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Geoscience Canada

The Soil Column: Geology, Land-Use, and Conservation of the

Quaternary Barrier System of Wasaga Beach, Ontario
I. P. Martini and D. W. Hoffman

Volume 3, Number 1, February 1976

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The Geological Association of Canada

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0315-0941 (print)
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Martini, I. P. & Hoffman, D. W. (1976). The Soil Column: Geology, Land-Use, and
Conservation of the Quaternary Barrier System of Wasaga Beach, Ontario.
Geoscience Canada, 3(1), 45–53.

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 history ofthe landscape. The primary The geological system of Wasaga
objectiveof this article is to contribute Beach comprises Pleistocene
some information concerning the (Wisconsin) till sheets overlain by
geology and geomorphology of Wasaga glacio-fluvial and lacustrine sands and
Beach. Ontario(Eig. I ) , by stressing its gravels. A-barrier complex" was formed
unique character. the slow processes in the last 6800 years through accretion
that formed it, and the necessity for of spits, beaches and sub-aerial sand
careful land-use planning and dunes (Martini. 1975). Similar
conservation. complexes exist along the coasts of the
Great Lakes, and contain much
information for decipheringthe history of
The Soil Column
Geology, Land-Use, and
Consewatlon of the
Quaternary Barrier System
of Wasaga Beach, Ontario
I. P. Martini and D. W. Hoffman
Deparlmenl of Land Resource Science
Universityof Guelph
Guelph, Onlario

Man is finally becoming aware of the

limitations of his habitat on Earth. He is
now striving to use natural resources
without unduly disturbing or pollutingthe
natural environment. However.
increasing population requires
increased development of lands for
habitation and recreation. In densely
populated areas, modifications of
natural landscapes occur rapidly; in
these areas there is an obvious need to
maintain a variable and pleasant
environment in which to live. Remote.
inaccessible wilderness regions
preserve examples of natural
phenomena and act as reservoirs for
living things. However, examples of
natural landscapes should also be
maintained in densely populatedregions
SO that many individuals may visit them
for recreation and educational
purposes.
In land use planning, values that are
seldom considered relate to the Flgun 1
geological and geomorphological Loca1,on of Wasaga Beach
formation of these features and inhabitants of central and southwestern Planning requires inputs from several
lacustrine basins (Hester and Fraser. Ontario. The conage-town of Wasaga disciplines. This article makes no
1973). However. the Wasaga Beach Beach has sprawled to cover all but the anempt to bring together
system is unique on account of its tipol the recent spit (Fig. 2). Duringthe representativesfrom all d~sciplines
degree of development and last decade, the rapid rate of increaseof interested in the conservation of the
preservation;moreover it contains easily population in the Great Lakes region and unique natural ecosystem at Wasaga
accessible natural exposures of its the introduction of contemporary Beach. Instead, it concentrates on some
internal structures along the recreational activities, such as aspects of the physical environment
Nottawasaga River. From a naturalist's snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, all- which have a strong bearing on the
point of view, the location of this sandy, terrain vehicles, horseback riding, and potential ot the area for certain forms of
hilly environment at this latitude creates camping has increased the pressure for development.
unique biological niches where development in the area l o the point that The work reported herein is of a
assemblages of plants and animals. maintenanceofthe natural ecosystem is general nature. More detail and
normally having more southern or difficult. TOprevent disruption of the quantification can be found in
northern ranges. are found together. protective plant cover and subsequent referenced work. It should be noted that
Wasaga Beach offers extensive accelerated erosion and deposition of this is ongoing research and hopefully
sandy shores, and is a preferred sand, proper planning of human additional informationwill be available at
weekend and summer resoll for the activities should be undertaken. a later date.

Flgm 2
Geomorph~logicalprovincesof the barrel
system ol Wasaga Beach
Geosclence Canada. Vdurne 3.Number 1. Felnuary. 1976 47

Geology and Land Use processes. As a consequence, each

The infwmation available on the unit is unique in terms of its sediments,
geological history of the present day geomcfphology and living biota, and
Lake Huron and its glacial precursors. each one responds dinerently to
Lake Algonquin and Lake Nipissing. intensive land use (Martini. 1974;
indicates that the fluctuations of the McHarg, 1969).Optimum planning for
water level were related to an inter-play development can be achieved only
of retreating ice sheets, a differential through d~versificationand matching of
isostatic rebound of the land that activities to landscape in order to
anected also the elevation of outlets, minimize damages to the ecosystems
and a progressive erosion and (Fig. 4).
deepening of the outlets themselves
(Fig. 3) (Dreimanis, 1958; Lewis. 1969. Till Plain. During the Pleistocene
1970). Much of this key inlormation is glaciations, glaciers advanced into the
locked in the geological- Wasaga Beach area from the Lake Flgun 3
geomorphological provinces that make Huron basin and lrom the Shieldnorthof Varlafions in lake levels in Ihe Lake Huron
up Wasaga Beach (Fig. 2.4). The major Lake Simcoe. Paleozoic shales and Bas~n(after Lewrs, 1970).
provinces are the Pre-Algonquintill limestones erodedfromthe basin, mixed
sheets, the Algonquin glacio-fluvial with some Precambrianmaterial derived permafrost condition (Martini, 1974).
sediments and raised beaches, and the from theshield, constitute the makeup of This till is present on the surface and in
Nipissing post-Nipissing "barrier thetills. Two till-sheets were deposited the sub-surface throughout the Wasaga
complex", which can be subdivided during the latest Wisconsin period and Beach area. During Algonquin times. it
further into a lagoon, high parabolic have been preserved (Burwasser. constituted islands around which
dunes, raised beaches and transverse 1974).The younger sheet is highly gravelly beaches were formed. During
dunes. The Recent provinces comprise calcareous, clayrich and contains few Nipissing times, it formed promontories
. . a sand soit. with
an alluvial olain. oebbles. It is found in limited areas and is lrom which the initial soits
, of the svstem
~~ ~

beaches and a shallow shelf with well- capped by gravels and sands. The grew. This till was the major source of
developed subaqueous bars. Each one second and older till is sandy and stony, the materialsthat were reworked intothe
of these areas was formed and is being and contains a few large Precambrian coastal environments. At the present
modified by specific processes or boulders. Sandfilledfrost cracks provide time, the sandy and stony till forms
different power-states of similar a record of an early post-glacial gently fluted high grounds (Fig. 2). with

AGE I RECENT
NIPISSING
PLEISTOCENE
PRE-AND ALGONDUIN

SAND I MARL, SAND & R A T

1 SAND

I
I

LAND USE LAKE WOODLAND

I F U M LAND

RtCRLATlONAL FISHING HIKING WING SNO*MOBILING

CWING
LAND USE ALLTERLAINVEHICLES
SWIMIING PICNICKING CANOEING

--. .--...... .-..

I I EROSION I
1
Flgure 4
Schemafc cross-secl,on of barrler system of
Wasaga Beach
soils of the Gray Brown Luvisol group conflict with conservation principles. around till islands, and on flat, low-lying
developed on it. The soils are neither would it seriously harm the till plains. The glacio-fluvial and deltajc
characterized by a silty loam texture. marginal larming activities. On the other deposits are composed of poorly sorted
slight to very stony, imperfect drainage, hand, it would relieve some ol the sandy gravel deposits of braided
smooth, rolling topography with development pressure presently outwash, and locally, of sand filling of
approximately three percent slopes, and directed toward other geomorphological deep deltaic channels that were
no. or verv little, erosion (Hoffman e l al.. provinces that have more fragile entrenched into coastal beaches and
1962). he till plains are open, poorly ecosystems, much higher naiural dunes during lowering stages of the
protected by arboreal vegetation, and capability for recreation, and unique water level of the lake. The fills are
tend toexperience cold winters. The historical and geological values. characterized by cross-bedded. "fining
land 1s used predominantly for dairy and upward sequences" (Reineck and
livestock farming. Algonquin Glacio-FluvialandLacusfrine Singh, 1973) of fairly well-sorted
These lands have limited natural Sed~ments.At different times. Lake medium to coarse sand, with the lower
resources for recreation (class 5 or Algonquin discharged eastward from coarser portion mixed with clay pebbles
lower Tao e J . 0.11nave h,gh ratangs Wasaga Beach thro~ghLake 8mcoe aerlvea from focal anclent ponos
i c ass 2 or 3)for urban prowlh The ands
ihat are closer to the t o i n o f ~ a s a g a
ntothe SI Lawrence Lowlanos iDeane
1956). This ancient re-entrant, and the
.~
Three manor tvoes
,, of Aloonab
-- n
7 -

beaches were formed around till islands

Beach would constitute optimum sites pathways Of the outlets are well-defined or along spits that grew from till aprons
lor building indoor or outdoor by glacio-lluvial sediments, raised (Martini, 1975).One contains sorted
recreational facilities, Intense erosional shorelines and beaches, and sand and gravel, and resembles the
development here would not necessarily other lacustrine sediments deposited Nipissing beaches that will be described

Table 1: Soil Capability lor Urbanlzatron(fop values)

and Recrealron[bottom values) (alter Hoffman, 1972: MacDonald andRichards. 19731

Capablllty chwa
Sdl and S l k Fadon
1 2 3 4 5

Depth to Bedrock
(R)
(Ifoot ='03048 m)
Depth to Water Table >20 > 20 8-20 t 8 (8
(ft) Below surface Below sudace Below surface Below surface Below surface

Natural Drainage Good Moderate imperfect Poor

Good Moderate Very good Poor Very poor
(rapid)
Depth of one or more
Impermeable Layers -
None >s. 2-3 -
1 <d-
(11) None >3 2-3 1-2 <l
T~meBetween Flood~ngs NOFlood No Flood
(w~s) NOFlood >I0 6-10 3-5

Slope (percent)

Variability in Slope Moderate Moderate High to High Hlgh

Moderate - -
High to
H~gh Moderate Moderate Low Low

None -
None None to slight -
Moderate Severe
None None None to slight Moderate Severe

Texture Clay to sandy Sandy loarns Gravels to All textures

loam to clays silty loams 01 wet
Silty loam Sandy to Gravels to sands locatlons
clay loams clays

Stoniness Few or stone- Few or stone- Moderately Very stony Exceedingly

tree free stony stony
GeoscienceCanada. Volume3. Number 1. February. 1976 49

later. Another type is characterized by records an Algonquin water level that is Lagoon. The ecosystems of the lagoonal
well-sorted sand deposited in inclined lowerthan the Nipissing Lake level area (Fig. 2) vary considerably. They
beds that show rhythmic sedimentation (elevation 634 feet above sea level) comprise (a) forested sandy floodplain
in the form of plane bedsalternating with (Stanley. 1936). This Algonquin beach of the Nottawasaga River. (b) the recent
thicker intervals of ripple-marked sand. was not destroyed by the advancing marshy, lacustrine habitat of Marl Lake
High rates of sedimentation and Nipissing waters because of the build- where organic maner composed
possible near-deltaic environments of up 01 the barrier which protected it from predominantly of grass, sedge and
deposition are suggested for these strong waves. This geological record of mollusk remains, are being deposited,
sequences by the stratigraphic position. Wasaga Beach is a rare one, and it is (c) a rim area at the back of the high
and the preservationof thick layers with very important for understanding the dunes and around the raised Algonquin
ripple marks and occasional ripple-drift. geological history of the Great Lakes. beaches, covered by a thin, shallow.
Characteristics of the third typeof beach and in particular,the Wasaga Beach lacustrine sand layer and (d) the central
are fairly to poorly sorted gravels with system. As such, it should be preserved area of the ancient lagoon that is
rounded and subspherical pebbles as a small open space to be used only underlain by marly clay. A Humic
which are mainly carbonate in for non-destructive agricultural or Gteysol soil has developed in the
composition.Their poor sorting relates recreational activities. topographically level area underlain by
to short distances from tillsoftheislands poorly drained marly sediments
that constituted their source, the Barrier System. The barrier complex of (Hoffman el a/.. 1962). Present day land
generally low energy of the depositing Wasaga Beach was developed during use consists of mixed farming, woodlots,
environment, and the relatively short the last 6800 years and is still being and increasing recreational activities
time that the beach processes were moulded by modern processes (Martini. such as golfing, horseback riding.
allowed to rework the sediments. These 1975). The sedimentary provinces of camping, hunting in Marl Lake, and
deposits are typified by gently inclined this system can be found interlingering fishing andcanoeing alongtheriver.The
accretionary beds, by the overall with each other in sections exposed land capability of the area ranges
coarsening upward trend of the along the Nottawasaga River. The lower between classes 3 or 4 (Table I). Its
sediments, where the coarser and older sedimentary sequences in the ecosystems are robust and sheltered
sediments were piled at the top of the centre-southwestern part of the barrier enough to be able to withstand future
beach during storms, and by consist of sandy-gravelly beaches that intensive development,although several
superimposed minor cycles consisting developed over the eroded surface of parts should be maintained as open
01 small to medium scale cross-beds tills. These initiated the formation of the natural spaces because they are
and erosional surfaces and/or thin spit during the rising water level stages integral parts ol the barrier complex, and
plane beds. of the very early Lake Nipissing. 5800- thus have geological-
The soil types formed on the glacio- 7000 Radiocarbonyears ago (Fig. 3). geomorphological, naturalistic.
fluvial, deltaic, and beach sands vary The spit grew into a barrier. Lagoons historical, educational and recreational
from well-developed Humo-Ferric formed behind it with the subsequent significance.
Podzol to Gray Brown Luvisol and Humic deposition of silts, clays and peals
Gleysols (Hoffman et a/, 1962). Melanic interstratified with sand carried in during Beaches andDunes. The sandy.
Brunisol soils characterize the sandy- storms by wind or by waves breaking gravelly beaches that formed the
gravelly deposits. All, except the poorly- through the barriers. This lagoonal original spit and underly the main sandy
drained Gleysols, have good drainage. sequence formed just landward from the section of the barrier complex are
The topography is generally smooth, gravelly beaches and below the composed of several types of sand-free
except in restricted areas where some overlying high parabolic dunes, and was gravel layers, gravels with infiltrated
steep slopes exist. These lands are poor *
deposited, from about 5336 62 to4642 sand, gravelly sand, and erosional
lor farming, but good (class 2 or 3) for *60 years ago (Carbon-14 dating), at a remnants of well-sorted sands. Some of
recreation and conage building. Proper net deposition rate of approximately 0.7 the sand lenses contaln large
planning is required to exploit the sand cm per year. concentrations of heavy minerals, up to
and gravel resources, and afterwards, to The glacial Nipissing Lake remained 95 per cent. More commonly the sands
recla~mthe area for forestry and at its highest water level until are quartz rich with concentrations of
recreation. approximately 3700 Radiocarbonyears dark minerals in laminae. Sedimentary
Intense, well-planned activities on ago. Afterward, the lake level dropped. Structures typical of these beaches are
these deposits do not conflict and during this last regression the inclined accretionary beds, cut and fill,
necessarily with conservation geological-geomorphological cross-beds. and large, coarsening
principles, except lor a small parcel of characteristics of the area, the available upward sequences related to storm
land on thenortheast sideolthewasaga Carbon 14 dates and archaeological deposits. Various minor depositional
Beach system around the Langman data suggest that the bulk of the high rhythms are superimposed over the
Farm (Stanley. 1936), where three parabolic back-dunes were formedand major storm cycles. They show
Algonquin beaches at different migrated lagoonwards approximately coarsening upwards and downwards
elevations, are well preserved (Fig. 2). 3000 to 2500 Radiocarbon years ago. sequences which were formed at
The lowest beach, the Payette beach, From that time on, the retreating lake different stages during storms or during
lies 624 feet above sea level and it shores were marked on the northwest lair weather. In particular, cycles which
side of the system by well preserved include thin beds of openwork granules
raised strom beaches capped by thin. mark the migration of the ancient swash
parallel dunes (Fig. 2).
 lines along the shore faces during falling under high [up to 1000 feet (30 m)] some sheltered, forested areas where
storm stages. parabolic dunes (Fig. 2). Thewind blown peak summer temperatures can reach
The gravelly deposits grade laterally sediments are characterized by fine to 1 30°F (54°C) in open areas and often
and vertically into beaches composed of medium, well-sorted quartz-rich sand. exceed 110°F (38°C). Except for the
well sorted sands, which are well medium to large scale cross-beds, and most exposed highlands, a good snow
exposed along the Nottawasaga River. some slump features. Locally, the cover is available everywhere during
in sand pits. and road cuts. They are sedimentary structures of the upper five ~nter.
characterized by: a) inclined laminae to nine feet (2 to 3 m) of the deposit are Many parts of these provinces rate
with superimposed ripple marks partially obliterated by plant roots and highly (class 1 or 2. Table I)for
alternating w ~ t hplane beds and associated pedological processes. recreation both in summer and wlnter
erosional surfaces; b) some The sands of the barrier complex have and for cottage building. However, the
concentrations of heavy minerals in weakly developed Podzolic soils. landscapes, particularly the parabolic
laminae: and c) in younger beaches,thin Drainage is rapid in the high dunes. dunes are fragile and, if the protective
layers of shells and thin accumulations where some steep slopes exceed 30 vegetation is reduced, remobil~zationof
of partially decomposed vegetal matter degrees. Poor dralnage characterizes the sand may occur. The importance of
("muck") similar to that being deposited the swales of the raised beach province. this biological and geomorphological
along recent shores. The whole area is forested, locally with system requires very careful planning
Covering these sequences are plantations or covered by prairie for the types of activities. and forthelime
parallel dunes which range in thickness ecosystems. The different biological of year during wh~chrecreational
up to five feet (2 m) In the southwestern communities relate to slope and aspects activities may be performed. Slm~larly.
portion they have been modified by high of land. In these variable environments although the dunes can be a good
transverse dunes and deflation basins. microclimates range from well- source of sand and the underlying
and they have been partially buried ventilated comfortable conditions to beaches of gravel, the historical.

Flgure 5 13 Sanopil ;,i htgn dune along lhe

Disiupt~veland use n the barrjer syslem: Noll;+wnsaq~River,
A Large sandandgravelp,t!n thesoulhwesl C. Delail vrew ol A, showing gravel beaches
end ot the barrier: Ihe lagoon!s totheriqhl, overlain by sand of hrgh dunes:
Georgian Bay lo the felt: D. Skallng rrnk bult on lop 01dunes in !he
northern part of the bairrer.
Geosclence Canada, Volume 3. Number I . February. 1976 51

biological, visual and recreational The shelf of Georgian Bay is underlain and to merge with the beach. The
tmponance of the landscape is toogreat by sand and silt showing a regular. presence of these bars may create
to be destroyed (Fig. 5).Alternative fining-offshoretrend. This shelf has both minor problems for young swimmers
sources for aggregates are potentially beneficial and detrimental effects upon because of variations in water depth. A
exploitable in nearby Algonquin and pre- the resort value of the shore. It more important and expensive effect ot
Algonquin terrains. constitutes a large reservoir of sand that the shallow shelf relates to the process
is piled uponto the beaches and of accumulation of vegetal matter
Recent Sandy Environments. Blowouts foredunes during fair weather and ("muck") on the beaches(Fig. 6C).Grab
in the high dunes, the spit, beaches, and eroded off during storm conditions. In samples from the shallow areas and
shelf constitute the most active, recent the sub-aqueous environment the sand along the shelf and offshore show little
sandy environments.A few observations moves in sets of three to five bars that algal growth in the recent lake. The bulk
will suffice to stressthe relation between trend parallel tothe shore. These bars of the organic maner is derived from
their sedimenlology and land use adjust their position in accordance with inland marshes and forests, is
planning. energy conditions of the lake, they tend transported by Nottawasaga River and is
to be unstable,to migrate toward shore. redistributed and stored in troughs

Figure 6 B Cenlral area 01 town dunny wrnler limr lo i) Dilring slornis, washover cut across the
Modern coaslal environments of Wasaga loregroundlhere is the lro,nn surlace 01 lrp of lne spit, erosion occurs h !he lake
Beach. Georgian B a y side and depos!r!onin washover-tans rnlo
A Pnrkng lots on lhe lip ot lhe coaslalspif C Beach ot Wasaga Beach during high the river (see A):
NorIowasaga River is lo Ihe irghl. Note waters Nole swash lines marked by E Road burl1 d~recllyon the beach 11 ls not
mdenlalrons a1 the lrpollhespll, whrch are acc~m~lal~ ofomuck:
n prolecled by loredunes and 11rs damaged
forrnedby washover during slorrns durrng slorms.
(see Dl.
between the bars and ripples. During underlain by tills, glacio-lluvial and exposed sand is easily remobilized by
storms, the partially decomposed matter coarse beach sediments. Except for a wind erosion in open spaces and spring
is suspended and later deposited on the small parcel of land to the north (around runolf in open trails in theforestedareas.
shores. it creates costly management the Langman farm; Stanley, 1936), No development of the area should be
oroblems- because the beaches must be
7~~~
which has great qeological
. . significance, undertaken, except for the
cleared during tourist seasons. the sand a i d gravel resource-can be establishment of controlled nature trails
Preliminary studies indicate that other exploited first, and thewhole land can be to exploit the physical and biological
management problems relate to sand reclaimed afterwards for intense land educational values of the area.
transported in a closed circuit over the use and construction. The carrying Concluding, it may be stated that the
spit. Sand transported from the shelf on capacity of the area is high and the soils Wasaga Beach landscape is unique in
to the beach is carried further onshore are suitable for construction. Ihe Great Lakes region. Some of its
by wind. There. it is entrapped by b) Along the modern spit and coastline leatures such as sand dunes are fragile
vegetation and piled up on foredunes. of the Georgian Bay intense and can easlty be remobilized: others
This subaerial movement of sand is not urbanization has occurred The beach is are found only in very restricted areas.
continuous, rather, it is most ellective the major attraction of the area. The for example,the set of three raised
during storms and during low water natural envlroment has been strongly Algonquin beaches in the northeastern
stages of the take The sand which has modilied by man, and the best that can side of the system Development of
not been trapped in the dunes migrates be done. 1s a sound management of the these areas should be carefully planned
landwards and eventually falls lnto the coast to avoid expensive maintenance with prime emphasis betng given to
river that acts as a barrier. These sands of parking lotsand removal of muck from conservation and non-destructive
are rillxed with other lluviatilesediments, beaches. recreat~onalactivities. Alternative areas
cartled into the lake, and redistributed C)Thecottage townof Wasaga Beach exlst that are located close to the
once again on the shelf. This transport has outgrown the spil area, and it is present town and are capable of
clrcull of sand is very active at the tip of sprawling to the east of the river into the supplying all necessary building
the spil where the area is only partly "raised beached and dunes" provlnce materials at comoarable costs. and
vegetated and no urban development Areas of th~sprovlnce should be where permanen't structures can be bullt
has occurred except for the building of maintained at the~rpresent natural w~thoutv~olat~ng conservation
park~nglots (Fig. 6 A ) Similar public status because they contain important principles
parklng lots are being built all along the geoniorphological and biological
water-front of Wasaga Beach. They are features. To do this, however, only a Acknowledgements
open to the lake and are not protected moderate degree of construction can be The authors are grateful for grants from
behind foredunes, whose growth has allowed, and sound land-use planning is the Ontario Ministry of Natural
been stopped rather than enhanced by required because of the strong conflicts Resources and Nattonal Research
human activlties. Management between development and conservation Council making this research possible.
problenis occur, lirstly because each principles. For example, to develop the We are indebted to Dr. 8. D Fahey
year parking lots and unprotected town area properly, an extensive drainage whose helpful comments improved the
roads must be cleared of sand. and system niust be built to lower the water rnanuscrlpl.
secondly because the absence of table This may destroy the natural plant
foredunes has enhanced destructive asseniblage of any area that is planned
shoreline erosion during storms(Fig. 66. as park or reserve, ifthese areas are not
6D. 6E). suffictently extensive and properly
located
Summary and Conclusions d) A second province of the barrier
A barrier system is located at Wasaga system where moderate development
Beach. Ofitario It is a well developed can occur, is the lagoon. The lagoon is
example of a coastal landscape, and its crossed by the Nottawasaga River and
geology 1s well exposed in cutsalongthe its shores are attractive for people
Nottawasaga R~verthat cross the interested in fishing and canoeing.
system. There. the land 1s flat and in many areas
Because Wasaga Beach 1s close to it 1s underlain by marly deposits which
major urban mnlers. 11!s a favourite may reduce its suitab~lilyfor
summer arid winter resort. The constructton of septic tanks. The lagoon
increased use ol the land for is an ~ntegralpart of the geologic-
recreatlonal purposes, requires a proper geomorpholog~csystem and parts of 11
land-use plan to balance activities, and should be rna~nta~ned as open park
to match possible developments with spaces
the carrylrig capacity of the varlous e) The h~gh dunes constitute the most
landscape units (provinces). A few frag~leenvironment of the barrier
general comments can be made. system They are covered by plne and
a) Areas of posslble intense oak forest and by pratrles and recently
development are present to the east of stabtl~zedheath The ground cover 1s
the barr~ersystem ~tsell.Theselandsare hlghly susceptible to trafflc,and
Geoscience Canada,Volume 3. Number I.February. 1976 53

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Guelph, unpublisheddata. Lacustrine Barrier System at Wasaga
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Last Notice for

The Stockwell Symposium
A symposium on "The Hudsonian Orogeny andplate tectonics" is to be held in Ottawa. March 4th
and 5th. 1976, in the auditorium of the National Library on Wellington Street. Meetings will begin at
8:55 a.m. and continue until 5:30 p.m. each day. The symposium is being organized under the
auspices of the Canadian Geodynamics Subcommittee and is in honour of C. H. Stockwell, of the
G.S.C., who has contributed so much to our understandingof the Canadian Shield. There will be 30
papers covering geology, geophysics and metallogenesis in the Churchill and Bear Provinces and
Precambrian occurrences in the USA. The meetings are open to all who are interested.
Participants are expected to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. The
National Library is conveniently situated near any downtown hotel. Neither registration nor
registration fees are required. Enquiries to J. G. Tanner, Earth Physics Branch, EMR Ottawa, 613-
994-5242.