Dog River Conservation Reserve Management Statement

1.0 Introduction

This report constitutes a summary of background information and fieldwork pertaining to the recreational resource inventory conducted for the proposed Dog River Conservation Reserve. This report is intended for internal use as background information for future planning and management decisions regarding Dog River Conservation Reserve.

A recreational resource assessment was conducted for the proposed conservation reserve in order to identify all existing, or possible future, recreational activities as well as any landforms or features, which may lend themselves to recreational use. The most prevalent features and recreational opportunities are described in this report, more explanation can be found in the background recreational inventory completed prior to this exercise. The activities and features listed here are not exhaustive.

2.0 Site description

The Dog River Conservation Reserve is located approximately 55 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay. The conservation reserve can be accessed by boat from the North Bay of Dog Lake. Numerous forest roads running from highways 17 and 527 provide access to the adjacent upland areas. The conservation reserve is approximately 2,658 hectares in size.

The Dog River Conservation Reserve is comprised of the Dog River and associated fluvial features and adjacent uplands from its outlet into Dog Lake upstream for approximately 10 kilometers to the vicinity of Block Creek.

The low gradient of the river and the underlying sandy material have resulted in a strongly meandering channel pattern with numerous serpentine meander loops, point bars, oxbow lakes, meander scars, and abandoned channel segments. In filling of these features has led to the development of wetland communities in and around the Dog River.

For more information on the earth and life science features of Dog River Conservation Reserve the reports prepared by Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd. should be consulted.

3.0 Map overview

Enlarge Overview map

4.0 Methodology

Two methods of research were conducted to complete this recreation inventory. Primary research consisted of a field visit and discussion with district staff including, Area Technicians, Biologists, and Conservation Officers responsible for the management of this area. Due to the lack of road access to the Dog River Conservation Reserve, the site was visited twice by boat and once by a helicopter. The consultation of internal records and documents was considered secondary research. This secondary research was conducted prior to any site visits and guided the exploration of the site. The subsequent exploration of the site in turn initiated further questions that were answered back at the district office.

Table 1: Summary of Information Sources

Primary Research:

• Discussions with Conservation Officers, Area Technicians, Biologists
• Field Visit (September 4^th, 2000, October 3^rd, 2000, October 4^th, 2000)

Secondary Research:

• NRVIS Values
• Baitfish Records Bear Management Area Records Trapper Records (FRMIS)
• Land Use Permit Records
• OMB, FRI, OLL Maps
• 1996 Aerial Photography
• Canadian Land Inventory Data

Three separate site visits were conducted. The first was a day visit to the site by boat. The bottom third of the reserve was inventoried at that time. Land Use permit locations were recorded with GPS units and photographed to update NRVIS information and other structures were noted (nesting boxes, a hunters’ blind, boat caches, etc.). The consultants completing earth and life science inventories performed the second visit accompanied by district staff. This was the second visit to the site by boat. The majority of the site was covered during that visit and features were recorded with GPS units and noted on maps to add to earlier information. The final visit was by helicopter during which photos were taken of the landscapes found in the Dog River Conservation Reserve. During this process, features that were documented by Ministry of Natural Resources’ staff were distinguished from those that remain unconfirmed and this differentiation was included in that map’s legend

5.0 Recreation features

5.1 Fluvial, meandering channel (L11)

The Dog River is an extraordinary example of a meandering stream channel found in North Western Ontario. The low gradient of the river and nature of the sandy deltaic material has resulted in a strongly meandering channel pattern with numerous serpentine meander loops, point bars, oxbow lakes, meander scars, and abandoned channel segments (Geowest, 2000). A Dam exists at the southern end of Dog Lake, moderating the flow of water into Kaministiquia River. It would appear from the 1996 and 1997 air photos and from the field survey (Geowest, 2000), the system appears to be very stable (today). The pattern to the meanders does not appear to have changed within the last five years.

5.2 Cultural trail or route (c04)

The Dog River has been recorded in a sensitive area report. The Savane River, Dog River, West side of Dog Lake and the Kaministiquia River were linked once as a major voyageur Route to the west. The area is considered a sensitive area because the route is full of evidence of its historical significance for wildlife and waterfowl, archaeological and scenic value. It remains a navigable waterway and a used canoe route.

Enlarge sensitive site map

5.3 Wetland vegetation (E08)

Gradual in-filling of old channel segments and oxbow lakes have led to the development of a highly diverse mosaic of wetland communities including various marsh complexes as well as black spruce, larch and cedar coniferous swamps and thicket swamps.

A highly diverse assemblage of wetland communities has developed in the complex fluvial environment of the Dog River floodplain. These vary from open-water marsh communities to conifer and thicket swamps. Various open-water vegetation communities occur in association with the river channel and the adjacent floodplain, including oxbow lakes and abandoned channel segments. Plant species composition is highly variable, depending on the water flow regime, water depth and substrate type. Field sampling was not conducted in these wetland sites, therefore only a general description of community types can be provided based on casual observations and a review of the aerial photos.

Open-water marsh communities occur in the shallow oxbow lakes and stagnant water environments that have been permanently cut off from the main river channel. Species composition varies with water depth and flooding regime, but frequently includes various submergents and floating-leaved plants such as pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), milfoils (Myriophyllum spp.) and pond lily (Nuphar variegatum).

Marsh communities are also common and are often dominated by a single species. Cattails (Typha spp.) or sedges (Carex spp.) often dominate fringes of oxbow lakes, stagnant pools, and backwater channel areas. Bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) are more common along channel margins and also form extensive beds at the mouth of the river as it flows into Dog Lake. (Geowest, 2000)

6.0 Recreational activities

6.1 Nature activities – general (n00) / hunting/trapping general (h00)

The Dog River is a good area for the observation of bald eagles. Nests have been documented and sightings were made during the first field excursion to the river. Additionally, sightings of Kingfishers, waterfowl, herons, osprey, and numerous other smaller birds are not uncommon. The area is ideal for migratory bird hunting due to its associated wetlands. Nesting boxes have been placed extensively throughout the reserve.

The area is also well known for its moose habitat and is subsequently ideal for moose hunting. There is a long history of moose hunting on the Dog River by traditional groups of hunters.

6.2 Fishing – General (f00)

Dog Lake and Dog River have documented populations of Walleye and Northern Pike. The fishing season on Dog Lake is May 4^th to September 30^th and February 15^th to March 15^th. There is some excellent Walleye fishing on the Dog River, with average size fish being 2 lbs, with larger fish up to 8-10 lbs.

Dog Lake has been researched for the reason of stocking this lake with Lake Trout and Splake in order to increase the recreational opportunities of a notably, underused lake for its size. An Environmental Assessment with public consultation, determined that the lake could sustain the increase activities associated with stocking this lake. The project was to go ahead in May 1999. The lake was stocked in 1999 and 2000. The lake is stocked on a put-grow-take basis; and no known natural reproduction is believed to occur.

6.3 Canoeing (B02)

The Dog River remains a navigable waterway and canoe route. The Savane River, Dog River, the West Side of Dog Lake, and the Kaministiquia River at one time was a major voyageur route to the west. Also associated with this activity is back country camping defined as canoe tripping, and backpacking in remote areas, accessible only on foot or by manually powered craft (Thunder Bay District Land Use Guidelines, 1983). While no campsites were visible from the water or documented for the site there is potential for this, as has been suggested by the Ontario Land Inventory mapping project (1963).

7.0 Analysis

7.1 Feature significance – high

It is important to note that the new conservation reserves and parks identified through Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy (1999) were chosen based on their representation of landforms and vegetation types found in Ontario. Inherently, the site has some feature significance. Geowest, 2000, suggests that the Dog River is one of the best, most complex examples of a meandering stream in Ontario. Geowest has designated the site as provincially significant as it provides representative examples of post-glacial Lake Keweenaw and recent fluvial processes within the Quetico Subprovince.

7.2 Feature sensitivity to recreation use

Despite the dam at the head of the Kaministiquia River and Dog Lake, the river channel appears to be unchanged in at least the last five years (Aerial Photography, 1997). Changes to the amount of water flowing out of the Dog Lake System for an extended period of time may alter the present meandering pattern of the Dog River. The wetland vegetation and its associated species are at the highest risk to recreational use through either over fishing and hunting or shoreline damage.

7.3 Feature sensitivity to resource development

The Archeological Features found in the Dog River Conservation Reserve boundaries have already been disturbed by man-made changes to the water levels in the Dog River system, namely by the dam at the head of the Kaministiquia River. Tourism development on the shores of the Dog River Conservation Reserve would certainly increase the number of visitors to the area and the probability of further damage to these cultural heritage sites found on shoreline locations.

Wetland vegetation and species would be most impacted by Tourism Development on the shores of the Dog River conservation Reserve. Dog River and its associated provincially significant wetland is the habitat for migratory birds and both small and large land animals such as beavers and moose. At least one Bald Eagle nest has been located in the conservation reserve. A bald eagles nest is regarded as a sensitive site, which should be protected from future development or timber operations. While recreational camps do exist in the area, increased activity in this area may force the migration of these animals.

4.4 Cultural/historic and archeological features

The Dog River is a known heritage canoe route and contains numerous archeological sites associated with the voyageurs. Cultural remains and artifacts have been collected from these sites and should be protected from human interference.

8.0 Future considerations

8.1 Recommendations and future research

Present levels of usage should be allowed to continue. Increased usage should be monitored for effects.

An attempt to obtain more information about the fish populations and their spawning behaviors in the Dog River should be made in order to ensure sound resource management decisions.

A partnership with the hydro company should be established in an effort to maintain ideal water levels and habitat components during critical fish spawning times.

8.2 Future management

Management direction for the Dog River Conservation Reserve will be provided by a statement of conservation interest which will be prepared by the Thunder Bay District Office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in 2001.

9.0 References

Canadian Land Inventory Recreational Assessment 1968.

Mulrooney, Dan (2000) Ontario’s Living Legacy Guidelines for Recreational Resource Assessment Version 1 – September, 2000. Ontario Parks, Planning and Research Section.

O’Leary, Dennis et al. (2000) Earth Science Inventory Checklist – Dog River Conservation Reserve.

O’Leary, Dennis et al. (2000) Life Science Inventory Checklist – Dog River Conservation Reserve

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1999) Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. Ross, Bill (2000) Regional Archeologist – Ministry of Citizenship and Recreation.

Whyte, Pamela (2000) Whyte, Pamela (2000) Dog River Conservation Reserve Recreational Inventory. Ministry of Natural Resources, Thunder Bay District.

Appendix I: Recreation inventory checksheet

[link no longer active]

Appendix III: Dog River Conservation reserve recreation inventory C2264

September 2000

W. Pamela Whyte
Resource Manager – Thunder Bay district

Dog River Conservation Reserve Recreational Inventory

Employee Name: Pamela Whyte Date: September 26, 2000

Dog River Conservation Reserve C2264
Thunder Bay District – Shebandowan/ Spruce River Areas
Township : Part of Parry Township

Description of the site:

The Dog River Conservation Reserve (DRCR) is located approximately 60 km north-west of Thunder Bay beginning at the Northwest Bay of Dog Lake. The reserve is approximately 2,658 h².

The land base of the Dog River Conservation Reserve is composed, superficially, of mostly lacustrine deposits. The vegetative cover is a mixture of open wetland, deciduous, coniferous, and mixed coniferous-deciduous forests. The area is documented as a provincially significant wetland, fisheries, and wildlife (moose) habitat.

Methodology:

This inventory was completed by a site visit by boat, Shebandowan and Spruce River forest value information maps, archaeological consultation, air photo’s, and district trapper and fishery information and input from District staff (Dennis Bonner, Peter Wiltsey, Tracy Moore and Rick Gollat).

Field notes:

The entire DRCR was not covered during the site visit. The southern shore of the site was traced by boat - human built structures and artificial changes to the natural landscape were noted, photographed and located using a GPS unit. The actual Dog River portion of the reserve was also inventoried for structures and changes noting the same information.

Summary of Area Description and Land Use Intent:

Summary of Area Description and Land Use Intent provided in Appendix A of the Land Use Strategy, July 1999, with specific reference to recreation uses and features states that no Land Use intent is recorded for this site.

Part 1 – Basic recreation opportunities

Backcountry camping. Yes

Backcountry camping is defined as including canoe tripping, and backpacking in remote areas, accessible only on foot, or by manually powered water craft (Thunder Bay District Land Use Guidelines, 1983).

Canoeing. Yes

The Savane River, Dog River, west side of Dog Lake and the Kaministikwa Rivers are linked in an established canoe route.

Hiking. Yes

Excellent hiking opportunities exist along old road networks located on the West Side of Dog Lake adjacent to the mouth of the Dog River. The Creighton Bay Closure offers access at a number of locations and is particularly attractive as there is no vehicle traffic on this road system a major culvert watercrossing has been removed to eliminate vehicle traffic .

Hunting. Yes

# of Hunters Seen: 2.

The area is ideal for migratory bird hunting due to the associated wetland. Nesting boxes have been placed extensively within the reserve (possibly by Ducks Unlimited). The area is also well known for its concentration of moose habitat and therefore ideal for moose hunting as well. There is a long history of moose hunting on the Dog River by traditional groups of hunters.

Fishing – recreational. Yes

Dog Lake and Dog River have documented populations of Walleye and Northern Pike. The fishing season on Dog Lake is May 4^th to September 30^th and February 15^th to March 15^th. There is some excellent walleye fishing on the Dog River, with average size fish being 2#+, with larger fish up to 8-10 lbs. reasonably common in the past.

Dog Lake has been researched for the reason of stocking this lake with Lake Trout and Splake in order to increase the recreational opportunities of a notably, underused lake. An Environmental Assessment with public consultation determined that the lake could sustain the increase activities associated with stocking this lake. The project was to go ahead in May 1999. The lake was stocked in 1999 and 2000. The lake is stocked on a put-grow-take basis; no known natural reproduction is believed to occur.

Concerns were raised about competition and habitat due to the Hydro dam that controls the level of the Lake. The annual water fluctuation of this lake 4 m with the annual high and low typically occurring in the late spring and late winter.

Lakes: Yes

The conservation is partially on Dog Lake (Northern Bay).

The lake has been classified as cool water, which is considered a suitable habitat for trout introduction

Swimming opportunities: Yes

The Reserve is made up mostly of wetlands along the water’s edge. Swimming may be an option in areas where beaches or bedrock outcrops exist (few beaches exist through the site – noted on values map). Other opportunities may exist where outposts and hunters have built cabins and docks. The Dog River itself would not be considered suitable for swimming.

Beaches: Yes

Small beaches do exist along some shorelines at the mouth of the Dog River and Dog Lake.

Rapids/waterfalls No Rapid exist much higher in the Dog River system, outside the bounds of the CR.

Bird Watching: Yes

The Dog River is a good area for sightings of bald eagles. Nests have been documented and sightings were made during the field excursion to the river. Additionally, a sighting of Kingfisher, waterfowl, herons, osprey, and numerous other smaller birds is not uncommon.

Part 2 – Human influences

Established campsites No Campsites were not visible from the water or documented throughout the site. There is potential for this and is outlined on the OLI map included (subclass n - lodging or k – camping).

Established canoe routes Yes The Dog River area is recorded in a sensitive area report. The Savane River, Dog River, west side of Dog Lake and the Kaminisikwia River were linked once as a major voyageur route to the west. The area is considered a sensitive area because the route is full of evidence of its historical significance. There are sites along it that are of considerable significance for their wildlife and waterfowl, archeologic and scenic value. It remains a navigable waterway and a used canoe route. (see values map)

Portages: No

There are no portages within the CR.

Snowmobile trails: Yes

Snowmobiles are used extensively on the Dog River in the winter months.

ATV trails: Yes

Former timber roads are being used for access to the Rec camp on the oxbow lake – The bridge has been removed and access is by ATV only.

Existing informal: Yes

Access points

Access can be made by any point along the shoreline of the reserve. Informal access points may also be found at the outside edge of the site by old forest operation roads (These roads have not been driven for this report and their condition is not known).

Existing formal access: No

Point (road & parking)

There are no formal access points to this site.

Existing boat caches: Yes

# of boat caches: 1

A limited number of shoreline locations are suitable for boat caches. (see values map) i.e. has to be a location accessible by road, which is the limiting factor.

Hunt camp/private: Yes

# of Camps 3.

Recreation camps

The area is a wetland and creates habitats for moose and waterfowl. Three cabins encountered each of which have Land use permits and leases held by private individuals.

Trapping: Yes

# trappers: 2

# trap lines: 2

The two traplines are active traplines. Beavers, Otters, Martens, fishers, and muskrats have been taken within the area.

Trapper cabins: Yes

# Cabins: 2

The trap cabins were not located on the field excursion however, are believed to exist by information kept by the ministry. (See values map)

Resort/lodge in park: No

Access to this reserve land is limited – no resorts have been established in the area.

Resort/lodge adjacent to park: Yes

Dog Lake Resort is located on a bay off at the south shore of East Bay on Dog Lake.

Outpost camp in park: No

Outpost camps are not found in this area.

Outpost camps adjacent to park : No

There are no outpost camps adjacent to this conservation reserve.

Historic sites/structures:Yes

As part of a major voyageur and native canoe route, the site has numerous archaeological sites. (see values map). Most of the sites have been damaged by artificially high water levels and are not easy to find.

Mining: No

There are no active claims in this area.

Mining adjacent to park: No

There are no active claims adjacent to the park. Current mining No exploration Current mining exploration is not evident or documented.

Evidence of past exploration: No

There is no evidence of past mining exploration.

Inholdings: No

There are no private lands within the boundaries of the conservation reserve.

Transmission lines: Yes

A hydro wire crosses the DRCR half way up the dog river system – crossing the river.

Rights-of-way. Yes

The hydro line will have an associated right-of-way (passage cleared) through the site.

Towers: No

There are no towers in the DRCR.

Wild rice harvesting: No

There is no wild-rice harvesting or areas known to exist in this area.

Roads: Yes

A number of old logging roads do cross into the boundary of the reserve. Roads are for the most part not driveable. They have fallen trees and vegetation is growing in. The roads indicated on the map (of any classification are most likely ATV trails at this time.

Additional comments:

The Dog River portion of the reserve lies on glaciolacustrine deposits and has construction challenges (poorly drained areas make it susceptible to flooding and compaction). The Southern shore of the Dog River meeting Dog Lake is bedrock, which has its own problems, related to construction (cost of bedrock excavation).

The Canadian Land Inventory Recreation Map has classified the shoreline of Dog River and Dog Lake to be of moderate to moderately low capability for recreational activity meaning it could sustain moderate to low dispersed land usage throughout the year. Recreational opportunities include: upland and waterfowl viewing, historic and prehistoric sites, affords the opportunity for angling and boating activities as well as camping and beach activities.

Recommendations:

The site would be sensitive to human development and abuse after evaluation of its surficial geology and results from the recreation index mapping. In addition, cultural heritage sites along the route should be protected from incompatible development and activity.

The activities will most likely be of an aquatic and shoreline nature (i.e. Canoeing, camping, fishing, duck hunting) in this reserve as opposed to a terrestrial based usage.

Present levels of use should be allowed to continue. Increased use should be monitored for effects.

A partnership with the hydro company should be established in an effort to maintain ideal water levels and habitat components during critical fish spawning times.

Sources:

Field Visit (September 2000)
MNR’s NRVIS values information
CLI Recreation Map Mollard and Mollard (1980) Ontario Geologic Survey – Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 40 – Kaministikwia Base Map.
Archeological Survey of Canada – Bill Ross (Archaeologist – Northwest Region)

Appendix IV: Natural heritage area – Life science checksheet

Natural heritage area - Life science checksheet

• Name	Dog River Conservation Reserve (C2264)
  Map Name	Raith
  Map Number	52A13
  UTM Ref.	5417000N 307000E
  County	District of Thunder Bay
  Lat.	48° 55’
  Long.	89° 37’
  NAD	27
  Min. Alt.	450 m
  Max. Alt.	460 m
  Locality	Dog Lake
  Township	N/A
  Area	2,658 ha
  Ownership	Crown
  MNR Region	Northwest
  Ecoregion and Ecodistrict	3W – 2
  Landform Unit (s)	Weakly to moderately broken ground moraine; fluvial lacustrine deposits; weakly broken beach and ice-contact deposits
  MNR District	Thunder Bay
  Aerial Photographs	Year - Roll – Flight Line – Numbers 97 4828 61 - 101 & 102 96 4829B 15 - 68, 69, 70 & 71 97 4829 61 – 55, 56, 57 & 58 97 4830 62 – 46 & 47 00 1 – 217 & 218 00 1 – 242, 243, 244 & 245

  Location map

  

  Physical and biological features

  Representation

  The Dog Lake Conservation Reserve (C2264) is comprised of the Dog River and associated fluvial features and adjacent uplands from its outlet into Dog Lake upstream for approximately 10 kms to the vicinity of Block Creek. The valley bottom is comprised of deltaic, sandy fluvial-lacustrine deposits flanked by weakly to moderately broken ground moraine. The low gradient of the river and nature of the sandy deltaic material have resulted in a strongly meandering channel pattern with numerous serpentine meander loops, point bars, oxbow lakes, meander scrolls, and abandoned channel segments. Gradual in-filling of old channel segments and oxbow lakes has led to the development of a highly diverse mosaic of wetland communities including various marsh complexes as well as black spruce, larch and cedar coniferous swamps and thicket swamps. Adjacent valley- bottom forest communities are also highly diverse including dense jack pine stands, mixedwood stands with various components of pine, spruce, aspen and birch, and deciduous-dominated stands of aspen and birch.

  Dense coniferous stands dominated by jack pine with occasional occurrences of white and black spruce, aspen and birch occur on deep, well-drained fluvial lacustrine deposits bordering the river channel (Vegetation Type V17 – Jack Pine Mixedwood / Shrub Rich, and Vegetation Type V29 – Jack Pine / Ericaceous Shrub / Feathermoss; see Sims et al. 1997). The understory is generally diverse, dominated by shrub species such as Alnus crispa, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Ledum groenlandicum and Corylus cornuta, and herbaceous and low woody species such as Cornus canadensis, Linnaea borealis and Lycopodium spp. Feathermosses such as Pleurozium schreberi and Ptilium crista-castrensis are commonly significant components of the forest floor.

  Mixedwood and deciduous-dominated forest stands are also common in the valley bottom and adjacent gently sloping morainal uplands (Vegetation Type V4 – White Birch Hardwood and Mixedwood, and Vegetation Type V9 – Trembling Aspen Mixedwood). Deciduous-dominated mixedwood stands tend to be quite variable in overstorey composition, with either trembling aspen or white birch being the dominant deciduous component, with lesser incidence of various coniferous species such as jack pine, white spruce and balsam fir. The understories are generally diverse, including species such as Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Alnus crispa, Rubus idaeus, Prunus pensylvanica Cornus stolinifera, Cornus canadensis, Aster macrophyllus, Rubus pubescens, Pyrola spp. and Calamagrostis canadensis. Moss cover is generally low with patches of feathermoss such as Pleurozium schreberi and Ptilium crista-castrensis.

  Depressional or lowland sites with thin to moderately thick organic veneers overlying morainal or lacustrine deposits are generally dominated by black spruce with occasional occurrences of jack pine, balsam fir, tamarack and white birch (Vegetation Type V33 – Black Spruce / Feathermoss, and Vegetation Type V34 – Black Spruce / Labrador Tea / Feathermoss (Sphagnum). Ericaceous species typically dominate the understory with a prevalence of Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Gaultheria hispidula. Common herbaceous species, with generally lower cover, include Cornus canadensis, Lycopodium spp., Linnaea borealis and Carex spp. The forest floor is primarily covered by a continuous mat of feathermoss with patches, often extensive, of Sphagnum spp.

  A highly diverse assemblage of wetland communities has developed in the complex fluvial environment of the Dog River floodplain. These vary from open-water marsh communities to conifer and thicket swamps. Various open-water vegetation communities occur in association with the river channel and the adjacent floodplain, including oxbow lakes and abandoned channel segments. Plant species composition is highly variable, depending on the water flow regime, water depth and substrate type. Field sampling was not conducted in these wetland sites, therefore only a general description of community types can be provided based on casual observations and a review of the aerial photos.

  Open-water marsh communities occur in the shallow oxbow lakes and stagnant water environments that have been permanently cut off from the main river channel. Species composition varies with water depth and flooding regime, but frequently includes various submergents and floating-leaved plants such as pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), milfoils (Myriophyllum spp.) and pond lily (Nuphar variegatum).

  Marsh communities are also common and are often dominated by a single species. Cattails (Typha spp.) or sedges (Carex spp.) often dominate fringes of oxbow lakes, stagnant pools, and backwater channel areas. Bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) are more common along channel margins and also form extensive beds at the mouth of the river as it flows into Dog Lake.

  Transitional areas between drier upland forest and wetter marsh habitats are often comprised of a narrow band of thicket swamps. Tall shrubs such as speckled alder (Alnus rugosa) or willow (Salix spp.) generally dominates these communities, as well as a variety of other shrubs such as Cornus stolonifera and Rubus idaeus. Graminoids such as bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) and sedges (Carex spp.) generally dominate the herb layer, especially on more open sites.

  Condition

  The Dog River site is located approximately 55 km northwest of the City of Thunder Bay. The Conservation Reserve can be accessed by boat from the North Bay of Dog Lake. Numerous private forestry roads running from highways 17 and 527 provide access to the adjacent upland areas.

  The Dog River floodplain and valley floor is generally undisturbed except for a transmission line right-of-way that traverses the valley to the south of the Block Creek confluence. The uplands to the east and west of the river have been extensively logged, and some of the cutblocks to the east occur within the Conservation Reserve boundary.

  An Ontario Power Generation water control structure located at the outlet of Dog Lake on the Kaministiquia River maintains the stability of lake water levels, as well as those in the lower portions of the Dog River. Higher year-round water levels in the lower river reaches may have altered the vegetation succession dynamics in the floodplain to some extent.

  Diversity

  Table 1 provides a comparison of landform vegetation types identified in the gap analysis versus what was found during the reconnaissance field inventory program and through reviewing the forest cover maps and air photographs.

  A variety of landform/vegetation complexes occur within the Dog River Conservation Reserve. Also present are numerous small water bodies and associated wetlands as well as extensive shoreline habitat within the floodplain of the Dog River. Upland forests are comprised of a variety of deciduous, deciduous mixed, conifer and conifer mixed stands. Landform types represented include weakly to moderately broken ground moraine, fluvial lacustrine deposits and sandy outwash deposits. Various wetland communities are also represented; varying from treed and semi-treed fens and thicket swamps to marsh and open water marsh communities. Numerous fluvial landform features are also present, as well as a number of small water bodies formed from meander cut-offs and abandoned channel segments.

  Ecological considerations

  Upland vegetation cover within the site is characteristic of the surrounding area and is predominantly fire- origin, mature mixedwood forest. Soil thickness, texture and drainage tend to influence forest species composition, with coniferous-dominated stands being more prevalent on well drained, sandy fluvial terraces, and poorer drained depressional areas, and deciduous-dominated stands occurring more commonly on warmer aspects and upper slopes. Forest stands tend to be fairly mature throughout the site, with few younger age classes represented.

  The interspersion and gradient of open water, marshland, early seral floodplains, riparian forests, and upland forests within the Dog River site obviously provides habitat for a number of wildlife species and species guilds. The dense jack pine forests provide necessary habitat for forest-interior and forest-dependent upland species such as pileated woodpecker and flying squirrel. The fluvial system associated with the river and tributary creeks also provide early seral forested environments that are used by ecotonal obligates such as black bear and moose. Two registered traplines overlap with this site; showing recorded harvests of beaver, marten, muskrat, otter, and fisher. A number of wetland and riverine habitats provide extensive nesting and staging habitat for waterfowl. Numerous wood duck nest boxes have been erected along the length of the river. Although very little fisheries information is documented, there is extensive suitable habitat for spawning walleye in the form of seasonally flooded riparian marshes.

  Dog River drains the area to the north of Dog Lake, including Lac des Iles and west to Muskeg Lake. The river is fed from the north by Block Creek, Riviere des Isles, East Dog River, Jordan, Muskeg, Jack, Mirage and Sharp creeks, and from the south by Fisher Creek. Dog Lake is drained by the Kaministiquia River, which flows south into Lake Superior.

  Special features

  No evidence of vulnerable, threatened or endangered species, or S ranked species were encountered during the reconnaissance survey of the site.

  Field survey

  The Dog River Conservation Reserve was inventoried on October 3, 2000. Three sites were surveyed throughout the area, all by boat access. In addition, the area was viewed by helicopter and photographed on October 6, 2000. A surficial geologist, a vegetation ecologist and a wildlife biologist completed the reconnaissance inventory. An Earth Science Checklist has also been prepared for the Dog River Conservation Reserve.

  table 1. landform/vegetation types

  Landform Types: Parent Material	Landform Types: Surface Expression	Vegetation Types: Deciduous	Vegetation Types: Deciduous Mixed	Vegetation Types: Conifer Mixed	Vegetation Types: Conifer	Vegetation Types: Sparse Forest	Vegetation Types: Treed Wetland	Vegetation Types: Opened Wetland
  Ground Moraine	Weakly broken	*	✔*	✔*	✔*	✔*		*
  Ground Moraine	Moderately broken	*	*	*	*			*
  Ground Moraine	Strongly broken
  Bedrock	Weakly broken		✔	✔
  Bedrock	Moderately broken
  Bedrock	Strongly broken
  End Moraine	Weakly broken
  End Moraine	Moderately broken
  End Moraine	Strongly broken
  Outwash Deposits	Weakly broken
  Outwash Deposits	Moderately broken
  Outwash Deposits	Strongly broken
  Beach/Aeolian Deposits	Weakly broken				*
  Lacustrine Deposits	N/A	*	✔*	✔*	✔*	✔*		✔*
  Esker	N/A

  ^✔Indicates that LV type found within study area during reconnaissance survey.

  ^*Gap Analysis suggests that particular Landform/Vegetation (LV) type occur within study area

  Major information sources

  Baldwin, K. A. and R. A. Sims. 1997. Field guide to the common forest plants in northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-04. 359 pp.

  Harris, A.G., S.C. McMurray, P.W.C. Uhlig, J.K. Jeglum, R.F. Foster and G.D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-01. 74 pp. + Append.

  Noble, T.W. 1979. Life Science report, Phase II, Site Region 3W, North Central Region. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

  Sims, R.A., W.D. Towill, K.A. Baldwin, P. Uhlig and G.M. Wickware. 1997. Field guide to the forested ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-03. 176 pp.

  Field Reconnaissance, Oct. 2000.

  Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources trapline information for 1999.

  Significance Level (Provincial/Regional/Local) and Brief Summary of Major Representative Values

  Provincially Significant: The site provides a good example of a low gradient, strongly meandering river with numerous well developed fluvial features such as meander loops, oxbow lakes, meander scrolls and point bars. It is also representative of upland areas within Site District 3W - 2.

  The extensive and diverse complex of wetland communities provides provincially significant moose habitat.

  Significant walleye spawning habitat along majority of the river length.

  The Dog River is of historical importance as it was a canoe route to the west used by fur traders.

  Date Compiled: November 1, 2000

  Compiler (s):
  J. Bentz, A. Saxena, D. O’Leary
  Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  

  

  

  

  Dog River Conservation Reserve (C2264) - Species List ^{footnote 1[1]}

  Trees

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Abies balsamea	balsam fir
  Betula papyrifera	white birch
  Larix laricina	tamarack
  Picea glauca	white spruce
  Picea mariana	black spruce
  Pinus banksiana	jack pine
  Populus tremuloides	trembling aspen

  Shrubs

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Alnus crispa	green alder
  Alnus rugosa	speckled alder
  Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	bearberry
  Chamaedaphne calyculata	leather leaf
  Cornus stolonifera	red osier dogwood
  Corylus cornuta	beaked hazel
  Diervilla lonicera	bush honeysuckle
  Kalmia polifolia	bog laurel
  Ledum groenlandicum	Labrador tea
  Linnaea borealis	twinflower
  Oxycoccus microcarpus	small cranberry
  Prunus pensylvanica	pin cherry
  Ribes spp	currant
  Rosa acicularis	prickly wild rose
  Rubus idaeus var. strigosus	wild red raspberry
  Rubus pubescens	dwarf raspberry
  Salix spp	willow
  Vaccinium myrtilloides	velvet leaf blueberry
  Viburnum edule	squashberry

  Herbs

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Aster ciliolatus	ciliolate aster
  Aster macrophyllus	large-leaved aster
  Circaea alpina	dwarf enchanter’s nightshade
  Clintonia borealis	blue bead lily
  Cornus canadensis	bunch berry
  Fragaria virginiana	common strawberry
  Galium triflorum	fragrant bedstraw
  Petasites palmatus	sweet coltsfoot
  Pyrola asarifolia	pink pyrola
  Pyrola secunda	one-sided pyrola

  Graminoids

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Calamagrostis canadensis	blue-joint grass
  Carex spp	sedge
  Schizachne purpurascens	false melic grass
  Scirpus spp	bulrush
  Typha latifolia	cattail

  Ferns and fern-allies

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Athyrium filix-femina	lady fern
  Dryopteris carthusiana	spinulose wood fern
  Equisetum arvense	field horsetail
  Lycopodium annotinum	stiff clubmoss
  Lycopodium complanatum	ground cedar
  Lycopodium obscurum	ground pine

  Bryophytes and lichens

  Scientific Name	Common Name
  Aulacomnium palustre	ribbed bog moss
  Brachythecium	salebrosum
  Cladina spp	reindeer lichen
  Dicranum spp.	broom mosses
  Hylocomium splendens	stair-step moss
  Pleurozium schreberi	Schreber’s moss
  Ptilium crista-castrensis	plume moss
  Sphagnum spp

  Appendix V: Earth science inventory checklist

  Earth science inventory checklist

  Name:	Dog River Conservation Reserve (C2264)
  Map Name:	Raith
  NTS No.	52A13
  UTM Reference:	5417000N 307000E
  OBM No.	163205410 163005420 163105410
  Latitude:	48°55’
  Longitude:	89°37’
  Elevation (Max)	460 m
  Elevation (Min)	450 m
  County:	District of Thunder Bay
  Township:	NA
  Lot:	NA
  Concession:	NA
  Area:	2,658 ha
  Air Photos	97 – 4828 61 – 101 and 102 96 – 4829B 15 – 68, 69, 70 and 71 97 – 4829 61 – 55, 56, 57,and 58 97 – 4830 62 – 46, and 47 00 – 1 – 217 and 218 00 – 1 – 242, 243, 244 and 245
  MNR Region:	Northwest
  MNR District:	Thunder Bay
  Park Zone:	Northwest
  Survey Type:	Reconnaissance

  Location map

  

  Earth science features

  The Dog River Conservation Reserve (C2264) is approximately 55 km northwest of the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Conservation Reserve is generally accessed by boat from the North Bay of Dog Lake. Numerous private forestry roads running from both highways 17 and 527 provide access to the adjacent upland areas.

  The area is comprised of the Dog River and associated fluvial features and adjacent uplands from its outlet into Dog Lake upstream. The low gradient of the river and nature of the sandy deltaic material have resulted in a strongly meandering channel pattern with numerous serpentine meander loops, point bars, oxbow lakes, meander scars, and abandoned channel segments. Gradual in-filling of old channel segments and oxbow lakes has led to the development of a highly diverse mosaic of wetland communities including various marsh complexes as well as black spruce, larch and cedar coniferous swamps and thicket swamps.

  Dog River drains the area to the north, including Lac des Iles and west to Muskeg Lake. It is fed from the north by Black Creek, Riviere des Isles, East Dog River, Jordan, Muskeg, Jack, Mirage and Sharp creeks and from the south by Fisher Creek. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has a long-term monitoring station at Silver Falls which provides a historical record of water levels within Dog Lake from 1959 to present. These records suggest that Dog Lake has varied 4.01 m, with a minimum value of 417.50 m (April 15 – 17, 1980) and a maximum value of 421.51 m (September 22, 1977). Minimum values generally occur in April (~ 418.64 m) with maximum levels being obtained in July (~ 420.72 m). OPG established a remote monitoring station in Dog River upstream where Jordain Creek flows into the river. Records since August 4, 1999 show water levels within the river have fluctuated between 98.59 m and 98.90 m, a difference of only 0 .31 m. Minimum values were reached on August 29, 30 and 31, 1999 and maximum values were recorded on May 6, 2000.

  The Dog River Conservation Reserve is found within the Quetico Subprovince of the Superior Structural Province (Thurston 1992a; Ontario Geological Survey 1991(a); Card et al. 1993). The Superior Province is the largest Archean craton in the world and is characterized by easterly trending belts of Archean supracrustal volcanic and sedimentary rocks separated by large areas of granitic rocks (Thurston 1992b; Davidson 1981). The Quetico Subprovince is a sedimentary basin characterized by linear structures that tend easterly contrasting with the curvilinear structures in the granitic terrains beyond the borders of the subprovince (i.e., Wabigoon and Wawa Subprovinces). The rocks are highly metamorphosed sediments, migmatites, granitized gneisses, and gneissic or massive grantic rocks of approximate granodiorite composition (Stockwell et al. 1968).

  Regionally, the Quetico Subprovince is composed of highly metamorphosed sediments, migmatites, granitized gneisses, and gneissic or massive grantic rocks of approximate granodiorite composition (Stockwell et al. 1968. However, the Dog River Conservation area is underlain mainly by muscovite bearing granites, granodiorite and metasediments (Ontario Geological Survey 1991(b)). Some differences (of opinion) were noted in the northern portion of the Conservation Reserve. While Kaye (1969) has mapped the upper end of the Conservation Reserve (near the confluence of Dog River and Block Creek) as being underlain by metasediments and metavolcanics consisting of boulder conglomerate, feldspathic sandstone, greywacke, and biotite quartz, the Ontario Geological Survey (1991(b)) has mapped the area as being underlain by granodiorite and granites. Pye and Fenwick (1965) also support this mapping. With the exception of the far southern portion of the Conservation Reserve, the bedrock is overlain by thick post-glacial sediments and does not influence site characteristics.

  Various hypothesis regarding the exact glacial history of the area have been put forward, much of it quite contradictory. Recent work by Barnett (1992) suggests that the Dog River area was ice-free somewhere around 10 kaBP (end of the Late Wisconsinan). Labrador Sector ice covered the area from 18 kaBP (Nissouri Stade) until approximately 11 kaBP (post Greatlakean Stade) and 10 kaBP (initiation of Holocene). Around 10 kaBP, the ice sheet was located to the north and east of the Dog Lake / Dog River area. As well, glacial Lake Kaministikwia was formed at the lower end of Dog Lake along the Kaministikwia River. By 9 kaBP, the ice had retreated north of Lake Nipigon. Barnett (1992) suggests that outlets along the Seine-Kashabowie and possibly Dog River valleys allowed glacial Lake Agassiz waters to drain into the Lake Superior basin. However, earlier work by Prest (1968) suggests that the area may have been ice-free as early as 11.25 kaBP, coinciding with the late Wisconsinan North Bay Interstadial and Algonquin Stadial (Davidson 1981; the North Bay Interstadial and Algonquin Stadial are not recognised by Barnett (1992). Circa 12.2 kaBP, the Dog Lake area represents the northern extent to glacial Lake Keweenaw, formed in the far-western portions of the Lake Superior basin (Prest 1968). Zoltai (1965b) has mapped the Dog River as a glacial spillway leading into Dog Lake and subsequently into the Kaministikwia spillway, south into Lake Keweenaw (current day Lake Superior). Field observations by Zoltai (1965b) do not support Elson’s (1957) or Barnett’s (1992) hypothesis that the Dog – Kaministikwia spillway was an outlet of Lake Agassiz. At that time, glacial Lake Agassiz (Norcross to Campbell phase) extended eastward to approximately 50 km north and west of Dog Lake and appeared to reach its most eastern extent near Lac des Milles Lacs. Zoltai (1963) states my preliminary investigations north of Dog Lake indicate that the Kaministikwia – Dog River spillway was functioning to carry away the meltwater from the neighbourhood of the Kaiashk moraine, rather than serving as an outlet of Lake Agassiz.

  The gap analysis suggests that mainly lacustrine deposits surrounded by weakly broken ground moraine characterise the Dog River Conservation Reserve. Table 1 provides a comparison of materials identified in the gap analysis versus materials identified during the reconnaissance field inventory and subsequent air photo interpretation exercise.

  Barnett et al., (1991) and Mollard and Mollard (1981) have mapped the area as consisting primarily of a sandy alluvial plain (in the main channel) with adjacent sandy lacustrine plains and sandy ground moraine on adjacent upland areas. Zoltai (1965a) has mapped the area as deltaic sands and adjacent upland areas as being silty to sandy ground moraine. Field surveys by Geowest support the previous mapping completed for the area, however, bedrock controlled topography with thin morainal materials is typical at the south end of the Conservation Reserve near

  Table 1. Comparison of landform types identified by gap analysis and reconnaissance inventory and mapping

  Landform Types Parent Material	Landform Types Surface Expression	Landform Types Suggested by Gap Analysis	Landform Types Found During Reconnaissance Inventory and Mapping
  Ground Moraine	Weakly broken	yes	yes
  Ground Moraine	Moderately broken	yes	no
  Ground Moraine	Strongly broken	no	no
  Bedrock	Weakly broken	no	yes
  Bedrock	Moderately broken	no	no
  Bedrock	Strongly broken	no	no
  End Moraine	Weakly broken	no	no
  End Moraine	Moderately broken	no	no
  End Moraine	Strongly broken	no	no
  Outwash Deposits	Weakly broken	no	no
  Outwash Deposits	Moderately broken	no	no
  Outwash Deposits	Strongly broken	no	no
  Beach/Aeolian Deposits	Weakly broken	no	no
  Lacustrine Deposits	N/A	yes	yes
  Esker	N/A	no	no

  Fisher creek

  All sites visited suggested that the materials (adjacent the channel) were of a fluvial/lacustrine (possibly deltaic) origin. The upland areas adjacent the mid-section of the river consist of moderately coarse- textured ground moraine. Other significant features delineated include a major beach ridge, and numerous ice contact features.

  The fluvial lacustrine materials were well drained and consisted of yellowish brown to reddish brown, very fine to fine sand. No coarse fragments were noted at any of the sites. The materials were often well stratified and are expected to be greater than 5 m in thickness as exposures of 3 m (Plate 1) were noted near the mouth of the river. These materials have been mapped as unit 4b(d) (see attached map legend). It is speculated that finer- textured lacustrine materials occur towards the northern end of the Conservation Reserve, where topography is flat and the area appears to be poorly drained. The presence of fine-textured lacustrine materials would result in a permanently high water table, giving rise to sub hydric conditions which support black spruce dominated communities (unit 4a).

  Although no sites were established within the adjacent morainal areas, the tills described by both Zoltai (1965a) and Mollard and Mollard (1981) in the Dog Lake areas are texturally consistent with those surveyed in the Dog Lake area by Geowest (East Bay Conservation Reserve C2265). These tills have been mapped as unit 1a.

  At the south end of the Conservation Reserve, thin (and often discontinuous) morainal veneers overlie moderately broken bedrock (unit 7b). It is assumed that the till materials are of similar origin as those found to the north, and hence, they most likely moderately coarse-textured (i.e., sandy loams with > 20 % coarse fragment content). Adjacent the existing shoreline, it appears that thin, discontinuous lacustrine veneers overlie smoothed granitic bedrock (unit 7d)

  A significant beach ridge (unit 4e) is mapped along the western shoreline of the Conservation Reserve. This beach ridge parallels the existing channel and is approximately 950 m in length. Based on Barnett’s (1992) theory, it is speculated that this beach ridge may have been formed during a higher stage of glacial Lake. The beach ridge is approximately 20 m in height.

  A number of ice contact features occur along the eastern edge of the Conservation Reserve, including an esker and three kame-like features. A small sinuous esker (unit 3c) is found adjacent the small lake in the middle of the Conservation Reserve. This esker is oriented in a northeast/southwest direction, giving support to the direction which ice retreated within the Dog Lake area. The deglacial mass wasting features kames (units 3a) occur in the far northern portion of the Conservation Reserve. It appears that these deposits are unmodified by overriding ice or by lake-action as they have maintained their classical conical form. They area approximately 50 - 75 m in height.

  Numerous organic accumulations have developed immediately adjacent to the existing shoreline (unit 8b). This area is subject to annual flooding following snowmelt.

  Field survey

  The Dog River Conservation Reserve was inventoried on October 3. Three (3) sites were established throughout the area, all by boat access. In addition, the area was flown by helicopter on October 6, 2000. A surficial geologist (Dennis O’Leary), a vegetation ecologist (Jerry Bentz) and a wildlife biologist (Amit Saxena) completed the reconnaissance inventory. All three individuals all are from Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  Mapping

  A reconnaissance surficial geology map has been prepared for the Dog River Conservation Reserve at 1:20 000 to accompany this checklist. The mapping legend follows Zoltai’s (1965a) classification scheme, however, it has been modified somewhat to account for additional parent materials and topographic considerations.

  Sensitivity

  Access to the Dog River Conservation Reserve is limited to boat access and a number of private forestry roads from the east and west. Some of these forestry trails occur within the Conservation Reserve.

  Due to the nature of the site, it should be considered highly sensitive to disturbances. A small control structure exists at the southern end of Dog Lake, moderating the flow of water into Kaministikwia River. It would appear from the 1996 and 1997 and from the field survey, the system appears to be very stable (today). There appears to be virtually no changes to the meander patterns over the past five years.

  Significance

  Dog River is one of the best, most complex examples of a meandering stream in Ontario. It has been designated as a provincially significant site as it provides representative examples of post-glacial fluvial lacustrine deltaic deposits associated with ancient spillways of glacial Lake Keweenaw and recent fluvial processes within the Quetico Subprovince.

  Recommendations

  The Dog River Conservation Reserve has been recognised as containing provincially significant wetlands (Ontario’s Living Legacy 1999). The site provides representative examples of post-glacial fluvial lacustrine deltaic deposits associated with ancient spillways to glacial Lake Keweenaw (current day Lake Superior) and recent fluvial processes. Dog River Conservation Reserve protects sediments that are representative of the Late Wisconsinan and Holocene periods. It is also recommended that water levels within Dog Lake be maintained at their current levels so as to maintain this significant feature.

  References

  Barnett, P.J. 1992. Quaternary geology of Ontario; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 2, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. p. 1011 – 1088.

  Barnett, P.J., A.P. Henry and D. Babuin. 1991. Quaternary geology of Ontario, west-central sheet; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 2554, scale 1:1 000 000. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

  Card, K.D., J.A. Percival and B.V. Sanford. 1993. Bedrock Geology Lake Nipigon Ontario - USA, Map NM-16-G, Scale 1:100 000. Geological Survey of Canada, Energy, Mines and Resources Canada.

  Davidson, R.J. 1981. A framework for the conservation of Ontario’s earth science features . Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

  Davidson, R.J. and P.S.G. Kor. 2000. Research, mapping and reporting guidelines for earth science inventories in provincial parks, conservation reserves and areas of natural and scientific interest. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks. Open File Earth Science Report 2000-3.

  Geologic Survey of Canada. 1968. Geological Map of Canada 1250A, 1:5 000 000. Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (Geology compiled by R.J.W. Douglas, 1966, 1967).

  Kaye, L. 1969. Eayrs Lake – Starnes Lake Area, Thunder Bay District Map 2172, 1:63 360. Ontario Department of Mines.

  Mollard, D.G. and J.D. Mollard. 1981. Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 57: Kaministikwia Area, (NTS 52A/NW) District of Thunder Bay. Ontario Geologic Survey, Ministry of Natural Resources.

  Ontario Geological Survey. 1991(a). Bedrock Geology of Ontario, Explanatory Notes and Legend. Map 2545. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

  Ontario Geological Survey. 1991(b). Bedrock Geology of Ontario, West-Central Sheet. Map 2542. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

  Ontario’s Living Legacy. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy July 1999. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

  Margaret McMahon. 2000.Ontario Power Generation, Water Resources Division. Personal Communication. Prest, V.K. 1968. Quaternary geology of Canada. in Geology and Economic Minerals of Canada. R.J.W. Douglas, Scientific Editor. Geological Survey of Canada, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. Economic Geology Report No. 1. pp. 676 – 758.

  Pye, E.G. and K.G. Fenwick. 1965. Atikokan-Lakehead Sheet Geological Compilation Series Map 2065, Scale 1:253 440. Ontario Department of Mines.

  Stockwell, C.H., J.C. McGlynn, R.F. Emslie, B.V. Sanford, A.W. Norris, J.A. Donaldson, W.F. Fahrig and K.L. Currie. 1968. Geology of the Canadian Shield. In Geology and Economic Minerals of Canada. R.J.W. Douglas, Scientific Editor. Geological Survey of Canada, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. Economic Geology Report No. 1. pp. 45 – 145.

  Thurston, P.C. 1992(a). Geology of Ontario: Introduction; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. p. 2 – 26.

  Thurston, P.C. 1992(b). Archean Geology of Ontario: Introduction; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. p. 73 – 78.

  Thurston, P.C., H.R. Williams, R.H. Sutcliffe and G.M. Stott. 1992. Geology of Ontario. Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Parts 1and 2. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

  Williams, H.R. 1992. Quetico Subprovince; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. p. 383 – 403.

  Zoltai, S.C. 1963. Glacial features of the Canadian Lakehead areas. Can. Geograph. Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 101 – 115.

  Zoltai, S.C. 1965(a). Surficial Geology, Thunder Bay, Map S265 Scale 1:506 880. Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Research Branch.

  Zoltai, S.C. 1965(b). Glacial features of the Quetico-Nipigon area, Ontario. Can. J. Earth Sci. Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 247 – 269

  Date Compiled : November 1, 2000

  Compiler: Dennis O’Leary, B.A.,
  Surficial Geologist, Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  List of Plates:

  Plate 1. Fluvial/lacustrine sediments near the mouth of Dog River
  Plate 2. Mouth of Dog River
  Plate 3. Meandering pattern typical of Dog River

  Field Notes :

  Site: Dog River (C2264) Plot No. 1 Date: October 3, 2000

  UTM Co-ordinates: 5420005N and 307040E

  Picture No. Disk 2, pictures 9 – 11 Surveyor: Dennis O’Leary, Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  Notes: Thick fluvial / fluvial-lacustrine deposits; possible old beach ridge (check photos); yellowish brown to reddish brown; very fine sand to fine sand; no coarse fragments; moderately fresh; undulating (to possibly ridged - check photos) topography (0 - 5 % slopes) at site, however walked up steep embankment from river to get to site; well to rapidly drained; representative of uplands in area; site accessed by water.

  Site: Dog River (C2264) Plot No. 2 Date: October 3, 2000

  UTM Co-ordinates: 5417075N and 307090E

  Picture No. Disk 2, pictures 12 – 13 Surveyor: Dennis O-Leary, Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  Notes: Well drained fluvial-lacustrine materials; yellowish brown; loamy fine sand overlying very fine sand; no coarse fragments; moderately fresh materials; level to undulating topography (slopes < 5 %) ; Need to review photos as cutblock boundaries along east side may be within OLL boundary; discussions with OLL personnel suggest that although site may have been harvested, site will be restocked and will not be available for harvesting in future; land will remain in OLL designation; site accessed by water.

  Site: Dog River (C2264) Plot No. 3 Date: October 3, 2000

  UTM Co-ordinates: 5415030N and 308020E

  Picture No. Disk 2, pictures 14 – 15 Surveyor: Dennis O’Leary, Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd.

  Notes: Deep fluvial-lacustrine deposits; beach ridge in site (see photo 14, disk 2); brown to reddish brown, well drained, fine sand; no coarse fragments, level topography with slopes < 5 %; moderately fresh; site accessed by water. Scirpus beds throughout water, especially in mouth; very few scirpus beds in river channel; water commonly < 2 m in depth at mouth.

  System appears to be extremely stable as there was no apparent difference in photos (1996 and 1997) and today’s conditions; river and lake apparently controlled by Ontario Hydro for Kekabeka Falls hydro station.

  Site may be considered provincially significant due to extensive meandering of river - although noted this pattern in a few other areas, they were nowhere as extensive and well developed with. Interesting to note the lack of visible wildlife - apparently moose are quite common, however, there was no significant evidence of populations (i.e., no hedging of desirable browse species); excellent waterfowl habitat, however very few species noted - apparently area is not on a major flyway.

  

  

  

  Key words / glossary

  Alluvium:

  The detrital materials that are eroded, transported, and deposited by streams.

  Algonquin stadial:

  A short-lived cold period occurring approximately 11,000 to 10,000 years ago.

  Archean:

  A term, meaning ancient, which has been applied to the oldest rocks of the Precambrian; as more physical measurements of geological time are made, the usage is changing; the term Early Precambrian is preferred.

  Craton:

  The large, relatively immobile portion of continents consisting of both shield and platform areas.

  Deltaic:

  Sedimentary deposits in a delta; an alluvial deposit usually triangular in shape, at the mouth of a river or stream.

  Erosion:

  The loosening and transportation of rock debris at the earth’s surface; the wearing away of the land, chiefly by rain and running water.

  Esker:

  A sinuous ridge of constructional form, consisting of stratified accumulations, glacial sands, and gravel.

  Fluvial:

  Pertains to or produced by the action of a stream or river.

  Glacial striae:

  Scratches commonly parallel, on smooth rock surfaces due to glacial abrasion.

  Glaciation:

  Alteration of any part of the earth’s surface by passage of a glacier, chiefly by glacial erosion or deposition.

  Greatlakean stade:

  The Greatlakean Stade, which followed the Two Creeks Interstade approximately 11,800 years ago, was a period of glacial advance; this stade is recognized in Michigan, but not in Ontario.

  Ground moraine:

  Rock material carried and deposited in the base of a glacier; also known as bottom moraine, subglacial moraine.

  Holocene:

  An epoch of the Quaternary Period from the end of the Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago, to the present; also known as post-glacial; recent.

  Interbedded:

  Having beds lying between other beds with different characteristics.

  KaBP

  Thousand years before present

  Kame:

  A low, long, steep-sided mound of glacial drift commonly stratified sand and gravel deposited as an alluvial fan or delta at the terminal margin of a melting glacier.

  Lacustrine:

  Belonging to or produced by a lake; sediments that are deposited in a lake.

  Landform:

  All the physical, recognizable, naturally formed features of land, having a characteristic shape; includes major forms such as a plain, mountain, or plateau, and minor forms such as hill, valley, or alluvial fan.

  Meander:

  A sharp, sinuous loop or curve in a stream, usually part of a series.

  Meander belts:

  A zone along the floor of a valley across which a meandering steam periodically shifts its channel.

  Meander scar:

  A crescentic, concave mark on the face of a bluff or valley wall formed by a meandering stream.

  Metamorphic rock:

  The earth’s crust as well as being intruded by magma, is from time to time subjected to huge stresses which are sufficiently great to cause it to break to form faults, and also to bend forming folds; these forces are generally concentrated near to subduction zones; at these destructive plate margins, the rocks that form the plates are compressed, folded and heated; the result is a broad, linear zone of rocks which are altered, to varying degrees, by the high temperatures and pressures.

  Metasediment:

  A sediment or sedimentary rock which shows evidence of metamorphism.

  Moraine:

  An accumulation of glacial drift deposited chiefly by direct glacial action and possessing initial constructional form independent of the floor beneath it.

  Nissouri stade:

  The Nissouri Stade is the initial stade of ice advancing during the Late Wisconsinan; during the stade, the Laurentide ice sheet reached the Niagara Escarpment by about 23,000 years ago.

  North Bay interstadial:

  A period characterized by warmer climate and subsequent deglaciation; ~ 12 kaBP – 11 kaBP.

  Organic soil:

  Any soil or soil horizon consisting chiefly of, or containing at least 30 % of organic matter; examples are peat soils and muck soils; results from the activity of organisms such as the secretion of skeletal matter.

  Outwash:

  Sand and gravel transported away from a glacier by streams of meltwater and either deposited as a floodplain along a pre-existing valley bottom or broadcast over a pre-existing plain in a form similar to an alluvial fan; also known as glacial outwash; outwash drift.

  Oxbow:

  A closely looping, U-shaped steam meander whose curvature is so extreme that only a neck of land remains between the two parts of the stream; also known as abandoned channel.

  Oxbow lakes:

  The crescent-shaped body of water located alongside a stream in an abandoned oxbow after a neck cut-off is formed and the ends of the original bends are silted up.

  Parent material:

  The unconsolidated mineral or organic material from which the true soil develops.

  Point bar:

  One of a series of low, arcuate sand and gravel ridges formed on the inside of a growing meander by the gradual addition of accretions; also known as a meander bar.

  Relief:

  The configuration of part of the earth’s surface, with reference to altitude and slope variations and to irregularities of the land surface.

  Sedimentary rocks:

  A rock formed in the sea, rivers, lakes, glacial deposits, etc.; processes, which are active at the earth’s surface, form sedimentary rocks.

  Supracrustal:

  Rocks that overlie basement rock.

  Till:

  Unsorted and unstratified drift consisting of a heterogeneous mixture of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders which is deposited by and underneath a glacier.

  Volcanic rock:

  Finely crystalline or glassy igneous rock resulting from volcanic activity at or near the surface of the earth; also known as extrusive rock.

  Wisconsinan:

  A period between 115,000 years before present and 10,000 years before present; preceding the Holocene; divided into three stages, including Early Wisconsinan (115,000 – 60,000 years before present), Middle Wisconsinan (60,000 – 30,000 years before present) and Late Wisconsinan (30,000 – 10,000 years before present).