Water 



Water is of vital importance to the people of Ontario. Water control is of 

 major interest to all of the Conservation Authorities in Ontario. The study of the 

 water problems of the watershed begins in the Branch office with the careful 

 examination of all available data. Hydrometric and meteorological records kept 

 over the years are checked and tabulated and all available flood records are in- 

 vestigated and related to the gauge records of the river in question. If there is 

 a flooding problem, the number, size and location of reservoirs required to 

 control flood waters is determined. All small lakes, community ponds and old 

 mill dams are mapped and examined. 



Analyses of flood problems require careful examination of all pertinent 

 available data and field surveys followed with detailed computations. To provide 

 needed data on flood levels and extent of damages incurred, accounts of floods 

 dating back over the last two hundred years are catalogued by the history section 

 of the Conservation Authorities Branch. From this catalogue it may be noted 

 that for the year 1947 alone, which was one of the worst on record for floods 

 in Ontario, over 80 serious floods occurred on 54 of the Province's rivers. 



Since the inception of the Branch, its technical personnel have been dis- 

 patched to the scene of most major floods in the Province to observe, photo- 

 graph, measure and report on conditions, peak stages and flows and prepare 

 estimates of damages. 



Topographic maps of the watershed are examined for possible dam and 

 reservoir sites, and tributary areas are defined. Aerial photographs are examined 

 stereoscopically, and the extent of channel improvements, dikes or diversions 

 needed is estimated. Additional control data are determined by detailed field 

 surveys. After the completion of field surveys, much detailed analysis is required 

 for the preparation of a comprehensive water control plan and report. 



In order to provide accurate records of runoff and stream flows, the gaug- 

 ing of streams is necessary. This was started in Ontario in 1912 by the Hydro- 

 Electric Power Commission, and later taken over by the Federal Government. 

 Since the Conservation Authorities Branch was established in 1944, the number 

 of gauges has been increased from 9 to over 120. During the past six years, 

 some 28 of the existing manually-read gauges have been replaced with recording 

 stream gauges which will provide reliable, continuous records. This program is 

 continuing, and eventually most of the gauges will be of the recording type. In 

 addition, accurate records of precipitation on the various watersheds are re- 

 quired. The tabulation of precipitation data is administered by the Federal De- 

 partment of Transport, but as in the case of the stream gauges, the network of 

 rain gauges is constantly being increased. 



Land Use 



Land use surveys must carefully consider the relation between soils, ag- 

 riculture, forestry and water. All existing data, of which there is a considerable 

 amount, are drawn upon in preparing a report. Basic to all land use surveys 

 are the reports of the soil surveys carried out over the last 24 years by the 

 Soils Department of the Ontario Agricultural College in co-operation with the 

 Canada Department of Agriculture. 



Since the establishment of the Branch, over 40 land use surveys have been 

 conducted in the watersheds of 24 Conservation Authorities. These surveys have 

 been concerned with the examination of the conditions of the land, and with 

 the factors contributing to its well-being or its misuse. Such conditions as drain- 



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