Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
Anyone familiar with the land surrounding the Scotiabank Place knows that big changes are under way.
Few, however, are aware that this is the headwater area of the Carp River. Stittsville, Glen Cairn and what remains of rural Kanata all drain into this low-lying basin, contributing an ever increasing amount of stormwater, sediment, pesticides, nutrients and debris.
Despite attempts by City of Ottawa planners to anticipate weather patterns and municipal drainage needs, flooding has become more frequent and the damage to private property more devastating.
Almost 100 years ago the Townships of March, Goulbourn and Huntley found it necessary to turn this section of the river into an engineered ditch to help farmers make better use of this notoriously poorly drained land. Any property owner found to benefit from this project was required to help pay for it.
The natural meanders were removed, swamps and marshes were filled and the new bed of the river was dredged in a more or less straight line, from Hazeldean Road downstream past the Village of Carp.
There were no environmental assessments, no concern for long term effects. The river was turned into a drain, rich farmland supported both livestock and crops and all seemed well.
Over time, the bed of the river has filled with sediment due, in part, to agricultural practices, to the lack of erosion-curbing tree cover, the “plastic
Print this page - Email this page