The goal of the project is to prevent further eutrophication. The intention is to construct a wetland in Parent creek and re-meander sections of the original stream bed to reduce the inflow of nutrients into the lake. Lac Gauvreau is part of an important ecological corridor of the Gatineau Park.

In the summer of 2023 Enviro Lac Gauvreau was awarded a grant from the Municipality of La Pêche’s Green Fund for a range of activities, including for this project. The first step was to do a feasibility assessment by a hydro morphologist in July 2023. A partnership was formed with Action Chelsea for Respect of the Environment (ACRE), who can secure environmental servitudes on land where we could re-meander the creek or install wetlands. As there was interest from some landowners to work with us, the door was open for next steps.

The Province of Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment has significant funding available for the restoration of ecological function of creeks and wetlands, Programme de restauration et de création de milieux humides et hydriques and the Parent creek project would be a perfect fit. To manage this project we expanded the partnership with Conseil Régional de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable de l’Outaouais (CREDDO). Technical expertise for the design and costing will be supplied by Terre et Habitats. This project is not just to reduce nutrients and silt deposits in Lac Gauvreau. It will also enhance the wildlife corridor, increase wildlife habitat and reduce some of the climate change impacts by increasing the stormwater storage capacity in Parent Creek.

The project also has support from MRC des Collines. Our Municipal mayor, Guillaume Lamoureux, proposed a motion at the council of mayors meeting in Fall 2023, who voted to support the project.