|
What is a Watershed?
Click here to view a larger map of Rideau Lakes Watershed. |
A watershed is the area of land that drains into a particular water body. In the case of the Rideau Lakes, the watershed area includes the lakes themselves and the area of land that drains into Buride, Wolfe, Westport Sand, Upper, Big and Lower Rideau Lakes, Black, Adam, Bass and Long Lakes. It includes the villages of Westport, Newboro, and Portland, but not Crosby or Smiths Falls. |
What is a Watershed Plan?
A watershed plan:
- is an ecosystem approach to land use planning
- is developed by the community, interest groups and government agencies in order to protect the health of the ecosystem
- makes recommendations on how water resources and the overall health of the watershed can be protected and improved
- it identifies the community’s vision for the future and the actions necessary to achieve that vision
- it identifies areas of constraint and opportunity for future development and land use changes
- it identifies how to balance the needs of the natural environment with the needs of the watershed community (sustainable development)
Why do Watershed Planning?
- It is a proactive rather than reactive process. It identifies problems before they happen
- it saves money in the long run
- it is comprehensive — it looks at all aspects of an area — environmental, social and economic issues
- it identifies common environmental goals that all can agree on and strive to achieve
- it recommends ways in which the community can get involved to improve the local natural environment
Why do a Watershed Plan on the Rideau Lakes?
- there are a number of issues which need to be addressed in the watershed
- it is an excellent opportunity for the community to take ownership of their lake area
- the watershed plan will describe a vision for the Rideau Lakes area and the future of its development
Rideau Lakes Watershed Plan Questionnaire
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, in its quest to have a completed watershed plan on every major tributary watershed of the Rideau River by 2007, is undertaking the Rideau Lakes Watershed Plan.
The purpose of the questionnaire is to:
a) outline the why’s and what’s of watershed planning and
b) to get some input from seasonal residents on the issues that face the Rideau Lakes Watershed, both now and in the future.
The watershed planning process will begin more formally in the fall, but we thought we’d get a head start and ask people their opinions. This will assist us in obtaining accurate input regarding the issues of this watershed and will lead to a better, more comprehensive watershed plan.
Please note that the watershed plan will address the entire Rideau Lakes Watershed area i.e., all the area of land that drains into the Rideau Lakes and outlets above Smiths Falls. When we ask you to discuss issues, please discuss issues not only for your particular lake or area but for the areas upstream and downstream of your location and for the whole watershed (drainage basin).
Please fill in the attached questionnaire and e-mail or fax the form to the RVCA at 613-692-0831.
Download questionnaire here:
 Questionnaire as a Word file
Questionnaire in pdf
For more information, contact
Lynn Preston
Watershed Planning/Volunteer Monitoring Co-ordinator
lynn.preston@rideauvalley.on.ca
1-800-267-3504 extension 1171.
|
