Freshwater Conservation Canada (formerly Trout Unlimited) is at the forefront of water conservation in Canada. The Middle – Grand Chapter of the organization, which includes Brantford and Brant County, has undertaken numerous initiatives over the past 30 years to enhance the water quality of many streams and rivers in the local watershed. This Chapter’s territory encompasses some of the most heavily populated and agriculturally developed areas of Canada, which creates great challenges for freshwater resources.
One important quality for many species of trout is water temperature. While many species of fish can thrive in warm water, such as largemouth bass and perch, others rely on colder water to survive. The reason: cold water dissolves more oxygen that certain species require to survive. Because of their biology, Brook Trout are one of the species that require these cold- water bodies. Brook Trout are native to North America, with their native range covering much of the northeastern portion of the continent.
D’Aubigny Creek in West Brantford is very special. It is one of only two cold–water creeks in an urban area in south-western Ontario. Cold water percolates from that ground along Mt. Pleasant Ridge forming small streams that flow to form D’Aubigny Creek which eventually empties into the Grand River. These streams have also created a provincially significant wetland in the area.
This cold-water creek sustains a population of Brook Trout and other species. With urbanization, cold water creeks and the surrounding habitat are in danger from the effects of run-off from roadways. Freshwater Conservation has undertaken a study to monitor the temperatures of the creek using devices called data-loggers. These data loggers are strategically placed along the river course to record variation in water temperature. Usually, the data loggers are attached to a heavy article, such as a cinder block to ensure they remain in place and submerged.
This year, the Brant Waterways Foundation funded the purchase of three data loggers to assist the local Freshwater Canada with its research at D’Aubigny Creek.
In the Spring of 2025, Freshwater Canada also led electro fishing of portions of D’Aubigny Creek. Electro fishing is a method of monitoring the health of the Creek by measuring fish species and population. Students from the e3 class at Pauline Johnson assisted in the project.
This event and the results of the are to be found in an article by the Brantford Expositor.
