Shoreline Management
Shoreline Management
As the stewards of the iconic Niagara River and its stunning shorelines and viewpoints, we understand the importance of effective shoreline management. We employ best practices to protect and enhance these delicate ecosystems. With financial support from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Great Lakes Protection Initiative, Niagara Parks launched the Repairing Riparian Zones of the Niagara River Project which allowed NPC to meet the goal of more than doubling the percentage of Niagara River shoreline covered with native vegetation from less than 35% to 75%. By managing our shorelines responsibly, we not only protect the natural beauty of the area but also provide habitats for a diverse range of plant and animal species.
Preservation of the Niagara River Shoreline
Gonder’s Flats Restoration Project
Over the past several years, Niagara Parks has been gradually restoring Gonder’s Flats, a natural area located adjacent to the Niagara River in Fort Erie, that has been severely degraded. The current construction phase will build upon recent restoration of the shoreline habitat and will include a wildlife habitat conservation work, trail upgrades and educational signage.
Niagara River Coastal Wetlands Project
This project aims to restore coastal wetlands along key areas of the Niagara River to provide essential fish habitat and reduce erosion. To date, over 800 metres of new coastal wetland habitat has been created using hundreds of dead ash trees and other recycled material. Fish populations have already responded to the healthier wetlands with native freshwater fish species, including Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye and Yellow Perch, showing signs of returning to health.
Restoring Riparian Zones
This project aims to create, restore, and expand up to 10 kilometres of vegetated shoreline buffers along the Niagara River through the removal of non-native species, where required, and the planting of a diversity of native plant species. Also, where possible, woody debris will be anchored at select locations within the river to soften the shoreline and provide suitable fish refuge and nursery habitat. In collaboration with the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan and Niagara College’s Ecosystem Restoration Program, priority areas for shoreline vegetation restoration have been identified for implementation.
Viewpoint Management
Niagara Parks has developed standards for its many viewpoints along the Niagara River corridor as one tactic for the management of the entire shoreline. These viewpoint standards will help to create better and more sustainable views and prioritize maintenance activities. The standards will also be used to identify new viewpoints and assess current viewpoints.
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