Nipigon Bay is situated at the northernmost point of Lake Superior. The Nipigon Bay Area of Concern encompasses the majority of Nipigon Bay and a portion of Lake Superior’s largest tributary, the Nipigon River. Nipigon Bay was designated as an Area of Concern in 1987 primarily as a result of impacts related to:
-upstream hydroelectric dams
-the accumulation of wood fibre, bark, and other organic matter from historic log drives
effluent inputs from municipal and industrial sources.
Nipigon Bay Remedial Action Plan History
1991 – Stage 1 Report was completed. This report summarized environmental conditions and the resulting impaired beneficial uses in the Nipigon Bay AOC.
1995 – Stage 2 Report was completed. The report outlined Water Use Goals and restoration actions to achieve these goals.
Over the years, many programs have been implemented to enhance fish and wildlife communities, and to rehabilitate degraded aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Some of the major efforts undertaken include: the cleanup of historic spawning grounds along the lower Nipigon River, the restoration of Clear Water Creek, the development of a Nipigon River Water Management Plan, the implementation of a successful adult walleye stocking program, and a habitat overlay component to the development of the Red Rock Marina.
The Nipigon Bay RAP program is now being facilitated by Lakehead University under the supervision and guidance of Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Remedial Action Plan Team and Nipigon Bay Public Advisory Committee (PAC) is currently in the process of reviewing the remedial actions implemented to date and assessing the status of the remaining ecological impairments.