Stewardship Association of Municipalities

Deer Lake

SAM Member Since: June 2011

Area Protected: 874 acres

The Town of Deer Lake, on the west coast of Newfoundland, is nestled where the Humber River flows into the northern end of a long lake known as Deer Lake. The town, and the lake, are said to have originally gotten their name from the significant number of caribou, then thought to be deer, seen crossing the lake. Today, Deer Lake is home to approximately 5000 people.

Conservation Areas

A significant quantity of wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife exists within the planning boundaries of the Town. Wetlands, which include riparian marshes, shallow open water, bogs, and fens, offer feeding sites, staging areas and sheltered habitats for waterfowl breeding and brood rearing. Surrounding uplands associated with these wetland habitat types play an important role in maintaining wetland integrity.

The Town of Deer Lake has recognized 3 Conservation Areas (CAs) within their municipal planning boundaries, totaling 874 acres of conserved wildlife habitat: Upper Humber River, Junction Brook Bog, and the Island. The Upper Humber River CA is located just south of the bridge on Highway 430 (Viking Trail) and consists of a lush riparian area and small island. The area has abundant emergent and submergent vegetation and offers an exceptional refuge for waterfowl in the area. A variety of waterfowl species including Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), American Black Duck (Anas rubripes) and Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) make use of the area and the floating mats of vegetation associated with it for nesting, brood raising, and feeding. Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) have been observed in the surrounding uplands. The Junction Brook Bog CA is located along the Town's eastern boundary, and contains a mosaic of diverse wetlands. Species including Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), Common Loon (Gavia immer), Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris), and Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) are known to frequent this area. The Island CA is located at the junction of the Upper Humber River and Deer Lake, and it is known to be full of waterfowl activity. Various shorebirds, including the Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), also inhabit the island’s shoreline and surrounding river banks.