Port Rowan Sewage Lagoon

 

Port Rowan Wetlands

The Port Rowan Wetlands are located on Hunter Drive North in the town of Port Rowan within the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve. This site is enjoyed as a recreational trail and wildlife viewing area by the community while providing habitat for numerous species unique to the Long Point Bay area. This site was formerly known as the Port Rowan Sewage Lagoons and was originally created to naturally treat, store and dispose of wastewater from the town of Port Rowan. The construction of a new treatment facility in 2012 allowed for the transformation of the lagoons and 24 hectares of land into a functioning wetland with a riparian buffer corridor leading to Lake Erie. This project was a collaborative effort to protect and restore species at risk (SAR) habitats. For more information regarding the Port Rowan Wetlands, visit here. 

 

cat tails This project site includes forest, grassland, riparian buffer, wetland, and SAR habitat restoration. The interpretive trail network navigates around the restored wetland and provides recreation and educational opportunities for the public on SAR and their associated habitat. Monitoring and maintenance are ongoing at the Port Rowan Wetlands to reduce threats to SAR habitat, enhance biodiversity, and ensure public safety and enjoyment.

 


Norfolk County has a long history of working with many partners and landowners in restoring wetlands and planting buffers along municipal drains. This project was successful due to the collaboration between the Long Point Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry, Long Point Biosphere Reserve, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Norfolk Land Stewardship Council, Ontario Power Generation (Forest Corridor Project), and Bird Studies Canada.

New partners continue to collaborate on enhancement projects to conserve and strengthen species at risk habitats including Environment and Climate Change Canada.


parsnip Wild Parsnip

When enjoying the view at the Port Rowan Sewage Lagoon, please remember to stay on the designated trail at all times. Wild parsnip has been found scattered throughout the property, particularly along the trail edges.

Wild parsnip is an invasive plant that produces sap containing chemicals that can cause human skin to react to sunlight, resulting in intense burns, rashes or blisters.

Contact with this plant may require medical attention. To learn more about wild parsnip including impacts and identification, please visit  https://www.ontario.ca/page/wild-parsnip.

wild parsnip
We have obtained a contractor to remove this plant through herbicide application. The Port Rowan Wetlands will be closed to the public during treatment.

While treating this harmful plant we will also be treating other invasive species along the walking trail and other locations throughout the property with herbicide. These plants will die, leaving the areas brown and unsightly for the summer months.

The invasive species on this site are aggressive and require two treatments for proper site preparation.  A planting plan is in place to restore the area after treatment to prevent erosion, increase diversity, and improve SAR habitat.

wetland Maintenance Work

Maintenance is ongoing and regularly monitored. Typical maintenance activities may include brushing, removal of invasive species through herbicide application, or planting native plant species.