NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: fish habitat, Mackenzie Valley Highway

Objective(s): To collect fish and fish habitat and bathymetric data for detailed design and permitting of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5977. To collect fish and fish habitat and bathymetric data for detailed design and permitting of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project. Fish and Fish Habitat Assessments A total of 70 (66 watercourses and 4 drainages) locations are proposed to be assessed, including some visited during previous field programs but were frozen at the time or require re-assessment due to small changes in the road route. Fish sampling (i.e., electrofishing) is proposed to occur at 12 crossings where fish sampling was previously not completed and has potential to support larger bodied fish species. In addition to the Mackenzie Valley Highway crossing locations, fish sampling will be completed at Christina Creek to support GNWT’s application for a Fisheries Act Authorization associated with the re-alignment of the creek, as permitted for the construction of the Prohibition Creek Access Road. A total of 10 locations within the creek will be sampled. A helicopter will be used to access survey locations. The helicopter will land as close as is practical and safe and then personnel will proceed on foot to the survey location. Fish and fish habitat surveys will be conducted on foot by two K’alo Stantec fisheries biologists, accompanied by a local wildlife monitor. Fish habitat assessments will be conducted along a 400 m reach (i.e., 300 m downstream of the crossing location to 100 m upstream of the crossing location). A backpack electrofishing unit will be used. Water quality measurements will be taken using a water quality multimeter. Captured fish will be placed in a holding tank until they are documented. The holding tank will be clean and equipped with ice packs and aerators to maintain suitable temperatures and dissolved oxygen within the tank. Water will be replaced as needed to maintain suitable water quality conditions for fish. Fish will be identified to species, examined for any deformities, weighed, and measured. Fish will be monitored for signs of stress and electrofisher settings adjusted if stress is observed. Once fish demonstrate suitable recovery, they will be released back into the waterbody they were captured from. In-situ water quality data will be measured at fish habitat assessment sites using a hand-held water quality multimeter. Water quality parameters measured in the field as they relate to fish habitat will include: • specific conductivity • dissolved oxygen • pH • temperature Fish habitat assessment at all studied locations will use procedures based on standard protocols. The assessment area will extend from 300 m downstream of the crossing location to 100 m upstream of the crossing location. Six cross channel transects will be established at 100 m upstream, 50 m upstream, centreline (i.e., crossing location), 100 m downstream, 200 m downstream, and 300 m downstream. Where possible, the following information and observations will be recorded: • date and time • habitat type (e.g., pool, riffle, run) and area • channel characteristics (e.g., channel and witted widths, depths, and gradient) • bed material (substrate size and percent composition) • obstructions (i.e., barriers to fish passage) • vegetation (instream and riparian) • flood signs • stage of stream Bank materials, bank stability, bank slopes, cover, vegetation, and fish habitat will be estimated visually. Channel width, wetted width, water depth, and bank heights will be measured quantitatively (e.g., measuring tape, range finder). Instream substrate composition will be estimated visually at each transect. Bathymetric Assessment A total of 23 lakes were identified as potential future water withdrawal locations for the Project within approximately 500 m of the proposed highway route. Eight of these between Prohibition Creek and Blackwater River require bathymetric assessment to determine their depth, and the volume available for winter or summer withdrawal. A helicopter will be used to access survey locations, and a small boat with a small (2 hp) motor will be used to move around the water source. The helicopter will land as close as is practical and safe and then personnel will proceed on foot to the survey location. A K’alo-Stantec aquatic scientist, accompanied by a local wildlife monitor, will complete the assessments. Bathymetric surveys are completed by using a sonar (fish finder) to obtain a record of lake depths over the body of the lake. Bathymetric contour maps are then generated, and volume is calculated at varying depths. Bathymetric equipment is mounted onto the boat (or other suitable watercraft) using an adjustable pole mounted vertically along the gunwale of the boat during each survey. Program was discussed with Tulita RRC and Norman Wells RRC during Mackenzie Valley Highway Project engagements in May 2024. NWRRC and Tulita RRC will be contacted prior to the field program to notify of start date and to retain wildlife monitors. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: August 23 - September 30, 2024