In 2015, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority had an opportunity to open up Brewer Pond and reconnect it with the Rideau River. Once a series of islands, the pond was created artificially to serve as a swimming beach in the early 1960s. Only a few years later, it was closed permanently to swimming because of water pollution. Almost 30 years later, the local community entered into an agreement with the city to naturalize the area.
The move to reconnect the pond with the river allowed fish, beavers, and turtles to move freely between them. At the same time, extensive planting of native species – wildflowers, shrubs, and trees – occurred all around the pond.
The photo at the right shows the pond in August – filled with white water lilies (a favourite of resident beavers) and blue Pickerel Weed in the foreground. The pond is surrounded by Swamp Milkweed, Monkeyflower, Blue Flag, Jerusalem Artichoke, Meadowsweet, Joe-Pye Weed, and other native wildflowers, Big Bluestem and Indian Grass, as well as sedges, rushes, and numerous non-native species, such as Stinging Nettle. Shrubs include Red Osier Dogwood, Buttonbush, and Highbush Cranberry. Silver Maples, and several species of willows were also planted in 2015.
No planting is required here, but the Enviro Crew of Old Ottawa South attempts to control invasive species, such as Wild Parsnip, Common Burdock, Dog-strangling Vine, Garlic Mustard, Phragmites, and European Buckthorn, and protect the area from too much “traffic.” The area is approximately 60,000 square metres.
Contact: envirocrewoos@gmail.com