The Lower Thames region includes the main stem of the Thames River, which is downstream of London, Ontario. This watershed is approximately 3,274 km2/1,264mi2 and is home to 107,000 people, who live in the counties of Middlesex, Elgin, Kent, and Essex. The entire Thames River watershed includes Chippewa, Oneida, Munsee-Delaware, and Moravian First Nation Communities. The entirety of the Thames River region is widely cultivated for agriculture, yet it remains home to over 3,000 species of plants and animals.*
The Lower Thames region score was based on seven indicators with adequate data. The highest-scoring indicator was fish consumption, while the lowest-scoring indicator was nitrate and nitrite. Read more about the individual indicator scores here.
*Based on the Thames-Sydenham and Region Watershed Characterization Summary Report and the Canadian Heritage Rivers System nomination background study.
