Tim Haxton Report

Review of the historical and existingnatural environment and resource uses

on the Ottawa River.

Tim Haxton1 and Don Chubbuck2

Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesScience and Information Resources Division

Science and Information BranchSouthcentral Science and Information Section

SCSI Technical Report #119

1Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science and Information Section, Kemptville.2Ontario Power Generation, Technical Services, Toronto.

2002, Queens Printer for Ontario.Printed in Ontario, Canada.

MNR #51718(.3k P.R., 02-12-20)

ISBN #0-7794-3937-6 (print)ISBN #0-7794-3998-8 (electronic)

This report should be cited as:

Haxton, Tim and Don Chubbuck. 2002. Review of the historical and existing natural environment andresource uses on the Ottawa River. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Science and InformationBranch, Southcentral Science and Information Section Technical Report #119. 76 p.

Copies of this publication are available free of charge from:Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Science and Information BranchSouthcentral Science and Information Section

3301 Trout Lake RoadNorth Bay, ON P1A 4L7

Phone (705) 475-5560FAX (705) 475-5570

[email protected]

Cette publication specialise nest disponible quen anglais.

AbstractThe Ottawa River is one of the magnificent water bodies in eastern Ontario. Sculpted 11,000 years ago bythe retreat of the Wisconsin glacier, its history is rich with exploration, discovery, transport and settle-ment. In the past 100 years, significant changes have occurred along the river altering it course, andtaming its wildness. The most significant changes have resulted from man harnessing some of the riversnatural power. Vast areas were flooded and natural rapids were eliminated as the river underwent hydro-electric development. Between the 1880s and 1964, seven hydroelectric dams were constructed betweenCarillon and Lake Temiscaming. In this report, we review the historical conditions of this section of riverprior to hydroelectric development. This includes an array of historical aerial mosaics, archived photo-graphs and descriptions of predevelopment conditions and current views of existing structures. Inaddition, we review the existing environmental conditions in the various reaches including current hydrol-ogy, flora and fauna, significant species, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas along the river. Theintent of this report is to establish a reference document for the water manager to identify significantfeatures along the river and for the fisheries manager to assist in the understanding of past and currentinfluences to not only the fisheries of the river, but other associated biota.

RsumLa rivire des Outaouais est un des plus magnifiques cours deau de lEst de lOntario. Cest le recul duglacier du Wisconsin qui, il y a quelque 11 000 ans, a creus son lit. Voie dexploration, de dcouverte,de transport et de colonisation, elle connat depuis une histoire riche. Les cent dernires annes ont vudes transformations importantes, en particulier la suite des activits humaines visant capter lnergiehydraulique naturelle de la rivire. Tout au long de son cours, certaines rgions ont t submerges et desrapides naturels ont disparu dans le cadre de son amnagement hydrolectrique. De 1880 1964, septbarrages hydrolectriques ont t construits entre Carillon et le lac Tmiscamingue. Le prsent rapportexamine lhistoire de ce segment de la rivire avant son amnagement hydrolectrique. On y prsente unemosaque de photos ariennes historiques, de photos darchives et de descriptions de ltat de la rivireavant son amnagement, accompagns de vues des ouvrages en place aujourdhui. En outre, on y examineltat actuel de lenvironnement dans divers domaines, y compris lhydrologie, la flore et la faune, lesespces importantes, les parcs et les milieux cologiquement sensibles en bordure de la rivire. Le rapporta pour objet llaboration dun document de rfrence qui permettra aux responsables de leau dereconnatre les caractristiques marquantes des influences anciennes et actuelles, non seulement sur lespoissons de la rivire mais sur la biote qui est associe.

i

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ContentsAbstract .................................................................................................................................................... iRsum ....................................................................................................................................... iList of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... vList of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... vAcknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ viiIntroduction.............................................................................................................................................. 1Study objectives and scope ..................................................................................................................... 1Study area ............................................................................................................................................... 2Study approach ....................................................................................................................................... 3Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 3Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon to Chaudire Falls) ..................................................................... 4Pre-development description ................................................................................................................... 4Existing physical description ................................................................................................................... 7Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................... 9Chemical Characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 10Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 11Fisheries................................................................................................................................................ 11Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 14Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 17Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 17Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 17Lac Deschnes (Chaudire Falls to Chats Fall/Fitzroy) .................................................................... 17Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 17Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 22Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 24Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 25Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 25Fisheries................................................................................................................................................ 25Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 26Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 27Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 27Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 27Lac des Chats (Chats Falls/Fitzroy to Cheneaux Dam) .................................................................... 27Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 27Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 31Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 32Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 33Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 33Fisheries................................................................................................................................................ 33Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 35Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 36Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 36Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 36Lac du Rocher Fendu (Cheneaux to La Passe Dam) ........................................................................ 36Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 36Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 37Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 40

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Chemical characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 41Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 41Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 41Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 42Unique species ..................................................................................................................................... 42Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 42Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 42Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge (LaPasse to Des Joachims) ..................................................... 43Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 43Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 43Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 43Chemical characteristics....................................................................................................................... 43Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 44Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 44Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 45Unique species ..................................................................................................................................... 45Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 45Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 46Holden Lake (Des Joachims to Otto Holden Dam) .......................................................................... 46Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 46Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 49Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 51Chemical characteristics....................................................................................................................... 51Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 51Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 51Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 52Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 53Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 53Lac la Cave (Otto Holden Dam to the Dam at Lake Temiscaming) ................................................. 53Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 53Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 53Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 55Chemical characteristics....................................................................................................................... 57Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 57Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 57Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 58Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 58Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 58Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 58References .......................................................................................................................................... 59Appendix 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 64

vList of TablesTable 1. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach. ......................................................................... 5Table 2. Generating station characteristics. ............................................................................................ 9Table 3. Mean annual discharge (m3/s) of various tributaries of the Ottawa River. ............................... 10Table 4. Fish species by reach of the Ottawa River. ............................................................................. 13Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reach. .................................................................................... 15Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reach. .................................................................................. 18Table 7. Unique plant and wildlife species by river reach. .................................................................... 20Table 8. Wetlands by river reach. ......................................................................................................... 21Table 9. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach. ...................................................................... 22Table 10. 1961 and 1996 populations by river reach. ............................................................................ 23Table 11. Mean percentage of land use class per tributary sub-basin of the Ottawa River. .................. 23

List of FiguresFigure 1. Reaches of the Ottawa River and locations of dams from Carillon to Lake Temiscaming. ....... 2Figure 2. Aerial photograph mosaic of the Ottawa River from Carillon to Hawkesbury illustrating theLong Sault, 1957. .................................................................................................................................... 6Figure 3. Carillon Rapids, 1983. .............................................................................................................. 6Figure 4. View of the Ottawa River from Grenville overlooking Greeces Point prior to the construction ofCarillon Dam. .......................................................................................................................................... 6Figure 5. Old crib dam at the Carillon site. .............................................................................................. 7Figure 6. Carillon Dam during the spring flood of 1908. ........................................................................... 7Figure 7. Carillon rapids prior to the construction of the Carillon Dam. .................................................... 7Figure 8. The Carillon Generating Station observed from downstream on the west shore. ..................... 8Figure 9. Water surface profile of the Ottawa River. ................................................................................ 8Figure 10. Mean monthly water levels in Lac Dollard des Ormeaux since 1964. ................................... 11Figure 11. Total phosphorous levels at Hawkesbury (1970-2000). ........................................................ 11Figure 12. Biological Oxygen Demand at Hawkesbury (1970 - 2000). ................................................. 12Figure 13. The rock ledges of Chaudire Falls during low water in the 1870s. ..................................... 24Figure 14. Chaudire Falls during high water in 1909. .......................................................................... 24Figure 15. A view of Chaudire Falls during the 1900s. ........................................................................ 24Figure 16. Aerial view of Chaudire Falls in the mid 1900s. ................................................................. 24Figure 17. Control dam at the head of Chaudire Falls (2000). ............................................................. 24Figure 18. Mean monthly water levels of Lac Deschnes over the past 50 years. ................................ 25Figure 19. 1927 aerial view of Chats Falls (National Air Photo Library). ................................................ 28Figure 20 Mohrs Chute and Horseshoe Chute prior to the construction of Chats Generating Station. .. 29Figure 21. Historical view of Ragged Chute at Chats Falls. ................................................................... 29Figure 22. An historical view of the log chute at Chats Falls. ................................................................. 30Figure 23. Aerial view of Chats Rapids and Chats Falls from upstream, 1920. ..................................... 30Figure 24. Aerial view of Chats Generating Station, July 1932. ............................................................. 31Figure 25. Chats Generating Station, 2000. .......................................................................................... 32Figure 26. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at Ragged Chute, 2000. ................................................ 32Figure 27. Sluice gates and structures at Horseshoe Chute, 2000. ....................................................... 32Figure 28. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at Conroys Chute, 2000. .............................................. 32Figure 29. Current view of log chute at Chats Falls, 2000. .................................................................... 32Figure 30. Mean monthly water levels of Lac des Chats over the past 50 years. .................................. 33Figure 31. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Chats Falls (1966-2001). ........................................... 34Figure 32. Total phosphorous levels at Chats Falls (1966-2001). ......................................................... 35

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Figure 33. Rapids upstream of Portage du Fort bridge prior to the construction of Chenaux GeneratingStation . ................................................................................................................................................. 37Figure 34. Aerial mosaic of Lac du Rocher Fendu prior to the construction of the Chenaux GeneratingStation. .................................................................................................................................................. 38Figure 35. Historical view of the rapids where Chenaux Generating Station was constructed. View is fromthe east on Limerick Island. ................................................................................................................... 38Figure 36. The overflow channel constructed through Limerick Island (2000). ...................................... 38Figure 37. Limerick Island control structure (2000). ............................................................................... 39Figure 38. Cheneaux Generating Station (2000). .................................................................................. 39Figure 39. The dam constructed at Portage du Fort (2000). .................................................................. 39Figure 40. Bryson Dam (1997). ............................................................................................................. 39Figure 41. Mean monthly water levels in Lac du Rocher Fendu over the past 50 years. ....................... 40Figure 42. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Chenaux, 1968 - 2000. .............................................. 41Figure 43. Total phosphorous levels at Chenaux, 1968 - 2000. ............................................................. 42Figure 44. Mean monthly water levels in Allumette Lake over the past 50 years. .................................. 44Figure 45. Aerial mosaic of the Ottawa River upstream of Des Joachims to Bissett Creekpre-hydroelectric development (1946). .................................................................................................. 47Figure 46. Aerial view of rapids des Joachims from downstream, 1925. .............................................. 47Figure 47. Historical view of the upstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947 ................................ 48Figure 48. Historical view of the downstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947. .......................... 48Figure 49. Aerial view of the Rapides-des-Deux-Rivires, 1946. .......................................................... 49Figure 50. Historical view from the foot of Deux Rivires rapids pre-hydroelectric development. ......... 50Figure 51. McConnell Lake Dam (2000). .............................................................................................. 50Figure 52. Des Joachims Dam and tailrace channel (1997). ................................................................ 50Figure 53. Swift current in the tailrace of Des Joachims Dam (2000). .................................................. 51Figure 54. View of the lower rapids of Rapids des Joachims from the bridge, 1906. ............................ 51Figure 55. Mean monthly water levels in Holden Lake over the past 50 years. .................................... 52Figure 56. Aerial view of the La Cave Rapids prior to the construction of the Otto Holden Dam. .......... 54Figure 57. La Cave Rapids, 1948, site of the Otto Holden Dam. .......................................................... 55Figure 58. View of the substrate of La Cave Rapids during the construction of theOtto Holden Dam, 1950. ....................................................................................................................... 55Figure 59. Aerial view of La Cave rapids during the construction of the bypass channel, 1949. ........... 55Figure 60. Otto Holden Dam (2000). ..................................................................................................... 55Figure 61. Mean monthly water levels in Lac la Cave over the past 50 years. ...................................... 56Figure 62. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994. ................................. 56Figure 63. Total phosphorous levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994. ............................................... 57

AcknowledgementsWe are indebted to many people that assisted with the collation of historical and current information forthis report. We would like to thank Al Headon, retired Corrosion Specialist from Ontario Hydro, for hisassistance with obtaining historical photographs and documents; Suzanne Guertin of Pembroke for herassistance in arranging historical and current aerial photographs; Toni Mirizzi of the Information Centrein Toronto for assisting with historical aerial photographs; Al Bibby of Kemptville for his GIS work andassistance with historical mosaics; Tina Watts of Hydro One Archives; Marie-Jose Deshnes of Hydro-Qubec archives; Ron Threader and Liisa Blimske of Ontario Power Generation for their involvement inthe initial stages of this report; and the reviewers of this document including Don Ferko and Greg Pope ofOntario Power Generation and David Critchlow, Anne Bendig, Stephen Belfry, and Tania Baker of theOntario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Finally, we would like to thank Lyn Thompson of Southcentral Science and Information in North Bay forediting, formating, and publishing this document.

vii

Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.

IntroductionThe mighty Ottawa River, historically known asKichesippi (the Great River). It is the largest allCanadian river in eastern Canada, flowing throughthe nations capital with as much history as it haspower. At one time considered to be the gatewayto the east, it was the route of Samuel deChamplains explorations, the travel corridor ofthe Voyageurs. This river became the highway ofthe fur trade and later, the main artery for trans-porting logs to European markets. It aided thecolonization of a great country to such an extentthat the nations capital was built on its shores.Historically, dams and canals were constructedalong sections of the river either to harness itspower or avoid the power of its countless falls andrapids. However, it was in 1943, when the Ontarioand Qubec governments signed an agreement toallocate between them the undeveloped waterpower sites on the Ottawa River (Ottawa RiverEngineering Board 1965; Hincks 1978), that thegreatest changes would result along its course.

The Ottawa River took its shape approximately11,000 years ago with the retreat of the Wisconsinglacier. For thousands of years, it sculpted theOttawa Valley (Chapman and Putnam 1984). TheChamplain Sea, a marine environment, onceflooded the valley as far upstream as Point Alexan-der (Barnett 1989). Hence, colonization by fishcame primarily from the Mississippian refugium,from the Great Lakes via the Fosmill Outlet andlater via the Mattawa Outlet, although somespecies arrived from the Atlantic Coastal Plain(McAllister and Coad 1974). After the retreat ofthe glacier, the course of the Ottawa River re-mained relatively unchanged until the 20thCentury.

The Ottawa River flows for approximately 1,130kilometres (km), from its origins at LakeCapitmitchigama in Qubec to the confluence atthe St. Lawrence River (Legget 1975), and has avertical descent over its course of 365 metres (m)(Telmer 1996). The Ottawa River itself is a tribu-

tary representing approximately 11.2 percent (%)of the total drainage area of the St. Lawrence(Telmer 1996). It forms a natural provincial borderbetween Ontario and Qubec for approximately580 km from Lake Temiscaming to Carillon(Chapman and Putnam 1984). The watershed isapproximately 146,000 kilometres square (km2 ), ofwhich 65% is within the province of Qubec(Telmer 1996). The mean annual flow of theOttawa River is 1,968 cubic metres per second(m3/s) (Telmer 1996).

There are numerous tributaries of the OttawaRiver, which are listed when describing eachsection of the report, many of which have alsobeen dammed. Currently, there are 43 dams withinthe watershed, seven of which are on the maincourse of the river (Environment Canada et al.1985), forming more than 14 billion metres cubed(m3) of water storage capacity (Ottawa RiverRegulation Planning Board 1984). Regulation ofthe river commenced early in history, as evident bythe reduction in the ratio of maximum to minimumflow from about 10:1 in 1870, to 5:1 by 1930(Legget 1975). All of the dams and reservoirs inthe Ottawa River basin make it one of the mosthighly regulated catchments in Canada (Telmer1996).

Study objectives and scope

Objectives

The purpose of this report is to provide a compre-hensive reference document that illustrates thehistorical and existing state of the environment ofthe Ottawa River. The objective of this report is toreview the environmental and resource uses of theOttawa River. This includes a review of the physi-cal conditions of the river prior and afterhydroelectric development in various reaches ofthe river; describing the present hydrology (includ-ing current water management regimes); chemicalcharacteristics; associated biota; wetlands andsignificant areas (ANSI and RPF1) along each

1

1 ANSI = Area of Natural and Scientific Interest; RPF = reserve ecologique.


reach; and shoreline development. This report isintended to be a reference document for the watermanager to identify the significant features alongthe river, and/or to assist the fisheries manager inunderstanding past and current influences to notonly the fisheries of the river, but other associatedbiota.

Study areaAlthough the Ottawa River extends from theconfluence at the St. Lawrence River to its headwaters at Lake Capitmitchigama, this report per-tains to the section from the Carillon Dam to thepublic dam at Lake Temiscaming (Figure 1). Forthe purposes of the report, the river has beendivided into reaches, generally based on the pres-ence of a dam. The reaches are as follows:

Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon toChaudire Falls)

Lac Deschnes (Chaudire Falls to ChatsFall/Fitzroy)

Lac des Chats (Chats Falls/Fitzroy toCheneaux Dam)

Lac du Rocher Fendu (Cheneaux Dam to LaPasse)

Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge (La Passeto Des Joachims Dam)

Holden Lake (Des Joachims Dam to OttoHolden Dam)

Lac la Cave (Otto Holden Dam to the publicdam at the outflow of Lake Temiscaming)

2

Figure 1. Reaches of the Ottawa River and locations of dams from Carillon to Lake Temiscaming.


This report describes each section travellingupstream from Carillon. The reason for this ap-proach is to describe the control structure for thereach, if one is present, and then describe theimpoundment. In addition, using the historicalinformation, it recreates the obstacles that earlyexplorers encountered on their travels up the river.

Study approach

This study was conducted in several phases. Thehistorical review included reviewing all documentspertinent to the Ottawa River, specifically thosethat detailed conditions prior to the construction ofthe hydroelectric dams. Libraries, bookshops,archives and journals were searched for relevantinformation. Historical photographs were obtainedfrom the National Air Photo Library, NationalArchives of Canada, Hydro One Archives, Hydro-Qubec Archives, and the Ontario Ministry ofNatural Resources Information Centre.

The present hydrology was obtained from theOttawa River Regulation Planning Board, OntarioPower Generation (OPG) and Hydro-Qubec.

The remainder of the data on sensitive species andareas, fisheries, wildlife, and chemical characteris-tics were obtained from the various managingagencies such as the Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources (OMNR), Socit de la Faune et desParcs du Qubec, as well as a 1993 field reconnais-sance by OPG staff. The intent of this document isto offer general descriptions of what is found ineach reach. More detailed descriptions and map-ping, specifically on sensitive species, can beobtained from the sources identified.

OverviewOriginating in a chain of lakes in Qubec, GrandLac Victoria, and Reservoir Dozois, the OttawaRiver winds its way westward through ReservoirDecelles, Lac Simard and Lac Des Quinze beforeflowing southward into long narrow LakeTemiscaming. Here the river emerges from amixed forest of balsam fir, black spruce, and aspen(in the Missinaibi-Calonga section of the Boreal

Forest Region) into a settled area of agricultural,mining, and lumbering interests (in the HaileyburyClay and Temagami sections of the Great LakesForest Region) (Rowe 1972).

At the southern end of Lake Temiscaming, theriver plunges back into a transitional forest (theAlgonquin-Pontiac section of the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Forest Region) running generally south-eastward past the towns of Mattawa and DeuxRivires. The banks of the river are steep androcky in nature. Approaching the town ofPembroke, the river widens out around AllumetteIsland with forest giving way to agricultural landson a sand plain (a delta formed in the ChamplainSea by rivers such as the Petawawa and Ottawa)interspersed with Precambrian rock outcrops alongthe lowlands of the Ottawa Valley (the OttawaValley Clay Plains of Lake Algonquin) (Chapmanand Putnam 1984). Leaving Pembroke, the riverwidens and there are a number of lake-likestretches broken by the rapids at le du GrandCalumet as the river flows toward the city ofOttawa. Along this section of the river the forestbecomes more deciduous in composition, beingdominated by maples, beech, birch, and oaks (theUpper St. Lawrence Section of the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Forest Region).

The diversity and distribution of fish and wildlifespecies have been affected by development of theOttawa River, in particular, hydro-electric genera-tion. The dams have blocked migratory species,such as American shad and eels, to the degree thatthey are very low in numbers or absent from theOttawa River. There are eighty-five fish speciesdocumented to inhabit the Ottawa River (Appendix1). The river redhorse, a provincially rare species,is present in various reaches and tributaries of theriver. The Ottawa River provides a recreationalresource primarily for sport fishing, hunting andboating. Sport fish in the area include muskellunge,largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike,smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The waterquality and thus the fishery in the Ottawa River areconsidered to be better than 30 years ago due to

3


regulations on industrial effluents and the eventualdecline of log drives on the river.

The Ottawa River system has a great diversity ofhabitats supporting wildlife, birds and plant com-munities. Over 300 bird species inhabit the studyarea (Sankey 1987). As evidence of this diversity,the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources andSocit de la Faune et des Parcs du Qubec (SFEP)have established a number of parks, Areas ofNatural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and ecologi-cal reserves (RPF) within the study (Table 1)(Chabot 1992; OMNR 2001a).

Changes in habitat, due to hydro-electric develop-ment, has had its impact on wildlife habitat. Theloss of historic mud flats and creation of newhabitat has affected shorebird populations (Sankey1987). Yet flooding has created wetlands for otherbirds such as waterfowl (Munro 1967). The OttawaRiver is considered to be most important as awaterfowl flyway during migration especially fornorthern species, e.g. brant, arctic terns, and red-throated loons (McKeating 1990). Waterfowlnesting occurs within floodplain wetlands locatedwithin or adjacent to the river (protected by beaverdams or barrier beaches).

Yet, the diversity and distribution of bird specieshas also been affected by other factors related tothe development of the river. Birdwatching in theupper Ottawa River Valley was first mentioned in1889, in an article The Birds of Renfrew Countyby Rev. C.J. Young who wrote:

The grown people who have spare time, donttrouble themselves at all about the birds ... Ihear of birds being shot at all seasons for noearthly purpose whatever ... in the part ofOntario where I live [the birds] are yearlydiminishing.

Thus, even before the advent of hydroelectricgeneration, species such as raptors (e.g. breedinggolden eagles) and migrating waterfowl weredecreasing in number and variety (Sankey 1987).

Although much of the southern reach of the OttawaRiver is privately owned, the northern section of

the river is Crown land. The development of theOttawa River has affected resource users in thesereaches of the river. Water resource users such asnative people, canoeists, hunters, and fishermen,who prefer a pristine, undisturbed setting may bemore affected by development. Other users whoprefer cottaging and other lake-oriented recreationsmay be less affected by development such ashydroelectric development.

Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon to ChaudireFalls)

Pre-development descriptionHistorically, the first major set of rapids encoun-tered when traveling up the Ottawa River from Lacdes Deux Montagnes was the Long Sault, whichcomprised three main sets of rapids: CarillonRapids, Chute Blondeau, and Long Sault Rapids(Figure 2). This was a 20.9 km section that cas-caded approximately 18.3 m in elevation fromGrenville to Carillon (Lambart and Rigby 1963).

The Carillon Rapids were the lowest set of rapidsof the three in the Long Sault. These rapids weredescribed by an engineer in 1860:

At Carillon, the river is obstructed 1.3 milesby a reef of calciferous sandstone with onlytwo to three feet of water running over it,except in the sickle channel, about 150 feetwide and nine or ten feet deep and, as its nameimplies, very crooked (Lambart and Rigby1963).

The fall at the Carillon Rapids was 2.7 m and thecurrent was very strong (Figure 3) (Lambart andRigby 1963). The next set of rapids, Chute Blondeau (The Chute) was located shortlyupstream and was a narrow channel cut through arock shelf to a depth of 4.0 m (Lambart and Rigby1963). This set of rapids was relatively short andhad a fall of about 1.2 m (Legget 1975). Shortlyupstream, the Long Sault rapids were encountered.These rapids were comprised of five or six smallerrapids (Lambart and Rigby 1963), extending formore than 9.7 km between Grenville and GreecesPoint (Figure 4) with a drop of approximately 14 m

4


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Table 1. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach.


(Lambart and Rigby 1963; Lafrenire 1984). Thenatural variation in the water level that occurred atthese rapids was generally between 2.1 and 2.4 m,but occasionally reached 4.6 m (Lambart andRigby 1963). Large rocks were prevalent in theserapids (Lafrenire 1984).

The Long Sault was an obstacle for early naviga-tion, sometimes requiring several days to ascend(Lambart and Rigby 1963). To make passageeasier, canals were constructed to bypass theCarillon Rapids, Chute Blondeau and Long SaultRapids. The primary reason for the construction ofthese canals was to establish a travel corridor intoCanada that was located away from the St. Law-rence in case of war with the United States(Lambart and Rigby 1963). The construction of thecanals officially started in 1819, however, excava-tion did not actually take place until 1821. Threecanals were finally opened in 1834 (Legget 1975).Carillon Canal was 4.7 km in length and containedthree locks; the Chute Blondeau canal was 0.26km in length and contained one lock; and theGrenville Canal was 9.3 km in length and con-tained seven locks (Lambart and Rigby 1963). Thissystem was upgraded in the 1870s to 1880s andincluded the construction of the first dam atCarillon (Lafrenire 1984). It was a rock-filled cribdam constructed in 1870 by the Department ofPublic Works (Figure 5), intended to assist loggingoperations on the river (Legget 1975). The dam

6

Figure 2. Aerial photograph mosaic of the Ottawa River from Carillon to Hawkesbury illustrating the Long Sault,1957.

Figure 4. View of the Ottawa River from Grenvilleoverlooking Greeces Point prior to the construction ofCarillon Dam (Quebec Hydro Archives ).

Figure 3. Carillon Rapids, 1983 (National Archives ofCanada PA 85631).


extended 549 m across the river and contained alog slide 67 m wide and 168 m long to permit thepassage of timber rafts (Lafrenire 1984). The damraised the water level 2 m (Lambart and Rigby1963), flooding the slight rise in the single lock ofChute Blondeau (Legget 1975) and submersingthe Chute Blondeau rapids (Lafrenire 1984).The construction of the dam permitted water toflow over top of the structure (Figure 2 and 6). Asa result of the dam, the current at Carillon wasgentle (Figure 7; Lambart and Rigby 1963). Theupgraded canals were opened in 1882 (Lafrenire1984). Figure 2 illustrates the canals at Grenvilleand Carillon prior to the construction of theCarillon Dam by Hydro-Qubec.

Existing physical descriptionThe Carillon Generating Station (GS) was con-structed at the site of the old dam to supply hydroto the Montreal area during peak hours (Lafrenire1984). The dam was constructed between 1959 and1963, and was operational by 1964 (Legget 1975;Lafreniere 1984; Hydro-Qubec 1996). TheCarillon Dam is 1,128 m long, 19.8 m wide and16.8 m high (Figure 8; Lafrenire 1984). Thegenerating station has 14 units that are operational(Legget 1975; Hydro-Qubec 1996). A 7.6 m highdyke was constructed on each side of the upstreamportion of the dam (Lafrenire 1984). The dyke on

7

Figure 5. Old crib dam at the Carillon site (QuebecHydro Archives).

Figure 7. Carillon rapids prior to the construction of the Carillon Dam (Hydro-Quebec Archives).

Figure 6. Carillon Dam during the spring flood of 1908(National Archives of Canada PA 85631).


Figure 9. Water surface profile of the Ottawa River(Ottawa Engineering Board 1965).

the left side of the dam is 4.5 km and on the rightside, 1 km (Hydro-Qubec 1996). There is anoperational lock on the north side of the dam thatallows the movement of boat traffic up and downthe river. Additional features of the Carillon Damare outlined in Table 2. In this reach of river, thewater levels rose an average of 1.8 m over adistance of 96.6 km (Munro 1967) flooding outChute Blondeau and Long Sault rapids (Lambartand Rigby 1963; Lafrenire 1984). Water levelsrose 18.9 m at Carillon, 2.7 m at Grenville and 0.9 mat Masson (Lafrenire 1984). A water surfaceprofile of the Ottawa River (Figure 9) illustratesthe extent of changes that occurred in this sectionof the river as a result of the construction of thedam. Despite the rise in the water levels, there wasa relatively small area flooded (Efford 1975).

Lac Dollard des Ormeaux is the reach of riverbetween the Carillon Dam and Chaudire Falls. Ithas a length2 of approximately 113.1 km and asurface area of 14,414 ha. This portion of the riverconsists of a main channel and a large floodplain.There are no rapids or fast water, however, there isa strong current present throughout most of thereach. Water depths may reach 95 to 100 m in themain channel but probably average from 6 to 8 m.

The north shore (Qubec) of the river consistsmostly of shallow bays (Ontario Ministry ofNatural Resources and Gouvernement du QubecFaune et Parcs 1999). Generally, the southern

8

Figure 8. The Carillon Generating Station observedfrom downstream on the west shore.

shoreline (Ontario) has much less littoral habitatand is characterized by a relatively steep slopingchannel. The river bottom in this reach is mainly

2 Length was calculated by measuring the midline of the river between designated points.


9

Table 2. Generating station characteristics.

renwOecivresnI

etaD

dellatsnIyticapaC)HWM(

.oNfo

stinU

.oNfo

smaD

fo.oNseciulSgoL/etaG

lamroN)m(daeH

/epyTenibruTrennuR

)m(retemaiD

egnaRgnitarepO)m(

etulosbAniM

etulosbAxaM

nolliraC QH 4691 5.456 41 1 /21 0.81 nalpaK *a/n a/n

2lluH QH 0291 5.4 4 2 a/n 0.11/8.9 a/n a/n a/n

yddE.B.E BE a/n 0.9 a/n a/n a/n a/n a/n a/n a/n

ereiduahC4&2 BE/HO a/n 0.21 a/n a/n /05 a/n a/n a/n a/n

stahCsllaF

GPOQH/ 23/1391 0.291 8 6 67/4 6.51

lacitreV9.4/relleporP 79.37 22.47

xuanehC GPO 15/0591 0.221 8 3 42/7 6.11 lacitreV 2.5/relleporP 37.48 a/n

nosyrB QH 5291 0.16 3 2 /21 3.81lacitreV

)2&1G(sicnarF)3G(nalpaK&

a/n a/n

seDsmihcaoJ GPO 15/0591 5.234 8 2 04/6 6.04

lacitreV4.4/sicnarF 50.941 04.251

ottOnedloH GPO 35/2591 0.042 8 1 14/6 0.42

lacitreV5.4/sicnarF 47.371 07.771

elbaliavatonatad=a/n*

covered by rock, gravel, sand, and silt (OntarioWater Resources Commission and Quebec WaterBoard 1972).

There are at least 47 tributaries in this portion ofthe Ottawa River (26 in Qubec and 21 in Ontario)(Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources andGouvernement du Qubec Faune et Parcs 1999).The main tributaries of this section include RivireNord, Rivire Rouge, South Nation River, RivirePetite Nation, Rivire Livre, Rivire Gatineau,and Rideau River. The mean annual discharge ofselected tributaries is described in Table 3.

Present hydrologyCarillon receives the full flow of the Ottawa Riverbasin (drainage area is 143,000 km2) and has a

mean annual discharge of 1,933 m3/s (Telmer1996). The maximum discharge recorded atCarillon was 8,190 m3/s in 1976 and the lowestwas 306 m3/s in 1971 (Hydro Qubec 1996).

Water levels in this reach of the river are regulatedby the Carillon Dam. Carillon (generating station)GS is operated as a run-of-river (very little waterstorage) plant during the summer months and as apeaking system (water is passed and hydro pro-duced only during periods of high demand)between October and April (Hydro Qubec 1996).Water level changes are relatively stable during thesummer months since the operation of the CarillonDam restrains the spring flood to only about 50centimetre (cm) for a period of approximately twoto three days each spring (Figure 10). Daily fluc-


tuations occur in the reservoir level during winter.The average annual water level drawdown is at themaximum of 1.5 m (Efford 1975).

Chemical CharacteristicsWater surface temperatures mid summer in thisreach are approximately 24 degrees celcius (C)(Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton[RMOC] 1999). This reach may be classed asmesotrophic-eutrophic with the water being veryturbid as a result of high sediment content (OntarioMinistry of Natural Resources and Gouvernementdu Qubec Faune et Parcs 1999). This high turbid-

10

Table 3. Mean annual discharge (m3/s) of various tributaries of the Ottawa River.

yratubirT hcaeR eganiarD)2mk(aerA

launnanaeM)s/3m(egrahcsid

maDdellortnoC

uaediR xuaemrOseddralloD 0383 1.93 seY

uaenitaG xuaemrOseddralloD 00522 6.053 seY

erveiL xuaemrOseddralloD 0354 6.361 seY

noitaNetiteP xuaemrOseddralloD 0331 5.22 oN

noitaNhtuoS xuaemrOseddralloD 0183 8.14

eguoR xuaemrOseddralloD 0645 6.401

droN xuaemrOseddralloD 0711 9.63

noyuQ senhcseD oN

erehcennoB stahC 0832 7.91 seY

aksawadaM stahC 0618 0.39 seY

ippississiM stahC 0092 6.03 seY

awawateP ettemullA 0214 3.84 oN

nayhcS ettemullA oN

tarksuM ettemullA seY

erioN egnoluoC oN

egnoluoC egnoluoC 0515 0.57 oN

awattaM nedloH 909 5.51 seY

okcoJ evaCaL oN

eniomuD nedloH 0673 3.06 seY

6991remleT:ecruoS

ity has often resultedin poor dissolvedoxygen levels.Sediments consistmostly of fine clayparticles.

This reach of riverhas been affected bythe greatest numberof point and non-point source inputs(Environment Canadaet al. 1985). Histori-cally, totalphosphorous concen-trations andnitrogen-containingcompounds (e.g.ammonia) have beenhigh, as have metalssuch as copper, ironand lead,polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs) anddichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT). Recent levelsof metals in thisreach are outlined inRMOC (1999). TotalKjeldahl nitrogenlevels measuredbetween 1970 and

1984 at Carillon and Hawkesbury have averagedbetween 0.3 and 0.5 milligrams per litre (mg/l)with highs of 2.65 mg/l (Telmer 1996). Organicpollution downstream of the pulp and paper mill inHull has previously been a major factor in limitingthe abundance and diversity of mollusks (Mackieand Quadri 1973). High bacteria have been re-ported in this reach (Regional Municipality ofOttawa-Carleton 1992).

In the past, biological oxygen demand (BOD)levels sampled in the Hawkesbury section of thisreach have tended to range between 0.5 and 2.5 mg/l


(Figure 11) and total phosphorus between 0.025and 0.1 mg/l (Figure 12). Recent phosphorus levelsrange between 0.02 and 0.03 mg/l in this reach.The pH is 7.5 (RMOC 1999).

Natural environment

FisheriesThis portion of the OttawaRiver supports a relativelydiverse coolwater/warmwater fish communitycomprised of at least 75different fish species(Appendix 1). Sportspecies include walleye,sauger, northern pike,muskellunge, yellowperch, smallmouth bass,largemouth bass, sturgeon,and black crappie (Table4). The Ottawa River hasalways provided manyspecies of fish. Referenceis made to the small villageof Chute Blondeau, 11km east of Hawkesbury,which possessed a govern-ment wharf and was a portof call for the freighters ontheir voyage from Mon-treal to Ottawa.

Among other things whichcontributed to render thisplace one of considerablecelebrity, was its excellentfishing grounds, manyvarieties of fishshadespecially being caughtin large numbers. Duringthe decade following 1845,as many as 1200 fish weresometimes caught in oneday, and though they

rapidly decreased from that time, 400 wereoften caught in a day during the two orthree years which preceded the building ofthe dams (Department of Lands andForests, 1964).

Figure 10. Mean monthly water levels in Lac Dollard des Ormeaux since 1964.

11

Figure 11. Total phosphorous levels at Hawkesbury (1970-2000).

40.8

41.0

41.2

41.4

41.6

41.8

42.0

42.2

42.4

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecMonth

Wat

er le

vel (

m)

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

1970

-01-

13

1970

-08-

2019

71-0

7-19

1972

-06-

27

1973

-03-

1419

74-0

3-27

1974

-12-

1719

75-0

9-22

1976

-10-

2519

77-0

6-14

1979

-02-

1919

80-0

9-19

1984

-08-

1519

85-1

0-16

1986

-09-

11

1988

-09-

2319

90-1

1-26

1992

-04-

2119

92-1

1-23

1993

-12-

1619

95-0

7-24

1996

-07-

1719

97-0

6-18

1998

-04-

2119

98-1

1-23

2000

-04-

18


After the construction of the first dam at Carillon,fishing continued to excel, especially below thedam where the fish came to spawn and could notpass the barrier. American shad, lake sturgeon, andwalleye are known to spawn downstream of theCarillon Dam. The annual run of shad providedlocal residents with a years supply of fish. Fishmerchants from Montreal would take the shad bymeans of large landing nets, dress and salt theminto barrels for the Montreal market. Walleye werealso taken in quantity. Sturgeon were often takenthere but the best sturgeon waters extended fromthe Carillon Dam to Temiscaming.

There is diverse habitat throughout this reachnecessary for spawning, nursery and rearing.Muskellunge are known to spawn in variouswetland areas of the northern shore of the OttawaRiver. Many of the tributaries on the Qubec sidehave recently been documented as important formuskellunge spawning, but many of these areaffected by urbanization, agriculture, and industry.Pike have also been documented spawning inwetland areas throughout the reach. Walleye areknown to spawn below dams in tributaries andbelow the control structures at Chaudire Falls.

Lake sturgeon spawnimmediately downstreamof Chaudire Falls, belowVictoria Island. At onetime, they spawned at therapids near Hawkesburybut have abandoned thisarea after water levelsincreased from the con-struction of the CarillonDam (Easton 1968).Numerous species such aslargemouth bass, rock bass,carp, smelt, bluegill, blackcrappie, emerald shiner,brown bullhead, andpumpkinseed spawn inareas like Kettle IslandBay and Upper DuckIsland Bay.

Generally the distribution and abundance of fishvaries considerably among locations, with the mostdiverse fish communities found in the shallow,littoral areas. Based on gill netting catches, saugerare more abundant than walleye which is believedto be attributable to the high turbidity of this reach.Both largemouth and smallmouth bass populationsappear stable and are most abundant in bays alongthe river. Little is known about the status of north-ern pike and muskellunge populations. There isreason to suspect that these stocks may be limitedby the shortage of good spawning habitat, althoughreports from the Ottawa Valley chapter of MuskiesCanada indicate that sizeable populations ofmuskellunge exist, with specimens up to 135 cmbeing caught. There is an active charter fishingindustry, primarily for muskie, on this reach(Critchlow per comm3).

Brown trout have been stocked around the Ottawa-Hull area by local anglers groups, but littleincreased fishing success has been noted.

In 2000, there were four commercial fisherieslicensed from Ontario and three from Quebec in

12

Figure 12. Biological Oxygen Demand at Hawkesbury (1970 - 2000).

3 David Critchlow, Conservation Officer, Kemptville District.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

1970

-01-13

1970

-08-20

1971

-07-19

1972

-06-27

1973

-03-14

1974

-03-27

1974

-12-17

1975

-09-22

1976

-10-25

1977

-06-14

1979

-04-24

1980

-10-29

1986

-08-25

1989

-06-21

1991

-07-26

1992

-06-11

1993

-06-24

1994

-05-31

1995

-10-03

1996

-09-23

1997

-09-23

1998

-07-22

1999

-07-12

Review

of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the O

ttawa R

iver.

Table 4. Fish species by reach of the Ottawa River.

13

seicepShsiF seddralloDcaL xuaemrO senehcseDcaL stahCsedcaL udneFrehcoRudcaLdnaekaLettemullA

egnoluoCcaL ekaLnedloH evaCalcaL

hsiftaclennahC X X X X X X

daehllubnworB X X X X X X

esrohderdaehtrohS X X X X X X

esrohderreviR X X X X X

eyellaW X X X X X X X

reguaS X X X X X X X

ssabhtuomegraL X X X X X

ssabhtuomllamS X X X X X X X

ssabkcoR X X X X X X X

hcrepwolleY X X X X X X X

ekipnrehtroN X X X X X X X

egnulleksuM X X X X X

rekcusetihwnommoC X X X X X X X

deesnikpmuP X X X X X

noegrutsekaL X X X X X X

ragesongnoL X X X X X X

eipparckcalB X X X X

hsifllaF X X X X X X

hsifetihwekaL X X X X

tuortekaL X X X

gnirrehekaL X X X X

tobruB X X X X X

eyenooM X X X X X X X

leenaciremA X X X

wonnimesontnulB X

renihsdlaremE X X X X X X X

praC X X


this reach of river. Species licensed for harvestinclude bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, suckers,carp, channel catfish, white perch, freshwaterdrum, black crappie, rock bass, and American eel.The harvest of eel by Ontario commercial harvest-ers was estimated at 295 kilograms (kg) in 1999(Critchlow 2000) and 69 kg in 2000 (OMNRunpublished data). Eels are still being sampled innetting projects (Appendix 1). The commercialfishery for lake sturgeon was suspended in thisreach of river in 1990 due to a decline in abun-dance and high contaminant levels. Recent nettingstudies have sampled an increased number ofjuvenile sturgeon in their nets.

A season-long creel survey has never been com-pleted on this section of the river, although severalseasonal angler surveys have been conducted onportions of this reach. It is estimated that from2530,000 angler days of effort are expended onthe Qubec portion of the river each year. Approxi-mately one third of the annual fishing pressureoccurs during the winter. On the Ontario portion ithas been estimated that there are some 20,000angler-days of effort per year. The winter effortmirrors that of Qubec, with 350 ice huts beingregistered in 1992.

WildlifeAt least 27 water birds4 (including the black tern)and seven raptors have been previously reported tobreed in this reach of the river (Table 5) (Cadmanet al. 1987).

Some of the best migratory bird habitat on theOttawa River is located in this section of riverbetween Montebello and Gatineau (Gaffield 1997;SFEP 2001). Species include the black duck (mostabundant), northern pintail, northern shoveler,green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, wood duck,and American wigeon. Brewery Creek locatedacross from the Gatineau River was once knownfor its variety of unique birds. As well, KettleIsland has been known for its blue herons, king-

fishers, and diversity of ducks, which use thesubmergent vegetation, found along the north sideof the island. Likewise, Lower Duck Island andmarshes on the north side of the river attractnumerous waterfowl (McKeating 1990). DucksUnlimited is involved in management of wetlandsin Baie de Lochaber, Baie Clement and LacMcLaurin (SFEP 2001).

Large spring migrations of Canada geese, as wellas diving ducks (e.g. merganser, goldeneye, andscaup), dabblers (e.g. black duck, mallard, northernpintail, northern shoveller, wood duck, and teal)and even some snow geese, use the ReserveFaunique de Plaisance (Club des Ornithologues delOutaouais 2000). Rails, herons, least bitterns anddabblers have been reported in nearby ThursoMarsh (Sankey 1987). Other concentrations ofCanada geese in this reach include Baie desArcands, Baie de la Penetecote, Baie Noire, BaieLochaber (SFEP 2001), and Voyageur ProvincialPark (Critchlow pers comm.)

Of interest is a waterfowl habitat study conductedby Munro (1967) prior to and up to four years afterimpoundment behind Carillon GS. It was notedthat by 1965 the aquatic vegetation appeared tohave stabilized in broad zones as follows: grassesand sedges up to 0.3 m depth, Canadian waterweedand scarlet and amphibious knotweeds in depthsbetween 0.3 and 1.3 m and scarlet knotweed indepths of 1.31.6 m. Munro noted that the abun-dance of breeding waterfowl in this reachincreased following impoundment in direct relationto the degree of interspersion of emergent vegeta-tion and small bodies of open water near loafingspots. Duck hunting is popular in this reach of river(Critchlow per comm.)

Numerous muskrat colonies can be found in thisreach between Plaisance and Gatineau, e.g. Baie dela Penetecote, Baie Parisien, Baie Noire, BaieDaragon, Baie Lochaber, Baie Clement, LacMcLaurin and Kettle Island (SFEP 2001).

14

4 Water birds comprises all species dependent on water i.e. grebes, herons, geese, ducks, rails, sandpipers andgulls.

Review


ttawa R

iver.

Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reach.

15

seicepSdriB seddralloDcaL xuaemrO senehcseDcaL stahCsedcaL udneFrehcoRudcaLdnaekaLettemullA


noolnommoC X X X

ebergdellib-deiP X X X X X

tnaromrocdetserc-elbuoD X

nrettibnaciremA X X X

nrettibtsaeL X

noreheulbtaerG X X X X

norehdekcab-neerG X X X X

esoogadanaC X X X X X

kcuddooW X X X X X

laetdegniw-neerG X X X

kcudkcalbnaciremA X X X X X

drallaM X X X X X X

liatnipnrehtroN X X X

laetdegniw-eulB X X X X X X

relevohsnrehtroN X X X

llawdaG X X

noegiwnaciremA X X X

kcuddekcen-gniR X X

puacsresseL X

resnagremdedooH X X X X

resnagremnommoC X X X X X

resnagremdetsaerb-deR X

yerpsO X X X X X X

elgaedlaB X X X

reirrahnrehtroN X X X X

kwahdennihs-prahS X X X X

kwahs'repooC X X X

.sdnaltewstidnarevirehtnodnepedhcihwseicepsdribdnasrotparfognideerbelbaborprodemrifnocsedulcnI*

Review


ttawa R

iver.

seicepSdriB seddralloDcaL xuaemrO senehcseDcaL stahCsedcaL udneFrehcoRudcaLdnaekaLettemullA


kwahdegniw-daorB X X X X X

kwahdeliat-deR X X X X X X

lartseknaciremA X X X X X X

nilreM X X X

noclafenirgereP X X

liarainigriV X X X X

aroS X X X X X

nehrooM X X X X

repipdnasdettopS X X X X X X

repipdnasdnalpU X X X

epinsnommoC X X X X X

kcocdoownaciremA X X X X X

eporalahps'nosliW X

llugdellib-gniR X X X

lluggnirreH X X

llugdekcab-kcalbtaerG X

nretnommoC X X X X X

nretkcalB X

rehsifgnikdetleB X X X X X x

nitramelpruP X X X X

wollawseerT X X X X X X X

wollawsknaB X X X X X X X

wollawsffilC X X X X X X X

nerwhsraM X X X

nerwegdeS X

tenamdaC:ecruoS.sdnaltewstidnarevirehtnodnepedhcihwseicepsdribdnasrotparsedulcnI* 7891.la

Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reachcontinued.

16


Twenty-seven amphibians and reptiles have beenreported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham andWeller 2000) in addition to an introduced species,the red-eared slider (Critchlow per comm).

Unique speciesTwo threatened, two vulnerable and one endan-gered species have been reported in this reach(Table 7) (OMNR 2001a).

Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitiveareasThere are sixteen provincially and locally signifi-cant marshes found between Carillon GS andGatineau, e.g. at Hawkesbury, Hamilton Island,Cunninghan Bay, Rockland and Duck Island(Table 8). The predominant vegetation in thesemarshes is cattail (Typha sp.). Due to the limitedspring water level increases and abundance ofcattail, many of these marshes are of only limitedvalue for fish spawning habitat. A number of thesemarshes have been developed to increase water-fowl production.

Six Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)are located in this reach of the river (Table 9)(OMNR 2001a). They include four life scienceANSIs at the Baie Lafontaine Islands, PetrieIsland, Green Creek Conservation Area and DuckIslands; and two earth science ANSIs at VoyageurProvincial Park and Rockland. A parc de conserva-tion, which is similar in importance to a nationalpark, is located in Plaisance (SFEP 2001).

Shoreline developmentThe cities of Ottawa and Hull are located in theupstream portion of this reach. There are varioustowns, including Cumberland, Rockland, Gatineau,Hawkesbury and Grenville, along the shore of theriver. Ottawa has a long history of settlement withan ancient aboriginal settlement located in Parc duLac Leamy on the Gatineau River. Since 1961some communities have experienced a decline inpopulation, e.g. Carillon, while others have in-creased in size, e.g. Hawkesbury and Rockland(Ontario Water Resource Commission and Quebec

Water Board 1972; Statistics Canada 2001) (Table10).

Four pulp and paper mills, including J. MacLarenin Thurso and Masson, Canadian InternationalPaper in Gatineau and E.B. Eddy Paper in Hull,currently operate along the north shoreline in thissection of river. Eddy discontinued its pulpingoperations in 1972 (Environment Canada et al.1985). Canadian International Paper closed downits mill in Hawkesbury in 1982 (EnvironmentCanada et al. 1985). Log drives ceased in thissection in 1990. This reach of the river, e.g.Hawkesbury, has been historically used for pulpand paper mills, lumber mills, waterworks andelectrical generation (Denis and White 1911).

In comparison to the whole Ottawa River water-shed, agricultural land use in the watershed of thisreach is quite high, e.g. 77% of the South NationRiver sub-basin, as are built-up areas, e.g. 2.4% ofthe Rideau River sub-basin (Table 11) (Telmer1996).

Lac Deschnes (Chaudire Falls to Chats Fall/Fitzroy)

Pre-development descriptionHistorically, Chaudire Falls was a place of cer-emony, where natives threw tobacco into the fallsin belief that they would be protected from theirenemies (Kennedy 1970). This was an area wherethe river tumbled over a limestone ledge (Figure 13)in a series of channels between islands (Hughsonand Bond 1964). The falls consisted of sevenrapids that poured into the deep kettle with suchtremendous force that it gave the appearance ofboiling water (Figure 14) (Mika and Mika 1982).Early accounts of the falls include:

the scenery of Chaudire Falls before itwas defaced was truly picturesque, almostindescribably grand. The rocky cliffs,green with the cedars and the pines to therivers brink, its volume of water tossedbroke, dashed into foam, that foam floatingdown like islands of pearl on the bosom ofthe dashing current, the whole surveyed

17

Review


ttawa R

iver.

dralloDcaLxuaemrOsed

caLsenehcseD

sedcaLstahC

udcaLrehcoR

udneF

caLegnoluoC

rewoLettemullA

ettemullAekaL

nedloHekaL

alcaLevaC

snaibihpmA sgorF daotnaciremA X X X X X X X X X

repeepgnirpS X X X X X X X X

gorfsurohcnretseW X X X X X X

gorfeertyarG X X X X X X X X

gorfdooW X X X X X X X X

gorfdrapoelnrehtroN X X X X X X X X

gorfeyellaW X X

gorfneerG X X X X X X X X

gorfkniM X X X X

gorflluB X X X X X X X

srednamalaS yppupdumnommoC X X X X

twendettopsdeR X X X

nosreffeJxelpmocrednamalas X X X X X X X X X

rednamalasdettopS X X X

denil-owtnrehtroNrednamalas X X X X

deot-ruoFrednamalas X

kcabdernrehtroNrednamalas X X X X

Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reach.

18

Review


ttawa R

iver.

dralloDcaLxuaemrOsed

caLsenehcseD

sedcaLstahC

udcaLrehcoR

udneF

caLegnoluoC

rewoLettemullA

ettemullAekaL

nedloHekaL

alcaLevaC

selitpeR sekanS ekansretragnretsaE X X X X X X X X X

nobbirnretsaEekans X X

ekansretawnrehtroN X X X X

yllebdernrehtroNekans X X X X X X

ekansneerghtoomS X X X

kcengnirnrehtroNekans X X X

ekansklimnretsaE X X X X X X

seltruT gnippansnommoCeltrut

X X X X X X X X

eltrutksumnommoC X X X

detniapdnaldiMeltrut X X X X X X X X

eltrutpamnommoC X X X X X X X

eltruts`gnidnalB X X X X X X X

eltrutdooW X X

ynipsnretsaEllehstfos X X X

.mmocsrepnosluoC;0002relleWdnamahdlO:ecruoS

Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reachcontinued.

19


Table 7. Unique plant and wildlife species by river reach.

from the brow of the hills on the east in theevening sun, to be comprehended, to beesteemed, to be capturously admired, mustbe dwelt upon. Thus Samuel Champlainsaw it, Mirrick and Stevens saw it, thusPhilemon Wright saw it before a tree wasremoved or an arched has spanned itexcept the rainbow in its natural grandeur,in its virgin beauty, in its pristine sublim-ity. This is much the finest falls on theriver (Gourlay 1896).

As described by Champlain:

the water fallsimpetuosity on a rockthat with the passage of time it has hol-lowed out a wide, deep basin. This water

falls makes such a noise in the basin thatone can hear it from more than twoleagues away (Kennedy 1970).

Figures 13 and 15 illustrate the rock ledges thatwere present at Chaudire Falls. Figure 14 gives anindication of how the falls appeared during highwater flows before the dams were constructed.Alterations at Chaudire Falls occurred early insettlement. The first industries, a grist mill and asaw mill driven by waterwheels, were establishedin 1802 at the Chaudire Falls (Hughson and Bond1964). The first log slide was built at this locationin 1829, and a second one built on the south side in1836 (Hincks 1978). A diversion dam, approxi-mately 45.7 m long and 4.6 m high, was

20

hcaeR seicepS

xuaemrOseddralloDcaL )*T(wonnimspiltuC )E(noclafenirgereP

)T(eltrutllehstfosynipsnretsaE )V(esrohderreviR

)V(yerpmalkoorbnrehtroN

senhcseDcaL trowlliuqs'nuarB eyenedlogs'worraB

traehgnitaolF )V(nrettibtsaeL

silixelfsajaN )V(kwahderedluohs-deR

sutailofrepnotegomatoP )V(esrohderreviR

sullisupnotegomatoP enotsnrutydduR

iisnibbornotegomatoP esoogwonS

sulliripsnotegomatoP rednamalass'yalbmerT

toofworcretaW

ssargratsretaW

stahCsedcaL worrapsreppohssarG )V(esrohderreviR

)V(kwahderedluohs-deR

udneFrehcoRudcaL reppilsydaldaehsmaR

egnoluoCcaLdnaekaLettemullA hsurdlaB elgaedlaBtaehwkcubsalguoD )T(eltrutllehstfosynipsnretsaE

rehtaehdnaS )E(noclafenirgerePhsur-bulcs'htimS eltrutdooW

hsurlubs'yerroT

dnatcAseicepSderegnadnEoiratnOrepsa)E(deregnadnero;)T(denetaerht;)V(elbarenluvsiseicepS*1002CIWESOC

a1002RNMO;2991rueociloJ;9791.dtLnrefdeR&rotcorP/dtLnocorivnE:ecruoS


constructed halfway down the channel. A flume201 m long, 1.8 m deep and 30.2 m wide taperingto 6.1 m wide was built from this structure downthe north side of Victoria Island to service water-

lots. A similar flumewas built onChaudire Island(Hughson and Bond1964). In 1868, adiversion dam 106.7m long and 22.9 mwide at the base wasconstructed acrossChaudire Falls toallow for continuoussupply of water tothe mills. Thisstructure was built ofstrong crib-workfilled with stone,faced with heavyplanks, and bracedwith iron. Thisstructure was laterreplaced by a largerstructure in 1896(Hughson and Bond1964). In the 1890s,two small powerplants were built atChaudire Falls tosupply industrial andresidential power toOttawa (Hincks1978). The RingDam was constructedin 1909 (Tremblay etal. 1970).

Despite the dam atChaudire Falls, LacDeschnes is still thesame beautifulstretch of water thatwas observed byearly travelers(Legget 1975); the

shoreline remains relatively unaltered due to theconstruction of hydraulic structures (Ottawa RiverEngineering Board 1965).

noitceSreviR dnalteW ecnacifingiS

xuaemrOseddralloDcaL dnalteWdnalsIkcuD tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWdnalsIeirteP tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWeniatnofaLeiaB tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

pmawSteertSdooW tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMreviReniatnofaL tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMdnalkcoR tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

hsraMdnalsIecneralC tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

hsraMdnalsIrekraP tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaBmahgninnuC tnacifingisyllacoL

dnalteWyaBreinehC tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMtnioPnawoGcM tnacifingisyllacoL

yaBacitazA tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMdnalsInotlimaH tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMyrubsekwaH tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMxuaemrOseddralloD tnacifingisyllacoL

hsraMnolliraC tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

senhcseDcaL dnalteWkeerCecnatsnoC tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaBs'yelrihS tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWekaLduM tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

stahCsedcaL dnalteWhtuomreviRerehcennoB tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWgnimopoN tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWdnalsIsirroM tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWeynSippississiM tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

egnoluoCcaLdnaekaLettemullA dnalteWkeerCselaH )?(tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

xelpmoCyaBksiL/yaByelzaH tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaBs'wolleB tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaBs'yssenneH )?(tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaByollaM )?(tnacifingisyllaicnivorP

dnalteWyaBxiorcaL )?(tnacifingisyllaicinivorP

a1002RNMOecruoS

Table 8. Wetlands by river reach.

21


Existing physical descriptionLac Deschnes, the reach of river betweenChaudire Falls and Chats Falls, is 52.8 km long

22

and has a surfacearea of 10,900 ha.The cities of Ottawaand Hull are the mostprominent features onthis reach. There areseveral natural sets ofrapids remaining inthis reach close toOttawa and Hullincluding DeschnesRapids, RemicRapids and LittleChaudire Rapids.The Qubec shorelineis characterized bydepths of less than2 m and extensivesections of wetlands.Water depths aregenerally less than9.0 m; however, thereis a deep troughbetween Twelve MileIsland and AylmerIsland that reachesdepths of 49 m.

The Chaudire Dam(Figures 16 and 17)maintains a constantwater level for powergeneration at Hull 2,E.B. Eddy (intakeslocated on the northend of the dam) andfour hydro plants atthe southern end ofthe dam. Additionalcharacteristics of theHull 2 GS are out-lined in Table 2. Thedam has 50 gates tocontrol water levels

(Abdelnour et al. 2000). However, the dam con-trols very little water and has no storage capacity(Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board 1987).

Table 9. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach.

noitceSreviR aerAevitisneSyllatnemnorivnE

xuaemrOseddralloDcaL ecnasialPednoitavresnoCedcraP

ISNAecneicShtraEkraPlaicnivorPruegayoV

ISNAecneicShtraEnaibmacerPdnalkcoR

ISNAecneicSefiLetadidnaCsdnalsIeniatnofaLeiaB

ISNAecneicSefiLetadidnaCdnalteWdnalsIeirteP

ISNAecneicSefiLaerAnoitavresnoCkeerCneerG

ISNAecneicSefiLetadidnaCsdnalsIkcuD

senhcseDcaL ISNAecneicSefiLetadidnaCaerAnoitavresnoCainnatirB

ISNAecneicShtraEetadidnaCdnalteWhcaeBawattO

ISNAecneicShtraEdnalteWyaBs'yelrihS

ISNAecneicSefiLdnalteWkeerCecnatsnoC

ISNAecneicSefiLetadidnaCserohSyaBeohsesroH

ISNAecneicShtraEsllihdnaSyaBecnatsnoC

kraPlaicnivorPyorztiF

stahCsedcaL ISNAecneicSefiLdnalteWeynSippississiM

ISNAecneicSefiLaerAnoitavresnoCdnalsIsirroM

lotsirBedeuqinuaFegufeRudtejorP

udneFrehcoRudcaL kraPyawretaWlaicnivorP

egnoluoCcaLdnaekaLettemullA ISNAecneicShtraEselohepiPessaPaL

ISNAecneicSefiLecarreTawawateP

*FPRneidnI'leduaessiuR

FPRelttiLsemaJ

FPRehcnalBetTelgiA'leD

ekaLnedloH FPRuaetniLrdnA

kraPlaicnivorPyaBdoowtfirD

evaCalcaL ISNAecneicSefiLtseroFekaLrednaxelA

ISNAecneicShtraEreviRawattO/okcoJ

ISNAecneicSefiLsworraNnotloC

ISNAecneicSefiLtnioPeerteniP

ehtnevigsieuqigoloceevreserA.euqigoloceevreseredtcejorpdetangisedcebeuQasiFPR*cebeuQninoitcetorpfoleveltsehgih

1002PEFS;a1002RNMOecruoS


This portion of the riverhas a total of 21 relativelysmall tributaries (11 inQubec and 10 in Ontario)(Ontario Ministry ofNatural Resources andGouvernement du QubecFaune et Parcs 1999). Thelargest tributaries are theMississippi Snye (whichcurrently has a very smalldischarge) and ConstanceCreek in Ontario and theQuyon River in Qubec.The mean annual dis-charge of selectedtributaries is described inTable 3.

23

hcaeR ytiC/nwoT 1691 6991 egnahC%

xuaemrOseddralloDcaL nolliraC 724 852 04-

yrubsekwaH 1668 261,01 71+

dnalkcoR 7303 0708 561+

senhcseDcaL lluH 929,65 933,26 01+

awattO 593,303 264.245 97+

stahCsedcaL roirpnrA 4745 3117 03+

udneFrehcoRudcaL yaBsllebpmaC 4201 478 51-

nosyrB 735 357 04+

egnoluoCcaLdnaekaLettemullA egnoluoCtroF 3281 6171 6-

ekorbmeP 197,61 771,41 61-

awawateP 9054 0456 54+

reviRpeeD 7735 1944 53-

ekaLnedloH awattaM 4133 1822 13-

.seiradnuobytinummocnisegnahcoteudffotahwemosebyamsraeyneewtebnosirapmoC*

6991remleT:ecruoS

Table 10. 1961 and 1996 populations* by river reach.

Table 11. Mean percentage of land use class per tributary sub-basin of the Ottawa River.

hcaeR yratubirT -busfoaerA)2mk(nisab

%tseroF

%erutlucirgA

pu-tliuB%aera

%retawnepO

xuaemrOseddralloDcaL uaediR 2324 6.43 3.95 4.2 7.3

uaenitaG 18542 2.29 1.2 2.0 6.5

erveiL 05601 2.49 6.3 1.0 1.2

noitanetiteP 7172 5.19 8.5 0.0 8.2

noitaNhtuoS 7965 7.22 0.77 0.0 3.0

eguoR 7797 6.59 6.3 3.0 2.0stahCsedseL erehcennoB 2664 1.97 8.81 0.0 1.2

aksawadaM 4909 5.69 9.0 0.0 6.2

ippississiM 2364 0.17 1.72 1.0 8.1egnoluoCcaL/ekaLettemullA awawateP 2044 3.79 2.0 0.0 5.2

erioN 4472 4.69 5.1 0.0 1.2

egnoluoC 6045 5.89 6.0 0.0 9.0ekaLnedloH awattaM 7285 6.79 0.0 6.0 8.1

eniomuD 3844 3.69 0.0 0.0 7.36991remleT:ecruoS


There are few islands in this portion of the river.The river bottom is covered with gravel andrubble/boulder in rapid sections (Ontario Ministryof Natural Resources and Gouvernement duQubec Faune et Parcs 1999). In slow flowingsections above Chaudire Dam, the river bottom iscovered with sand over a clay substrate.

Present hydrologyWater levels fluctuate in Lac Deschnes approxi-mately 0.9 m annually, with the high on average of58.8 m occurring during the spring freshet and thelow on average of 57.9 m occurring during Sep-tember (Figure 18). Since the dam at Chaudire

Figure 13. The rock ledges of Chaudire Falls duringlow water in the 1870s (National Archives of CanadaPA 12517).

Figure 14. Chaudire Falls during high water in 1909(National Archives of Canada PA 9415).

Figure 15. A view of Chaudire Falls during the 1900s(National Archives of Canada PA 139335).

Figure 16. Aerial view of Chaudire Falls in the mid1900s (National Archives of Canada PA 44397).

Figure 17. Control dam at the head of Chaudire Falls(2000).

24


Falls controls very little water, levels are affectedstrictly by the flows being passed from upstream.

Waters are slow flowing except immediately belowthe dam at Chats Falls and the areas of naturalrapids between Aylmer and Chaudire Falls(Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources andGouvernement du Qubec Faune et Parcs 1999).

Chemical characteristicsWater surface temperatures mid summer in thisreach are approximately 24C (RMOC 1999). Thewater column does not thermally stratify com-pletely because of the strong currents. The watercolour in this portion of the river is brown (OntarioMinistry of Natural Resources and Gouvernementdu Qubec Faune et Parcs 1999). Transparencyvaries from 1.8 to 3.5 m. Conductivity is averagefor the region and varies from 52 to 63 micro ohmsper cm (hos/cm). The pH is 7.5.Water quality in this area is good with low levelsof toxic organics, trace metals, phosphorous andnitrates (Environment Canada et al. 1985). Themaximum phosphorus levels are 0.010.02 mg/l

25

(RMOC 1999). Current levels of metals are out-lined in RMOC (1999).

Natural environment

FisheriesThis reach supports a relatively diversewarmwater/coolwater fish community with at least57 species documented in this reach (Appendix 1).Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass,muskellunge, and yellow perch are the major sportfish species (Table 4). Channel catfish, longnosegar, and suckers are regarded as the most abundantfish species. Other species of lesser abundance inthis section of the river include sauger, largemouthbass, brown trout, bullheads, crappies, rock bass,burbot, pumpkinseed, mooneye, and sturgeon.

An Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. (1979)study of the Chats Falls area found 19 fish specieswith minnows, perch, and catfish being the preva-lent species. Other fish species which have beenobserved in the Chats Falls GS tailrace and sluicesinclude smallmouth and largemouth bass, silverand shorthead redhorse, walleye, northern pike,

Figure 18. Mean monthly water levels of Lac Deschnes over the past 50 years.

57.4

57.6

57.8

58.0

58.2

58.4

58.6

58.8

59.0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Wat

er le

vel (

m)


and muskellunge (Niblett Environmental Associ-ates Inc. 1990). Ontario Hydro staff reported eelsat Chats Falls GS (Chubbuck 1993), however, thenumbers of eels observed annually have beendeclining. Eels were last sampled in netting effortsin 1989 (Appendix 1).

Lake sturgeon spawn downstream of the generat-ing station. A study in 1949 sampled over 400spawning lake sturgeon. Numbers of sturgeon inthis reach of river have declined. A survey of thesame spawning area in 2001 yielded only eightsturgeon. Recruitment is considered to be a limit-ing factor in this reach of the river (Haxton inreview).

The Deschnes Rapids is an area in which speciessuch as walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass,mooneye, suckers, channel catfish, sauger, andmottled sculpins are known to spawn. Areas suchas Britannia Bay support spawning northern pike,rock bass, longnose gar, silvery minnow, spottailshiner, brown bullhead, and pumpkinseed.

Traditionally there was one commercial fishermanlicensed by Ontario but this licence has beeninactive since 1988 (Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources and Gouvernement du Qubec Faune etParcs 1999). Presently there are three activeOntario baitfish licences issued for baitfish harvestin this section of the river. There is a commercialfishery for lake sturgeon licences out of Qubec inthe Quyon area with a quota of 0.1 kilogram perhectare (kg/ha) of Quebc waters.

A season long creel survey has not been completedfor this section of the river although several sea-sonal angler surveys have been conducted onportions of this reach (Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources and Gouvernement du Qubec Faune etParcs 1999). In the Qubec portion of this sectionof the river, fishing effort has been estimated atapproximately 15,400 angler days per year. Atleast 40% of this effort is exerted in the section ofthe rapids adjacent to Ottawa-Hull. The only creeldata for the Ontario waters were collected in the

winter of 1989 and for the mid-summers of 1978and 1981. It was estimated that 18,000 angler daysof effort were expended that winter, while summerpressure was estimated at about 2,500 angler days.The main species in the catch included walleye,bass, pike, and channel catfish.

WildlifeAt least 38 water birds (including the ring-neckedduck, lesser scaup and Wilsons phalarope) andeight raptors have been previously reported5 tobreed in this reach of the river (Table 5) (Cadmanet al. 1987).

Similar to Lac Dollard des Ormeaux, migratingwaterfowl species also concentrate in this reachespec

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