A subwatershed study is a study completed for an area of land that drains into a single tributary of a river that is part of a larger watershed, and may also include additional areas depending on the purpose or scope of the study.
A subwatershed study can include an assessment of current conditions and recommendations to addressed planned or anticipated changes relating to:
Stormwater and floodplain management
Protection of the integrity of both hydrological and hydrogeological functions
Conservation of natural heritage features and areas (i.e. woodlands and wetlands)
Restoration of natural features and areas including linkages
Maintenance or enhancement of fish habitat
Land-use planning
Retention of significant natural heritage features and maintenance of the ecological processes of a subwatershed while planning for urbanizing land uses and landscape restoration, are typically the focus of the study.
Subwatershed studies may also include recommendations and targets to be addressed and incorporated into secondary plans and subsequent development applications as part of Environmental Impact Studies.