Analyzing oceanic storm surge impacts within the coastal Mackenzie Delta, NWT

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, environmental assessment, climatology, hydrology, limnology

Principal Investigator: Moorman, Brian J (5)
Licence Number: 14663
Organization: University of Calgary
Licensed Year(s): 2010
Issued: Mar 03, 2010
Project Team: Stephanie D. Lapka (Student, University of Calgary)

Objective(s): The main objective of this study is to establish the degree of impact and spatial extent of specific oceanic storm surges within the coastal Mackenzie Delta over the past 40 years.

Project Description: The main objective of this study is to establish the degree of impact and spatial extent of specific oceanic storm surges within the coastal Mackenzie Delta over the past 40 years. This investigation will be completed by analyzing remote sensing imagery to create multiyear change maps. The resulting maps will then be correlated to historic water level and climate data and verified by field samples. The 2010 field season will have a primary focus of lake water collection. Approximately 50 samples will be collected by the researcher at preselected locations within the outer coastal region of the delta. Water collection will involve the use of a Kemmerer Type sampler to extract 500 mL samples at the lake center (reached by means of a helicopter). Vegetation surveys will occur simultaneous to lake water collection by means of land based photography. Water samples will be taken back to Calgary, AB, to be analyzed for major ions, organics, salinity and pH. The main purpose of the data collection is for use by a student at the University of Calgary for an MSc thesis. The resulting analysis will also be presented at the University of Calgary Geography Conference as well as the Canadian Association of Geographers annual meeting and the 6th Canadian Conference on Permafrost. Moreover, the lake water analysis will be sent to INAC for use in a Territorial wide lake water database. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 27, 2010 to August 3, 2010.