OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER’S RIVER REPORT: ISSUE Nº1 | ECOLOGY AND IMPACTS | MAY 2006 Ottawa Riverkeeper’s River Report: Issue Nº1 - Ecology and Impacts Published by Ottawa Riverkeeper/Sentinelle Outaouais, May 2006 ISBN 0-9739791-0-0 Ottawa Riverkeeper acknowledges the support of the The Ontario Trillium Foundation. The funds for printing this report were provided by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club through a bequest from the estate of Mildred Groh. Ottawa Riverkeeper is proud to be housed by Mountain Equipment Co-op who we consider to be at the forefront of environmental and social responsibility for business in Canada. Design by: Earthlore Communications Printing by: Tri-Graphic Printing Luna Earth-Choice paper provided by Domtar Printed in Ottawa using soy-based inks on chlorine-free recycled paper TABLE OF CONTENTS OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER – THE ORGANIZATION Non-Point Source Pollution....................................................................51 Overview of Ottawa Riverkeeper ...............................................................1 Urban and Shoreline Development .........................................................53 A Message from the President .................................................................5 Climate Change ......................................................................................56 A Message from the Riverkeeper ..............................................................7 Purpose of this Report .............................................................................9 INDICATORS OF CHANGE ≤ ≥ Water Quality .........................................................................................59 Acknowledgments WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS Biological Diversity.................................................................................62 Overview of the Ottawa River Watershed................................................11 This report is the result of contributions by many people. The by Robert Williams, Andrew Buzzell, Dan Brunton, Alan Todd, out the research and writing of the report and as a newborn spent Landform ...............................................................................................13 WATERSHED CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION board of directors of Ottawa Riverkeeper identified the need for Ronnie Drever, Delphine Hasle, and Meredith Brown. The cover hours sleeping on Meredith’s lap as she typed on her laptop. Hydrology...............................................................................................16 Regulatory Agencies Within the Watershed ............................................69 the report and contributed ideas and content. Dan Brunton has photograph is by Andrew Buzzell.All full-page photographs are by Ecosystem Classification ........................................................................16 Government Initiatives in Ontario ...........................................................70 been an exceptional source of ecological knowledge and a consis- Robert Williams, with the exception of those on pages 67 and 68 The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club was founded in 1879. Its Ecosystem Diversity ...............................................................................16 Government Initiatives in Québec............................................................71 tent beam of positive energy. Directors Ole Hendrickson, Nicole by Dan Brunton. Thanks to our volunteer editors Diane Vist objectives are to promote the appreciation, preservation and Protected Areas in the Ottawa River Watershed.....................................22 The Role of Citizens and Stewardship Groups ........................................72 DesRoches, Colin Rennie, and John Almstedt provided excellent and Barb Wilson and our team of translators: Chloé Black, conservation of Canada’s natural heritage; to encourage Take Action! What Can You Do?............................................................73 research and writing. Science Committee member Mary Trudeau Marie-Josée Cusson, Amy Emerson, Gilles Hoppenbrouwers, Jacynthe investigation and publish the results of research in all fields of THREATS TO THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE RIVER also provided guidance and technical contribution. Jennifer Lanthis, Sharon Locke, Marieve Sabourin, Spencer Sloan, Isabelle natural history and to diffuse the information of these fields as Dams and Generating Stations ...............................................................27 CONCLUDING REMARKS ..........................................................................78 Shepherd, Amy Williams and Jim Reid helped with research and Richard, Mary Varcoe. Earthlore Communications graciously widely as possible; to support and co-operate with organizations Municipal Wastewater ............................................................................36 report scoping. Many thanks to Ronnie Drever,André Martel,Tim provided their professional services for the design and layout of engaged in preserving, maintaining or restoring environments of Industrial Wastewater ............................................................................45 ENDNOTES ..................................................................................................80 Haxton and Max Finkelstein for providing valuable content that this report and have been a pleasure to work with. We are espe- high quality for living things. More information can be found at relates to their fields of research and expertise. Maps for the cially thankful to Alan Todd for coordinating the production of www.ofnc.ca or by calling (613)722-3050. Mildred and Herbert report were generated with the exceptional help of Eric Schwartz this report and appearing like an angel at the right time and Groh were active in The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club for many who spent countless hours finding data in digital form and turning place. Thanks also to Tim Llyod. Biggest thanks go out to years. Herb Groh served a term as President and was particularly our ideas into pictures. Software used to generate the maps was Delphine Hasle for everything – we couldn’t have done it without instrumental in the creation of the Macoun Club for junior donated by Map Info. Photographs for this report were provided you! This report is dedicated to Charlie who gestated through- naturalists which celebrated its 50th birthday recently. OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER – THE ORGANIZATION ≤Overview of Ottawa Riverkeeper ≥ Origins In 2001, a group of concerned citizens formed a board of directors The Riverkeeper is a full-time, non-governmental ombudsman and started Ottawa Riverkeeper to respond to the increasing whose responsibilities are to: Canadian Waterkeepers pressures facing the Ottawa River system. Two years later, Ottawa in Ottawa Riverkeeper became a registered charity and secured funding for a • Develop and maintain an expert understanding of the river’s full time employee, called the “Riverkeeper.” ecological values, processes and special features, and Ottawa Riverkeeper hosted a meeting of Canadian Waterkeepers the protective framework offered by various federal, provincial in November 2005. Waterkeepers Ottawa Riverkeeper is a licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance, and municipal jurisdiction from the Fraser River in BC to an international grass roots advocacy organization founded by the Petitcodiac River in NB Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Robert Kennedy has a reputation as a • Identify breaches of the law and report them to the appropriate travelled to Ottawa for a yearly resolute defender of the environment and currently serves as authorities and to the public meeting. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President of the organization. Waterkeeper Alliance connects President of the international and supports over 157 local Waterkeeper programs to provide a • Develop educational programs and outreach to the public and to Waterkeeper Alliance was at the voice for waterways and their communities worldwide. key decision-makers to increase stewardship and awareness of meeting and gave a passionate talk issues that jeopardize the ecological integrity of the Ottawa River to Ottawa Riverkeeper’s invited Goals guests. There are currently 10 The organization is working to achieve a healthy, ecologically • Encourage individuals, organizations and businesses to become Waterkeeper programs in Canada sustainable Ottawa River for the enjoyment and benefit of its stewards of the river and 157 worldwide. The 2006 Ontario and Québec communities. We work independently as well meeting for all Waterkeeper programs will take place in as cooperatively with individuals, businesses, community groups, • Patrol the river to identify or investigate public concerns San Francisco from June 21-25. and all levels of government on both sides of the river to achieve our mission. • Conduct ecological monitoring and original research Mission Statement • Identify and establish partnerships with individuals, communities or Citizen-based Ottawa Riverkeeper is the voice that works to organizations working toward a shared vision for the river system protect and enhance the ecological health and integrity of the Ottawa River system. Through expert and independent action, Ottawa Riverkeeper encourages responsible decision-making, public education and participation, and compliance with Meredith Brown (Riverkeeper), Bobby Kennedy & existing protection regulations throughout the watershed. John Bouza (President, Ottawa Riverkeeper) p.1 OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER – THE ORGANIZATION ≤Overview of Ottawa Riverkeeper ≥ The People Behind Ottawa Riverkeeper