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Lake and Watershed Planning in the Cataraqui Region

a typical lake in the Cataraqui Region
An example of a typical lake in the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority watershed.

This report was prepared for the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority by the Queen's School of Urban and Regional Planning. The purpose of the report was to research and evaluate the best land use planning and management practices to ensure the health of the nearly 200 lakes in the Cataraqui Region. The report was completed in 2008.

Some background information from the report is provided below.

Introduction

The Cataraqui Region is one of the most diverse areas in Ontario in terms of its natural landscape and its ecology. Many of our inland lakes are located within or near the Frontenac Arch, a narrow, yet identifiable extension of the Precambrian Shield. Recent acknowledgement of the region’s unique value includes two UNESCO designations for environmental and cultural heritage.

Over time, human use of the land abutting these lakes has evolved from forestry to cottaging and rural waterfront living. This change in land use together with stresses such as climate change, presents new challenges for maintaining a sensitive resource.

Other factors such as agricultural uses and water management of the Rideau Canal, will
continue to affect the inland lakes.

Lakes are unique organisms, and each has its own distinct ecological and landscape characteristics. Managing these precious resources into the future will be a difficult task, requiring the coordination and contributions of many different stakeholders. Integration of planning policies, community vision and involvement, ecological and landscape inventory, monitoring and incentive-based actions are all elements of the approach that will be required for the long-term management of the lakes and watersheds of the Cataraqui Region.

The Report

The objective of the project team was to research and evaluate the best land use planning and management practices to help ensure the future health of inland lakes in the Cataraqui Region. Research by the team included:

  • land use policies and supporting policy tools
  • community approaches
  • additional actions for the preservation of these lake environments.

The research also included consultation with planners, lake users, academics and other experts in the field, lake users and other stakeholders.

The study area consists of the lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. The region includes nearly 200 inland lakes, which play a tremendous role in ensuring the environmental, social, and economic health of the Cataraqui Region.

From among these lakes, Desert Lake was chosen as a case study as it is representative of many lakes in the Cataraqui Region. Situated in the Township of South Frontenac — approximately 50 km north of Kingston — Desert Lake was used to analyze how and to what
extent lake and watershed planning practices can influence the natural and cultural environments of the Cataraqui Region.

To view the report and its findings, please click on the links in the sidebar.

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