Oromocto River Watershed Association

THE OROMOCTO RIVER WATERSHED The Oromocto River Watershed is larger than one may first note. It is nearly ½ the size of Prince Edward Island and occupies space in four counties. (Sunbury, York, Charlotte and Queens.) It is located in Southwestern New Brunswick, Canada. The top of the watershed consists of North Oromocto Lake and South Oromocto Lake. These large lakes are crystal clear and average about 7 meters in depth. North Oromocto Lake (13 km x 4.5 km) is near Harvey, NB. The North Branch (45 km) flows east northeast through the villages of Tracy and Fredericton Junction. South Oromocto Lake. is 7 km long and 2 km wide The South Branch is 39 km long and flows north-northeast through the communities of Hoyt and Central Blissville.The two branches join near Central Blissville and flow 42 km north-northeast to its mouth at the Saint John River by the Town of Oromocto. Bothe branches (N&S) are fast running with many tributaries. The main Oromocto becomes tidal in low water for approximately 40 km to its mouth. This tidal area forms a calm, flat basin containing many streams, lakes and ponds. The early spring freshet adds 6 meters to the depth over summer and creates a flood plane reservoir of 45 km by 3 km (approximately) The original inhabitants tracking back approximately 4,000 years were Algonquin speaking Maliseet. Oromocto is the Native word for “Deep Water ‘’. The tidal portion of this river averages about 4 meters in low water. The French settled parts of this area prior to 1758 after which they were part of the mass exile due to the expulsion of the Acadians. During and after the American Revolution (1775-1783) American colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the war fled to New Brunswick and settled this area. Riches of the forests provided cedar and birch bark for native canoes. Full scale harvesting of timber from the shores of the Oromocto and its tributaries began in earnest about 1800.the timber and lumber trade dominated the area for more than 50 years from 1825 to 1875. More than 50 large ships were built at Oromocto. The forest industry still remains as an economic mainstay in the Oromocto River watershed. Commercial fishing of gaspereau and eel are still being harvested. Agriculture is still part of the economy but only minor. Outfitters and private citizens still enjoy some of the best hunting and fishing and outdoor recreation found anywhere in New Brunswick.. These ancient highways flow through pristine rolling hills and fertile lowlands, unspoiled by dams, heavy industry or mining. This watershed is truly remarkable in variety and quality, it is now up to us to keep it this way for the generations that will follow.