Meaghan’s Page
Meet Meaghan and learn about the effect of the many dams on the Ottawa River.
The Ottawa River is dammed at hundreds of locations along it’s length, and tributaries, for things like flood control, power generation and improved navigation. Dams tend to be seen as eco-friendly powerhouses, when in reality they are a huge ecological burden. They disrupt fish and mussel migration, limiting their ability to reproduce. Dams also seriously alter the chemistry and flow patterns of their residing freshwater body, destroying indigenous species’ habitat. Dams make our rivers far from the swimmable drinkable and fishable water we need. We can harness energy in much cleaner and cheaper ways. Many countries and states have removed dams and saw major resurgences of species at risk… Now it’s our turn.
Dams in the Ottawa River Watershed
Meaghan Kelly
I’m a recent graduate from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish Nova Scotia. There I studied Earth Sciences and Aquatic Resources and found my passion for water conservation. My grandmother owns a cottage on the Ottawa River in Norway Bay, and my extended family gathers there every summer. Our cottage and that river occupy some of my fondest childhood memories of swimming, waterskiing and stargazing on the dock. I’m honoured to be part of the discussion at the Ottawa River Summit 2015 and I look forward to learning everything I can from the experience.
We all have some special connection to water. These are our watermarks and I’ve archived mine with the Watermark Project. Read my watermark here and take a minute submit your own!
Go back to the Youth Delegation Page
More on Ottawa River Dams…
Nature’s course: The Damming of the Ottawa
The natural flow of water once ruled the landscape, carving a path to the sea and shaping a finely balanced ecosystem. Dams now fracture the Ottawa River, with environmental consequences that reach from the source all the way to the confluence of the St Lawrence River.