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.
Featured Project:
Jebbs Creek Wetland Embayment Creation
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, with a focus on creating spawning and nursery habitat for northern pike.
The project created 1,600 m² of new spawning, nursery, rearing, and feeding habitat, while replacing a monoculture reed area with a functioning, diverse wetland habitat. As of 2024, a six-year post-construction monitoring report found consistent evidence of successful pike spawning. Many other species have also benefited from the new habitat including several fish species, turtles, amphibians and shoreline birds.
The project was completed in partnership with Friends of the Tay River, Otty Lake Association and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Other Recent Wetland Restoration Projects:
Hutton Marsh Restoration 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.
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. 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.
Black Rapids Wetland Restoration Project
Remic Rapids Wetland Creation Project
More on Stillwater Wetland:
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.
