Rideau River Biodiversity Project

Did you know about this:

Rideau River Biodiversity Project: This was a three-year study started in 1995 by the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton (as the region was formerly named) joined the Canadian Museum of Nature to determine the quality of the River's water, its microscopic algae, and the spread of zebra mussels (an invading exotic species). As public interest mounted, and thanks to the contributions of various financial partners, the field of study was expanded in 1998 to develop a more complete picture of the Rideau River.

Seven areas of study were added: fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, indigenous freshwater mussels, aquatic invertebrates and aquatic plants. The length of the Rideau River to be studied was stretched from Smiths Falls to the Ottawa River.

The Rideau River Biodiversity Project was initiated with the goal of recording the River's biodiversity, of determining its bill of health, and of working towards its preservation, all with the close co-operation of the community. (text taken from the website)

The Rideau Roundtable grew out of this project and helped establish turtle and fish habitat along the river. They've also help water protection and natural landscaping workshops and promoted natural shoreline best practices which can be found here.

I also found this other webpage with great information: Ecology & Fauna of the Rideau (above picture is from their website).