NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Dehcho Region, South Slave Region

Tags: water quality, benthic sampling, benthic invertebrates, transboundary, CABIN, bioindicators

Objective(s): 1. To establish a baseline for benthic invertebrates’ community structure and composition in the transboundary reaches of the Slave and Hay Rivers; and, 2. To track their status and conditions over time to assess ecosystem health and provide an early warning of change or stress in the environment.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5661. The objectives of this project are to establish a baseline for benthic invertebrates’ community structure and composition in the transboundary reaches of the Slave and Hay Rivers, and to track their status and conditions over time to assess ecosystem health and provide an early warning of change or stress in the environment. The monitoring plan includes sampling several 500 m long reaches of shoreline for benthic invertebrates. The sampling method follows a modified version of the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) protocols developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Benthic invertebrates are sampled using a 3-minute travelling kick method, where the sampler holds a sampling net downstream and kicks and disturbs the substrate for a period of 3 minutes moving upstream. The benthic invertebrates collected in the net are then preserved and sent to a lab for identification. In addition to benthic invertebrates, sediment and water quality samples are collected along with measurements of river flow and depth and habitat characteristics. Sampling occurs every fall. Overall, 6 reaches have been selected for the Hay River and 7 reaches were selected for the Slave River. At each reach, there are 5 benthic invertebrate sample sites that are spread 25-50 m apart. These river reaches were selected because they had rocks and cobbles on the river bottom, which is the ideal habitat type for sampling following the modified-CABIN approach. The NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Aboriginal Steering Committee, which includes representative from most Aboriginal governments, will be kept informed throughout all stages of the program. Updates will also occur in the Alberta-NWT Annual Report to the responsible Ministers which will be made public and posted on the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy website. Public presentations of work under the transboundary agreement also will occur from time to time. Prior to the pandemic, public engagement was conducted for the project at schools in Hay River, Hay River Reserve, and Fort Smith, and Fort Smith and Hay River public libraries. The goal is to continue with in person public engagement sessions to ensure the progress and results of the program are communicated. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: August 01 - December 31, 2023