Collecting Inventories and Environmental Data
We collect environmental data to:
The data are used to determine the overall health of the watershed’s natural systems and identify trends of concern.
The data are used to reinforce an understanding of local biodiversity richness and inform protection actions.
The data are used to determine if we meet project goals, and to inform future restoration projects.
Our monitoring and inventory initiatives are a collaboration between CVC and our member municipalities, particularly the Region of Peel.
Real-time Environmental Monitoring
We operate a network of 57 real-time environmental monitoring stations throughout the Credit River Watershed. Stations send information in real-time on current environmental conditions. This allows us to better understand, predict and warn about flooding, threats to water quality and low water levels. We share data with our municipal partners to support flood forecasting and decision making.
We monitor a number of key environmental variables, including:
- Water level
- Precipitation
- Wind gusts
- Humidity and relative humidex
- Barometric pressure
- Air temperature
- Water temperature
- Dissolved oxygen
- pH
- Conductivity and chloride
- Turbidity
Our real-time environmental monitoring stations are located throughout the Credit River Watershed.
View our summary tables to see the most recent data.
Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program
The Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program (IWMP) is a long-term monitoring program that reports on the health of ecosystems in the Credit River Watershed.
Long-term monitoring allows us to understand how healthy our watershed is, and whether conditions in our ecosystems are improving, deteriorating or stable. This information informs water and land management decisions. This helps us and our partners develop longer-term strategies to protect and enhance the watershed’s natural resources. We follow rigorous protocols established by federal and provincial agencies based on the best available science.
We monitor living and non-living attributes in:
- Groundwater
- Groundwater levels
- Groundwater chemistry
- Streams
- Water quantity
- Surface water temperature
- Water chemistry
- Stream stability
- Fish
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Forests
- Soil conditions
- Tree health and dead wood
- Plants
- Birds
- Wetlands
- Tree health and dead wood
- Plants
- Frogs and toads
We also monitor drivers that shape ecosystems:
- Climate
- Landscape
Data are collected at regular intervals to provide current snapshots of conditions and trends over time.
Our monitoring stations are located throughout the Credit River Watershed.
We publish reports and studies and factsheets about our Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program.
Read our most recent report, Summary of Conditions and Trends in the Credit River Watershed. This report is a summary of the status and trends in ecosystems across the Credit River Watershed. Using data from as early as 1938, CVC’s Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program completed a rigorous analysis of forest, wetland, stream and groundwater ecosystems as well as climate and landscape across the watershed.
Explore stories from our data through interactive StoryMaps.
Natural Heritage Inventory
We identify significant natural heritage features and functions in the Credit River Watershed. We collect data on what species and plant communities are present, and how they are distributed.
Our efforts to protect and restore watershed ecosystems rely on inventory data. These data inform:
- Strategies
- Land management
- Modelling
- Natural Heritage System development
We inventory natural areas, from lush old forests and swamps to open meadows, marshes and shallow aquatic areas. We inventory and map:
- Vegetation communities
- Plant species
- Breeding bird species
- Breeding frog species
- Bat species
Our work is done all over the watershed. We inventory in new places every year. We work on both public and private properties, where we have permission from the landowners.
Explore the Natural Areas Inventories Map on Peel Region’s website.
Review our factsheet about our Natural Heritage Inventory program.
Explore our site summaries on Peel Regions website.
Infrastructure Performance and Risk Assessment Program
We work to understand the long-term performance and life-cycle management of low impact development and stormwater technologies. We monitor stormwater designs and configurations in various land use types and climate conditions.
This program supports municipal partners to ensure compliance with requirements. We share knowledge and expertise by collaborating with the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP). We coordinate our research activities and facilitate knowledge transfer and training.
We monitor a number of key items, including:
- Flow and water balance
- Complex water quality
- Infiltration, soil and groundwater
- Site conditions (through inspections and surveys)
Through this program, we provide support for life-cycle and asset management to our partners.
We assess inventory at sites throughout the watershed.
Explore resources on the STEP website.
Upcoming Events
Watershed Science News
As part of our 70th anniversary, we’re highlighting stories that connect our past with our present through a […]
October 21, 2024–Credit Valley Conservation’s (CVC) smart blue roof has been awarded a 2025 Clean50 Top Project Award, […]
Five-part Series Highlighting the Top Stories of the Watershed Plan The first phase of the Watershed Plan characterizes […]
Stories from our Monitoring Data
We study changes to the environment in the Credit River Watershed through our Integrated Watershed Monitoring Program. Explore stories from our data through interactive StoryMaps.
Let’s Get Social
Follow #cvcMonitoring on social media!
Review Key Documents
- IWMP Reports and Factsheets
- Natural Heritage Inventory Factsheet
- Sustainable Water Technologies Reports