La Mauricie National Park of Canada
Lakes: A Look Beneath the Surface
Lac Wapizagonke
© Parks Canada/Jacques PleauA land of lakes and forests, La Mauricie National Park contains over 150 bodies of water of varying size and an equal number of ponds, covering approximately 7% of its area.
Before the creation of the park, its aquatic ecosystems underwent major modifications as a result of forestry operations, the log drive and the introduction of many species of fish. Although the ecological integrity of the park has been compromised, it has nonetheless retained many of its attributes and its natural appearance.
The Current State of La Mauricie National Park
An Environment Changed by Human Activity
Bank of Lac Français
© Parks Canada/Denis MasseFor 130 years, log driving, forestry operations, dam building, the channelling of waterways, shore erosion and the accumulation of wood on lake bottoms and riverbeds have worked many changes on the original habitats of La Mauricie National Park.
The introduction, whether voluntary or involuntary, of 19 new species of fish has also had a significant impact on aquatic communities.
More recently, air pollution has contributed to the acidification of park waters and their contamination by toxins such as mercury.
The change in tree cover and the abolition of trapping upon the creation of the park opened the way for beavers to move in and remodel its waterways. Their dam-building and the subsequent rise in water levels appear to have had a significant impact on park waters, resulting in the disappearance of several populations of trout.
Lac Édouard© Parks CanadaToday we are examining the environmental stresses caused by human activities: the impact of thousands of swimmers on water quality and river environments and the consequences of the annual harvesting of 5,000 kg of fish by sport fishers. The effects of climate change are also to be considered.
Speckled Trout, Indicators of Lake Conditions
The speckled trout, indigenous species at La Mauricie National Park
© Parks Canada/Jacques PleauThe most telling example of the condition of lakes of La Mauricie National Park is that of the speckled trout (brook trout). Its extreme sensitivity to environmental changes makes it an ideal indicator of modifications to aquatic environments that result from human activities.
Since the beginning of the last century, we have documented the disappearance of 38 populations of speckled trout, but the real toll is likely much higher. Today it is estimated that the overall population of the species is about 50% of what it was originally in the park.
Preparing for the Future
The protection of the park territory is based on the principle of continued ecological integrity. The application of this principle requires considerable knowledge of ecosystems and how they work.
Past Projects
Accordingly, several important studies have been conducted over past years in the following areas:
- development of a data base regarding the quality and productivity of park waters
- genetic diversity of speckled trout
- postglacial colonization of fish species
- importance of small waterways to trout
- effects of fishing on trout populations
- use of trout parasites as indicators of environmental conditions
Current Projects
An ingenious rodent, the beaver
© Parks Canada/Philippe HenryOther projects are currently underway. One of them aims to demonstrate the influence that the developing beaver population is having on lake ecosystems and, more specifically, on speckled trout.
Future Projects
Future projects will focus on the following concerns:
Ensuring the Health of the Park
The Common Loon, La Mauricie National Park's emblem
© Parks Canada/Yves Landry
- monitoring the health and development of ecosystems
- restoring habitats that have deteriorated due to human activities (removal of dams and wood accumulated on lake and river bottoms). The From Log to Canoe program, for example, aims at the restoration of aquatic habitats in the park
- protecting rare or threatened species (wood turtle, pickerel frog, common loon, aquatic plants)
- maintaining the genetic diversity of the speckled trout (11 distinct lines)
Minimizing the Impact of Human Activities
The sport fishing
© Parks Canada/Jacques Pleau
- developing agreements for the adapted management of drainage basins which extend beyond park borders
- improving management practices
- evaluating the capacity of the environment to support human use according to the “use without abuse” principle
- re-evaluating sport fishing by taking into account the state of fish populations and the significant decline in the number of fishing-days (70%) over the last 20 years
- improving communication of information on the aquatic resources of the park
The Speckled Trout: A 10,000 Years Story
From Glaciers to Lakes
In the wake of retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago, the park evolved naturally, leading to the diverse habitats and rich wildlife that we know today. The park's naturally acidic or neutral waters favoured the development of speckled trout populations which still constitute the majority of the park's aquatic life.
5,000 Years of Human Presence
More than 130 years of forest exploitation on the park territory© Public Archives of CanadaThe lakes and rivers of La Mauricie National Park have long been associated with the course of human history. Aboriginal peoples travelled its waterways for at least 5,000 years, but significant signs of human occupation and resource exploitation date back only to approximately 1840.
In the early 1880s, the abundance of speckled trout available in the region gave rise to several prestigious hunting and fishing clubs. Today, most visitor activities take place either on or in the vicinity of park waters.
Parks Canada's Mission
The moose
© Parks Canada/Mark MillsThe mandate of Canada's national parks is to safeguard representative samples of the country's natural regions. Parks Canada will give priority to the protection and maintenance of ecological integrity so as to preserve environments essentially unaltered by human activities.
Those special places are natural witnesses to the impact that human activities have on the land. They are also set aside to serve as outdoor retreats for the benefit of present and future generations.
An Environment Worth Protecting
Your Support Is Important!
Beyond the beautiful landscapes, peaceful summer nights and tender cry of the loon exists a complex world. Aquatic environments and the species that inhabit them are fragile and suffer stresses often unnoticed by humans.
Feel the intimity of the lakes
© Parks Canada/Jacques PleauAlthough the past cannot be undone, we can at least relieve some of the stress placed on these environments. Our ultimate goal is to allow these areas to evolve naturally while providing you with a chance to get to know and appreciate them better.
As guardians of a land where fresh water abounds, we invite you to discover this precious natural resource in La Mauricie National Park
Take part in an interpretation program, discover life in a lake, behold the beauty of a stream and get involved in water conservation.
A green frog
© Parks Canada/Jacques PleauCome and make the most of this precious national heritage which is yours to enjoy.
Have a wonderful stay in La Maurice National Park!
For more information:
- ENVIRONMENT CANADA, PARKS CANADA, 1981. Parc national de la Mauricie - Synthèse et analyse des ressources naturelles. Unpublished. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Québec Region, 2 volumes.
- PLANTE, MICHEL, 1996. Plan de conservation des écosystèmes aquatiques, Parc national de la Mauricie. Parks Canada, Natural Resources Conservation Services, La Mauricie Management Unit.
- ANGER, B., BERNATCHEZ, L. AND P. MAGNAN, 1997. Diversité génétique des populations d'omble de fontaine (Salvelinus fontinalis MITCHILL) du parc national de la Mauricie et stratégies de conservation, rapport final. Parks Canada, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Québec Region, 153 pages.
- PLANTE, MICHE, 1996. Les communautés de poissons du parc national de la Mauricie, de l'origine à aujourd'hui. Unpublished. Parks Canada, Natural Resources Conservation Services, La Mauricie Management Unit, 94 pages.
These works may be consulted at the Parks Canada Library in the city of Québec. They can also be obtained through the interlibrary loan service at (418) 649-8259.