With the arrival of the spring freshet, it is time to commence surveys in support of a Headwater Drainage Feature Assessment (HDFA) for any project that has the potential to interact with headwater drainage features (HDFs). This includes any project that might alter and/or eliminate HDFs.
HDFs are non-permanently flowing drainage features that are important for maintaining healthy watersheds. HDFs may not have defined beds or banks, and can include first-order and zero-order intermittent and ephemeral channels, swales, and connected headwater wetlands. Conservation Authorities are concerned with land development and construction activities that have the potential to alter and/or eliminate HDFs. Such activities can in turn have broad implications for water quality and quantity, recharge/infiltration, and the overall health of the local HDF and downstream aquatic habitats.
The objective of a HDFA is to evaluate and classify HDFs and to determine the appropriate management and mitigation actions in regards to a project. To support such an assessment, surveys must be conducted to classify the hydrological, aquatic, and terrestrial functions of the HDFs.
For more information on HDFs and HDFAs, contact Katie Black. KAL can provide project specific advice and has qualified staff to complete HDFAs.
