|
 |
The Thousand Islands are the most constant and enduring things on the earth, washed by ever-new currents of water, passing in its eternal cycle from the heavens to the sea and back again. Our islands, some eighteen hundred of them are formed of underlying granite, the oldest material on the face of the planet. Layers of newer rock and soil remain on a few of them, but typically erosion has exposed nobs of bumpy granite, interposed with pockets of thin soil that surprisingly support rich growth of pines and other native flora. |
Ian Coristine photograph |
The Thousand Islands are part of granite formation that extends from the Adirondack Mountains of New York State northwest through the lake districts of Ontario, where similar terrain is evident, to Georgian Bay in Lake Huron, where almost identical islands appear. Where it crosses the St. Lawrence River, the narrow link of exposed granite is known as the Frontenac Arch. A current movement proposes connection via the Frontenac Arch of two major wilderness areas, the Algonquin and Adirondack Parks of Ontario and New York. The similar ecology of the entire region would be recognized and conserved. |
Map courtesyof the Algonquin to Adirondack Conservation Association |
In line with the objective of the Algonquin to Adirondack Conservation Association, UNESCO designated the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, one of four hundred worldwide. The Biosphere Network provides information about conservation goals in its information center near Ivy Lea and on its website. The international boundary line could not be drawn down the center of the river, due to large islands there, so was drawn so as to give each nation roughly the same acreage of islands, although Canada has the larger number of them, about two thirds, whereas the United States has more of its land on large islands. The largest, however, Wolfe Island, is Canadian, as is nearby Howe Island, fourth largest. Grindstone and Wellesely Island, second and third in size, are in the United States. The terrain of the westernmost islands differs from those farther down the river, since from Simcoe to Hickory the islands retain the fairly flat surface seen elsewhere on the lake plain, whereas from Grindstone to Brockville the newer levels of sedementary rock have disappeared, exposing the more irregular, underlying granite. The Bateau Channel, between Howe Island and the Canadian mainland, follows the line of demarcation, with the City of Kingston lying on the eastern edge of the Frontenac Arch. It is known as "the Limestone City," however, since so many of its historic buildings were built of the sedimentary rock from the lake plain. The surface of Wellesley Island is partially covered with more level sandstone, another sedimentary rock, whereas the more northern portion is more rugged because of its exposed granite. The division between the two terrains is the island's interior Lake of the Isles. The changing character of stone is evident where exposed by cuts made for Interstate 81 as it crosses the island. The historic buildings on Heart Island were constructed of stones from different quarries. Boldt Castle itself employed granite form Oak Island in Chippewa Bay, whereas the Alster Tower appears to be constructed of sandstone, probably from nearby Wellesley Island. Don Ross has written most fully on the geological formation and the natural ecology of the Thousand Islands. Parks Canada has provided some material online.
Granite and water, Paul Malo photograph.
The islands vary not merely in size and geology, but in the way they are irregularly dispersed, frequently appearing in groups. A British hydrographer who surveyed the river in 1816 recognized and named eight clusters. The Admiralty Group, for instance, contains sixty-four islands near Gananoque. The "Admiralty" term reflects names given islands within the group, memorializing Lords of the Admiralty. Similarly, the named islands of the Navy Group after officers in the Royal Navy, and those of the Lake Fleet after ships of the Royal Navy. The latter are the most colorful, such as "Deathdealer" and "Bloodletter."
[To be continued].
Place: Communities, History, Parks & Preserves
|
|