NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: environmental assessment, fish habitat, environmental change, water depth, fisheries, water velocity

Project Description: The objective of the study is to collect baseline fish and fish habitat information to provide an initial assessment of instream flow needs, and potential negative impacts to fish in the portion of the La Martre River affected by proposed the Nailii hydro project. Fish sampling will be conducted to be appropriate for the fish communities and life stages present. All captured fish will be enumerated by species, life stage, sex, state of maturity, measured and weighed. Where possible, fish locations will be marked on the map and geo-referenced. Fish habitat mapping will be conducted largely from a helicopter. Where possible, river depths will be estimated from shore or measured with a sounding line. Location of potential spring or fall spawning habitat or overwintering pools will be identified. Benthic invertebrates may be sampled at selected sites to characterize the benthic invertebrate community, as well as: coordinates of sampling locations; field water quality measurements; channel widths; aquatic macrophyte cover and species composition; and current velocity and water depth at each sample site. A non-technical summary report will be prepared for the Community of Wha Ti. The information will be included in an environmental assessment report which will become part of the public registry upon submission of regulatory applications and supporting documents. Opportunities for local involvement include: employment of a community representative or local researcher to assist with the aquatics field program; rental of equipment; aircraft charters, freight, and accommodations. The study will be conducted at La Martre River.