Our Watershed, Our Blueprint

Project Vision: A healthy and resilient watershed that protects, sustains and enhances our evolving communities

No matter where you live or work, we are all located in a watershed. A watershed is simply defined as an area of land that drains surface water into a river or stream. Protection and enhancement of a watershed and the water resource system, including surface water and groundwater features, is a priority action for the City of Peterborough. Provincial policy further requires Watershed Planning to inform municipal decisions related to growth and infrastructure.

The threats associated with climate change and land-use change can result in a significant impact to watersheds in the Peterborough area. The watershed plan is intended to set a clear vision, with associated goals, objectives and targets that will help us adapt our land-use and infrastructure policy or guidance, in light of climate change.

The watershed planning process is a collaborative effort, dedicated to the protection and enhancement of our water resources. The Watershed Planning Study provides a framework for the protection and management of our water resources. The study has assessed the cumulative impacts of activities across the watershed which will ultimately help the City make decisions for growth and land use within the watershed. You can explore the Watershed Planning Study area by visiting our watershed plan mapping application.

Engagement and Collaboration

The community’s voice is an integral part of the project process. By asking for the community’s knowledge of issues, constraints and opportunities as well as ideas to shape the vision and goals, the study and eventual Plan can be tailored to address local feedback and concerns. Community feedback will also contribute to the Project Team's knowledge of local issues. The engagement plan for this project has two principle goals:

1. To provide key stakeholders, community organizations and the public with the opportunity to provide input and feedback to inform the Watershed Plan; and
2. To raise awareness regarding the development of the plan and the importance of watershed planning in general.

Further expertise and input are being obtained through a Watershed Coordinating Committee (WCC) and a Technical Working Group (TWG). The WCC is comprised of members from our neighboring Municipalities, the County, First Nations, and Otonabee Conservation. The TWG is comprised of subject matter experts who live and work in the community. These groups will meet regularly throughout the Watershed Planning process to provide input and comment on the plan.