Ritchie Lake Assessment & Management Plan

Aquatic, terrestrial, fish and benthic surveys, water sampling, an open house and a jurisdictional analysis became a council-ready plan to mitigate urban impacts on Ritchie Lake.

Ritchie Lake is a focal point in Quispamsis. It has cultural significance to the community, offers scenic views from roads and trails, provides swimming, boating and fishing, and shelters a wide range of wildlife. As the town grows around it, the Town of Quispamsis wanted to understand the lake’s existing condition and what it could do to protect it.

Baseline first

In 2024 the Town contracted Fundy Engineering to conduct a baseline assessment and develop a management plan. The assessment included aquatic and terrestrial surveys, fish assessments, benthic surveys and water sampling, plus research into the lake’s historical conditions gathered from residents through surveys and a September open house.

Then a plan the Town can act on

The baseline became the foundation for a management plan that lays out actions the Town can take to mitigate urban impacts. We presented it to Town Council in December 2024 alongside a jurisdictional analysis of the federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations that apply to managing the lake and its surroundings.