 |
|
|
|
In this partially urban area, the biodiversity
of the River is under pressure.
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Northern leopard frog,
Rana pipiens. |
The elimination of shoreline vegetation and leaf litter, fallen tree trunks and branches, and logs has removed essential breeding habitats for frogs, turtles and birds. |
|
|
|
|
|
Native aquatic plant diversity is low in this section of the River. This can be blamed on manicured lawns that reach to the water's edge, and on the many retaining walls that transform the River into an artificial channel with abrupt and tilted banks. Also, Eurasian water milfoil is an exotic plant species that has invaded the area to the detriment of indigenous plants. |
|
|
|
|
|
The zebra mussel, an invasive exotic species, is so abundant that it poses a grave threat to the survival of native freshwater mussel populations.
|
|
|
|
Zebra mussels (Dreissena
polymorpha) carpet the floor of Mooneys Bay. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phosphorus is present in high concentration, the highest recorded from all sections of the River studied in this Project. Elevated levels of phosphorus cause excessive plant growth, thereby creating dense plant beds and large floating mats of decaying algae. |
|
|
|
 |
|
During
the course of the Project, levels of E.
coli bacteria in this section of the River were low enough
to permit swimming on most days. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Shoreline restoration and protection is intended for Mooneys Bay.
|
|
 |
See a detailed
map
of the Rideau River between Long Island
and Hogs Back. |
In terms of the countryside that lines the shore, the length of the River between the Long Island and Hogs Back lock stations offers two distinct segments. Agricultural fields and forested areas line the River between Long Island (near Manotick) and Black Rapids Park. In some places, there are large cattail beds that buffer wave action caused by boat traffic. In others, however, the shoreline is being eroded because crops are grown to the water's edge, which provides no protection from motorboat wakes or runoff from heavy rain.
From Black Rapids to Mooneys Bay, near the lock station at Hogs Back, residential houses with manicured lawns and retaining walls line the River, thereby providing very little habitat for wildlife. At Mooneys Bay the River opens up into a wide and deep bay bordered by residential housing, parkland and a beach.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
