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Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
Rideau River Flood Risk Mapping from Hogs Back to Rideau Falls, 2016
Shoreline Naturalization Program Species Availability List
Septic Smart - Booklet 2
Advanced Treatment Systems — Alternatives to Conventional Septic Systems
This twelve page booklet will help you become familiar with advanced treatment units as well as the type of final distribution and soil treatment that could be used with them in Ontario (aerobic treatment units and filtration units).
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in partnership with the Otty Lake Association collaborated to enhance fish habitat in Otty Lake — specifically spawning, nursery and feeding habitat for smallmouth and largemouth.
What was done?
Phase 1 (2013)
- Installed 75 gravel spawning beds a using round river wash stone
- Deposited wood branches and small trees anchored in cement as well as brush bundles — this wooded debris created habitat for many food sources such as crayfish and aquatic insects as well as places where fish can rest, find shelter and feed
Phase 2 (2014)
- Installed 83 spawning beds and sank 185 wooden clusters as shelter and feeding habitat
- Placed 58 large rocks (cornerstones) various nests providing additional cover for dedicated smallmouth bass fathers as they brood their young
Phase 3 (2015)
- 49 spawning beds, nine brush piles were placed in shallow weedy bays to provide more shelter and feeding habitat
- 75 cornerstone were placed at various nests which provides cover and shelter for the guarding male and fry
Through all three phases 228 bass nests were installed, 133 cornerstones added, 335 trees/branches and nine brush bundles placed in shallow areas. A total of 840 volunteer hours were accrued. In addition, 20 wood duck nesting boxes were installed.
Monitoring:
RVCA staff and volunteers monitored the success of the project with site visits in spring and summer. This entailed counting active nests, making observations on the integrity of the gravel and observing the wood structures using an underwater camera.
The Results:
successful/confirmed spawning on nests
2014 — 41%
2015 — 43%
2016 — 55%
2017 — 36%
2018 — 56%
2019 — 58.5%
Project Partners:
![dfo canada](/images/dfo_logo.png)
![otty lake association](/images/otty.jpg)
![TD Friends of the Environment Foundation](/images/TD_Friends.jpg)
![Environment Canada](/images/Environment-Canada-Logo.png)
Information:
Jennifer Lamoureux
Aquatic and Fish Habitat Biologist,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571 ext. 1108
In September 2007, City of Ottawa Council approved a funding arrangement for a remedial flood control project in Britannia Village. The Britannia Village Flood Control Project looks to reduce expected property damages, public safety risks and inconvenience in this existing community during Ottawa River flood events up to and including the 1:100 year flood. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has agreed to undertake the design, construction and long-term management of the flood control system.
Construction began in the fall of 2015 and a Notice of Completion was circulated in February 2018.
Project Partners:
![rvca logo black](/images/rvca-logo-black.png)
![city of ottawa](/images/shoreline-sponsors/Ottawa.jpg)
Information:
Terry K. Davidson, P. Eng.
Director Regulations,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571 ext. 1107
The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to become board members and assist with fundraising efforts. To learn more about the RVCF visit www.rvcf.ca.
Contact:
Diane Downey
RVCF Executive Director
613-692-3571 ext. 1126
More...
The Mississippi and Rideau Valley Conservation Authorities offer a re-inspection program to interested municipalities through the Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office.
Why Re-inspect Septic Systems?
Malfunctioning on-site sewage systems can have both human health and environmental impacts beyond the property on which it is located. Nutrient and bacteria-rich effluent can travel through soil and rock fractures to surface water bodies, and ground water sources. Contamination of surface water can cause excessive aquatic plant growth, depletion of oxygen in lakes, and impact the natural habitat for aquatic species. Ground water contamination can cause illness and even death. This makes it crucial that property owners be aware of the location and operation of their septic system. Under the Ontario Building Code it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that their sewage system is working properly, not only for their health, but also that of the surrounding community and environment. This re-inspection program gives property owners the confidence that their system is operating property — avoiding contamination of surface and groundwater.
History of the Program
Tay Valley Township has led the way locally for the sewage system re-inspection program as well as other initiatives that work towards protecting the quality of surface and ground water. Since the sewage system re-inspection pilot program in 2000, the Township has now inspected thousands of waterfront properties. The program combines the education of the homeowner regarding the maintenance of their sewage system with an inspection component. A follow-up component is also essential to ensure that the program effectively manages identified sewage system problems.
Voluntary Vs. Mandatory Inspections
Municipalities, under the Ontario Building Code, can run voluntary septic system re-inspection program or a discretionary program with mandatory inspections.
The steps taken for the septic re-inspection program are exactly the same for the voluntary and mandatory programs. The only difference is that property owners under the mandatory component are required to participate in the program when their property has been identified, whereas property owners under the voluntary component can choose whether or not to participate.
The Mandatory Re-inspection Program applies to all properties located in the following regions:
1. Within the Tay Valley Township on:
- Adam Lake
- Bennett Lake
- Bob’s Lake
- Farren Lake
- Little Silver Lake
- Long Lake
- Otty Lake
- Pike Lake
- Rainbow Lake
2. Township of Rideau Lakes
3. Central Frontenac
The Voluntary Re-inspection Program encompasses waterfront properties in the following townships:
1. The remainder of Tay Valley Township
2. North Frontenac
To book your inspection or learn more about the program, contact:
Eric Kohlsmith, Septic Inspector
Mississippi Rideau Septic System Office
10970 Highway 7, Carleton Place Ontario K7C 3P1
613-253-0006 ext. 256
Rural Clean Water Grants help to improve water quality in our local rivers, streams and creeks by reducing pollution and volume of water running off the land. Teaming up with rural residents, financial support and technical assistance are available for on-the-ground projects that improve and protect water quality.
Rural Clean Water Grants are available through one of two programs based on location:
- Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program for properties in the City of Ottawa
- Rideau Valley Rural Clean Water Program for properties outside the City of Ottawa, but in the remainder of the Rideau Valley.
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in collaboration with NCC and the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund have designed and enlarged the Black Creek wetland located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt. This enhanced wetland improves water quality, increases biodiversity and provides important wetland habitat in the headwaters of Black Rapids Creek.
The wetland has doubled in size from 3,444 square metres to almost 7,000 square metres. A tributary that had previously bypassed the wetland now flows into it providing a larger aquatic feature that supports amphibian breeding, fish habitat, bird foraging, and acts as a water supply for wildlife. The wetland now boasts a variety of side slopes, woody debris (i.e. root wads, basking logs and sweeper trees) and re-planting of native trees, shrubs and wetland vegetation. The project was completed in September 2016.
Staff returned to monitor the wetland in 2017 and 2019, and will return again in 2021.
BLOG: Restored Black Rapids wetland keeping Rideau River clean
Benefits of the project:
- Improves water quality for Black Rapids Creek and the Rideau River
- Increases biodiversity of aquatic/terrestrial plants and fish and wildlife
- Provides winter and summer refuge areas for wetland wildlife, including nursery area for waterfowl and area for shorebirds to feed
- Includes functional spawning, nursery, rearing and food supply habitat for fish allowing for wetland and
- Presents a unique habitat feature along the National Capital Commission Greenbelt Pathway allowing for wetland and habitat restoration activities
Construction Plans:
Project Partners:
![ontario logo](/images/ontario_logo.png)
![RVCA logo english colour LR copy](/images/RVCA-logo-english-colour-LR_copy.jpg)
![ncc logo en](/images/ncc_logo_en.png)