Regions: North Slave Region
Tags: fish habitat, fish, environmental compensation, invertebrates
| Principal Investigator: | Jones, Nicholas (3) |
| Licence Number: | 13042 |
| Organization: | University of Alberta |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2001
2000
1999
|
| Issued: | May 10, 1999 |
| Project Team: | William Tonn, Cris Katopodis, Garry Scrimgeour, Peter Steffler |
Objective(s): Development in Canada's North continues to expand, potentially threatening the biotic resources of this environmentally challenged region. Recently BHP Diamonds Canada has "dewatered" a number of lakes and created a diversion channel to re-route water around two open pit mines. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the diversion canal as habitat before and after it is enhanced with fish habitat structures and also in relation to natural streams in the area. Abundance of fish and invertebrates in the both the diversion channel and nearby natural streams will be quantified, helping to understand the habitat requirements of of fish such as Arctic grayling in the waters of the NWT barrenlands.
Project Description: Recently BHP Diamonds Canada has "dewatered" a number of lakes and created a diversion channel to re-route water around two open pit mines. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the diversion canal as habitat before and after it is enhanced with fish habitat structures and also in relation to natural streams in the area. In early spring Arctic grayling will be captured in weirs placed at both ends of the diversion channel. Sixty fish of a variety sizes will be fitted with radio transmitters. These fish will be released and their movements and habitat use studied. Channel and natural stream habitats will be quantified by ground survey, aerial photography, and transects along the streams. Detailed hydrographic surveys will be made in the diversion channel and one natural stream for use in hydrodynamic and habitat modeling. Benthic invertebrates will be sampled using a surber sampler in each stream as well. Fish will be captured using, dip nets, electrofishing equipment and other fine mesh nets. No fish will be purposely killed. Details of fish collection strategies may be found in the fisheries research permit issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for this project.
