NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, environmental impact, fish habitat, fisheries assessment, engineering, hydroelectric station

Objective(s): To conduct a fish and fish habitat assessment upstream and downstream of the proposed Project Site (2nd rapids on Snowdrift River), and in the Snowdrift River tributaries at the proposed road crossings between Lutsel K’e community and the second rapids site. In addition, to evaluate whether the 1st rapids on Snowdrift River act as a fish barrier.

Project Description: The objectives of this project are to: - Conduct a fish and fish habitat assessment upstream and downstream of the proposed Project Site (2nd rapids on Snowdrift River). This would involve vegetation assessment, depth and velocity transects and fish sampling. - Conduct fish and fish habitat assessments in the Snowdrift River tributaries at the proposed road crossings between Lutsel K’e community and the second rapids site. - Evaluate whether the 1st rapids on Snowdrift River act as a fish barrier. Northwest Territories Energy Corporation (03) Ltd. (NTEC) is considering developing a small (1000 kW) hydropower project on the Snowdrift River near Lutsel K’e, Northwest Territories. Fieldwork is required to confirm fish species composition, fish use and fish habitat values at the 2nd rapids and stream crossing sites. This information will allow evaluation of the effects on fish from Project development and will aid in proposing applicable mitigation strategies. Sampling of fish communities would be conducted in the lower Snowdrift River as well as select tributaries at the proposed road crossings. Fish sampling would be conducted by the following methods: Electroshocking; Beach seining by foot; Gill netting; Snorkel survey; and Angling. The intent of the program is to identify caught fish species, measure fork length and assess fish condition. A study of the current habitat conditions would be conducted (depth, velocity, cover, substrate) where possible. In addition, potential compensation sites would be evaluated. A local representative from Lutsel K'e (possibly 2) will be involved in the field program component of the Project. A report of the findings will be prepared and provided to the community of Lutsel K'e. In addition, results of the study will likely be incorporated into a Project Description report. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 20 to November 30, 2009, on the Snowdrift River and its tributaries between Lutsel K’e and upstream of 2nd rapids site on Snowdrift River (62°18'N 110°31'W).