RVCASince the 1970s, numerous studies have been undertaken with a view to protecting the Rideau River’s value as an important natural and cultural heritage resource in Eastern Ontario and the greater Ottawa area.

Early efforts focused on water quality and the impact of urban pollutant sources on swimming beaches, progressing from the treatment of point sources such as combined sewer overflows, to non point sources such as urban runoff. These studies led to the adoption of a non-degradation policy aimed at controlling further runoff-borne bacterial loading, and the construction of stormwater treatment facilities for any new urban developments contributing runoff to the river and its tributaries.

The Rideau Canal is 202 km, and connects Lake Ontario at Kingston to the Ottawa River at Ottawa. It is made up of a chain of lakes, rivers and artificial channels. The water flows from the Upper Rideau Lake, near Smiths Falls both northeast toward Ottawa in the Rideau River and southwest toward Kingston in the Cataraqui River. The Rideau River and the Canal are the same waterway for most of the River's length. The River diverges from the Canal in Ottawa. The Canal has a system of 47 locks providing boats access to the Ottawa River.

Rideau WatershedThe Rideau River flows through Eastern Ontario, Canada. From its beginning at Upper Rideau Lake the River flows north until the Ottawa River at Ottawa, Canada's capital. It passes through varied landscapes, which are at first forested and agricultural but become increasingly developed.

• Drainage Area: over 4,000 square kilometres of Eastern Ontario
• General Direction of Flow: Northerly
• Headwaters: Upper Rideau Lake near Newboro
• Confluence: At Rideau Falls it flows into the Ottawa River.
• Towns and Cities: 18 Municipalities including; Ottawa, Portland, Perth, Smiths Falls, Merrickville, Kemptville, and Manotick.
• Approximate Population: 620,000 people including a large part of the City of Ottawa.
• Total Length: The longest part of the watershed is about 180 km.
• Elevation: 204 m.
• Predominant Land Cover: Forestry (an estimated 40% of the watershed)
• Predominant Land Use: Agricultural, include dairy, beef and cash crop farming.
• Rivers and Tributaries: Rideau River, Kemptville Creek, Jock River, Tay River, Rideau Lakes.
  
• Original Settlement: Around 1790
• Other: At Newboro, an artificial canal was constructed by Colonel By in 1832 to connect the north flowing Rideau with the south flowing Cataraqui system to create the Rideau Canal. Its original purpose was defence against American attack but now serves as a major navigational and recreational boating waterway.

Phosphorus Levels in the Rideau

One important issue affecting the waters of the Rideau is the amount of phosphorus in its tributaries and lakes. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient for aquatic plants. If there are high levels of phosphorus then excessive plant growth can be expected to occur.

Rideau WatershedThe Rideau Valley Conservation Authority monitors streamflow at 17 sites along the Rideau River. This data, along with information from the Conservation Authority's climate stations, is essential to understanding the watershed's "water surplus". Although their seems to be an abundance of water, it may not be available at the right time and in the right place. Mother Nature's droughts, rainstorms and floods combined with human needs and consumption don't always match up with supply and demand. Keeping our supply and demand balanced is critical for the health and well-being of the watershed residents; both human and otherwise.

Adapted from RVCA: Annual Rideau Valley Watershed Checkup 2006 

Rideau WatershedThe Rideau River watershed is a unique mix of scenic lakes and forest in cottage country, vast flat farming communities and urban dwellings and businesses.

Within the settlement areas, the land use is generally a mixture of residential, commercial and industrial land uses. Outside of the settlement areas, the land use is predominantly agricultural with some commercial, industrial and other land uses. As a result of the hundreds of lakes and rivers, many significant regions of waterfront development exist. Typically, in waterfront areas closer to the settlement areas the waterfront development is permanent homes. There is also an ongoing shift to redevelop and convert seasonal cottages into permanent homes.

Rideau River swans. Source: TerrikoThe Rideau River watershed is home to a wide variety of species. The conservation areas, fish and bird sanctuaries and protected areas in the watershed are important habitat for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and fish.

The wildlife in the watershed is a vital part of the ecosystems where we live. The diversity of wildlife in a watershed is an indicator of the health of the watershed. The preservation of wildlife habitat is important for maintaining diversity, healthy levels of water quality, and an environment that the communities of the Rideau watershed can enjoy.To learn more about wildlife in your watershed chose from the wildlife menu.

Foleys Spy RockThe Rideau Valley is a hotbed of active, committed environmental volunteers working quietly and consistently to maintain the health of our valuable local water resources. The number of volunteer groups is large ranging from Environmental Clubs at several local schools to the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, one of the oldest and most respected natural science groups in Canada. In between are a host of others from families to community associations, lake associations, municipalities, the business and farming community, colleges and universities who all have active people and volunteer projects in the valley many in cooperation with established government agencies like the Conservation Authorities, the provincial Ministries and the City of Ottawa.