Ottawa River Ice Out
2005
This year, the Ottawa River was ice free (ice out) at Point Alexander by April 13. However, Deep River was still ice bound on April 16.
2005 April 16
This year has seen a gentle end to winter. Although we received a big dump of snow in early March, most of the last six weeks has been characterized by cold nights and sunny days. The Ottawa River is clearing on about its normal schedule, but the ice is lingering somewhat because of the lack of rain or wind to help it on its way.
The Ottawa River at Point Alexander has been essentially ice free since April 13. This photo from April 14 shows the view upstream towards Presqu'isle Bay. The two silver maple shrubs that mark the "point" of Point Alexander can be seen just at the right hand edge of the ice.
But on April 14, the river was still ice covered at Pine Point.
And the ice cover at Deep River was pretty solid -- although I did see one intrepid kayaker plying the shoreline water that evening.
Edge of Ice: By the afternoon of April 16, the transition between open water and ice had almost reached Pine Point. This shot was taken from the middle of the river, about half way between Point Alexander and Deep River, looking downstream towards Mount Martin. Upstream the river is clear; downstream, it is clogged with ice.
The river is rising; The "point" of Point Alexander is now under water.
Addendum: The ice went out at Deep River on 2005 April 17.
Related Pages
Ottawa River Ice Out
Some photographs of ice out on the Ottawa River near Deep River and Point Alexander
Ice Out at Point Alexander
Two photographs of ice out at Point Alexander on the Ottawa River
Ottawa River Freeze Up
This page documents, through photographs, the freeze up of the Ottawa River
Turkey Vulture
Photos of a turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River near Point Alexander.
Oiseau Rock
An account, with photographs, of a hike to the top of Oiseau Rock, a sacred and historic cliff situated on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River at the bottom of the Deep River Reach
Immature Bald Eagle -- Haliaeetus leucocephalus
An account, with photographs of an encounter with an Immature Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Do Black Bears Swim?
An account, with photographs of two black bears -- Ursus americanus -- swimming across Grand Lake in eastern Algonquin Park.
Young Raptor at Ryan's
Several photographs of a young (unidentified) raptor on the beach at Ryan's Campsite on the Ottawa River.
The Hawk Trail
A gallery of photos from along the Hawk Trail in the Petawawa Research Forest
The Debris at the Bottom of the Pond
A beaver dam on Maunsell Creek in the Petawawa Research Forest has burst and washed out Bypass Road. The partially drained beaver pond reveals evidence of the previous presence of some sort of building or structure. This page presents a gallery of photos of the revealed evidence.
The Story of a Canoe
Our reliable old 15 ft lightweight Grumman Canoe was severely damaged this past winter. While repairable, we realize with regret that we will probably never paddle it again. Its story is related here.
Lungwort
Some photographs of Lungwort, Lobaria pulmonaria
Big Pines Trail
An account with photographs of a late fall hike around the Big Pines Trail in Algonquin Park.
A Pair of Peregrines
Recently while out exploring, I encountered a pair of Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus).
Turkey Vultures at Presqu'isle
Several Photographs of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) on the beach at Presqu'isle on the Ottawa River.
Two Bear Encounters
An account of two black bear, Ursus americanus, encounters this summer.
Unidentified Raptor at Presqu'isle
Photograph of an unidentified raptor, perhaps a peregrine, on the beach at Presqu'isle on the Ottawa River.
Finding Wally
A local kayaker is found safe at Indian Point after spending an uncomfortable night in the Quebec bush.
High Falls at High Water
The High Falls area of the Barron River, near Achray in Algonquin Park, provides striking scenery and a natural water slide. It is especially impressive in the early Spring
Trip Log - Brent to Carl Wilson Lake
An account, with photographs, of a three day, two night solo canoe trip in northern Algonquin Park, from Brent on Cedar Lake to Carl Wilson Lake and return.
Day Trip Up the Petawawa River from Brent
An account, with photographs of a day trip up the Petawawa River, launching our canoe at Brent on Cedar Lake in Algonquin Park. We stopped to photograph the first falls where the river tumbles into Cedar Lake, visited the Corbeil gravesite, and continued upstream to the former timber slide at the second falls and then returned.
Foymount
Foymount is highest populated community in Ontario, located on the edge of the Ottawa-Bonnechere Graben west of Lake Clear in Renfrew County. It was formerly the site of a Pinetree Line radar base, which closed in 1974. Currently it is the home of Black Water Designs, manufacturer and distributor of high quality outdoors equipment and clothing (Sierra Designs).
