McCurdy Flats
Date Acquired: 2012
Location: Plymouth Road
Trails: Right-of-Way Driveway
McCurdy Flats is an 11-hectare preserve located on the Plymouth Road in Richmond, New Brunswick. The property protects a mature mixed forest that slopes toward a scenic section of the Meduxnekeag River known as the McCurdy Flats. Long valued by locals for fishing and seasonal fiddlehead harvesting, the preserve also contains a cleared area near the river that serves as a popular destination for picnics.
The forest at McCurdy Flats supports a diverse wildlife community. Small mammals such as red squirrels and snowshoe hare are commonly found throughout the property, while white-tailed deer and moose tracks may be seen using the access road as a highway system. The preserve is connected to adjacent private woodlots, Protected Natural Areas, and other Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve properties, forming part of a larger contiguous forest that allows wildlife to move freely across the landscape.
The riparian zone along the Meduxnekeag River is shaped by seasonal flooding and ice scour. These natural disturbances limit the establishment of trees and encourage communities of herbaceous vegetation and shrubs that are adapted to dynamic river conditions. This periodically flooded habitat provides important ecological functions, including nutrient cycling, erosion control, and habitat for a variety of birds that nest in woody shrubs.
The river at McCurdy Flats is characterized by an extended series of riffles followed by a short run. During periods of low summer water levels, much of the river can be crossed on foot. As the river bends through the flats, it forms a deep corner pool where submerged boulders create hydraulic refuges that provide shelter for fish during periods of strong current and low water. Across the river, large bedrock outcrops rise above the shoreline and are crowned with softwood forest, creating a striking backdrop that contributes to the scenic character of the property.
Written by Devon Bustard