Hurds Creek

Streams and wetlands are significant contributors to water quality and biodiversity. The lake's major wetland is Hurds Creek between Lake Clear and Little Lake Clear which in recent years has undergone significant flora change at its entrance from reeds and bulrushes to lilies. It is believed the change reflects the sedimentation that has resulted in shallower water more suitable to lilies than the deeper water that once existed from the 1960s dredging at the entrance to the creek.

The Renfrew Power Generation water control dam was constructed in the 1930s and is approximately 4.5 km downstream from Lake Clear. The entrance to Hurds Creek is designated as crownland and In the early 1960s 1,300' of streambed at the entrance was dredged to enhance water flow. Since then re-sedimentation has almost eliminated any influence on lake's water levels but the dam remains essential for the existence of Little Lake Clear.

Control dam looking upstream with all logs removed