NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: arctic lakes, climate change, hydrology, permafrost thaw, hydrology

Objective(s): (1) develop improved understanding of, and ability to predict, the complex northern hydrologic system, (2) consider the integrated effect of the changing climate on vegetation, snow, permafrost, streamflow, and lakes, and (3) develop improved water models needed to predict future changes to hydrology.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5842. The objectives of this project are to: (1) develop improved understanding of, and ability to predict, the complex northern hydrologic system, (2) consider the integrated effect of the changing climate on vegetation, snow, permafrost, streamflow, and lakes, and (4) develop improved water models needed to predict future changes to hydrology. These will allow a better understanding of the impact of climate change and/or natural resource development on the water resources of the NWT. Field work will start in January, with field trips over the winter to check sensors and carry out snow measurements within the measurement area of these snow sensors. We will then start longer duration field observations in March or early April for measurement of end of winter snow on the ground by using manual snow surveys and airborne sensors. At this time we will also install new instrumentation and carry out maintenance on existing sensors. We will use various methods to measure snowfall, blowing snow, snowmelt, soil moisture, evaporation, streamflow and lake levels. Our base camp is located at Trail Valley Creek (at the same site we have had a camp from 1991 to about 2005, and 2015 to present) and will have researchers at this camp until the fall (from mid- September or into November depending on requirements). Instrumentation and the camp will be prepared for winter in September or October and we will leave the camp at that time. We have previously discussed with ARI to have staff visit the camp during winter. Field sampling methods are non-invasive and non-destructive and include; drone aerial surveys, snow and water sampling, set up of automated weather stations, and water level recorder installation. Community engagement is also a priority for our research program and is fulfilled through public engagements including public lectures, student presentations for the ARI Summer Speaker Series, participation in NSERC Discovery science event in Inuvik, and through numerous hands-on public and high school workshops and presentations focused on teaching youth about science and climate change in their region. In 2023 our researchers were involved in community outreach through participating in the Inuvik Arctic Market with STEM activities and contests for local youth. Building on previous years, we also contract local members from the Inuvik Community Corporation to join researchers as field assistants. In 2022 several members of the ICC were deeply involved in our field program as well as co-authoring scientific publications and conference proceedings. Our program will continue to develop our collaboration with local groups in Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk including the Inuvialuit Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC), the Inuvialuit Land Corporation, and the Gwichi’n Renewable Resources Board (GRRB). We have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Wilfrid Laurier University and the FJMC (and signed at a high level in both organizations) to outline the collaborative nature of our research program and to ensure that our research is directly addressing FJMC needs. FJMC staff are involved in developing our research proposals and field plans, and we expect them to be involved in our field programs. We have also developed an MOU with the Aurora Research Institute (ARI), Western Arctic Research Centre, to collaborate on the operation of our Trail Valley site and we have an agreement for ARI staff to be fully involved in our field program. In recent years, ARI technicians have been hired to work alongside researchers at Trail Valley on numerous projects. In addition, Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) – Laurier Partnership (recently extended to 2030) provides extensive opportunities for us to collaborate with various GNWT groups, including the Department of Transportation (with an interest in the impacts of the Inuvik-Tuk Highway) and Environment and Natural Resources (with interests in water resources, climate change, and wildlife). The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: March 10 - December 31, 2024