The Bronte Creek Watershed

Beginning near Morriston, the main channel of Bronte Creek flows nearly 50 kilometers before emptying into Lake Ontario in the town of Oakville. The most dominant feature of the watershed is the scenic Niagara Escarpment,  which divides the watercourse into its upper and lower reaches. Above the Escarpment, most tributaries are relatively small, shallow, and slow moving. Glacial valleys cut in the face of the Escarpment channel water from the tributaries above the Escarpment into the main branch of Bronte Creek below. Lower sections of the creek follow a deep, narrow valley downstream to Lake Ontario. 

The headwaters of Bronte Creek and many of it's tributaries contain a significant number of wetland areas that hold large quantities of rainwater which is slowly released to the creeks throughout the year. This flow is supplemented by  groundwater that contributes a significant flow of cold water, even in periods of drought. These water sources combine to create a stable cold water ecosystem capable of sustaining populations of trout.

Native Brook Trout which were once common in Bronte Creek are still found in some tributaries, along with Brown Trout which were introduced in the 1950's. Atlantic Salmon have disappeared from this watershed, but Bronte Creek has become a nursery for migratory Rainbow Trout from Lake Ontario.

Upper Bronte Creek

Beginning near Morriston, Bronte Creek winds its way across Highway 6 into Carlisle. Along its way, ground water sources like  Maddoch Springs near Puslinch contribute significant quantities of cold water to the ecosystem.

 

Mountsberg (Badenoch) Creek and Mountsberg Lake

From above Highway 401, Moffat and Badenoch Swamps provide the steady water supply that becomes  Badenoch Creek. Once a trout stream, Badenoch Creek was dammed to create Mountsberg Lake in an attempt to control flooding  and to provide a consistent outflow during low water periods. This shallow lake, which has become home to Largemouth Bass and Pike, causes significant warming of the water resulting in an outflow that is too warm to support trout. Pike from the reservoir have moved upstream to feed on native Brook Trout in Badenoch Creek. This creek is now known as Mountsberg Creek.

Carlisle to Progreston Dam

Bronte Creek (left) has been reborn in Courtcliffe Park in Carlisle at the confluence with Mountsberg Creek (right). Inline ponds have been transformed into offline ponds, allowing the creek to once again flow through this area. This fast flowing water should create suitable habitat for trout to return to this area of the creek. More details and pictures are available on the Courtcliffe Park page.

Before crossing Centre Road in Carlisle, Bronte Creek flows through the Carlisle Conservation Area. The creek widens significantly through this area becoming a small shallow lake. See the  Carlisle Conservation Area page for details. 

Below Carlisle, the banks of  the creek widen and the flow slows to the Progreston dam.

Algae growth above the Progreston Dam is an indication of the warm, fertile water, which is impacted by surrounding agricultural runoff.

Progreston to Dakota Dam

From the Escarpment edge, Bronte Creek follows a deeply carved glacial valley where significant quantities of groundwater joins the main flow. 

Flamborough Creek

Flamborough Creek flows from wetland areas east of Carlisle. An inline pond at Carlisle Golf Club causes a significant increase in water temperature of outflow.

Flamborough Creek joins Bronte below the dam at Progreston.

Kilbride Creek

Kilbride Creek flows south from its headwaters in wetlands areas north west of Mountsberg Lake and joins Bronte Creek above the Dakota Dam near Cedar Springs. In areas above Kilbride, there is insufficient volume for sustained flows during low water periods.

Willoughby Creek

From it's headwaters near Waterdown, Willoughby Creek flows along Cedar Springs Road and joins Bronte Creek below the Dakota Dam near the Cedar Springs Community.

Along it's path, it is joined by the outflow from Nelson Quarry on Colling Road. The water pumped from the quarry was used to wash gravel and contains  large quantities of silt.

Numerous inline ponds along Cedar Springs Road contribute to significant warming of the creek before it joins Bronte Creek. These photos show the results of the removal of an inline  pond on Willoughby Creek in the Cedar Springs community.

Dakota Dam to Lowville

Above Lowville, a steady flow of cold water is sustained throughout the year. 

This section of Bronte Creek can be accessed from the Bruce Trail. Limited parking is available along Britannia Road at Blind Line.

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This dam located upstream of Lowville Park presents the first barrier to migratory fish, however many Steelhead successfully clear this obstacle.
  

Lowville Park

Lowville Park, located near Guelph Line north of Britannia Road in the community of Lowville, is a popular site for summer recreational activities and offers scenic solitude in the winter as well.

Limestone Creek

Flowing from springs in the Nassagaweya Canyon, Limestone Creek joins Bronte Creek below Britannia Road. This creek offers an uninhibited path for migratory fish from Lake Ontario.

Lower Bronte Creek

After joining with Limestone Creek, Bronte Creek flows swiftly under the Zimmerman Bridge at 2nd Sideroad. From here, the creek follows a relatively narrow channel to Lake Ontario