Brief Project Descriptions

Yukon Energy and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Mayo, Yukon

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:20:57 -0700

Roop Lakes represents a regionally important wetland in central Yukon having a surface area of about 12 km2. Roop Creek is the principle drainage through the wetland. It is believed that a portion of the wetland is hydraulically linked to Mayo Lake. Mayo Lake is used for water storage to supply flow for winter hydroelectric power generation. As a result, water surface elevations on the lake fluctuate by about 2.6 meters annually. The effect of these fluctuations on the wetland is currently unknown. Baseline environmental information about the Roop Lakes wetlands is currently lacking.

To gain a better understanding of the ecology of the wetland, three sites were botanically inventoried and a relative ecosystem health index determined for each. In addition, bathymetry of some of the larger ponds and lakes that are accessible were documented.

Energy, Mines & Resources, Yukon Government

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:48:32 -0700

The Faro Mine Closure Project Management Team is currently finalizing the project description and environmental assessment for closure and remediation of the Faro Mine Complex. The closure and remediation project includes activities that will affect fish and fish habitat, especially in Rose Creek and in particular the North Fork of Rose Creek. As a result, a fish habitat compensation plan will be required as part of the project proposal. Habitat compensation plans are typically developed using information on fish and fish habitat that is collected in those areas that will be affected by the closure and remediation activities.

The objective of this proposal is to initiate investigations into fish habitat, fish utilization and fish passage in areas of Rose Creek that may be affected by proposed closure and remediation activities.

Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation, Carmacks, Yukon

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 08:36:49 -0700

The Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation have in the past expressed concerns about increased mineral exploration activity and recent land allocations along tributaries of the mainstem of the Yukon River downstream of Carmacks, Yukon. Specifically, the reach of the Yukon River between Tatchun Creek and Minto Landing is known to contain important spawning habitat for chinook and chum salmon that are especially vulnerable to disturbance or degrading water quality.

The purpose of this study is to identify and locate the most important aquatic habitats for both anadromous salmon associated with the mainstem of the Yukon River between Tatchun Creek and Minto Landing.

Yukon Government and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Mayo, Yukon

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:01:17 -0700

A planning team was assembled to develop a management plan for the Stewart River Habitat Protection Area near Mayo, Yukon. The planning team was comprised of six members, two nominated by Government of Yukon, two nominated by the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and two nominated by the Mayo district Renewable Resources Council. Can-nic-a-nick Sciences provided secretariat services to the planning team.

Included in the process was the requirement for public consultation with First Nation and non-First Nations people in the Mayo area. Research was undertaken on the agricultural, grazing and mineral potential of the area, existing land tenure, and forestry. A number of technical investigations that included waterfowl and fish inventories were also completed.

The results of this consultation and research were considered in preparing the final draft management plan.

Selkirk Renewable Resource Council, Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:18:49 -0700

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has conducted tagging programs on migratory Pacific salmon populations in the upper Yukon River drainage since 1982. Fall chum salmon are marked with spaghetti tags at two fish wheels located near the Yukon-Alaska border. The purpose of the tagging and subsequent tag recovery is to estimate the size of the fall chum spawning migration into Canada using marked to unmarked ratios. Yearly spawning migration estimates are used to monitor the relative long term run size of the fall chum salmon population in the Yukon River in Canada.

During October of 2007, the project recovered spaghetti tags from post-spawning fall chum salmon in the Minto index area of the Yukon River near Pelly Crossing, Yukon Territory. Spaghetti tags were recovered through foot and boat surveys at several known fall chum spawning locations. The survey observed and recovered a total of 42 spaghetti tags, all of which were Canadian origin. The fall chum salmon tagged to untagged ratio for Canadian tagged fall chum for 2007 was 43.7 fish for the Minto index area. Based on this ratio the Canadian Yukon River fall chum border escapement is estimated to be 188,539 ± 39,462 in 2007.

Yukon Highways and Public Works, Haines Junction, Yukon

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:14:01 -0700

Can-nic-a-nick Environmental Sciences was requested to complete a fish passage evaluation at a road crossing on Pine Creek near Haines Junction, Yukon. The road crossing and associated culverts provide access to both the Northwestel microwave site on Paint Mountain and residents of the Pine Creek subdivision.

In 1986 there was local interest in looking for alternatives that would restore a reportedly good Arctic grayling fishery at the outlet of Pine Lake. The road crossing and poorly placed culverts were thought to have alienated Pine Creek from Pine Lake for the upstream passage of northern pike and Arctic grayling.

A fish passage restoration project undertaken in 2001 included the removal of several in-active beaver dams below the culverts and the creation of a pool below using rock and geo-textile cloth to allow for improved fish passage. A subsequent fish passage evaluation concluded successful upstream passage of Arctic grayling during flow conditions of 2002 but no relationship was made between culvert hydraulics and fish performance.

Parks Canada, Haines Junction, Yukon

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:26:29 -0700

Spawning kokanee salmon in Kluane National Park have been enumerated in the Kathleen Lakes watershed since 1976 by Parks Canada Warden Service. A significant decline in spawning numbers has been observed in recent years based on enumeration surveys at the primary spawning site in Sockeye Creek at the outlet of Sockeye Lake. While several theories have been suggested for the decline, the direct causal factors remain unknown.

The catchment area of the drainage basin is entirely within Kluane National Park. A number of projects have been initiated by the Warden Service to better understand the biology and assess their relative abundance in the Kathleen Lakes watershed. Can-nic-a-nick Sciences was contracted to assist in the development of a annual monitoring program.

This project represents the fourth year of study of the physical characteristics of the spawning site as they relate to water flow and stream temperatures. Flow at the Sockeye Creek spawning site during the kokanee spawning period was very similar to flows in 2004 and to some extent greater than in 2005 and 2006. The timing of the spring freshet in 2007 was similar to 2006 and about 1 to 2 weeks later compared to 2004 and 2005 monitoring years.

Overall, steady and consistent flows were recorded in 2007 at the Sockeye Creek spawning area. The average water temperature of 13.9ºC during the peak kokanee spawning period in 2007 was on average 3.9ºC warmer than 2006 and comparable to those recorded in 2004 and 2005. The average water temperature of 13.9ºC during the peak kokanee spawning period at the Sockeye Creek spawning site, while within the range of preferred spawning temperatures by kokanee populations elsewhere, were near the threshold reported for the species.

Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Whitehorse, Yukon

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:07:19 -0700

This community stewardship project detailed the monitoring activities that were conducted in upper Michie Creek during the open water season of 2007. The primary purpose of the project was to maintain access of migrating salmon to spawning habitat by monitoring beaver activity and other potential barriers.

Research included the collection of benthic organisms and the monitoring of flow and temperature in upper Michie Creek. In addition, the relative health and abundance of both wild and enhanced juvenile chinook salmon populations that utilize upper Michie Creek were surveyed and documented.