Brant Waterways Foundation and Enterprise This guide has been printed with the financial assistance of : Brant Waterways Foundation and Enterprise This guide has been printed with the financial assistance of :

Exceptional Waters

Exceptional Waters

Wildlife away as paddlers approach. as likely to be surprised and dart opportunities, as the animals are not possible will provide more viewing Paddling away from shore when seen under the right circumstances. weasel, mink and beaver can also be fox, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, the early morning or evening. Red deer along the , particularly in tial areas. It is not unusual to see dor, sometimes moving into residen- are resident all along the river corri- to its quality habitat. White tail deer banks of the Grand River home due wide variety of mammals call the A Mammals as paddlers float the river. vation will provide viewing benefits wildlife population. Careful obser- There is a wide, diverse natural

Welcome to the Welcome to the

Grand River

Grand River

can be in urban . spread.The Grand River continues to be a symbol of what Conservation Authority, community groups and spirit of cooperation among municipalities, agencies, Grand River A enjoy hiking, paddling and fishing the Grand. improved significantly over the past 60 years. Watershed residents Grand River also contribute to the designation. Water quality has lence and diversity of recreation opportunities associated with the bridges, mills and settlement patterns that still exist today. The excel- Its rich river culture has been preserved in the landscapes, buildings, is still visible and meaningful. story of the history and development central Canada in a way that This status was achieved because the Grand River watershed tells Eramosa and Speed Rivers are included in the designation. The Grand River and its major tributaries, the Nith, Conestogo, The Grand River was designated a Canadian Heritage in 1994. The Grand, A Canadian Heritage River Exceptional Water. contribute to the designation as an tors of a healthy river corridor and area is improving. They are indica- indicator the fish population in eaters. Their growing presence is an Many of these bird species are fish their population. they need to develop and increase well away to give the birds space osprey. If you see nesting sites stay visitors can spot bald eagles and along with various hawks. Lucky often seen riding the air currents trees look for the turkey vulture, In the air and perched high in tern. Kingfishers frequent the banks. have been spotted, as lesser bit- blue heron is common; snowy egrets populations of larger birds. The great many smaller species we now have watcher's paradise. In addition to the The banks of the Grand are a bird Birds

others is wide-

various bookstores and outfitters. and available from the GRCA Fishing Grand River Country also want to purchase a copy of www.mnr.gov.on.ca. Youmight MNR’s Web site at For fishing regulations consult the rainbow trout to spawn and thrive. provide habitat for brook, brown and Coldwater tributaries and groundwater in these waters. carp will all challenge anglers fishing walleye, northern pike, catfish and Smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, River. Exceptional Waters Area of the Grand gamefish and other species in the populations of a variety River. You can expect to find good the past several decades in Grand ments that have been ongoing over to water quality and habitat improve- Fish populations are responding well Fish

environmental sustainability. providing quality outdoors experiences while promoting standing quality that are managed as a community resource Water. This designation applies to rivers or lakes of out- Bridge in has been identified as an Exceptional section between Penman's Dam in Paris and the Cockshutt Welcome to the Grand River Exceptional Waters Reach. The Exceptional Waters

beautiful stretch of water. tional angling opportunities in this September 30. This allows addi- until December 31 instead of Rainbow trout season is now open Exceptional Watersreach. trout has been implemented in the An extended season for rainbow tions check www.mnr.gov.on.ca. area. For details on the regula- release for all species in this bait and practice catch use must Conservation Area. Anglers pedestrian /service bridge on the upper side of Brant metres downstream of the Dundas Street bridge in Paris to the bow trout in a portion of the Exceptional Waters reach from 100 been introduced to protect smallmouth bass and migratory rain- the Exceptional Waters area. Special angling regulations have some of which are evident in The Plan includes 42 “Best Bets”, Management Plan. towards completing "Best Bets" identified in the Fisheries implementation committee was formed and they are working angler and interested groups from throughout the watershed. An included fisheries managers and representatives from various Management Plan was initiated in 1995. The planning process and improve this resource a community-based Fisheries The Grand River has a diverse and productive fishery. To protect Fish Management Plan sites. Some highlights to look for include: have more detailed information, as do various web the river and its corridor. Tourist bureaus in the area curiosity to further explore your special interest in limited fashion. We hope we will stimulate your river. This pamphlet can only explore them in a Natural and historical features abound along the Points of Interest Gypsum Mines Remnants Waterworks Park Trans Canada Trail SC Johnson Trail Paris Downtown Kanata Village Grand Valley Trail Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway Brant Park Conservation Area Brantford Downtown Bell Heritage Homestead Apps Mills Nature Centre

barbless hooks, no live

be seen between Paris and the 403 bridge. Paris. Evidence of old mine shafts and access roads may sum deposits, hence the name Paris from Plaster of Paris area in particular was a result of limestone/gyp- heavily mined for aggregate. The development of the amounts of water to the river's flow. The area today is species such as trout. The tributaries also add significant and contribute the desirable habitat for coldwater fish ing through this section tend to be coldwater sources Some you will hear more than see. The tributaries enter- many small flows of water entering the main river. You will see evidence as you paddle the river of Region. The moraines are a major source of groundwater. The moraine extends from Long Point to the Halton Brantford area known as the Paris and Galt Moraines. through a major moraine corridor, throughout the Paris to In the Exceptional Waters reach the Grand travels River Geology County of Brant: Conservation : City of Brantford: Brantford Steelheaders Brant WaterwaysFoundation: Brant Rod & Gun Club Brant Resource Stewardship Network Brant Field Naturalists Bell City Anglers www.brantfordcommunityfoundation.ca Brantford Community Foundation Exceptional Waters Partner Links Tourism Brantford: Trout Unlimited Canada: Six Nations Ecocentre S.C. Johnson a Family Company Ontario TrilliumFoundation Ontario Steelheaders: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: Grand River Country: Grand River Fisheries Management Plan Grand River Conservation Foundation Grand River Conservation Authority Grand Experiences Enterprise Brant Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada Phone 519-621-2761 or visit www.grandriver.ca For more information about Exceptional Waters: www.enterprisebrant.com www.brantford.ca www.county.brant.on.ca www.grand-experiences.com www.visitbrantford.ca www.ontariosteelheaders.ca www.grandrivercountry.com www.conservation-ontario.on.ca www.sixnations.ca www.tucanada.org www.trilliumfoundation.org www.brantwaterways.ca www.scjohnson.com www.ontariostewardship.org www.grandriver.ca www.grandriver.ca www.mnr.gov.on.ca Exceptional Waters

good as or better than when you arrived. you enjoy your visit to the Grand River and leave it as should be no trace that you were ever there. We hope the water or shore. When you have passed there we ask that litter, pet waste and graffiti not be left on Please respect private property rights. As river stewards owner's permission is required to land or trespass. areas of the shoreline are private property. As such, the River travel is available to anyone. Please keep in mind Exceptional Waters Ethics

information on the trails. pamphlet for more detailed Glaves Memorial Pathways porters. See The Gordon Foundation and other sup- from the Brant Waterways Brant and a host of volunteers tained by the GRCA, City of Brantford, County Trans Canada Trail system. These trails are well main- are the predominate sections, some forming part of Johnson Trail and Gordon Glaves Memorial Pathway Exceptional Waters reach the Grand Valley Trail, SC number of trails follow the Grand River. In the A Trails on Adjacent Shoreline from the water and are on or near public lands. of the trail parking areas are short walking distances For those accessing the banks of river by foot, many that can provide rental and shuttle services. because of shallow depths. There are local outfitters Waters reach is not suitable for motorized craft tripping or fishing from watercraft. The Exceptional designed to cover convenient lengths of the river for The access points have excellent parking and are Brant Park to Cockshutt Bridge ( Bean Park to Brant ( Paddling Times at the end of Erie Ave. off Jennings Rd. and Cockshutt Bridge in Eagle Place Race St., Brant Conservation Area in West Brantford Bean Park, in Paris on the west side of river been developed. See map for reference. Exceptional Waters section, three launch points have To assist in providing paddling access to the Access Points 2.5 - 3 hours paddling) 1.5 -2 hours paddling) 52 Trail routes are approximate. accuracy of all the information contained within map. GRCA takes no responsibility for, nor guarantees, the May not be reproduced or altered in any way. The y, 2004 Copyright ' Grand River Conservation Authorit P

owe Paris

r Lin 403 Ni

2 th

Access Point R e R iv R Grand

e 24a

Bean Park

d. r ive

r St. r

R N e

. st

A cr

Centre Nature Apps’ Mill es

Rd. Penman’s Dam 24

24 G r a n

d

55 R E i a v s er t

R R

ob

P i D v ari e

53 ins u r

n R

s o

d

P a o R d a

n

o s

Rd ad

S Grand River Exceptional Waters

t Exceptional Waters Grand River Exceptional Waters

.

. Oak

G E

Park Rd. Park r Penman’s Dam a

n . d

R P

i v

2 e r 5

Hardy Road Brant S h e l la rd L P M a P ne o ower Li u n t Ple sant a Rd . ne Wilkes Dam P

R Brant C.A. Access Point d. Exceptional Waters

Cockshutt Bridge

24 24

K

in

g

G e or ge Rd. ge

P

E

r

i

e 99

A

v

W

e

a

.

Brantford yn

e

G

re

tzky

P

k w P y.

C

Cockshutt Bridge Access Point o Ly

G l b

o 403 B r nden Rd a r l n o n e s d s S o R m t i .

v E A e . v r e . EXCEPTIONAL 3 km 2 1 0 Paris to Brantford P 18 WATERS 18 Secondary Highway Major Road Nature Centre Conservation Area Authority Lands Conservation Populated area Trail Parking Access & Parking Exceptional Waters Zone Exceptional Waters (footpath) Grand Valley Trail SC Johnson Trail Memorial Pathway Gordon Glaves Trans Canada Trail Memorial Pathway/ Gordon Glaves Major Highway

2/53 clay or loose stone banks. deeper water close to you. that there may be holes or see the bottom and be aware If you are fishing: approaching. storms or lightning is places. is fastened properly. a life jacket when boating. Make sure it fits well and changed or postponed. river levels are high, perhaps the outing should be (519) 621-2763 x519 or www.grandriver.ca. If the accessing the GRCA's River Information Line at If you are canoeing: Standard waterway precautions should be practiced. the river after heavy rain should be re-examined. especially after short heavy rainfall. Plans to travel The Grand River can have widely divergent flows, Water Safety Wade only where you can Be extra careful on slippery Avoid boating near dams and other dangerous Stay seated and never fool around in a boat. Leave the water if thunder- Follow boating safety regulations and always wear Check the river conditions before leaving by