Watershed wide - Ottawa Riverkeeper Divers
LATEST OBSERVATIONS
- Summer 2007 - Report from Andy
- Summer 2006 - Raw sewage spill downstream of the Chat Falls Dam
- Summer 2006 - Moved dead head logs
In the summer of 2006, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Divers joined the River Watch Program. These new members of the network added a new dimension. Now, we have ears and eyes on every layer of the watershed from the sky to the bottom of the river!
Divers enjoy the Ottawa River for its historic aspect as an early highway to the interior. Long before there were roads as we know them the Ottawa River was like a 400 series highway for vessels. It was used for exploration, trade, logging, and played a part in the settlement of much of Ontario and Quebec. The River holds much information and many relics on the bottom that gives a peak into the past. How we treated our River 200 years ago matters as much as how we treat it today.
The River holds many wrecks of significant historical importance as well as remains from Native use of this water trail. The use of the River as a dumping ground for waste is all too clear to those that explore beneath the Rivers surface. If you throw it in, we find it. The garbage is sitting right in the source of our drinking water.
Although the River has a tea like clarity due to many impacts such as run off from towns, remains from the logging days, and other human sources, it is still a very attractive location for diving.
Please stay clear of any vessels or floats displaying the red and white diver down flag. We love to answer questions about what we see and do but the propellers from other vessels are hard on equipment…
The group started when local recreational scuba divers reported sources of pollution recorded during their latest dives in the Ottawa River.
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