kelso conservation area: study site investigation

KELSO CONSERVATION AREA

S T U DY S I T E I N V E S T I G AT I O N :F I N A L R E P O RT B Y K E L LY KO R N E T

E R S 3 1 5 : E n v i r o n m e n t a l G e o l o g y

P r o f e s s o r J o h n J o h n s t o n

A P R I L 2 0 1 3

1

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Kelso Conservation Area was established in 1960 on the Niag-

ara Escarpment in Milton, Ontario (GPS Coordinates 43.503,

-79.947). The 397 hectare park is recognized as a Regional

Environmentally Sensitive Area and includes 16 km of hiking and

mountain biking trails.1 At Kelso, visitors can enjoy the sites of

the natural landscape from the geologic formation of the es-

carpment to the ancient Eastern White Cedars, many up to 700

years old.2 The conservation area was created to manage water

resources through flood control. On site, a dam and reservoir

provide flood protection and regulate the Sixteen Mile Creek.1 In

addition, a 35-hectare man-made lake draws visitors to the site

during the summer and offers supervised swimming and kayaking.

Kelso Conservation Area owns and operates Glen Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre within the park.3 Open seasonally,

Glen Eden offers 6 ski lifts with access to 14 slopes and a snow-tubing park.3 In addition, the Halton Region Museum Is

located in Kelso Conservation Area and houses 35,000 artifacts and several exhibits on Halton’s local history through

it’s 6 heritage buildings located on historic farmland.4

History

From 1836-1950 a section of the land was cultivated by four generations of farmers (the Alexanders from Scotland).5

Two 55 foot stone chimneys remain on site as artifacts of Christie Lime Kiln’s historic operations from 1903-1929.5

Stone draw kilns were used to create quicklime by heating limestone to temperatures between 1300 and 1800

degrees Fahrenheit and speeding the calcination process.6 The lime was utilized by the building industry as a binding

agent in mortar.6 Milton Quarries further utilized the natural resource of the Niagara Escarpment dolostone at Kelso

from 1969-2001.6 The company operated on the East side of the conser-

vation area, extracting aggregate from the escarpment to support urban

infrastructure in the GTA.6 In 2006, the Milton Limestone Quarry sold

71.09 hectares of land to Conservation Halton and the area is currently

undergoing rehabilitation, later to open as the Milton Quarry Park.7

View from Kelso Conservation Area outcrop looking NW. Taken June 15, 2012.

Aerial photo of Kelso Park quarry operations. C. 1970s

2

LAND USE

View from Kelso Conservation Area outcrop looking NW. Taken June 15, 2012.


Directions to Kelso Conservation Area from University of Toronto Mississauga. Retrieved via Google Maps February 2013.

Kelso Conservation Area is currently utilized as a public park for out-

door activities such as hiking/biking, swimming, skiing/snowboarding,

kayaking, camping and rock-climbing. Within the park one can access

educational information on Halton’s local history and its diverse

environment

PROXIMITY TO SERVICES8

Kelso Conservation Area is located in close proximity to the city

of Milton. While there is no direct transit available to the park, the

Milton GO station is positioned at a 6.3 km distance. Both the Milton

Fire Station No. 1 and the Milton Home Hardware Building Centre are located 6.4 km from Kelso CA. Additionally, the

Halton Healthcare Services – Milton District Hospital and the 1 District – 12 Division Halton Regional Police Service are

located 8 km away.

DIRECTIONS TO UTM AND ACCESS8

Kelso Conservation area is about 32 km (driving distance) from the University of Toronto Mississauga at Mississauga Road

just Southwest of the 401 highway. From UTM, head northwest on Mississauga Rd toward Outer Circle Rd. Continue onto

Queen St S, then onto Mississauga Rd. Turn right onto Mississauga Rd/Regional Road 1 N5 then merge onto ON-401 W via

the ramp to London. Take exit 320 to merge onto Regional Road 25 N toward Halton Hills/Acton. Turn left onto No. 5 Sid-

eroad and continue onto Campbellville Rd. Turn

left onto Tremaine Rd/Regional Road 22. Turn

right onto Kelso Rd. Follow Kelso Road until

the main access gates (about 1-2 km). Additional

access points can be found at Steeles Avenue

West and Appleby Line.

Topographic map of Kelso and surrounding area featuring elevations and artificial infrastructure (quarry, buildings, rail and roadways). Natural Resources Canada Atlas of Canada, 2013.

3

Biosphere


Left: view of Eastern white cedar at Kelso CA. Taken June 14, 2012. Right: endangered jefferson salamander. (Public Domain Photo)

The city of Milton, Ontario is located 17 km Northeast of Kelso Conservation Area and boasts a rapidly growing popula-

tion of 75,573. 9 There are no residential properties located within conservation area boundaries yet urban development is

steadily expanding towards the Conservation Halton parks. The vegetation classification of the park includes mixed wood

plains and Carolinian (deciduous) forest.10 In Halton Region, there are over 150 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and

amphibians, 60 species of fish and 800 species of flora.5 Kelso Conservation Area is the home of two unique species - 700

year old Eastern white cedars and the endangered jefferson salamander.2 Since 2008, Conservation Halton has been working

to protect endangered species through the development of the Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Program by collecting

information on species, ecosystems and changes to the environment over time.11 The Species At Risk designation is given to

plant and animal species that are threatened with extinction, extirpation or endangerment.12 Visitors can help by reporting

sightings of rare species (as designated by the Species at Risk in Ontario list) online through the Conservation Halton web-

site. Conservation Halton aims to increase awareness and knowledge of species at risk and encourage stewardship actions

to protect them.12

4

Atmosphere


Climograph information (temperature left, precipitation right) from Toronto/Pearson Airport ~30 km E of Kelso CA.14

There are nine meteorology stations within a 25 km radius of Kelso Conservation Area. The closest station is located about

15 km Northeast at the Georgetown Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).13 Monthly data is available from 1962-2006

with initially sparse information and gaps until 1964.13 Daily data is currently available and has been fairly consistently mea-

sured from 1962-2006.13 Hourly data is unavailable.13 There are no meteorology stations within Kelso Conservation Area.

The unique topography and environment of the park will offer significant discrepancies from the data collected at George-

town WWTP. The closest climograph information can be retrieved from Toronto/Pearson Airport Station about 30 km East

of Kelso CA.14 At this distance, the information is not at all applicable to the conditions of Kelso Conservation Area as the

interference of Lake Ontario near Pearson will offer much different weather patterns than those of the Niagara Escarpment

at the park.

5

Lithosphere


Kelso CA with elevation profile (be-low) at Niagara Escarpment cliff and bedrock exposures A) Kelso Quarry Park, B) quarry, C) sand and gravel pit D) dam and reservoir. Retrieved via Google Earth, March 21, 2013

Kelso CA demonstrates an 85-meter range in elevation with 243 m at the

shoreline of Kelso Lake and 328 m at the peak of the Niagara Escarpment

(maximum slope at 29.4%).15 Kelso CA contains soils of the luvisolic order

with both loamy soil and clay loam.16 Loamy soil features relatively equal

amounts of sand, silt, and clay; retains moisture and drain water efficiently.17

Clay loam consists of sand and silt with increased clay content and is imper-

meable with poor or imperfect draining.17 The bedrock formation beneath

the park is Phanerozoic in age and of sedimentary classification. Both the

Clinton-Cataract (sandstone, shale, siltstone) formation and Amabel (dolos-

tone) formation were formed in the lower Silurian from sedimentary depo-

sition beneath a warm shallow sea.18 To the East, bedrock consists of the

Queenston formation of shale, limestone, dolostone, and siltstone from the

Upper Ordovician.19 To the West, the Salina formation of limestone, dolos-

tone, shale, sandstone, gypsum, and salt dates back to the Upper Silurian.19 At

Kelso CA the bedrock is exposed at the Kelso Quarry Park (43°30’5.64”N

79°55’35.29”W), a bedrock quarry (43°30’25.23”N 79°56’23.58”W), a sand

and gravel pit (43°30’34.81”N 79°56’34.81”W), the Kelso Lake dam and reser-

voir (43°30’46.53”N 79°56’41.81”W) and at the Escarpment Trail which offers

a scenic lookout within the park.1,19 There is a significant range of surficial

geology within Kelso Conservation Area. As demonstrated by the above-men-

tioned exposures, Paleozoic bedrock from the early and middle Silurian (400

Ma) makes up a considerable amount of the surficial material as part of the

Niagara Escarpment.20 The park is located on the Milton Outlier, an isolated

portion of the Niagara Escarpment developed through the process of stream

erosion.1,5 The advance of glaciers carved out the present day landscape in the

park and the subsequent retreat resulted in the deposition of glacial deposits

from the Quaternary age (2 Ma – 12,000 years ago).20 These deposits include

ice-contact stratified deposits of sand and gravel, minor silt, clay and till and

glaciofluvial deposits of gravel from previous river systems.20 Within the past

12,000 years, Kelso CA includes organic deposits of peat, muck, and marl from

past wetland activity in addition to modern alluvial deposits from river activity

prior to stream augmentation.20

Organic Deposits - peat, muck, marl

Glaciofluvial Deposits river and delta gravelly deposits

Modern Alluvial Deposits clay, silt, sand, gravel

Ice-contact Stratified Deposits sand, gravel, silt, clay, and till

Paleozoic Bedrock

Till - clay to silt-textured till from glaciolacustrine

Approximate Conservation Area Boundary

SURFICIAL GEOLOGY

Early and Middle Silurian (400 Ma)

Quaternary Glacial Deposits (2 Ma - 12,000 ya)

Holocene Deposits (12,000 ya - Present)20

20

20

6

HYDROSPHERE


Real time hydrograph from Oakville Creek at Milton (~3.5 km from Kelso CA) demonstrating discharge from 03/2012 - 03/2013.

*54 years of data (1957 - 2011) real time and sediment data available22

Kelso Conservation Area is located central SW of Great Lakes, 24 km from Lake Ontario. Within the park, a 35 hectare

man-made reservoir (Lake Kelso) was created for flood and erosion control of the Sixteen Mile Creek. The Sixteen Mile

Creek runs through Halton Region from the Niagara Escarpment in Milton through Oakville to Lake Ontario and covers

357 square kilometers of land.7 The Niagara escarpment crosses the northwestern region of the Sixteen Mile Creek wa-

tershed, which drains into Lake Ontario through Oakville. Within the Sixteen Mile Creek watershed, three reservoirs have

been created for flood control, flow augmentation and recreation.7 Some areas of the park are underlain by shale bedrock, a

material characterized by low permeability resulting in high quality groundwater.21 The groundwater drains from Northwest

to Southeast in the park and the recharge and movement rate is low.21 There are no available gauge stations within Kelso

Conservation Area that offer data on the Kelso Lake reservoir to the public. Real time hydrograph data is available about 3.5

km from Kelso CA from Oakville Creek at Milton.22 This gauge station demonstrates real time discharge rates from 1957 to

2013 and offers sediment data.22

7

Data Quality/Quantity


Information on the background and introduction to Kelso Conservation Area is sufficient in terms of both quantity and

quality. All of the information under this portion was up to date and readily available online. The history of Kelso Conserva-

tion Area can be demonstrated by an amalgamation of resources, yet a comprehensive guide to historic information with the

inclusion of specific locations, scale of activity, and time-frame would be valuable. Additionally, up-to-date information (per-

haps a blog) on the development and progress of the Milton Quarry Park could benefit current and future visitors of Kelso

CA. This information could potentially benefit Kelso CA by stirring up anticipation for and increasing park visitation with the

opening of the public park.

There was a great range in both quality and quantity on the four spheres of Kelso Conservation Area. While Statistics

Canada offers thorough information on the human population, it should be noted that the information regarding plant and

animal species is far from adequate. Few animal and plant species are specifically mentioned for Kelso CA and the only

available quantification of animal species covers the entire Region of Halton. It is unclear whether a study of all species

within Kelso CA has been executed, as the data is not made available to the public. Concerning the atmosphere of Kelso

Conservation Area, there are no meteorology stations within an adequate distance of the park. The meteorology information

made available is inapplicable to Kelso as variables in topography and vegetation would likely alter the data. Furthermore,

the closest climograph data is about 30 km from the park14 and is thus considered obsolete. There is a significant quantity of

publicly available information for the lithospheric component of Kelso CA. The data collected from the Ontario Geological

Society is very recent (Surficial Geology – 2010, Aggregate Resources – 2012, Bedrock Geology – 2009).23 However, there

could be a greater amount of access to the original sources of information used to create the OGSEarth files. One area of

the lithosphere with considerably poor quality information is that of the soil. As a surface feature, soil is prone to variations

in atmospheric activity and land use changes. The most recent soil survey dates back to 197116 and may or may not reflect

the current soil profile of Halton County. The hydrosphere component of the conservation area was sufficiently covered

in terms of general information and patterns, however, both park management and visitors alike could benefit from public

access to information provided by a gauge station at Kelso Lake.

Overall, the general information of Kelso Conservation Area is quite accessible to the public, yet the park could benefit by

further developing information within the park boundaries. It is recommended that both a meteorology and water gauge sta-

tion be introduced to Kelso CA in compliance with Environment Canada’s quality controlled standards24 and made accessible

to the public. Together, these tools could offer insightful information towards the effects of atmospheric conditions on flood

control of the Sixteen Mile Creek within Kelso CA.

8

Important Anthropogenic Issues at Kelso Conservation Area


1. Ski and Snowboard Operations

Conservation Halton has expressed a concern for best environmental practices towards the management of ski hill oper-

ations, incorporating the implementation of a sustainable slopes program in the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan.26 The anthropo-

genic forces of ski hill operations are likely causing physical weathering processes to the surface of the Niagara Escarpment

slope at Kelso Conservation Area over time as evidenced by various regions impacted by ski resort activity.27,28 Conserva-

tion Halton should pursue a thorough study of anthropogenic disturbances at Kelso CA with regards to the activity of Glen

Eden Ski and Snowboard Centre. Subsequent to retrieving data, park management should explore mitigation processes and

consider fully implementing the sustainable slopes program.

2. Rock Climbing and Conservation of Eastern white cedars

Rock-climbing may offer a great source of outdoor entertainment to visitors yet consistent human-activity can severely in-

crease the processes of weathering over-time. This activity can become an anthropogenic disturbance as wildlife habitats may

be at risk due to the alteration of ecosystems. In 1997, a study regarding the effects of rock climbing on the ancient eastern

white cedars of the Niagara escarpment was made public.29 According to the study, there was a “strong relationship between

the presence of rock climbing and the frequency of Type 3 (obvious human impact) damage to trees on cliff faces and edg-

es.”29 The park is home to several of the at-risk tree species, some up to 700 years old. Thus, protection of the eastern white

cedars at Kelso Conservation Area should be of great concern to Conservation Halton.

3. Stream Augmentation of Sixteen Mile Creek through Kelso Lake Reservoir

Monitoring of Kelso Lake water levels and ecosystems could offer valuable insight into the future of this reservoir and the

effects of stream augmentation on the natural environment. The water-dependent ecosystems within Kelso CA could be

studied to interpret the potential anthropogenic interferences to wildlife as a result of Sixteen Mile Creek mitigation. The

impacts of artificial dams on ecosystems are currently understood as “profound, complex, varied, multiple and mostly nega-

tive.”30 Kelso Conservation Area features a dam and reservoir which alters the natural discharge of the Sixteen Mile Creek

in order to protect the nearby city of Milton. As a result, stream augmentation alters the temperature and chemistry of the

water and modifies the sediments and nutrients.30 The direct effects of the Kelso Lake Reservoir on the natural environment

should be further studied in order to understand the extent of anthropogenic changes.

9

References


1. Conservation Halton. (2013). Kelso conservation area trail and facility guide. Retrieved from http://www.ontarioconservationareas.ca/

trail_maps/Halton/maps/kelso_map.pdf

2. Halton Region. (2012, 01 01). The natural setting. Retrieved from http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=8932

3. Conservation Halton. “Who We Are Glen Eden Skiing and Snowboarding - Kelso Conservation Area .” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7,

2013. http://gleneden.on.ca/glen-eden/who-we-are.

4. Halton Region. “A Brief History of the Halton Region Museum.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.halton.ca/cms/One.

aspx?portalId=8310&pageId=70857.

5. Halton Region Museum. (2011). Formation & development. Retrieved from http://jeffshome.halton.ca/escarpmentinhalton/formation-devel-

opment/

6. Halton Region, . “Jeff ’s Home - Halton Region.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.halton.ca/cms/One.aspx?por-

talId=8310&pageId=20302.

7. Conservation Halton. (n.d.). Parks and recreation: Kelso facts. Retrieved from http://www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1483 on

February 25, 2013

8. Information accessed via Google Maps. April 7, 2013. ©2013 Google.

9. Statistics Canada. 2012. Milton, Ontario (Code 0532) and Ontario (Code 35) (table). Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics Canada.

Catalogue no. 98-316-XWE. Ottawa. Released October 24, 2012. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011

/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed March 22, 2013).

10. Atlas of Canada. (2012). Canada’s terrestrial ecosystems [Web]. Retrieved from http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/assets/file/504

11. Conservation Halton. “What is Biodiversity, and why is it important?” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.conserva-

tionhalton.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1590.

12. Conservation Halton. “Natural Environment - Overview.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.conservationhalton.

on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?maincategory=1&subCatID=777.

13. Forensic Engineering Inc. (n.d.). Ontario weather stations. Retrieved from http://www.forensiceng.ca/ontario-weather-stations.html

14. Weather Online Ltd. (2013). Climate - graph - Toronto Ontario. Retrieved from http://www.weatheronline.co.uk

15. Google, Inc. Elevation of Kelso Conservation Area. Generated by Kelly Kornet February 24, 2013; using Google Earth

16. Gillespie, J. E et al. Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food, (1971). Soils of Halton County (No. 43). Retrieved from Canada De-

partment of Agriculture website: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/surveys/on/on43/index.html

17. Lerner, B. R. (2000, 01 06). What is loam? Retrieved from http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/loam.html

18. Google, Inc. Bedrock Geology of Kelso Conservation Area. Data retreived from OGS Earth Bedrock Geology at http://www.mndm.

gov.on.ca/en/minesandminerals/applications/ogsearth/bedrock-geology. Generated by Caitlin Hanley February 24, 2013; using Google Earth

19. Google, Inc. Data retrieved from OGS Earth Aggregate Resources at http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-andminerals/applications/

ogsearth/aggregate-resources February 24, 2013; using Google Earth.

10

References


20. Google, Inc. Surficial Geology of Kelso Conservation Area. Data retreived from OGS Earth Surficial Geology at http://www.mndm.gov.

on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/ogsearth/surficial-geology. Generated by Caitlin Hanley February 24, 2013; using Google Earth.

21. AMEC ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE. AMEC, “MILTON EDUCATIONAL VILLAGE LANDS SCOPED CHARACTERIZA-

TION AND BASELINE INVENTORY.” Last modified February 2012. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.milton.ca/en/build/resources/

MEV_Scoped_Characterization_Baseline_Inventory.pdf.

22. Environment Canada. (2012, 11 21). Graphical data - real - time hydrometric data. Retrieved from http://www.wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/

index_e.html

23. OGS. “OGSEarth.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/og-

searth.

24. Environment Canada. National Climate Data and Information Archive, “Frequently Asked Questions.” Last modified 2013. Accessed

April 7, 2013. http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/FAQ_e.html.

25. Sarah, Lowe, and Yundt Sherry . Aggregates and Roadbuilding, “Kelso Quarry Park.” Last modified 2013. Accessed April 8, 2013. http://

www.rocktoroad.com/content/view/1032/.

26. Conservation Halton. Conservation Halton’s Strategic Plan 2009-2013 - Towards a Healthy Watershed (2009). Accessed April 7, 2013.

http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/uploads/Strategic%20Plan/Theme%202%20Parks.pdf

27. Ristic, R. et. al. Land Degradation at the Stara Planina Ski Resort. Environmental Management (2012) 49: 580-592. Accessed April 8,

2013. http://journals1.scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/tmp/2496528473317979769.pdf

28. Graydon, P.A. Stability considerations of the ski slopes in the blue mountains area of the Niagara escarpment (1975).

29. Kelly, P.E. and Larson, D. W. Effects of Rock Climbing on Populations of Presettlement Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) on

Cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, Canada (1997). Conservation Biology 11, 1125-1132. http://journals2.scholarsportal.info.myaccess.library.

utoronto.ca/tmp/1963971471133556706.pdf

30. World Commission on Dams Thematic Review – Environmental Issues II.1. Dams, Ecosystem Functions and Environmental Resto-

ration (2000). http://acad.carleton.edu/curricular/BIOL/classes/bio252/DamsReport.pdf

kelso conservation area: study site investigation

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