2009 in Review

The year 2009 was one of the best years ever for water quality at Petrie Island. This was despite July 2009 seeing the highest rainfall ever recorded for that month.

In 2009 the City implemented a new system for monitoring water quality at Petrie Island. The River beach and the East Bay beach were monitored separately, leading to fewer overall closures at Petrie. Previously the readings were lumped into a single number. Most times, the east beach was cleaner than the north beach, perhaps because it had less water circulation.

Using the water quality statistics provided by the City of Ottawa, we can compare all four beaches in Ottawa. The graph shows the number of days in which E. Coli counts exceeded 200 per 100 mL, the standard below which the water is considered safe for swimming. The beaches were closed on more days than this, as a precaution due to high rainfall on the previous day. The graph shows the number of days in which both beaches exceeded 200 counts.

Petrie Island was second only to Britannia Beach for excellent water quality in 2009.

Free Parking in Off Season

Now that the beach has officially closed for the year, parking at Petrie Island is free!

Experimental Turtle Nesting Site

In June 2009, the Friends of Petrie Island and the Ottawa Stewardship Council undertook a project, in cooperation with the City of Ottawa, to expand and enhance a turtle nesting site for species at risk and other turtles. The objective was to try and attract nesting turtles to an area that was less subject to high human use, and thereby promote better hatchling survival. Read the report here.

Petrie Island Natural Diversity

According to Dan Brunton, a biologist who has been hired by the City of Ottawa to assess Petrie Island, "The Petrie Islands supports one of the highest level of floristic diversity of any natural area in the City of Ottawa. Over 325 native vascular plant species are now known from this area. This represents almost 100% of the native diversity of comparable Ottawa River alluvial islands. Over two dozen Regionally Significant plant species occur with the Petrie Islands. One additional significant species is listed as federally and provincially Endangered. This species is the butternut."

In the Know

The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) has initiated an atlas project for the reptiles and amphibians of eastern Ontario. Throughout 2009 and 2010, we are asking landowners, citizens, and visitors to submit simple records of sightings (or calls) within the model forest. The EOMF includes all of the following five counties: Leeds & Grenville; Lanark; Prescott & Russell; Ottawa; and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry. For more information and for atlas reporting forms, please see the EOMF Herpetofaunal Atlas website at www.eomf.on.ca/atlas/.

Petrie Island stewardship plan updated. The Friends of Petrie Island and the Ottawa Stewardship Council have prepared a draft Stewardship Plan for Petrie Island. The draft plan was presented to the Ottawa Forests and Advisory Committee (OFGAC) in November, 2007. Following the presentation, OFGAC recommended that the Parks and Recreation Branch Work with FOPI and the OSC to finalize and implement the Stewardship Plan.

Species at Risk Turtle Survey 2008 July 2008
2008 is the fourth consecutive year that there have been confirmed sightings of Blanding’s turtles on Petrie Island. One was seen in 2005, two in 2006, one in 2007, and two in 2008.

Bridge Study
The first phase of the Interprovincial Crossing Study was completed. In February 2009 the NCC decided that 3 crossing will proceed to a 4 year assessment of 3 crossings. These locations will not affect Petrie Island.

Water quality controversy solved
June 2008

Duck box count
Feb 2007

Ten years for Friends
Jan 2007

Petrie Island is a complex of islands and wetlands located on the south shore of the Ottawa River in suburban Ottawa, Canada. It features a large public beach, boat launch, interpretation center, and an extensive nature preserve with access trails where you may view many birds, reptiles and other animals as well as rare trees and other plant species.

The site is owned by the City of Ottawa, which operates the beach. The Friends of Petrie Island operate the interpretation center and oversee the nature preserve, which covers most of the western portion of the site.

When You Visit

The Petrie Island area consists of wetlands and backwaters that are environmentally sensitive. When you visit, please be respectful of the site and mindful of others.

Dogs are prohibited everywhere on Petrie Island.

Stay on trails - do not disturb or harm wildlife, pick wildflowers or damage trees and other plants. Many birds and animals inhabit and breed in this area.

Do not catch turtles and frogs along the shoreline. It is illegal to catch turtles or disturb their nests; handling of frogs can harm them (you are toxic to them) and the shoreline is easily damaged by trampling

Do not fish along the Turtle Trail or beaches – discarded fish hooks and lines are dangerous to people and to wildlife.

Bicycles are not allowed on the trails.

Do not litter.

If you observe wild animals acting strangely, please let staff know.

Fires and camping are prohibited.

Les îles Petrie forment un complexe de terres humides et d’îles sur la rive droite de la rivière des Outaouais, à Ottawa, Canada. On y trouve une plage publique, une rampe de mise à l’eau, un centre d’interprétation et une réserve naturelle offrant une variété d’oiseaux, de reptiles et autres animaux ainsi que des arbres et autres plantes rares.

Le site appartient à la ville d’Ottawa, qui administre la plage. Les Amis de l’île Petrie gèrent le centre d’interprétation et supervisent la réserve, qui occupe le plus clair de la partie ouest du site.

Votre visite

Les îles Petrie consistent en terres humides et étangs don’t l’écologie est délicate. Respectez le lieu et les autres visiteurs.

Les chiens sont interdits partout sur l’île Petrie.

Restez sur les sentiers - ne nuisez pas aux plantes et animaux sauvages - plusieurs oiseaux et animaux vivent et se reproduisent sur le site.

Ne touchez pas les grenouilles et tortues. Il est interdit par la loi de capturer les tortues ou de déranger leurs nids; les grenouilles sont sensibles à la manipulation (votre toucher leur est toxique) et la circulation endommage les berges.

Ne pêchez pas le long du sentier des Tortues ou des plages - les hameçons perdus et lignes posent des dangers et nuisent à la faune.

Vélos interdits sur les sentiers.

Ne laissez pas de déchets.

Rapportez au au personnel tout comportement inusité des animaux.

Les feux et le camping sont interdits.