Through this program, we monitor water quality in the Cocagne River and estuary. Understanding watershed issues is key to a resilient community. Maintaining the ecosystem services of the Cocagne Bay watershed will help us preserve environmental quality and rich biodiversity.
GDDPC monitors water quality at several sites in the Cocagne River and Bay watershed. Our goal is to collect information on the health of our water and share it with our partners, environmental groups, universities, government departments and citizens. In addition, we want to better protect our waterways from the sometimes excessive impact of bacteria and nutrients. We encourage best practices for stream perimeters and natural shoreline protection. A landscaping guide for homeowners on the waterfront highlights the importance of native plants that can slow erosion, for example.
To ensure good water quality in Cocagne Bay, we must consider the system as a whole. The water quality of the bay depends on the water quality of the rivers and streams that flow into it. For this reason, the majority of sampling programs test freshwater quality. Data is shared with the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government on the Watershed Associations Portal and the Atlantic Datastream Portal.
Shoreline clean up / Community Clean Up
For the past several years, we have organized a community clean-up for Earth Day to remove pollution from our waterways. In 2022, we collaborated with Art d'Eco magazine who created an art exhibit with the trash. On April 23, 2023, we collected with 70 participants of all ages in almost every street in the community 1802 lbs of garbage in addition to 10 bags with cans and bottles and some tires that we brought to the garage (not included in the total weight). An article in the Acadie Nouvelle was published on this subject (in French): https://www.acadienouvelle.com/actualites/2022/05/03/les-nettoyages-communautaires-font-une-nette-difference/
Resources
NEW! Cocagne Watershed Water Quality Report 2024 (in French)
Cocagne Watershed Water Quality Report 2023 (in French)
Cocagne Watershed Water Quality Report 2022 (in French)
Report on bacteria and nutrients in the Cocagne River Estuary 2020-2022
Water Quality Report for Cocagne, Bouctouche and Chockpish Watersheds 2000-2012 in French
NEW BRUNSWICK COCAGNE BAY ECOSYSTEM OVERVIEW REPORT in French (2009)
Acknowledgements
We thank our partners for sharing knowledge, materials and even staff at times. We are also grateful for the financial support of the NB Environmental Trust Fund and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
