Eastern ChipmunkThe watershed has many natural heritage features including several locally and provincially significant wetlands, rare species and species at risk, other significant natural features such as wild rice, a migratory bird sanctuary and Areas of Scientific and Natural Interest (ANSIs), and Parks, Conservation Reserves and Crown land.

The wildlife in the Mississippi watershed can be summarised into two areas:

• aquatic communities particularly fish (streams and lakes), and
• terrestrial communities, particularly vegetation communities (forests, grasslands, wetlands)

The Mississippi River system is home to a wide diversity of mammal, reptile and amphibian, insect and bird species. In many cases the life-cycles of these species are directly related to the river and the corresponding land-water interface. One example of this important linkage would be the numerous wetland areas found along the river and the shores of some lakes.

Natural Heritage Features

A natural heritage feature in the Mississippi River system is wild rice. Wild rice is an edible wild grain that is a staple for aboriginal communities and is still harvested today. An integral part of shallow lake and river ecosystems, this tall aquatic grass provides food for waterfowl and habitat for snails and water insects, which are also eaten by waterfowl. Wild rice beds also provide habitat for furbearers and other wildlife. Water levels are important to maintaining wild rice stands as high water levels can drown these plants and low water levels can dry them up.

Adapted from MVC: Mississippi River Water Management Plan Final Report