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Vernal pools have an important connection to the groundwater system, and are critical to the maintenance of healthy, functioning surface and subsurface water systems. Their connection to the groundwater system relates to the role of vernal pools in groundwater recharge and flood control. Other vernal pools are formed when the water table breeches the surface and results in depressions in the landscape filling with water. The over-extraction of groundwater can effectively destroy these vernal pools.
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The destruction of these vernal pools or ephemeral wetlands decreases the ability of the land to absorb water after heavy rainfall events or during the snowmelt in the spring. The increased water runoff can result in more frequent and severe flooding, lowering of water tables, the destruction of fish habitat, a reduction in water quality (higher nutrient, pollution, and sediment loads), and loss of recreational fishing and boating areas. The cost of mitigating these impacts can be a great burden on society; including flood and erosion control, water treatment, agricultural losses due to drought and erosion, dredging, and habitat restoration.
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Photo: Kerry Jarvis
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The implications of poor water quality can be catastrophic and expensive, as seen in the Walkerton Water Tragedy when the town’s water supply was contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria resulting in 7 deaths and the illness of 2,300in May 2000. On top of the human losses, it has been estimated that the Walkerton water tragedy cost the Town of Walkerton and the people of Ontario between $64.5 and $155 million. Maintaining wetlands and vernal pools to maintain and enhance water quality and quantity essential to the continued health and vitality of our communities. Hopefully, with the provincial government looking at source water protection these vernal pools and ephemeral wetlands will be afforded some protection and help to evade such tragedies.
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