NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: active layer, ground temperature, permafrost, permafrost degradation, permafrost thaw

Objective(s): To characterize, model and predict permafrost occurrence under varying terrain types and environmental disturbances.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5775. This activity describes and predicts the occurrence of discontinuous permafrost in the northern Great Slave Lake region to assist in planning, development and maintenance of community and industry infrastructure. Changes in climate are affecting permafrost distribution, temperatures and geotechnical conditions. Different landscapes across the region are exhibiting varying responses to warming. This study collects ground temperature and environmental information to describe the state of permafrost in the area. Supporting data from climatic, soils, vegetation, lakes and hydrological surveys assist in characterizing permafrost distribution. The broad objective is to characterize, model and predict permafrost occurrence under varying terrain types and environmental disturbances. Selected sites characterize the range of permafrost conditions. Local site conditions capture variation in ground temperature conditions across transitions from thick unconsolidated deposits to bedrock, and with proximity to water bodies. Consultation has ensured that sites yield the most locally relevant data. Study design involves measuring ground temperatures at undisturbed locations and in proximity to adjacent lakes. Temperatures describe active-layer conditions and freezeback characteristics of respective sites. Active layer thicknesses are measured at each site. The results of this work are communicated to NWT communities through workshops organized through the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, NWT Chamber of Mines, and Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS). The research is also communicated to groups and agencies responsible for managing infrastructure and regulating land and water use. Training opportunities with local schools and Aurora College are facilitated as knowledge transfers to NWT residents. Thermal data will be released as open reports and results in open access paper in collaboration with in NTGS. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: August 05 - November 01, 2024