NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

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

Objective(s): To: (1) develop improved understanding of, and ability to predict, the complex northern hydrologic system, (2) over the 30 year period of record, consider the integrated effect of the changing climate on vegetation, snow, permafrost, streamflow, and lakes, and (3) develop improved water prediction models to consider future changes to hydrology across the ISR and more broadly across the Arctic.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 6164. The objectives of this project are unchanged from year 1 of this 5 year application, and are to: (1) develop improved understanding of, and ability to predict, the complex northern hydrologic system, (2) over the 30 year period of record, consider the integrated effect of the changing climate on vegetation, snow, permafrost, streamflow, and lakes, and (3) develop improved water prediction models in order to consider future changes to hydrology across the ISR and more broadly across the Arctic. These will allow a better understanding of the impact of climate change and/or natural resource development on the water resources of the NWT. As outlined in last year’s multi-year application, field work will start in March with field trips to check sensors and carry out snow measurements within the measurement area of these snow sensors. Our full field observations will begin in mid-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 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 TVC (at the same site we have had a camp from 1991 to present) and will have researchers at this camp until the fall (from mid- September or into November depending on requirements). Our main instrumentation site at TVC, and the camp, are located on lands noted in our two NWT Land Reserves which we have had for multiple decades. Other instrumentation is located across the watersheds. Our main instrumentation at HPC is on lands owned by Natural Resources Canada, and our use is covered by a Memorandum of Understanding with NRCAN. Instrumentation and the TVC 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 2024 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 2024 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), and the Inuvialuit Land Corporation. We have 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 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: May 20 - December 31, 2025