Wetland Restoration

Wetlands such as marshes, bogs, swamps and fens are among the most productive and biologically diverse habitats on the planet, providing billions of dollars of environmental services like flood and drought mitigation, erosion control, water filtration and carbon sequestration each year in Ontario alone.

But wetlands were not always appreciated for these services, and about 33% of historic wetland coverage has been lost across the Rideau Valley since European settlement. In our most urban areas such as downtown Ottawa, that loss is as high as 73%.

The RVCA looks for opportunities to restore and construct wetlands in areas where the hydrological system has been damaged. Working with local governments, agencies, community partners and landowners, these projects help to reinstate critical functions such as groundwater recharge and storm management, while increasing streamflow and habitat connectivity in the region.

A tree stands on the edge of a green wetland

Learn more in
our Watershed Conditions Report

Featured Project:
Stillwater Wetland Restoration

In 2018, the City of Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT construction triggered a wetland restoration project at Stillwater Wetland along Moodie Drive. The City was required to offset downstream flood storage losses, and the RVCA and its partners saw an opportunity to rejuvenate a damaged wetland complex at the same time.

In partnership with the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, the federal government and local community groups, the multi-year project has since realigned a section of Stillwater Creek to a more natural meander, added 10,000 cubic metres of flood storage capacity in a newly created wetland, and added another four smaller wetland cells on the southern side of the property.

Since the restoration began, dozens of native bird, amphibian, turtle and plant species have returned to the site, including species at risk such as the western chorus frog, barn swallow and short-eared owl.

More on Stillwater Wetland:

Stage 2 LRT Delivers Win for Stillwater Wetland

Photography Exhibit Speaks Language of the Landscape

Other Recent Wetland Restoration Projects:

Hutton Marsh Restoration Project

Since 2019, RVCA has partnered with Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife Habitat Canada, the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation and local landowners to restore the marsh at Motts Mills Conservation Area to a more natural state. The wetland had become choked and crowded, with almost no open water to support waterfowl or other open water species. Three phases of work have opened up several acres of ponds and more than a kilometre of open-water channels to encourage increased biodiversity in the marsh.

Jebbs Creek Wetland Embayment Creation Project

In 2018, the Jebbs Creek Wetland Embayment Creation Project converted a small area of existing meadow habitat at Perth Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area into a series of small riverine wetland embayments along the shoreline of Jebbs Creek. The project created 1,600 m² of new spawning, nursery, rearing, and feeding habitat for the 20 species of fish that reside in Jebbs Creek, including northern pike.

Black Rapids Wetland Restoration Project

Completed in 2016, this project doubled the Black Creek wetland near Barrhaven to nearly 7,000 m2 and reconnected a local tributary to support improved amphibian breeding, fish habitat and bird foraging. With support from the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund, the wetland now boasts a variety of side slopes, woody debris and native trees, shrubs and wetland vegetation.

Remic Rapids Wetland Creation Project

In 2015, RVCA partnered with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to design and construct a small wetland adjacent to the Ottawa River near Remic Rapids. The feature consists of a shallow basin that provides a water supply for wildlife, amphibian breeding grounds and a bird foraging area. The feature includes enhanced habitat with altered elevations to promote diversity, turtle nesting and basking areas and woody structures for basking, hunting and hiding. Invasive buckthorn was removed during construction.

Have a wetland project in mind?

Our Rural Clean Water programs offer generous grants for rural and farm property owners looking to add environmental services like wetlands to their property.

Learn More