A Program to Evaluate Changing Northern Lake Ice Regimes

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: water quality, biology, hydrology, ice thickness, snow depth

Principal Investigator: Prowse, Terry D (13)
Licence Number: 16289
Organization: Environment Canada
Licensed Year(s): 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Issued: Apr 12, 2018

Objective(s): To conduct snow depth, ice thickness and composition survey; and to collect water quality and biological information from a Northern Lake.

Project Description: The objective of this project is to complete on ice snow depth, ice thickness and composition survey along with collection under ice core water quality and biological information. Sample locations from previous years are located using a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). On ice snow depth is measured using a tape measure. An ice auger is used to penetrate the ice cover and evaluate if white ice is present. If present the depth is measured. The remaining ice cover is drilled using the ice auger. A measurement of total ice thickness is recorded. A measurement of hydrostatic water level is recorded. Under ice water quality is measured using an electronic water quality sonde. Grab samples of core biology - phytoplankton - are captured within a water container. The applicability of under-ice scraping for phytoplankton will be evaluated. Five to ten ice cores will be collected for laboratory analysis of ice chemistry and biological presence. An evaluation of logistics for deployment of mesocosms during ice conditions on Noell Lake will also be completed. Results of this project will be communicated through an annual report of research activities which will be provided to the communities. Research results will be presented in academic publication(s). Opportunities for community liaisons will be discussed with Aurora Research Institute. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from April 23 2018 to April 27, 2018.