History

HISTORY OF MAC JOHNSON WILDLIFE AREA

NOTES FROM DON WRIGHT , BOARD MEMBER, CATARAQUI REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY - JUNE 1, 1998

PART 1 - Formation of Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
In response to snowmelt and spring rain flooding problems in communities located near floodplains of creeks and rivers, as well as the development of poor land use practices in late 1930's and early 1940's., a group of individuals representing government, universities, and the private sector came together in 1941 at the "Guelph (Ontario) Conference". They recommended to the government a course of action to meet the conservation and resource management needs of the province.
In the spring of 1946, the passage of the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario signalled a new approach to conservation and resource management, with three basic principles:
- the "watershed" as a management unit
- local initiative and involvement
- municipal and provincial partnership.
The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority was formed at the request of our member municipalities in December 1964 by Order -In-Council. We are one of 38 conservation authorities operating in Ontario.
A Conservation Authority is a corporate body, formed by municipal request under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario to further conservation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources (excluding gas, oil, coal and minerals ) in these areas.
An authority's jurisdiction is based on a watershed (an area of land drained by one stream or river) rather than by political boundaries, since all municipalities through which a river or stream flows share its resource problems.
The CRCA has jurisdiction over 3437 sq. km. (1300 sq. miles) from Adolphustown in the west to Brockville in the east. There are nine watersheds in our jurisdiction, the largest ones being the Cataraqui and Gananoque rivers. The smaller systems include the Collins, Millhaven, Wilton, Little Catarqui, Lyn, Golden, Buells and Butler Creeks.
Financial and administrative matters are directed by the Ministry of Natural Resources Policy and Procedures Manual, which spells out how the Authority can spend provincial dollars and which items are eligible for provincial grants.
There are six developed Conservation Areas for recreational use in our jurisdiction: Little Cataraqui Creek, Lemoine Point, Gould Lake, Parrott's Bay, Mac Johnson Wildlife Area, and Lyn Valley.

PART 2 - Mac Johnson Wildlife Area
The creation of the Broome Runciman Dam in 1966 by the CRCA caused a large shallow reservoir to form at the stream headwater area of Buells Creek. The Reservoir became knowm as Buells Creek reservoir (marsh).
Water levels are artificially controlled by regulation of the Broome Runciman Dam. The main purpose is to control water levels through the City of Brockville.
Prior to the takeover of the area by the CRCA man made mill ponds along the Buells Creek system supplied power to the grist mills and saw mills that operated right to the St. Lawrence River in the late 1700's and early 1800's . This activity ended in the late 1800's.
In the early 1900's the marsh was drained and the extraction of peat began. The Mallory family built the "Peat Works" and tried commercial extraction of peat, but the operation ran into financial difficulty and was abandoned.
The remains of the "Peat Works" could be seen until the mid 1900's in the area of the South parking lot.
A discussion with Mr. Bath (brother of Linda Wright's aunt) during our Open House on May 10, 1998, also revealed that he worked in a commercial greenhouse located in the same area from 1927 - 1933. This was owned by Colonel Mac McKay (editor of the Kingston Whig-Standard). Linda has a copy of Mr. Bath's description of his work in the greenhouse.
The construction of the railway may have been started by the Brockville and Ottawa Railway Company around the turn of the century or around 1878 when the B & O was bought out by the Canada Central Railway Company. There was no explanation as to why construction was not completed but probably due to lack of funds.
The old farmstead located on a large sand dune in the NW area represents the old farmstead from the mid 1800's. This was the Joyce farm, and its last family member (according to Mr. Bath) was Hamilton Joyce who was there when the greenhouse was operating on the south side of the conservation area. The remains of foundations include: house, well, and an unidentified wall which was part of the barn or shed.
The Debruge family farm was located on Debruge Rd. near the workshop. The home was torn down in 1981 and the outline was still evident by the row of large maple trees, planted shrubs, and garden plants that escaped cultivation. (Ref. 1982 report by Janice Robinson).
The Beaver Pond is a small man made pond at the west edge near McLarry Road and was constructed by Albert Debruge in 1916 in order to have a private fishing hole stocked with fish from local waters. The date of completion of the dam inscribed in a cement block beside the beaver lodge was Oct. 10, 1916.
Known locally as the "Back Pond" the Buells Creek Conservation Area was renamed by the CRCA in 1987 to recognize the efforts and achievements of a Brockville resident and early Conservation Authority member, Mac Johnson. He represented the City of Brockville on the CRCA Board from 1969 - 1980 and was one of the hardest working members with a personal project to develop this property and encourage the use of this area for environmental education of Brockville and area youth.
The CRCA built the board office and attached residence for the superintendent of the Buells Creek Conservation Area which was managed by one full-time and one part-time person in the '60's . The office areas never developed as planned, as the Kingston area office gradually took over a centalized administration.
An active school program/education program was operating in the late '60's and early '70's , I believe.
The Activity Centre was constructed with labour supplied by the Eager Beavers Camping Association, (material was supplied by the CRCA) in the late'70's, and this club used the area for camping excursions. In fact, they had an agreement with the CRCA to collect the camping fees for the campground during the summer. They also had a rubberized liner installed in the smaller pond and brought in sand in an attempt to make a swimming area.
In 1994 a special subcommittee of the CRCA was formed to encourage use of the MJWA before it would be closed for lack of use.
In the fall of 1996 the "Friends" group was started to develop the use and interest in this area and replaced the subcommittee.
Home Page of Friends of MJWA | Photos from MJWA
Plants and Animals of MJWA | Interesting Environmental Sites