New Mad River channel complete

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) has wrapped up its latest project at Carruthers Memorial Park in Avening.

A 125-metre side channel has been constructed in the area to restore natural flow patterns to the river.

Laura Wensink of the NVCA says the Mad River often splits into two or three channels as is typical for a shallow river. At some point, prior to the 1980s, portions of the river were excavated to straighten its path, resulting in a loss of fish habitat and an increasein erosion.

“They altered naturally occurring river patterns with islands and large mid-stream boulders,” said Wensink. “When we studied the river further upstream from where this straightening occurred, we found more fish species and a healthier rainbow trout population.”

The conservation authority has undertaken several projects in Carruthers Park since 2023 including a major bank stabilization and tree planting to diversify the plant stock. The most recent work involved creation of a side channel roughly two metres wide which will divert up to one-fifth of the river’s flow. Wensink says the overarching goal is to diversify habitat and encourage biodiversity, keeping the river healthy for all users.

The value of this year’s work at Carruthers Park is roughly $25,000 which Wensink says was supported by donors including Bass Pro and Cabella’s, the Township of Clearview, TD Bank and the Friends of the Mad River.

Volunteers are invited to join in a day of tree planting at the park on Saturday, Oct. 18 as part of TD Tree Days. For sign up information, visit events@ nvca.on.ca.