NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: environmental monitoring, hydrology, fish, hydroelectric station

Objective(s): To monitor flow, water levels, sediment deposition, and fish use of the compensation habitat in Bluefish Lake and of the Yellowknife River.

Project Description: The objective of the Bluefish monitoring programs are is to monitor flow, water levels, sediment deposition, and monitor fish use of the compensation habitat in Bluefish Lake, and fish use of the Yellowknife River as per the Bluefish FAA Fisheries Act Authorization and Water License. The monitoring programs at Bluefish are multiyear programs that are required under the Fisheries Act Authorization and the Water Licence. Surveys of the aquatic environment are required to investigate fish habitat, population, migration and spawning, and water quality. To investigate fish in the affected area, bathymetry, gill netting, minnow trapping and snorkeling will be conducted. Some fish collection may be required to determine age, health, mercury levels and reproductive status of spawning fish. The Yellowknife River will be sampled for water quality, flow, water level, and sediment deposition between Prosperous Lake and Bluefish Lake. Sampling water quality, flow, water level, sediment deposition and fish will be done in the Yellowknife River between Prosperous Lake and Bluefish Lake, during the summer and fall. Water quality, level and flow parameters will be collected throughout the year when it is safe to access sample stations. Fisheries work will be completed during the fall and summer. Results from the monitoring program will be submitted to the government regulatory agencies and communities through land use permit and water license application processes. In addition, Northwest Territories Power Corporation has occasional meetings with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 13, 2014 to December 31, 2014.