Image: One person in boat and one person on shore looking at fish in the Kicking Horse River.
Photo Credit: Parks Canada
Canadian Heritage Rivers are teeming with life. From the vibrant schools of brook trout in the Missinaibi River to the Atlantic salmon navigating the Restigouche, these ecosystems are vital for many species. Despite their crucial role, these rivers are increasingly threatened by various environmental challenges and human activities. Among these issues, protecting species at risk stands out as a priority.
Species at Risk
A species at risk is a plant, animal, or other organism that is in danger of extinction, or of disappearing from a province or from Canada. Many species at risk inhabit Canadian Heritage Rivers throughout Canada. For example, the Grand River in Ontario is home to approximately 80 species at risk, including the eastern sand darter, a small fish that relies on clean, sandy riverbeds for spawning. The river also supports other vulnerable species such as the black redhorse, a fish that requires clear, fast-flowing waters. The Ottawa River is home to the loggerhead shrike and American ginseng, both of which are facing significant threats to their survival. The Athabasca River in Alberta is home to the bull trout, a fish that requires cold, clean waters.
Image: Close up image of a bull trout at the bottom of the Athabasca River.
Photo Credit: Parks Canada
Threats
Development projects, such as dam construction, urban expansion, and agricultural activities can alter or destroy critical habitats. Another major threat is pollution, which can impact water quality and aquatic life. Contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and nutrients from agricultural runoff can cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in the water. Pollutants can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, leading to health and reproductive issues.
Image: Algal bloom along a river shoreline
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Climate change can also negatively affect aquatic species. For example, warmer water temperatures can reduce the availability of cold-water habitats for species like the westslope cutthroat trout. Changes in precipitation patterns can also change river flows, impacting spawning and feeding grounds. Recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and tourism can disturb aquatic habitats and wildlife. Aquatic species are also threatened by diseases and aquatic invasive species, like whirling disease in the Kicking Horse River.
River Stewardship
River stewards and stewardship groups can play a vital role in protecting species at risk within Canadian Heritage Rivers. These dedicated individuals and groups act as guardians for waterways, engaging in activities to ensure the health and sustainability of river ecosystems. One of the responsibilities of these stewards is to monitor river conditions. By collecting data on water quality and habitat conditions, they can identify threats and take action to address them. Stewards also contribute to habitat restoration efforts such as planting native vegetation along riverbanks to prevent erosion, creating fish passages to facilitate migration, and removing barriers that obstruct the natural flow of rivers.
Image: The edge of a riverbank, reinforced with large stones against erosion.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Education and outreach are other important aspects of stewards' work. By organizing community events, workshops, and educational programs, they raise awareness about the importance of rivers and the challenges faced by species at risk. River stewards and stewardship groups often collaborate with local governments, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations to develop and implement conservation strategies. Such collaborative efforts leverage the expertise and resources of many stakeholders.
Navigating Ahead
As the saying goes, “we cannot love what we do not know”. To protect species at risk, it is important to learn about rivers and the living beings thriving or surviving within them. Find out more about these critters by doing some research: Who lives in the rivers closest to you? Are their needs being met? If not, what can you do to help?
Make sure to also check out our Instagram and Facebook pages for regular #SpotlightOn #SpeciesAtRisk posts in which we highlight some neat and often overlooked species that call Canadian Heritage Rivers home!