
ea
uv.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
So
ap
berr
yS
hep
herd
ia c
an
ad
en
sis
(L.)
Nu
tt.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sle
ep
y C
atc
hfl
yS
ilen
e a
nti
rrh
ina
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Tall T
um
ble
mu
sta
rdS
isym
bri
um
alt
issi
mu
m-
--
--
-X
X
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Blu
e-e
yed
Gra
ss
Sis
yri
nch
ium
an
gu
stif
oli
um
Mil
ler
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wate
r-p
ars
nip
Siu
m s
ua
ve W
alt
er
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Carr
ion
-flo
wer
Sm
ila
x h
erb
acea
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bri
stl
y G
reen
bri
er
Sm
ila
x h
isp
ida
Mu
hle
nb
. ex T
orr
ey
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Clim
bin
g N
igh
tsh
ad
eS
ola
nu
m d
ulc
am
ara
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Easte
rn B
lack N
igh
tsh
ad
eS
ola
nu
m p
tyca
nth
um
Du
na
l ex D
C.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Late
Go
lden
rod
So
lid
ag
o a
ltis
sim
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sh
arp
-leav
ed
Go
lden
rod
So
lid
ag
o a
rgu
ta A
ito
n v
ar.
arg
uta
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Silv
err
od
So
lid
ag
o b
ico
lor
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Blu
e-s
tem
Go
lden
rod
So
lid
ag
o c
aesi
a L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Can
ad
a G
old
en
rod
So
lid
ag
o c
an
ad
en
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Zig
-zag
Go
lden
rod
So
lid
ag
o fle
xic
au
lis
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Hair
y G
old
en
rod
So
lid
ag
o h
isp
ida
Mu
hl.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Earl
y G
old
en
rod
So
lid
ag
o ju
ncea
Ait
on
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Gra
y G
old
en
rod
So
lid
ag
o n
em
ora
lis
Ait
on
su
bsp
. n
em
ora
lis
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Up
lan
d W
hit
e G
old
en
rod
So
lid
ag
o p
tarm
ico
ides
(Nees)
B. B
oiv
in-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sto
ut
Go
lden
rod
So
lid
ag
o s
qu
arr
osa
Mu
hle
nb
. ex N
utt
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pere
nn
ial S
ow
-th
istl
eS
on
ch
us
arv
en
sis
L. su
bsp
. a
rven
sis
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Sp
iny
-leav
ed
So
w-t
his
tle
So
nch
us
asp
er
(L.)
Hil
l su
bsp
. a
sper
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Am
eri
can
Mo
un
tain
-ash
So
rbu
s a
meri
ca
na
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Mo
un
tain
-ash
So
rbu
s a
ucu
pa
ria
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Ind
ian
Gra
ss
So
rgh
ast
rum
nu
tan
s (L
.) N
ash
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
San
d-s
pu
rrey
Sp
erg
ula
ria
med
ia (
L.)
C. P
resl
ex G
rise
b.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
San
d-s
pu
rrey
Sp
erg
ula
ria
sa
lin
a J
. &
C. P
resl
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Sle
nd
er
Wed
ge G
rass
Sp
hen
op
ho
lis
inte
rmed
ia (
Ryd
b.)
Ryd
b.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sh
inin
g L
ad
ies'-tr
esses
Sp
ira
nth
es
lucid
a (
H. E
ato
n)
Am
es
-A
pp
en
dix
II
-V
uln
era
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ro
ug
h D
rop
seed
Sp
oro
bo
lus
asp
er
(Mic
hx.)
Ku
nth
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Ov
erl
oo
ked
Dro
pseed
Sp
oro
bo
lus
neg
lectu
s N
ash
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
En
sh
eath
ed
Dro
pseed
Sp
oro
bo
lus
va
gin
iflo
rus
(To
rrey e
x A
. G
ray)
To
rrey e
x A
. W
oo
d-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Bla
dd
ern
ut
Sta
ph
yle
a t
rifo
lia
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Ch
ickw
eed
Ste
lla
ria
med
ia (
L.)
Vil
lars
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Lesser
Ch
ickw
eed
Ste
lla
ria
pa
llid
a (
Du
mo
rt)
Cre
pin
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Ro
se T
wis
ted
-sta
lkS
trep
top
us
rose
us
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sn
ow
berr
yS
ym
ph
ori
ca
rpo
s a
lbu
s (L
.) S
.F. B
lak
e-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Sm
oo
th A
ste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m l
aeve (
L.)
Lo
ve &
Lo
ve
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Pan
icle
d A
ste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m l
an
ceo
latu
m (
Wil
ld.)
Neso
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Calico
Aste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m l
ate
rifl
oru
m (
L.)
Lo
ve &
Lo
ve
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 44
New
En
gla
nd
Aste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m n
ova
e-a
ng
lia
e (
L.)
Neso
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
On
tari
o A
ste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m o
nta
rio
ne (
Wie
g.)
Neso
m-
--
Rare
--
XN
ati
ve
Azu
re A
ste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m o
ole
nta
ng
ien
se (
Rid
dell
) N
eso
m-
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Hair
y A
ste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m p
ilo
sum
(W
illd
.) N
eso
m v
ar.
pil
osu
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Pri
ng
le's
Aste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m p
ilo
sum
(W
illd
.) N
eso
m v
ar.
pri
ng
lei
(A. G
ray)
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Arr
ow
-leav
ed
Aste
rS
ym
ph
yo
tric
hu
m u
rop
hyll
um
(L
ind
l. i
n D
C.)
Neso
m-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Co
mm
on
Lilac
Syri
ng
a v
ulg
ari
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Yello
w-p
imp
ern
el
Ta
en
idia
in
teg
err
ima
(L
.) D
rud
e-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Red
-seed
ed
Dan
delio
nT
ara
xa
cu
m e
ryth
rosp
erm
um
An
drz
. ex B
ess
er
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Co
mm
on
Dan
delio
nT
ara
xa
cu
m o
ffic
ina
le G
. W
eb
er
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Mars
h D
an
delio
nT
ara
xa
cu
m p
alu
stre
(L
yo
ns)
DC
. se
nsu
la
to-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Can
ad
a Y
ew
Ta
xu
s ca
na
den
sis
Ma
rsh
all
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Earl
y M
ead
ow
-ru
eT
ha
lictr
um
dio
icu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Ru
e-a
nem
on
eT
ha
lictr
um
th
ali
ctr
oid
es
(L.)
Ea
mes
& B
. B
oiv
in-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Hair
y-j
oin
ted
Mead
ow
Pars
nip
Th
asp
ium
ba
rbin
od
e (
Mic
ha
ux)
Nu
tt.
--
-E
nd
an
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite C
ed
ar
Th
uja
occid
en
tali
s L
.L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Fo
am
flo
wer
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rell
a c
ord
ifo
lia
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Bassw
oo
dT
ilia
am
eri
ca
na
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Lit
tlele
af
Lin
den
Til
ia c
ord
ata
--
--
--
XX
Po
iso
n I
vy
To
xic
od
en
dro
n r
ad
ica
ns
--
--
--
X
Go
at's-b
eard
Tra
go
po
go
n d
ub
ius
Sco
p.
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Co
mm
on
Sals
ify
Tra
go
po
go
n p
orr
ifo
liu
s L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Go
at's-b
eard
Tra
go
po
go
n p
rate
nsi
s-
--
--
-X
X
Rab
bit
-fo
ot
Clo
ver
Tri
foli
um
arv
en
se L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Ho
p-c
lov
er
Tri
foli
um
au
reu
m-
--
--
-X
X
Sm
all C
lov
er
Tri
foli
um
du
biu
m S
ibth
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Red
Clo
ver
Tri
foli
um
pra
ten
se L
.L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Wh
ite C
lov
er
Tri
foli
um
rep
en
s L
.L
east
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
No
dd
ing
Tri
lliu
mT
rill
ium
cern
uu
m L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Red
Tri
lliu
mT
rill
ium
ere
ctu
m L
.-
--
Vu
lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ben
t T
rilliu
mT
rill
ium
fle
xip
es
Ra
f.-
--
En
dan
gere
d-
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite T
rilliu
mT
rill
ium
gra
nd
iflo
rum
(M
ich
au
x)
Sa
lisb
.-
--
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lnera
ble
--
XN
ati
ve
Ho
rse-g
en
tian
Tri
ost
eu
m a
ura
nti
acu
m E
. B
ick
n.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
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ker's W
eed
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ost
eu
m p
erf
oli
atu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Easte
rn H
em
lock
Tsu
ga
ca
na
den
sis
(L.)
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rrie
reN
ear
Th
reate
ned
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Co
ltsfo
ot
Tu
ssil
ag
o fa
rfa
ra L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Narr
ow
-leav
ed
Catt
ail
Typ
ha
an
gu
stif
oli
a L
.-
--
--
-X
X
Co
mm
on
Catt
ail
Typ
ha
la
tifo
lia
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Am
eri
can
Elm
Ulm
us
am
eri
ca
na
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Sib
eri
an
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Ulm
us
pu
mil
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
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pery
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Ulm
us
rub
ra M
uh
l.-
--
--
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Nati
ve
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ck E
lmU
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s th
om
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arg
.-
--
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reate
ned
--
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ati
ve
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ran
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--
--
--
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ati
ve
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oliate
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--
--
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ati
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gu
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on
--
--
--
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ati
ve
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ush
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eb
err
yV
accin
ium
co
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--
--
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ati
ve
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lan
d B
lueb
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yV
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ium
pa
llid
um
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on
--
--
--
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ati
ve
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err
yV
accin
ium
sta
min
eu
m L
.-
--
-T
hre
ate
ned
Th
reate
ned
XN
ati
ve
Tap
e-g
rass
Va
llis
neri
a a
meri
ca
na
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 45
20
20
Botanicals table created as part of the Niagara River Corridor Ramsar Site nomination package, 2016.
Mo
th M
ullein
Verb
asc
um
bla
tta
ria
L.
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Co
mm
on
Mu
llein
Verb
asc
um
th
ap
sus
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--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Blu
e V
erv
ain
Verb
en
a h
ast
ata
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--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wh
ite V
erv
ain
Verb
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a u
rtic
ifo
lia
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--
--
--
XN
ati
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rn S
peed
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--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
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--
--
XX
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tro
du
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peed
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bsp
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na
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Sp
eed
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nic
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oli
ta F
ries
--
--
--
XX
Intr
od
uced
Th
ym
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eav
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Sp
eed
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erp
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ifo
lia
L. su
bsp
. se
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ifo
lia
--
--
--
XX
XIn
tro
du
ced
Map
le-l
eav
ed
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urn
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urn
um
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foli
um
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--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve
Way
fari
ng
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eV
ibu
rnu
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an
tan
a L
.-
--
--
-X
XX
Intr
od
uced
Nan
ny
berr
yV
ibu
rnu
m l
en
tag
o L
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Sn
ow
ball-t
ree
Vib
urn
um
op
ulu
s L
. va
r. a
meri
ca
nu
m A
it.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Eu
rop
ean
Hig
hb
ush
-cra
nb
err
yV
ibu
rnu
m o
pu
lus
L. va
r. o
pu
lus
--
--
--
XX
Inv
asiv
e
Do
wn
y A
rro
w-w
oo
dV
ibu
rnu
m r
afi
nesq
uia
nu
m S
ch
ult
es
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Vetc
hV
icia
am
eri
ca
na
Mu
hle
nb
. ex W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Caro
lin
a V
etc
hV
icia
ca
roli
nia
na
Wa
lt.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
w V
etc
hV
icia
cra
cca
--
--
--
XX
Co
mm
on
Vetc
hV
icia
sa
tiva
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bsp
. n
igra
(L
.) E
hrh
.-
--
--
-X
XIn
tro
du
ced
Co
mm
on
Peri
win
kle
Vin
ca
min
or
L.
--
--
--
XX
XIn
vasiv
e
Sw
eet
Wh
ite V
iole
tV
iola
bla
nd
a W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Can
ad
a V
iole
tV
iola
ca
na
den
sis
L.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Do
g V
iole
tV
iola
co
nsp
ers
a R
eic
hen
b.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Wo
od
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let
Vio
la p
alm
ata
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--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
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w V
iole
tV
iola
pu
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en
s A
ito
n-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Lo
ng
-sp
urr
ed
Vio
let
Vio
la r
ost
rata
Pu
rsh
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ro
un
d-l
eav
ed
Vio
let
Vio
la r
otu
nd
ifo
lia
Mic
ha
ux
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Co
mm
on
Blu
e V
iole
tV
iola
so
rori
a W
illd
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Su
mm
er
Gra
pe
Vit
is a
est
iva
lis
Mic
ha
ux v
ar.
aest
iva
lis
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Fo
x G
rap
eV
itis
la
bru
sca
L.
--
--
--
XX
Nati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Riv
erb
an
k G
rap
eV
itis
rip
ari
a M
ich
au
x-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve
Six
-weeks F
escu
eV
ulp
ia o
cto
flo
ra (
Wa
lter)
Ryd
b. va
r. g
lau
ca
Least
Co
ncern
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Barr
en
Str
aw
berr
yW
ald
stein
ia fra
ga
rio
ides
(Mic
ha
ux)
Tra
tt.
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Ch
inese W
iste
ria
Wis
teri
a s
inen
sis
--
--
--
XX
Co
ckle
bu
rX
an
thiu
m s
tru
ma
riu
m L
.-
--
--
-X
XN
ati
ve/I
ntr
od
uced
Pri
ckly
-ash
Za
nth
oxylu
m a
meri
ca
nu
m M
ille
r-
--
--
-X
Nati
ve
Wh
ite C
am
ass
Zig
ad
en
us
ele
ga
ns
Pu
rsh
su
bsp
. g
lau
cu
s (N
utt
.) H
ult
en
--
--
--
XN
ati
ve
Sou
rces o
f S
tatu
s
Sou
rces o
f R
ecords
Addit
ion
al
Note
s
Intr
od
uced
sp
ecie
s a
re a
sp
ecie
s liv
ing
ou
tsid
e t
heir
nati
ve d
istr
ibu
tio
nal ra
ng
e, w
hic
h h
av
e a
rriv
ed
th
ere
by
hu
man
acti
vit
y, eit
her
delib
era
te o
r accid
en
tal. I
den
tifi
ed
in
: O
ldh
am
, M
. J.
(2007).
Vascu
lar
pla
nts
of
the N
iag
ara
Riv
er,
On
tari
o. D
raft
. R
ep
ort
fo
r th
e N
iag
ara
Park
s C
om
mis
sio
n. U
np
ub
lish
ed
man
uscri
pt.
A -
Old
ham
, M
. J.
(2007).
Vascu
lar
pla
nts
of
the N
iag
ara
Riv
er,
On
tari
o. D
raft
. R
ep
ort
fo
r th
e N
iag
ara
Park
s C
om
mis
sio
n. U
np
ub
lish
ed
man
uscri
pt.
(C
an
ad
a R
eco
rds)
On
tari
o (
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk in
On
tari
o (
SA
RO
) L
ist"
(h
ttp
://w
ww
.mn
r.g
ov
.on
.ca/e
n/B
usin
ess/S
pecie
s/2
Co
lum
nS
ub
Pag
e/M
NR
_S
AR
_C
SS
R_
SA
RO
_L
ST
_E
N.h
tml)
IUC
N R
ed
Lis
t -
"In
tern
ati
on
al U
nio
n f
or
the C
on
serv
ati
on
of
Natu
re, R
ed
Lis
t o
f T
hre
ate
ned
Sp
ecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.iu
cn
red
list.
org
/)
CIT
ES
Ap
pen
dix
- "
Co
nv
en
tio
n o
n t
he I
nte
rnati
on
al T
rad
e in
En
dan
gere
d S
pecie
s o
f W
ild
Flo
ra a
nd
Fau
na" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.c
ites.o
rg/)
US
(E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s A
ct)
- "
U.S
. F
ish
an
d W
ild
life
Serv
ice, E
nd
an
gere
d S
pecie
s" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.f
ws.g
ov
/EN
DA
NG
ER
ED
/sp
ecie
s/u
s-s
pecie
s.h
tml)
New
Yo
rk S
tate
(N
atu
ral H
eri
tag
e P
rog
ram
) -
New
Yo
rk R
are
Pla
nt
Sta
tus L
ists
, 2010, E
dit
ed
by
Ste
ph
en
M. Y
ou
ng
an
d T
roy
W. W
eld
y (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.d
ec.n
y.g
ov
/do
cs/f
ish
_m
ari
ne_
pd
f/2010ra
rep
lan
tsta
tus.p
df)
Can
ad
a (
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk A
ct)
- "
Sp
ecie
s a
t R
isk P
ub
lic R
eg
istr
y" (
htt
p:/
/ww
w.s
ara
reg
istr
y.g
c.c
a/s
ar/
ind
ex/
defa
ult
_e.c
fm)
B -
En
vir
on
men
tal D
esig
n &
Researc
h, L
an
dscap
e A
rch
itectu
re, P
lan
nin
g, E
nv
iro
nm
en
tal S
erv
ices, E
ng
ineeri
ng
an
d S
urv
ey
ing
, P
.C. (E
DR
). (
2010).
Eco
log
ical In
ven
tory
of
the N
iag
ara
Riv
er
Go
rge a
nd
Rim
- D
raft
.
Rep
ort
fo
r W
ild
On
es: N
ati
ve P
lan
ts, N
atu
ral L
an
dscap
es. (U
.S. R
eco
rds)
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 46
Species Listed as Extirpated, Threatened, Endangered or of Special Concern
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NYS’s Department of Environmental Conservation both
identify species that are under threat of extinction as a means to combat these trends and support
sustainable numbers. The official Federal designations include “Endangered Species” and “Threatened
Species”, but there are also species that are watched who are proposed for the lists or candidates. In
these cases they’re labeled “Proposed Endangered” or “Candidate”. The NYSDEC designations also
include those species identified by the state as Endangered and Threatened, but also list Species of
Special Concern. In 2015, NYSDEC conducted a very thorough inventory of species distribution,
population trends and habitat needs. Based off this extensive dataset, they developed three additional
designations for species in decline.21 These classifications are defined below:
Extinct - Species is no longer living or existing.
Extirpated - Species is not extinct, but no longer occurring in a wild state within New York,
or no longer exhibiting patterns of use traditional for that species in New York (e.g. historical
breeders no longer breeding here).
Endangered - Any native species in imminent danger of extirpation or extinction.
Threatened - Any native species likely to become an endangered species within the
foreseeable future.
Special Concern - Any native species for which a welfare concern or risk of endangerment
has been documented in New York State.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need with High Priority (SGCN*) - The status of these
species is known and conservation action is needed in the next ten years. These species are
experiencing a population decline, or have identified threats that may put them in jeopardy,
and are in need of timely management intervention or they are likely to reach critical
population levels in New York.
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) - The status of these species is known and
conservation action is needed. These species are experiencing some level of population
decline, have identified threats that may put them in jeopardy, and need conservation actions
to maintain stable population levels or sustain recovery.22
21
All species lists have been fully updated as of June 2017 to reflect species distribution for all of the 18 sub-watersheds (seven new ones) and include SGCN/SPCN status, which has strong biological relevance for informing regional policy. Asterisks (*) indicate priority status for SGCN, both in this list and throughout species tables. 22
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/sgnc2015list.pdf
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 47
Species of Potential Conservation Need (SPCN)23 - A species whose status is poorly known,
but there is an identified threat to the species, or features of its life history that make it
particularly vulnerable to threats. The species may be declining, or begin to experience
declines within the next ten years, and studies are needed to determine their actual status.
Extirpated Species
The 2005 NYSDEC list for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) included seven species that
were confirmed extirpated from the Niagara River/ Lake Erie Watershed (highlighted in Table 5.3),
and 31 species believed to be extirpated. Table 5.3 outlines the SGCN list and also incorporates
information on those species that have been documented in the watershed from 1990-2005.
However, this table warrants re-evaluation, as it may be inaccurate. For example, the extirpation of
mayflies may no longer be the case.
The various species charts included in this chapter outline whether or not a species is listed as
Threatened, Endangered or of Special Concern (federally or state classified). According to these
species lists, there is currently only one species federally designated as Endangered and none listed as
federally Threatened. State designations of Endangered and Threatened Species found in the
watershed, includes 15 and 18 species, respectively. For Species of Special Concern (state
designation), there are 21 species listed, 16 of which are birds. In fact, bird species hold the most
designations according to these classifications, indicating they are the most threatened species type in
the watershed.
23
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/spnc2015list.pdf
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
Page 5 - 48
Table 5.3: Species that Historically Occurred in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed Believed to be
Extirpated
Taxa Group Species name Latin Name
Documented within
the last 15 Years
Freshwater fish Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar
Freshwater fish Blackchin Shiner Notropis heterodon X
Freshwater fish Deepwater Sculpin Myoxocephalus thompsoni
Freshwater fish Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta X
Freshwater fish Sauger Stizostedion canadense X
Freshwater fish Shortjaw Cisco Coregonus zenithicus
Freshwater fish Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana
Freshwater fish Spoonhead Sculpin Cottus ricei
Mollusk Black Sandshell Ligumia recta X
Mollusk Buffalo Pebble Snail Gill ia alti l is
Mollusk Campeloma Spire Snail Cincinnatia cincinnatiensis
Mollusk Eastern Pondmussel Ligumia nasuta X
Mollusk Fawnsfoot Truncilla donaciformis
Mollusk Globe Siltsnail Birgella subglobosus
Mollusk Gravel Pyrg Pyrgulopsis letsoni
Mollusk Lance Aplexa Aplexa elongata
Mollusk Mapleleaf Quadrula quadrula
Mollusk Mucket Actinonaias l igamentina
Mollusk Pimpleback Quadrula pustulosa
Mollusk Pocketbook Lampsilis ovata X
Mollusk Salamander Mussel Simpsonaias ambigua
Mollusk Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra X
Mollusk Spindle Lymnaea Acella haldemani
Mollusk Watercress Snail Fontigens nickliniana
Mollusk Yellow Sandshell Lampsilis teres
Insect Mocha Emerald Somatochlora l inearis
Insect American Burying Beetle Nicrophorus americanus
Insect Borer Moth
Insect Culvers Root Borer Papaipema sciata
Insect Mayfly
Insect Midland Clubtail Gomphus fraternus
Mammal Eastern Cougar Felis concolor cougar
Mammal Gray Wolf Canis lupus
Mammal Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans
Mammal Least Shrew Cryptotis parva
Mammal Least Weasel Mustela nivalis
Herpetofauna Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
Bird Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus X
Table 5.3 Niagara River Watershed Species that historically occurred in the Lake Erie Basin
(believed to be Extirpated)*
*Table adapted from the Comprehens ive Wi ldl i fe Conservation Strategy for New York , Lake Erie Table 11. SGNC
that his torica l ly occrured in Lake Erie Bas in, but are now bel ieved to be exti rpated from the Bas in.
Species documentation Resources (See Bibl iography).
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Invasive Species
There are hundreds of thousands of non-native plants, animals, and insects thriving within the
Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed; many of which are now considered naturalized to our climate
and fit well within our ecosystem, supporting their new environment. However, there are
occurrences where these non-native species become nuisances, thriving beyond a natural balance and
disrupting the natural food chain and ecosystem. An unchecked nuisance species can displace native
and naturalized species and their supporting role in the health of the watershed. When a species
begins to cause significant harm which leads to major economic impacts, it transitions from being
defined as a non-indigenous nuisance to an invasive species.24
The descriptions of invasive species that follow include only those that are widely recognized as
invasive species within New York State and also pose the greatest threat to the Niagara River/Lake
Erie Watershed. Each of the species included in this list have already been found within the
watershed, or pose an immediate threat to establish within the watershed in the near future and are
being monitored for detection.
1. Zebra Mussels (Mollusk)
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small shellfish named for the striped pattern of its
shell. Native to the freshwater lakes in the Caspian Sea region of Asia, zebra mussels were
transported to the Great Lakes in ballast water from a transoceanic vessel. Since they were first
discovered in 1988 in Lake St. Clair they have spread to all the Great Lakes and waterways in
multiple states, as well as Ontario and Quebec, and to southeast and western portions of the
United States.
Zebra mussels characteristically colonize hard surfaces and rocky substrates in high densities with
as many as tens of thousands of individuals living in one square yard. They have been known to
attach to stone, wood, concrete, iron, steel, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, PVC, crayfish and even
other mussels. Their rapid reproduction rate, negative impacts on aquatic ecology, and limited
amount of predators has led NYS to designate these mussels as an Aquatic Species of Concern.
The impact of these dreissenids appears to be beneficial to many lay people because their filter
feeding behavior increases water clarity. However, their negative impacts far outweigh their
water clarifying benefits. These mussels are known to smother out native mussel species and their
massive population in the Great Lakes reduces the amount of phytoplankton available for other
organisms, thus changing the ecological structure of the lakes. Zebra mussels are also considered
to contribute to harmful algae blooms. As excessive filter feeders, the mussels dramatically reduce
24
Based on NYS Environmental Conservation Law § 9-7105 (10).
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beneficial green algae and aid Microcystis spp. (toxic blue-green algae), as it’s the only bacterium
they will not eat. Their tremendous filter feeding accumulates contaminants in their tissues at
greater levels than other mussels as well, further contributing to bio-accumulation in wildlife and
humans. Zebra mussels also cause tremendous economic impacts beyond those to the ecosystem.
By clogging intake pipes for public drinking supplies, power plants, as well as boat engine cooling
systems, the mussels are extremely costly for communities, business and industry.
2. Quagga Mussels (Mollusk)
The quagga mussel (Dreissena
bugensis) is a small
freshwater bivalve mollusk
native to the Ukraine. Quagga
mussels took longer than
zebra mussels to establish in
the Great Lakes through
similar transport mechanisms
in ballast water, but once
founded their numbers
exploded. Presently, quagga
mussels make up 98% of the
whole mollusk population in
the Great Lakes. Quagga
mussels remove substantial amounts of phytoplankton and suspended particulate from the water,
reducing the food supply for zooplankton and forage fishes.
Quagga mussels out compete zebra mussels in several ways. Although quagga and zebra mussels
have the same biological characteristics that allow them to establish and spread to watersheds
across the United States, quagga mussels have an advantage in that they can colonize soft
substrates as well as hard substrates. They are also better able to flourish in the low-food
conditions that zebra mussels create, allowing them to colonize less productive waters in much
greater numbers. Quagga mussels can be found everywhere zebra mussels are, but because they
can also settle on soft substrate they are colonizing places like the bottom of Lake Erie, where the
silty bottom provides a perfect habitat. For these reasons, it is likely quagga mussels will take over
areas where zebra mussels are already established to become the dominant dreissenid in the Great
Lakes. This trend is already being observed in the lower Great Lakes.25
25
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=95
Figure 5.12: Zebra Mussel vs. Quagga Mussel
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Similar to zebra mussels, quagga mussels clog intake pipes and cause damage to boats, power
plants and harbors. As aggressive invaders, they too are destroying native mussel populations.
Quagga mussels are also extremely effective in filter feeders. During their filtering process,
pollutants are rejected, or spit out, leading to higher concentrations of pollutants in lake-bottom
sediments. Unfortunately, quagga mussels also avoid filtering out toxic blue-green alga
Microcystis, which provides this alga with fewer competitors for nutrients and supports their
return as toxic algal blooms.
3. Round Goby (Fish)
The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a non-native fish originating from central Eurasia.
They were first detected in the St. Clair River in 1990 after being introduced via ballast water of
transoceanic vessels. A rapid range expansion of the round goby has occurred throughout the
Great Lakes since its initial introduction. Currently the round goby is considered established in
several locations of the Niagara River/ Lake Erie Watershed.
This small fish has several traits which
have allowed the populations to grow,
including aggressive behavior, avid
feeding behavior, and ability to feed in
complete darkness. They can survive in
degraded water conditions, spawn more
frequently over a longer period than
most native fish, reproduce rapidly, and
guard their nests from predators.
As an aggressive competitor for food and
habitat, especially spawning sites, the round goby is linked to declines in native fish populations
(i.e. mottled sculpin, logperch, and darters). Round goby also feed on the eggs and fry of lake
trout, posing environmental and ecological threats to these native fish populations. Although
round goby usually prefer near shore habitats of rock, sand, cobble, gravel and submerged aquatic
vegetation, they have been found invading offshore reefs where they are prey for sport fish like
burbot, lake trout, and lake whitefish (Figure 5.5). This poses a health risk to both sport fish and
humans, because gobies ingest toxic substances through the consumption of large quantities of
zebra and quagga mussels. Additionally, round gobies have been identified as a potential vector
for viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), which has decimated native fish populations of
muskellunge, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum among others.
Figure 5.13: Round Goby Fish (USGS)
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4. Rudd (Fish)
Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are an invasive fish species in the minnow family, although
they reach lengths larger than what is typically considered a minnow in their adult stage, about
15 inches in length. Ruddpresence has been a combination of intentional and accidental
introduction. Historically, in the late 1800s, they were likely brought to North America because
they were a prized fish in Europe. More recently, in the 1980s, they were intentionally bred in
bait shops and sold. Currently, their release as a bait fish is likely accidental and due to
mislabeling. Rudd bears an extremely close resemblance to a native minnow species, the golden
shiner. To the untrained eye, these fishes are indistinguishable, especially when they are only a
few inches in length. The widespread distribution of rudd is yet another reason why the dumping
of baitfish poses serious threats to watersheds. Currently they are established in the Niagara
River/Lake Erie Watershed.
Figure 5.14: Round Goby Sightings in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
Source: (USGS Interactive Online Point Mapping)
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This invasive fish can lead to several
problems in its non-native range. First, it
is an omnivorous fish which consumes
both insects and plants. This flexible diet
makes it unlikely for the fish to become
food-limited throughout the year, and
gives it a competitive advantage over fish
which are strictly herbivorous or
carnivorous. Their preferred plant source
is submerged macrophytes and they
avoid nuisance plants such as algae. They
are capable of depleting native vegetation, decrease water quality conditions in plant beds, both
directly through uprooting and sediment disturbance, and indirectly through excretion of
partially digested plant matter. Also, rudd are capable of hybridizing with the golden shiner.
Figure 5.15: Rudd vs. Golden Shiner
Figure 5.16: Rudd Sightings in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
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This has potential to deplete the genetic integrity of golden shiners, and could disrupt the
reproductive fitness and spawning behaviors.
A promising field of study is contaminant levels in rudd, which tend to be lower than other
sportfish such as freshwater drum and bass, because of their herbivorous diet.26 There is potential
for a rudd fishery in the Niagara River, because they are a relatively clean source of fish protein.
This would benefit both the aquatic ecosystem and humans.
5. Asian Carp (Fish)
Black, bighead, grass, and silver carp are the four species of Asian carp that were purposely
introduced to ponds in Arkansas to control weeds (Figure 5.7). Since their escape, significant
ecological and economic impacts have been
documented in the Mississippi River system.
Although they are not currently in the Great
Lakes basin, these species are an imminent
threat and are migrating toward Lake Michigan
through the Illinois River and the Chicago
Sanitary and Ship Canal. Recent discovery of
the carp’s environmental DNA sparked
controversy regarding their status in Lake Erie.
Some suspect that their populations could start
growing to a notable number in the next few
years.
The Asian carp diet overlaps with several
native species, making them strong ecological
competitors with the potential to displace and
consume native populations of fishes, plants,
mollusks, and other invertebrates. Rapid
growth, nonselective feeding, consumption of
vast quantities of food, prolific reproduction,
and climate tolerance are all characteristics that
will allow Asian carp to outcompete native
species and potentially devastate the Great
Lakes ecosystem.
26
Kapucinsky, K.L., Farrell, J.M., Paterson, G., Wilkinson, M.A., Skinner, L.C., Richter, W., & A.J. Gudlewski. 2014. Low concentrations of contaminants in an invasive cyprinid, the rudd, in a Great Lakes Area of Concern. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 93:567–573.
Figure 5.17 Asian Carp Species
Source: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
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Presently the Army Corp of Engineers is employing various tools to prevent Asian Carp species
from entering the Great Lakes, including an electrical dispersal barrier system in the Chicago
Sanitary and Ship Canal. However, in the event of a power outage, this would not be an effective
barrier. There is also some preliminary research being conducted by the Corps on the efficacy of
the electric barrier on juvenile fish, which are not shocked as easily as fish ≥100 mm, particularly
when barges are moving through the barrier and affecting stream flow dynamics. Additionally,
there are other pathways connecting the Mississippi river basin with the Great Lakes watershed.
For example, in the event of a flood Asian carp could potentially make their way into the Great
Lakes basin, in the same manner they escaped from Arkansas ponds.
6. Eurasian Ruffe (Fish)
Eurasian ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua) are a small spiny perch capable of explosive population
growth. Although they have been present in the upper Great Lakes since the 1980s, they have
not yet established in Lake Erie. They were introduced to Lake Superior through the ballast water
of a transoceanic vessel and have since spread throughout the southwestern and northern regions
of Lake Superior, and in Lake Huron at the mouth of Thunder Bay River.
Ruffe are competitors with native
fish for food and habitat. They
outcompete other species in
newly invaded areas due to their
high reproductive rate (females
can lay between 45,000 and
90,000 eggs per year) and feeding
efficiency across a wide range of
environmental conditions. Like
many invasive species, they may
not be recognized as prey in their
newly invaded habitats, and their
physical spines throughout their
body may discourage potential
predators. While ruffe are not currently in either the Niagara River or Lake Erie, GARP27
modeling predicts ruffe will find suitable habitat almost everywhere in all five Great Lakes, and
are considered a potential threat to Lake Erie.
27
Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP) is a type of power of prediction analysis.
Figure 5.18: Ruffe (Wikipedia)
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7. Spiny Waterflea (Crustacean)
The spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus) is a small carnivorous crustacean with a long,
barbed spiny tail native to the Caspian Sea. This zooplankton was first found in Lake Huron in
1984. Spiny water fleas have been found in all five great lakes, as well as inland rivers and creeks.
They are a nuisance to anglers because gear can get tangled in large masses of Bythotrephes,
forming a gelatinous intertwined mess that is difficult to remove.
Although they themselves are zooplankton, spiny water fleas compete directly with other native
planktivorous fishes for smaller zooplankton, such as Daphnia spp. Spiny water fleas are capable
of booming in populations under the right conditions, and their selective predation and depletion
of Daphnia can disrupt the food web in nursery habitats for larval fish. They can also cause a
change in behavior of Daphnia which are trying to escape predation. Many fish such as perch,
shiners and walleye, consume spiny water fleas as juveniles and adults. However, most fish in
their larval stage cannot eat spiny water fleas because of their large spine. Bythotrephes and
Daphnia can reproduce both sexually and asexually a very complex reproductive strategy called
parthenogenesis), and have an entirely female population.28
8. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (Insect)
Hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), or HWA, is an invasive aphid originally from Asia. It
was first found in the US in 1951, but has since spread northward, currently predicted to be
dispersing at rates of 20-30 km/year. Just like Bythotrephes and Daphnia, it can reproduce both
sexually and asexually, and has an entirely female population. In its introduced range, they are
unable to complete the sexual reproduction phase, and produce two generations a year. Unlike
most insects, they are dormant in summer months rather than winter. HWA encapsulates itself in
a protective wooly substance and are generally less than one mm in length. They suck the plant
tissue from the needles of hemlock, and the tree almost always dies within four to five years of
infestation. Foresters are in the trial stages of using biological control methods, a beetle from
HWA’s native range, as a means of control. Pesticides and/or dormant oil can also be used to
suppress infestations.29
HWA is a particularly troubling invasive species, because many of the ecoregion zones in the
Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed are comprised of Eastern hemlock forests. Once lost, it would
take many decades to replace the climax forests. Furthermore, during that time period, large
sections of streams would lose their shade cover; water temperatures will warm and certain
streams may lose important coldwater fish such as brook trout. The loss of shaded understory will
affect many other animals and plants adapted to those conditions. This widespread loss of mature
28
. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=162 29
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/hwafactsheet.pdf
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trees will also alter carbon cycling, because it takes many years to sequester the amount of carbon
stored in climax forests, reducing regional climate resiliency.30
9. Emerald Ash Borer (Insect)
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is
an exotic beetle native to Asia. It was first
discovered in southeastern Michigan in 2002
and most likely arrived in the United States on
wood packing material transported from Asia.
The emerald ash borer is threatening native
North American Ash trees, which currently
make up around 20% of the watershed’s tree
population.31 While adult beetles eat ash
foliage and only cause minimal damage, the
real harm comes from larvae that tunnel under
bark and disrupts the tree’s systems that
transport food and water, eventually starving
the tree and killing it.
The NYSDEC has found emerald ash borers in all counties of the Niagara River/Lake Erie
Watershed as of May 2017.32 The entire watershed is currently quarantined.
Invasive Plant Species
The NYSDEC has identified over 60 Invasive Plant Species in the New York State Prohibited and
Regulated Invasive Plants List.33 The following are those species that pose the most significant threat
to the health of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed.
10. Eurasian Water-milfoil (Aquatic Plant)
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is a submersed rooted aquatic weed native to
Eurasia. It was introduced accidentally in the 1940’s and has spread through the United States by
boats and waterbirds. Eurasian water-milfoil forms thick, underwater strands of tangled stems
and vast mats of vegetation at the water’s surface which interferes with recreational activities
such as boating, swimming, and fishing. The floating canopy also crowds out native plants.
30
https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/pest_al/hemlock/hwa05.htm 31
https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/outdoors/death-knell-for-ash-trees/71-587539056 32
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/eabquarmaps.pdf 33
September 10, 2014
Figure 5.19: Emerald Ash Borer (Trees Atlanta)
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It can reproduce through stem fragmentation
and underground runners, which means a
single segment of stem and leaves can take root
and form a new colony (i.e. fragments clinging
to boats and trailers can spread from lake to
lake). Clearing weed beds for beaches, docks,
landings, etc. creates thousands of new stem
fragments and therefore thousands of
possibilities for new colonies to form.
Fortunately, water-milfoil has difficulty
becoming established in lakes with healthy
populations of native plants. In some lakes
water-milfoil appears to coexist with native flora and has little impact on fish and other aquatic
animals.
Currently, water-milfoil is mostly found within the northern portions of the Niagara River/ Lake
Erie Watershed, in the northern and southern locations of Attica Reservoir/Crow Creek. There
have been much fewer milfoil observations (<5) in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua-Conneaut, and
Buffalo-Eighteenmile sub-basins, although the adjacent Chautauqua Lake sub-basin has
considerably more water-milfoil observations, which pose a threat to spreading into the Niagara
River/Lake Erie Watershed.34
11. Curly Leaf Pondweed (Aquatic Plant)
Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
is a submersed aquatic plant which grows in
3-10 feet of water and has a heavy presence in
the Niagara River/ Lake Erie Watershed.
Curly-leaf pondweed forms dense mats that
interfere with water activities and displaces
native plants. It is able to re-establish a
colony from any remaining roots after being
removed from an area. When curly-leaf dies
in large numbers during mid-summer, rafts of
dying plants pile up along shorelines and are
often followed by an increase in phosphorus
and harmful algal blooms.
34
http://login.imapinvasives.org/nyimi/map/#
Figure 5.20: Eurasian Milfoil Infestation
Figure 5.21: Curly Leaf Pondweed
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12. Frogbit (Aquatic Plant)
Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) is a small, floating plant resembling a water lily. Native to
Europe and parts of Asia, frogbit was introduced to Canada in the 1930’s. They have since spread
to Eastern Canada and the Northeastern US, particularly around the Great Lakes. Frogbit is fast
growing, and interestingly it spreads rapidly by horizontal stems, called stolons, instead of
through roots. In winter, it creates dormant buds called turionds, which rest on the bottom then
rise again to the surface in the spring. Frogbit colonizes waterways and forms dense masses of
vegetation on the surface, threatening biodiversity. In its native areas, this plant is rarely
dominant. Once this plant establishes a population, it spreads very quickly. It first appears at
boat launches and reservoirs, and should be treated as soon as it is confirmed. Currently, frogbit is
absent from Buffalo-Eighteenmile, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua-Conneaut sub-basins, although
there have been a handful of isolated reports of it in the Niagara sub-basin (WNY PRISM iMap
Database, accessed spring 2017). Andrea Locke (WNY PRISM: Great Lakes Center) predicts
frogbit will further spread in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed, because of its highly
invasive nature.
13. Water Chestnut (Plant)
Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is an invasive plant found in freshwater lakes and ponds, and
slow-moving streams and rivers. It was introduced to New York State in the 1800’s and is a major
nuisance for the state. In the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed, water chestnut has been found
in Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal where removal activities (hand pulling) take place every few
years. It has also been found in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties in adjacent watersheds,
which poses a danger to the
southern portions of the
Watershed.
Water chestnut is an annual
and dies back at the end of
each growing season.
However, its seeds, which sink
down into waterway sediments
can live for up to 12 years.
Each plant produces
approximately 20 seeds
annually. Seeds are primarily
distributed through moving
waters and water fowl. Hand
pulling, herbicides, and Figure 5.22: Water Chestnut pull event in Tonawanda Creek
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mechanical harvesters are an effective tool to address water chestnut, but removal strategies need
to be employed for over 10 years to ensure eradication.
Infestations of water chestnut form impenetrable floating mats of vegetation, creating hazards for
boaters and other water recreation. The density of the mats can severely limit light penetration
into the water and reduce or eliminate the growth of native aquatic vegetation. Upon seasonal
die-off water chestnut also reduces levels of oxygen in the water, possibly contributing to fish
kills. Because of its invasiveness and the severity of its impacts, the species has been listed under
the federal regulations that prohibit the interstate sale and transport of noxious plants.35
14. Hydrilla (Plant)
Water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata, hereafter Hydrilla) is considered one of the worst aquatic
invasive species in the world. To achieve such notoriety, Hydrilla has several features that make
it difficult to eradicate. Hydrilla grows quickly, sometimes up to an inch a day and can regenerate
new plants from broken off fragments, which makes it very easy to spread. The plant survives
winter with its tubers and prefers deeper darker locations than other aquatic plants growing 20-
30ft long stems. This allows it to establish and then spread along the surface waters, eventually
overshadowing shallower waters with its aggressive growth. Similar to water chestnut, Hydrilla
grows at such a density that it blocks out sunlight and outcompetes all other native plant species.
The very thick mats of plant matter eventually settle to the bottom and decompose which can
severely reduce dissolved oxygen and suffocate macroinvertebrates on the sediment. In some
cases infrastructure has been affected, such as water intakes and power generation facilities.
First established in Florida in the 1950’s the plant has spread considerably across the southern US
and been found in a select few locations in New York State. The plant prefers freshwater lakes,
ponds, rivers, impoundments, and canals. Hydrilla was first documented in 2012 in the Niagara
River/ Lake Erie Watershed, specifically the Erie Canal section of Tonawanda Creek. The U.S.
Army Corp of Engineers and other project partners undertook aggressive action and targeted the
invasive species in a demonstration project from 2014-2018 by applying the herbicides endothall
(Aquathol K™) and chelated copper (Komeen Crystal™) during the summer months. Hydrilla is
still present in the canal and continued monitoring and maintenance treatment will be needed.36
35
O’Neill, Jr., Charles R. Feb 2006. Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) in the Northeast, NYSG Invasive Species Factsheet Series 06-1 36
http://hydrillacollaborative.com/Content/Files/Final%20TC%202018%20Post-Treatment%20Assessment%20Report%20(REDUCED).pdf
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15. Mugwort (Plant)
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is an aromatic plant native to Eurasia. Like most of the other
invasive plant species discussed in this section, mugwort develops into thick stands that can
spread quickly, thus outcompeting native species for resources. It is also considered allelopathic,
meaning it releases biochemicals that inhibit the growth, germination, or reproduction of other
plants nearby. They are currently present in Monroe, Erie, and Cattaraugus counties within
Western New York. Ecologist David Spiering (Buffalo Museum of Science) contests that mugwort
is the most common non-grass herbaceous species found in post-industrial sites in Erie County
and likely inhibiting the succession of these sites to forested communities.
16. Japanese Knotweed (Plant)
Native to eastern Asia, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was introduced to the US as an
ornamental plant in the late 1800’s and has since been planted for erosion control and landscape
screening. They can be found across the United States, but are most prevalent on the east coast.
Japanese knotweed pushes out
native plant species with the
formation of thick, dense colonies,
reducing diversity and impacting
wildlife habitat. Japanese knotweed
is also considered to be allelopathic.
It poses significant threat to riparian
lands where it can survive flooding
events and rapidly colonize scoured
shores and islands. Its established
populations are persistent, able to
resist cutting by vigorously re-
sprouting by the roots. The invasive
root system and strong growth can
damage concrete foundations, buildings, flood defenses, toads, paving, retaining walls and
architectural sites. This plant spreads through its rhizomes, meaning fragments can be easily
dispersed by moving soil or being transported downstream during storm events to form new
colonies.
Unfortunately, Japanese knotweed is highly prevalent in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
and efforts to remove its colonies have proven difficult for non-professionals. There are no
estimates on how much land is inhabited by Japanese Knotweed at this time, though it does
Young Japanese Knotweed (Wikipedia)
Figure 5.23: Young Japanese Knotweed
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appear to be extremely widespread. It mostly inhabits roadside ditches, recently disturbed soil,
and riparian lands.
17. Non-Native Cattails (Plant)
There are two species of non-native cattails in North America, Typha angustifolia and Typha
glauca. They were introduced with European settlers around 1920 and occur in aquatic wetland
areas. Although both species can be found, T. angustifolia is more prevalent in the Niagara River/
Lake Erie watershed. Additionally, a hybrid of the two species has been confirmed in the
watershed.37
T. angustifolia invades and displaces native wetland and emergent species by forming dense,
monospecific stands that cause the loss of biodiversity in wetlands. They additionally clog
drainageways (stormwater infrastructure). Non-native and hybrid cattail pose a potential threat
to the ecosystem. Wetlands taken over by these varieties have less biodiversity and lower habitat
and wildlife value.
18. Giant Hogweed (Plant)
Giant hogweed (Heracleum
mantegazzianum) is a federally listed
noxious weed due to its toxic sap, which
in combination with moisture and light
can cause severe skin and eye irritation,
painful blistering, permanent scarring
and blindness.38 Giant hogweed is native
to the Caucasus Mountain region
between the Black and Caspian seas and
was brought to the US as an ornamental
garden plant around 1917.
Tremendous, tight growth patterns, large
leaf area, and prolific seed production are all characteristics which allow giant hogweed to
outcompete and replace native vegetation. It prefers rich soils in disturbed areas and now grows
along streams and rivers and in fields, forest, yards and roadsides. The plant’s toxicity creates bare
soils beneath them, contributing to shoreline soil erosion through the loss of riparian plants along
slopes and stream banks.
37
https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=12262 38
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html
Figure 5.24: Flowering Giant Hogweed (NYSDEC)
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Giant hogweed is quite prolific in Western New York and the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed
(Figure 5.25).
Figure 5.25: Giant Hogweed in New York State 2017 (NYSDEC)
19. Common Reed (Plant)
The common reed (Phragmites australis), also known as Phragmites, was introduced to North
America by ballast water in the early 1800s. It has since spread to almost every state with the
exception of Alaska and Hawaii. An extremely versatile plant, the common reed occurs in
disturbed to pristine wet areas including tidal and non-tidal wetlands, brackish and freshwater
marshes, riverbanks, shores of lakes and ponds and roadsides and ditches. Disturbances by boat
or fish facilitate the spread of this invasive species.
Phragmites forms dense, monotypic stands that consume available growing space, pushing out
native species. Phragmites is also considered to be allelopathic. Dense beds of Phragmites reduce
and degrade wetland wildlife habitat, alter wetland hydrology, and increase the potential for fire.
Common reed can be found throughout the Niagara River/ Lake Erie Watershed. Because of its
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prevalence, Phragmites is one of the biggest threats to native communities and water quality in
wetland ecosystems.
20. Purple Loostrife (Plant)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a wetland plant from Europe and Asia. It was introduced
and distributed as an ornamental plant, and soon began growing wild along roads, canals and
drainage ditches. Like most invasive plants, purple loosestrife thrives on disturbed, moist soils and
often invades after some construction
activity. Wetland birds carry seeds
from gardens and nurseries into
wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Once in
aquatic systems, moving water and
animals easily spread seeds. According
to the Ecological Inventory of the
Niagara River Gorge and Rim (2010)39
and New York State Invasive Species
Information (2015),40 Purple
loosestrife is already present in the
Watershed.
Purple loosestrife forms dense, impenetrable stands that are unsuitable as cover, food, or nesting
sites for a wide range of native wetland animals, thus putting many rare and endangered animals
at risk. This species is incredibly resilient to removal. A lack of effective predators has
contributed to purple loosestrife’s expansion across North America. As a result, several European
insects that only attack purple loosestrife are being considered as a possible long-term biological
control in North America.
Watershed Ecological Conditions
The Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy was completed by Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper in
the northern portion of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed for 11 of the 18 sub-watersheds in
2014. The Strategy focuses on the Niagara River Watershed’s biological and ecological function with
the aim to reset the region’s environmental health trajectory away from “poor” and towards “good”.
Watershed and sub-watershed level habitat-based assessments from the Strategy have been
incorporated here, as well as the primary findings, while the “best-bet” conservation opportunities
39
http://niagara.nypa.gov/RelicensingGreenwayFunds/EcologicalGreenway/NGR_AppendixB.pdf 40
http://nyis.info/invasive_species/purple-loosestrife/
Figure 5.26: Purple Loosestrife colony (Wikimedia)
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and action strategies have been incorporated into the overall sub-watershed priorities found in
Chapter 8.
One component of the Strategy was to utilize a model called the Active River Area (ARA). Nature
Conservancy describes the ARA as: “a conservation framework that provides a conceptual and
spatially explicit basis for the assessment, protection, management, and restoration of freshwater and
riparian ecosystems. The ARA framework is based upon dominant processes and disturbance regimes
to identify areas within which important physical and ecological processes of the river or stream
occur. The framework identifies five key subcomponents of the active river area: 1) material
contribution zones, 2) meander belts, 3) riparian wetlands, 4) floodplains, and 5) terraces. These areas
are defined by the major physical and ecological processes associated and explained in the context of
the continuum from the upper, mid and lower watershed in the ARA framework paper. The
framework provides a spatially explicit manner for accommodating the natural ranges of variability to
system hydrology, sediment transport, processing and transport of organic materials, and key biotic
interactions.”41
Niagara River Watershed Assessment
The Strategy conducted a viability assessment on the Niagara River Watershed based on biodiversity
features, such as open water aquatic habitat; wetlands; woodlands; grasslands; and natural areas; as
well as selected indicators of these features, such as Biological Assessment Profiles; wetland
classification and protections; riparian forest tracts; and contiguous natural areas in excess 150
acres.42The evaluations and rankings used in the report reflect The Nature Conservancy’s
Conservation Action Planning (CAP) model and findings from current research on watershed and
ecological health. Key terms and the ranking scale of the viability assessment are provided below:
Assessing Viability of Biodiversity Features
Key Terms:
Size: Abundance of a biodiversity feature or of a species population size.
Condition: Measures of biological composition, structure and biotic integrity. For example, presence of representative or historic native communities or at-risk species.
Landscape context: The environmental and ecological processes that maintain a biodiversity feature and keep it functional. For example, connectivity between natural areas keeps them functional as wildlife corridors.
41
https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationByGeography/NorthAmerica/UnitedStates/edc/Documents/ED_freshwater_ARA_NE2008.pdf 42
This is not a comprehensive list of all of the indicators. See the Niagara River Habitat Strategy report for more detailed information. https://bnwaterkeeper.org/projects/habitat/habitat/habitatstrategy/
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Ranking Scale:
VERY GOOD - Ecologically desirable status; requires little intervention for maintenance.
GOOD - Indicator within acceptable range of variation; some intervention required for maintenance.
FAIR - Outside acceptable range of variation; requires human intervention.
POOR - Restoration increasingly difficult; may result in extirpation of target.
The following summary offers an overall assessment of health or viability of each biodiversity
feature within the Niagara River Watershed. See Table 2.1.
Open Water Aquatic Habitat: POOR - GOOD
Benthic community health: (2010 RIBS sampling av. plus NHP-TNC Predicted BAP scores) Map 2.2
Percent of impervious land cover: Map 2.3 Bed and bank assessments (by sub-watershed only) Barriers to migratory fish movement (by sub-watershed only, see Section 4.4) Presence of listed plant and animal species Nested features: Populations of lake sturgeon, native trout, listed mussel species are stable
to increasing Wetlands: FAIR
Percent of NYSDEC-regulated compared to total NYSDEC and NWI mapped wetlands: Map 2.4
Presence of Class 1 wetlands Population of listed marsh birds are stable to increasing Woodlands: FAIR - GOOD
Acreage (percent) of woodlands in the ARA: Map 2.5 Number of core forests in unbroken blocks, >500 acres, and >100m from roads Amount of functional riparian forest habitat >50 acres and >100m width from stream edge Population of listed forest birds are stable to increasing Grass/Shrublands: POOR
Percent of acreages in tracts >10 acres: Map 2.6
Niagara River Watershed Baseline Data
Total size: 903,305 acres
Total waterways: 3,193 miles
Active River Area: 413,541 acres
ARA Wetlands: 52,979 acres or 12.8%
ARA Woodlands: 115,503 acres or 28.2%
ARA Grass/Shrublands: 10,253 acres or 2.5%
ARA and continuous Natural Areas: 349,664 acres or 60% of study area (580,167 acres)
ARA and continuous tracts >150 acres: 291,622 acres or 83%
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Population of listed grassland birds are stable to increasing
Natural Areas in and continuous with the ARA: FAIR
Percent of ARA and continuous study area Number of tracts >150 acres: Map 2.7 Amount/percent of semi-protected natural area Presence of listed bird species requiring large mixed natural areas are stable to increasing
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 2.1 Niagara River Watershed
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0 5%
5.0-7.5 90%
7.5-10 5%
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10% 9%
<5%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments (HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
70-79
>80 By sub-watershed only
Landscape Context Known barriers to migratory fish species
By sub-watershed only
Listed mussel species
Populations are stable to increasing
X Of 27 species 17 are believed to be regionally extirpated
Native trout Populations are stable to increasing
X Stable
Lake sturgeon Populations are stable to increasing
X Increasing
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37% 33%
38-50%
>50% 33%
Condition Number of Class 1 wetlands 59
Listed bird species
Populations are stable to increasing
X Of 8 listed species 5 are decreasing
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50 acres & >100m wide, spanning a waterway
354 tracts
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks >500 acres and >100m from a road
110 tracts
Listed bird species
Populations are stable to increasing
X Of 13 listed species 3 are decreasing
Grass/ Shrubland
Condition % of acres in tracts >10 acres 11% 11%
Listed bird species
Populations are stable to increasing
X Of 12 listed species 7 are decreasing
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Natural Areas Size % of study area (ARA and continuous) with natural cover
<60% >60% 60%
349,664a or 60%
Condition % of above that is semi-protected
<25% <50% 27%
>50% >75% 27%
# of tracts >150 acres 324
Listed bird species
Populations are stable to increasing
X Of 15 listed species 10 are decreasing
Threats Identification
According to the Strategy, identification of critical threats is an important step in the CAP process
that helps to address the factors that most affect the future viability of biodiversity features. The CAP
process generally ranks threats in terms of scope, severity, and irreversibility. Those threats that
receive the highest ranks are referred to as critical threats and are factored into conservation strategy
priorities.
From the Strategy process, a preliminary list of threats was developed from local, regional and Great
Lakes studies, and from State assessments like the Natural Heritage Program and the Comprehensive
Wildlife Conservation Strategy. The Strategy’s list was fine-tuned through public workshops and
meetings with local experts, resulting in the top threats for each biodiversity feature within each sub-
watershed, which were then evaluated in terms of mitigation feasibility. The results of this threat-
identification process are outlined below.
Critical Threats in the Niagara River Watershed
Top-ranked threats to aquatic habitat across all sub-watersheds are runoff, erosion and lack of
riparian buffers. Runoff from farms, roads and development contribute to eroding stream banks,
and increase siltation and pollutant loads—especially where natural vegetated buffers are not
present to stabilize banks and filter the runoff.
For wetlands, invasive species are a major threat, with roadside management considered a
major component, including soil disturbance, spreading of seeds and propagules, and ditching.
For all terrestrial features, especially woodlands and wetlands, top-ranked threats are lack of
long-term protection and fragmentation from roads, utility corridors and railroad Right of Ways
(ROWs).
In the major upland sub-watersheds where most large publicly-owned forests and parks are
found, lack of ecological management plans is a top-ranked threat.
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For grasslands/shrublands, loss of acreage and mowing regimes on farm fields and on public
lands are ranked highest for their impacts on grassland breeding birds.
Climate change is a threat with widespread scope and severity that is already observable in the
watershed. Climate change affects natural cycles including fish spawning and migration,
increased damages to property and ecosystems related to more severe storms and temperature
changes, and increasing numbers of invasive plant and animal species as their ranges shift
northward. Many of the indicators chosen for habitat viability—such as the minimum size for
core forests or riparian forest tracts—are directly related to climate change scenarios for the
region.
Niagara River Watershed Conservation Objectives
The viability and critical threats analyses of the Niagara River Habitat Conversation Strategy led to an
initial identification of conservation objectives for the eleven sub-watersheds within the Niagara
River Watershed.
Conservation Objectives
Aquatic habitat:
Increase stream buffers, especially where connectivity to active floodplains, riparian wetlands or other habitats is enhanced, or where problems with runoff and/or erosion are known to exist.
Reduce impervious surface—especially in sub-watersheds where impervious surface is >25%.
Protect and replicate high quality stream segments. Reduce stream barriers in areas of known or probable interference with aquatic life.
Wetlands:
Protect critical wetlands (e.g., bogs, fens, mineral spring wetlands, wetlands hydraulically connected to aquifers, floodplain wetlands, wetlands supporting listed species, etc.).
Increase the amount of state-regulated wetlands to >50% of total mapped wetlands. Conserve, reclaim wetlands/grasslands in quarry siting and reclamation plans.
Woodlands:
Increase the amount of protected, functional, riparian forest, especially in headwater streams.
Conserve & increase number and quality of core forest tracts (>500 acres >100m from roads).
Grasslands:
Increase acreages and habitat values for grassland breeding birds.
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Natural Areas: Increase protected coverage to >50% of existing natural areas in and continuous with
ARA. Species /communities:
Conserve and restore habitats supporting New York State-listed fish and wildlife species. Stewardship:
Build partnerships with and between municipalities to connect and increase ecological values of coastal zones, stream corridors and other shared habitat features through BMPs and ecology-based planning and zoning regulations.
Increase conservation of habitat and ecological services at the landscape level to
increase habitat viability and resilience to climate change stressors.
Sub-watershed Evaluations
The same evaluation process was applied to the 11 Sub-watersheds which corresponded to the
Strategy, beginning with a biodiversity assessment and then a review of the same critical threats of
the full watershed. An initial set of conservation objectives for each sub-watershed was also identified
by the Strategy. The full sub-watershed assessments from the Niagara River Habitat Conservation
Strategy are provided on the following pages.
Since Phase 1, seven additional sub-watersheds have been incorporated into this report (Big Sister,
Cattaraugus, Cattaraugus Headwaters, Walnut, Canadaway, Chautauqua and Sixmile). At this time,
we do not have the same Conservation Action Planning (CAP) model ranking scores. However, a
biodiversity assessment and summary is provided for the additional sub-watersheds. Updating the
model to reflect all 18 sub-watersheds may be an important strategy for a more integrated watershed-
wide management plan in the near future.
Eighteenmile Creek Sub-watershed
Eighteenmile Creek is a large, meandering stream whose upland forests and spring-fed
headwater tributaries are part of a functional landscape providing natural overhanging cover,
material contribution and good water quality to the system. Mid-reaches of both the main
stream and principal tributary, South Branch, flow through steep-sided, undeveloped, wooded
gorges with 70-150 foot high shale cliffs, cold springs and seeps, and talus communities of
probable biodiversity significance. The lower half-mile is low gradient, 75-100 feet wide, with a
broad floodplain, including potential patches of clayplain forest and/or limestone woodland
with abundant swamp white oak.
The Eighteenmile Creek Active River Area has a high percentage of woodland cover (48%) and
natural area cover (60%) of the described sub-watersheds. In its mid reaches Eighteenmile Creek
has tributary gorges to Lake Erie. The Nature Conservancy ranked Eighteenmile Gorge highest as
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a functional landscape based on natural land cover within the gorge, relative lack of dams and
diversions, large roadless blocks, and good water quality.43 The gorge has been designated a
“significant fish and wildlife area” by the NYS Coastal Management Program, a “critical
environmental area” by the Town of Hamburg, and a “Conservation Park” by Erie County.
Not surprisingly, given the amount and quality of riparian forest, canopy cover and the relatively
low overall impervious surface, Eighteenmile Creek also has the highest amount of predicted
non-impaired aquatic habitat in the Niagara River Watershed. Stream channels are mainly
bedrock with cobble, gravel, sand and silt. Listed species include the northern pygmy clubtail
dragonfly (in the headwaters); queen snake and freshwater drum in the lower creek near Lake
Erie. From the Eighteenmile Gorge at the fork of the main and south branches downstream to
the mouth, the creek has extensive public fishing access areas, known for its steelhead and
smallmouth bass runs in the spring.
Conservation potential is high in this sub-watershed. Less than 20% of the riparian forest is
protected. The top ranking matrix forest, Fowlerville Forest is entirely privately owned. Three
upland county forests, totaling over 600 acres are not explicitly managed for ecological values.
Undeveloped county parks, including Eighteenmile Gorge and the 90-acre Shale Creek natural
area adjacent to Chestnut Ridge County Park contain fragile areas that will benefit from trail re-
routing or other public access management strategies.
Municipalities: Towns of Hamburg, Eden, Evans, North Collins, Orchard Park, Boston, Colden,
and Concord; Village of Hamburg
Total waterways: 274 miles including South Branch, Newman Creek, and Hampton Brook
Total sub-watershed: 76,843 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA44 land cover:
ARA: 18,547 acres or 24% of sub-watershed
Wetlands (NOAA): 1,596 acres or 9%
Woodlands: 8,922 acres or 48%
Grass/Shrublands: 629 acres or 3%
Natural Areas (% of ARA and continuous land that is natural): 37,245 acres or 84% of study
area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.1
Aquatic habitat: GOOD
Wetlands: FAIR
43
Hunt D.M., Edinger G.J., Schmid J.J., Evans D.J., Novak G., Olivero A.E., & S.M. Young 2002. Lake Erie Gorges Biodiversity Inventory and Landscape Integrity Analysis. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. 44
Denotes geographical Active River Area
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Woodlands: GOOD
Grass/Shrublands: POOR
Natural areas: FAIR – GOOD
Threats:
Aquatic habitat: Erosion/sedimentation (lack of riparian buffers); runoff; fish barriers
Wetlands: Loss of acreage; invasive species (road management practices)
Woodlands: Lack of ecological management plans; lack of protection
Grasslands: Management practices on agricultural and public lands
Natural areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation (utility, roads, rail)
Conservation Strategies:
Assess state, county, municipal and other public lands and management plans for
opportunities to increase ecological function and biodiversity values
Identify large and/or connecting headwater forest tracts for acquisition or easements
Promote natural buffers for erosion control for high quality aquatic habitats like South
Branch
Partner with municipality, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and/or angler
groups to remove/remediate barriers to flow and fish movement
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.1 Eighteenmile Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
1%
5.0-7.5
89%
7.5-10
10%
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
<5%
3.5%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
51
60-69
70-79
75,77
>80
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
Y – trout spp
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
26%
38-50%
>50% 704a / 2,754a
Condition Number of Class 1s 1
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Woodlands Condition Functional riparian forest:
>50 acres and >100m wide
28 tracts
(20,531a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from
road
15 tracts
(12,270a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
11.4% 11.4%
Natural Areas Size % of study area (ARA and
cont.) that is natural cover
<60% >60%
84%
84%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
17%
<50% >50% 17%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 31 tracts
Buffalo River Sub-watershed
The Buffalo River sub-watershed varies across ecoregions—from high quality upland forests and
streams down to the urban-industrial corridor and AOC section approaching Lake Erie.
Headwaters include the East and West Branches of Cazenovia Creek, which rise in the Towns of
Sardinia and Concord respectively, and flow northwest to join in the Village of East Aurora. This
sub-watershed has 31 tracts of riparian forest greater than 50 acres in size and at least 100
meters in width from water’s edge, and 49 tracts of unbroken core forest greater than 500
acres. The cool, well-oxygenated Buffalo River headwaters support trout and other aquatic
communities of statewide significance,45 however they have many barriers limiting fish passage.
The industrialized lower six miles of the Buffalo River was designated a Great Lakes AOC in 1987,
primarily due to contaminated sediments from the steel and chemical industries that once lined
the river. Most of these sediments have been removed. However, while the shoreline transitions
away from industrial uses, the lower river itself remains a federally-designated navigation
channel and is subject to dredging to maintain a depth of 22 feet. Today, although 48 fish
species are found in the river system, including 6 listed species, the dredged zone is likely a low
oxygen barrier to walleye and other species attempting to migrate upstream to spawn. The sub-
watershed as a whole is 11.9% impervious surface or “fair” for aquatic habitat with most of that
occurring in the lake plain. Wetlands protection is relatively high at 41% and includes six listed
marsh bird species.
45
Hunt D.M., Edinger G.J., Schmid J.J., Evans D.J., Novak G., Olivero A.E., & S.M. Young 2002. Lake Erie Gorges Biodiversity Inventory and Landscape Integrity Analysis. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY.
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This sub-watershed also includes about four miles of Lake Erie shoreline and a few semi-
protected habitats inside the harbor break walls such as Times Beach, Bell Slip and Tifft Nature
Preserve with its remnant of what was once one of the most extensive and productive coastal
marshes on Lake Erie. These areas still play an important role in the life cycles of many resident
and migratory fish and bird species, including lake sturgeon, and nesting colonies of terns and
gulls. Several conservation strategies already exist for these habitats through the Buffalo and
Niagara River RAPs, the Niagara River Globally Important Bird Area, and Great Lakes Fishery
Commission fish community objectives.
In terms of acreage, the greatest habitat conservation opportunities in this sub-watershed lie in
the publicly-owned or otherwise protected upland landscapes, including several Erie County
forests, the botanically-rich Protection Bog, eight NYSDEC Class 1 wetlands, and recreational
lands such as parks and ski resorts which have potential to enhance ecological values while still
accommodating recreational uses. Two large grassland areas—the state-owned Knox Farm and
Erie County owned Sprague Brook Park—are good candidates for management plans and practices
in support of grassland breeding birds.
Municipalities: City of Buffalo; Villages of East Aurora and Sloan; Towns of West Seneca, Elma, Aurora, Colden, Holland, Concord, Cheektowaga, Boston, Wales and Sardinia
Total waterways including Buffalo River, Cazenovia Creek: 312 miles
Total sub-watershed: 105,392 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover: ARA: 23,838 acres or 23% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 2,036 acres or 8.61% Woodlands: 9,130 acres or 39% Grass/Shrublands: 770 acres or 3% Natural Areas
(% of ARA and continuous natural tracts): 52,468 acres or 82% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.2 Aquatic habitat: FAIR – GOOD Wetlands: FAIR – GOOD Woodlands: GOOD Grasslands: POOR Natural Areas: FAIR – GOOD
Threats: Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffers; barriers to fish movement; channelization (lower river) Wetlands: Loss of acreage; highway department practices (spreading invasives/ditching) Woodlands: Lack of ecological management plans; lack of protection (land clearing) Grasslands: Mowing (agricultural practices); management practices on public lands Natural areas: Lack of protection; Fragmentation/Loss of connectivity
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Conservation strategies: Assess public lands and management plans for opportunities to increase ecological values Partner with municipalities, Trout Unlimited (TU), NRCS to remove/remediate barriers to
flow and fish movement Grasslands/wetlands: Assess large tracts for habitat values and opportunities for
conservation of at-risk species Lower river and lakeshore: support ongoing shoreline, channel and floodplain
conservation efforts
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.2 Buffalo River
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
5.0-7.5
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >25%
10-20%
11.9%
5-10%
<5%
11.9%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
56, 57
60-69
70-79
>80
85
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to
migratory fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
Y
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
38-50%
41%
>50% 1,443a /3,524a
Condition Number of Class 1s 8
Woodlands Condition Functional riparian forest:
>50 acres and >100m wide
31 tracts
38,622 acres
Condition Core forest: unbroken
blocks
>250 acres, >100m from
road
24 >250a
(8,468a)
25 >500a
(22,662a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
8.12%
<50% >50% 8.12%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60% >60%
82%
82% 82%
Condition % semi-protected <25% <50% >50% 10%
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Condition Number of tracts >150
acres
20 tracts
Buffalo Creek Sub-watershed
Buffalo Creek has many miles of high quality trout streams within the headwaters. Six NYSDEC
Class 1 wetlands occur in the source areas; several are hydraulically connected to the underlying
aquifer and support heritage strains of brook trout. Queen snake and two listed species of
freshwater mussel, fragile papershell and slippershell, are found in mid-reaches, plus several
pocketbook mussel were observed there in 2013, although they are listed as locally extirpated.46
Upland and mid-reaches have significant tracts of natural land, including three county forests
plus the 384-acre Beaver Meadow Audubon Center and the 789-acre Hunter’s Creek County
Park. Almost 80% of the ARA and adjacent land is capable of supporting at least eight listed bird
species, which require large, mixed-cover natural areas to survive and breed. However, only
16% of this land is semi-protected, therefore the natural area may potentially decline without
additional protection status
The sub-watershed includes 44 tracts of riparian forest, 39 tracts of core forest larger than 500
acres, and six reported species of listed woodland birds, plus several others observed but not
yet documented in the state records. Wetlands are also an important feature in this sub-
watershed which includes three rare wetland communities as well as the kettle pond wetlands
of Beaver Meadow and the County-owned Protection Bog, subject of several botanical studies.
Given the sprawl that has taken place in the lower Buffalo Creek basin, and the growing
awareness of the municipalities and local groups of the value in their natural assets, this sub-
watershed offers good opportunity for partnerships in stream corridor, floodplain and farmland
conservation.
Municipalities: Towns of West Seneca, Elma, Marilla, Bennington, Aurora, Wales, Sheldon, Holland, Java, Sardinia, and Arcade Total waterways: Hunters Creek and Pond Brook tributaries: 354 stream miles
Total sub-watershed: 93,165 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover:
ARA: 22,944 acres or 5.5% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 2,329 acres or 10% Woodlands: 9,168 acres or 40%
46
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/30483.html
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Grass/Shrublands: 868 acres or 4% Natural Areas (% of ARA and continuous tracts in natural cover):
38,894 acres or 79% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.3
Aquatic habitat: GOOD Wetlands: GOOD Woodlands: GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Natural areas: FAIR – GOOD
Threats:
Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffers/erosion; barriers to fish movement; loss of headwater spring connectivity and quality
Wetlands: Loss of acreage; highway department practices (spreading/ditching) Woodlands: Lack of ecological management plans; lack of protection Grasslands: Mowing (agricultural practices); management practices on public lands Natural Areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation (utility, roads, rail)
Conservation strategies
Aquatic: Identify opportunities to build on mid and upper watershed town partnerships for stream corridor, floodplain and farmland conservation (Elma, W. Seneca, Marilla, etc.)
Aquatic: This is a priority sub-watershed for work with NYSDEC, TU and other partners on improving trout habitat including barrier remediation (upper tributaries)
Wetlands: Identify areas where headwater spring and wetlands protection is most critical and feasible (e.g. Beaver Meadow, Protection Bog)
Forests: Identify conservation opportunities on county forest and park land Parks: Identify practices to conserve ecological values in county and town parks
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.3 Buffalo Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
5%
5.0-7.5
92%
7.5-10
3%
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
3.8%
<5%
3.8%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
47
60-69
67, 6.13
70-79
74, 70
>80
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to native
migratory fish species
Y – trout
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
# & status
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
34%
38-50%
>50% 1,240a / 3,683a
Condition Number of Class 1s 7
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
44 tracts
(24,373 a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from
road
12 tracts
(10,455a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
8.63%
<50% >50% 8.63%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60% >60%
79%
79%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
16%
<50% >50% 16%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 39 tracts
Cayuga Creek Sub-watershed
Cayuga Creek has just under half of its land area in the Cattaraugus Hills ecoregion (48%). The
remaining Erie/Ontario Lake Plain and Lowlands are comparatively developed. Predicted BAP
scores are correspondingly lower, with 17% of the stream miles considered “moderately impacted.”
Silt, sedimentation and high water temperatures related to stream bank erosion, storm runoff and
lack of canopy are suspected of stressing fisheries in segments of Cayuga Creek in Cheektowaga.
The 1993 Buffalo River RAP baseline habitat study recommended using the creek upstream from
its confluence with Buffalo Creek to the county-owned Overflow Retention Facility (ORF) as an
AOC reference area for aquatic habitat restoration, as this stretch appears to be the least
manipulated of the three lower tributaries. Stream bank cover, natural shoreline, boulders,
pools, riffles and snags provide conditions suitable for many native fish. Four listed fish species:
northern brook lamprey, Iowa darter, bigeye chub, longear sunfish; and four listed mussel
species are reported.
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Little Buffalo Creek, Cayuga Creek’s main tributary, contains many reaches of adequate aquatic
habitat, which would be improved if homeowners maintained or restored vegetated buffers
along the banks. Dams, including one at Como Lake and another a mile upstream on Little
Buffalo Creek, may impede movement and reproduction of native aquatic species as well as
steelhead stocked in Cayuga Creek below the dam and brown trout stocked in Little Buffalo
Creek above the dam.
Invasive species like Japanese knotweed are pervasive along lower Cayuga Creek. Of the 4,779
acres of mapped wetlands, only 1,082 or 23% are regulated by the NYSDEC. One listed marsh
bird species, one listed wetland plant, and three listed grassland bird species are recorded. The
280-acre Reinstein Woods State Nature Preserve contains a unique 80-acre forest of old growth
cherry, sugar maple and beech.
The Town of Cheektowaga has designated its freshwater wetlands, Cayuga Creek and its 100-
year floodplain, Reinstein Woods Preserve and its surrounding 400-foot buffer, and Stiglemeier
Town Park as Critical Environmental Areas (CEAs), providing greater protection against
development incursions. Aside from these CEAs and Como Lake County Park, natural areas in
the Cayuga Creek ARA are mainly privately owned, with only 12% semi-protected. A
conservation overlay district along Cayuga and Little Buffalo Creek could help set up a review
process to encourage best management practices designed to reverse degradation trends and
benefit habitat and stream function over time.
Municipalities: Towns of Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Alden, Elma, Marilla, Bennington, Darien, Sheldon; Villages of Lancaster and Depew Total waterways including Little Buffalo, Slate Bottom, Plum Bottom Creeks: 356 stream miles
Total sub-watershed: 81,385 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover: ARA: 33,037 acres or 41% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 2,545 acres or 8% Woodlands: 12,247 acres or 37% Grass/Shrublands: 1,128 acres or 3% Natural Areas (% of ARA and continuous with natural land cover): 32,758 acres or 66%
of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.4
Aquatic habitat: FAIR – GOOD Wetlands: FAIR Woodlands: FAIR - GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Natural areas: POOR – FAIR
Threats:
Aquatic: Lack of buffers; runoff: agricultural and residential; barriers to fish movement
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Wetlands: Loss of acreage; invasive species (road management practices) Woodlands: Lack of protection; lack of ecological management plans Grass/Shrublands: Management practices on agricultural and public lands Natural areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation
Conservation strategies:
Policy: Pursue stream corridor conservation planning with neighboring municipalities Remove or modify known barriers to fish spawning Use “Very Good” micro-scale reference sites for restoration, including: Cayuga upstream
from confluence w/ Buffalo Creek to ORF, Little Buffalo Creek segments, and Reinstein Woods.
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.4: Cayuga Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
17%
5.0-7.5
73%
7.5-10
11%
Condition % impervious surface >20%
10-20% 5-10%
6.4%
<5%
6.4%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
42
60-69
70-79
76
>80
85
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
Y (but not
listed)
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25%
23%
25-37%
38-50%
>50% 1,082a /
4,779a
Condition Number of Class 1s 6
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
42
(20,756 a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from
road
10 tracts
(6,570a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
11.2%
<50% >50% 11.2%
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Natural Areas Size % study area in natural
cover
<60% >60%
65.8%
65.8%
Condition % semi-protected <25% <50% >50% 12%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 35 tracts
Upper Tonawanda Creek Sub-watershed
The Upper Tonawanda sub-watershed is almost equally divided between the Cattaraugus Hills
and Ontario Lowlands ecoregions (57% and 42%, respectively). From its source in the Towns of
Wethersfield and Java, the creek flows north through the Towns of Alexander and Batavia
where the terrain levels out and the active floodplain broadens. The main branch, Little
Tonawanda Creek, joins Tonawanda in the Town of Batavia. At the City of Batavia, the
Onondaga Escarpment blocks further flow north and the creek turns west towards the Niagara
River. The confluence with another tributary, Bowen Creek, marks the northwestern boundary
of the Upper Tonawanda Creek sub-watershed.
Aquatic habitat, based on the actual and predicted health of the benthic macroinvertebrate
community, is slightly impacted to non-impacted in the upland reaches of Tonawanda Creek and
its tributaries. Two listed species of freshwater mussels are recorded, including one in Little
Tonawanda. Naturalized trout species are found in the cool waters upstream from Route 20A,
although barriers like stranded culverts interfere with some trout movement. Overall, good
quality aquatic habitat is supported by the fact that only about 3.3% of the basin has impervious
land cover. Most of that occurs around the City of Batavia, where the benthic community is
moderately impacted. Downstream from Batavia, Tonawanda Creek and its tributaries are
mainly warm water streams due to urban runoff and lack of buffering.
The 4,442 acres (110 tracts) of NYSDEC-regulated wetlands represent about half the potential
for wetland conservation. Wetlands are at the source of many small tributary headwaters, and
are a major land cover in the Towns of Alexander and Batavia. NHP identifies three significant
wetland communities including red maple-tamarack and hemlock-hardwood peat swamps and a
rich sloping fen. Nine of the NYSDEC wetlands are Class 1s, including one on the highest hill in
Wyoming County connected to a glacial aquifer that is the source of Tonawanda, Cayuga, and
Buffalo Creeks.
Almost 30,000 acres of riparian and continuous woodlands larger than 50 acres indicate good
potential for conserving stream buffers and habitat. The Natural Heritage Program (NHP) notes
a functional floodplain forest at the headwaters of Little Tonawanda. Carlton Hill is a good
example of a large natural upland area that provides critical cover, filtration and material
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contribution to first and second order streams. The Faun Lake area, official source of
Tonawanda Creek, is another. Implementation of headwater stream stewardship principles
(Meyer, 2003) could improve ecological values at these sites and throughout the watershed.
Municipalities: Towns of Batavia, Stafford, Alexander, Bethany, Bennington, Attica, Middlebury,
Sheldon, Orangeville, Java, Warsaw, Darien, and Wethersfield; City of Batavia; Villages of Attica
and Alexander
Total waterways including Tannery, Stony Brooks; Little Tonawanda, Crow, Bowen Creeks: 589 miles
Total sub-watershed: 127,308 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA cover: Active River Area: 41,994 acres or 33% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 4,813 acres or 12% Woodlands: 12,820 acres or 31% ARA Grass/Shrublands: 2,141 acres or 5% ARA and continuous Natural areas: 50, 723 acres or 70% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.6
Aquatic habitat: GOOD Wetlands: GOOD Woodlands: GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Natural Areas: FAIR-GOOD
Threats: Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffers; agricultural runoff; barriers to fish movement Wetlands: Loss of acreage; road management practices Woodlands: Lack of protection; lack of ecological management plans (invasives;
overbrowsing) Grasslands: Management practices on agricultural and public lands Natural areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation (roads, utility corridors)
Conservation strategies: Assess opportunities for headwater stewardship within and across sub-watersheds Aquatic: Analyze highest BAP score sites for reference conditions to conserve/replicate Remediate culverts impeding trout movement Wetlands: Assess potential impacts and reclamation strategies for stone, sand and
gravel quarries Woodlands: Identify opportunities to conserve/restore riparian buffers based on critical
areas of need Natural Areas: Identify best bet opportunities (size, ownership) to acquire easements on
active floodplains (Alexander)
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Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.5: Upper Tonawanda
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP scores
(by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
4%
5.0-7.5
92%
7.5-10
4%
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
<5%
3.3%
3.3%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
70-79
79
>80
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
Y – trout
spp.
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
38-50%
47%
>50% 4,742a /
10,094a
Condition Number of Class 1s 9
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
66 tracts
(29,763a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from road
13 tracts
(9,061a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
16.9%
<50% >50% 16.9%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont. w/
ARA that is natural
<60% >60%
70%
70%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
<50% >50% 27%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 57 tracts
Middle Tonawanda Creek Sub-watershed
From the City of Batavia to the Village of Pendleton, Middle Tonawanda Creek includes parts of
seven towns and the Tonawanda Seneca territory. Its northern border is formed by the Niagara
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Escarpment and its southern, in part, by the Onondaga Escarpment which the creek crosses at
Indian Falls. In the 20-mile stretch from Indian Falls downstream to the Village of Pendleton,
where the creek meets the Barge Canal, Tonawanda Creek’s broad floodplain and many
wetlands are a remnant of glacial Lake Tonawanda. New York’s Freshwater Blueprint program
recognizes this wetland-floodplain complex as “a critical area for floodplain protection and
restoration” based on the presence of a large active floodplain adjacent to core patches of
wetland, grassland and forest. These patches include parts of the 20,000-acre Alabama Swamp
including the State Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area.
The Middle Tonawanda sub-watershed has approximately twice as much wetland (20% of the
ARA land cover) as all the other sub-watersheds in the watershed except Murder Creek. Of the
federally mapped and state regulated wetland acreage, 56% is State regulated, including 24
large (>100 acre) tracts and four Class 1 wetlands.
According to a 1998 survey, Middle Tonawanda’s freshwater mussel population is regionally
significant with 19 species recorded below Indian Falls,47 including several NYS-listed species.
Other protected aquatic species here include redfin shiner, black redhorse, and longear sunfish.
However, in terms of aquatic habitat, Middle Tonawanda Creek is nearing the threshold of
impaired uses. These impairments are caused by a variety of threats including increasing
pollution from agricultural and residential runoff and lack of buffering.48 The amount of stream
predicted to be moderately impaired is about the same as the amount slightly impaired, based
on these NYSDEC RIBS benthic macroinvertebrate profiles. Freshwater mussels such as those in
the Unionidae family may be most affected of macroinvertebrates due to their very specific
dispersal strategy. They attach onto fish in a larval parasitic life stage (glochidium stage), then
detach from the fish, attach to substrate and enter the juvenile life stage. Certain mussels have
high host-specificity, and can live up to 40 years. However, dams and flow alterations may
prevent movement of the host fish and consequently, native mussel dispersion. Therefore, the
presence of an adult mussel does not necessarily indicate reproducing populations; particularly
if fish passageways have been blocked in recent years.
At least five listed grassland bird species breed in the area, though grassland cover is less than
1%. Large natural areas of mixed native vegetation support species like Northern Harrier, Short-
eared Owl and Henslow’s Sparrow. Patches of lupine support three state-protected butterfly
species in this area.
Conservation opportunities in this sub-watershed include in-filling, connecting and protecting
unique riparian natural feature complexes such as the thousand-acre Tonawanda wetland-
47
Marangelo, P.J. and D.L. Strayer. 2000. The freshwater mussels of the Tonawanda Creek basin in western New York. Walkerana, 11(25): 97-106. 48
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York State’s Waterbody Inventory and Priority Waterbodies List (WI/PWL) Basin Report, 2010
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floodplain complex and unique features like the Onondaga Escarpment, with its rare limestone-
loving plants.
Municipalities/Governments: Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Towns of Lockport, Royalton, Alabama, Clarence, Newstead, Pembroke, Shelby and Batavia Total waterways including principal tributaries Mud and Beeman Creek: 331 miles
Total sub-watershed: 79,116 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA cover: ARA: 60,859 acres or 80% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 11,978 acres or 20% Woodlands: 14,781 acres or 24% Grass/Shrublands: 762 acres or 1% Natural areas (ARA and continuous): 30,609 acres or 49% of study area
Viability assessment
Aquatic habitat: FAIR-GOOD Wetlands: GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Woodlands: FAIR Natural Areas: GOOD
Threats
Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffer, runoff Wetlands: Loss of acreage; highway department practices (spreading invasives, ditching) Woodlands: Fragmentation, lack of protection (invasive species, overbrowsing) Grasslands: Management practices on agricultural and public lands Natural areas: Fragmentation, loss of acreage
Conservation Strategies
Aquatic: Identify good reference areas for benthic/mussel habitat conservation and restoration
Identify acquisition, easement, and/or best management opportunities for stream buffering Grasslands: Identify priority tracts for conservation within Tonawanda Creek floodplain
complex Woodlands: Identify opportunities to conserve and connect Onondaga Escarpment parcels
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.6: Middle Tonawanda
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
51%
5.0-7.5
49%
7.5-10
“ % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
<5%
3.4%
3.4%
“ Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
63
70-79
>80
80
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory
Fish
Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
N
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
38-50%
>50%
56%
8,455a /
15,595a
“ Number of Class 1s 4
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50a
and >100m wide, spanning a
waterway
31 tracts
(14,490a)
“ Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from
road
9 tracts
(6,170a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10a 1.4%
<50% >50% 1.4%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60%
49%
>60% 49%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
<50%
>50% 59%
Number of tracts >150a 26 tracts
Lower Tonawanda Creek Sub-watershed
From the Village of Pendleton to its mouth on the Niagara River, the last 11.6 miles of
Tonawanda Creek is channelized and dredged to a width of 75 feet and a depth of 12 feet to
accommodate the Erie Canal. From April through November, a lock diverts Lower Tonawanda
Creek to flow backward approximately 19 miles northeast through the canal to Lockport. The
Erie Canal channelization and flow reversal regime limits habitat connectivity between the
Niagara River and Tonawanda Creek, its main tributary, and has likely impaired aquatic
biodiversity in both systems. Flow reversals also affect water temperatures and may be
responsible for periodic fish die-offs in the creek.
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Biological and channel assessments show Lower Tonawanda tributaries to be moderately
impaired, with lack of stream cover, lack of water clarity, and lack of aquatic vegetation affecting
many segments of Ransom, Bull, and Gott Creeks. The lack of mussel species below Pendleton is
likely an impact of the Erie Canal. Upstream from Pendleton, Lower Tonawanda Creek is similar
to Middle Tonawanda Creek in that both receive high (non-impacted) BAP scores, and include
many listed aquatic species including redfin shiner, black redhorse, and eight species of native
mussels. Most notably, however, this is the only waterway in New York that hosts self-sustaining
populations of the NYS threatened longear sunfish, in the stretch just before the Erie Canal.49
The NYSDEC regulates about 5,000 acres of wetlands or 37% of the state regulated and federally
mapped wetlands in the Lower Tonawanda ARA. These 51 tracts include eight Class 1 wetlands
including three near the source of Ransom Creek that are hydraulically connected to the
Onondaga Aquifer, a high quality limestone aquifer whose northern border is the Onondaga
Escarpment. Several crushed stone quarries along the escarpment have historically influenced
water well yields as have surface water channelizations that rerouted streams away from
aquifer recharge areas.50 Listed species associated with this escarpment-aquifer-wetland habitat
include Pied-billed Grebe, Sedge Wren, Upland Sandpiper and Swamp Lousewort.
Conservation opportunities include outreach and education on mitigating the habitat impacts of
the Erie Canal including native buffers and shallow water habitat improvements; working with
willing quarry owners on habitat-enhancing design and implementation for quarry reclamations;
and working with towns and land conservancies to target high quality riparian parcels for
protection or acquisition.
Municipalities: Towns of Cambria, Lockport, Wheatfield, Pendleton, Clarence, Amherst, Lancaster, and Newstead, City of North Tonawanda and Lockport.
Total waterways including Bull and Sawyer Creeks, Erie Canal, Black, Gott, and Ransom Creeks:
217 miles
Total sub-watershed: 78,802 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover:
Active River Area: 62,938 acres or 79% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 7,698 acres or 12%
Woodlands: 15,092a or 23.9%
Grass/Shrublands: 1,142 acres or 2% Natural areas (% of ARA and continuous that has natural cover):
23,932 acres or 41% of study area
49
NYSDEC Fish Atlas Maps of New York 50
Staubitz, W.W. and Miller, T.S., 1987, Geology and hydrology of the Onondaga aquifer in eastern Erie County, New York, with emphasis on ground-water-level declines since 1982: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 86-4317, p.44
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Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.7 Aquatic habitat: FAIR Wetlands: FAIR-GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Woodlands: FAIR Natural Areas: FAIR
Threats:
Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffers; runoff; channelization (invasives) Wetlands: Loss of acreage; Highway department practices; hydrologic alterations Woodland: Lack of protection; fragmentation Grasslands: Management on public lands; invasive species (loss of native vegetation) Natural areas: Fragmentation; invasive species
Conservation strategies: Aquatic: Identify best public land opportunities (Canal Corps; T’s of Amherst &
Pendleton ) for naturalizing/buffering shoreline or increasing wetland values between Veterans Park & Pendleton.
Wetlands/grasslands/groundwater: Assess Tillman Swamp as a reference area for wetland habitat
Natural Areas: Assess conservation easement opportunities with interested private owners.
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.7: Lower Tonawanda
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
77%
5.0-7.5
23%
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
8.4%
<5%
8.4%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
70-79
>80
N/A
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory Fish Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
N
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
38-50%
37%
>50% 4,688a /
12,683 a
Condition Number of Class 1s 8
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
24 tracts
(8,274a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from road
2 tracts
(1,134a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
<25%
20%
<50% >50% 20%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60%
41%
>60% 41%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
<50%
44%
>50% 44%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 36 tracts
Murder Creek Sub-watershed
Murder Creek is the major tributary to Middle Tonawanda Creek, with its mouth about two
miles downstream from the western boundary of Tonawanda Seneca territory. The two sub-
watersheds share many characteristics. In both, over half of the Active River Area has natural
land cover evenly divided between forest and wetland. A major difference is in the amount of
natural area that is protected. Only 29% of the Murder Creek ARA and continuous natural area is
protected, compared with 63% of the Middle Tonawanda ARA. Murder Creek has fewer state-
protected wetlands, no wildlife management areas, and only one major habitat preserve,
Counterfeiter’s Ledge on the Onondaga Escarpment.
NYSDEC RIBS assessments find Murder Creek’s aquatic habitat to be moderately impacted, with
urban and industrial contaminants found in the reach between Corfu and Akron. However,
predicted BAP scores for most of the creek and its main tributary, Ledge Creek, are good, or
slightly impacted. As a C(t) classified stream with a Class 1 wetland at its source, Ledge Creek
may be a priority for aquatic habitat conservation. Only three recent records of living native
mussel species occur in the sub-watershed, including one at Ledge Creek.51
51
Marangelo, P. J. and D. L. Strayer, The Freshwater Mussels of the Tonawanda Creek Basin in Western New York, Walkerana, 2000, 11(25): 97-106.
REGIONAL NIAGARA RIVER/LAKE ERIE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN - Phase 2
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Of the federally mapped and state-regulated wetland acreage, 50% is state-protected, with
three tracts greater than 500 acres. The NHP lists no protected wetlands species. The Spring
Marsh created wetlands complex along Ledge Creek at Koepsel Road was field assessed and
rejected as a possible reference area for wetlands habitat restoration. A Class 1 wetland (AT-4)
at the headwaters of Murder Creek in the Town of Bennington partially supplies the Attica
Reservoir, a public drinking water supply.
Historic (NHP) woodland communities and plants are associated with the Onondaga Escarpment
and provide some good connectivity along the Pembroke Creek tributary, with opportunity to
link core forest areas. Non-native invasive species, illegal dumping and ATV use negatively
impact the potential habitat value of these corridors.
Municipalities: Tonawanda Seneca Nation; Towns of Newstead, Pembroke, Darien, Alexander, Batavia, Bennington; Villages of Akron and Corfu. Total waterways: including principal tributaries Ledge Creek, Pembroke, Darien: 222 miles
Total sub-watershed: 46,686 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover:
ARA: 27,533 acres or 59% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 6,794 acres or 25% Woodlands: 7,190 acres or 26% Grass/Shrublands: 446 acres or 2% Natural areas: 14,431 acres or 53% of ARA ARA and continuous Natural areas: 19,586 acres or 60% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.8
Aquatic habitat: GOOD Wetlands: GOOD Woodlands: FAIR – GOOD Grass/Shrublands: POOR Natural Areas: FAIR - GOOD
Threats:
Aquatic: Lack of riparian buffers; runoff (from agriculture, urban, roads); failing septic systems
Wetlands: Loss of acreage; highway department practices (spreading invasive species) Woodlands: Fragmentation; land clearing Grasslands: Agricultural practices; unprotected status Natural areas: Fragmentation; loss of acreage/ lack of protection
Conservation Strategies: Protect and connect wooded uplands and wetlands along Onondaga Escarpment Assess created Spring Marsh as a gravel pit reclamation reference area, as
recommended in the Akron/Newstead Comprehensive Plan
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Aquatic: Assess tributary along Dodgeson Rd for confined animal feelot operation (CAFO) impacts and remediation opportunities
Work with highway departments to reduce invasives spreading Woodlands: Identify opportunities to connect large riparian woodland tracts in
Pembroke and Newstead
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.8: Murder Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water Aquatic
Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
19%
5.0-7.5
81%
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20% 5-10%
<5%
3.3%
3.3%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
70-79
73
>80
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
N
Nested Feature Migratory Fish Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
N
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
38-50%
50%
>50% 4,671a /
9,413a
Condition Number of Class 1s 2
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
25 tracts
(11,631a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from road
6 tracts
(4,758a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
<25%
5.2%
<50% >50%
Natural Areas Size % of study area that is
natural
<60% >60% 60%
Condition % of natural areas that is
semi-protected
<25% <50%
29%
>50% 29%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 19 tracts
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Ellicott Creek Sub-watershed
Ellicott Creek flows northwest from headwater wetlands in the Town of Darien (southwest
corner of Genesee County) to the City of Tonawanda where it joins Tonawanda Creek about a
half mile above its mouth at the Niagara River. While the upper reaches (upstream of Transit
Rd.) are less developed; the lower reaches flow through the residentially and commercially
developed Towns of Lancaster, Amherst and Tonawanda. Overall the sub-watershed is 14.7%
impervious. Aquatic biological assessment profiles follow this pattern: slightly impacted in the
upper watershed; moderately impacted downstream in Lancaster and Amherst. Variables like
agricultural activity upstream, and groundwater discharge downstream affect these conditions.
In the 1930s lower Ellicott was widened and a dam was built at Island Park 2.4 miles upstream of
the United States Geological Survey gage near the Village of Williamsville to control flooding.
Regulation occurs today by the seasonal manipulation of that dam and also by intermittent
pumping from stone quarries into the stream. In 1965, Erie County completed construction of a
1.5 mile long diversion channel between Rt. 990 and Niagara Falls Blvd. to control flooding in the
Town of Amherst. This also affects stream and riparian habitat quality.
The Onondaga Escarpment and Aquifer are major features across the sub-watershed (as in the
Lower Tonawanda and Murder Creek sub-watersheds), along with many associated active and
abandoned stone quarries. The Onondaga Aquifer discharges to and is recharged by many of the
wetlands along this northern edge, including five Class 1 wetlands in the Towns of Clarence,
Lancaster, Newstead and Alden (LA-14 is in the Ellicott sub-watershed). Springs, swallets and
sinks are important connecting features that should be protected by setbacks and buffers.
Grasslands associated with the 1,800-acre Darien Lakes State Park and its grassland breeding
bird species are another feature with potential opportunities for conservation. Working with the
Darien Lake Park rangers to incorporate mowing regimes that are less harmful to nesting
grassland birds would be an important first step.
Municipalities: Towns of Tonawanda, Amherst, Lancaster, Newstead, Alden, Bennington,
Cheektowaga, Clarence, and Darien; Cities of Tonawanda and Buffalo; Villages of Williamsville
and Alden
Total waterways: 244 miles including Elevenmile, Crooked, Spring/Peck and Dorsch Creeks
Total sub-watershed: 76,843 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover
ARA: 44,699 acres or 58% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 6,729 acres or 15% Woodlands: 10,146 acres or 23% Grass/Shrublands: 769 acres or 2%
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Natural areas: 17,645 acres or 40% ARA and continuous Natural areas: 25,679 acres or 49% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.9
Aquatic habitat: FAIR Wetlands: GOOD Woodlands: FAIR Grass/Shrublands: FAIR Natural Areas: FAIR
Threats:
Aquatic: Channelization; lack of riparian vegetation; runoff Wetlands: Loss of acreage; invasives Woodlands: Lack of protection; fragmentation Grasslands: Lack of protection; mowing-planting regimes on public lands (e.g. Darien
Lakes SP) Natural areas: Lack of protection; invasive species; fragmentation
Conservation Strategies:
Aquatic: Assess the Doersch Creek area of the Onondaga Escarpment and Aquifer for threats to significant areas of surface and groundwater recharge (sinks, swallets, springs) and conservation options (Recommend to include in the Town of Alden Proposed Aquifer Overlay District)
Grassland: Darien Lakes State Park. Assess for grassland breeding bird habitat opportunities
Assess the Town of Amherst’s Nature View Park for habitat and functional values including stormwater retention benefits provided to neighboring property owners
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.9: Ellicott Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water Aquatic
Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
30%
5.0-7.5
69%
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >20% 10-20%
14.7%
5-10%
<5%
14.7%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
66
70-79
>80
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
N
Nested Feature Migratory Fish Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
N
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
35%
38-50%
>50% 3,714a /
10,774a
Condition Number of Class 1s 4
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m
wide,spanning a waterway
26 tracts
(14,363a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from road
6 tracts
(4,758a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
15%
<50% >50% 15%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60%
49%
>60% 49%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
<50%
41%
>50% >75% 41%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 29 tracts
Smokes Creek Sub-watershed
Smokes Creek rises in the Town of Orchard Park and flows northwest for 15 miles to its mouth
on Lake Erie. Its one principal tributary, South Branch, is 12 miles long. The creek is named after
“Old Smoke,” a Seneca leader whose son traditionally carried the fire—the “smoking brand”—
from the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois Confederacy Council fire at Onondaga to the Seneca
Nation council fire in Western New York. Old Smoke lived near this creek in his later years and
was buried here.
Smokes Creek is a tributary to a NYS DOS “significant coastal habitat”—the 500-acre shallow
water Smokes Creek Shoals—a spawning grounds for important Lake Erie fish species like
walleye and smallmouth bass. However, over the past decades, Smokes Creek itself was severely
degraded by cyanide and other toxic waste from the Bethlehem Steel plant and inadequately
treated sewage effluent. The creek’s habitat value was further impaired by complete buffer
removal and channelization of the last mile of the creek. The NYSDEC 2010 RIBS data at three of
four sites sampled shows aquatic life to be moderately impacted by elevated nutrient and
silt/sediment loads, sludge banks, and other pollutants associated with urban runoff and other
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nonpoint source inputs. Hydrologic modification for flood control and a high density of roads
and culverts are also a concern. The US Army Corp of Engineers is considering a plan to restore
ecology and natural flows to areas along the main stem and South Branch (2014).
This sub-watershed includes several small direct tributaries to Lake Erie, all unnamed except for
Rush Creek, within a mile of Smokes Creek on the south. The coastal area here includes an NHP-
listed remnant Great Lakes dune system, with a wide sand beach and a strip of wooded dunes
partially protected by Woodlawn Beach State Park and used by colonial nesting gulls and terns.
Another of the unnamed Lake Erie tributaries supports a high predicted number (5-7) of native
mussel species.52 With the major industrial use gone, this once significant Lake Erie coastal
area—associated with three state-listed mussel species and three listed fish species, including
lake sturgeon—needs to be assessed for any opportunity to improve its viability and
connectivity for these important remaining Great Lakes species.
Two Hamburg municipal parks are part of larger (200-500 acre) woodland communities,
including a high quality hardwood swamp in the headwater areas. These parks and adjacent
natural areas offer many potential opportunities to improve ecological function and habitat in
and along Smokes Creek.
Municipalities: Towns of Hamburg, Orchard Park, Aurora, and West Seneca. City of Lackawanna.
Villages of Blasdell and Orchard Park
Total waterways: 109 miles including principal tributaries Rush Creek, South Branch
Total sub-watershed: 39,527 acres
Biodiversity Features by percent of ARA cover
ARA: 15,680 acres or 40% of sub-watershed Wetlands (NOAA): 1,306 acres or 8% ARA Woodlands: 4,563 acres or 29% ARA Grass/Shrublands: 462 acres or 3% ARA and continuous Natural areas: 11,654 acres or 56% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.10
Aquatic habitat: FAIR Wetlands: FAIR Woodlands: FAIR Grasslands: POOR Natural Areas: POOR
Threats:
52
White, E.L., J.J. Schmid, T.G. Howard, M.D. Schlesinger, and A.L. Feldmann. New York State freshwater conservation blueprint
project, phases I and II: Freshwater systems, species, and viability metrics. New York Natural Heritage Program, The Nature
Conservancy. Albany, NY. 85 pp. plus appendix, 2011.
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Aquatic habitat: Lack of riparian buffer; channelization (culverts) Wetlands: Loss of acreage; road management practices Woodlands: Lack of protection; lack of ecological management plans Grasslands: Invasive species; management on public lands Natural Areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation
Conservation strategies:
Identify forest, wetland and/or aquatic habitat values and needs in county owned parcels around California Rd. Recreation Area (Brush Mountain Park) and Lakeview Rd. Recreation Area
Identify any opportunities to mitigate flood control channelization with shoreline softening
Investigate lakeshore/tributary restoration opportunities including mussel habitat protection
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.10: Smokes Creek
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water
Aquatic Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP
scores (by % of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
23%
5.0-7.5
77%
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >20%
10-20%
18.3%
5-10%
<5%
18.3%
Condition Bed/ bank assessments
(HMA/SVAP scores)
<60
60-69
60
70-79
>80
Landscape
Context
Known barriers to migratory
fish species
Y
Nested Feature Migratory Fish Reproducing trout or
sturgeon populations
Unknown
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total
mapped (NYSDEC, NWI)
<25% 25-37%
30%
38-50%
>50% 724a / 2,452a
Condition Number of Class 1s 1
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50
acres and >100m wide,
spanning a waterway
22 tracts
(3,912a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks
>500 acres, >100m from road
1 tract
(543a)
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10
acres
8%
<50% >50% 8%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont.
w/ ARA that is natural
<60%
56%
>60% 11,654a or 56%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
21%
<50% >50% 21%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 15 tracts
Niagara River Sub-watershed
Biodiversity features and conservation opportunities in the Niagara River sub-watershed vary
according to three major geographies: the Upper River including the stream drainages above
Niagara Falls; the Lower River, including the Niagara Gorge; and the natural (unpopulated)
islands. Niagara Falls was the historic natural barrier between the four Upper Great Lakes and
the Lower Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. Fish species like Atlantic salmon and
American eel migrated to and from the Atlantic Ocean as far as the lower river, but no further.
Canals like the Erie Canal changed all of that, and yet even today the assemblages and even
genotypes of some Upper River-Lake Erie aquatic species differ from those in the Lower River-
Lake Ontario system.
Direct drainage to the Upper River includes the lower Buffalo River, Scajaquada Creek, Twomile
Creek, Tonawanda Creek, Cayuga Creek, and Gill Creek tributaries. Shoreline and riparian areas
have been highly modified by navigational dredging, diversions (Ontario and New York power
plants and the Erie Canal), industrialization, landfills, and waste discharges. The land disturbance
and contamination caused by this history led to significant loss and degradation of habitat.
Based on existing and predicted BAP scores, 88% of the stream miles are moderately impacted
for aquatic life, and lower Scajaquada Creek is “precluded” for aquatic life. In the lower Niagara
River, below the falls, the one major tributary, Fish Creek, was channelized to accommodate the
NYPA power reservoir, and much of the Greenway area is highly modified by power plant
infrastructure.
Island habitat has been decreased by quarrying (Strawberry), infilling of channels (Rattlesnake),
removal (Bird) and park development (Three Sisters). Restoration efforts are underway to
restore components of these historic island complexes but much work is needed to ensure long-
term protection and management practices are in place and practical.
Despite this history, the Niagara River sub-watershed is the most biodiverse of all the tributary
sub-watersheds in its watershed, in part because of its key role in the migratory cycles of so
many Great Lakes and global species. Globally significant numbers of Bonaparte’s Gull, Common
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Tern and Lesser Scaup overwinter here. The islands and shoreline areas support breeding
colonies of black-crowned night heron, great egret and great blue heron, as well as nesting
osprey, bald eagle and peregrine falcon. Lake sturgeon are found in increasing numbers in both
the upper and lower river, likely representing two different genetic variants from Lake Erie and
Lake Ontario. Keystone species like the emerald shiner support many of these resident and
migratory species. The Niagara Gorge, once considered one of the most botanically diverse
places in North America, still supports many rare plants and communities.
There are several major existing proposals to protect these features, including designation of
the Niagara Gorge as a bi-national park or biosphere reserve; removal of redundant roads like
the Robert Moses Parkway to restore a natural condition to the gorge rim; and protection of the
islands and shallow water habitats with no or low-wake zones and other measures limiting
human disturbance. The eight state parks and many municipal parks along the river, along with
the Niagara River Greenway initiative offer opportunities to coordinate restoration work.
Scajaquada Creek is one of the greatest restoration priorities within the urbanized Greenway
corridor of this sub-watershed. Listed as either “impaired” or “precluded” for aquatic life and
buried for much of its journey to the Niagara River, the creek’s water quality is degraded due to
point and non-point source pollution. Most notably, urban storm and waste water inputs from
both the upper and lower portions of the sub-watershed result in frequent sewage overflows,
intense sediment loads and decreased aquatic habitat availability. Both human and wildlife are
threatened by exposure to these impaired conditions. Yet, springs and seeps within the entirety
of the creek provide a portion of the stream’s baseflow with high-quality water inputs and offer
opportunities for restoration where documented problems can be addressed.
Other strategies involve reconnecting the river with its tributaries through strategic barrier
removal (where barriers limit the capacity of fish or mussels to reproduce), restoring (or
mimicking) natural flows, and compensating for the loss of wetland and shallow water habitat.
These will be further explored in the Niagara River Greenway Habitat Conservation Strategy, a
companion planning effort currently underway.
Municipalities: Towns of Porter, Lewiston, Niagara, Grand Island, Wheatfield, Tonawanda,
Cheektowaga, Lancaster; Cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Cambria, and
Tonawanda; Villages of Youngstown, Kenmore, Depew, and Lewiston. Tuscarora Indian
Reservation
Total waterways: Including Fish Creek, Gill Creek, Cayuga Creek, Bergholtz Creek, Black Creek,
Two Mile Creek, Scajaquada Creek, and Grand Island creeks: 185 miles
Total sub-watershed: 98,211 acres
Biodiversity features by percent of ARA land cover:
ARA: 62,452 acres or 64% of sub-watershed
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Wetlands (NOAA): 5,149 acres or 8% Woodlands: 12,442 acres or 20% Grass/Shrublands: 1,136 acres or 2% ARA and Continuous Natural areas: 22,179 acres or 34% of study area
Viability assessment: (amount, condition, connectivity) Table 3.11
Aquatic habitat: POOR-FAIR Wetlands: FAIR Woodlands: FAIR Grass/Shrublands: POOR Natural areas: FAIR
Threats:
Aquatic: Channelization; flow alterations/water level fluctuations; hazardous waste (sediments, landfills, discharges); fish barriers; invasives
Wetlands: Loss of acreage; invasive species; water level fluctuations Woodlands: Lack of ecological management plans; lack of protection Grasslands: Management practices on public lands; invasive species Natural areas: Lack of protection; fragmentation
Conservation strategies:
Assess shorelines for softening and buffering opportunities Include living shoreline Best Management Practices in waterfront regulations and
policies Prioritize and remediate barriers to migratory fish use of tributaries Investigate water level fluctuation influence on reproduction of fish, mussel and shore birds Assess identified high quality woodland parcels for conservation easements or
acquisition Develop and implement ecology-based management plans for public lands including NY
State parks, WMAs, Class 1 wetlands, and Niagara River islands
Niagara River Habitat Conservation Strategy Table 3.11: Niagara River
Bold = Current condition
Listed plant and animal species are identified in technical report
For unranked indicators, see sub-watershed descriptions
FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Open Water Aquatic
Habitat
Condition
Actual & predicted BAP scores (by %
of stream)
0-2.5
2.5-5.0
88%
5.0-7.5
12%
7.5-10
Condition % impervious surface >20%
23.3%
10-20% 5-10%
<5%
23.3%
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FEATURE ATTRIBUTE INDICATOR POOR FAIR GOOD V. GOOD OTHER
Condition Bed/ bank assessments (HMA/SVAP
scores)
<60
60-69
70-79
>80
See Greenway
Landscape Context Known barriers to migratory fish
species
Y
Species Presence of listed fish or mussel
species
9 birds; 2 bird
communities; 6
fish; 10 mussels
Nested Feature Migratory Fish Reproducing trout or sturgeon
populations
Y
Wetlands Condition NYSDEC compared to total mapped
(NYSDEC, NWI)
<25%
24.7%
25-37%
38-50%
>50% 3,166a /
12,722a
Condition Number of Class 1s 10
Woodlands Condition Riparian forest tracts: >50 acres and
>100m wide, spanning waterways
15 tracts
(9,249a)
Condition Core forest: unbroken blocks >250
acres, >100m from road
7 tracts
(5,342a)
Grass/Shrublands Condition % of acreage in tracts >10 acres <25%
14%
<50% >50% 14%
Natural Areas Size % of study area in & cont. w/ ARA
that is natural
<60%
34%
>60% 34%
Condition % semi-protected <25%
<50%
35%
>50% 35%
Condition Number of tracts >150 acres 17 tracts
Big Sister Creek Sub-Watershed
The headwaters of the Big Sister sub-watershed begin in Collins, North Collins, Cattaraugus Indian
Reservation and Eden, and then drain into Lake Erie. This is the southwestern most sub-watershed
within the Buffalo-Eighteenmile sub-basin. Notable recreational areas along Lake Erie’s coast are
Evangola State Park, Bennett Beach, and Sturgeon Point. There are two largely intact forests: Franklin
Gulf County Park (North Collins) and also in Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. The remainder of the land is
dominated by a mix of suburban municipalities, agricultural farms, with evenly distributed wetland
patches of sized 50-150 acres.
The Big Sister Creek sub-watershed is within the Erie/Ontario Lake Plain and Cattaraugus Hills
ecoregions. The Erie Lake Plain ecoregion consists of beach dunes with various grass species, and soils
containing limestone and shale that allow for agricultural success. This ecoregion is susceptible to lake
effect weather conditions. The Cattaraugus Hills region has broad, low hills with deeply cut streams in
shale bedrock. The region is described by the NYSDEC as moderately covered by forest, which is mostly
comprised of beech-maple mesic (and American chestnuts historically), shale cliffs, and a talus
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community. However these forests are fragmented by both agricultural and suburban areas; headwaters
have marshland with inadequate forest buffer zones.53 Many of the municipalities in this sub-watershed
are on septic systems, some of which are known, suspected, or considered possible to be failing, and
contributing to poor water quality.54
The Lake Erie waterfront in this sub-watershed is impaired due to PCBs and pathogens. Lower stems of
Little Sister Creek and Muddy Creek are both listed as impaired for pathogens, and Little Sister is also
impaired due to nutrients and dissolved oxygen. Big Sister Creek, Delaware Creek, and upper Muddy
Creek have minor impacts, while only Rythus Creek has no known impacts.55 NYSDEC RIBS assessments
in this sub-watershed are consistent with poor aquatic habitat and water quality. In lower Little Sister
Creek, the macroinvertebrate community was dominated by midges and scuds which are tolerant for
low dissolved oxygen and poor water quality. Big Sister and Delaware Creeks macroinvertebrate
communities were more diverse, however many nutrient tolerant species were present.56
Historically, Big Sister Creek has been highly impacted by sewage input. A stream survey conducted in
1973 (Puleo et al. 1974) found low dissolved oxygen, pollution tolerant macroinvertebrate communities,
and noted that the area noticeably smelled of sewage. Currently, this is still observed in most tributaries
in this sub-watershed as indicated through macroinvertebrate community distribution.57 In 2010,
sewage and nutrient input were still cited a major impairment of Big Sister Creek despite SPDES
compliance.58
A key area for conservation is Evangola State Park, which provides critical habitat for many migratory
species including monarch butterflies, bats, and numerous bird species. In 2011, a survey conducted by
US Fish and Wildlife Service found Evangola State Park to have the highest bird count, and second
highest bat count of all the coastal sites surveyed spanning each of the Great Lakes (USFWS 2012). This
park is also known to host Bald Eagles, and protection of this stopover point is essential for the
migratory biotic community. The Lake Erie portion of this sub-watershed also hosts important fishes
including lake sturgeon, lake trout, walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish and smallmouth bass.
Established non-native species that are of recreational importance are steelhead, brown trout and
Chinook salmon.
Municipalities: Villages of North Collins, Angola, and Farnham. Towns of Brant, Eden, Evans, Collins, and North Collins. Cattaraugus Indian Reservation.
53
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Comprehensive
Wildlife Conservation Strategy for New York, Lake Erie Table 11, pp. 233 – 279, 2005. 54
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagbigsister.pdf 55
Ibid 56
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Rotating Integrated Basin Studies Water Quality Assessment Program New York Statewide Waters Monitoring Program. Niagara River Lake Erie Drainage Basin: Sampling years 2005 – 2006. 2011 57
Ibid 58
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagbigsister.pdf
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Total waterways: 186.65 miles including principal tributaries Big Sister Creek, Little Sister Creek, Delaware Creek, Muddy Creek. Total sub-watershed: 62,363 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: nonpoint nutrient runoff (agricultural), storm runoff, sewage input, pathogens, Wetlands: Inadequate buffers and/or fragmentation, suburban development Woodlands: Inadequate forest buffers, the largest intact forest (Franklin Gulf) is surrounded by
agriculture Grasslands: Invasive species in grassy dunes along Lake Erie coasts, mowing regimes on farmland
impact grassland-dependent bird nests Natural areas: Fragmentation of natural areas
Conservation Strategies:
Increase stream buffers to reduce pathogen and nutrient inputs. Protection of Rhythus, Big Sister, Delaware and upper Muddy Creek, which have no known or
minor impacts. Conserve, protect and regulate the well-distributed wetlands. Prevent degradation of largest
wetland areas. Protect intact forests and increase forest acreage where possible. Partnerships with Seneca Nation of Indians and NYSDEC to enhance key conservation areas,
such as natural areas within Cattaraugus Indian Reservation and Evangola State Park. Work with landowners to improve septic systems, increase riparian zones between cropland and
streams, and implement mowing regimes that reduce harm to grassland dependent species (block mowing method outwards from the center as opposed to strip mowing).
Cattaraugus Creek Sub-Watershed
The Cattaraugus Creek sub-watershed, along with the Headwaters Cattaraugus Creek sub-watershed
make up their own sub-basin, which drains into Lake Erie. The far reaches of this sub-watershed begin in
Concord, Springville, Ashford, East Otto, and Mansfield. The midreaches flow through several towns in
Erie and Cattaraugus Counties—mostly agricultural villages. In the lowest reaches it passes through
Cattaraugus Indian Reservation and Hanover before draining into Lake Erie. There is adequate forest
coverage in this sub-watershed, including parks and multiple use areas such as Zoar Valley, Cattaraugus
State Forest, Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary, East Otto State Forest, and Dobbins Memorial State Forest.
The Nature Conservancy, North Collins, Cattaraugus Indian Reservation and NYSDEC are all stakeholders
in the forested areas with high conservation potential. There are also three designated wildlife
preserves in this watershed operated by Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York, which does not
permit public access. These preserves host many unique plants ranging from sphagnum moss and
orchids in a bog preserve, to protected floodplains with native wildflowers.
This sub-watershed encompasses six ecoregions before draining into Lake Erie: the Unglaciated High
Allegheny Plateau, Glaciated Allegheny Hills, Low Allegheny Plateau, Cattaraugus Hills, Low Lime Drift
Plain, and Erie/Ontario Lake Plain. As such, there is a variety of soil types, forest communities and
climate patterns throughout this sub-watershed. Some parts of this sub-watershed are covered with
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broad sloping hills, open lands with rich soils, while other sections have steep shale cliffs and stony,
nutrient-poor soils with hemlock-beech forests.
The main stem of Cattaraugus Creek is relatively long, about 50 miles. Most of the wetlands are in the
northern extent of this sub-watershed with a large cluster in Otto and East Otto south of Cattaraugus
Creek. The poorest water quality occurs at the end of the watershed, due to agricultural runoff
accumulation (NYSDEC 2005). The lower stem of Cattaraugus Creek, Rainbow, Timber, and Clear Lakes
are known to have minor impacts. One of greatest concern in this region is siltation, excess nutrients
and low dissolved oxygen caused by agricultural runoff and erosion. Stream bank erosion naturally
occurs in this region, but can be exacerbated by additional erosion as a consequence of poor agricultural
practices. The remaining tributaries in this watershed have no known impacts affecting biological
communities, as observed through macroinvertebrate testing. However, nutrient loading is evident from
agricultural nonpoint sources and should be monitored, so that it does not continue to increase. Failed
septic systems in the region are an identified cause for increased nutrients and decreased dissolved
oxygen.59
Cattaraugus Creek is an important migratory body of water for salmonids and protection of this cold
water fishery should be a priority. However, dating to at least 1970 there have been concerns about
adequate dissolved oxygen from sewage input negatively affecting native brook trout (Barry and Kaczaja
1970). The NYSDEC RIBS assessments suggest that although healthy, pollution-sensitive
macroinvertebrate communities are supported in all sampled streams, siltation and excess nutrients are
present in most, if not all streams.60
Notable wildlife found in Zoar Valley forest includes Bald Eagles, red-spotted newt, and ruffed grouse,
among others. NYSDEC is working with partners to re-establish American chestnuts in this forest, a tree
which was nearly wiped out from blight.61 Many other rare and/or slow-growing woodland plants thrive
in the forests of Zoar Valley. Important cold water fisheries in the tributaries and Lake Erie are lake
sturgeon, lake trout, brook trout, naturalized steelhead, brown trout, and Chinook salmon (NYSDEC
2006). However, Cattaraugus Creek also provides habitat for very large populations of sea lamprey in
Lake Erie, with costly lampricide treatments necessary every three to five years. Important warm water
fisheries in the Lake Erie waters and lower stem of Cattaraugus Creek are smallmouth bass, walleye and
yellow perch.
This watershed is in fairly good condition; however, it should be protected from any further
degradation. The most imminent threat is agricultural runoff in the watershed. Also, it is adjacent to the
West Valley Demonstration Project, located in the Cattaraugus Headwaters sub-watershed, which is a
storage area for hazardous radioactive waste. Although the hazardous waste is currently being stored in
59
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagcattrgslow.pdf 60
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Rotating Integrated Basin Studies Water Quality
Assessment Program New York Statewide Waters Monitoring Program. Niagara River Lake Erie Drainage Basin: Sampling years
2005 – 2006. 2011 61
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area. 2017.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/36931.html
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solid form, it cannot be disregarded as a potential threat to the biotic community should the storage
facility be compromised.
Municipalities: Villages of Springville, Cattaraugus and Gowanda. Towns of Ashford, Concord,
Ellicottville, Mansfield, East Otto, Otto, New Albion, Persia, Dayton, Collins, North Collins, Perrysburg,
Brant, and Hanover. Cattaraugus Indian Reservation.
Total waterways: 837 miles including principal tributaries Cattaraugus Creek, Connoisarauley Creek,
Clear Creek.
Total sub-watershed: 197,539 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: Siltation due to stream bank erosion, nonpoint sources of agricultural runoff and septic
system failure, inadequate dissolved oxygen which is necessary for trout and salmons.
Wetlands: Loss of acreage, invasive species.
Woodlands: Invasive species, fragmentation.
Grasslands: Invasive species in meadows and floodplains (Zoar Valley).
Natural areas: Fragmentation of contiguous natural areas.
Conservation Strategies:
Reduce agricultural runoff into waterways through increasing riparian forest buffers.
Protect the several high quality stream segments in this watershed from further degradation.
Maintain strong riparian forest buffers.
Continued protection and conservation of critical wetlands, bogs and floodplains by Nature
Sanctuary Society of WNY.
Partnerships with the several agencies that are active stakeholders in the region.
Working with homeowners to improve and maintain septic systems. Work with farmers to
implement best land use practices and cattle guards to prevent livestock from eroding and
degrading streams.
Headwaters Cattaraugus Creek Sub-Watershed
The Cattaraugus Headwaters sub-watershed, along with the lower Cattaraugus Creek sub-watershed,
make up their own sub-basin which drains into Lake Erie. The headwaters begin in the rural towns of
Java, Arcade, Wethersfield, Farmersville and Freedom. The midreaches pass through Sardinia, Delevan,
Yorkshire, and Machias which contain both forests and farms. Finally this sub-watershed feeds into the
Cattaraugus Creek sub-watershed near Springville and Ashford.
This sub-watershed encompasses three ecoregions: Cattaraugus Hills, Glaciated Low Allegheny Plateau,
and Glaciated Allegheny Hills. Cattaraugus Hills, in the northern portion host the only wetlands in the
sub-watershed. The steep shale banks of the Glaciated Allegheny Hills and Plateau regions do not
support wetland systems; however, the Cattaraugus Hills ecoregion can potentially support wetland
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systems (in the northern extent of this sub-watershed). Two state forests, Farmersville and Bush Hill, as
well as Erie County forests are within this sub-watershed.
This sub-watershed has some of the best intact forest coverage of all those described in this report. It
has multiple community types, both climax and successional communities: beech-mesic, hemlock-
northern hardwoods, maple-basswood and northern- southern hardwoods (NYSDEC 2005). However, in
the furthest upland extent of this sub-watershed, near Freedom and Delevan, agricultural areas begin to
dominate and fragment the forests. Work with landowners to restore riparian buffers in these key
locations would mitigate agricultural runoff to the lower reaches.
Both perennial and intermittent streams feed the main stem of Cattaraugus Creek. The streams in this
sub-watershed sustain many fishes indicative of adequate water quality, such as darters, sculpins,
shiners, suckers and daces (NYSDEC 2006). Non-native rainbow and brown trout have been established
since the early 1900s due to early stocking (NYSDEC 2006). Fourteen tributaries in this sub-watershed
support brook trout. Of these, Spring Brook has the greatest ability to sustain wild populations of brook
trout, although lack of shade canopy as the stream meanders through a golf course is warming the
stream and threatens the coldwater fishery. Scoby Dam, a 40 foot former hydroelectric dam near
Springville, separates the headwaters from lower reaches of Cattaraugus Creek and prevents migration
and movement of native trout along this tributary. The dam is currently being assessed with plans to be
lowered in the near future. Although this will help to restore connectivity, it will likely increase
sedimentation in the initial stages, then be a potential pathway for invasive and non-natives species
such as sea lamprey and steelhead. These impacts could strain wild native brook trout populations
thriving upstream of the dam (NYSDEC 2006). Preventative weirs and fish ladders are planned to be
installed to exclude sea lamprey, while allowing other fish to pass through. There will also be lamprey
traps installed during their spawning migrations for individuals to be euthanized.
Although this is a healthy sub-watershed, certain risks have been identified which could compromise
these headwaters. Any degradation experienced in the headwaters has the potential to further
exacerbate the stressors and impacts apparent in the lower Cattaraugus Creek watershed. Within the
Cattaraugus headwaters is the West Valley Demonstration Project, a 3,000 acre storage area of
hazardous radioactive waste and facilities from a fuel rod reprocessing facility near the town of Ashford.
The liquid high-level radioactive waste was solidified in the early 2000s and is currently stored in 275
stainless steel canisters, each of which contains an average of 36,640 curies. Also on site are two
radioactive waste burial grounds made up of 20 acres of unlined, unengineered trenches containing an
estimated 340,000 curies. The facility is within the Buttermilk Creek and Cattaraugus Creek floodplains,
and should not be dismissed as a potential threat to this watershed and Lake Erie. Decision making for
the future of this site (clean-up or long term stewardship) is still in the process of studying options and
will not be made until 2020. Any decision will take decades, if not centuries to implement and maintain.
Municipalities: Villages of Arcade, Delevan, and Springville. Towns of Java, Wethersfield, Eagle, Arcade,
Centerville, Freedom, Rushford, Farmersville, Machias, Yorkshire, Sardinia, Concord, Ashford, and
Ellicottville.
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Total waterways: 615.27 miles including principal tributaries Cattaraugus Creek, Clear Creek, Elton
Creek, Stony Creek, Spring Brook.
Total sub-watershed: 160,667 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: Invasive sea lamprey movement to headwaters, stream bank erosion
Wetlands: Loss of acreage, invasive species
Woodlands: Natural forests are surrounded by farmland.
Grasslands: Invasive species in meadows and floodplains, mowing regimes on farmland impact
grassland-dependent bird nests
Natural areas: Nuclear and hazardous waste storage facility near floodplains and streams.
Conservation Strategies:
Protection of wild brook trout populations in key tributaries.
Early detection monitoring for invasive sea lamprey post-dam removal.
Continued protection of forested areas, particularly stream riparian buffers.
Work with NYSDEC and Erie County to increase acreage or quality of the state and county
forests.
Work with homeowners and farmers to implement BMPs, including strip barriers between
croplands and forests, maintenance on septic systems, mowing strategies to protect grassland
dependent species and excluding livestock from natural areas.
Work with NYSERDA to ensure that West Valley Demonstration project hazardous waste storage
tanks are adequately maintained.
Walnut Creek Sub-Watershed
The Walnut Creek sub-watershed is the northernmost of the Chautauqua/Erie sub-basin, and
encompasses portions of the Erie/Ontario Plain and Low Lime Drift Plain ecoregions. The Erie Lake Plain
ecoregion consists of beach dunes with various grass species, and nutrient rich soils containing
limestone and shale that allow for agricultural success. This ecoregion is susceptible to lake effect
weather conditions. The lower reaches of Walnut Creek have shale cliff and talus communities, with a
narrow band of forest buffer surrounded by agricultural land. The headwaters, in the Low Lime Drift
Plain are rockier and more protected with forest coverage (NYSDEC 2005), however the forests are
fragmented by agricultural land throughout the entire area. These soils are poorly-drained and better
suited for livestock than farming.
The headwaters of this sub-watershed begin in Villenova, Arkwright, and Perrysburg. Most of the sub-
watershed is located in the town of Hanover, with some portions in Sheridan and Forestville as well. It
eventually drains directly into Lake Erie at Silver Creek and Hanover. Most of the sub-watershed is
within Chautauqua County, but there is a small portion in Cattaraugus County as well. Some segments of
Wheeler Brook and Silver Creek tributaries have farmland right up to the stream, without any riparian
buffer whatsoever. Suburban development from the village of Silver Creek expands right up to the Lake
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Erie coastline. Working with landowners to address these issues would significantly improve water
conditions in this watershed. There are no major county or state parks within this sub-watershed and
the only notable wetlands are on the southernmost edge near Villenova.
Upper Silver Creek and Silver Creek Reservoir have no known impacts, as described by the NYSDEC to
date. Halfway Brook, Walnut Creek and Lower Silver Creek have minor impacts to water quality.62
Halfway Brook has shifted to a pollution tolerant community of macroinvertebrates, most likely as a
response to lowered dissolved oxygen and increased organic loads from sewage input. Walnut Creek is
reported to have poor dissolved oxygen, increased phosphorous and siltation, and possible thermal
pollution. Logging activities have increased turbidity, sedimentation and siltation loads in lower Silver
Creek. In 2012, NYSDEC initiated legal action against the Silver Creek wastewater treatment plant for
violation of SPDES regulations. The plant was reportedly using clarifiers intended for secondary
wastewater treatment and bypassing primary treatment steps, and releasing improperly treated
waste.63
Silver Creek (CT) and Halfway Brook (CTS) are designated for fishing (C), and as important streams for
trout habitat (T) and potentially trout spawning (S). These streams can support various species of trout,
including naturalized ones such as steelhead and brown trout. Future protection and stocking may
eventually support self-sustaining brook trout, a native species of interest. As with other sub-watersheds
encompassing eastern Lake Erie, lake trout and lake sturgeon are important native species warranting
protection and conservation. Lake trout cannot inhabit the shallower western and central basins of Lake
Erie, thus their habitat in this lake is limited. Other notable warm water fishes in eastern Lake Erie are
walleye, yellow perch, channel catfish and large and smallmouth bass. Important avian species such as
Bald Eagles, waterfowl, gulls, and many other migratory birds utilize the Lake Erie coastline.
Municipalities: Villages of Forestville and Silver Creek. Towns of Arkwright, Sheridan, Perrysburg,
Villenova, and Hanover.
Total waterways: 129.44 miles including principal tributaries Walnut Creek, Tupper Creek, Silver Creek
and Wheeler Brook.
Total sub-watershed: 36,014 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: Improper wastewater treatment methods and release of sewage (leading to pathogen
loads and inadequate dissolved oxygen), siltation caused by logging practices, nutrient loading
from agricultural runoff, potential thermal pollution sources.
Wetlands: Lack of connectivity, lack of formal protection, invasive species.
Woodlands: Loss of riparian woodlands, forests are extremely fragmented by suburban
development and agriculture on all sides, lack of formal protection.
62
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagwalnutcr.pdf 63
Ibid
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Grasslands: Invasive species in grass dunes along Erie coasts and houses replacing dune areas, mowing regimes on farmland impact grassland-dependent bird nests.
Natural areas: No natural areas with formal protection or designation on state, county or
municipality level.
Conservation Strategies:
Restoration and reclamation of forested riparian buffers, particularly along Wheeler Brook,
Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, where agriculture fields dominate.
Development of formal protection status of natural areas, or watershed plan in this sub-
watershed is essential.
Protection of wetlands.
Protection of streams described as having minor impacts and prevention of further degradation
cause by agricultural runoff.
Increase the acreage and quality of natural forests, reduce fragmentation.
Consider partnering with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (and their
affiliated members) to promote the Agricultural Environmental Management Program to
promote best management practices with farmers (in partnership with the Soil and Water
Conservation District).
Canadaway Creek Sub-Watershed
The Canadaway Creek sub-watershed is located within the Chautauqua/Erie sub-basin and is entirely in
Chautauqua County. It begins in the towns of Charlotte and Arkwright, then flows through Pomfret
Fredonia, Sheridan and Dunkirk. Erie/Ontario Lake Plain and Low Lime Drift Plain are the two ecoregions
of this area. The Erie Lake Plain ecoregion consists of beach dunes with various grass species, and
nutrient rich soils containing limestone and shale that allow for agricultural success. This ecoregion is
susceptible to lake effect weather conditions. The Low Lime ecoregion is comprised of beech-maple
forests and numerous depositional glacial landforms. Those soils are poorly-drained and better suited
for livestock than farming. This sub-watershed has intact forest coverage in the furthest reaches;
however the land closest to Lake Erie shores is almost entirely altered by the city of Dunkirk and/or
agricultural lands.
Lake Erie waters and two tributaries (Crooked Brook and Scott Creek) are listed as impaired by the
NYSDEC. Lake Erie is impaired due to the presence of PCBs in the sediments, fish consumption
advisories, and pathogen and storm runoff in the waters. Hyde Creek, which flows through the city of
Dunkirk, has been identified as a source of storm runoff transport into Lake Erie. The impaired streams
have excessive nutrient inputs, although the source has not been confirmed. In Crooked Brook and Scott
Creek, macroinvertebrate communities were moderately impacted, though Scott was nearly categorized
as severely impacted. Pollution tolerant species are missing, with an overrepresentation of tolerant
species. Dissolved oxygen levels were poor and nutrients were elevated. However, both of these
tributaries are suspected to have other pollution sources, which are to date unidentified. Upper and
lower Canadaway Creek are not impaired. Many other tributaries are listed as threatened, with
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unverified sources of pollution input. Siltation from logging and stream bank erosion, thermal pollution,
inadequate sewage treatment from Dunkirk’s WWTP, industrial and urban runoff from Dunkirk, and
livestock runoff from agriculture are all suspected causes.64
Sheridan has the most emergent wetland and woodlands of all the municipalities, but they are
fragmented by roads and development. In the southern reaches of this sub-watershed, in Arkwright, is
the Canadaway Wildlife Management Area (owned by the NYSDEC) with a few small county forest
parcels adjacent to it. Just south of this, in Charlotte is the Boutwell Hill State Forest, also owned by
NYSDEC. These two areas are the largest core forest areas and likely have the highest conservation
impact in the sub-watershed. The NYSDEC has recently prepared an in-depth management plan for
these forests, which aims to increase habitat for species in decline, while also utilize the land for
logging.65
Notable wildlife in the state forests include black bear, deer, Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, American
Woodcock66, and multiple species of frogs, snakes and turtles. Multiple threatened, high priority, and
species of concern are found in these woods as well, including many types of grassland and young forest
dependent birds. For this reason, the NYSDEC currently manages abandoned pastures as grassland
habitat, and is working to convert softwood plantations back to young forests in early succession stages
to support several of these species. As with other sub-watersheds that encompass the eastern basin of
Lake Erie, there are important warm and cold water fishes to protect including lake sturgeon, lake trout,
walleye, channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Recreational species that are not
native, but have naturalized include brown trout, Chinook salmon, and steelhead.
Municipalities: Villages of Silver Creek and Fredonia. Towns of Sheridan, Hanover, Arkwright, Charlotte,
Stockton, Pomfret, Dunkirk, and Portland. City of Dunkirk.
Total waterways: 187.33 miles including principal tributaries Canadaway Creek, Little Canadaway Creek,
Scott Creek, Beaver Creek
Total sub-watershed: 64,521 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: Urban runoff from city of Dunkirk,
Wetlands: Fragmentation, invasive species
Woodlands: Fragmentation from agriculture and urban sprawl
Grasslands: Invasive species in grass dunes along Erie coasts, mowing regimes on farmland impact grassland-dependent bird nests
Natural areas: Lack of protection, increasing urbanization and suburban sprawl
Conservation Strategies:
64
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagcanadaway.pdf 65
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Habitat Management Plan for Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area. 2017 66
Audubon title case capitalization is used for bird species only
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Reduce impervious surface in the city of Dunkirk. Install green infrastructure, particularly along
Hyde Creek where urban runoff is polluting Lake Erie.
Increase forest areas and riparian zones where agricultural lands begin to dominate in lower
reaches.
Identify sources of pollution and degradation to threatened stream segments.
Reduce siltation from poor logging practices by increasing buffer distance between logging fields
and waterways. Install living shorelines along streams where riparian zones have been logged.
Protection of wetlands in Sheridan from further fragmentation and/or invasive species.
Partnerships with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (and their affiliated
members) to promote BMPs among regional farmers (see Walnut Creek sub-watershed for
further detail).
Chautauqua Creek Sub-Watershed
Chautauqua Creek is in the Chautauqua/Erie sub-basin, divided between the Erie/Ontario Plain and Low
Lime Drift Plain ecoregions. The Erie Lake Plain ecoregion consists of beach dunes with various grass
species, and soils containing limestone and shale that allow for agricultural success. This ecoregion is
susceptible to lake effect conditions. The Low Lime ecoregion is comprised of beech-maple forests and
numerous depositional glacial landforms. Those soils are poorly-drained and better suited for livestock
than farming. Compared to the other sub-watersheds in the same ecoregion, Chautauqua Creek has
better forest coverage, approximately 70%, with most of the agriculture occurring closest to Lake Erie
(NYSDEC 2005). There are many small wetland patches interspersed throughout the watershed, but
there are not any large connected wetland regions.
The headwaters of this sub-watershed begin in Westfield and Chautauqua and the lower reaches pass
through Brocton and Portland, which drain to Lake Erie. It contains Chautauqua Gorge State Forest,
which has steep shale banks on either side of Chautauqua Creek and bedrock creek bottom. This 538-
acre forest has a popular swimming spot for tourists and day hikers. It borders private property, but the
portion that belongs to the state is protected and fairly rustic. On the far southeastern edge of this sub-
watershed is Mount Pleasant State Forest. Mount Pleasant State Forest is just over 1,500 acres in size
and hosts many mammals and birds such as bear, deer, rabbit, Turkey and Ruffed Grouse. This forest is
managed by the NYSDEC for logging and forestry practices.
Lake Erie State Park in Brocton is a large campground and park in this sub-watershed. As with other Lake
Erie coastal areas, it is an important stopover point for many migratory birds, and species of interest
such as the Bald Eagle. Important cold and warm water fishes to protect include lake sturgeon, lake
trout, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, channel catfish and yellow perch. Recreational species
throughout the watershed include naturalized populations of brown trout, Chinook salmon, and
steelhead. Lake Erie State Park has some wetland habitat intact, which hosts herpetiles such as
salamanders and frogs.
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Currently, this sub-watershed is in good condition; all the stream segments in this watershed are listed
as having no known impact, though some are considered threatened by the NYSDEC.67 Several streams
host healthy communities of macroinvertebrates, and Chautauqua Creek is listed as a suitable trout
habitat stream. However, agricultural and non-point sources are suspected to be in the early stages of
affecting waters, and protection is necessary to prevent degradation of this relatively healthy sub-
watershed. Westfield WWTP has been required to address water treatment and overflow issues, and
has rectified most of them to date. This watershed is adjacent to the Chautauqua Lake watershed, which
has a very thorough water management plan in place by various watershed partners in that region.
Collaboration with these conservation groups may play a future role in ensuring the protection of the
Chautauqua Creek sub-watershed.
Municipalities: Villages of Brocton and Westfield. Towns of Pomfret, Portland, Chautauqua, Westfield,
and Ripley.
Total waterways: 180.43 miles including principal tributaries Chautauqua Creek, Little Chautauqua
Creek, Doty Creek, Spring Creek, Bournes Creek, Walker Creek, Corell Creek, and Slipper Rock Creek.
Total sub-watershed: 51,243 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: Agricultural non-point sources of nutrients and water pollution. Inadequate sewage
treatment by Westfield WWTP.
Wetlands: Fragmentation, invasive species.
Woodlands: Loss of forests in lower reaches of watershed.
Grasslands: Invasive species in grass dunes along Erie coasts, mowing regimes on farmland impact grassland-dependent bird nests
Natural areas: Overuse or misuse in recreational areas (Chautauqua Gorge State Forest)
Conservation Strategies:
Identification and resolution of non-point pollution threats to tributaries. Working with
homeowners to encourage septic system routine maintenance.
Protection of wetlands.
Increase stream buffers in lower reaches of watershed.
Partnerships with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (and their affiliated
members) to promote BMPs among regional farmers (see Walnut Creek sub-watershed for
further detail).
Partnerships with the NYSDEC in state forests, which have high conservation value.
Six Mile Sub-Watershed
For the purpose of this report, only the portion of this sub-watershed within New York State boundaries
is described. Pennsylvania municipalities and streams are not surveyed; however they are an integral
67
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/winiagchautauqua.pdf
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component of the sub-watershed health as well. On the New York side, this sub-watershed begins in the
towns of Mina and Sherman. The bulk of the watershed is within the towns of Ripley and Westfield
before the tributaries drain into Lake Erie.
The Six Mile sub-watershed is within the Chautauqua/Erie sub-basin and encompasses the Erie/Ontario
Lake Plain and Low Lime Drift Plain ecoregions. The Erie Lake Plain ecoregion consists of beach dunes
with various grass species, and soils containing limestone and shale that allow for agricultural success.
This ecoregion is susceptible to lake effect weather conditions. The Low Lime ecoregion is comprised of
beech-maple forests and numerous depositional glacial landforms. Those soils are poorly-drained and
better suited for livestock than farming. The Lake Erie coastline, lower reaches and headwaters of this
sub-watershed are dominated by agriculture. Twentymile Creek is well forested along its corridor;
however it is surrounded by agriculture on either side. The nearest 2-3 miles to Lake Erie coasts in this
watershed are nearly all agriculture.
There are no major parks in this sub-watershed on the NY side. However, there are five small parcels
owned by the county, reserved for reforestation with minimal conservation value (NYPAD GIS Data
Layer). There is one large (~100 acres) shrub wetland community intact; however it is bounded by the I-
90 to the north and the 20 to the south. The remaining wetlands are patchy, interspersed and
fragmented by farmland and roads (USFWS, National Wetland Inventory).
Lake Erie waters near Barcelona Harbor are impacted due PCB contaminated sediments and fish
advisories. Twentymile Creek has very healthy macroinvertebrate communities (as of 2005 NYSDEC RIBS
sampling efforts). Upper Belson Creek, Gage Gulf, and minor tributaries leading to Lake Erie, however
are threatened and/or need continued monitoring to properly assess the health of the aquatic
ecosystems. Pathogen inputs from poor agricultural practices are suspected impairments that may
impact aquatic communities if these waterways are not protected from degradation.
As with other sub-watersheds that encompass the eastern basin of Lake Erie, there are important cold
and warm water fishes to protect including lake sturgeon, lake trout, walleye, small and largemouth
bass, channel catfish, and yellow perch. Recreational species of importance include naturalized
populations of brown trout, Chinook salmon, and steelhead. Many migratory and resident avian species
utilize the Erie coastlines, such as raptors including Bald Eagles, gulls, and various waterfowl.
Municipalities: Village of Westfield. Towns of Westfield, Sherman, Mina, and Ripley. This report does
not include municipalities in the state of Pennsylvania.
Total waterways: 573.63 miles including principal tributaries Norge Creek, Freelings Creek, Twentymile
Creek, Belson Creek, and Gage Gulf. This report does not include waterways in the state of Pennsylvania.
Total sub-watershed: 68 acres
Threats:
Aquatic: agricultural runoff, pathogen input
Wetlands: Lack of protection, invasive species, fragmentation
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Woodlands: Lack of protection, no significant core forests, all forests are bound by agriculture
and suburban sprawl.
Grasslands: Invasive species in grass dunes along Erie coasts, mowing regimes on farmland
impact grassland-dependent bird nests
Natural areas: There are no large protected natural areas or notable parks within this sub-
watershed, fragmentation and suburban sprawl.
Conservation Strategies:
Close monitoring and protection of streams with no known impact.
Increase forest coverage and riparian zones to reduce pathogen and nutrient input. Forest
riparian zones in the headwaters would be ideal.
Working with the county to improve protected forest areas, and increase woodland acreage.
Protection of wetlands.
Partnerships with the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (and their affiliated
members) to promote BMPs among regional farmers (see Walnut Creek sub-watershed for
further detail).
The Jillson Road Farm (>100 acres) within this sub-watershed is under conservation easement
with WNY Land Conservancy. Partnership with this farmer may lead to increased BMP and
conservation implementation, as this farm is immediately adjacent to Freelings Creek, which
feeds Lake Erie.
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