Medway Creek (Ontario) facts for kids

Medway Creek is a cool waterway in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It's a tributary, which means it's a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river. Medway Creek flows into the North branch of the Thames River near the University of Western Ontario.

What is Medway Creek?

Medway Creek is an important part of the local environment. It helps drain water from a large area, mostly farmland.

Where Does it Start and Go?

Medway Creek travels about 214 kilometers (133 miles). It collects water from a huge area of 205 square kilometers (79 square miles)! Most of this area is farmland in Middlesex County. The creek starts north of Elginfield Road (Highway #7), just east of Lucan, Ontario. Many smaller streams, like Cook Drain and Snake Creek, flow into Medway Creek.

How Does the Creek Flow?

The way Medway Creek flows changes along its path. About 30% of the creek flows naturally, just like a wild stream. But 49% of it has been changed into channels by people. The last 21% is actually buried underground in pipes called tile drains.

The Green Spaces Around the Creek

Before Medway Creek joins the Thames River, it flows through the Medway Heritage Forest in Northwest London. This forest is a special place because it helps hide the creek from new buildings and farms. If you drive north on Highway #4 (Richmond Street), you can often see the creek winding across the road.

The area right next to the creek is called the riparian zone. This is a 30-meter (about 100-foot) strip of land on each side of the creek. About 34% of this zone is covered in permanent plants, like trees and meadows. These plants are super important for keeping the creek healthy!

Life in the Medway Creek Watershed

The land around Medway Creek, called its watershed, is full of interesting features and wildlife.

How the Land is Used

Most of the land in the Medway Creek watershed, about 83%, is used for farming. The soil here is often a mix of silt and clay, which is good for growing crops.

Important Wetlands and Water

The Arva Moraine Wetlands Complex is a very important wetland in the area. It's recognized as a "provincially significant" wetland, meaning it's special for the whole province! There are also three other wetlands that are important locally.

Many people in the watershed, including those in a town called Birr, get their drinking water from underground sources called groundwater. This groundwater also helps keep wetlands, forests, and streams healthy. About 65% of the water flowing in the local streams comes from groundwater!

Fish and Mussels in the Creek

Medway Creek is home to many different kinds of aquatic animals. Scientists have found 46 different types of fish and 13 kinds of freshwater mussels living there! Some of the fish you might find include Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Rainbow Trout. Most of the creek's water is warmer, which is perfect for fish that like warmer temperatures.