Mississippi WatershedBrownfields

Mississippi WatershedForests are an integral part of our ecosystem.  They provide habitat, shade, clean air, and hold the soil together.  The status of our forests was evaluated based on the total forest cover and the total forest interior.

Mississippi WatershedThe Mississippi Valley Watershed contains some valuable agricultural lands, extensive wetlands and forest as well as marginal farm land on thin soil over bedrock. While farms as natural areas can be important for wildlife habitat, they are absolutely vital for healthy watersheds. Vegetative cover improves water quality and farms also play an important role in the water cycle by helping maintain adequate water quantity in our groundwater. Threats to farms from urban sprawl (being paved over) and other pressures represent a threat to the health of the watershed.

Equally important is protection of water quality from farm run-off.

Adapted from MVC: Mississippi River Water Management Plan Final Report

Mississippi WatershedThe Mississippi watershed contains thousands of wetlands and of these, 52 have been assessed using the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System. The number of assessed wetlands as provincially and locally significant in the Mississippi watershed is 36 and 16, respectively. The number of unevaluated wetlands in the Mississippi watershed is 14,931.

Mississippi WatershedMississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) is committed to conserving sites of environmental and cultural significance for the enjoyment of future generations and the health of the watershed.  MVC owns various properties throughout the watershed and continues to look for opportunity for preservation through land acquisition and stewardship initiatives such as the landowner advisory services program.

Mississippi River Watershed: Land UseDevelopment of this area began in the early 1800s, primarily for the lumber industry. The area was heavily timbered with millions of board feet of pine, spruce and other species of trees being cut and transported by river to the sawmills on the Ottawa River.

Land use in the Mississippi watershed is predominantly a mix of agriculture, built-up areas, wetlands, forested areas, and light development. Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) monitors the effect of development and land use to assess watershed conditions. This is done through field monitoring, remote sensing and gathering and interpreting information on the status of water and water related natural resources on an ongoing basis.