Watershed Statistics

Stream Length - 5.7 kms
Total Area - 726 hectares
Population - 125
# of Civic Addresses - 125

French River is a short system that starts south of the Howatt Rd. west of the community of French River. It drains into Howatts Pond and Bernards Pond. In 2009, the Dept. of Environment commenced a dredging project on Bernards Pond, also known locally as the Government Pond. A small abandoned power mill was removed. The east end of the pond was dredged from the shore, and the spoils were placed in a bermed hollow. There remains a high level of interest in doing further work on this system. The community will be asked to be involved with Watershed planning in the months to come. Options include doing an assessment of fish species and numbers leading up to the by-pass at Bernards Pond. The possibility of using Howatts Pond as a multi-year silt trap will be considered. It is possible that Bernards Pond could be stocked with brook trout and closely monitored for its success. The by-pass at Bernards Pond is currently impassable for fish. Its reconstruction into a proper fish passage will be examined. Local farmers and landowners may decide to put in soil conservation structures to lessen the silt load on the system. There are many things to consider, and careful planning will be required.