The Importance of River Bends
From its headwaters near Island Lake, the Credit River winds its way through the watershed, forming sharp curves and soft bends as it flows into Lake Ontario.
If you feel naturally drawn to the calm, scenic beauty of a meandering river, you are not alone. Studies indicate that people tend to prefer rivers that appear natural in their shape and characteristics.
Not all rivers meander. Over time, human activities have led to rivers being straightened or widened and their banks and floodplains in-filled to support various forms of development. In many places along the Credit River, dams and weirs were added to control the flow of water, often for recreation or aesthetic purposes. These actions have had unintended consequences on ecosystems and can increase the risk of flooding. Natural river bends and floodplains provide essential habitat for wildlife while also helping to slow down and store water, which can reduce downstream flooding and protect infrastructure.
Beneficial Bends
A curved, winding river is healthier than a straightened one. Rivers slow their speed and energy similar to how a skier goes down a hill with curves and turns to slow themselves down and create variability in speed. Curving rivers move and deposit more rock, sand and other solid materials, collectively referred to as sediment, in riverbeds and along their banks. When humans alter the natural form of a river to remove bends, these straightened rivers flow quicker, can cause excessive erosion and carry more sediment downstream that can be piled up in one spot.
Slower-moving water allows sediment to settle more evenly throughout the watercourse, which can improve water quality, create more habitat for native wildlife and help reduce flood risk.
Habitat for Wildlife
In naturally flowing rivers, pools often form along bends where deeper sections of water create cooler, sheltered areas. These pools provide essential habitat for sensitive species, such as brook trout, offering them safe places to rest and feed.
Cleaner water also nurtures the growth of native aquatic and riparian vegetation. These plants provide food and habitat for fish, amphibians and other wildlife, creating benefits that extend throughout the food chain and ecosystem.
Reduced Flood Risk
When rivers are restricted by impermeable surfaces, such as in channelized urban streams where natural banks have been replaced with concrete, large volumes of water generated during heavy rain events can overwhelm stormwater management systems. Without the buffering capacity of natural riverbanks, excess stormwater moves quickly across hard surfaces, increasing the risk of flooding.
In more rural areas, in-stream barriers, such as dams and weirs, can hold back the excess stormwater. However, as these barriers age, the risk of failure increases. If a barrier fails, large volumes of water can be released suddenly, potentially causing significant flooding.
Restoring floodplains, stream banks and wetlands to their natural state can help absorb and store excess water, slow the movement of stormwater and reduce flood risk.
Property Restoration
CVC is actively restoring the natural curves of straightened rivers and removing barriers throughout the watershed on both public and private lands. There are ways to take action in your own backyard:
- Landowner Action Fund: Restore water features such as a stream, pond or wetland, remove invasive species, decommission in-stream barriers and more with funding from our Landowner Action Fund.
- Rural Water Quality Program: Protect your water quality by installing livestock exclusion fencing, restoring natural areas and more with funding from your local Rural Water Quality Program.
Together, we can help protect clean, safe water for future generations.