ABSTRACT: A comparison of deep and shallow lake responses to anthropogenic disturbances in the Rideau Canal System, Ontario

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Abstract

The Rideau Canal is one of North America's oldest continuously operating canals (1832 - present). It stretches approximately 200 km, linking a series of lakes, rivers and canal cuts between Kingston and Ottawa, Canada. It has primarily served military, commercial, and currently recreational purposes. Recent concern about water quality in several lakes within the canal system has prompted several mitigation initiatives (e.g. River Care 2000); however, long-term water chemistry data are limited. To address the need for historical data, we have used diatom-based paleolimnological techniques to reconstruct water-quality changes in response to natural and anthropogenic influences for several lakes over the last two centuries. Impacts of canal construction on lake trophic state is being investigated, as widespread flooding during construction altered the natural surrounding environment and possibly affected water quality. Previous paleolimnological studies within the Rideau System have demonstrated varying degrees of response to flooding during canal construction, and it is hypothesized that such differences are associated with a variety of factors, but lake depth and extent of macrophyte growth may be especially critical. In this study, the trophic state responses of five lakes within the canal system will be discussed with respect to: flooding and lake depth using diatom inference paleo-techniques. Results from this study should provide lake managers with important information regarding water quality within the Rideau System and trophic state responses of lakes with varying depths following water-level changes and nutrient inputs.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology