Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
1
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science and Information Section, Kemptville.
2
Ontario Power Generation, Technical Services, Toronto.
2002, Queen’s 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)
information.scss@mnr.gov.on.ca
Résumé
La rivière des Outaouais est un des plus magnifiques cours d’eau de l’Est de l’Ontario. C’est le recul du
glacier du Wisconsin qui, il y a quelque 11 000 ans, a creusé son lit. Voie d’exploration, de découverte,
de transport et de colonisation, elle connaît depuis une histoire riche. Les cent dernières années ont vu
des transformations importantes, en particulier à la suite des activités humaines visant à capter l’énergie
hydraulique naturelle de la rivière. Tout au long de son cours, certaines régions ont été submergées et des
rapides naturels ont disparu dans le cadre de son aménagement hydroélectrique. De 1880 à 1964, sept
barrages hydroélectriques ont été construits entre Carillon et le lac Témiscamingue. Le présent rapport
examine l’histoire de ce segment de la rivière avant son aménagement hydroélectrique. On y présente une
mosaïque de photos aériennes historiques, de photos d’archives et de descriptions de l’état de la rivière
avant son aménagement, accompagnés de vues des ouvrages en place aujourd’hui. En outre, on y examine
l’état actuel de l’environnement dans divers domaines, y compris l’hydrologie, la flore et la faune, les
espèces importantes, les parcs et les milieux écologiquement sensibles en bordure de la rivière. Le rapport
a pour objet l’élaboration d’un document de référence qui permettra aux responsables de l’eau de
reconnaître les caractéristiques marquantes des influences anciennes et actuelles, non seulement sur les
poissons de la rivière mais sur la biote qui est associée.
i
ii
Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... i
Résumé ....................................................................................................................................... i
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................... v
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... v
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ vii
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1
Study objectives and scope ..................................................................................................................... 1
Study area ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Study approach ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Overview ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon to Chaudière Falls) ..................................................................... 4
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................... 4
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................... 7
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................... 9
Chemical Characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 10
Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 11
Fisheries ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 17
Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 17
Lac Deschênes (Chaudière Falls to Chats Fall/Fitzroy) .................................................................... 17
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 17
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 22
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 24
Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 25
Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 25
Fisheries ................................................................................................................................................ 25
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 26
Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 27
Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 27
Lac des Chats (Chats Falls/Fitzroy to Cheneaux Dam) .................................................................... 27
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 27
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 31
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 32
Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 33
Natural environment .............................................................................................................................. 33
Fisheries ................................................................................................................................................ 33
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 35
Unique species ...................................................................................................................................... 36
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas .......................................................................... 36
Shoreline development .......................................................................................................................... 36
Lac du Rocher Fendu (Cheneaux to La Passe Dam) ........................................................................ 36
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................. 36
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 37
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 40
iii
Chemical characteristics ...................................................................................................................... 41
Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 41
Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 41
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 42
Unique species ..................................................................................................................................... 42
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 42
Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 42
Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge (LaPasse to Des Joachims) ..................................................... 43
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 43
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 43
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 43
Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 43
Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 44
Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 44
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 45
Unique species ..................................................................................................................................... 45
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 45
Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 46
Holden Lake (Des Joachims to Otto Holden Dam) .......................................................................... 46
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 46
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 49
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 51
Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 51
Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 51
Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 51
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 52
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 53
Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 53
Lac la Cave (Otto Holden Dam to the Dam at Lake Temiscaming) ................................................. 53
Pre-development description ................................................................................................................ 53
Existing physical description ................................................................................................................. 53
Present hydrology ................................................................................................................................. 55
Chemical characteristics ....................................................................................................................... 57
Natural environment ............................................................................................................................. 57
Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................... 57
Wildlife .................................................................................................................................................. 58
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive areas ......................................................................... 58
Shoreline development ......................................................................................................................... 58
Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 58
References .......................................................................................................................................... 59
Appendix 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 64
iv
List of Tables
Table 1. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach. ......................................................................... 5
Table 2. Generating station characteristics. ............................................................................................ 9
Table 3. Mean annual discharge (m3/s) of various tributaries of the Ottawa River. ............................... 10
Table 4. Fish species by reach of the Ottawa River. ............................................................................. 13
Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reach. .................................................................................... 15
Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reach. .................................................................................. 18
Table 7. Unique plant and wildlife species by river reach. .................................................................... 20
Table 8. Wetlands by river reach. ......................................................................................................... 21
Table 9. Environmentally sensitive areas by river reach. ...................................................................... 22
Table 10. 1961 and 1996 populations by river reach. ............................................................................ 23
Table 11. Mean percentage of land use class per tributary sub-basin of the Ottawa River. .................. 23
List of Figures
Figure 1. Reaches of the Ottawa River and locations of dams from Carillon to Lake Temiscaming. ....... 2
Figure 2. Aerial photograph mosaic of the Ottawa River from Carillon to Hawkesbury illustrating the
Long Sault, 1957. .................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3. Carillon Rapids, 1983. .............................................................................................................. 6
Figure 4. View of the Ottawa River from Grenville overlooking Greece’s Point prior to the construction of
Carillon Dam. .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 5. Old crib dam at the Carillon site. .............................................................................................. 7
Figure 6. Carillon Dam during the spring flood of 1908. ........................................................................... 7
Figure 7. Carillon rapids prior to the construction of the Carillon Dam. .................................................... 7
Figure 8. The Carillon Generating Station observed from downstream on the west shore. ..................... 8
Figure 9. Water surface profile of the Ottawa River. ................................................................................ 8
Figure 10. Mean monthly water levels in Lac Dollard des Ormeaux since 1964. ................................... 11
Figure 11. Total phosphorous levels at Hawkesbury (1970-2000). ........................................................ 11
Figure 12. Biological Oxygen Demand at Hawkesbury (1970 - 2000). ................................................. 12
Figure 13. The rock ledges of Chaudière Falls during low water in the 1870’s. ..................................... 24
Figure 14. Chaudière Falls during high water in 1909. .......................................................................... 24
Figure 15. A view of Chaudière Falls during the 1900’s......................................................................... 24
Figure 16. Aerial view of Chaudière Falls in the mid 1900’s. ................................................................. 24
Figure 17. Control dam at the head of Chaudière Falls (2000). ............................................................. 24
Figure 18. Mean monthly water levels of Lac Deschênes over the past 50 years. ................................ 25
Figure 19. 1927 aerial view of Chats Falls (National Air Photo Library). ................................................ 28
Figure 20 Mohrs Chute and Horseshoe Chute prior to the construction of Chats Generating Station. .. 29
Figure 21. Historical view of Ragged Chute at Chats Falls. ................................................................... 29
Figure 22. An historical view of the log chute at Chats Falls. ................................................................. 30
Figure 23. Aerial view of Chats Rapids and Chats Falls from upstream, 1920. ..................................... 30
Figure 24. Aerial view of Chats Generating Station, July 1932. ............................................................. 31
Figure 25. Chats Generating Station, 2000. .......................................................................................... 32
Figure 26. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at Ragged Chute, 2000. ................................................ 32
Figure 27. Sluice gates and structures at Horseshoe Chute, 2000. ....................................................... 32
Figure 28. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at Conroy’s Chute, 2000. .............................................. 32
Figure 29. Current view of log chute at Chats Falls, 2000. .................................................................... 32
Figure 30. Mean monthly water levels of Lac des Chats over the past 50 years. .................................. 33
Figure 31. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Chats Falls (1966-2001). ........................................... 34
Figure 32. Total phosphorous levels at Chats Falls (1966-2001). ......................................................... 35
v
Figure 33. Rapids upstream of Portage du Fort bridge prior to the construction of Chenaux Generating
Station . ................................................................................................................................................. 37
Figure 34. Aerial mosaic of Lac du Rocher Fendu prior to the construction of the Chenaux Generating
Station. .................................................................................................................................................. 38
Figure 35. Historical view of the rapids where Chenaux Generating Station was constructed. View is from
the east on Limerick Island. ................................................................................................................... 38
Figure 36. The overflow channel constructed through Limerick Island (2000). ...................................... 38
Figure 37. Limerick Island control structure (2000). ............................................................................... 39
Figure 38. Cheneaux Generating Station (2000). .................................................................................. 39
Figure 39. The dam constructed at Portage du Fort (2000). .................................................................. 39
Figure 40. Bryson Dam (1997). ............................................................................................................. 39
Figure 41. Mean monthly water levels in Lac du Rocher Fendu over the past 50 years. ....................... 40
Figure 42. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Chenaux, 1968 - 2000. .............................................. 41
Figure 43. Total phosphorous levels at Chenaux, 1968 - 2000. ............................................................. 42
Figure 44. Mean monthly water levels in Allumette Lake over the past 50 years. .................................. 44
Figure 45. Aerial mosaic of the Ottawa River upstream of Des Joachims to Bissett Creek
pre-hydroelectric development (1946). .................................................................................................. 47
Figure 46. Aerial view of rapids des Joachims from downstream, 1925. .............................................. 47
Figure 47. Historical view of the upstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947 ................................ 48
Figure 48. Historical view of the downstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947. .......................... 48
Figure 49. Aerial view of the Rapides-des-Deux-Rivières, 1946. .......................................................... 49
Figure 50. Historical view from the foot of Deux Rivières rapids pre-hydroelectric development. ......... 50
Figure 51. McConnell Lake Dam (2000). .............................................................................................. 50
Figure 52. Des Joachims Dam and tailrace channel (1997). ................................................................ 50
Figure 53. Swift current in the tailrace of Des Joachims Dam (2000). .................................................. 51
Figure 54. View of the lower rapids of Rapids des Joachims from the bridge, 1906. ............................ 51
Figure 55. Mean monthly water levels in Holden Lake over the past 50 years. .................................... 52
Figure 56. Aerial view of the La Cave Rapids prior to the construction of the Otto Holden Dam. .......... 54
Figure 57. La Cave Rapids, 1948, site of the Otto Holden Dam. .......................................................... 55
Figure 58. View of the substrate of La Cave Rapids during the construction of the
Otto Holden Dam, 1950. ....................................................................................................................... 55
Figure 59. Aerial view of La Cave rapids during the construction of the bypass channel, 1949. ........... 55
Figure 60. Otto Holden Dam (2000). ..................................................................................................... 55
Figure 61. Mean monthly water levels in Lac la Cave over the past 50 years. ...................................... 56
Figure 62. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994. ................................. 56
Figure 63. Total phosphorous levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994. ............................................... 57
vi
Acknowledgements
We are indebted to many people that assisted with the collation of historical and current information for
this report. We would like to thank Al Headon, retired Corrosion Specialist from Ontario Hydro, for his
assistance with obtaining historical photographs and documents; Suzanne Guertin of Pembroke for her
assistance in arranging historical and current aerial photographs; Toni Mirizzi of the Information Centre
in Toronto for assisting with historical aerial photographs; Al Bibby of Kemptville for his GIS work and
assistance with historical mosaics; Tina Watts of Hydro One Archives; Marie-Josée Deshênes of Hydro-
Québec archives; Ron Threader and Liisa Blimske of Ontario Power Generation for their involvement in
the initial stages of this report; and the reviewers of this document including Don Ferko and Greg Pope of
Ontario Power Generation and David Critchlow, Anne Bendig, Stephen Belfry, and Tania Baker of the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Finally, we would like to thank Lyn Thompson of Southcentral Science and Information in North Bay for
editing, formating, and publishing this document.
vii
viii
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
1
ANSI = Area of Natural and Scientific Interest; RPF = reserve ecologique.
1
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
reach; and shoreline development. This report is l Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon to
intended to be a reference document for the water Chaudière Falls)
manager to identify the significant features along
l Lac Deschênes (Chaudière Falls to Chats
the river, and/or to assist the fisheries manager in
Fall/Fitzroy)
understanding past and current influences to not
only the fisheries of the river, but other associated l Lac des Chats (Chats Falls/Fitzroy to
biota. Cheneaux Dam)
l Lac du Rocher Fendu (Cheneaux Dam to La
Study area
Passe)
Although the Ottawa River extends from the
l Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge (La Passe
confluence at the St. Lawrence River to its head
to Des Joachims Dam)
waters at Lake Capitmitchigama, this report per-
tains to the section from the Carillon Dam to the l Holden Lake (Des Joachims Dam to Otto
public dam at Lake Temiscaming (Figure 1). For Holden Dam)
the purposes of the report, the river has been l Lac la Cave (Otto Holden Dam to the public
divided into reaches, generally based on the pres- dam at the outflow of Lake Temiscaming)
ence of a dam. The reaches are as follows:
Figure 1. Reaches of the Ottawa River and locations of dams from Carillon to Lake Temiscaming.
2
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
This report describes each section travelling Forest Region) into a settled area of agricultural,
upstream from Carillon. The reason for this ap- mining, and lumbering interests (in the Haileybury
proach is to describe the control structure for the Clay and Temagami sections of the Great Lakes
reach, if one is present, and then describe the Forest Region) (Rowe 1972).
impoundment. In addition, using the historical
At the southern end of Lake Temiscaming, the
information, it recreates the obstacles that early
river plunges back into a transitional forest (the
explorers encountered on their travels up the river.
Algonquin-Pontiac section of the Great Lakes-St.
Study approach
Lawrence Forest Region) running generally south-
eastward past the towns of Mattawa and Deux
This study was conducted in several phases. The Rivières. The banks of the river are steep and
historical review included reviewing all documents rocky in nature. Approaching the town of
pertinent to the Ottawa River, specifically those Pembroke, the river widens out around Allumette
that detailed conditions prior to the construction of Island with forest giving way to agricultural lands
the hydroelectric dams. Libraries, bookshops, on a sand plain (a delta formed in the Champlain
archives and journals were searched for relevant Sea by rivers such as the Petawawa and Ottawa)
information. Historical photographs were obtained interspersed with Precambrian rock outcrops along
from the National Air Photo Library, National the lowlands of the Ottawa Valley (the Ottawa
Archives of Canada, Hydro One Archives, Hydro- Valley Clay Plains of Lake Algonquin) (Chapman
Québec Archives, and the Ontario Ministry of and Putnam 1984). Leaving Pembroke, the river
Natural Resources Information Centre. widens and there are a number of lake-like
The present hydrology was obtained from the stretches broken by the rapids at Île du Grand
Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, Ontario Calumet as the river flows toward the city of
Power Generation (OPG) and Hydro-Québec. Ottawa. Along this section of the river the forest
becomes more deciduous in composition, being
The remainder of the data on sensitive species and dominated by maples, beech, birch, and oaks (the
areas, fisheries, wildlife, and chemical characteris- Upper St. Lawrence Section of the Great Lakes-St.
tics were obtained from the various managing Lawrence Forest Region).
agencies such as the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources (OMNR), Société de la Faune et des The diversity and distribution of fish and wildlife
Parcs du Québec, as well as a 1993 field reconnais- species have been affected by development of the
sance by OPG staff. The intent of this document is Ottawa River, in particular, hydro-electric genera-
to offer general descriptions of what is found in tion. The dams have blocked migratory species,
each reach. More detailed descriptions and map- such as American shad and eels, to the degree that
ping, specifically on sensitive species, can be they are very low in numbers or absent from the
obtained from the sources identified. Ottawa River. There are eighty-five fish species
documented to inhabit the Ottawa River (Appendix
Overview 1). The river redhorse, a provincially rare species,
is present in various reaches and tributaries of the
Originating in a chain of lakes in Québec, Grand river. The Ottawa River provides a recreational
Lac Victoria, and Reservoir Dozois, the Ottawa resource primarily for sport fishing, hunting and
River winds its way westward through Reservoir boating. Sport fish in the area include muskellunge,
Decelles, Lac Simard and Lac Des Quinze before largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike,
flowing southward into long narrow Lake smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The water
Temiscaming. Here the river emerges from a quality and thus the fishery in the Ottawa River are
mixed forest of balsam fir, black spruce, and aspen considered to be better than 30 years ago due to
(in the Missinaibi-Calonga section of the Boreal
3
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
regulations on industrial effluents and the eventual the river is Crown land. The development of the
decline of log drives on the river. Ottawa River has affected resource users in these
reaches of the river. Water resource users such as
The Ottawa River system has a great diversity of
native people, canoeists, hunters, and fishermen,
habitats supporting wildlife, birds and plant com-
who prefer a pristine, undisturbed setting may be
munities. Over 300 bird species inhabit the study
more affected by development. Other users who
area (Sankey 1987). As evidence of this diversity,
prefer cottaging and other lake-oriented recreations
the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and
may be less affected by development such as
Société de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (SFEP)
hydroelectric development.
have established a number of parks, Areas of
Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and ecologi- Lac Dollard des Ormeaux (Carillon to Chaudière
cal reserves (RPF) within the study (Table 1) Falls)
(Chabot 1992; OMNR 2001a).
Changes in habitat, due to hydro-electric develop- Pre-development description
ment, has had its impact on wildlife habitat. The Historically, the first major set of rapids encoun-
loss of historic mud flats and creation of new tered when traveling up the Ottawa River from Lac
habitat has affected shorebird populations (Sankey des Deux Montagnes was the Long Sault, which
1987). Yet flooding has created wetlands for other comprised three main sets of rapids: Carillon
birds such as waterfowl (Munro 1967). The Ottawa Rapids, Chute à Blondeau, and Long Sault Rapids
River is considered to be most important as a (Figure 2). This was a 20.9 km section that cas-
waterfowl flyway during migration especially for caded approximately 18.3 m in elevation from
northern species, e.g. brant, arctic terns, and red- Grenville to Carillon (Lambart and Rigby 1963).
throated loons (McKeating 1990). Waterfowl The Carillon Rapids were the lowest set of rapids
nesting occurs within floodplain wetlands located of the three in the Long Sault. These rapids were
within or adjacent to the river (protected by beaver described by an engineer in 1860:
dams or barrier beaches).
“At Carillon, the river is obstructed 1.3 miles
Yet, the diversity and distribution of bird species by a reef of calciferous sandstone with only
has also been affected by other factors related to two to three feet of water running over it,
the “development of the river”. Birdwatching in the except in the ‘sickle channel’, about 150 feet
upper Ottawa River Valley was first mentioned in wide and nine or ten feet deep and, as its name
1889, in an article “The Birds of Renfrew County” implies, very crooked” (Lambart and Rigby
by Rev. C.J. Young who wrote: 1963).
“The grown people who have spare time, don’t The fall at the Carillon Rapids was 2.7 m and the
trouble themselves at all about the birds ... I current was very strong (Figure 3) (Lambart and
hear of birds being shot at all seasons for no Rigby 1963). The next set of rapids, Chute à
earthly purpose whatever ... in the part of Blondeau (“The Chute”) was located shortly
Ontario where I live [the birds] are yearly upstream and was a narrow channel cut through a
diminishing.” rock shelf to a depth of 4.0 m (Lambart and Rigby
Thus, even before the advent of hydroelectric 1963). This set of rapids was relatively short and
generation, species such as raptors (e.g. breeding had a fall of about 1.2 m (Legget 1975). Shortly
golden eagles) and migrating waterfowl were upstream, the Long Sault rapids were encountered.
decreasing in number and variety (Sankey 1987). These rapids were comprised of five or six smaller
rapids (Lambart and Rigby 1963), extending for
Although much of the southern reach of the Ottawa more than 9.7 km between Grenville and Greece’s
River is privately owned, the northern section of Point (Figure 4) with a drop of approximately 14 m
4
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge La Passe Pipeholes Earth Science ANSI
*RPF is a Quebec designated project de reserve ecologique. A reserve ecologique is given the
highest level of protection in Quebec
5
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 2. Aerial photograph mosaic of the Ottawa River from Carillon to Hawkesbury illustrating the Long Sault,
1957.
6
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 7. Carillon rapids prior to the construction of the Carillon Dam (Hydro-Quebec Archives).
7
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
2
Length was calculated by measuring the midline of the river between designated points.
8
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Absolute Absolute
Min Max
n/a
Hull 2 HQ 1920 4.5 4 2 n/a 9.8/11.0 n/a n/a
E.B. Eddy EB n/a 9.0 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Chaudiere
OH/EB n/a 12.0 n/a n/a 50/ n/a n/a n/a n/a
2&4
Vertical
Chenaux OPG 1950/51 122.0 8 3 7/24 11.6 84.73 n/a
Propeller/5.2
Vertical
Bryson HQ 1925 61.0 3 2 12/ 18.3 Francis (G1 &2) n/a n/a
& Kaplan (G3)
D es Vertical
OPG 1950/51 432.5 8 2 6/40 40.6 149.05 152.40
Joachims Francis/ 4.4
Otto Vertical
OPG 1952/53 240.0 8 1 6/41 24.0 173.74 177.70
Holden Francis/ 4.5
covered by rock, gravel, sand, and silt (Ontario mean annual discharge of 1,933 m3/s (Telmer
Water Resources Commission and Quebec Water 1996). The maximum discharge recorded at
Board 1972). Carillon was 8,190 m3/s in 1976 and the lowest
was 306 m3/s in 1971 (Hydro Québec 1996).
There are at least 47 tributaries in this portion of
the Ottawa River (26 in Québec and 21 in Ontario) Water levels in this reach of the river are regulated
(Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and by the Carillon Dam. Carillon (generating station)
Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). GS is operated as a run-of-river (very little water
The main tributaries of this section include Rivière storage) plant during the summer months and as a
Nord, Rivière Rouge, South Nation River, Rivière peaking system (water is passed and hydro pro-
Petite Nation, Rivière Lièvre, Rivière Gatineau, duced only during periods of high demand)
and Rideau River. The mean annual discharge of between October and April (Hydro Québec 1996).
selected tributaries is described in Table 3. Water level changes are relatively stable during the
summer months since the operation of the Carillon
Present hydrology Dam restrains the spring flood to only about 50
Carillon receives the full flow of the Ottawa River centimetre (cm) for a period of approximately two
basin (drainage area is 143,000 km2) and has a to three days each spring (Figure 10). Daily fluc-
9
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 3. Mean annual discharge (m3/s) of various tributaries of the Ottawa River. ity has often resulted
in poor dissolved
Tributary R each Drainage Mean annual D am
oxygen levels.
Area (km2) discharge (m3/s) Controlled
Sediments consist
Rideau Dollard des Ormeaux 3830 39.1 Yes mostly of fine clay
Gatineau Dollard des Ormeaux 22500 350.6 Yes particles.
Lievre Dollard des Ormeaux 4530 163.6 Yes This reach of river
has been affected by
Petite Nation Dollard des Ormeaux 1330 22.5 No the greatest number
South Nation Dollard des Ormeaux 3810 41.8 of point and non-
point source inputs
Rouge Dollard des Ormeaux 5460 104.6
(Environment Canada
Nord Dollard des Ormeaux 1170 36.9 et al. 1985). Histori-
Quyon Deschênes No cally, total
phosphorous concen-
Bonnechere Chats 2380 19.7 Yes trations and
Madawaska Chats 8160 93.0 Yes nitrogen-containing
compounds (e.g.
Mississippi Chats 2900 30.6 Yes
ammonia) have been
Petawawa Allumette 4120 48.3 No high, as have metals
Schyan Allumette No
such as copper, iron
and lead,
Muskrat Allumette Yes polychlorinated
Noire Coulonge No biphenyls (PCBs) and
dichlorodiphenyl
Coulonge Coulonge 5150 75.0 No
trichloroethane
Mattawa Holden 909 15.5 Yes (DDT). Recent levels
of metals in this
Jo cko La Cave No
reach are outlined in
Dumoine Holden 3760 60.3 Yes RMOC (1999). Total
Source: Telmer 1996 Kjeldahl nitrogen
levels measured
between 1970 and
tuations occur in the reservoir level during winter. 1984 at Carillon and Hawkesbury have averaged
The average annual water level drawdown is at the between 0.3 and 0.5 milligrams per litre (mg/l)
maximum of 1.5 m (Efford 1975). with highs of 2.65 mg/l (Telmer 1996). Organic
pollution downstream of the pulp and paper mill in
Chemical Characteristics Hull has previously been a major factor in limiting
Water surface temperatures mid summer in this the abundance and diversity of mollusks (Mackie
reach are approximately 24 degrees celcius (°C) and Quadri 1973). High bacteria have been re-
(Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton ported in this reach (Regional Municipality of
[RMOC] 1999). This reach may be classed as Ottawa-Carleton 1992).
mesotrophic-eutrophic with the water being very
turbid as a result of high sediment content (Ontario In the past, biological oxygen demand (BOD)
Ministry of Natural Resources and Gouvernement levels sampled in the Hawkesbury section of this
du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). This high turbid- reach have tended to range between 0.5 and 2.5 mg/l
10
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
42.2 Fisheries
This portion of the Ottawa
42.0 River supports a relatively
diverse coolwater/
41.8 warmwater fish community
Water level (m)
comprised of at least 75
41.6
different fish species
41.4
(Appendix 1). Sport
species include walleye,
41.2 sauger, northern pike,
muskellunge, yellow
41.0 perch, smallmouth bass,
largemouth bass, sturgeon,
40.8
and black crappie (Table
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
4). The Ottawa River has
Figure 10. Mean monthly water levels in Lac Dollard des Ormeaux since 1964. always provided many
species of fish. Reference
0.40
is made to the small village
of Chute à Blondeau, 11
0.35 km east of Hawkesbury,
which possessed a govern-
0.30
ment wharf and was a port
0.25 of call for the freighters on
their voyage from Mon-
0.20 treal to Ottawa.
0.15 “Among other things which
contributed to render this
0.10
place one of considerable
0.05 celebrity, was its excellent
fishing grounds, many
0.00 varieties of fish—shad
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
1979-02-19
1980-09-19
1984-08-15
1985-10-16
1986-09-11
1988-09-23
1990-11-26
1992-04-21
1992-11-23
1993-12-16
1995-07-24
1996-07-17
1997-06-18
1998-04-21
1998-11-23
2000-04-18
11
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
19 -03 4
19 -12 7
19 -10 2
19 -06 5
19 -10 4
19 -08 9
19 -06 6
19 -06 1
19 -10 1
19 -07 3
19 -04 4
19 -06 5
19 -09 3
-0 2
19 -08 3
19 -03 7
19 -09 7
19 -07 1
19 -05 4
19 -09 3
12
71 -2
72 -1
74 -1
74 -2
76 -2
77 -2
79 -1
80 -2
86 -2
89 -2
92 -2
93 -1
95 -3
96 -0
98 -2
99 -2
70 -1
73 -2
75 -1
91 -2
94 -2
97 -2
7-
brown bullhead, and
19 -01
70
pumpkinseed spawn in
19
Figure 12. Biological Oxygen Demand at Hawkesbury (1970 - 2000). areas like Kettle Island
Bay and Upper Duck
Island Bay.
After the construction of the first dam at Carillon,
fishing continued to excel, especially below the Generally the distribution and abundance of fish
dam where the fish came to spawn and could not varies considerably among locations, with the most
pass the barrier. American shad, lake sturgeon, and diverse fish communities found in the shallow,
walleye are known to spawn downstream of the littoral areas. Based on gill netting catches, sauger
Carillon Dam. The annual run of shad provided are more abundant than walleye which is believed
local residents with a year’s supply of fish. Fish to be attributable to the high turbidity of this reach.
merchants from Montreal would take the shad by Both largemouth and smallmouth bass populations
means of large landing nets, dress and salt them appear stable and are most abundant in bays along
into barrels for the Montreal market. Walleye were the river. Little is known about the status of north-
also taken in quantity. Sturgeon were often taken ern pike and muskellunge populations. There is
there but the best sturgeon waters extended from reason to suspect that these stocks may be limited
the Carillon Dam to Temiscaming. by the shortage of good spawning habitat, although
reports from the Ottawa Valley chapter of Muskies
There is diverse habitat throughout this reach
Canada indicate that sizeable populations of
necessary for spawning, nursery and rearing.
muskellunge exist, with specimens up to 135 cm
Muskellunge are known to spawn in various
being caught. There is an active charter fishing
wetland areas of the northern shore of the Ottawa
industry, primarily for muskie, on this reach
River. Many of the tributaries on the Québec side
(Critchlow per comm3).
have recently been documented as important for
muskellunge spawning, but many of these are Brown trout have been stocked around the Ottawa-
affected by urbanization, agriculture, and industry. Hull area by local anglers’ groups, but little
Pike have also been documented spawning in increased fishing success has been noted.
wetland areas throughout the reach. Walleye are In 2000, there were four commercial fisheries
known to spawn below dams in tributaries and licensed from Ontario and three from Quebec in
below the control structures at Chaudière Falls.
3
David Critchlow, Conservation Officer, Kemptville District.
12
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 4. Fish species by reach of the Ottawa River.
Channel catfish X X X X X X
Brown bullhead X X X X X X
Shorthead redhorse X X X X X X
River redhorse X X X X X
Walleye X X X X X X X
Sauger X X X X X X X
Largemouth bass X X X X X
Smallmouth bass X X X X X X X
Rock bass X X X X X X X
Yellow perch X X X X X X X
Northern pike X X X X X X X
13
Muskellunge X X X X X
Pumpkinseed X X X X X
Lake sturgeon X X X X X X
Longnose gar X X X X X X
Black crappie X X X X
Fallfish X X X X X X
Lake whitefish X X X X
Lake trout X X X
Lake herring X X X X
Burbot X X X X X
Mooneye X X X X X X X
American eel X X X
Bluntnose minnow X
Emerald shiner X X X X X X X
Carp X X
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
this reach of river. Species licensed for harvest fishers, and diversity of ducks, which use the
include bullhead, sunfish, yellow perch, suckers, submergent vegetation, found along the north side
carp, channel catfish, white perch, freshwater of the island. Likewise, Lower Duck Island and
drum, black crappie, rock bass, and American eel. marshes on the north side of the river attract
The harvest of eel by Ontario commercial harvest- numerous waterfowl (McKeating 1990). Ducks
ers was estimated at 295 kilograms (kg) in 1999 Unlimited is involved in management of wetlands
(Critchlow 2000) and 69 kg in 2000 (OMNR in Baie de Lochaber, Baie Clement and Lac
unpublished data). Eels are still being sampled in McLaurin (SFEP 2001).
netting projects (Appendix 1). The commercial
Large spring migrations of Canada geese, as well
fishery for lake sturgeon was suspended in this
as diving ducks (e.g. merganser, goldeneye, and
reach of river in 1990 due to a decline in abun-
scaup), dabblers (e.g. black duck, mallard, northern
dance and high contaminant levels. Recent netting
pintail, northern shoveller, wood duck, and teal)
studies have sampled an increased number of
and even some snow geese, use the Reserve
juvenile sturgeon in their nets.
Faunique de Plaisance (Club des Ornithologues de
A season-long creel survey has never been com- l’Outaouais 2000). Rails, herons, least bitterns and
pleted on this section of the river, although several dabblers have been reported in nearby Thurso
seasonal angler surveys have been conducted on Marsh (Sankey 1987). Other concentrations of
portions of this reach. It is estimated that from Canada geese in this reach include Baie des
25–30,000 angler days of effort are expended on Arcands, Baie de la Penetecote, Baie Noire, Baie
the Québec portion of the river each year. Approxi- Lochaber (SFEP 2001), and Voyageur Provincial
mately one third of the annual fishing pressure Park (Critchlow pers comm.)
occurs during the winter. On the Ontario portion it
Of interest is a waterfowl habitat study conducted
has been estimated that there are some 20,000
by Munro (1967) prior to and up to four years after
angler-days of effort per year. The winter effort
impoundment behind Carillon GS. It was noted
mirrors that of Québec, with 350 ice huts being
that by 1965 the aquatic vegetation appeared to
registered in 1992.
have stabilized in broad zones as follows: grasses
Wildlife
and sedges up to 0.3 m depth, Canadian waterweed
At least 27 water birds4 (including the black tern) and scarlet and amphibious knotweeds in depths
and seven raptors have been previously reported to between 0.3 and 1.3 m and scarlet knotweed in
breed in this reach of the river (Table 5) (Cadman depths of 1.3–1.6 m. Munro noted that the abun-
et al. 1987). dance of breeding waterfowl in this reach
increased following impoundment in direct relation
Some of the best migratory bird habitat on the to the degree of interspersion of emergent vegeta-
Ottawa River is located in this section of river tion and small bodies of open water near loafing
between Montebello and Gatineau (Gaffield 1997; spots. Duck hunting is popular in this reach of river
SFEP 2001). Species include the black duck (most (Critchlow per comm.)
abundant), northern pintail, northern shoveler,
green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, wood duck, Numerous muskrat colonies can be found in this
and American wigeon. Brewery Creek located reach between Plaisance and Gatineau, e.g. Baie de
across from the Gatineau River was once known la Penetecote, Baie Parisien, Baie Noire, Baie
for its variety of unique birds. As well, Kettle Daragon, Baie Lochaber, Baie Clement, Lac
Island has been known for its blue herons, king- McLaurin and Kettle Island (SFEP 2001).
4
Water birds comprises all species dependent on water i.e. grebes, herons, geese, ducks, rails, sandpipers and
gulls.
14
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reach.
Lac Dollard des Allumette Lake and
Bird Species L ac D esch en es Lac des Chats L ac d u R o ch er F en d u Holden Lake Lac la Cave
Ormeaux Lac Coulonge
Common loon X X X
Pied-billed grebe X X X X X
Double-crested cormorant X
American bittern X X X
Least bittern X
Green-backed heron X X X X
Canada goose X X X X X
Wood duck X X X X X
Green-winged teal X X X
Mallard X X X X X X
Northern pintail X X X
Blue-winged teal X X X X X X
Northern shoveler X X X
Gadwall X X
American wigeon X X X
Ring-necked duck X X
Lesser scaup X
Hooded merganser X X X X
Common merganser X X X X X
Red-breasted merganser X
Osprey X X X X X X
Bald eagle X X X
Northern harrier X X X X
Sharp-shinned hawk X X X X
Cooper's hawk X X X
*Includes confirmed or probable breeding of raptors and bird species which depend on the river and its wetlands.
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 5. Breeding bird species* by river reach—continued.
Broad-winged hawk X X X X X
Red-tailed hawk X X X X X X
American kestral X X X X X X
Merlin X X X
Peregrine falcon X X
Virginia rail X X X X
Sora X X X X X
Moorhen X X X X
Spotted sandpiper X X X X X X
Upland sandpiper X X X
Common snipe X X X X X
16
American woodcock X X X X X
Wilson's phalarope X
Ring-billed gull X X X
Herring gull X X
Common tern X X X X X
Black tern X
Belted kingfisher X X X X X x
Purple martin X X X X
Tree swallow X X X X X X X
Bank swallow X X X X X X X
Cliff swallow X X X X X X X
Marsh wren X X X
Sedge wren X
*Includes raptors and bird species which depend on the river and its wetlands. Source: Cadman et al. 1987
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Twenty-seven amphibians and reptiles have been Water Board 1972; Statistics Canada 2001) (Table
reported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham and 10).
Weller 2000) in addition to an introduced species,
Four pulp and paper mills, including J. MacLaren
the red-eared slider (Critchlow per comm).
in Thurso and Masson, Canadian International
Unique species
Paper in Gatineau and E.B. Eddy Paper in Hull,
Two threatened, two vulnerable and one endan- currently operate along the north shoreline in this
gered species have been reported in this reach section of river. Eddy discontinued its pulping
(Table 7) (OMNR 2001a). operations in 1972 (Environment Canada et al.
1985). Canadian International Paper closed down
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive its mill in Hawkesbury in 1982 (Environment
areas Canada et al. 1985). Log drives ceased in this
There are sixteen provincially and locally signifi- section in 1990. This reach of the river, e.g.
cant marshes found between Carillon GS and Hawkesbury, has been historically used for pulp
Gatineau, e.g. at Hawkesbury, Hamilton Island, and paper mills, lumber mills, waterworks and
Cunninghan Bay, Rockland and Duck Island electrical generation (Denis and White 1911).
(Table 8). The predominant vegetation in these In comparison to the whole Ottawa River water-
marshes is cattail (Typha sp.). Due to the limited shed, agricultural land use in the watershed of this
spring water level increases and abundance of reach is quite high, e.g. 77% of the South Nation
cattail, many of these marshes are of only limited River sub-basin, as are built-up areas, e.g. 2.4% of
value for fish spawning habitat. A number of these the Rideau River sub-basin (Table 11) (Telmer
marshes have been developed to increase water- 1996).
fowl production.
Six Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) Lac Deschênes (Chaudière Falls to Chats Fall/
are located in this reach of the river (Table 9) Fitzroy)
(OMNR 2001a). They include four life science
Pre-development description
ANSIs at the Baie Lafontaine Islands, Petrie
Historically, Chaudière Falls was a place of cer-
Island, Green Creek Conservation Area and Duck
emony, where natives threw tobacco into the falls
Islands; and two earth science ANSIs at Voyageur
in belief that they would be protected from their
Provincial Park and Rockland. A parc de conserva-
enemies (Kennedy 1970). This was an area where
tion, which is similar in importance to a national
the river tumbled over a limestone ledge (Figure 13)
park, is located in Plaisance (SFEP 2001).
in a series of channels between islands (Hughson
Shoreline development
and Bond 1964). The falls consisted of seven
The cities of Ottawa and Hull are located in the rapids that poured into the deep kettle with such
upstream portion of this reach. There are various tremendous force that it gave the appearance of
towns, including Cumberland, Rockland, Gatineau, boiling water (Figure 14) (Mika and Mika 1982).
Hawkesbury and Grenville, along the shore of the Early accounts of the falls include:
river. Ottawa has a long history of settlement with “the scenery of Chaudière Falls before it
an ancient aboriginal settlement located in Parc du was defaced was truly picturesque, almost
Lac Leamy on the Gatineau River. Since 1961 indescribably grand. The rocky cliffs,
some communities have experienced a decline in green with the cedars and the pines to the
population, e.g. Carillon, while others have in- rivers brink, its volume of water tossed
creased in size, e.g. Hawkesbury and Rockland broke, dashed into foam, that foam floating
(Ontario Water Resource Commission and Quebec down like islands of pearl on the bosom of
the dashing current, the whole surveyed
17
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reach.
L ac d u
Lac Dollard L ac L ac d es L ac L o w er Allumette Holden Lac la
R o ch er
des Ormeaux D esch en es Chats Coulonge Allumette L ake L ake C ave
F en d u
Green frog X X X X X X X X
Mink frog X X X X
Bullfrog X X X X X X X
18
Spotted salamander X X X
Northern two-lined
salamander
X X X X
Four-toed
salamander
X
Northern redback
salamander
X X X X
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 6. Amphibians and reptiles by river reach—continued.
L ac d u
Lac Dollard L ac L ac d es L ac L o w er Allumette Holden Lac la
R o ch er
des Ormeaux D esch en es Chats Coulonge Allumette L ake L ake C ave
F en d u
Midland painted
X X X X X X X X
turtle
Blanding`s turtle X X X X X X X
Wood turtle X X
Eastern spiny
X X X
softshell
R each Species
Lac Dollard des Ormeaux Cutlips minnow (T*) Peregrine falcon (E)
Eastern spiny softshell turtle (T) River redhorse (V)
*Species is vulnerable (V); threatened (T); or endangered (E) as per Ontario Endangered Species Act and
COSEWIC 2001
Source: Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. 1979; Jolicoeur 1992; OMNR 2001a
from the brow of the hills on the east in the falls makes such a noise in the basin that
evening sun, to be comprehended, to be one can hear it from more than two
esteemed, to be capturously admired, must leagues away” (Kennedy 1970).
be dwelt upon. Thus Samuel Champlain
Figures 13 and 15 illustrate the rock ledges that
saw it, Mirrick and Stevens saw it, thus
were present at Chaudière Falls. Figure 14 gives an
Philemon Wright saw it before a tree was
indication of how the falls appeared during high
removed or an arched has spanned it
water flows before the dams were constructed.
except the rainbow in its natural grandeur,
Alterations at Chaudière Falls occurred early in
in its virgin beauty, in its pristine sublim-
settlement. The first industries, a grist mill and a
ity. This is much the finest falls on the
saw mill driven by waterwheels, were established
river” (Gourlay 1896).
in 1802 at the Chaudière Falls (Hughson and Bond
As described by Champlain: 1964). The first log slide was built at this location
in 1829, and a second one built on the south side in
“the water falls…impetuosity on a rock
1836 (Hincks 1978). A diversion dam, approxi-
that with the passage of time it has hol-
mately 45.7 m long and 4.6 m high, was
lowed out a wide, deep basin. This water
20
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
21
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
22
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Table 10. 1961 and 1996 populations* by river reach. This portion of the river
has a total of 21 relatively
R each Tow n/City 1961 1996 % C h an g e
small tributaries (11 in
Lac Dollard des Ormeaux Carillon 427 258 -40 Québec and 10 in Ontario)
Hawkesbury 8661 10,162 +17 (Ontario Ministry of
Rockland 3037 8070 +165
Natural Resources and
Gouvernement du Québec
Lac Deschênes Hull 56,929 62,339 +10
Faune et Parcs 1999). The
Ottawa 303,395 542.462 +79 largest tributaries are the
Lac des Chats Arnprior 5474 7113 +30 Mississippi Snye (which
Lac du Rocher Fendu Campbells Bay 1024 874 -15 currently has a very small
discharge) and Constance
Bryson 537 753 +40
Creek in Ontario and the
Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge Fort Coulonge 1823 1716 -6 Quyon River in Québec.
Pembroke 16,791 14,177 -16 The mean annual dis-
Petawawa 4509 6 5 40 +45 charge of selected
tributaries is described in
Deep River 5377 4491 -35
Table 3.
Holden Lake Mattawa 3314 2281 -31
*Comparison between years may be somewhat off due to changes in community boundaries.
Table 11. Mean percentage of land use class per tributary sub-basin of the Ottawa River.
R each Tributary Area of sub- % % % Built-up %
basin (km2) Forest Agriculture area Open w ater
Lac Dollard des Ormeaux
Rideau 4232 34.6 59.3 2.4 3.7
23
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 13. The rock ledges of Chaudière Falls during Figure 16. Aerial view of Chaudière Falls in the mid
low water in the 1870’s (National Archives of Canada 1900’s (National Archives of Canada PA 44397).
PA 12517).
Figure 14. Chaudière Falls during high water in 1909 Figure 17. Control dam at the head of Chaudière Falls
(National Archives of Canada PA 9415). (2000).
Present hydrology
Water levels fluctuate in Lac Deschênes approxi-
mately 0.9 m annually, with the high on average of
58.8 m occurring during the spring freshet and the
low on average of 57.9 m occurring during Sep-
Figure 15. A view of Chaudière Falls during the 1900’s tember (Figure 18). Since the dam at Chaudière
(National Archives of Canada PA 139335).
24
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Falls controls very little water, levels are affected (RMOC 1999). Current levels of metals are out-
strictly by the flows being passed from upstream. lined in RMOC (1999).
Waters are slow flowing except immediately below Natural environment
the dam at Chats Falls and the areas of natural
rapids between Aylmer and Chaudière Falls Fisheries
(Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and This reach supports a relatively diverse
Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). warmwater/coolwater fish community with at least
57 species documented in this reach (Appendix 1).
Chemical characteristics Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass,
Water surface temperatures mid summer in this muskellunge, and yellow perch are the major sport
reach are approximately 24°C (RMOC 1999). The fish species (Table 4). Channel catfish, longnose
water column does not thermally stratify com- gar, and suckers are regarded as the most abundant
pletely because of the strong currents. The water fish species. Other species of lesser abundance in
colour in this portion of the river is brown (Ontario this section of the river include sauger, largemouth
Ministry of Natural Resources and Gouvernement bass, brown trout, bullheads, crappies, rock bass,
du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). Transparency burbot, pumpkinseed, mooneye, and sturgeon.
varies from 1.8 to 3.5 m. Conductivity is average An Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. (1979)
for the region and varies from 52 to 63 micro ohms study of the Chats Falls area found 19 fish species
per cm (µhos/cm). The pH is 7.5. with minnows, perch, and catfish being the preva-
Water quality in this area is good with low levels lent species. Other fish species which have been
of toxic organics, trace metals, phosphorous and observed in the Chats Falls GS tailrace and sluices
nitrates (Environment Canada et al. 1985). The include smallmouth and largemouth bass, silver
maximum phosphorus levels are 0.01–0.02 mg/l and shorthead redhorse, walleye, northern pike,
59.0
58.8
58.6
58.4
Water level (m)
58.2
58.0
57.8
57.6
57.4
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 18. Mean monthly water levels of Lac Deschênes over the past 50 years.
25
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
and muskellunge (Niblett Environmental Associ- winter of 1989 and for the mid-summers of 1978
ates Inc. 1990). Ontario Hydro staff reported eels and 1981. It was estimated that 18,000 angler days
at Chats Falls GS (Chubbuck 1993), however, the of effort were expended that winter, while summer
numbers of eels observed annually have been pressure was estimated at about 2,500 angler days.
declining. Eels were last sampled in netting efforts The main species in the catch included walleye,
in 1989 (Appendix 1). bass, pike, and channel catfish.
Lake sturgeon spawn downstream of the generat- Wildlife
ing station. A study in 1949 sampled over 400 At least 38 water birds (including the ring-necked
spawning lake sturgeon. Numbers of sturgeon in duck, lesser scaup and Wilson’s phalarope) and
this reach of river have declined. A survey of the eight raptors have been previously reported5 to
same spawning area in 2001 yielded only eight breed in this reach of the river (Table 5) (Cadman
sturgeon. Recruitment is considered to be a limit- et al. 1987).
ing factor in this reach of the river (Haxton in
review). Similar to Lac Dollard des Ormeaux, migrating
waterfowl species also concentrate in this reach
The Deschênes Rapids is an area in which species especially such areas as Twelve Mile Island, Baie
such as walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass, Noire, Mohr Island, Baie Pontiac and Fitzroy
mooneye, suckers, channel catfish, sauger, and Harbour (SFEP 2001). For example, over 20,000
mottled sculpins are known to spawn. Areas such waterfowl, particularly dabbling ducks have been
as Britannia Bay support spawning northern pike, known to visit Baie Noire in the spring (Sankey
rock bass, longnose gar, silvery minnow, spottail 1987). Canada geese are reported to nest on small
shiner, brown bullhead, and pumpkinseed. islands in this reach of the river (Club des
Traditionally there was one commercial fisherman Ornithologues de l’Outaouais 2000). Shorebird
licensed by Ontario but this licence has been species are limited by the availability of shoreline
inactive since 1988 (Ontario Ministry of Natural habitat.
Resources and Gouvernement du Québec Faune et The best waterfowl habitat in this reach is located
Parcs 1999). Presently there are three active more than 20 km downstream at Shirley’s Bay/
Ontario baitfish licences issued for baitfish harvest Britannia Bay. Large numbers of waterfowl, e.g.
in this section of the river. There is a commercial Canada geese, loons, grebes, scoters, long-tailed
fishery for lake sturgeon licences out of Québec in duck, snow geese, brant, the rarer greater white-
the Quyon area with a quota of 0.1 kilogram per fronted goose, and Richardson’s geese, redhead,
hectare (kg/ha) of Quebéc waters. canvasback, common goldeneye, and numerous
A season long creel survey has not been completed dabbling ducks congregate in Britannia Bay in the
for this section of the river although several sea- spring and in the fall (Bracken and Lewis 2000;
sonal angler surveys have been conducted on Finlay 2000). Thirty-five shorebird species have
portions of this reach (Ontario Ministry of Natural been sighted on the sand flats here (Britannia Bay
Resources and Gouvernement du Québec Faune et to Andrew Hayden Park; McKeating 1990) includ-
Parcs 1999). In the Québec portion of this section ing the American golden plover, whimbrel, red
of the river, fishing effort has been estimated at knot, western sandpiper, purple sandpiper, piping
approximately 15,400 angler days per year. At plover, willet, buff-breasted sandpiper, red
least 40% of this effort is exerted in the section of phalarope, the rarer spotted redshank, Iceland,
the rapids adjacent to Ottawa-Hull. The only creel lesser black-backed and glacous gulls, the rarer
data for the Ontario waters were collected in the mew gull, and the rarer black-legged kittiwake.
Other species such as arctic tern, Bonaparte’s gull,
5
Confirmed or probable breeding.
26
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Barrow’s goldeneye, harlequin duck, common Shirley’s Bay and Constance Creek (Table 8)
loon, black tern, and thick-billed murre have been (OMNR 2001). Other wetlands are located at Baie
sighted in the Deschênes rapids just downstream of Breckenridge, Baie Noire, Mohr Island, Woolsey
Britannia Bay (Bracken and Lewis 2000; Finlay Narrows, Pointe Hudson, Kedey’s Island and
2000). Pontiac Bay (SFEP 2001).
Common goldeneye and common mergansers are There are six ANSIs in this reach: three life science
reported to winter in the open waters around Bate ANSIs (Britannia Conservation Area, Constance
Island and Deschênes Rapids (McKeating 1990). Creek and Horseshoe Bay) and three earth ANSIs
In addition, loons, diving ducks and, often, bald (Ottawa Beach, Shirley’s Bay and Sandhills)
eagles have been reported on the ice in early winter (Table 9) (OMNR 2001a). Parks in this section of
on Lac Deschênes (Sankey 1987). There is a the river include Britannia Bay Park, Graham Bay
possibility that black-crowned night herons nest on Park and Fitzroy Provincial Park.
Mohr Island.
Shoreline development
There are muskrat colonies located in the vicinity The cities of Ottawa and Hull are the prominent
of Baie Breckenridge, Baie Noire, Baie Dion and features located at the lower end of this reach.
Mohr Island (SFEP 2001). Since 1961 these cities have experienced an
Twenty-six amphibians and reptiles have been increase, e.g. up to 79%, in population (Ontario
reported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham and Water Resources Commission and Quebec Water
Weller 2000). Board 1972; Statistics Canada 2001) (Table 10).
There are over one thousand households and
Unique species
cottages in this section of the river based on review
There have been a number of unique or less com-
of topographic and Ontario base maps. Aylmer
mon species in this reach of the river. An
(Québec) and the City of Nepean are municipalities
Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. (1979)
that are found in this section of the river. Industries
study found five waterfowl and shorebird species
in this section include Goldie Mohr Construction
(Barrow’s goldeneye, double-creasted cormorant,
and M.G. MacDonald. Log driving on this section
least bittern, ruddy turnstone, and snow goose),
of the river has been discontinued since the mid-
one amphibian species (Tremblay’s salamander)
1970s (Environment Canada et al. 1985).
and one reptile species (northern ribbon snake) in
the area downstream of Chats Falls GS (Table 7). Lac des Chats (Chats Falls/Fitzroy to Cheneaux
Three vulnerable species, i.e. red-shouldered hawk, Dam)
least bittern, and river redhorse have been reported
in this reach (OMNR 2001a). Pre-development description
Nine uncommon aquatic plant species are located The Chats Falls and Rapids were described as the
in Pontiac Bay just downstream of Chats Falls GS. most beautiful on the river, extending approxi-
They include floating heart, Braun’s quillwort, mately 3.2 km in width. Total rise from the foot of
Najas flexilis, Potamogeton perfoliatus, the falls to Chats Lake was about 15.2 m (Ells
Potamogeton pusillus, Potamogeton robbinsii, 1901). Thirty independent chutes of every conceiv-
Potamogeton spirillus, water crowfoot, and water able form comprised the rapids of Chats Falls
stargrass (Table 7). (Legget 1975) with fifteen distinct falls averaging
about 7.6 m in height (Sherriff 1831). Figure 19
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive offers an aerial view of this section of river from
areas May 1927. Several accounts of the falls prior to the
There are three provincially significant marshes construction of the dam include:
found in this reach of the river at Mud Lake,
27
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
“The next in importance is the Chats a fall of water, of about thirty feet in
Rapids about thirty miles west of the height, and which, from the whiteness of its
Chaudière, observed from an eminence on foam might be mistaken for a snowbank.”
the east side facing the falls, the rivers (Kennedy 1970)
rocky bed is dotted with islands covered
The scenery was considered singular and beautiful
with ever green pine and divided into many
(Sherriff 1831) and was a tourist attraction in the
channels forming great cascades, the
1800s with the steamboat “Lady Colborne”
rushing waters dashing over the precipi-
touring boatloads of people to observe the falls
tous rocks, foaming into the abyss below,
(Kennedy 1970). Figures 20 to 22 illustrate the
filling the eye with the magnificence of the
picturesque scenery these tourists would have
vision and the ear with the soft but thun-
experienced.
dering sound of many waters” (Gourlay
1896). Alterations began at Chats Falls with the construc-
tion of a log slide in 1835 by G. Buchanan
As described by Alexander Henry, a fur trader in
(Tremblay et al. 1970; Legget 1975). In 1854, the
1761:
construction of a canal on the north side just under
“ the ridge of rock crossed the stream and 4.8 km in length was initiated as a means of per-
occasions not only one, but numerous falls mitting navigation around the falls. However, due
separated from each other by islands, and to the high costs, the canal was never completed
affording a scene of a very pleasant and work ceased in 1856 (Legget 1975). This canal
appearance. At a distance of a mile, seven was eventually dammed upstream during the
openings present themselves to the eye, construction of the Chats GS (Kennedy 1970).
along a line of two miles, at this point, is
Chats Rapids were approximately 4.8 km upstream
the breadth of the river. At each opening is
of the falls, immediately downstream from where
the railway
bridge
crosses
(Figure 23).
The stone of
these rapids
is chiefly a
soft, white,
coarse gravel
limestone
(Sherriff
1831). These
rapids were
flooded after
the construc-
tion of the
Chats Dam.
Figure 19. 1927 aerial view of Chats Falls (National Air Photo Library).
28
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 20. Mohrs Chute and Horseshoe Chute prior to the construction of Chats Generating Station (National
Archives of Canada PA 9340).
Figure 21. Historical view of Ragged Chute at Chats Falls (National Archives of Canada PA 9336).
29
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 22. An historical view of the log chute at Chats Falls (National Archives of Canada PA 9330).
Figure 23. Aerial view of Chats Rapids and Chats Falls from upstream, 1920 (National Archives of Canada
C22209).
30
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 24. Aerial view of Chats Generating Station, July 1932 (National Archives of Canada C 22216).
31
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 25. Chats Generating Station, 2000. Figure 28. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at
Conroy’s Chute, 2000.
Figure 26. Sluice gates and ancient waterway at Figure 29. Current view of log chute at Chats Falls,
Ragged Chute, 2000. 2000.
Present hydrology
The drainage area of Chats Falls is 89,600 km2.
The mean annual discharge is 1,144 m3/s, (Telmer
1996) rising at times of flooding to 6,230 m3/s and
falling as low as 350 m3/s (Biggar 1991).
Water levels are maintained relatively consistent
throughout the year with the exception of the 0.34
m increase on average during the spring freshet
Figure 27. Sluice gates and structures at Horseshoe (Figure 30).
Chute, 2000.
32
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
River flows are dependent on operations of the Water quality in this area is good with low levels
generating station and control structures at of toxic organics, trace metals, phosphorous and
Chenaux. A flow of 350 m3/s through Chats Falls nitrates (Environment Canada et al. 1985). A 1979
GS, which is equivalent to two units in operation, study by Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd.
is passed as base flow for Chaudière. Since Chats found the water in the vicinity of Chats Falls GS to
Falls headpond is relatively small, the requirement be relatively clean with moderate to high nutrient
for baseflow is transferred upstream to Chenaux levels and some localized contaminated areas, i.e.
GS. Time of travel from Chenaux GS to Chats Victoria Island. The river water is thoroughly
Falls GS is about two and a half hours. mixed and well oxygenated. In the past, BOD
levels sampled at Chat Falls GS have tended to
The restrictions placed on Chats GS have a signifi-
range between 0.2 and 3.0 mg/l (Figure 31) and
cant impact on Chenaux operations. Station
total phosphorus between 0.01 and 0.08 mg/l
operations at Chats Falls GS are tempered so that
(Figure 32). Total Kjeldahl nitrogen levels meas-
the water elevation at Britannia (Ottawa) does not
ured between 1971 and 1984 at Chats Falls have
fall below 57.80 m.
averaged around 0.35 mg/l with highs of 1.12 mg/l
Chemical characteristics (Telmer 1996).
According to an OMNR survey of water chemistry
Natural environment
of Lac des Chats in August 1990, this reach of the
river was not thermally stratified (Ontario Ministry Fisheries
of Natural Resources and Gouvernement du Lac des Chats supports a diverse warmwater and
Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). The pH was found coolwater fish community with at least 42 species
to be slightly alkaline.
74.40
74.35
74.30
74.25
Water level (m)
74.20
74.15
74.10
74.05
74.00
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 30. Mean monthly water levels of Lac des Chats over the past 50 years.
33
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
1966-04-19
1967-06-06
1968-08-09
1969-10-01
1970-07-07
1971-03-22
1973-01-09
1974-09-16
1976-05-03
1977-09-13
1978-06-12
1986-05-12
1987-12-15
1991-05-27
1992-06-23
1993-07-12
1994-05-31
1995-06-20
1996-11-26
1998-02-24
1998-11-24
2000-04-18
Figure 31. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Chats Falls (1966-2001).
documented in this reach (Appendix 1). Walleye, the Bonnechere River. Pike spawn in Rhoddy’s
smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and and Marshall Bays and the mouth of the
muskellunge are the major game species in this Bonnechere River. Muskellunge have been docu-
reach (Table 3). Netting efforts have shown that mented spawning along the north shore of the river
channel catfish are the most abundant species in in this reach.
this reach of river (Haxton 1999). Other species
There is little fishing in the forebay due to access
prevalent include brown bullheads, yellow
through the narrows upstream at Lavergne Point,
bullheads, redhorse species, and longnose gar.
but there is greater fishing pressure in back bays
Lake sturgeon numbers are considered to be low in
upstream of the Chats Falls Generating Station.
this reach and American eels are occasionally still
Fishing pressure is not as great in the Braeside/
sampled (Appendix 1).
Arnprior area as in other areas.
An Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. (1979)
The Arnprior Fish and Game Club conduct an
study of the Chats Falls area found 19 fish species
annual opening day walleye creel census below the
with minnows, perch, and catfish being the preva-
weir on the Madawaska River (Ontario Ministry of
lent species. Walleye spawn in the tailrace of
Natural Resources and Gouvernement du Québec
Chenaux GS, below the weir in the Madawaska
Faune et Parcs 1999). Considerable angling occurs
River, Galetta Dam in the Mississippi River,
here and at the Chenaux tailrace during the early
around the islands in the middle of the river and in
season. There have been some complaints from
34
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
19 -11 6
19 -08 1
19 -04 9
19 -06 0
19 -03 8
19 -07 7
19 -07 4
19 -06 5
19 -05 2
19 -08 4
19 -08 4
19 -08 3
19 -02 9
19 -03 5
19 -11 4
19 -05 7
19 -08 7
19 -10 5
19 -11 5
19 -11 7
20 -04 8
-0 0
25
19 -07 0
67 96
69 -0
97 -2
99 - 1
00 -2
70 -1
71 -0
75 -1
77 -1
78 -0
80 -1
81 -1
82 -0
83 -0
85 -0
86 -0
87 -0
91 -1
92 -2
93 -2
94 -0
96 -0
73 -3
7-
19 4/1
/0
19
anglers about low walleye abundance in Lac des Waterfowl use the mouth of the Mississippi River
Chats. This is consistent with the low number of (Sankey 1987). At Morris Island, cormorants are
walleye caught in the 1990 survey. found near the railway bridge where water remains
open all year. Gulls, terns, jaegers, accipiters, and
There is a commercial fishery for lake sturgeon on
falcons can be found in spring, and gulls and
the Québec portion of Lac des Chats with quotas
puddle ducks in fall, at the mouth of the
established at 0.1 kg/ha (Ontario Ministry of
Madawaska River in Arnprior. Diving and puddle
Natural Resources and Gouvernement du Québec
ducks, cormorants, great egret, and tundra swan
Faune et Parcs 1999). In addition, there is one
have been found at the mouth of Bonnechere
licensee on the Quebec portion for bullhead,
River. Common terns nest on islands in river.
crappies, suckers, and eels.
Marshes to the north have least bitterns (Sankey
Wildlife 1987). Aquatic birds have been reported to concen-
At least 19 water birds and 10 raptors (including trate in the area of Bristol/Braeside and Île Elliot
the peregrine falcon) have been previously re- and Chenaux Island (SFEP 2001).
ported to breed in this reach of the river (Table 5) A 1993 aerial survey by Ontario Hydro staff
(Cadman et al. 1987). indicated that there were two muskrat colonies in
An Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. (1979) Baie Feline and a colony in Quebec across from
study found five waterfowl and shorebird species, Arnprior.
one amphibian species and one reptile species in
this area. Osprey have been reported to nest on
Morris Island just west of Fitzroy Harbour.
35
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Twenty-two amphibians and reptiles have been utilities and waste treatment plants. The town of
reported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham and Braeside, with its Tembec Mill, is a major water
Weller 2000). user. It also has a public beach.
Unique species
There is a proposed boat bypass at the northern-
There are a few unique or less common species in most sluice/dam at Chats Falls on the Québec side
this reach of the river. Two vulnerable species with another proposed bypass through Fitzroy
(red-shouldered hawk and river redhorse) have Harbour and Laverge Point. There is a canoe
been reported in this reach of the river (Table 7) portage route around the Chats Falls GS. Access is
(OMNR 2001). A grasshopper sparrow has been via the south side of the Victoria Island sluiceway.
reported in Baie à John. Some of the highest This reach is second to the Lac Dollard des
concentrations of common map turtles have been Ormeaux reach in agricultural land use in the
found in this reach (Daigle et al. 1994). watershed with up to 27% of the Mississippi River
sub-basin in agriculture (Table 11) (Telmer 1996).
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive However, there is little in the way of built-up area
areas in this reach.
There are four provincially significant wetlands in
this section of river: the Mississippi Snye Wetland; Lac du Rocher Fendu (Cheneaux to La Passe
Morris Island Wetland on the west/central shore of Dam)
Morris Island; Nopoming Wetland; and the
Bonnechere River Marsh (Table 8) (OMNR Pre-development description
2001a). A large wetland, located across the river Chenaux
from Braeside is an ecological reserve, Projet du The Chenaux Rapids were a strong set of rapids,
Refuge Faunique de Bristol (SFEP 2001). however, were considered insignificant in power
Life science ANSIs are found on Victoria Island by Thomas Keefer, a prominent civil engineer in
and the Mississippi Syne (Table 9) (OMNR the early 1800s (Kennedy 1970). The rapids were
2001a). The Victoria Island ANSI centres on the described as a smooth, strong current, which can
remains of a timber slide constructed on the island hardly be termed an interruption in navigation
in 1835 (Fourier 1979). (Sherriff 1831).
There are public beaches/parks in Arnprior on both Alterations to the river began with the construction
the east and west shores of the Madawaska River of a log slide in 1839 at Portage du Fort. This log
mouth. slide was ruined by flood waters during the spring
of 1840, and was rebuilt in 1841 (Legget 1975).
Shoreline development
Originally, the river upstream of Portage du Fort
Most of the Ontario shoreline is privately owned
flowed amongst many small islands and contained
and occupied by over 450 cottages and homes in
areas of shallow, fast flowing water (Figure 33).
this section of the river (based on review of topo-
The river had two main channels that flowed
graphic and Ontario base maps). Year round
around Limerick Island (Figure 34). The greater
cottage habitation is increasing. Since 1961,
flow of the river was on the Ontario (western) side
Arnprior, another major user of the river, has
of this island (Figure 35; Denis and White 1911).
experienced an increase, i.e. 30%, in population
(Ontario Water Resources Commission and Bryson
Québec Water Board 1972; Statistics Canada
Calumet Falls and accompanying rapids extended
2001) (Table 10). There is a federal dock/boat
over 1.6 km and dropped 18.2 m (Kennedy 1970)
launch at Arnprior. There are ongoing proposals
through a rocky gorge interspaced with a number
for large-scale works, including marinas, beaches,
36
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 33. Rapids upstream of Portage du Fort bridge prior to the construction of Chenaux Generating Station
(OHSC Archives Neg. No. 1951).
of small islands (Pawson 1927). The Chenal du outlined in Table 2. The dam was completed and
Grand Calumet was easier to navigate than the operational by December 1951 (Biggar 1991).
Chenal du Rocher Fendu due to the number of
As a result of the construction of Chenaux Dam,
rapids in the latter section. Therefore, log drives
approximately 809 hectares (ha) of land was
were often through this section. The first log slide
flooded (Biggar 1991). The water level at the site
was constructed at Calumet Falls in 1843
of the dam was raised approximately 12.7 m.
(Tremblay et al. 1970; Legget 1975).
Flooding occurred to the base of Bryson Dam
Existing physical description
(Figure 9), drowning several sets of rapids in this
Chenaux section of river. The water level at the Rocher
Fendu Chute was raised 8.6 m; at Labarriere
Construction of the Chenaux GS (GS) began in Rapids 2.1m; and at Mountain Chute 1.8 m. The
1948 (Biggar 1991) and was centered around water level in the widest part of the river was
Limerick Island. A discharge channel 94.5 m wide raised approximately 8.7 m. Water levels are
and 457.2 m long was excavated through the island currently affected up to the Muskrat Rapids in
to carry flood waters controlled by Limerick Island Chenal du Rocher Fendu.
Dam (Figure 36; Hydro-Electric Power Commis-
sion of Ontario 1950a). This dam is 335 m long Lac du Rocher Fendu is a 31.1 km section up-
and 18 m at maximum height (Figure 37; Biggar stream of the Chenaux GS to the small village of
1991). Two other dams were constructed, includ- LaPasse. The impoundment forms a lake approxi-
ing the generating station (Figure 38) and Portage mately 1,862 ha, 11 km long and averaging 1.6 km
du Fort Dam (Figure 39). The length of the gener- wide (Biggar 1991). Most of the impoundment
ating station is 427 m, with a maximum height of varies from 10–20 m deep and reaches a maximum
18 m and the Portage du Fort Dam is 427 m, with a of 60 m. The river divides into two channels
maximum height of 21 m (Biggar 1991). Addi- around Île du Grand Calumet. Chenal du Rocher
tional characteristics of the Chenaux Dam are Fendu flows along the east side of the island and is
considered the “white water” rapid section. Numer-
37
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 35. Historical view of the rapids where Chenaux Generating Station was constructed. View is from the east
on Limerick Island (OHSC Archive Neg. No. 1947).
38
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
39
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
maximum flood were 107.2 m. The maximum are clay banks up to 10 m high on the upper end of
elevation of the pond level after the completion of the impoundment.
the dam was 107.2 m (Pawson 1927).
Present hydrology
A dam was built in the Chenal du Rocher Fendu Most of Lac du Rocher Fendu varies from 10–20 m
between Sullivan Island and Calumet Island to in depth (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
raise the water for a canal on Culbute channel on and Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs
the north side of Allumette Island. It was originally 1999). The upper third of this impoundment is
completed in 1876 (Kennedy 1970). The existing deeper and reaches a maximum depth of 60 m.
structure now serves to ensure there is sufficient
flow to the Bryson GS (Hargreaves 1998). The Chenaux GS is used as a peaking station and is
subjected to extreme water fluctuations within a 24 hr
The drainage area for Bryson Dam is 74,281 km2 period. However, the mean monthly variation is
(OMNR 1985). not that great (Figure 41). The average annual
Both shorelines are very irregular (Ontario Minis- drawdown is 1.6 m, where the maximum
try of Natural Resources and Gouvernement du drawdown is 1.9 m (Efford 1975). Station flows
Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). Points and bays are are regulated hourly (daily cycling) to match power
numerous. The white water area flows mainly demand. The average daily discharge must be
through bedrock. Shorelines rise abruptly and equal or greater than the Lake Temiscaming
islands are numerous. Lac du Rocher Fendu has a average discharge of two days prior plus 40 m3/s.
more gentle contour. Shoreline substrates include A flow change due to Des Joachims will be seen at
sand, silt, clay, gravel, and rock outcrops. There Chenaux two and a half days later.
86.40
86.35
86.30
86.25
Water level
86.20
86.15
86.10
86.05
86.00
85.95
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 41. Mean monthly water levels in Lac du Rocher Fendu over the past 50 years.
40
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Spillage to the Portage du Fort Dam and the smallmouth bass, northern pike, and sauger are
Limerack Island Dam generally occurs during peak some of the common sport species (Table 4).
flows from mid-April throughout May when river Channel catfish are the most abundant species in
flows exceed 1250 m3/s. this section of river based on recent assessment
netting (Haxton 1998 and OMNR 2000). Other
Chemical characteristics species present include brown bullhead, redhorse
Higher than normal concentrations of metals such species, and lake sturgeon (Table 4). American
as copper, zinc, nickel, and lead have historically eels have not been sampled in this reach in recent
been noted in this reach (Environment Canada et years. A freshwater drum was sampled in 2000
al. 1985). In the past, BOD levels sampled at (Appendix 1).
Chenaux GS have tended to range between 0.25
and 3.0 mg/l (Figure 42) and total phosphorus Walleye are known to spawn in the remaining
between 0.01 and 0.04 mg/l (Figure 43). Total natural rapids, at the outflow of Canal du Grand
Kjeldahl nitrogen levels measured between 1978 Calumet and below Bryson Dam. A recent radiote-
and 1985 at Chenaux have averaged around 0.25 lemetry study on the movement of walleye in Lac
mg/l with highs of 0.4 mg/l (Telmer 1996). du Rocher Fendu revealed that the rapids in the
upper section of this reach are not a natural barrier
Natural environment to this species’ upstream migration (Kirby Punt,
pers com). Lake sturgeon historically spawned
Fisheries
near the islands upstream of Portage du Fort, but
This reach of the river supports a diverse
these areas were flooded after the construction of
coolwater/warmwater fisheries with at least 25
the Chenaux Dam.
species documented (Appendix 1). Walleye,
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
1968-05-02
1969-01-20
1969-12-16
1970-07-07
1971-05-04
1971-11-23
1972-06-28
1973-02-13
1974-03-26
1975-01-22
1975-09-24
1976-08-11
1977-06-16
1979-04-26
1986-08-05
1988-04-19
1989-06-13
1990-05-15
1991-05-27
1992-07-14
1993-08-17
1994-09-20
1995-09-27
1999-10-07
2000-08-14
41
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00
1968-05-02
1969-03-13
1970-04-14
1971-03-30
1972-01-11
1972-09-11
1973-10-24
1975-01-22
1976-03-30
1977-01-26
1978-12-06
1980-08-11
1981-08-03
1982-06-01
1983-03-01
1984-01-09
1985-08-06
1986-11-03
1988-04-19
1989-08-14
1990-10-16
1992-06-02
1993-09-14
1994-11-29
1996-10-03
2000-07-04
Figure 43. Total phosphorous levels at Chenaux, 1968 - 2000.
42
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
associated recreational facilities based at Byces Allumette, Lost Channel and Beckett Island Rap-
Point. Consolidated Bathurst established a paper ids, located amongst islands immediately
mill at Portage du Fort in 1966. Bryson has a pulp downstream of the interprovincial bridge. The
and paper mill as well. Upper Allumette Section is 76.9 km long with a
surface area of 18,212 ha. The river is relatively
There are municipal drinking water systems
calm upstream of the inter-provincial bridge except
downstream of La Passe, including Bryson and
near Petawawa where there are numerous islands.
Campbell’s Bay.
Depths average 10–15 m in Allumette Lake. The
Since 1961, some communities have experienced a Petawawa area is particularly shallow. From the
decline in population, e.g. Campbell’s Bay, while Deep River Inlet / Pointe Malin to Rolphton /
others have increased in size, Ontario Water Rapides des Joachims, the river is deep reaching a
Resources Commission and Quebec Water Board maximum of over 60 m. Surveys in 1991 deter-
1972; Statistics Canada 2001) (Table 10). mined that this section thermally stratifies (Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources and Gouvernement
Allumette Lake and Lac Coulonge (LaPasse to du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999).
Des Joachims)
The main tributaries in this section of river include
Pre-development description Rivière Coulonge, Rivière Noire, Muskrat River,
This reach of river extends approximately 90 km Petawawa River and Schyan River. The mean
and consists of several “lakes” separated by short annual discharge of selected tributaries is described
rapids (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and in Table 3.
Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999)
Both shorelines are scalloped and punctuated by
(Figure 1). Aside from development along the
points (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and
shoreline, this reach of river remains much the
Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999).
same as it was prior to hydroelectric development
The lower part of the reach has a low gradient with
(Legget 1975). The shoreline remains relatively
variable shoreline substrates including silt, sand,
unaltered due to the construction of hydraulic
clay, gravel and occasional rock outcrops. Sand
structures (Ottawa River Engineering Board 1965).
predominates in the Petawawa area. Steep granite
Existing physical description
cliffs dominate the Québec shoreline from Pointe
The “lakes” (reaches) include Lac Coulonge, Malin to Rapides des Joachims.
Lower Allumette Lake and Upper Allumette Lake.
Present hydrology
Lac Coulonge is 18.1 km in length, with a surface
The water levels in this section are quasi-natural.
area of 2,888 ha. The Rapides Paquette and a
The level is affected by the flow of water which is
concentration of islands separate Lac Coulonge
regulated upstream by the Des Joachims Generat-
and Lower Allumette Lake. The Ottawa River
ing Station. Water levels in Allumette Lake fluctuate
flows around both sides of Île des Allumettes.
on average 0.72 m, from a high of 111.91 m in May
Chenal de la Culbute is the smaller channel with
to a low of 111.19 m in September (Figure 44).
several sets of rapids, Rapides de la Culbute,
Rapides de l’Islet and Rapides du Chapeau, that Chemical characteristics
flows 21.8 km along the north side of the island. OMNR surveyed the water chemistry of Lower
Lake-like conditions exist along the southern side Allumette Lake, near Westmeath, in 1970 (Ontario
of Île des Allumettes. Lower Allumette is approxi- Ministry of Natural Resources and Gouvernement
mately 22.3 km long, with a surface area of 4,613 ha. du Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). This reach was
Lower Allumette and Upper Allumette are sepa- not thermally stratified due to the high flushing rate
rated by three sets of rapids, Rapides des that prevents stratification. pH at survey stations
43
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
112.0
111.8
111.6
Water Level (m)
111.4
111.2
111.0
110.8
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 44. Mean monthly water levels in Allumette Lake over the past 50 years.
was neutral. Conductivity was measured at OMNR 2001b). Lake sturgeon numbers are the
65 µhos/cm in the fall of 1997. greatest in this reach when compared to the other
reaches of the Ottawa River (Haxton in review).
Natural environment
An early season access creel in 1993 on the On-
Fisheries tario side of Allumette Lake estimated an effort of
This reach supports diverse warmwater and 25,120 angler hours in the first six weeks of the
coolwater fish communities with at least 55 species season, harvesting an estimated 6,348 walleye
documented (Appendix 1). Walleye is the main (Haxton 1997).
species sought by anglers. Catches typically
include walleye, pike, channel catfish, smallmouth Lake trout were introduced in the Deep River area
bass, and lake sturgeon. Walleye anglers concen- in 1993 and stocked for three years to use cold
trate their effort near the Highway 148 bridge, Île water habitat located there. However, a netting
Leblanc (“lighthouse”), Petawawa and Schyan assessment in 1996 targeted at lake trout failed to
river mouths, and Rolphton/Rapides Des Joachims. sample any returns and very few reports of lake
There is a small trophy muskie fishery near trout being caught have been received.
Petawawa. Several walleye, bass, and multi- Walleye spawn in areas of natural rapids through-
species tournaments and derbies occur during the out the reach, in tributaries of the river, amongst
year. Catches during the bass derby are typically the islands off Petawawa Point and below Des
half of those in southern Ontario derbies. Joachims Dam. Muskellunge have been observed
American eels were one time considered abundant at the delta of the Petawawa River. Lake sturgeon
in this section of river, such that this species are known to spawn in the Allumette Rapids and a
dominated the bones found in archaeological digs small tributary near McConnell Lake. Suckers
on Morrison Island (Pilon 1999). Eels have not spawn in most tributaries and natural rapids.
been sampled in this reach in recent assessment There is a commercial fishery for lake sturgeon
efforts. Channel catfish are the most abundant licensed out of Quebec with a quota of 0.1 kg/ha of
species in these reaches (Haxton 2000a, 2000b;
44
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Québec water. There is also a commercial fishery six species of swallows, and merlins, had been
for bullhead, crappie, suckers, and eels based out found at this roost.
of Québec.
A 1993 aerial survey by Ontario Hydro staff
Wildlife
indicated that there were several muskrat colonies
At least 34 species of water birds and 11 raptors in the vicinity of La Passe.
(including the peregrine falcon, Cooper’s hawk, Twenty-six species of amphibians and reptiles
and merlin) have been previously reported to breed have been reported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham
in this reach of the river (Table 5) (Cadman et al. and Weller 2000; Coulson pers comm6).
1987). Peregrine falcons are known to nest on the
cliffs across from Chalk River. Unique species
There are a number of unique or less common
Heron colonies are reported near Rapides de la
species in this reach of the river. Cryptandus
Culbute, Deep River, and Rapides-des-Joachims
dropseed, Smith’s club-rush and Torrey’s bulrush
(Sankey 1987). Herring and ring-billed gulls nest
have been found in the area of Fort Coulonge
on islands in Allumette Lake between Pembroke
(Table 7). Bald rush has been reported to occur
and Petawawa.
near Île Leblanc and Douglas buckwheat at Roche
Waterfowl concentrations have been reported at à l’Oiseau.
Lac Nanny, Bellows Bay, Lac Downey, and Pointe
Wood turtles have been found in Welch Bay near
Seche. Westmeath Provincial Park (Bellow’s Bay)
Deep River and Fort Coulonge, map turtles near
has had a diversity of waterfowl, peregrines fal-
Îles Finlay, and spiny softshell turtles (a threatened
cons, and ospreys (Sankey 1987). It has served as a
species) near Îles Finlay and Fort William. Per-
spring staging area for numerous diving and
egrine falcons have been observed at Pointe à
dabbling ducks including the ring-necked duck,
l’Oiseau downstream of Deep River.
bufflehead, and hooded merganser (Michener
1996). Nearby O’Brien Bay is open all winter and Other less common species such as the sandhill
has been used by common goldeneye (Sankey crane, western sandpiper, stilt sandpiper, least
1987). Rapids north of Morrison Island have bittern, tundra swan, ruddy duck, pomarine jaeger,
waterfowl in the fall e.g. commin goldeneye parasitic jaeger, laughing gull, sabine’s gull,
(Sankey 1987). Its open waters during the winter Caspian tern, northern hawk owl, great gray owl,
have attracted common merganser, common and long-eared owl have been sighted at Deep
goldeneye, Barrow’s goldeneye, and harlequin River, and long-tailed duck, buff-breasted sandpi-
duck (Michener 1996). Bald eagle, common per, short-eared owl, and boreal owl in Pembroke
merganser, common goldeneye, and gulls have (Michener 1996).
been sighted in the open water around Rapides-
des-Joachims during the winter (Michener 1996). Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive
Also, bald eagles have been sighted at Deep River areas
and Petawawa, and gyrfalcons at Deep River The Ontario side of this reach contains two provin-
(Michener 1996). cially significant wetlands: Bellow’s Bay,
HazleyBay/Lisk Bay Complex (Table 8) (OMNR
Goodwin (1995) noted that the largest recorded 2001a). Wetlands in this reach which may be
swallow roost in Ontario was sited at the conflu- provincially significant include Hales Creek,
ence of the Muskrat and Ottawa Rivers at Hennessy’s Bay, Malloy Bay, and Lacroix Bay.
Pembroke in 1983. Although it no longer exists, all Other wetlands include Baie Downey, Fort
6
Daryl Coulson, District Ecologist, Pembroke District.
45
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
William, Black Bay, Baie des Roy, Îles Finlay, Pte There are a large number of municipal drinking
Seche, and La Passe. water systems downstream of Des Joachims GS
including: Fort Coulonge, Deep River, Petawawa’s
There are three environmentally sensitive areas in
Canadian Forces Base, and Pembroke.
this reach of the river in Quebec, i.e. the Ruisseau
de l’Indien RPF opposite Deep River, James Little Industrial water intakes downstream include
RPF and De l’Aigle à Tête Blanche RPF at the Petawawa Golf Club, County of Renfrew Roads
junction of the Des Joachims GS tailrace and Department, Commonwealth Paper Mill, Chalk
spillway (Table 9) (SFEP 2001). ANSIs are located River Nuclear Laboratories, and the Nuclear Power
near Petawawa (life science ANSI) and La Passe Demonstrator at Chalk River.
(Pipeholes earth science ANSI) (Table 9) (OMNR
Over 1000 homes and cottages have been identi-
2001a).
fied downstream (based on a review of topographic
There are town parks and roadside parks located at maps and Ontario base maps) in locations outside
Rapides des Joachims, Deep River, Petawawa, areas served by a piped water supply.
Pembroke, and Cotnam Island.
This reach of river has a long history of settlement
Shoreline development
with native people settling Morrison and Allumette
The cities of Pembroke and Petawawa are two of Islands over 5000 years ago (Kennedy 1970). Lac
the major developments along the shoreline of this Coulonge was initially the location of several
reach of river. Other towns along the river include trading posts (Kennedy 1970). Fort Coulonge was
Fort Coulonge, Waltham Station, Chapeau and founded on its north shoreline in the 1680s and a
Deep River. Atomic Energy Canada Limited Hudson’s Bay Company trading post on its south
(AECL) has a major research facility constructed shoreline in 1836. The Hudson’s Bay Company
along the shoreline of the river at Chalk River. A also built a post at Fort William on Allumette Lake
Canadian forces base occupies the land between in 1846.
AECL and Petawawa. Since 1961, some communi- In comparison to the whole Ottawa River water-
ties have experienced a decline in population, e.g. shed, agricultural land use in the watershed of this
Fort Coulonge, Deep River, and Pembroke, while reach is low, e.g. 0.2 to 1.5% of the tributary sub-
others have increased in size, e.g. Petawawa basins (Table 11) (Telmer 1996).
(Ontario Water Resources Commission and Que-
bec Water Board 1972; Statistics Canada 2001) Holden Lake (Des Joachims to Otto Holden
(Table 10). Dam)
46
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 45. Aerial mosaic of the Ottawa River upstream of Des Joachims to Bissett Creek pre-hydroelectric
development (1946).
47
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 47. Historical view of the upstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947 (Hydro One Archives Neg. No. 72).
Figure 48. Historical view of the downstream rapids at Rapids des Joachims, 1947 (Hydro One Archives, Neg. No.
1284)
48
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
sets of rapids all within 4.0 km (Figure 49). The Control Dam, was constructed at the upper end of
first set of rapids, Deux-Rivières rapids (Figure the ancient river channel to provide a convenient
50), was a vast accumulation of boulders that fell means of by-passing excess flow (Figure 51).
4.0 m. The middle set of rapids Trou Rapids, McConnell Lake Dam is 95 m long with a maxi-
located at the mouth of Magnasipi River, fell 2.7 m. mum height of 37 m (Biggar 1991). Water was
The top set of rapids, the Veillée Rapids, fell 2.4 m passed through the McConnell Lake control dam
(Kennedy 1970). for the first time in August 1949 (Hydro-Electric
Power Commission of Ontario 1950b) since the
Existing physical description ancient river became blocked during glacial retreat
Construction of the Des Joachims Dam began in (Ells 1901).
the fall of 1946 with the clearing of 4,452 ha of
land between Des Joachims and Mattawa (Biggar The generating station was constructed in the main
1991). An auxilary dam, the McConnell Lake channel of the Ottawa River, at the top of the
49
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 50. Historical view from the foot of Deux Rivières rapids pre-hydroelectric development (National Archives
of Canada C 22122).
50
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Chemical characteristics
OMNR staff surveyed the water chemistry of
Holden Lake in 1969 at Driftwood Bay, Moose
Bay, Klock, and Bissett (Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources and Gouvernement du Québec
Faune et Parcs 1999). There was no thermal
stratification at these survey sites. The pH was 6.5,
slightly acidic. Water quality in this reach has been
historically influenced by the pulp and paper mill
upstream at Temiscaming (Environment Canada et
Figure 53. Swift current in the tailrace of Des Joachims
al. 1985). Low levels of dissolved oxygen and high
Dam (2000).
levels of ammonia and nitrate have been reported.
Québec (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs Natural environment
1999). Fisheries
This reach supports a coolwater/warmwater fishery
Present hydrology with at least 36 species documented (Appendix 1).
There is a winter drawdown of Holden Lake. Walleye, sauger, northern pike, and smallmouth
Water levels generally start to decline in February bass are the primary game fish present. Other
and are at their lowest in April (Figure 55). The species present include yellow perch, common
annual drawdown on average is 2.3 m, with a white suckers, lake whitefish, and burbot (Table 3).
maximum drawdown of 3.0 m (Efford 1975). Channel catfish are not abundant in this reach.
Fluctuations immediately downstream of Des
Joachims Generating Station are generally a metre There was a commercial sturgeon fishery in this
or less overnight. portion of the river near Mattawa until the mid-
1970s. Lake sturgeon have declined in this reach
Immediately downstream from Otto Holden Dam, and have not been sampled during recent netting
daily water fluctuations may be as much as 1.5 m efforts.
(Ontario Water Resources Commission and Que-
bec Water Board 1971)
Figure 54. View of the lower rapids of Rapids des Joachims from the bridge, 1906 (National Archives of Canada
C4914).
51
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
153.0
152.8
152.6
Water level (m)
152.4
152.2
152.0
151.8
151.6
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 55. Mean monthly water levels in Holden Lake over the past 50 years.
Habitat for indigenous salmonids may exist in Other popular fishing spots downstream of the
deeper sections. There are anecdotal reports of station for local residents include: the railway
brook trout being angled. bridge at Mattawa; the Mattawa River just up-
stream of the Ottawa River; and, the area below the
There are no harvest data available for this reach
small generating station on the Mattawa River, the
but angling pressure is thought to be light overall
latter two areas known as spawning areas for
with moderate fishing pressure on the river in the
walleye. Although there are no known spawning
immediate vicinity of Mattawa (Ontario Ministry
areas in the immediate vicinity of the GS, there is
of Natural Resources and Gouvernement du
potential spawning habitat for pike and
Québec Faune et Parcs 1999). Anglers generally
muskellunge downstream of the island. Walleye
report good to excellent fishing for walleye and
are also known to spawn in the Dumoine River,
sauger. Anglers also report catching smallmouth
Magnasipi River, and several other tributaries to
bass, channel catfish, northern pike, and occasion-
the river.
ally lake trout, brook trout, and burbot. On the rare
occasion, they report catches of lake sturgeon and Wildlife
muskellunge. Downstream of the southern most At least 14 species of water birds (including the
generating unit at Otto Holden is a popular sport black-backed gull) and three raptors have been
fishing location when the unit is not operational. reported to breed in this reach of the river (Table 5)
Fish species caught at or near the generating (Cadman et al. 1987). Bald eagles are reported to
station include walleye, pike, perch, smallmouth over winter in the tailrace of Otto Holden GS.
bass, lake sturgeon, and lake whitefish.
52
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Herring gulls and black-backed gulls use the In comparison to the whole Ottawa River water-
station’s sluiceway area for nesting. shed, there is limited agricultural land use in the
watershed of this reach but the built-up area, 0.6 %
Fourteen species of amphibians and reptiles have
of the Mattawa River sub-basin, is somewhat
been reported in this reach (Table 6) (Oldham and
higher than most other reaches (Table 11) (Telmer
Weller 2000).
1996).
Wetlands, parks, and environmentally sensitive
areas Lac la Cave (Otto Holden Dam to the Dam at
Lake Temiscaming)
Few wetlands are found in this stretch of river.
Only two wetlands of consequence are found Pre-development description
between Des Joachims GS and Mattawa. They La Cave Rapids were located approximately 8 km
include the wetland complex at the mouth of north of Mattawa. These rapids were at a bend and
Barbur Creek, approximately 5 km upstream of narrows of the river (Figure 56). There were two
Deux Rivières and the wetland comprised of sets of rapids approximately 800 m apart. Figure 57
submergent/floating vegetation in the river section illustrates the top set of rapids prior to the con-
of Deux Rivières. Other wetlands are located at struction of the Otto Holden Dam. These rapids
Santa Island, Gibson Creek and Grants Creek Bay. had a natural fall of 3 m over ragged bedrock and
Andre Linteau RPF is located on the Québec side contained pockets of rock rubble (Figure 58).
just upstream of Des Joachims GS (Table 9) (SFEP
2001). The Town of Mattawa has Mattawa Explor- Existing physical description
ers Point Park. Approximately 12 km upstream of Lac la Cave extends approximately 49 km up-
Des Joachims GS is Driftwood Provincial Park, a stream of the Otto Holden Dam to the Public
250 ha recreational park with sandy beaches Works Dam at the outlet of Lake Temiscaming. It
formed by the impoundment of the river in 1950 has a surface area of 3,028 ha. A significant
(OMNR 2001a). portion of this reach exceeds 20 m in depth, with
many large basins below 50 m. The maximum
Shoreline development depth recorded in this reach is 134 m.
Mattawa, a post founded by the Hudson’s Bay Construction on the dam began in the fall of 1948
Company in 1837, is the major town constructed (Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario
along the shoreline of this reach of river. Since 1950c). There were 1,254 ha of land cleared
1961 this community has experienced a decline in upstream from where the dam was constructed. A
population (Ontario Water Resources Commission 731 m long diversion channel was excavated
and Quebec Water Board 1972; Statistics Canada through rock on the eastern shoreline of the river
2001) (Table 10). (Figure 58) to allow for the construction of the dam
There is little to no development along the Quebec (Biggar 1991). The dam was built at the head of
shoreline, whereas the Highway 17 corridor the La Cave Rapids (Figures 56 and 59). The main
extends along the Ontario side of the river between dam is 762 m long and has a maximum height of
Petawawa and Mattawa. Several small communi- 40 m (Figure 60) constructed above solid rock
ties, Deux Rivières and Bissett Creek, are located (Biggar 1991). Additional features of the Otto
along this route. Holden Dam are outlined in Table 2. The Otto
Holden Dam was completed by 1952 (Biggar
There were no municipal or industrial water
1991). The water levels were raised 22.9 m at the
intakes identified downstream of Otto Holden GS.
head of dam (Figure 9; Hydro-Electric Power
A total of 52 homes/cottages were identified
Commission of Ontario 1950c), flooding an area of
downstream based on review of topographic and
Ontario base maps.
53
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
13.7 km2 (Efford 1975) upstream to the dam at Larger tributaries include the Rivière Beauchene
Lake Temiscaming. and Ruisseau Serpent in Québec, and the Jocko
River in Ontario. The mean annual discharge of
Crooked Rapids, Fourneau Rapids (Long Sault
selected tributaries is described in Table 3.
Rapids), Mountain Rapids, Rapids des Erable, and
La Cave Rapids were all flooded (Figure 9) as a This section of river is confined to a deep valley
result of the construction of the Otto Holden Dam with moderate to steep shorelines extending to the
(Ottawa River Engineering Board 1965). water’s edge (Ontario Ministry of Natural Re-
sources and Gouvernement du Québec Faune et
Figure 56. Aerial view of the La Cave Rapids prior to the construction of the Otto Holden Dam.
54
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Figure 57. La Cave Rapids, 1948, site of the Otto Figure 59. Aerial view of La Cave rapids during the
Holden Dam (Hydro One Archives, Neg. No. 1938). construction of the bypass channel, 1949 (Hydro One
Archives, Neg. No. 374)
Figure 58. View of the substrate of La Cave Rapids Figure 60. Otto Holden Dam (2000).
during the construction of the Otto Holden Dam, 1950
(Hydro One Archives, Neg, No. E52-291).
Parcs 1999). The shorelines are fairly regular with Present hydrology
few islands or shallow bays. The mean annual discharge at Otto Holden is 692 m3/s,
with a drainage area of 47,900 km2 (Telmer 1996).
Regulating dams upstream of Lac La Cave were
constructed between 1911 and 1914 by the govern- Lac la Cave is a reservoir that experiences a winter
ment of Canada: one above Quinze Rapids drawdown starting in January (Figure 61). This
upstream of Lake Temiscaming; one at the outlet section has a storage capacity of 120.8 million m3
of Lake Temiscaming; and the third on the of water. There is an annual drawdown of 3.3 m
Kippawa River. These dams were built for the and a maximum drawdown of 4.1 m (Efford 1975).
purpose of increasing the volume of flow of the Time of travel for water from the Temiscaming
Ottawa River at periods of low water (Ottawa Dam to Otto Holden is about 2–3 hours.
River Engineering Board 1965).
55
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
177.50
177.00
176.50
176.00
Water level (m)
175.50
175.00
174.50
174.00
173.50
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure 61. Mean monthly water levels in Lac la Cave over the past 50 years.
8.00
7.00
6.00
5.00
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
1968-05-29
1969-01-21
1969-09-30
1970-04-13
1970-10-29
1971-06-14
1972-01-10
1972-06-29
1973-01-16
1973-10-22
1975-01-07
1975-07-06
1976-03-28
1976-09-27
1977-05-11
1977-09-25
1978-02-26
1978-08-07
1979-02-04
1986-11-09
1987-10-12
1988-05-22
1988-11-20
1989-07-30
1993-12-21
1994-08-21
Figure 62. Biological Oxygen Demand levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994.
56
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00
1968-05-29
1969-06-01
1970-04-13
1971-02-25
1971-10-12
1972-06-29
1973-03-13
1974-10-23
1975-07-06
1976-05-24
1977-01-03
1977-09-25
1978-04-09
1978-12-03
1979-07-30
1980-06-22
1981-04-19
1981-12-07
1982-09-29
1983-08-07
1984-06-14
1985-05-06
1986-09-14
1987-09-13
1988-06-19
1989-02-26
1990-02-25
1994-07-24
Figure 63. Total phosphorous levels at Otto Holden Dam, 1968 - 1994.
57
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Summary
This report has attempted to collate and summarize
the physical changes that occurred in the main
portion of the Ottawa River upstream of Carillon to
Lake Temicaming, particularly as a result of
hydroelectric development. The more recent
developments have been grander in scale, flooding
more land and creating larger reservoirs. There are
three sites in the main part of the river, which are
under 1943 agreement for development by Hydro-
Québec on the Ottawa River, that were never
developed: the Rocher Fendu Channel site on the
south side of Grand-Calumet Island and the
Paquette site at Paquette Rapids; and between the
Rapides des Îles power plant and the head of Lake
Temiscaming (Ottawa River Engineering Board
1965). Although water flows are regulated, the
7
Stephen Belfry, OMNR North Bay District, North Bay.
58
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Biggar, G. 1991. Ontario Hydro’s History and Critchlow, D.P. 2000. Summary of 1999
Description of Hydroelectric Generating commercial fishing on the Ottawa River.
Stations. Ontario Hydro, Toronto, Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
334 p. Kemptville District. 7 p.
Bracken, R. and C. Lewis. 2000. Birding in the Daigle, C, A. Desrosiers and J. Bonin. 1994.
Britannia Conservation Area and the Ottawa Distribution and abundance of common map
River. Ontario Field Ornithologists News 18 (2). turtles in the Ottawa River, Québec. Can.
Field Naturalist 108:84-86.
Cadman, M.D., P.F.J. Eagles and F.M.
Helleiner. 1987. Atlas of the Breeding Birds Denis, L.G. and A. White. 1911. Water Power
of Ontario. Federation of Ontario Naturalists of Canada. Commission of Conservation
and Long Point Bird Observatory. Univer- Canada. The Mortimer Co. Ltd., Ottawa.
sity of Waterloo. 617p. 397 p.
Chabot, J. 1992. Effets Environnementaux des Department of Lands and Forests. 1964. A
Centrakles Otto Holden, Des Joachims, history of Kemptville Forest District. De-
Chenaux et Chats Falls sur la rivière des partment of lands and Forests, District
Outaouais. Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse History Series, No. 17.
et la Pêche letter to B. Hindley, Ontario Easton, R. 1968. Sturgeon study – Ottawa
Hydro. December 7 (File No. 97140-146- River. Ontario Department of Lands and
07270 P). Forests, Kemptville District. 32 p.
Chapman, L.J and D.F. Putnam. 1984. The Efford, I.E. 1975. Assessment on the impact of
Physiography of Southern Ontario. Ontario hydro dams. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32:
Geological Survey, Special Volume 2, 196-206.
Ontario Government, Toronto.
Ells, R.W. 1901. Ancient channels of the
Chubbuck, D.A. 1993. Minutes of meeting Ottawa River. Ottawa Naturalist 15:17-30.
with Jim Whyte. Ontario Hydro Hydroelec-
Envirocon Ltd/Proctor & Redfern Ltd. 1979.
tric Rehabilitation Department Filing
Chats Falls GS B Nuclear Site Baseline
Memorandum. July 14 (File No. 97140-146-
Environmental Studies. 1978-1979. Vol. 1.
07270 P).
Consultants Report to Ontario Hydro Envi-
ronmental Studies and Assessments Department.
59
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
60
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Hydro-Québec. 1996. Carillon Power Station. Michener, C. 1996. Bird records of the
Hydro-Quebec, Région Maissonneuve Pembroke & Area Bird Club, Pembroke,
Équipe Communication. 4 p. ON.
Jolicoeur, G. 1992. Presence D’especes Mika, N., and H. Mika. 1982. Bytown. The
Menacees Entre les Centrales Early Days of Ottawa. Mika Publishing
Hydrolectriques Ontariennes. Ministere de Company, Belleville, ON. 257 p.
l’Environnement letter to C. Gosselin, Munro, W.T. 1967. Changes in Waterfowl
Ontario Hydro. November 30 (File No. Habitat with Flooding on the Ottawa River.
97140-146-07270 P). J. Wild. Mgmt 31: 197-199.
Kennedy, C.C. 1970. The Upper Ottawa Niblett Environmental Associates Inc. 1990.
Valley. Renfrew County Council, Chats Falls GS Sluice Gate Study. Consult-
Pembroke, Ontario. 256 p. ants Report to W. Weller, Ontario Hydro
Lafrenière, N. 1984. The Ottawa River Canal Safety and Environmental Department.
System. Parks Canada, Hull, QC. 95 p. August 13 (File No. EAA 12.31.1).
Lambart, H. and G. Rigby. 1963. Submerged Oldham, M.J. and W.F. Weller. 2000. Ontario
History of the Long Sault. Canadian Geo- Herpetofaunal Atlas. Natural Heritage
graphical Journal 67: 147-157. Information Centre. Ontario Ministry of
natural Resources, Peterborough.
Legget, R. 1975. Ottawa Waterway: Gateway
to a Continent. University of Toronto Press, Ontario Hydro. 1984a. Procedures and Stand-
Toronto and Buffalo. 291 p. ards for Operating Des Joachims-Hydraulic
Sheet No. 511-2. Technical Directive No.
Mackie, G.L. and S.U. Quadri. 1973. Abun-
HO 994 R1 (March).
dance and diversity of Mollusca in an indus-
trialized portion of the Ottawa River near Ontario Hydro. 1984b. Operating Hydraulic
Ottawa-Hull, Canada. J. Fish. Res. Board Data-Otto Holden GS River No. 51-1.
Can. 30: 167-172. Technical Directive No. HO 963 R1 (May).
McAllister, D.E. and B. W. Coad. 1974. Fishes Ontario Hydro. 1984c. Operation of the Des
of Canada’s National Capital Region. Na- Joachims GS Forebay during Freshet.
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McKeating, G. 1990. Birds of Ottawa and Ontario Hydro. 1988. Low Water Operation-
vicinity. Lone Pine Publishing. 144 p. Ottawa River. Technical Directive No. HO
927-R2 (October).
Merriman, J.C. 1987. Bottom Sediment Qual-
ity of the Ottawa River. Technical Bulletin Ontario Hydro. 1989a. Operating Hydraulic
No. 153. Environment Canada. Burlington, Data-Chenaux Gs-River Number 51-3.
Ontario. Technical Directive No. HO 964-R1
(March).
61
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Ontario Hydro. 1992a. Hydroelectric genera- Pawson, H.E. 1927. The Bryson Hydroelectric
tion planning in the Ottawa River drainage Power Development. The Engineering
basin. A discussion paper. Journal. October. 459-467.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1985. Pilon, J. 1999. Ottawa Valley Prehistory.
Ontario Water Power Sites. Queen’s Printer, Outaouais Historical Society, Hull. 113 p.
Toronto. Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2000. 1992. Surface Water Quality Programme –
File data. Pembroke District, Pembroke. Ottawa River Summary Report. Environ-
mental Services Department
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2001a.
Natural Heritage Information Centre Data- Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
base. Peterborough. (RMOC) 1999. Trends in water quality
parameters pertinent to fish and contaminant
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2001b.
levels in fish in the Rideau and Ottawa
File data. Pembroke District, Pembroke.
Rivers. Prepared by the Surface Water
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Quality Branch, Environment and Transpor-
Gouvernement du Québec Faune et Parcs. tation Department, Regiuon of Ottawa-
1999. A Strategic Fisheries Management Carleton.
Framework for the Ottawa River. Ontario
Rowe, R.S. 1972. Forest Regions of Canada.
Ministry of Natural Resources, Pembroke,
Canadian Forestry Service Publication No.
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1300. Information Canada.
Ontario Water Resources Commission and
Sankey, J. 1987. Enjoying the Birds of the
Quebec Water Board. 1971. Ottawa River
Basin: Water Quality and Its Control in the Ottawa Valley. The Runge Press Limited.
Ottawa River. Vol. 1. Ottawa. 116 p.
Ontario Water Resources Commission and Sherriff, A. 1831. Topographic notices of the
Quebec Water Board. 1972. Ottawa River country lying between the mouth of the
Basin: Water Quality and Its Control in the Rideau and Penetanguishene on Lake
Ottawa River. Vol. 2. Huron. Transactions of the Literacy and
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Canada. 239 p.
62
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
63
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac la Cave
creek chub Sem otilus atrom aculatus (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
64
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Holden Lake
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
65
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Allumette Lake
creek chub Sem otilus atrom aculatus (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
66
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Allumette Lake
67
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Allumette Lake
Lower Allumette
L a ke
68
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lower Allumette
L a ke
Lac Coulonge
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
69
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac Coulonge
Lac du Rocher
Fendu
70
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac du Rocher
Fendu
creek chub Sem otilus atrom aculatus (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
71
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac Deschenes
72
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac Deschenes
creek chub Sem otilus atrom aculatus (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
73
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Lac Deschenes
Dollards des
Ormeaux
American brook lamprey Lam petra appendix 1979 (Lanteigne et al. 1981)
74
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Dollards des
Ormeaux
creek chub Sem otilus atrom aculatus (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
eastern silvery minnow Hybognathus regius 1977 (Hanson and Qadri 1979)
fathead minnow Pim ephales prom elas (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
75
Review of the historical and existing natural environment and resource uses on the Ottawa River.
Dollards des
Ormeaux
northern brook lamprey Ichthym yzon fossor (Mandrak and Crossman 1992)
silver lamprey Icthym yzon unicuspis 1980 (Pariseau and Dumont 1980)
76