The Threat to the River Redhorse 
Jennifer Chaundy 
In The Globe and Mail on November 26, 1985, I noticed a 
call for tenders from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 
to construct and operate a micro-hydro power facility. This 
facility would be at Blakeney Falls on the Mississippi River 
between Pakenham and Almonte, in Lanark County west of Ottawa. 
Blakeney Falls is a small but charming area of natural beauty, 
and I was unhappy to think it might be spoiled. 
As it happens. Dr. Don McAllister, Research Curator of 
Fishes at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, sent us a 
copy of the Museum's Syllogeus 54 - Rare, Endangered and Extinct 
Fishes in Canada for Christmas as he had discovered the rare 
River Redhorse ( Moxostoma carinatum) (Figure 1) at Blakeney 
Falls, which is near our cottage on the Mississippi River. I 
reported to him the possibility of the dam. 
The status of the River Redhorse was established as rare by 
the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 
It is known from only three areas of Canada, one in southwestern 
Ontario, a second near Montreal, and a third in the Mississippi 
River. The most viable population is in the Mississippi River 
(Figure 2). 
Figure 1 . River Redhorse 
I heard from neighbours and residents in Blakeney that 
others were concerned about the park being spoiled, and decided 
to express my concern to the Province's elected officials. In 
March of 1986, I wrote to the Hon. V. Kerrio, Minister of Natur¬ 
al Resources; the Hon. J. Bradley, Minister of the Environment; 
and Mr. A1 Mack, Ministry of Natural Resources, Carleton Place; 
as well as my M.P.P., Mr. Reuben Baetz. 
