Kanata South Link Wetland Restoration

Client

National Capital Commission (NCC)

Location

Ottawa

Completion

2021

After the Kanata South Link road widening project impacted Stony Swamp – protected wetlands within the City of Ottawa’s Greenbelt – the National Capital Commission (NCC) selected two sites to restore existing degraded wetlands nearby. The two sites included in the project were Moodie/West Hunt Club and the Lime Kiln Trail. After evaluating several wetlands within the Stillwater Creek watershed, the design team identified these areas as having the highest potential to provide a positive impact. The design strategy focused on low-impact construction to minimize disturbing the existing wetlands.

On each site, cut and fill had to be balanced. Both sites are within proximity of species at risk – western chorus frog, Blanding’s turtle, snapping turtle, and milksnake – and the proposed improvements benefit these species. The Moodie/West Hunt Club site was primarily invasive cattails, which encroached on the perimeter. A portion of the site was dredged, with the excavated material utilized to bury invasive species including Buckthorn. This opportunity helped to create landforms for additional woodland planting. The site’s design specifically addressed the habitats for the Blanding’s turtle as well as general wetland habitat and open water for birds and other wildlife.

The Lime Kiln Trail site was primarily invasive species such as cattails and canary reed grass. The diverse habitat created includes deep pooling areas, granular shores, seasonally inundated zones, and upland as well as riparian planting. These changes also provided the opportunity to enhance public greenspace and views from the existing trails. Overall, four hectares of wetlands were restored in the NCC Greenbelt.