Mapping water pathways across Creek 53

We are excited to share that a new research project has been underway this summer at the Creek 53 Conservancy Trust, led by Nina Zevgolis, a McGill undergraduate researcher in Environmental Health, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing at the Bieler School of Environment.

This project focuses on ameliorating our understanding of the hydrological network that crosses the landscape. While land is typically regarded as fixed and clearly bounded, water does not adhere to such boundaries. Moving across and beneath the surface, water remains in constant motion, feeding into wetlands and streams by connecting with surrounding ecosystems in twisted and sometimes hidden ways.

By mapping and analyzing such pathways, the project examines where water enters the Creek 53 lands, how it moves through different habitats, and where it discharges. Water influences where organisms can survive, how nutrients are transported, and which habitats can be sustained. A hydrological understanding is therefore essential since all life here depends on it. It is also key for identifying vulnerable areas, supporting healthy ecosystems, and guiding future conservation or restoration efforts if needed. 

As highlighted in earlier amphibian research by Dr. Jessica Ford (see link here), wetlands and ponds provide critical breeding and feeding habitats for frogs and other species. Understanding how water flows through the landscape helps us better understand how these species move, where they flourish, and how different parts of the ecosystem are connected.

This work combines existing municipal data, satellite and LiDAR imagery, and field observations to better understand how water moves through the landscape. We look forward to growing our understanding of the hydrological systems across Creek 53!