Biodiversity

On August 31st, 2023, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council sent a letter to the CEO of Hydro-Québec to request an eel ladder be installed at the Carillon Dam. The letter echoes and supports Ottawa Riverkeeper’s own open letter, but also acts as a call for reparations to the damage done to Anishinabe Algonquin culture through the loss of this iconic species.

This summer, Ottawa Riverkeeper partnered with Petrie Island Turtle Project to incubate over 400 turtle eggs at our science lab in River House. We’re sharing the full story of these eggs, from collection to release!

The Carillon Dam presents the first and largest obstacle to the migration of the American eel into the Ottawa River watershed. Other dams have created eel ladders to enable this vulnerable fish species to migrate upstream, and it is time for Carillon to do the same.

Youth Water Leaders Claudia and Erika Avellaneda have co-created a sculpture to showcase one of the Ottawa River’s endangered species.

Back in August, the Youth Water Leaders spent a week focussing on conservation within the watershed and joined a panel discussion on environmental advocacy.