SAVE THE ORO MORAINE

The Oro Moraine is a geologic landform formed during the last ice age approximately 12,000 years ago. It is approximately 35,000 acres (14,000 ha) in size extending 21 km from Orillia west to Hwy 400 just past Craighurst, and is about 6 km wide.

It is predominantly located in Oro-Medonte Township but a small part is in the western edge of Orillia and the eastern edge of Springwater Township.

The Oro Moraine is a beautiful landscape of rolling hills and valleys with forests throughout and many wetlands and farmlands. It supports much biodiversity providing critical habitat for many species including over 35 species at risk. It also provides essential wildlife/ecological corridors for species movement from within and from outside the moraine.

It provides ecosystem services serving as a natural filter for water and air and contributing to the regions ecological health. It also supports much recreation and tourism.

A GIFT FROM THE LAST ICE AGE

Formed about 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice, in between two great ice sheets (interlobate) material was deposited via glacial meltwater as they retreated. Also referred to as a kame moraine because of its hills which are called kames.

Scientific (including geologic) studies done show that because of their hydrological and ecological significance the Oro Moraine along with the Paris-Galt, Waterloo, Orangeville, Singhampton and Gibraltar Moraines are in need of protection

(See third map below).

The Oak Ridges Moraine serves as an excellent model, having its own Conservation Plan and Act as well as being part of the Greenbelt.

ITS WATERS

The Oro Moraine plays a major role in the water cycle of the region and contributes to both local and regional groundwater flow. It is not simply local but it is part of a bigger system of regional waterflow.

The Moraine is the birthplace (headwaters) for many rivers and streams whose waters flow into all the major watersheds in Simcoe County:

• Nottawasaga Valley Watershed flows west into Georgian Bay (Lake Huron)

• Severn Sound Watershed flows north into Severn Sound/Georgian Bay (Lake Huron)

• Lake Simcoe Watershed flows south to Lake Simcoe

A GIFT FROM THE LAST ICE AGE

The Moraine is composed mainly of sands and gravels which are quite porous and allow about 80% of the rainfall to soak into the earth replenishing (recharging) the aquifers below. It is thought that the Moraine can absorb water 10x more efficiently than adjacent lands.

Natural vegetation help stabilize the soil and is an important first step (absorption into the ground) in the recharge process especially on hilly terrain.

The aquifer complex which is multi-layered receives and stores the infiltrating water which is filtered and cleansed as it travels downward.

In essence, the Moraine acts like a giant sponge or rain barrel by collecting, filtering/cleansing and storing rainwater (and snow meltwater) in its aquifers.

This water is slowly released at lower elevations along its sides via its many seeps and springs. The trickles of water from seeps and streams flow and eventually join together to form creeks and streams. These rivers, creeks and streams sustain critically important wetlands; many of which are provincially significant such as Copeland Forest which is not only the most biodiverse area in Simcoe County but also an ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest).

The Oro Moraine groundwater is not only released locally but its water is also released many kilometres away such as in the internationally recognized Minesing Wetlands (Springwater Township) as well as many other areas in Simcoe County.

Routes that groundwater take within the moraine and along its path outside the moraine are difficult to map.

The Moraine provides clean, cold drinking water to thousands of Simcoe County residents, including all of Oro-Medonte Township (approx 24,000 residents) and beyond its borders as its groundwater is released.