Map: See Hall's Creek watershed map

Description:

Rabbit Brook is a tributary of Halls Creek. It has a watershed area measuring 29 km² and is a watercourse that is highly influenced by urbanization. A physical habitat survey of this brook indicates that it is considerably degraded. Sediment deposition and siltation due to urban sprawl and development are major issues for the physical habitat of Rabbit Brook.

The majority of the brook's substrate is made up mainly of fine sediments, which is knee deep at certain areas. This sediment originates from multiple sources such as bank erosion, storm sewer outlets, inadequate culvert installation, streambed modification and piping. Storm sewer outlets carry large amounts of sand and silt during rain events. Bank erosion is associated with inadequate culvert installation (ex. size, height from the stream bed, etc.), and from modification of the brook's streambed to accommodate urban development. Piping of the upper parts of Rabbit Brook is another cause for sedimentation. When piping a watercourse, the pipe changes the hydrodynamics of the brook and in turn this accelerates the water velocity during rain events or snow melting leading to unnatural stream bank widening (scouring) thus leading to bank erosion.

A number of obstructions are also associated with Rabbit Brook. These obstructions were most often caused by debris discarded into the brook. Again these obstructions create large areas of sediment deposition that act similar to a settling pond. These retention areas can span hundred of metres upstream.

Indications of sewage cross connections were also noticed along various portions of the brook (scent and visible evidence). These cross connections explain in part the high E-coli readings found within this brook (Table 23). Leacheate was also observed along certain areas of the stream bank, mostly bordering the property with PID #00755116. Infilling with unknown materials on this property up to the stream's edge is of concern.

Rabbit Brook is a typical urban stream that has been abused and taken advantage of during the past years. As mentioned previously, this brook has suffered piping, sewage input, urbanization, etc., but there is still hope for this urban stream. The Beaverbrook elementary school and a small group of local residents are fighting for its safekeeping and they have saved it many times against destruction to accommodate development. Even though the brook has suffered through the years, its flow remains strong. With some help this brook can become vibrant again. Wildlife of all sorts have been spotted near this brook (ex. muskrat, beaver, deer etc.). With a significant improvement of its water quality, fish like trout and salmon might just be able to reclaim this habitat.

Water quality highlights for Rabbit Brook:

Three different locations were sampled on Rabbit Brook. The uppermost sampling site was situated above Mapleton Road (PWMG 25), the second above Cedar Street (PWMG 70) and the third one at the confluence of Rabbit Brook (PWMG 24) just before it goes under Wheeler Boulevard.