Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve Management Statement

Statement of Conservation Interest (C2373)

OMNR, Kenora District
June, 2003

Prepared by: Catherine Reaburn, OLL Intern
Prepared for: OMNR, Kenora District
Date: February, 2002

Approval statement

We are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve.

This Statement of Conservation Interest provides guidance for the management of the conservation reserve and the basis for the ongoing monitoring activities. More detailed direction at this time is not anticipated. Should significant facility development be considered or complex issues arise requiring additional studies, more defined management direction, or special protection measures, a more detailed Conservation Reserve Management Plan will be prepared with full public consultation.

The public was widely consulted during the original regulation process and further consultation is not required at this time.

The conservation reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of the Kenora West Area Supervisor, Kenora District, Ministry of Natural Resources.

Fred S. Hall
District Manager
Kenora District

Charlie Lauer
Regional Director
Northwest Region

1.0 Background information

During the Lands for Life process, areas representative of Ontario’s diverse ecosystems and biological/geological features were identified and recommended for regulation as parks and conservation reserves under the Provincial Parks Act and the Public Lands Act (OMNR, 1999). Ontario’s Living Legacy expanded the percentage of Ontario’s protected areas to encompass twelve percent of the province’s land and water base. Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is one of the representative areas selected for protection in site region/district 4S-1, and was regulated June 7, 2003 (Reg. 208/03). The area was selected as a candidate under Ontario’s Living Legacy due to the fact that this site contains representative landform and vegetation types, including bedrock and strongly broken bedrock with conifer, deciduous and mixed forests (OMNR, 1999).

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is located approximately 28 kilometres north of the City of Kenora and approximately 7 kilometres north of the hamlet of Redditt. This conservation reserve incorporates one small, unnamed lake within its boundary. The shorelines of several small lakes form the site’s west, north, and east boundaries. The total area to be regulated is approximately 613 hectares (OMNR, 2001a).

The intent of this Statement of Conservation Interest is to identify the natural heritage values of Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve, the activities occurring in the area and, through a set of management guidelines, outline the activities that will be permitted and prohibited.

For more information regarding the basis of this Statement, please refer to the "Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL3.03.05", specifically, pages 2-6 and 14-22 of the procedure (OMNR, 1997a).

1.1 Representation targets

This section provides a summary of the earth/life science values, cultural resources, and the recreational opportunities available or possible within Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve.

1.2 Survey information

This section provides an overview of the inventories that were completed, their level of detail, and any further inventories that are necessary.

2.0 Values to be protected

This section provides a description of the key natural heritage values on the site, their condition relative to past resource use and management activities, as well as their sensitivity to future land use and management activities.

2.1 Life sciences

Representative landforms and vegetation types, including bedrock and strongly broken bedrock with conifer, deciduous, and mixed forests were expected to be found in the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (OMNR, 1999). The life science surveys identified the following life science values.

Jack pine and black spruce are typically the most abundant tree species, but trembling aspen and white birch may be present and even dominant in some stands. Green alder, Bebb’s willow, serviceberries and bush honeysuckle are the dominant shrubs (Foster et al, 2002).

Wetlands in the reserve occur on organic deposits along valley bottoms and adjacent to lakeshores. Alder thicket swamps and bluejoint grass-dominated meadow marshes are strongly influenced by beaver activity on the several small streams that run north-south through the reserve (Foster et al, 2002).

Figure 1: Wetland area in the western portion of the reserve

Figure 2: Creek running north-south between Fourth and Fifth Lake

2.2 Earth sciences

Based on initial, coarse-level data, Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve was reported to contain both moderately and strongly broken bedrock landform types. However, during the earth and life science reconnaissance field studies it was determined that most of the reserve contains moderately broken bedrock and that any representation of strongly broken bedrock within the reserve was questionable (Foster et al, 2002).

Although Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is said to be situated within the Lount Lake batholith, none of the rock within the reserve was found to be representative of this batholith. Typically the rock is a foliated pink to grey, medium grained biotite granodiorite whereas rock within the Lount Lake batholith is massive porphorytic rock that varies in colour from shades of pink to grey to yellow to green (Blackburn, 2002). A more detailed earth science inventory would be necessary to determine whether this conservation reserve does indeed lie within the Lount Lake batholith.

Pleistocene surficial deposits are rare in the reserve and are confined to shallow till ground moraine over bedrock. Very large perched boulders dot the landscape and are probably remnants of boulder beaches washed by glacial Lake Agassiz (Blackburn, 2002).

2.3 Tourism

There are no tourist establishments immediately within the conservation reserve, however, the reserve is part of two Bear Management Areas that are operated by tourist camps in the area.

2.4 Aboriginal values

At this time, there are no known aboriginal values within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (OMNR, 1995).

Figure 3: Exposed bedrock in the western portion of the reserve

2.5 Fishing

The primary game fish within and around the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve are walleye and northern pike.

2.6 Cultural/historical values

At this time there are no known cultural or historical values within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (OMNR, 1995).

2.7 Hunting

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is part of Wildlife Management Unit # 6 and includes moose, deer, and black bear, as well as other small game animals and a variety of waterfowl. The reserve is part of two Bear Management Areas.

2.8 Recreational values

Camping, fishing, and hunting, are the most popular recreational activities within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve. The lakes within and around the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve are most likely accessed by small boat and canoe. Fishing opportunities exist for northern pike and walleye. There is one established campsite within the reserve and one established camp site outside of the reserve boundaries on the northeast shore of Fifth Lake.

2.9 Mining

The mineral potential in the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is undetermined at this time. No new mineral exploration may occur in the conservation reserves proposed through Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. No mineral exploration and extraction may occur within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (OMNR, 1997a).

2.10 Aggregates

There is no aggregate development within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (Moorley, 2002).

2.11 Forest harvesting

The forest values within the reserve boundaries are to be protected from any unnatural alteration (OMNR, 1999; 1997a). Successional changes associated with each forest type occurring in the area (depending on each stand’s stage of maturity, specific vegetative species composition, and soil type) are anticipated to take place as outlined in the following statements. Please note that for the purpose of this document, the successional time frame is depicted as 100 years.

The most significant natural disturbance in the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is wildfire. A large fire burned most of the reserve in 1929 and another smaller fire burned the western portion of the reserve again in 1939. Today there is no representation of these burns and some areas which are actually conifer on bedrock are misclassified as burn (Foster et al, 2002). There was moderate damage caused by spruce budworm in 1991 and 1993 within the reserve and high budworm-induced mortality in the extreme northeast corner of the reserve in the mid-1990's. Severe defoliation of the trembling aspen, fireweed, and blueberries by forest tent caterpillars was observed during field reconnaissance in 2001 (Foster et al, 2002).

In the valley bottoms there is evidence of a significant amount of beaver activity, particularly adjacent to aspen stands. As a result, the changes in hydrology caused by beaver dams has resulted in the formation of alder thicket swamps and meadow marshes along some of these systems (Foster et al, 2002).

Jack pine and black spruce are typically the most abundant tree species within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve but significant amounts of white birch and trembling aspen may also be present (Foster et al, 2002). The longterm succession for these areas is towards a more open canopy black spruce –feathermoss condition although the rate at which this happens varies considerably from site to site. Total canopy tree cover will decline through time as will tall and low shrub cover. Jack pine may regenerate in the understory due to gaps in the canopy. Remnant jack pine and white birch may also occur in older stands that are dominated by black spruce (OMNR, 1997b).

2.12 Trapping

The reserve is part of one registered trapline.

2.13 Wildlife

A large amount of wildlife can be found within the reserve including moose, whitetail deer, black bear, waterfowl, and a variety of small game animals. There is a moose aquatic feeding area on the southern end of Fourth Lake at the edge of the reserve (Foster et al, 2002).

Figure 4: Canada geese pair in a marshy area between Fourth and Fifth Lake

2.14 Commercial fishing

The Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is part of one registered baitfish area.

3.0 Management guidelines

3.1 Land Tenure

The Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve consists entirely of Crown land. Disposition of land through Crown Lease or Land Use Permit may be permitted within the conservation reserve for approved activities and provided there are no impacts on identified values (OMNR, 1997a). No disposition of land by sale will be permitted.

3.2 Existing and proposed development

There is no existing or proposed development within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve and because of this, the reserve is in relatively undisturbed condition (Foster et al, 2002). The Fifth Creek Jack Pine Seedling Seed Orchard is situated close to the reserve on the north shore of Fifth Lake.

3.3 Recreational activities

Camping is probably the most popular activity within the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve. One well-used campsite is located near the reserve on the south shore of Fifth Lake. Another well-used campsite that is accessible by a 4 x 4 vehicle is located on the north-east shore of Fifth Lake near the reserve. On the day of the inventory there was evidence that both of these sites had been used fairly recently. Hunting and fishing are probably also popular recreational activities in the area due to the ease of accessibility of Fifth Lake. It is possible to launch a small boat or canoe from the campsite on the north-east shore.

Figure 5. Campsite on the northeast shore of Fifth Lake

Figure 6 : Campsite on the south shore of Fifth Lake

3.4 Commercial activities

Trapping will continue to be permitted within the reserve boundary as the area forms part of one registered trapline (OMNR, 1999). Black bear hunting will also continue to be permitted since the reserve is part of two Bear Management Areas. The reserve is also part of one registered baitfish operation. No changes to these areas are required at this time provided that they do not impact the reserve’s identified and protected natural heritage values. No further commercial activities will be permitted in the area, including road construction and removal of aggregates (OMNR, 1999; 1997a). The development of utility corridors is discouraged.

The area will be removed from the operable Kenora Forest Land Base and the Sustainable Forest License. The area has been withdrawn from all mining exploration and extraction activities by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM).

3.5 Aboriginal Interests

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is located within a primary interest area of several First Nations. Any specific aboriginal values associated with the reserve are unknown at this time. Nothing in this Statement of Conservation Interest will affect existing or future aboriginal or treaty rights.

3.6 Natural Resources Stewardship

3.6.1 Vegetation management

The MNR recognizes fire as an essential process fundamental to the ecological integrity of conservation reserves. In accordance with existing Conservation Reserve Policy and the Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario, forest fire protection will be carried out as on surrounding lands.

Whenever feasible, the MNR fire program will endeavour to use "light on the land" techniques, which do not unduly disturb the landscape, in this Conservation Reserve. Examples of light on the land techniques may include limiting the use of heavy equipment or limiting the number of trees felled during fire response efforts.

Opportunities for prescribed burning to achieve ecological or resource management objectives may be considered. These management objectives will be developed with public consultation prior to any prescribed burning, and reflected in the document that provides management direction for this conservation reserve. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in accordance with the MNR Prescribed Burn Planning Manual, and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (approval pending).

Fuelwood permits will not be issued within the area encompassed by the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve. However, usage of the areas wood resource for shorelunches and campfires will be permitted provided that there is no resulting damage or alteration of the forest and its understory (OMNR, 1997a).

3.6.2 Fish and wildlife management

No management action is required other than the implementation of existing Wildlife Management Unit #6 regulations and Division #22 sport fishing regulations and management activities.

3.6.3 Landforms

The landforms represented within Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve will not be altered through any landform modification activities, including filling and extraction of aggregates, peat, soils, and similar materials (OMNR, 1997a).

3.7 Cultural Resources Stewardship

Based on existing information, there are no requirements at this time.

3.8 Client services

Information regarding this conservation reserve will be made available so as to ensure that all resource users (particularly forestry and mining companies) are aware of its location, recognized values, and permitted uses. Potential users include tourists, local anglers/hunters, recreationalists (ie. canoeists, hikers, snowmobilers), and the general public, all of who may utilize the areas wood resource for camping, shorelunches, firewood, and personal use.

3.9 Research

Non-destructive research relating to cultural and historical values within the reserve would be beneficial so as to add further potential values to the reserve, as well as to ensure their protection.

3.10 Marketing

There are no marketing requirements at this time.

4.0 Implementation

These management guidelines will be implemented immediately by the Kenora District of the MNR. Any MNR Resource Management Plans or Land Use Plans which include this area will be amended accordingly. Any affected clients will be immediately informed of the changes, should any arise. Administrative responsibility for the conservation reserve rests with the Kenora West Area Supervisor. Implementation will primarily involve monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines.

5.0 Review and revisions

5.1 Review and revisions

Minor amendments to this Statement of Conservation Interest may require to be posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry prior to their approval. Consultation efforts may also be required, as determined by the Area Supervisor, as well as the approval of the District Manager and the Regional Director.

5.2 Public consultation

5.2.1 Results of past consultation

Contact regarding the regulation of Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve was made with timber companies, local communities, and the general public in June, 2001. Consultation efforts involved the direct mailing of a District information package to local interest groups (such as the Local Citizens Committee), as well as to all those with patent land, boat caches, bear management areas, trapline areas, bait fishing areas, and Sustainable Forest Licenses within and/or adjacent to the reserve’s proposed boundaries. Newspaper advertisements were issued in the Kenora Enterprise and the Kenora Daily Miner and News in mid-June, 2001. Only a few responses were received and were specifically related to activities permitted and prohibited within the proposed conservation reserves in the Kenora District.

First Nation consultation associated with the Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve has been completed. The Grand Council Treaty #3 office had hired an individual to assist both MNR and the area First Nations to complete these consultations. No First Nation values were identified during this consultation effort.

5.2.2 Present and future consultation

More widespread consultation is not deemed necessary at this time due to the extensive consultation which took place in June, 2001 (refer to section 5.2.1).

6.0 References

Blackburn, Charles. 2002. Detailed Information For Site 2373: Octopus Creek.

Foster, Robert & Harris Allan. 2002. Life Science Checksheet. C2373 Octopus Creek.

Moorley, Rob. 2002. Resource Management Technician. Personal Correspondence. OMNR, Kenora District.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2001a. Ontario’s Living Legacy Fact Sheet - Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (C2373).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000b. Kenora District-Kenora & Whiskeyjack Forests Wildfire/Blowdown History Map (200 + Ha).

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1997a. Conservation Reserves Policy and Procedure. PL 3.03.05.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1997b. Silvicultural Guide to Managing for Black Spruce, Jack Pine and Aspen on Boreal Forest Ecosites in Ontario. Book II: Ecological and Management Interpretation for Northwest Ecosites. Version 1.1 September, 1997.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1995. Kenora District Archaeological Sites – Map 52L/1.

Appendix A: Map of SCI sites within Kenora District- 2001/2002

Appendix B: Map of values within Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve

Enlarge Appendix B: Map of values within Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve

Appendix C: Life Science Checksheet

C2375 Octopus Creek

Natural Heritage Area – Life Science Checksheet

Physical and biological features

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve encompasses approximately 600 ha of bedrock-controlled terrain 3 km southeast of Octopus Lake. Two small lakes (<50 ha) form much of the reserve’s eastern boundary, and a third unnamed lake borders the reserve on the west. The waters of another small (10 ha), unnamed lake on the northern boundary are entirely within the reserve.

Rock barren (Ecosite 7) is widespread in the reserve, particularly in the western half, on exposed bedrock hilltops with little or no soil. These xeric communities have scattered, stunted jack pine and pin cherry, with three-toothed cinquefoil, sandcherry, and harebell in association with extensive reindeer lichen (Cladina mitis, C. rangerferina, C. stellaris). These communities are often classed as bedrock outcrop (4 ha) or sparse forest (285 ha) by Lancover28 or as the vegetated bedrock LV-type (168 ha).

Ecosite 12 is the predominant forested ecosite in the reserve. Jack pine and black spruce are typically the most abundant tree species, but trembling aspen and white birch may be present and even dominant. They are typically found on very dry and very shallow sandy soils on hill tops and upper slopes. Green alder, Bebb’s willow, serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.) and bush honeysuckle the dominant shrubs. Large-leaved aster, Canada mayflower, and bunchberry are found in patches on extensive feathermoss groundcover (e.g. Schreber’s moss). Much of Ecosite 12 (and some of ES7) is classed as sparse (~30-40% canopy cover) deciduous and conifer forests by Landcover28. Depending on the overstory composition, it comprises the deciduous, deciduous mixed, conifer mixed, and sparse forest LV-types.

Deciduous and mixed forests with abundant trembling aspen typically occur on dry to fresh sandy soils on lower and toe slopes. Ecosites 16 and 22 are typical, often in association with aspen-rich Ecosite 12. These sites often have a dense shrub layer of beaked hazel and bush honeysuckle, and a diverse herbaceous layer. Broadleaf litter, rather than feathermoss, is the dominant ground cover.

Wetlands in the reserve occur on organic deposits along valley bottoms and adjacent to lakeshores. Alder thicket swamps (W35) and bluejoint grass– dominated meadow marshes (W13) are strongly influence by beaver activity on the several small streams that run north-south through the reserve. Shore fens (ES45) are found along the margins of lakeshores and there are a few pockets of tamarack-dominated treed fen (ES40) on deeper organic deposits. Small areas of poor (ES35) and intermediate (ES36) black spruce conifer swamps are also found on low-lying organic deposits. Speckled alder, labrador tea, goldthread, rock cranberry, Sphagnum magellanicum, S. capillifolium, and S. girgensohnii are typical understory species. Mineral-rich groundwater running of adjacent slopes often contributes to good tree growth in these swamps, even when understory vegetation is not well-developed.

Representation

The conservation reserve is supposed to include both moderately and strongly broken bedrock landform types. During field reconnaissance (both aerial and on the ground), it was difficult to distinguish between these relief classes. In addition, contours do not follow the boundaries between the moderately and strongly broken relief classes. Most of the reserve appeared to be moderately broken, relief in comparison to the more broken relief (e.g. cliffs) observed just to the west of the reserve. Representation of strongly broken relief types within the reserve is questionable.

Some of the rock barren (ES47) which is considered sparse forest in the Landcover28 is misclassified as burn in the LV-type data. No recent burn has occurred in the reserve, so there is actually no representation of burn on either moderately or strongly broken bedrock. In addition to sparse forest, some of this burn should correctly be classified as conifer on bedrock (since it is ES12), an LV-type that was not documented for this reserve.

Nonetheless, Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is very representative of a range of conifer, deciduous, and mixed forests on moderately broken bedrock for 4S-1.

Condition

The reserve is located only 7 km north of the community of Reddit, and a main forest access road passes within 750 m of the reserve’s eastern boundary. The reserve is in relatively undisturbed condition since there has been no development within the reserve.

The two lakes on the eastern boundary (Fifth Lake to the north and Fourth Lake to the south), have historically had popular walleye and northern pike recreational fisheries. As a result, there are several campsites and a small boat launch on Fifth Lake. There is a trail leading into reserve from a gravel pit on the west side of the forest access road (English River Road), between Fourth and Fifth lakes. There is also a private boat cache on Fourth Lake.

A jack pine seed orchard is located on the northeast shore of Fifth Lake.

Diversity

Octopus Creek has a low diversity of environments and species. The vast majority of the reserve is bedrock. The relief provides some limited diversity with wetlands occurring in organic pockets in depression. Otherwise, relatively species-poor conifer and sparse forests predominate in most of the reserve.

Noble recommended extending the boundary to the east to incorporate a stream valley system and increase diversity in the reserve.

Ecological considerations

Wildfire is the most significant natural disturbance agent in the conservation reserve and 4S-1. A large wildfire (14,000 ha) burned most of the reserve and surrounding areas during the 1920s, and the western portion burned again in 1939 during another large (6000 ha) fire event.

There was moderate spruce budworm defoliation of balsam fir across much of the conservation reserve in 1991 and 1993. There has been moderate to high budworm-induced mortality in the extreme northeast corner of the reserve since the mid-1990s. Severe defoliation of trembling aspen, fireweed, and blueberries by forest tent caterpillar was observed during field reconnaissance.

There is considerable beaver activity in the valley bottoms, particularly adjacent to aspen stands. Changes in hydrology as a result of dams have resulted in the formation of alder thicket swamps (ES44) and meadow marshes (ES46) along some of these systems.

The relatively small size of the conservation reserve makes it sensitive to edge effects and there is limited core area for area-sensitive species. Fortunately, there has been little disturbance of the landscape immediately surrounding the reserve.

Although the reserve has open, dry habitats and is near the Manitoba boundary, no plants with prairie affinities were observed during fieldwork. Lack of nearby source populations, suitable soils, and warmer than average microclimates are likely limiting factors.

Special features

There is an identified moose aquatic feeding area on the southern end of Fourth Lake at the edge of the reserve.

No provincially rare species were observed during the field reconnaissance.

Major information sources

Harris, A.G., S.C.McMurray, P.W.C.Uhlig , J.K.Jeglum, R.F.Foster and G.D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-01. 74 pp. + Append.

Noble, T. 1995. Site Region 4S-1 Gap Analysis. Unpublished report for Ontario Parks, Ont. Min. Natur. Resour. Thunder Bay, Ont. 23 p. + appendices.

Noble, T. 2000. Octopus Creek (#1060) Review comments. 2 p.

OMNR. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Printer, Toronto.

Racey, G.D., A.G. Harris, J.K.Jeglum, R.F.Foster and G.M.Wickware. 1996. Terrestrial and wetland ecosites of northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-02. 88 pp. + Append.

Sims , R.A., W.D. Towill, K.A. Baldwin, P. Uhlig and G.M. Wickware . 1997. Field guide to the forested ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-03. 176 p.

Recommendations

The boundaries of the conservation reserve should be extended approximately 2 km to the west and northwest encompass strongly broken terrain (e.g., cliffs and lineaments) near several small lakes. This would provide better representation of LV-types on strongly broken bedrock and increase the diversity of both life (e.g. lake and cliff communities) and earth science features.

Significance level and summary of major representative values

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is representative of vegetated bedrock, sparse forests, deciduous, conifer, and mixed forests on moderately broken bedrock that are typical for this part of 4S-1.

Date Compiled
25/06/03

Compiler(s)
Robert Foster, Allan Harris
Northern Bioscience

Table 1. Land cover classes of Octopus Creek (derived from Landsat data).

Table 2. Rapid assessment plot summary from Octopus Creek.

Table 3. Landform – vegetation (LV) type representation for Octopus Creek (ha).

Table 4. Site type matrix for Octopus Creek.

Octopus Creek vegetation species lists

The following species lists are based on fieldwork conducted June 13, 2001 and data provided by OMNR.

Plant list

Taxonomic order and species names generally follow Morton and Venn (1990). Introduced species are marked "I". Provincially rare species (Oldham 1999) are marked "P". Regionally rare species (TBFN 1998) are marked "R". Voucher specimens were collected for species marked "*".

Octopus Creek animal species list

Taxonomic order and nomenclature follow AOU (1998) for birds and Banfield (1974) for mammals. Nesting evidence codes follow the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas:

Possible Nesting

• H - Species observed in breeding season in suitable habitat
• S - Singing male present or breeding calls heard observed in breeding season in suitable habitat

Probable nesting

• P - Pair observed in their breeding season in suitable habitat

Confirmed nesting

• NU – Used nest or eggshell found (occupied / laid during the atlas period)
• FY – Recently fledged young or downy young

Mammals

Appendix D: Earth Science Inventory Checklist

Detailed Information For Site C2373 Octopus Creek

Protection history:

This reserve was identified under the provincial Lands for Life - Ontario’s Living Legacy Program. It was principally identified for its life science representation with no previous earth science significance assigned.

Setting:

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve incorporates lands west of the English River Road in the vicinity of Forgotten Lake. The eastern boundary lies along a north-trending creek system 1 km west of the road. The western boundary is along a small lake 0.5 km east of Octopus Creek. The reserve comprises 438 hectares of Crown land within Kenora MNR District. Elevations range from XXX to XXX m a.s.l. It is characterized by extensive bare bedrock and rugged relief that has been referred to as "strongly broken bedrock" (Noble, undated).

Earth science features:

Bedrock geology

Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve lies within the Archean age Winnipeg River subprovince. Outcrop density is >90%, and the landscape very rugged (photos 1 and 2). Geologic maps (Breaks et al 1975, 1993) show the Reserve to lie within the Lount Lake batholith, a regionally extensive granitic complex on the order of 100 km long (east to west) by 20 km wide. The batholith is host to a number of building stone quarries at its western end, the closest to the Reserve being operated by Nelson Quarries Ltd. at Forgotten Lake, some 4 km to the northeast. The batholith is characteristically composed of massive porphyritic rock that varies in colour from shades of pink to grey to yellow to green. This massive character and variation in shades of colour are of value in the dimension and decorative stone industry, especially when coupled with lack of closely spaced fractures and lack of foreign inclusions. At Octopus Creek the rock is neither porphyritic nor devoid of fractures. However, fractures are quite widely spaced (~ 10 m). Typically the rock is a foliated pink to grey, medium grained biotite granodiorite (station 1: photo 3). Pegmatitic phases are also present. It should be noted that the level of detail in mapping to date (Breaks et al 1975) presents some uncertainty as to inclusion of the rocks of this area within the Lount Lake batholith. A number of deeply incised northwest and northeast trending lineaments that traverse and extend beyond the site probably represent fault structures.

Surficial geology

Pleistocene surficial deposits are rare in the Reserve, and confined to shallow till ground moraine over bedrock (Neilson 1989). Minor organic material is present in the few low lying areas at the edge of rocky lake basins. Very large perched boulders dot the landscape (station 1: photo 4), probably remnants of boulder beaches washed by glacial Lake Agassiz. Glacial striations indicate movement of glacial ice toward the southwest (azimuth 220° measured at station 3: photo 5).

Significance:

The reserve falls short as a representative of the Lount Lake batholith, which is generally characterized as being porphyritic. There is some uncertainty as to the inclusion of the rocks of the area in the batholith, but because this is the only reserve that incorporates rocks potentially of the batholith, it may be of regional significance.

Sensitivity:

None of the earth science features is in danger of being negatively affected by natural impacts. The granitic rocks are unlikely to be of interest to the building stone industry for reasons presented above.

Recommendations:

The designation of conservation reserve adequately protects the site from any quarrying interests, the likelihood of which is in any event low. It has been recommended (Noble, undated) that the reserve be expanded to the west to include more characteristically rugged country (photos 1 and 2). This would also serve to include better representation of lineaments that reflect fault structures, and is therefore endorsed (see recommended new boundary on accompanying Bedrock Geology map).

Because of uncertainty of inclusion of bedrock of the reserve within the Lount Lake batholith it is recommended that before assigning regional significance to the site detailed mapping be done to fill in the gap in existing geologic maps.

References

Breaks, F.W., Bond, W.D. and Westerman, C.J. 1993. Compilation Map, English River Subprovince; Ontario Geological Survey, Map P.3091, scale 1:253 440.

Breaks, F.W., Bond, W.D., McWilliams, G.H., Gower, C.F. and Stone, D. 1975. Operation Kenora-Sydney Lake, Kenora-Minaki Sheet, District of Kenora; Ontario Geological Survey, Preliminary Map P.1030, scale 1:63 360.

Neilson, J.M. 1989. Umfreville Lake, Data Base Map, Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 5106, scale 1:100 000.

Noble, T. Undated. Unpublished review of Octopus Creek (#1060), 1 p.

Photographs

1. View to the north along Octopus Creek showing incised valleys and high bedrock ridges. Outside and immediately west of reserve
2. View towards the north of high cliffs on the small lake along Octopus Creek seen in Photo Outside and immediately to northwest of reserve
3. Foliation in pink biotite granite. (Stn. 1; UTM 0397200E 5543850N)
4. Perched boulder. (Stn. 1; UTM 0397200E 5543850N)
5. Glacial striations on pink granite (parallel to hammer handle). (Stn. 3; UTM 0397300E 5544696N)

Glossary of geological terms

Archean: The earliest eon of Precambrian time, older than 2500 million years.

batholith: A very large body of igneous intrusive rock.

biotite: Black, opaque, platy ferro-magnesian mineral that parts along distinct cleavages.

fault: A fracture or zone of fracturing along which there has been displacement of rocks on either side relative to each other.

foliation: Tectonically imposed planar structure in rocks defined by mineral layering and/or orientation.

glacial striations: Scratches and scours, commonly parallel to each other, on rock surfaces that are derived by the abrasive action of rock fragments embedded in glacial ice as it moves over the surface.

granitic: General term applied to intrusive igneous rocks with visibly distinct crystallinity, that are quartz-bearing: includes granite, granodiorite, tonalite, quartz monzonite and quartz diorite.

granodiorite: Granitic rock with similar amounts of potassic and sodic feldspar, and commonly biotite as the mafic mineral component.

lineament: Any natural linear feature related to geological features, observed on maps or aerial photographs.

moraine: Sediment deposited by direct glacial action.

pegmatite: Very coarsely crystalline intrusive igneous rocks, commonly of granitic composition.

Pleistocene: The epoch of the Quaternary period that extends from about 2 million to about 10,000 years ago.

porphyritic: Igneous rock texture in which larger crystals occur within a finer ground mass.

Recent The epoch of the Quaternary period that extended from the end of the Pleistocene epoch, around 10,000 years ago, to the present.

subprovince: Structural subdivision of a geologic province, commonly but not uniquely fault-bounded, based on distinctive internal rock types, structures, ages and metamorphic conditions.

till: Non sorted, non stratified sediment carried or deposited by a glacier.

Appendix E: Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve (C2373) consolidated Policy Report

Ministry of Natural Resources

Crown Land Use Atlas - Policy Report

C2373
Octopus Creek

Updated: September 25, 2002

Identification:

ID: C2373
Area Name: Octopus Creek
Area (ha): 622
Designation: Conservation Reserve - Recommended (Ontario’s Living Legacy)
District(s): Kenora

Description:

The Octopus Creek Conservation Reserve is located south-east of Octopus Lake, approximately 30 kilometres north of the City of Kenora.

The site contains representative landform and vegetation types,including bedrock and strongly broken bedrock with conifer.

Land use intent:

The intent is to regulate this area as a conservation reserve.

Management of this area is also governed by the general policies contained in the Land Use Strategy (1999).

Management direction:

Those uses and management activities not listed in the following table are governed by existing conservation reserve policy. Over time the management direction will be elaborated in a Statement of Conservation Interest or Resource Management Plan. Any new uses, and commercial activities associated with conservation reserves. will be considered on a case by case basis,and they must pass a test of compatibility to be acceptable. Compatibility is normally determined through a planning process.

Commercial activities

Land and resource management activities

Science, education and heritage appreciation

Recreation activities and facilities

Note: The policies outlined in this table do not supersede any Aboriginal or treaty rights that may exist, or other legal obligations.

Source of direction:

Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999)
Conservation Reserves Policy (1997)

Explanation of edits:

Area calculation has been edited based on current mapping. Area calculations are preliminary until public consultation on boundaries has been completed and the area has been regulated.