Management Plan Implementation Report 2023-2024

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Introduction

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic places in the world. Its mandate is to protect and present these places for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Strategic management focuses on the future of each national park, national marine conservation area, historic canal and national historic site that the Agency administers.

The Parks Canada Agency Act requires Parks Canada to prepare a management plan for each national historic site. The Trent-Severn Waterway and Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Sites of Canada Management Plan, tabled in Parliament in December 2022, ensures that Parks Canada is accountable to Canadians by describing how the management of the sites will lead to measurable results that support the Agency’s mandate.

This Implementation Report serves as a progress update to Canadians, community partners and stakeholders on the actions and accomplishments Parks Canada has taken to support the vision, strategies and objectives of the Management Plan in 2023 and 2024.

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Strategy 1: Establish the Trent-Severn Waterway as a premier Canadian recreational destination

The intent of this strategy is to build upon the century-long recreational boating experience of the Trent–Severn Waterway to provide a greater range of outdoor experiences, through low-impact recreational services and activities, in cooperation and collaboration with municipalities, Indigenous communities, organizations and businesses focused on sustainable tourism. While land-based visitation has steadily increased over the years, more can be done to fully engage these visitors in the history and significance of the Trent–Severn Waterway. Connecting visitors with more opportunities to engage with and experience the Trent–Severn Waterway will enhance its reputation as a valued and sustainable heritage waterway and as a gateway to the entire network of heritage places administered by Parks Canada throughout the country.

Projects

Visitor Services

With the continuation of popular visitor experience opportunities along the Trent-Severn Waterway, such as oTENTik camping at lockstations, and the Lock & Paddle event at Peterborough Lift Lock, work commenced on exploring how to refine and expand visitor services through special event permitting, giveaways, quality visitor experience training, signature events and merchandise. This is supported by opportunities for expanding paddle infrastructure, to facilitate water-based recreational activities.

Fenelon Falls Master Site Plan

The Business Development and Asset Management teams advanced collaboration on a master site plan exercise for Fenelon Falls Lockstation to be undertaken in 2025 to provide strategic long-term direction for the rehabilitation and animation of the site, including rehabilitated locks, new dam and office; interpretation; and visitor services, amenities and facilities.

Working Together

Discussions are ongoing with the City of Peterborough, the Canadian Canoe Museum and Kawartha Tourism to explore opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in engaging and connecting with visitors on the waterway.

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Strategy 2: Conserve, present and interpret the Trent-Severn Waterway’s rich and evolving history, engineering technology and natural environment

This strategy is focused on conserving the waterway’s diverse engineering works, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem, and cooperation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, partners and stakeholders to sustainably present and operate the waterway, within a changing climatic environment.

Projects

Managing Infrastructure

A multi-faceted maintenance plan is under development, which will assist in supporting and prioritizing maintenance activities, identify required trades and needs associated with the tasks, as well as identify funding limitations.

A 20 year capital plan for built assets was developed in 2023, and projects are prioritized by urgency informed by statutory regulations, public safety concerns and operational impacts. Annual capital and operational costs are captured over a 5 year period, and updated on a regular basis. Completed projects include Little Chute Dam G and Red Pine Lake Dam, while White’s Portage Dam and 6 Mile Lake Dam are ongoing.

Academic Research

In 2023 and 2024, Parks Canada contributed to the first two field seasons of the NSERC-funded Freshwater Mission Alliance. This alliance brings together researchers and land managers from Carleton University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Ottawa University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Kawartha Conservation Authority, and Parks Canada. The goal of the partnership is to generate usable knowledge to address and mitigate pandemic-related pressures on freshwater ecosystems which will help ensure they remain healthy and sustainable.

Collaboration and support of other research projects across the Trent-Severn and Rideau include the Queen’s University Biological Station on Opinicon Lake, Trent University including the Trent Aquatic Research Program, Kawartha Conservation, McMaster University, Canadian Museum of Nature and various archaeological investigations.

Greening Strategy

To support energy conservation within field unit operations, electric and hybrid fleet continue to be incorporated into the Ontario Waterways fleet as older vehicles are decommissioned.

In addition, since 2023, construction contracts include requirements for solid waste diversion from landfill and greenhouse gas emissions tracking and reduction, in accordance with Greening Government Strategy guidance.

Climate Change

To support a greater understanding of the impact of climate change on the operation and management of the Trent-Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal, field unit staff are working closely with colleagues in National Office to assess the impact of, and to develop proactive management responses to, increased temperatures, drought conditions, and increased frequency and intensity of storm events through the new Strategic Environmental Assessment process.

Multi-Species Action Plan

Under the Federal Species at Risk Act, Parks Canada is responsible for preparing action plans to implement recovery strategies for Species at Risk Act-listed species. Over the course of 2023-2024, Environmental Services staff advanced the development of a Multi-Species Action Plan, which will provide strategic direction for the protection, monitoring and management of species at risk, species of cultural interest, and their habitat. Informed by Indigenous, public and stakeholder consultation, the plan will be completed in 2025 and reviewed and updated every 10 years.

Invasive Water Soldier Management

Water Soldier Working Group, co-led by Parks Canada, carried out the annual workplan for monitoring and managing the invasive aquatic plant, water soldier, from Lake Seymour in Trent-Severn Waterway to Bay of Quinte. Work in 2023 and 2024 included the use of drone, underwater camera, and eDNA technology to improve efficiency of monitoring and investigations of mechanical and manual removal for integrated management. In 2024, water soldier was detected in Lake Simcoe and the working group expanded to facilitate management in the lake. Renewal of the 5 year Integrated Management Plan is underway to reassess objectives, integrate lessons learned, assess control methods for persistent patches and test new technologies.

Indigenous Relations

The Parks Canada/Williams Treaties First Nations Steering Committee, comprising representatives from each of the seven Williams Treaties First Nations, and invited Parks Canada staff, meet monthly to discuss topics of mutual interest related to the management of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Examples include the Multi-Species Action Plan, interpretive signage, and in-water construction work around locks and dams.

Through the inclusion of Indigenous Participation Plans within Parks Canada’s procurement process, opportunities relating to Federal Infrastructure Improvement for Indigenous businesses and communities are identified. These opportunities include contracting for Indigenous-owned construction companies and suppliers, as well as opportunities for training and Indigenous community-led initiatives to support infrastructure renewal projects.

Manoomin, northern wild rice, is a species of conservation concern that grows in several lakes along the Trent-Severn Waterway. Protection of manoomin stands is a priority for First Nations in this region and is included in the Multi-Species Action Plan. Parks Canada provides law enforcement protection and monitoring of the stands to ensure that they are not fragmented or damaged by navigation use of the waterway.

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Strategy 3: Effectively administer an evolving waterway in the 21st century

This strategy recognizes the importance of robust management tools and processes to effectively respond to the diverse and evolving pressures affecting the Trent–Severn Waterway in the 21st century. This includes developing modern, comprehensive and supportive regulations and policy tools to support the effective management, maintenance, proper use and protection of the waterway, developing and enhancing sustainable sources of revenue, and supporting an integrated water management system across the watersheds.

Projects

Water Management - Monitoring

Over the course of 2022-2024, the Ontario Waterways gauge network was upgraded with the new telemetry consisting of cellular and satellite modems to improve the real-time data access and retrieval for daily operational cycle activities. This project was supported by Site Services Department (OCIO) within Parks Canada.

The upgrading process with new telemetry is currently extended due to lower than expected cellular coverage across both canals and scheduled to be completed 2025-2027.

Water Management – Communications

Parks Canada continues to collect and communicate vital public safety information about water and weather trends with First Nation partners, other federal departments, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries, conservation authorities and municipalities along the Trent-Severn Waterway to inform their respective public communications.

In addition to responding directly to stakeholder and public enquiries by phone, email and social media, Parks Canada and the Ontario Waterways Field Unit maintains the Water Management InfoNet website with important water management information. During peak activity periods, Parks Canada holds frequent information meetings with partners to provide updates and answer questions, and shares conservation authority advisories through our social media channels.

Work advances on a formalized Water Management communications protocol as we gather information and engage with partners.

Peterborough Lift Lock

A management area approach provides specific direction for the management of the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site, building on the above key strategies to advance the conservation and interpretation of the historic site in collaboration with others to ensure it remains a must-see destination for visitors to the Trent–Severn Waterway and serves as a focal point for understanding and experiencing the history, significance and diverse experiences of the waterway and its region.

Over the course of 2023 and 2024, several conservation initiatives were advanced or completed to ensure the integrity of the Peterborough Lift Lock, including sealing the upper reach, roof replacement of the Upper Gate Room and Tower, and Lower Boat Marshall’s Cabin. This work was supported by operational upgrades to the battery back-up system and the press well pump system. This work will support future capital investment into this important engineering structure.