Meghan Hodges
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, is a 79-kilometre-long river in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. The river's nickname, Chocolate River, is derived from the heavy sedimentation that gives the water a brown tint. In 1968, a controversial rock-and-earth causeway was constructed to prevent agricultural flooding, which resulted in the accumulation of an additional 10 million cubic meters of sediment in the river downstream. This construction led to a reduction in fish movement and negatively impacted the region's salmon catches. The Petitcodiac River was designated as the most endangered river in Canada by Earthwild International in 2003 due to these issues and the drop in water quality caused by industrial expansion. However, efforts to restore the river have been made, including the permanent opening of the causeway's gates in 2010, which allowed the river to flush out ocean silts and for the tidal bore to return.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Petitcodiac River |
| Nicknames | Chocolate River, Rivière Chocolat, Rivière au Chocolat |
| Origin of Name | Likely from Maliseet or Mi'kmaq language |
| Meaning of Name | "Sound of thunder", "Petkootkweăk" ("the river that bends like a bow") |
| Location | Westmorland, Albert, and Kings counties, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Length | 79 kilometres (49 miles) |
| Watershed Area | 2,071 square kilometres (800 square miles) |
| Features | Valleys, ridges, rolling hills |
| Number of Tributaries | 10 |
| Construction of Causeway | 1968 |
| Impact of Causeway | 10 million cubic metres (13 million cubic yards) of silt deposited in 4.7 km (2.9 mi) of river downstream |
| Reduction in Salmon Catches | 82% |
| Designation by Earthwild International in 2003 | Most endangered river in Canada |
| Opening of Causeway Gates | 14 April 2010 |
| Restoration Project Cost | $68 million |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial expansion
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, is located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It has a meander length of 79 kilometres (49 miles) and is situated in Westmorland, Albert, and Kings counties. The Petitcodiac River watershed covers an area of about 2,071 square kilometres (800 square miles) and is home to a diverse range of terrestrial and aquatic species.
The river's nickname, the Chocolate River, is derived from its heavy sedimentation, which gives it a distinct brown tint. This sedimentation has been a longstanding issue, with an estimated 10 million cubic metres (13 million cubic yards) of silt accumulating in the 4.7-kilometre (2.9-mile) stretch downstream from the construction of the Petitcodiac River Causeway in 1968. The causeway was built to prevent agricultural flooding and provide a crossing between Moncton and Riverview. However, it had detrimental effects on the river's ecosystem, including restricting fish movement and reducing salmon catches by 82%.
The pollution in the Petitcodiac River has had severe ecological consequences. In 2003, Earthwild International declared it the most endangered river in Canada due to the combined impacts of the causeway and industrial pollution. The river's health continues to be a concern, with restoration projects aiming to improve water quality and restore the river's natural state.
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Silt accumulation
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the "Chocolate River", is a river in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It gained its nickname from its heavy sedimentation, which gave the river a distinctive brown tint.
In 1968, a controversial rock-and-earth fill causeway was constructed to prevent agricultural flooding and provide a crossing between Moncton and Riverview. This construction caused significant silt accumulation in the river, with an estimated 10 million cubic metres (13 million cubic yards) of silt deposited in the 4.7 km (2.9 mi) stretch of the river downstream from the causeway in the first three years.
The causeway disrupted the natural movement of fish, leading to an 82% reduction in salmon catches in the region. The sedimentation buildup also made it difficult for fish to migrate upstream. The river's water quality deteriorated further due to industrial expansion in the surrounding area.
The accumulation of silt and the resulting environmental impact led to the Petitcodiac River being designated as Canada's most endangered river by Earthwild International in 2003. To address this issue, a three-phase restoration project was initiated, and in April 2010, the causeway's gates were permanently opened. This allowed the river to flush out the accumulated silt and restore its natural flow.
Since the opening of the causeway gates and the subsequent replacement of the structure with a bridge in 2021, the Petitcodiac River has been gradually flushing out the ocean silts. This has led to a positive impact on the river's health and the return of its famous tidal bore to its former size.
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Marginalisation
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, is a river in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. The river has a meander length of 79 kilometres (49 miles) and is located in Westmorland, Albert, and Kings counties. The river was nicknamed the Chocolate River due to its heavy sedimentation, resulting in a distinctive brown tint.
The Petitcodiac River has faced significant environmental issues, primarily caused by human activities and development in the surrounding areas. The construction of the Petitcodiac River Causeway in 1968 significantly impacted the river and its ecosystem. The causeway, built to prevent agricultural flooding and provide a crossing between Moncton and Riverview, led to the deposition of an estimated 10 million cubic metres (13 million cubic yards) of silt and sediment in the downstream section of the river. This had severe ecological consequences, including restricting the movement of fish and a significant reduction in salmon catches. The causeway also contributed to a decline in water quality due to industrial expansion in the area.
In addition to the effects of the causeway, the rapid population growth and urbanisation in the Moncton area have been identified as major contributors to the river's pollution. In 2002, the city of Moncton was charged with polluting the river by allowing toxic material from a former landfill to leak into the river for over a decade. This incident further emphasised the marginalisation and environmental degradation of the Petitcodiac River.
The river was designated as the most endangered river in Canada by Earthwild International in 2003 due to these cumulative issues. However, efforts have been made to restore the river, including a $68 million three-phase project that involved opening the causeway's gates permanently in 2010 to flush out the accumulated silt and improve water flow. The river has also benefited from the employment of "Riverkeepers" who advocate for the health and preservation of the waterway.
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Fish population decline
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, is located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It is home to a diverse population of terrestrial and aquatic species. However, human activities have led to a decline in fish populations in the river.
One major factor contributing to the fish population decline was the construction of the Petitcodiac River Causeway in 1968. The causeway was built to prevent agricultural flooding and provide a transportation link between Moncton and Riverview. However, it had a significant negative impact on the river's ecosystem. An estimated 10 million cubic meters of silt was deposited in the 4.7 km stretch of the river downstream from the causeway in the first three years after its construction. This led to a restriction in the movement of fish, and the region's salmon catches decreased by 82%. The American shad and Atlantic salmon populations were particularly affected, and both species were declared extirpated from the system.
In addition to the physical barriers created by the causeway, water quality in the river also deteriorated due to industrial expansion in the area. This further contributed to the decline in fish populations. The Petitcodiac River was designated as the most endangered river in Canada by Earthwild International in 2003 due to these environmental concerns.
To address the issues caused by the causeway, a $68 million three-phase project was initiated, which included opening the causeway's gates permanently in April 2010. This allowed for the river to flush itself of ocean silts and for the tidal bore to return to its former size. The Petitcodiac Fish Recovery Coalition (PFRC) was also formed to support the restoration of the river and the re-establishment of native fish species.
Since the opening of the causeway gates, the channel downstream of the causeway has widened, and water volume has increased. This has provided a more conducive environment for fish populations to recover. The PFRC continues to work on documenting the presence and counts of individual fish species in the river through various methods, including the use of box net fish traps and fyke nets. These efforts are crucial in monitoring the recovery of fish populations in the Petitcodiac River and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of this important ecosystem.
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Pollution
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, is located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. It has a meander length of 79 kilometres (49 miles) and is home to a diverse population of terrestrial and aquatic species.
The Petitcodiac River has faced significant environmental degradation due to human activities. One major contributor to the river's pollution was the construction of a rock-and-earth fill causeway in 1968 between Moncton and Riverview. This causeway was built to prevent agricultural flooding and provide a transportation link between the two communities. However, it had a detrimental impact on the river's ecosystem. An estimated 10 million cubic meters of silt was deposited in the 4.7 kilometers of the river downstream from the causeway in the first three years, leading to a reduction in fish movement and a decline in salmon catches. The causeway also contributed to a drop in water quality due to industrial expansion in the area.
The Petitcodiac River was designated as the most endangered river in Canada by Earthwild International in 2003 due to these environmental concerns. The river's water quality sampling performed by the Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance showed that while some areas of the watershed had healthy waters, the growth of the Moncton population and industrial expansion were major factors in the river's degradation.
To address these issues, a $68 million three-phase project was initiated, and on April 14, 2010, the causeway's gates were permanently opened. This allowed the river to flush out the accumulated ocean silts and restore its tidal bore. The restoration efforts also included the complete replacement of the causeway with a bridge in 2021, further aiding the river's recovery.
While the opening of the causeway gates was a positive step towards restoring the Petitcodiac River, it is important to continuously monitor and address any remaining environmental concerns. The river's unique ecosystem and cultural significance to the native Mi'kmaw people, represented by the Fort Folly First Nation, make its preservation crucial.
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Frequently asked questions
The Petitcodiac River, also known as the Chocolate River, became polluted due to toxic material from a former landfill leaking into the river. This was exacerbated by industrial expansion around the area.
In 2002, the city of Moncton was charged with polluting the river and fined $35,000. A $68 million three-phase project was also implemented to restore the river, including opening the causeway gates in 2010 to flush out ocean silts.
The pollution led to a decline in fish populations, with an 82% reduction in salmon catches. It also received the nickname "Chocolate River" due to heavy sedimentation, resulting in a brown tint. The river was designated as the most endangered river in Canada by Earthwild International in 2003.
