Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve Management Statement

June, 2003
Dryden District
Ministry Of Natural Resources

Approval statement

We are pleased to approve this Statement of Conservation Interest for the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340).

This Statement of Conservation Interest will provide guidance for the management of the Conservation Reserve and form the basis for ongoing monitoring of activities. More detailed direction is not anticipated at this time. Should significant facility development be considered or complex issues arise requiring additional studies, more defined management direction, or special protection measures, a more detailed Conservation Reserve Management Plan will be prepared with full public consultation.

The Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve will be managed under the jurisdiction of the Dryden Area supervisor, Dryden District, Ministry of Natural Resources.

Signed by:

R.G. McColm
Dryden District Manager
Ministry of Natural Resources

Date: June 30^th, 2003

Signed by:

Charlie Lauer
Regional Director
Northwest Region
Ministry of Natural Resources
Date: March 7^th, 2016

1.0 Background information

The purpose of this document is to identify and document the natural heritage values of the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve, the activities that occur there and, through a set of management guidelines, lay out the activities that will and will not be permitted. For more information regarding this Statement of Conservation Interest (SCI) please refer to the “Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL3.03.05”.

Figure 1: General location of the Eagle lake Islands Conservation Reserve.

2.0 Values to be protected

This section provides a description of the key natural heritage values on the site, their condition relative to past resource and management activities, and their sensitivity to future land use and management activities.

2.2 Values to be protected

The intent of this SCI is to protect the following values by establishing management guidelines for existing and potential uses in this area given the level of past disturbance and the nature of the existing features.

2.2.1 Forest values

The reserve provides provincially significant representation of conifer, conifer mixed and deciduous mixed forests on lacustrine sediments in Ecodistrict 4S-4 and 4S-5. Additionally, critical representation of sparse forest exists here. Individual red and white pine scattered throughout the reserve may exceed 120 years of age representing old-growth trees. Prior to past selective logging activities and fire suppression, red and white pine, and white spruce may have been more abundant on the reserve. Relict prairie communities consisting of 50 to 120 year old bur oak can also be found on the south-facing shores of at least 3 of the islands. (Foster et al., 2002)

2.2.2 Biological values

The provincially rare cut-leaved ragwort was found on a south-facing clay bank on an un-named island. The site on which it was found was highly disturbed by past logging. It was found in association with fringed bindweed, pale corydalis and common hemp nettle. This plant is known to exist in only 2 other locations in Ontario. (Foster et al., 2002)

A number of bald eagle nests can be found on the islands and the surrounding main land of Eagle Lake. As well, the American pelican, considered endangered in Ontario, has been seen on the lake. Sections of Eagle Lake including Meridian Bay, Rice Bay and Niven Bay are fish sanctuaries from April 1 to May 31. See Appendix A for a depiction of sanctuary locations.

2.2.3 Landform values

The regionally extensive Wabigoon fault that bisects the reserve can be found in Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park also.

The fault is well exposed on the islands of the reserve around Detour Point and enhance the representation found in the park. This makes this feature regionally significant. Local significance was given to the exposed greenstone belt and migmatites on the islands due to their accessibility for use in scientific study. (Blackburn, 2002)

2.2.4 Recreational values

Eagle Lake, sport fish, trails/routes, small islands, man-made structural features, mixed coniferous/deciduous forest, general wildlife and historical sites were considered all to be recreation features. Current activities enjoyed within the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve and on Eagle Lake include fishing, general water sports, general snow sports, hunting, and camping (shore lunches). Potential exists for general nature activities and viewing such as identifying wildlife, nature study and interpretation, photography, relaxation, contemplation and solitude. The small islands were considered to be most sensitive to recreation use, primarily those containing man-made structures. (See Appendix D) A few of the islands on Eagle Lake contain private cottages and/or consist of private land. Private holdings are not included within the reserve.

2.2.5 Tourism values

Twenty-four tourist establishments exist on Eagle Lake, the majority of which are on main land. At least 2 of these, however, are on the islands. These private parcels have not been included in the Conservation Reserve. Some of the tourist lodges offer fall bear and moose hunting as well as summer angling.

Figure 2: Stand of bur oak surrounded by red pine.

3.0 Management guidelines

3.1 Land tenure

The Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve consists entirely of Crown land. The north shore of Eagle Lake contains mostly private land. The rest of the surrounding area is Crown land. A few of the islands on Eagle Lake are privately owned. These have not been included in the conservation reserve.

Eagle Lake Islands Forest Reserve (F2340) consists of one island (approximately 7.6 ha size) just west of Net and Prendible Islands. Policy governing Forest Reserves (FR) is similar to that of Conservation Reserves with the exception of mining being allowed.

Currently, a mining claim exists on the island. Should this claim be retired through normal processes, the FR would become part of the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve.

Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park spans the southwest shoreline of Eagle Lake from Muskeg Bay west and fully encompasses the West Arm. The park heads west across Eagle River and south through Piskegomang Brook, encompassing associating waterbodies.

The Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve will remain Crown land and no dispositions (including Land Use Permits or Licenses of Occupation) will be issued for the site.

The disposition of adjacent Crown Land will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Unauthorized occupations of lands within the conservation reserve will be handled in accordance with approved policy, and any required structural removal will be at the owner’s expense.

3.2 Existing and proposed development

There is an old mine shaft on one of the islands. This site will be monitored periodically for any changes to integrity. Warning signs will be posted. An active quartz rock quarry exists on the south shore of Muskeg Bay on Eagle Lake. In the surrounding areas there are a number of active as well as inactive aggregate pits. Additionally, a number of tertiary and secondary roads exist leading to access points along the lake and to surrounding lakes. A lot of these were used for timber harvest at one point in time.

Figure 3: Deer swimming across Eagle Lake.

Historic selective logging for red and white pine, and white spruce was apparent on an un-named island south of Stanton Island. Other islands show evidence of past logging as well (i.e. logging camp remains). Harvest blocks exist to the south and southeast of Eagle Lake. These are scheduled for harvest between 2003 to 2008.

Facility infrastructure and development for recreational and/or educational purposes only may be considered in the future if there is a demonstrated demand for such facilities. All provincial policies that guide development on Crown Land are applicable in Conservation Reserves. A more detailed management plan would be required prior to any development occurring. Such a plan would have to ensure that there would be no negative impacts to any habitat or ecosystem pertinent to the values protected in this reserve.

3.3 Recreational activities

Most recreational activities that have traditionally been enjoyed in this area can continue provided they pose no threat to the natural ecosystems and features protected by the conservation reserve. Those uses that are regulated include hunting, fishing and trapping. Most other permitted activities are non-regulated (i.e. canoeing, exploring, snowmobiling). See Section 2.2.4 for the recreational uses for this Conservation Reserve as determined by the Recreation Resource Inventory.

It is recommended that sites containing man-made structures be monitored, due to the accumulation of human waste during shore lunch and camping activities.

Currently no documented trails exist in the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve. Snowmobile trails and canoe routes do run throughout Eagle Lake however.

3.4 Commercial activities

No new activities, such as commercial logging, hydroelectric power development, new transmission lines (e.g. power or communications), pipelines, highways or roads, and the extraction of minerals, aggregate or peat will be permitted.

Eagle Lake is currently licensed (2003) for commercial fishing of whitefish. Incidental species include small limits of walleye and northern pike and unlimited for several non-sport fish species. As well, a water-control structure exists on Eagle River, regulating lake levels throughout the year.

Figure 4: Inside the mineshaft looking out.

An examination of the possible impact of activities on adjacent lands should be evaluated in the Forest Management Plan.

3.5 Aboriginal interests

Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) lies within Treaty 3 area. Eagle Lake First Nations Reserve lies on the northeast shoreline of Eagle Lake. A number of historical aboriginal sites can be found on the islands (see Table 2.1). Wild rice harvesting and commercial fishing occur on Eagle Lake itself.

To date, neither this nor any other Aboriginal Group has voiced any issues in regards to this conservation reserve. Nothing in this Statement of Conservation Interest affects in any way existing or future Aboriginal or treaty rights.

3.6 Natural resources stewardship

Natural Resource Stewardship involves the consideration of the following specific natural resource management categories.

3.6.1 Vegetation management

Management within the conservation reserve will allow for the continuation of natural ecosystem processes and functions with minimal human interference.

Forest fire suppression will be carried out in accordance with the approved Fire Management Strategy for the surrounding lands. "Light on the Land" suppression techniques which do not unduly disturb the landscape will be encouraged where feasible. Examples of "light on the land" techniques may include limiting the number of trees felled or the use of heavy equipment or foam.

Opportunities for prescribed burning to achieve ecological or resource management objectives may be considered. These management objectives will be developed with public consultation prior to any prescribed burning, and reflected in the document that provides management direction for this conservation reserve. Plans for any prescribed burning will be developed in accordance with the MNR Prescribed Burn Planning Manual, and the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves (approval pending).

Forest insect and disease management will continue as on surrounding Crown lands.

3.6.2 Fish and wildlife management

The existing Wildlife Management Unit (WMU # 8, 7B), sport fishing regulations and management activities will apply. Currently, several fish sanctuaries exist on Eagle Lake. See Appendix A for sanctuary location.

3.6.3 Landforms

None of the landforms mentioned will be altered by landform modification activities such as filling and extraction. The extraction of aggregates and similar materials are not permitted.

Mineral exploration and extraction are not permitted within the CR. Mining and related access may occur within the existing mining claim designated as Forest Reserve.

3.7 Cultural resources stewardship

To date, there have been no surveys done to assess cultural or heritage values. However, it is known and has been documented that Eagle Lake contains a number of traditional-use sites, artifact-find sites and pictographs. Further Cultural Inventories were deemed unnecessary at the time.

3.8 Client services

Given the focus on low key management, client information will be given on an inquiry basis only and will deal with the basic level of information with respect to access, natural heritage appreciation, recommended activities and boundaries.

3.9 Research

Non-destructive research by qualified individuals will be encouraged to provide a better understanding of the natural values protected by the Conservation Reserve and to advance protection, planning and management. In order to assist with enhancing the management guidelines for the reserve, the collection of additional earth and life science information during research is encouraged.

All research programs will require the approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources as will the removal of any natural or cultural specimen. The establishment of permanent plots, observation points or facilities must also be approved and be compatible with the Conservation Reserve protection objective. Any site disturbed by research activities must be rehabilitated as closely as possible to its previous state.

3.10 Marketing

Awareness of the Conservation Reserve is promoted through the Living Legacy web site. Intensive management activity to increase use is not required at this time.

4.0 Implementation

Implementation of this Statement of Conservation Interest will primarily involve monitoring activities to ensure adherence to the management guidelines and responding to inquiries about the site.

Implementation of this statement and management of the reserve are the responsibility of the Dryden Area Supervisor. Partnerships may be pursued to address management needs.

5.0 Review and revisions

5.1 Review and revisions

This Conservation Reserve Statement of Conservation Interest will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

If changes in management direction are needed at any time, the significance of the changes will be evaluated and further consultation a possibility. Any major amendments will require full public consultation and the approval of the District Manager and Regional Director. Affected clients will be immediately informed of proposed changes to this Statement of Conservation Interest.

5.2 Public consultation

5.2.1 Results of past consultations

Consultation on the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve was conducted as part of the consultation on the Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, July Subsequent consultation also took place in June 2001 to refine the boundary of the Conservation Reserve.

District Manager letters, totaling 194, were sent to the Dryden Forest Management Co., Weyerhaeuser and Ontario’s Forest Industries Association Tourist Outfitters, Advisory Committees, Trappers, Land Owners, Members of the Public, NGOs and GOs. Newspaper ads were placed in the Ignace Driftwood June 20, 2001 and Dryden Observer on June 19, 2001.

First Nation Consultation letters were also sent to twelve Native communities and organizations including the Eagle Lake First Nations, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Aboriginal People of Wabigoon. Direct consultation with Treaty 3 First Nations was carried out on a regional basis and concluded November of 2002.

No responses have been received to date from any of the above mentioned organizations/groups.

5.2.2 Present and future consultation

More widespread consultation is not deemed necessary at this time.

5.2.3 Author

This Statement of Conservation Interest was prepared by Alicia H.L. Morin, OLL Intern, Information Management, Dryden District. Assistance was provided by Martin Pell (Dryden District Planner) and members of the Dryden Area Team.

6.0 References

Blackburn, C. 2002. Earth Science Inventory – Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve. Unpublished report.

Foster, R. and Harris, A. 2002. Life Science Inventory – Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve. Unpublished report.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Printer for Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2002. Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) Recreation Resource Inventory Report. Unpublished report.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Lands & Natural Heritage, Lands & Waters. 1997. Conservation Reserve Policy and Procedure PL 3.03.05. 22 pp.

Appendix A: Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) Values Map

Enlarge Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) Values Map (PDF)

Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 1

Enlarge Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 1 (PDF)

Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 2

Enlarge Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 2 (PDF)

Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 3

Enlarge Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 3 (PDF)

Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 4 (PDF)

Enlarge Eagle Lake Islands CR – Tile 4 (PDF)

Appendix B: Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) earth science checksheet

Detailed information for site c2340 Eagle Lake Islands

Protection history

The reserve was identified under the provincial Lands for Life - Ontario’s Living Legacy Program as containing “representative landform and vegetation types, including mixed forests on weakly broken bedrock and lacustrine deposits.” (OMNR 1999). In addition, the islands were stated to have “high recreational potential” (OMNR 1999).

No other earth science significance was assigned.

Setting

The reserve comprises 3 423 hectares, all located in Dryden MNR District. It encompasses 578 islands, spread over a 45 km distance from northwest to southeast. The islands are located in the main central part of the lake as well as in several large bays, including Vermilion and Portage bays in the northwest and Osbourne and Niven bays in the southeast. The seven largest islands (Boat, Canoe, Stanton, Net, North Twin, Float and an unnamed island in Osbourne Bay) account for 57% of the reserve area. Elevations range from 360 to 420 m a.s.l.

Earth science features

Bedrock geology

The islands of Eagle Lake straddle the west-southwest trending Wabigoon fault, a major fault internal to the Archean age Wabigoon subprovince. The islands north of the fault display metasedimentary rocks of the Warclub group, and their migmatitic and granitic equivalents: islands south of the fault provide a cross section through the Eagle Lake portion of the Eagle-Wabigoon-Manitou lakes greenstone belt (Blackburn et al. 1991: Figure 9.8) and granitic rocks that are intrusive into them.

The Eagle Lake greenstone belt portion, mapped at reconnaissance scale only (Moorehouse 1941), has been divided (Blackburn et al. 1985) into three groups of volcanic rocks that are interpreted to lie one above the other in the following order: Eagle Lake volcanics; Lower Wabigoon volcanics; and Upper Wabigoon volcanics. The Eagle Lake volcanics lie south of a line between Camp 6 Bay in the west and Mukluk Bay in the east, and within the reserve, terminate in the south against granitic rocks of the Atikwa batholith at Rice Bay. They occupy much of the large peninsula between Meridian Bay and Buchan Bay, but representative rocks are seen on the islands. They are basalt flow rocks, that are commonly pillowed (e.g. station 4: photo 1). Coarsely crystalline massive flow sequences are also present (station 3: photo 2).

Lower Wabigoon volcanics occupy the centre portion of the greenstone belt, between Net Island in the west and Spring Bay in the east. The major portion is on the north end of the large peninsula that lies between Meridian Bay and Buchan Bay, but representative rocks are seen on the islands. They are a mixed sequence, predominantly of dacitic to rhyolitic composition, that may be pyroclastic (stations 2: photo 3; station 8: photo 4) or flow rocks (station 9: photo 5). Minor amounts of basaltic flow rocks are intercalated within the sequence, mostly at the east end of the unit, just to the north of Burnt and Stanton islands: at station 1, mafic breccia, formed by reaction of hot lava coming in contact with cold sea water, similar to pillow formation, was observed (photo 6).

Upper Wabigoon volcanics lie north of the Lower Wabigoon volcanics, and south of the Wabigoon fault, from Smith’s Bay in the west to Reserve Bay in the east. The major portion is on Farabout Peninsula, but representative rocks can be seen on the islands. They are dominantly basalts, both massive and pillowed. Close to the Wabigoon fault the pillows are progressively flattened, a result of stress along this major fault zone that extends from Lobstick Bay of Lake of the Woods in the west-southwest to Southeast Bay of Minnitaki Lake in the east- northeast, a distance of about 150 km (OGS 1992). On an island just south of Detour Point (station 12), right against the fault, pillows that were approximately equant upon extrusion on the sea floor now have a length of up to 2 m compared to less than 10 cm in thickness (photo 7), attesting to the huge tectonic stresses imparted during movement along this fault.

The Wabigoon fault itself, seen on the same island, is a very narrow but distinct zone (station 12). Bands of sedimentary rock of the Warclub group that lie to the north, have been intimately interlayered with pillowed volcanics of the Upper Wabigoon volcanics (photo 8) over a width of no more than 5 meters.

To the north of the Wabigoon fault, sedimentary rocks of the Warclub group have been variably metamorphosed, so that there is a complete range from low grade through to high grade, to migmatites and in the extreme case, complete melting of the sedimentary rock to form diatexite. Immediately adjacent to the fault, on the island east of station 12, the effects of deformation associated with movement on the fault can be seen (station 11: Photo 9): sandstones at low metamorphic grade contain quartz veins that have been tightly folded, suggesting that the sedimentary rocks also have been so folded. The rest of Eagle Lake to the north of this station was not visited during the present reconnaissance. Government mapping (Moorehouse 1941; Breaks et al. 1976) suggests that, as well as granitic rocks, representative examples of the metamorphic progression within Warclub sedimentary rocks can be seen on the islands of the reserve. Metasedimentary units are folded around Boat Island, and occur on a group of islands to the north of Canoe Island. Further north, in Vermilion Bay, diatexite of granitic composition occurs on, among other islands, Strawberry Island.

Granitic rocks of the Atikwa batholith intrude the lower part of the greenstone belt sequence, along its south side. They underlie two areas of the reserve: in the west, numerous islands that include Net, North Twin, South Twin, Prendible and Float islands; in the southeast, islands in Osbourne and Niven bays. Representative of the west area, on North Twin Island (station 10), coarse to medium grained grey tonalite forms large cliffs along its south side (photo 10). Representative of the southeast area, at Rice Bay (station 5), coarse pink biotite granodiorite occurs (photo 11), while at station 6 in Osbourne Bay, grey, medium grained biotite tonalite is present (photo 12). Rocks of the ovoid, 4 by 6 km, Froghead Bay stock are seen on a few islands in Froghead Bay (station 7). The stock is comprised of massive, coarse-grained grey biotite tonalite (photo 13).

Surficial geology

Pleistocene age surficial deposits of Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve are both glacial and post-glacial. Following deposition of till, about 11 000 years ago during the Late Wisconsinan stage, widespread areas of silt and clay were deposited in glacial Lake Agassiz (Minning et al. 1994). The reserve lies immediately southwest of the Eagle-Finlayson end moraine (Roed 1980a, b: Cowan and Sharpe 1991; Minning and Sharpe 1991: Barnett et al. 1991). The northeast shore of the central part of Eagle Lake is defined in large part by the end moraine which rises well above the level of the lake behind the shore. Silty clay deposits predominate throughout central Eagle Lake, and can be observed in low eroded bluffs at lake level in numerous places (e.g. station 2: photo 14; station 7: photo 15). These deposits commonly can be seen to lie directly on bedrock (photo 14). No layering indicative of varves was seen in the clays.

Thin till overlies bedrock on higher ground, such as numerous rocky islands (e.g. North Twin Island: photo 10) that rise well above present lake level. Direction of ice transport was from the northeast, as indicated by glacial scour features in bedrock, such as striations (station 2: photo 16). This is consistent with the major Keewatin ice movement prevalent in northwest Ontario (Zoltai 1961; Barnett 1992; Minning et al. 1994).

Recent geological processes include erosion by storm lake action of the silty clay bluffs noted above, and seasonal freeze-thaw conditions acting on joints in granitic rocks (photo 17).

Significance

The regionally extensive Wabigoon fault has other representation in P2363 Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park, where it underlies much of the waterway along Piskegomang Creek, to the west of the present reserve. The exposures of the fault on islands in the vicinity of Detour Point are particularly good, and augment the representation in P2363. Taken in conjunction with its presence in P2363, this earth science feature is of regional significance.

The Eagle Lake portion of the Eagle-Manitou-Wabigoon lakes greenstone belt is represented on the islands of Eagle Lake. The islands themselves give representation of a small portion of the greenstone belt rocks, perhaps less than 5%. Therefore high significance cannot be assigned to these as representative of a greenstone belt. However, the rocks of both the greenstone belt and the migmatites to the north are well exposed on the islands and relatively easily accessible by water from numerous launch sites on the lake. They are important in scientific study, and are therefore given local significance.

The glaciolacustrine deposits are well exposed and provide an excellent observational opportunity. They can be considered of regional significance.

Sensitivity

Bedrock geological features are not subject to degradation by either human activity or natural processes. Of the surface geological features, the clay deposits are subject to erosion, a natural process, but enhanced by the previous construction of a dam on the Eagle River downstream of Eagle Lake.

Recommendations

The present survey has adequately identified both bedrock and surficial features. No further recommendations for inventory are made.

References

Barnett, P.J. 1992. Quaternary Geology of Ontario; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 2, p. 1011-1088.

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

Blackburn, C.E., Bond, W.D., Breaks, F.W., Davis, D.W., Edwards, G.R., Poulsen, K.H., Trowell, N.F. and Wood, J. 1985. Evolution of Archean volcanic- sedimentary sequences of the western Wabigoon Subprovince and its margins: a review; in Evolution of Archean Supracrustal Sequences, Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 28, p 89-116.

Blackburn, C.E., Johns, G.W., Ayer, J. and Davis, D.W. 1991. Wabigoon Subprovince; in Geology of Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Special Volume 4, Part 1, p. 303-381.

Breaks, F.W. Bond, W.D., Westerman, C.J. and Harris, N. 1976. Operation Kenora-Ear Falls, Dryden-Vermilion Bay Sheet, District of Kenora; Ontario Geological Survey, Map P.1203, scale 1:63 360.

Cowan, W.R. and Sharpe, D.R. 1991. Surficial Geology, Wabigoon Lake, Ontario; Geological Survey of Canada, Map 1774A, scale 1:100 000.

Minning, G.V. and Sharpe, D.R. 1991. Surficial geology, Blue Lake, Ontario- United States; Geological Survey of Canada, Map 1772A, scale 1:100 000.

Minning, G.V., Cowan, W.R., Sharpe, D.R. and Warman, T.A. 1994. Quaternary geology and drift composition, Lake of the Woods region, northwestern Ontario; Geological Survey of Canada, Memoir 436, 239 p.

Moorhouse, W.W. 1941. Eagle Lake area; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 48d, Scale 1:63 360.

OGS 1992. Tectonic Assemblages of Ontario, west-central sheet; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 2576, scale 1:1 000 000.

OMNR 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy: Land Use Strategy; Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 136 p., accompanied by map, scale 1:1 200 000.

Roed, M.A. 1980. Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study, Data Base Map, Blue Lake; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 5058, scale 1:100 000.

Roed, M.A. 1980. Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study, Data Base Map, Wabigoon Lake; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 5059, scale 1:100 000.

Zoltai, S.C. 1961. Glacial history of part of northwestern Ontario; Geological Association of Canada, Proceedings, v. 13, p. 61-83.

Photographs

1. Pillow lavas of the Eagle Lake volcanics, Lone Pine Well- preserved pillows are at the top of the photo, while hammer lies on sheared rocks. (Stn. 4; UTM 0495496E 5501161N)

   

2. Massive, coarse grained mafic volcanics, of the Eagle Lake volcanics. (Stn. 3; UTM 0496508E 5502006N)

   

3. Intermediate lapilli-tuff of the Lower Wabigoon Small island south of Burnt Island, Eagle Lake. (Stn. 2; UTM 0493267E 5503532N)

   

4. Intermediate lapilli-tuff of the Lower Wabigoon Island at north end of Fornieri Bay. (Stn. 8; UTM 0485195E 5503851N)

   

5. Dacitic to rhyolitic flow rock of the Lower Wabigoon Note fracture pattern typical of felsic flow units. Island between Fornieri Bay and South Twin Island. (Stn. 9; UTM 0483949E 5502902N)

6. Mafic aquagene breccia of the Lower Wabigoon volcanics. Island northwest of Burnt (Stn. 1; UTM 0492529E 5504754N)

   

7. Pillow lavas of the Upper Wabigoon volcanics that have been deformed (flattened) in proximity to the Wabigoon Island near Detour Point. (Stn. 12; UTM 0472692E 5503606N)

   

8. Interlayered sedimentary and volcanic rocks in the Wabigoon fault Softer mafic volcanic layers weather down in contrast to more siliceous sedimentary layers. Island near Detour Point. (Stn. 12; UTM 0472692E 5503606N)

   

9. Metasedimentary sandstones of the Warclub group. Presence of tightly folded white quartz veins aligned parallel to the schistosity suggests the sandstones have been similarly folded. (Stn. 11; UTM 0472730E 5503707N)

   

10. View to the north over Eagle Lake from above South Twin Island. North Twin Island is in the foreground, with Schroeder Island immediately to the north. Temple Bay is in the upper right, and Nash’s (or Garnet) Bay to the far left.

    

11. Coarse, pink biotite granodiorite of the Atikwa batholith, Rice Bay. (Stn. 5; UTM 0496919E 5497389N)

    

12. Medium grained, grey, biotite tonalite of the Atikwa batholith, Osborne Bay. (Stn. 6; UTM 0497975E 5492387N)

    

13. Massive grey biotite tonalite of the Froghead Bay stock, Froghead Photo illustrates contrast between darker fresh surface and lighter weathered surface. (Stn. 7; UTM 0493146E 5498563N)

    

14. Eroded bank of silty clay, overlying bedrock. Small island southwest of Stanton (Stn. 2; UTM 0493267E 5503532N)

    

15. Silty clay bank on island in Froghead Bay. (Stn. 7; UTM 0493146E 5498563N)

    

16. Glacial striations on small island south of Burnt Island. View is up-ice, toward the northeast. (Stn. 2; UTM 0493267E 5503532N)

    

17. Seasonal frost heaving in shallow dipping jointing in tonalite, Osborne Bay. (Stn. 6; UTM 0497975E 5492387N)

    

Additional station

Stn. 10 UTM 0482291E 5503438N

Earth science inventory checklist

Location map

Earth science features

Archean age, Wabigoon Subprovince: Eagle Lake and its islands straddle a major Archean fault boundary: the east trending Wabigoon fault. South of the fault are metavolcanic rocks (mafic and felsic) of the Eagle- Wabigoon lakes greenstone belt. South of the greenstone belt, islands in Osbourne Bay are underlain by granitic rocks of the Atikwa batholith. North of the fault are granites and migmatites of the Winnipeg River subprovince.

Quaternary: much of Eagle Lake is underlain by Pleistocene glaciolacustrine clays, with shallow ground moraine over bedrock at higher elevations.

Significance

Exposures of the regionally extensive Wabigoon fault on islands near Detour Point are good, and augment representation in P2363, Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park. They are given regional significance. The islands on Eagle Lake give representation of only a small part of the Eagle Lake portion of the Eagle- Manitou-Wabigoon greenstone belt. However, their easy access makes them important in scientific study, and they are given local significance.

Sensitivity

Bedrock features are not sensitive to natural or cultural impacts. Clay deposits are subject to erosion, enhanced by the raising of water levels by construction of a dam on the Eagle River.

Recommendations

No recommendations are made.

Major references

Blackburn et al. 1991, “Wabigoon Subrovince” in OGS Special Volume 4; Breaks et al. 1976, OGS Map P.1203; Cowan and Sharpe 1991, GSC Map 1774A; Minning and Sharpe 1991, ,GSC Map 1772A; Moorehouse 1941, OGS Map 48d; Roed 1980, OGS Maps 5058 and 5059.

Date compiled

February 15, 2003

Compiler

C.E. Blackburn, Blackburn Geological Services

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks
300 Water Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8N1

Appendix C: Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve (C2340) life science checksheet

C2340 Eagle Lake Islands

Natural heritage area – life science checksheet

Location map

Physical and biological features

C2340 includes 578 Islands on Eagle Lake, spread out over 45 km (Map 1). The reserve does not encompass the waters of Eagle Lake, but does include two small lakes (total area of 16 ha) on Boat Island. Eagle Lake is a large (>27000 h) irregularly shaped lake with several large bays, including Vermilion and Portage bays in the northwest, and Osbourne and Niven bays in the southeast. Although the overall MEI is 3.9, there is considerable variation among basins, ranging from oligotrophic in the deeper western arm to eutrophic in the southern bays. The islands of C2340 range in size from <1 ha to 864 ha (Table 1) and have 370 km of shoreline. Although exposed rocks and small islets are most numerous, the seven largest islands (Boat, Canoe, Stanton, Net, North Twin, Float, and an unnamed island in Osbourne Bay) account for 57% of the reserve area.

Glaciolacustrine sediments predominate in much of the reserve, with silty clay soils common. Weakly broken bedrock with a thin veneer of clayey soil, or silty tills on higher ground, occurs most Boat and Canoe islands, as well some of the smaller adjacent islands. There are also smaller areas of weakly to strongly broken bedrock on Net and North Twin islands, but too small scale to be picked up by original analysis. Weakly broken ground moraine is found on the islands of Niven Bay at the south end of the reserve.

The forests of Eagle Lake Islands are a mixture of boreal and Great Lakes St. Lawrence elements, and are predominately pure or mixed conifer forests (Table 2). Forests dominated by balsam fir comprise approximately 1/3 of the forests, and balsam fir is present throughout much of the reserve as a subdominant or understorey species as well. Many of these are conifer mixedwoods (Ecosite 27, with balsam fir, jack pine, and trembling aspen and minor components of white birch, black and white spruce. The mesic, silty, or clayey soils typically support a rich shrub and herbaceous layer, with raspberry, buffaloberry bluebead lily, clubmosses, sweet coltsfoot, large-leaved aster, and bracken fern. Trembling aspen and white birch are subdominants, but there are some aspen-dominated stands on Canoe and Boat islands and some birch stands in the Stanton Island area.

Pure and mixed jack pine forests are abundant in the central and western part of the reserve, particularly on the coarser soils of Float, Boat, Canoe, and Net islands (Photo 1). Pipsissewa, Bebb’s willow, green alder and Schreber’s moss are common understorey species on well-drained sites (e.g. Ecosite 15), with bunchberry, Canada mayflower, starflower abundant on more mesic sites (e.g. Ecosite 20). Black spruce and white birch are common associates in these stands.

Pure red pine stands (V26, ES24) are found on North and South Twin islands, and mixedwood (V13) stands with at least 10% red pine are also concentrated in the centre of the reserve. Small stands and individual red pine are scattered throughout the reserve e.g., Stanton Island, islands on Osbourne & Vermilion bays. White pines are found scattered throughout the reserve as a minor overstorey component (typically 10% or less cover). Only one small stand (6 ha), on North Twin Island, is white pine dominated (Pw7Pr3), and is approximately 105 years old. These pine communities occur on well- drained tills and clays, and commonly have serviceberries, chokecherry, raspberry in the understorey.

Cedar is a component in scattered stands within the reserve, particularly in Osbourne Bay where it is the dominant species on a few islands. Cedar and black spruce are typically more common on north sides of islands with pine and birch more abundant on south-facing shores.

Large areas (~100 ha) of sparse forests of jack pine on very shallow soil (e.g., ES12) and rock barren (vegetated bedrock LV) are found on Canoe and Boat islands (Photo 2). There are ~6 ha of rock barren (ES7) and cliff (ES4) are found on the south shore of Net and North Twin islands as well. Cliff and barren communities are dominated by fragile cliff fern, harebell, pale corydalis, poverty grass, bristly sarsaparilla, Cladina lichens, ground and common juniper, meadowsweet, and smooth sumac.

There are approximately 100 ha of wetlands in the reserve, primarily on Boat, Canoe, Net, and two unnamed islands in Osbourne Bay. Most of this is poorly treed to open peatlands, mainly poor conifer swamp (ES35) and poor fens (ES40, 41)(Photo 3). These are often fringed by thicket swamp (ES44) with speckled alder and lake sedge, grading into tall shrub shore fen (W16) with bog birch, sweet gale, leatherleaf, wire sedge, marsh cinquefoil (Photo 4). There is a small black ash stand on north end of Boat Island. Marshes are small, scattered and poorly represented since the reserve goes only to the mean high water mark.

Representation

Table 4 summarizes representation of landform vegetation types of the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve for Ecodistricts 4S-4 and 4S-5 as recently refined by Ontario Parks (Steve Kingston pers. comm.). An older version of the landform vegetation representation matrix based on the original Ontario Living Legacy gap analysis is included for comparison (Table 5).

Eagle Lake Islands (3422 ha) contributes far more to Ecodistrict 4S-4 and 4S-5 representation than the 1646 ha indicated in the revised analysis (Table 4) or the 472 ha of the original OLL analysis (Table 5). The discrepancy is from unclassified reserve land due to the coarse scale of the provincial geology data used in the revised analysis. There is significantly more bedrock and lacustrine deposits than previously indicated, and there is a also small area of weakly broken ground moraine in the reserve. Many areas of the bedrock landform LV-types often have a thin veneer of till, although some areas have exposed bedrock with no or very shallow soils (especially Boat and Canoe islands). There is considerably more representation of most vegetation types on bedrock and glaciolacustrine deposits, particularly conifer, mixed, and sparse forests. Representation of these LV-types is considered provincially significant.

The forested LV-types on organic deposits on East Long Island in Ecodistrict 4S-4 were misclassified and are actually on lacustrine deposits. Elsewhere in the reserve however, there are approximately 24 ha (10 ha in 4S-4 and 14 ha in 4S-5) of thicket swamp that classify as sparse deciduous forests on organic deposits. According to the FRI, there are also ~80 ha of treed muskeg (typically conifer swamp, treed fen, or treed bog) and 6 ha of open muskeg, (typically open fen or bog in the conservation reserve). These treed and open wetland types on organic deposits were not previously recorded for the reserve in the LV analysis. They were misclassified as various upland LV-types.

Although there are over 100 ha of burn on Canoe and Boat islands according to the original LV analysis, recent satellite imagery and fire mapping from the 1920s to present do not indicate any fires occurring in the reserve.

Condition

The reserve is in relatively good condition given its relatively easy access and history of human use. There are numerous access points with boat launches providing access to Eagle Lake and the islands of the reserve, notably Vermilion Bay, Eagle River, and Bear Narrows. The reserves are also along the travel corridor to the adjacent Eagle-Dogtooth Provincial Park.

The islands of the reserve have been impacted by past logging activities, particularly for red and white pine, and white spruce. The timing and extent of post logging is unknown. These tree species may have formerly been more abundant on the islands, prior to selective logging and fire suppression. An unnamed island south of Stanton Island was formerly logged, and is now dominated by a shrub community of Canada yew, beaked hazel, chokecherry, and mountain maple. It appears to be maintained in this state by browsing. Remains of logging camps e.g. garbage tips, are found on some islands e.g., North Twin Island.

Eagle Lake is heavily used for recreation, particularly angling. Its supports a wide variety of sport fish, notably walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, sauger, lake trout, and lake whitefish. Islands of the reserve are used for shore lunches and picnicking. There are several commercial outposts, and numerous private camps on the mainland shoreline adjacent to the reserve, as well as several camps on privately owned islands. There are a few buildings on Float Island within the reserve. There is also a designated campsite on North Twin Island, two small islands on Muskeg Bay, and one on small, unnamed island on Niven Bay.

There are seven baitfish blocks, 11 bear management areas, and 10 trap lines overlapping the reserve.

Diversity

On the landform-vegetation type scale, the Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve has low to moderate diversity, being predominately glaciolacustrine or bedrock with thin tills. A total of 15 LV types are represented in the reserve. Boreal, Great Lakes – St. Lawrence, and prairie elements add to the vegetation diversity, and there is a good diversity of island sizes. The wetlands and waters of Eagle Lake also contribute to the effective diversity of habitats in the reserve. In particular, the wetlands in Eldorado and Muskeg bays provide significant wildlife and fish habitat (Noble 1995).

Ecological considerations

The reserve is sensitive to edge effects and outside influence given the extensive shoreline, large area over which the reserve islands are scattered, the private lands on islands and activities on the adjacent mainland, and high recreational use in the area. Spruce budworm outbreaks occurred in the reserve during the late 1980s and early 1990s, resulting in defoliation and mortality of white spruce and balsam fir. The Lake of the Woods Control Board regulates water levels on Eagle Lake. Water level regulation has little direct impact on the reserve since its boundaries do not encompass the lake.

The islands of the reserve are somewhat buffered from the effects of fire by the barrier posed by Eagle Lake. Large-even aged stands of jack pine on Canoe and Boat islands are likely fire origin circa 1908.

Special features

Provincially rare (S1) cut-leaved ragwort (Senecio eremophilus) was found on a south-facing clay bank on an unnamed island south of Stanton Island. The site has been highly disturbed by past logging and it was found in association with fringed bindweed, pale corydalis, and common hemp nettle. The only other known native occurrences of cut-leaved ragwort in Ontario are from Kakagi Lake near Sioux Narrows, and a few remnant prairies associated with cliffs south of Thunder Bay.

Red and white pine on Eagle Lake are near the edge of their continuous range in Ontario. Although, no red and white pine stands in the reserve are old growth, individual trees may exceed 120 years of age. White pine up to 80 cm DBH were observed in the field (Photo 5).

Relict prairie communities are found in at least three locations on south-facing shores with well-drained fine-textured soils. The open overstorey consists of several to 20 bur oak, with red pine, white pine, and/or white spruce in association. The oaks are 10 to 40 cm DBH, up to 8 m tall, and approximately 50 to 120 years of age (Photo 6). There is often a dense shrub layer of hawthorn, downy arrowwood, snowberry and bearberry, as well as abundant graminoids. Rough cinquefoil, a western species, was also present. Although not high quality prairies in terms of size, species diversity, or provincially rare species, they are significant since they are rare in Ecodistrict 4S4.

Bald eagles are known to nest at numerous locations in the reserve, including a new nest with two juveniles found on unnamed island south of Stanton Island during fieldwork.

American white pelicans, considered Endangered in Ontario, have been observed foraging on the lake but are not known to nest there.

Several bays of Eagle Lake that encompass reserve islands are fish sanctuaries in the spring.

Recommendations

Approximately 10 ha of non-insular wetland in Rice Bay are included in the reserve. These wetlands are wild rice marshes and shore fens (W14, W15) that grade into conifer swamp on the mainland. The mapped boundaries of the conservation reserve should be modified, unless the intent is include these areas that are not actually islands.

Significance level and summary of major representative values

Eagle Islands Conservation Reserve provides provincially significant representation for conifer, mixed, and sparse forests on lacustrine sediments and bedrock in Ecodistrict 4S-4, and to a lesser extent, 4S-5. The reserve has regionally significant prairie elements, provincially rare plants, and red and white pine stands.

Major information sources

Bakowsky, W.D. and M.J. Oldham. 1998. Significant prairie and savannah vegetation in northwestern Ontario. Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Peterborough. Unpublished report.

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. 1995. Site District 4S4 gap analysis. Unpublished report for Northwest Region, Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Thunder Bay, Ont. 22 p. + Append.

OMNR. 1999. Ontario’s Living Legacy – Land Use Strategy. Queen’s Printer, Toronto.

Racey, G.D., A.G. Harris, J.K.Jeglum, R.F.Foster and G.M.Wickware. 1996. Terrestrial and wetland ecosites of northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-02. 88 pp. + Append.

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 p.

Date Compiled: 21/05/03

Compiler(s): Robert Foster, Allan Harris Northern Bioscience

Map 1. Site map with significant features

Enlarge map 1. Site map with significant features (PDF).

Photo 1. Jack pine dominated forests occur on shallow soils over bedrock.

Photo 2. Cliffs along south side of North Twin Island

Photo 3. Treed and open peatlands are found along shorelines on some islands.

Photo 4. Shore fen at Rice Bay.

Photo 5. White pine on rocky shorelines are found in the central part of the reserve.

Photo 6. Prairie community with bur oak and dense shrub understorey.

* approximately 80% of C2340 has FRI data available

Table 4. Landform – vegetation (LV) type representation for Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve for Ecodistrict 4S-4 and 4S-5. (derived from analysis by Ontario Parks; Steve Kingston pers. comm.). ^{footnote 1[1]}

Ecodistrict 4S-4

Ecodistrict 4S-5

Table 5. Original version of landform – vegetation (LV) type representation for Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve used in Ontario Living Legacy gap analysis.

^Ccritical to meet representation targets at the Site District level

^Rcontributes to representation of the LV type at the Site District level

Eagle Lake Islands Conservation Reserve species lists

The following species lists are based fieldwork conducted September 12, 2002 and data provided by OMNR.

Plant list

Taxonomic order and species names generally follow Morton and Venn (1990). Introduced species are marked “I”. Provincially rare species (Oldham 1999) are marked “P”. Regionally rare species (TBFN 1998) are marked "R". Voucher specimens were collected for species marked “*”.

Eagle Lake Islands animal species list

Taxonomic order and nomenclature follow AOU (1998) for birds and Banfield (1974) for mammals. Nesting evidence codes follow the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas:

Possible nesting

H - Species observed in breeding season in suitable habitat.
S – Singing male present or breeding calls heard observed in breeding season in suitable habitat.

Probable nesting

P – Pair observed in their breeding season in suitable habitat.

Confirmed nesting

NU – Used nest or eggshell found (occupied / laid during the atlas period) FY – Recently fledged young or downy young

Birds

Amphibians

Mammals

Appendix D: Recreation inventory checksheet

Recreation features

1. M05 - Lake, Very Large (>1000 ha)
2. A01 - Sport Fish
3. T00 - Trail or Routes, General
4. B25 - Islands, Small
5. C02 - Structural Features
6. E05 - Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous
7. W00 - Wildlife, General
8. H00 - Historic, General

Recreation activities

1. F00 - Fishing
2. B00 - Water Sports, General
3. D00 - Snow Sports, General
4. H00 - Hunting, General
5. K00 - Camping, General
6. n00 - Nature Activities
7. Q00 - Viewing, General

Ministry of Natural Resources
Ministère des Richesses Naturelles

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks
300 Water Street, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8N1

Appendix E: Permitted uses table

Summary of generic permitted uses in conservation reserves within the planning area