Climate Change, Flow Regulation and Land-Use Effects on the Hydrology of the Peace-Athabasca-Slave System; Findings from the Northern Rivers Ecosystem Initiative

Prowse, Terry D.; Beltaos, Spyros; Gardner, John W.; Gibson, J. J.; Granger, R. J.; Leconte, Robert; Peters, Daniel L.; Pietroniro, Alain; Romolo, Luigi; Toth, Brenda

doi:10.1007/s10661-005-9080-x

Cited by 96 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The morphology of the SRD's distributary channel network at SD2 has changed over the last ~50 years (Figure 3;Hill, 1996;Prowse et al, 2006). Prior to 1954, most of the water flowing through the active delta exited to Great Slave Lake via Mid Channel West.…”

Section: Study Site -Sd2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood Frequency Variability During the Past 80 Years in the Slave River Delta, NWT, as Determined from Multi-Proxy Paleolimnological Analysis

Brock¹,

Martin²,

Mongeon³

et al. 2010

Canadian Water Resources Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A paleolimnological approach was employed to reconstruct variations in the frequency of spring break-up flooding in the Slave River Delta during the past ~80 years based on multi-proxy analyses (geochemistry, diatoms, plant macrofossils) of a sediment core from a shallow, flood-prone lake in the active delta. Results reveal oscillating decadal-scale intervals of high and low flood frequency. The post-1960 reconstruction of Slave River flood frequency parallels variations in measured Slave River discharge and corresponds to the flood history derived from observations of land users. Notably, the interval of lowest water levels inferred from a peak sedimentary abundance of Sagittaria cuneata seeds pre-dates upstream regulation of the Peace River in 1968. Multi-proxy records reveal that the onset of river regulation coincided with a period of increased flood frequency beginning in the early 1960s and ending in the early 1980s. It is therefore unlikely that river regulation is the primary factor causing declines in the frequency of spring break-up floods at the study site. Furthermore, the flood record developed in the Slave River Delta parallels similar changes in flood frequency from an oxbow lake in the northern Peace sector of the upstream Peace-Athabasca Delta. This suggests that climate-driven change in the runoff regime of the upper Mackenzie River Basin is likely the principle driver of variability in flood frequency in both deltas. Continued reductions in snowpacks and headwater runoff are therefore likely to reduce the frequency of flooding in the Slave River Delta.Résumé : Une approche paléolimnologique a été employée pour reconstituer les variations dans la fréquence des inondations attribuables aux débâcles du printemps dans le delta de la rivière Slave au cours des 80 dernières années, plus ou moins, en fonction d'analyses « multi-proxy » de diverses données indirectes (géochimie, diatomées, macrofossiles de plantes) d'une carotte de sédiments provenant d'un lac peu profond et sujet aux inondations dans le delta actif. Les résultats révèlent des intervalles à l'échelle décadaire oscillant entre une fréquence de crue élevée et faible. La reconstitution postérieure à 1960 de la fréquence de crue de la rivière Slave permet d'établir un parallèle avec les variations dans le débit mesuré 282 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

show abstract

Section: Study Site -Sd2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Flood Frequency Variability During the Past 80 Years in the Slave River Delta, NWT, as Determined from Multi-Proxy Paleolimnological Analysis

Brock¹,

Martin²,

Mongeon³

et al. 2010

Canadian Water Resources Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…PADPG, 1973;PADIC, 1987;PADTS, 1996;Gummer et al, 2000;Prowse et al, 2006). This reflects the widespread belief that alteration of the Peace River flow regime has affected the frequency and magnitude of spring ice-jam flooding, which is considered to play an important role in the water balance of many basins that are perched above, and disconnected from the complex channel network in the PAD (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydroecological responses of the Athabasca Delta, Canada, to changes in river flow and climate during the 20th century

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We employ water-isotope tracers and multi-proxy paleolimnological records to characterize contemporary controls on water balances of floodplain lakes in the Athabasca Delta, Canada, within the context of its hydroecological evolution over the 20th century. The insight gained from these approaches is necessary to gauge the hydroecological resiliency of the Athabasca Delta to past and future changes in Athabasca River flow regime. Results obtained from three lakes located in different regions of the Athabasca Delta indicate that hydroecological conditions were strongly affected by an engineered meander cut-off on the Athabasca River in 1972, intended to maintain flow in the river main stem, and a natural bifurcation of one of the major distributaries (Embarras River) in 1982, in response to progressive overextension of the delta to the east. Climate warming and naturally declining river discharge have also contributed to directional change. Recent drying trends reconstructed from sediment cores at two of the three lakes are likely representative of rapidly evolving hydroecological conditions in the southeastern sector, based on mapping of a recent high-magnitude ice-jam flood that failed to recharge this portion of the delta, while wetting in the region of the third lake due to increased frequency of river flooding reflects increasing diversion of Athabasca River flow northward. Our findings highlight the hydroecological sensitivity of the Athabasca Delta to changes in the magnitude and timing of discharge in the Athabasca River and heighten the need for informed management strategies to safeguard the integrity of this unique wetland ecosystem.

show abstract

“…Thus, it is possible that a disruption of spawning habitat in a tributary of the Athabasca River can cause a decline of a migratory fish species in Lake Athabasca, 250 km downstream. Water quantity can also be affected by climatic changes and forestry activity (Martin et al 2000, Prowse et al 2006, which can also cause changes in water quality (e.g., temperature), and may have extensive ecological effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in migratory fish communities and their health, hydrology, and water chemistry in rivers of the Athabasca oil sands region: a review of historical and current data

Schwalb

Alexander²,

Paul

et al. 2015

Environ. Rev.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The long-lived migratory fish in the lower Athabasca region (including the Athabasca oil sands region) are valued ecosystem components and good bio-indicators of changes in habitat condition, water quality and quantity over the entire stream network. Changes in this region may have been caused by a variety of human activities including oil sands development, forestry, urban development, and recreational activities. We reviewed existing data to examine whether community composition and health of migratory fish (such as northern pike, walleye, and suckers) in the lower Athabasca region have changed over the past 40 years and whether these could be explained by changes in hydrology or water chemistry. Declines of 53%-100% in the abundance of three migratory fish species were detected in the Muskeg watershed (15% land change). Significant changes in fish health were detected. The largest decreases in body condition of fish in the region occurred in the late 1990s and coincided with elevated levels of fin erosion, the most frequently occurring external abnormality, and with extreme discharge conditions. Fish habitat can be affected by both increases and decreases in discharge, and the most pronounced changes were increases in some watersheds of up to 20% of average discharge post-development. In contrast, decreases in discharge post-development in the Muskeg and Steepbank rivers correlated with a decrease in precipitation. Our results show that climatic events and landscape features such as wetlands are important for understanding changes in the system. Further research is needed to examine potential ecological consequences of the observed changes in hydrology for fish and to explore what caused the changes in migratory fish communities and fish health. This will require a better understanding of the trophic structure of the system and a better monitoring program for migratory fish.Key words: biodiversity decline, land use changes, cumulative effects, long-term monitoring protocol, climate change, network scale, Alberta, Athabasca River. Résumé :Les poissons migrateurs à longue durée de vie dans la région inférieure de l'Athabasca (incluant la région des sables bitumineux de l'Athabasca) constituent des écosystèmes de valeur et de bons bio-indicateurs des changements des conditions d'habitat, soit la qualité et la quantité de l'eau sur l'ensemble du réseau de rivières. Les changements survenus dans cette région ont pu être causés par une variété d'activités humaines incluant le développement des sables bitumineux, la foresterie, le développement urbain et les activités de récréation. Les auteurs ont passé en revue les données existantes pour examiner si la composition de la communauté et la santé des poissons migrateurs (p. ex. brochet du nord, doré, meunier) dans la région inférieure de l'Athabasca ont changé au cours des 40 dernières années et si elles peuvent s'expliquer par des changements de l'hydrologie et de la chimie de l'eau. On a observé des déclins de 53 à 100 % dans l'abondance de ces trois espèc...

show abstract

Climate Change, Flow Regulation and Land-Use Effects on the Hydrology of the Peace-Athabasca-Slave System; Findings from the Northern Rivers Ecosystem Initiative

Cited by 96 publications

References 29 publications

Flood Frequency Variability During the Past 80 Years in the Slave River Delta, NWT, as Determined from Multi-Proxy Paleolimnological Analysis

Flood Frequency Variability During the Past 80 Years in the Slave River Delta, NWT, as Determined from Multi-Proxy Paleolimnological Analysis

Hydroecological responses of the Athabasca Delta, Canada, to changes in river flow and climate during the 20th century

Changes in migratory fish communities and their health, hydrology, and water chemistry in rivers of the Athabasca oil sands region: a review of historical and current data

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About