Fishtrap Creek ISMP

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP)?

  ISMPs are action plans for protecting and improving watershed health and addressing current issues in a watershed. The ISMP process preserves watershed health as a whole, while meeting community needs and allowing development and re-development to occur. It allows for trade-offs so that environmental losses in one area within a watershed can be offset by gains in other areas thereby meeting the guiding principle of no-net-loss.

• Where is the Fishtrap Creek study area?

  The study area includes the Fishtrap Creek watershed north of the Canada-US border. The study area is approximately 3,050 hectares, with main tributaries including Fishtrap Creek, East Fishtrap Creek, Waechter Creek, Peardonville Creek, Enns Brook and Logan Creek. 

• ​​​​​​​What are the key issues?

  The Fishtrap Creek watershed has been affected by urbanization, development and agricultural activities. Previously identified issues include:

  • Localized flooding; 
  • Sediment deposition in detention ponds;
  • Poor drainage in lowlands/farmlands; 
  • Reduced channel capacity due to overgrowing vegetation and beaver dams;  
  • Declining number of endangered fish species; 
  • Fish and wildlife habitat loss; and 
  • Poor water quality.