Invasive Species and Biodiversity
The biodiversity of flora and fauna is critical for river health.
Aquatic invasive species are fish, invertebrate or plant species that have been introduced into a new aquatic environment, that are non native and outside of their natural range. Once introduced, aquatic invasive species populations can grow quickly because they don’t have natural predators in their new environment. As a result, they can outcompete and harm native species. They can even alter habitats to make them inhospitable for the native species.
Due to the regular influx of motor boat users that also use other bodies of water, there is a considerable risk of invasive species being established in the Gatineau River. During our regular sampling of sites for fecal coliform contamination, it is becoming clear that there is a significant spread of Eurasian Milfoil between Alcove and the Chelsea dam, and the possibility that other invasive species such as Zebra Mussels and Asian Carp are present. This proliferation, noted over several seasons, is of concern and should be quantified and assessed with respect to measures to control and correct.
Did You Know?
- Boats and gear can introduce and spread invasive species, endangering native species and reducing biodiversity.
- Over the past few years, FOG volunteers have been detecting the invasive eurasian milfoil plant in the river.
- Other threats include zebra mussels, aquatic insects, blue-green algae, and fish parasites.
- Invasive species can be very difficult to contain once they are established.
Videos
To assist in identifying, preventing, and controlling invasive species in the Ottawa-Gatineau region we created a series of instructional videos.
10 Invasive Plants
Common Reed
Phragmites australis
Description
– Grows in very dense stands (200 stems/square meter)
– Can grow up to 5 m high
– Brown, red or beige stems
Common Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Description
– Leaves float and form a rosette
– Leaf-blade bright green, thick and glossy
– Fibrous root, dark purple to black
– Flowers form loose clusters of 4 to 15 blue-violet petals
Eurasian Water-milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Description
– Stems of 6 m
– Dense canopy at the surface; red flower
– Stems anchored in the substrate and branching
– Leaves arranged in groups of 4 with 1 cm gap between rows
European Frog-bit
Reynoutria japonica
Description
– Heart shaped floating leave of 2 to 5 cm
– Green and thick leaves
– Flower of 2 cm composed of 3 white petals
Flowering Rush
Butomus umbellatus
Description
– Between 20-30 cm high
– Pink flowers with 3 petals and 2 shorter sepals
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Japanese Knotweed
Reynoutria japonica
Description
– At maturity, between 1 and 3 m in height
– Woody and dark brown rhizomes that grow to 2-3 cm
– Green to reddish stems, smooth and hollow
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicara
Description
– About 2.5 m high, leaves 3-10 cm with smooth edges
– Purple flowers with 5 to 7 petals
– Arranged on long flower spikes at the tip
Reed Canary Grass
Phalaris arundinacea
Description
– Measure from 50 cm to 2 m
– Stem: 1 cm in diameter (erect, simple, stiff)
– Elongated leaves, greenish, wide (1 to 3 cm)
Water chestnut
Trapa natans
Description
– Triangular leaves
– Seeds are nut-shaped and have spines
– Stems can grow up to 15 cm
– Flower with 4 white petals and measure about 8 mm
Yellow Iris
Iris pseudacorus
Description
– Size from 7 to 10 cm
– 3 sepals and 3 short erect petals
– Flower entirely yellow
7 Invasive Invertebrates
Banded Mystery Snail
Viviparus georgianus
Description
– Average size 3.5 cm
– Spherical whorls separated by deep sutures
– Yellow to brown colour, 3 to 4 spirals bands
Chinese Mystery Snail
Cipangopaludina chinensis
Description
– Spherical shell, up to 70 mm long
– Shell with 6 or 7 turns
– Exterior colour: olive green, brown or red-brown
– Interior colour: white or light blue
New Zealand Mud Snail
Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Description
– Elongated shell shape, about 6 mm length
– Propeller (7 to 8 turns) wraps to the right
– Each whorl separated by spines
– Shell is light grey / dark brown
Quagga Mussels
Dreissena bugensis
Description
– 2-3 cm long
– Round shape with no flat side
– Dark rings, with pale colours near the edges of the shell
Rusty Crayfish
Orconectus rusticus
Description
– About 10 cm (without the claws)
– Claws wider than other crayfish
– Carapace varies between blue-gray / dark green-brown
Spiny Water Flea
Bythotrephes longimanus
Description
– Between 1 to 1.5 cm
– Straight or slightly curved tail with spines and red band
– Big black eye and body with orange, blue and green hues
Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Description
– From 0.5 to 5 cm (smaller than other mussels)
– Clear or brown shell with brown or no stripes
– Byssus on the ventral side
3 Invasive Fish
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Description
– Size 13 – 25 cm
– Variable color (olive green to orange), may have spots
– Terminal mouth without barbels
Grass Carp
Carassius auratus
Description
– 50-59 cm and can weigh 50 kg
– Back olive-brown, white belly and flank with reflections
– Mouth without barbel and shorter dorsal fin base
– Short head, eye at mouth level, large caudal peduncle
Round Goby
Neogobius melanostomus
Description
– Adult size 8 – 15 cm (can reach 25 cm)
– Black spots on the first dorsal fin, prominent globular eyes
– Slate grey body spotted with black or brown
What We’re Doing
Invasive Species Survey
In summer 2021, we will conduct an Invasive Species Survey Project, which is funded by the municipality of Chelsea. We will work in conjunction with Ottawa Riverkeeper and some university experts to identify the scope of the problem and make recommendations for mitigation.
Boat Washing Advocacy
We are advocating for boat washing regulations and the installation of public washing stations near launch sites.
What You Can Do
Wash Your Boat
Wash your boat, trailer and fishing gear whenever moving between water bodies.
Leave No Trace
Leave native plants and animals untouched and undisturbed.
Report What You Find
If you see something that you believe to be an invasive species, let us know. Take a photo, record the location, and email them to us.