Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, environmental impact, fish habitat, sediment, sediment transport, human disturbance
| Principal Investigator: | Rempel, Laura L (2) |
| Licence Number: | 13970 |
| Organization: | Fisheries & Oceans Canada |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2006
2005
|
| Issued: | Apr 24, 2006 |
| Project Team: | Paul Saso (Technician, DFO), Johnnie Lennie (Wildlife Monitor, J&P Lennie Services), Sen-Huy Tan (Technician, DFO) |
Project Description: The aim of this study is to characterize sediment transport processes, including bed scour and fine sediment deposition, in a sub-arctic stream intersected by the proposed Mackenzie Gas Pipeline. The specific objectives of the study are: characterization of surface and sub-surface bed sediment texture for all habitat types; measurement of bed scour depth and transport distance of sediment due to flooding; measurement of suspended sediment concentration and turbidity during flooding; determination of bank erosion and changes in channel habitat due to flooding; and characterization of fish habitat in the stream. The study is designed to address gaps in DFO’s understanding of possible impacts to fish habitat from the construction of the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline, which has the potential to increase sediment supply to channels by way of bank disturbance, vegetation removal for right-of ways, roads and bridge installation, and trenching and backfilling of streambeds. Fine sediment can have the effect of depositing locally, causing impacts such as pool infilling, the burial of spawning gravel beds, and other impacts at both the habitat and reach scales. Data collection will be conducted in two periods, May and late July to mid August, and will not involve any biological sampling. The first fieldwork period will entail collection of suspended sediment samples, and hydrometric measurements during ice break-up and spring flooding. The second fieldwork period will entail surveying the Canyon Creek channel, sediment sampling and habitat assessment. The study site will be accessed by snowmobile in May, and by helicopter or ATV in July and August. During each period of data collection, a temporary camp consisting of three small tents will be established. No-trace camping will be practised and the camp will leave no lasting impact. Results of this study will be communicated through project reports, refereed publications, and possible community visits if there is local interest in the results of the study. The study will be conducted from May 1-20, and July 25 to August 12, 2006 at Canyon Creek (65°13.399' 126°31.158').
