The indigenous peoples shared their transport – the canoe – and their knowledge of the river and its tributaries with the early explorers.
The Ottawa River was a main artery of travel for incoming pioneers. Early tales of its magnificent beauty and bare ferocity were told and re-told. Its shoreline began to show signs of cultivation or lumbering as European settlers took up more and more land parcels. It served as a highway and an economic powerhouse to the lumbermen who sent the big “sticks” out to market at Montreal or Quebec City.
I have included one decidedly non-historical section under this heading. Ottawa Caves & Discoveries shows how much we continue to learn about the Ottawa River and its hidden secrets. Luckily, two provincial parks and one conservancy designation are in place to help in preserving this unique and diverse national treasure.
There is no question the Ottawa Valley caves are the longest underwater caves in Canada (so far), but they are also significant Canadian caves in their own right,” said Dr. David Sawatzky, a retired Canadian Armed Forces lieutenant-colonel, doctor, diver and expert on cave diving, who spent over 15 years mapping the Ottawa River caves.
Ecologists say the caves are the highest priority conservation property in the Ottawa River Valley representing nationally significant earth and life science features, as the property supports nationally and provincially designated species at risk and regionally significant vegetation and flora.
Taken from Arnprior Chronicle-Guide – November 27, 2014