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85 Northland Power Inc. - Kabinakagami River Project Summer and Fall 2009 Field Investigations Data Report Appendix B Lake Whitefish Netting Data H , Rev 2 Hatch 2012/03

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88 Northland Power Inc. - Kabinakagami River Project Summer and Fall 2009 Field Investigations Data Report Appendix C Benthic Invertebrate Taxonomy Results H , Rev 2 Hatch 2012/03

89 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES H1-1 TO H4-8 1 GROUP FAMILY TAXON H1-1 H1-2 H1-3 H1-4 H1-5 H2-1 H2-2 H2-3 H2-4 H2-5 H2-6 H2-7 H2-8 H3-1 H3-2 H3-3 H3-4 H3-HP1 H3-HP2 H3-HP3 H4-1 H4-2 H4-3 H4-4 H4-5 H4-6 H4-7 H4-8 HIRUDINEA Erpobdellidae Erpobdellidae juveniles 1 Nephelopsis obscura OLIGOCHAETA Lumbricidae Lumbricidae juveniles Sparganophilus eiseni 3 Lumbriculidae Lumbriculus variegatus Tubificidae Immatures without hair chaetae 1 ACARI Hygrobatidae Hygrobates sp 1 1 Sperchontidae Sperchon sp 1 1 DECAPODA Cambaridae Orconectes virilis 1 1 COLEOPTERA Elmidae Dubiraphia sp larvae Optioservus sp larvae Optioservus fastiditus 1 Promoresia elegans larvae Stenelmis sp larvae Stenelmis crenata Psephenidae Psephenus herricki larvae DIPTERA Athericidae Atherix sp 3 1 Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae type III Ceratopogonidae type IV Chironomidae Uncertain larvae Chironominae Cryptochironomus sp Microtendipes sp Nilothauma sp Polypedilum sp Robackia sp Stenochironomus sp Stictochironomus sp Micropsectra sp Paratanytarsus sp Stempellina sp Pseudochironomus sp 1 Diamesinae Pagastia sp Potthastia longimana gp Orthocladiinae Brillia sp 2 Cardiocladius sp Lopescladius sp Orthocladius sp Tvetenia sp Orthocladiinae early instars Tanypodinae Conchapelopia sp Djalmabatista sp Procladius sp 1 Tanypodinae early instars Empididae Chelifera sp 1 1 Hemerodromia sp Muscidae Limnophora sp 1 Simulidae Simulium sp juv 1 1 Tabanidae Tabanus sp 1 Tipulidae Antocha sp Dicranota sp Hexatoma sp 2 1 Tipula sp 2 1 EPHEMEROPTERA Baetidae Acentrella sp Acerpenna pygmaeus sp Baetis sp juv Baetis flavistriga 1 3 Baetiscidae Baetisca laurentina sp 1 Ephemerellidae Ephemeralla sp juv Ephemeralla rotunda 3 3 Eurylophella sp juv Serratella sp juv 1 1 Ephemeridae Ephemera sp juv 1 1 1

90 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES H1-1 TO H4-8 2 Heptageniidae Epeorus sp 1 Heptagenia sp Stenacron interpunctatum 1 Stenonema sp juv Stenonema vicarium Leptophlebiidae Leptophlebiidae early instars Paraleptophlebia sp Oligoneuridae Isonychia sp ODONATA Aeshnidae Boyeria sp juv Boyeria vinosa 1 Gomphidae Gomphus sp juv 2 Ophiogomphus sp juv Ophiogomphus colubrinus PLECOPTERA Capniidae Capniidae early instars Chloroperlidae Chloroperlidae early instars Leuctridae Leuctra sp 2 Perlidae Acroneuria sp juv Acroneuria abnormis Acroneuria carolinensis Acroneuria lycorias Perlodidae Isoperla sp juv Pteronarcyidae Pteronarcys sp Taeniopterygidae Taeniopteryx sp TRICHOPTERA Brachycentridae Micrasema sp 1 Glossosomatidae Glossosoma sp Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche borealis Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche sp Hydropsyche sp juv Hydropsyche alternata Hydropsyche slossonae 3 4 Hydroptilidae Hydroptila sp Leucotrichia sp Lepidostomatidae Lepidostoma sp Leptoceridae Leptoceridae early instars 1 Ceraclea sp 1 1 Oecetis sp 1 Limnephilidae Limnephilidae early instars Pycnopsyche sp 1 2 Odontoceridae Psilotreta indecisa 1 Philopotamidae Chimarra sp Dolophilodes distinctus 1 Polycentropodidae Neureclipsis sp 1 Polycentropus sp 2 1 Psychomyiidae Psychomyia flavida Rhyacophilidae Rhyacophila sp TURBELLARIA Planariidae Planariidae 1 TOTALS Sample number 2009/***

91 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES H5-1 TO H7-6 GROUP FAMILY TAXON H5-1 H5-2 H5-3 H5-4 H6-1 H6-2 H6-3 H6-4 H6-5 H6-6 H6-7 H6-8 H6-9 H6-10 H6-11 H7-1 H7-2 H7-3 H7-4 H7-5 H7-6 HIRUDINEA Glossiphoniidae Glossiphonia complanata Helobdella sp juv 1 Helobdella stagnalis 1 1 OLIGOCHAETA Lumbricidae Lumbricidae juvs Tubificidae Rhyacodrilus montana 2 ACARI Sperchontidae Sperchon sp DECAPODA Cambaridae Orconectes virilis 1 1 COLEOPTERA Elmidae Dubiraphia sp larvae 1 1 Optioservus sp larvae 1 Promoresia elegans larvae 1 Stenelmis sp larvae Stenelmis crenata Psephenidae Psephenus herricki larvae DIPTERA Athericidae Atherix sp 1 1 Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae type III Ceratopogonidae type IV Chironomidae Uncertain larvae 2 1 Chironominae Cryptochironomus sp Demicryptochironomus sp Microtendipes sp Nilothauma sp Polypedilum sp Stictochironomus sp Tribelos sp Micropsectra sp 12 Paratanytarsus sp Stempellina sp Tanytarsus sp 31 2 Diamesinae Pagastia sp Potthastia longimana gp Orthocladiinae Cardiocladius sp Lopescladius sp Orthocladius sp Tvetenia sp Tanypodinae Conchapelopia sp Thienemannimyia sp Tanypodinae early instars Empididae Chelifera sp 2 Hemerodromia sp Simulidae Simulium sp juv 1 Tabanidae Tabanus sp Tipulidae Antocha sp Dicranota sp 1 Hexatoma sp EPHEMEROPTERA Baetidae Acentrella sp Acerpenna pygmaeus sp Baetis flavistriga 2 Ephemerellidae Ephemerella sp juv Serratella sp juv Heptageniidae Heptagenia sp Rhithrogena sp Stenacron interpunctatum 1 5 Stenonema sp Stenonema vicarium Leptophlebiidae Leptophlebiidae Paraleptophlebia sp Oligoneuridae Isonychia sp LEPIDOPTERA Pyralidae Petrophila sp 1 2 1

92 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES H5-1 TO H7-6 ODONATA Gomphidae Ophiogomphus sp juv Ophiogomphus colubrinus PLECOPTERA Capniidae Capniidae early instars Chloroperlidae Chloroperlidae early instars Leuctridae Leuctra sp 1 Perlidae Acroneuria sp juv Acroneuria abnormis Acroneuria carolinensis 3 2 Acroneuria lycorias Paragnetina media Perlodidae Isoperla sp 1 Taeniopterygidae Taeniopteryx sp TRICHOPTERA Apataniidae Apatania sp Brachycentridae Micrasema sp 2 1 Glossosomatidae Glossosoma sp Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche borealis 1 1 Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche sp Hydropsycha sp juvs Hydropsyche alternans Hydropsyche slossonae 1 Hydroptilidae Hydroptila sp Leucotrichia sp 1 Lepidostomatidae Lepidostoma sp Leptoceridae Ceraclea sp 2 1 Oecetis sp 1 Odontoceridae Psilotreta indecisa Philopotamidae Chimarra sp Polycentropodidae Neureclipsis sp 1 Polycentropus sp 1 Psychomyiidae Psychomyia flava Rhyacophilidae Rhyacophila sp BIVALVIA Sphaeriidae Pisidium sp Sphaerium simile 6 TOTALS Sample number 2009/***

93 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES P2-2 TO P2-35, T1-1 TO T1-3 GROUP FAMILY TAXON P2-2 P2-3 P2-12 P2-18 P1-21 P2-29 P2-33 P2-34 P2-35 T1-1 T1-2 T1-3 HIRUDINEA Glossiphoniidae Glossiphonia complanata 1 OLIGOCHAETA Lumbricidae Lumbricidae juveniles 1 Lumbriculidae Lumbriculus variegatus 1 1 Tubificidae Immatures without hair chaetae 1 3 ACARI Sperchontidae Sperchon sp 1 COLEOPTERA Elmidae Dubiraphia sp larvae Stenelmis sp larvae DIPTERA Athericidae Atherix sp 6 Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae type III Ceratopogonidae type IV 1 Chironomidae Uncertain larvae 1 Chironominae Cryptochironomus sp Demicryptochironomus sp 1 Microtendipes sp Paralauterborniella sp 2 Polypedilum sp Stictochironomus sp 4 1 Tribelos sp 1 Micropsectra sp 12 Paratanytarsus sp Stempellina sp 2 Tanytarsus sp Diamesinae Potthastia longimana gp Orthocladiinae Cardiocladius sp 1 3 Corynoneura sp 1 Epoicocladius sp 1 1 Eukiefferiella sp 2 Lopescladius sp Orthocladius sp Parakiefferiella sp Tvetenia sp Tanypodinae Conchapelopia sp Djalmabatista sp 3 Tanypodinae early instars

94 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES P2-2 TO P2-35, T1-1 TO T1-3 Empididae Hemerodromia sp Simulidae Simulium sp juv 1 1 Tipulidae Tipulidae early instars 2 Antocha sp 1 Dicranota sp 1 1 Hexatoma sp EPHEMEROPTERA Baetidae Acentrella sp Acerpenna pygmaeus 1 Baetis flavistriga 1 Ephemerellidae Ephemerella sp juvs Eurylophella sp juv 1 1 Ephemeridae Ephemera sp juv Heptageniidae Heptagenia sp juv Stenonema sp juv Stenonema vicarium 3 2 Leptophlebiidae Leptophlebiidae early instars 4 8 Oligoneuridae Isonychia sp 9 2 MEGALOPTERA Sialidae Sialis sp 1 ODONATA Gomphidae Gomphus sp juv 1 Ophiogomphus sp juv 2 Ophiogomphus colubrinus 1 PLECOPTERA Capniidae Capniidae early instars Chloroperlidae Chloroperlidae early instars Leuctridae Leuctra sp 2 Perlidae Perlidae v early instars 2 Acroneuria sp juv Acroneuria abnormis 3 Acroneuria lycorias 1 1 Perlodidae Isoperla sp juvs 1 1 Taeniopterygidae Taeniopteryx sp 3

95 HEARST BENTHIC SURVEY FALL 2009, SAMPLE SERIES P2-2 TO P2-35, T1-1 TO T1-3 TRICHOPTERA Brachycentridae Microsema sp 1 Glossosomatidae Glossosoma ap 3 1 Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche borealis 2 Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche sp Hydropsyche sp juv Hydropsyche alternans Hydroptilidae Hydroptila sp Leucotrichia sp 1 Ochrotrichia sp 6 Lepidostomatidae Lepidostoma sp Odontoceridae Psilotreta indecisa 1 Philopotamidae Chimarra sp Polycentropodidae Polycentropus sp 1 1 Psychomyiidae Psychomyia flavida 2 Rhyacophilidae Rhyacophila sp TURBELLARIA Planariidae Planariidae 4 TOTALS Sample number 2009/***

96 Northland Power Inc. - Kabinakagami River Project Summer and Fall 2009 Field Investigations Data Report Appendix D Surface Water Quality Laboratory Results H , Rev 2 Hatch 2012/03

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111 Northland Power Inc. - Kabinakagami River Project Summer and Fall 2009 Field Investigations Data Report Appendix E 2009 Kabinakagami River Odonate Survey (Prepared by Northern Bioscience) H , Rev 2 Hatch 2012/03

112 2009 Kabinakagami River Odonate Survey November 23, 2009 Prepared for: Hatch Ltd. Prepared by: Dr. Robert F. Foster

113 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Abstract In early July 2009, we conducted a survey of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) on the Kabinakagami River. Time constrained surveys for odonate exuviae were conducted for 102 shoreline sample plots along 57 km of river. Adult odonates were collected opportunistically. A total of 3467 individuals of 30 species of odonates were observed, including species of 28 dragonfly and 2 species of damselfly. Three species of provincially rare odonates were observed, including large numbers of extra striped snaketail (Ophiogomphus anomalus), several Uhler s sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) and broad tailed shadowdragon (Neurocordulia michaeli). Several exuviae of a fourth rare species, riffle snaketail (O. carolus), were collected, but identification is awaiting confirmation. The impacts of dams and impoundments on rare odonate populations are unknown. Many of the rare odonate species are dependent upon the well oxygenated waters found at and below rapids or falls, at least for portions of their life cycle. Suitable conditions in the tailrace and pools below the proposed hydroelectric facilities depend on the site design and postdevelopment hydrological regime based upon the water management plan. Cover Photo: Rusty snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis) on the Kabinakagami River. Northern Bioscience ii

114 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Contents Abstract...ii List of Figures... iii List of Tables... iv List of Appendices... iv Introduction... 1 Proposed Development... 3 Methods... 5 Results and Discussion... 9 Rare Species... 9 Emergence and Timing Odonate and Habitat Diversity Survey Effectiveness Potential Impacts from Development and Protected Status Acknowledgements Literature Cited List of Figures Figure 1. General location of study area Figure 2. Mean discharge on the Kabinakagami River (Hatch unpublished data) Figure 3. Bedrock controlled rapids in the upper reaches of the Kabinakagami River Figure 4. Limestone Rapids (left)and bluffs in lower reaches of the Kabinakagami River Figure 5. Potential hydroelectric development sites on the Kabinakagami River... 4 Figure 6. Exuviae along mossy bank with root mat (left) and along silty gravelly shore (right)... 6 Figure 7. Conducting exuviae searches by canoe and on foot along the Kabinakagami River Figure 8. Typical shoreline habitats surveyed for exuviae (clockwise from upper left): exposed silty riverbank, vegetated riverbank, cobbly riverbank, and bedrock shoreline Figure 9. Location of odonate survey plots along Kabinakagami River, July 7 14, Figure 10. Extra striped snaketail (Ed Lam photo) Figure 11. Broad tailed shadowdragon exuvia (life size) and habitat where it was observed Figure 12. Habitats where Uhler s sundragon exuviae were found on the Kabinakagami River. 12 Northern Bioscience iii

115 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 13. Location of rare odonate species during July 2009 survey Figure 14. Water temperature on the Kabinakagami River at Highway 11, June October Figure 15. Sheltered side channel with high odonate diversity Figure 16. Ocellated emerald and habitat on tributary stream List of Tables Table 1. Total number of exuviae and adult dragonflies observed during June 2007 monitoring on the Kabinakagami River List of Appendices Appendix 1. Total number of exuviae at 2009 survey plots Northern Bioscience iv

116 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Introduction Northland Power Inc. and Constance Lake First Nation are proposing to construct and operate up to eight hydroelectric generating stations on the Kabinakagami River, west of Hearst, Ontario (Figure 1, Figure 5). The Kabinakagami River arises at Kabinakagami Lake on the Canadian Shield (Chapleau Plains Ecoregion) and flows north through the Northern Clay Belt in the Arctic Watershed. It joins with the Nagagami River, then the Kenogami River, and ultimately the Albany River which flows into James Bay. The Kabinakagami River is a large river, with a drainage basin (4JA) of approximately 437,000 ha 2 and an estimated mean annual flow of approximately 50 m 3 /s in the study area (Figure 2). Peak flows of approximately 150 m 3 /s occur in May. Figure 1. General location of study area. Northern Bioscience 1

117 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 2. Mean discharge on the Kabinakagami River (Hatch Ltd., unpublished data). The Study Area The study area consisted of a 57 km section of the Kabinakagami River about 30 km west of Hearst (Figure 5). The Kabinakagami River drops approximately 130 m between the uppermost proposed development site (Muskoo) and the downstream end of the study area at the proposed Amisk generating station (Hatch Ltd., unpublished data)(figure 5). There are 75 rapids and 3 waterfalls between Hwy 11 and the Amisk site based on OMNR mapping, including a 10 km stretch of the Limestone Rapids between Site 5 (Wahpeestan)and Site 7 (Neekik)(Figure 5, Figure 9). The upper reaches of the study area, relatively deep, fast flowing runs are interspersed with relatively short bedrock controlled rapids and falls (Figure 3). The elevation drop appears more gradual in the lower section of the river, where limestone replaces granitic bedrock. There are long, wide, relatively shallow rapids over limestone shelves and tall bluffs form the banks of the river in places (Figure 4). Below the Limestone Rapids, the river widens and slows, with shallow riffles. Silt is the predominant substrate along most of the riverbanks, with exposed rocks and bedrock at high energy sites, and cobbles below Limestone Rapids. Silt and decomposed organic material accumulates in slow, deeper areas. Northern Bioscience 2

118 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 3. Bedrock controlled rapids in the upper reaches of the Kabinakagami River. Figure 4. Limestone Rapids (left)and bluffs in lower reaches of the Kabinakagami River. Proposed Development The facilities would be located between 9 and 57 river kilometres downstream (north) of Highway 11. Based on the pre feasibility level engineering completed by Hatch Ltd., each facility will consist of a powerhouse containing two generating units and an adjacent concrete overflow spillway to pass flows in excess of the powerhouse capacity. The proposed installed capacities range from 5 MW at Site 2 to 16 MW at Site 7A. Head ponds will extend upstream variable distances, depending on the height of the dam and the river gradient upstream from each facility. The smallest head ponds (Sites 1 and 3) would extend upstream less than 2 km, while the largest head pond (Site 2) would extend upstream approximately 13 km. Ancillary activities will include construction of permanent and temporary access roads and transmission lines. The proposed cascading series of power plants, with operational storage at the upper and lower sites allow for run of river operation of the intermediate power stations, avoiding reservoir fluctuations at these stations altogether. Limited peaking can be achieved within the Northern Bioscience 3

119 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey cascade by utilizing the upstream regulating reservoir and the downstream reregulating reservoir. The downstream sites would operate as run of river development passing the water as it is received. The proposed run of river operation would not mimic a natural flow regime along the reach of the plants, as the discharge rate from the upper reservoir during peak hours would be greater than during off peak hours. Figure 5. Potential hydroelectric development sites on the Kabinakagami River (Hatch Ltd., unpublished data). The project is subject to the Ontario Waterpower Association s Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Waterpower Projects, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) water management planning process. The project will also undergo a federal Northern Bioscience 4

120 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey screening under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Northland Power Inc. has retained Hatch Ltd. to assist them in the environmental screenings/water management planning process. In support of the environmental assessment, Hatch Ltd. retained Northern Bioscience to conduct a survey of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) near proposed hydroelectric developments on the Kabinakagami River. Globally and provincially rare dragonflies have been found at proposed hydroelectric developments on nearby rivers such as the Kapuskasing (Foster and Harris 2007). Due to their significance and potential sensitivity to changes in water flow regimes and water quality, an odonate (dragonfly and damselfly) inventory in the study area was recommended by the OMNR. The goal of the 2009 study was to conduct a baseline inventory of rare odonates at and near the proposed development sites. This inventory would help determine the distribution and relative abundance of rare odonates in the study area, allow a better assessment of potential impacts from hydroelectric development, and provide a benchmark against which potential future impacts could be compared. Methods Fieldwork was conducted July 7 14, 2009 by Rob Foster, Mike Jones, and Brian Ratcliff. Timing of fieldwork was chosen to coincide with the known emergence dates of rare odonates, particularly Neurocordulia michaeli (broad tailed shadowdragon) and Helocordulia uhleri (Uhler s sundragon), the two species of greatest concern. Fieldwork was 1 2 weeks later than previous odonate surveys in the region to account for high water levels and cooler than average spring temperatures that delayed odonate emergence. Fieldwork consisted primarily of searches along the shoreline for odonate exuviae, the cast skins left behind when the last instar (F0) larvae leave the water and transform into winged adults (Figure 6). Adult odonates were captured opportunistically when conducting fieldwork. Exuviae searches are routinely used for odonate monitoring, particularly for fast flying species such as gomphids (clubtails). Shadowdragon adults are particularly difficult to survey due to their crepuscular habits; they typically fly for only a brief period at dusk, often high above the tree tops. Exuviae surveys have been used successfully in other jurisdictions for surveying rare dragonflies in riverine and other environments (e.g., Foster and Harris 2007; Foster and Soluk 2004; Gibbs et al. 2004; Steffens and Smith 1999). Northern Bioscience 5

121 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 6. Exuviae along mossy bank with root mat (left) and along silty gravelly shore (right). The study area was surveyed by canoe and on foot, due to limited road and all terrain vehicle (ATV) access and the number of unnavigable rapids in the study area (Figure 9). The 57 km of river from Highway 11 to the take out on Roger s Road was paddled July 7 11 by R. Foster and M. Jones, and the lower 18 km were paddled a second time by M. Jones and B. Ratcliff on July since there was not time to adequately survey it during the first pass. Additional surveys were made on foot from access roads on July 11 and July 14. Canoeing allowed a full survey of potentially impacted reaches, including much that would not have been accessible by road or motorboat, and camping on along the river allowed surveys to be conducted from dawn to dusk (critical for shadowdragons). Surveys were conducted using time constrained searches at suitable shoreline habitats (Figure 7, Figure 8). At least one plot was conducted every 500 m of shoreline, where safe landing spots and time permitted. At each survey plot, approximately 5 10 m of shoreline was searched for 15 minutes from the water s edge (including emergent and overhanging vegetation) to the high water mark, and beyond if exuviae were present. Searches were done on foot or from the canoe depending on the water depth; the use of canoe allowed surveys of shorelines that would have otherwise been impractical to survey on foot. Each survey plot was georeferenced with a hand held Garmin GPSmap 60C global positioning system. Exuviae from each plot were placed in small, labelled Zip lock bags and placed in a 30 l watertight barrel pack to prevent accidental damage. Exuviae were identified to species where possible (some were too badly damaged), using Walker (1953, 1958), Walker and Corbett (1975) and Needham et al. (2000). Voucher specimens were kept for significant species and will be deposited at an appropriate institution (e.g., Canadian National Collection). Northern Bioscience 6

122 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 7. Conducting exuviae searches by canoe and on foot along the Kabinakagami River. Figure 8. Typical shoreline habitats surveyed for exuviae (clockwise from upper left): exposed silty riverbank, vegetated riverbank, cobbly riverbank, and bedrock shoreline. Northern Bioscience 7

123 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 9. Location of odonate survey plots along Kabinakagami River, July 7 14, Northern Bioscience 8

124 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Results and Discussion A total of two damselfly and 28 dragonfly species were recorded during the July 2009 odonate survey along the Kabinakagami River (Table 1). Of these, four are considered provincially rare: broad tailed shadowdragon (Neurocordulia michaeli), Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri), extra striped snaketail (Ophiogomphus anomalus), and riffle snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus). Riffle snaketail exuviae are very difficult to distinguish from rusty snaketail exuviae, and the identification of the riffle snaketail exuviae are awaiting confirmation. Broad tailed shadowdragon is also considered globally rare (G3G4) (NatureServe 2009). A total of 3467 exuviae was collected on 102 survey plots, with the vast majority (90%) consisting of only four species: the moustached clubtail, and the extra striped, rusty, and boreal snaketails. Gomphids (clubtail family) accounted for 96.5% of the exuviae collected and 25% (9 of 36) of the odonate species observed, which is not surprising given that gomphids are commonly abundant in lotic environments such as large rivers (Walker 1958). Rare Species Although the extra striped clubtail (Figure 10) is considered provincially rare, it was the most common species on the Kabinakagami River, accounting for 1/3 of all exuviae collected. Extrastriped clubtail exuviae were observed throughout the study area (Figure 13), with up to 96 exuviae found on a single plot. Larvae appear to be associated with larger (20 30 cm) rocks in rapids and riffles (Dunkle 2000; P. Brunelle pers. comm.). Although provincially rare, extrastriped snaketails have previously been recorded elsewhere in northeastern Ontario on the Kapuskasing, Missinabi and Groundhog rivers (Foster and Harris 2007; OOD 2007). Figure 10. Extra striped snaketail (Ed Lam photo). Northern Bioscience 9

125 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Table 1. Total number of exuviae and adult dragonflies observed during June 2007 monitoring on the Kabinakagami River (families in taxonomic order, alphabetical within family). Rare species are bolded. Family Scientific Name Common Name Calopterygidae ( Broad winged Damselflies) Aeshnidae (Darners) Gomphidae (Clubtails) Cordulegasteridae (Spiketails) Macromiidae (Cruisers) Corduliidae (Emeralds) Libellulidae (Skimmers) NHIC # Rank 1 Exuviae % of Total # Adults Calopteryx aequabilis River Jewelwing G5 S Calopteryx maculata Ebony Jewelwing G5 S Aeshna canadensis Canada Darner G5 S Aeshna eremita Lake Darner G5 S Aeshna spp unknown Aeshna Aeshnid spp unknown aeshnid Basiaeshna janata Springtime Darner G5 S5 1 <0.1 1 Boyeria grafiana Ocellated Darner G5 S Boyeria spp unknown Boyeria Gomphus adelphus Moustached Clubtail G4 S Gomphus exilis Lancet Clubtail G5 S Gomphus lividus Ashy Clubtail G5 S Gomphid spp uknown clubtail Hagenia brevistylus Dragonhunter G5 S5 1 <0.1 0 Ophiogomphus anomalus Extra striped Snaketail G5 S Ophiogomphus carolus* Riffle Snaketail G5 S2S Ophiogomphus colubrinus Boreal Snaketail G5 S Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Rusty Snaketail G5 S Ophiogomphus spp. unknown snaketail Stylurus scudderi Zebra Clubtail G4 S Cordulegaster maculata Twin spotted Spiketail G5 S Macromia illinoiensis Illinois River Cruiser G5 S Didymops transversa Stream Cruiser G5 S4 1 <0.1 0 Cordulia shurtleffi American Emerald G5 S Epitheca spinigera Spiny Baskettail G5 S Helocordulia uhleri Uhler's Sundragon G5 S Neurocordulia michaeli Broad tailed Shadowdragon G3G4 S2S Somatochlora cingulata Lake Emerald G5 S Somatochlora franklini Delicate Emerald G5 S Somatochlora minor Ocellated Emerald G5 S Ladona julia Chalk fronted Corporal G5 S Leucorrhinia proxima Red waisted Whiteface G5 S Libellula quadrimaculata Four spotted Skimmer G5 S * identification tentative; awaiting confirmation TOTAL Northern Bioscience 10

126 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey 1 refers to Global (G) and Subnational (S) ranks according to NHIC (2007) S1 Critically Imperiled Critically imperiled in the nation or state/province because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province. S2 Imperiled Imperiled in the nation or state/province because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or state/province. S3 Vulnerable Vulnerable in the nation or state/province due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. S4 Apparently Secure Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long term concern due to declines or other factors. S5 Secure Common, widespread, and abundant in the nation or state/province. Exuviae of broad tailed shadowdragon were found at four locations along the Kabinakagami River (Figure 13). Formerly ranked as globally imperiled (G2), it has been recently downgraded to G3G4 or borderline vulnerable. It is currently known from Maine (S3S4), New Brunswick (S1) and Ontario (NatureServe 2009). It was discovered new to Ontario in 2003 (Catling et al. 2004) and has since been found at a minimum of seven widely spaced sites across central and northern Ontario (Jones 2009), including the Kapuskasing River approximately 150 km east of the Kabinakagami River (Foster and Harris 2007). Due to its crepuscular habits it is difficult to detect adults and likely has been overlooked at many other sites across its range. Broad tailed shadowdragons are rare and crepuscular; no adult shadowdragons were observed on the Kabinakagami, despite several evenings with suitable weather. Broad tailed shadowdragons are found on medium to large, fast flowing rivers with coarse, rocky bottoms (Needham et al 2000; Jones et al. 2008). Most of the shadowdragon exuviae found in the study area were cm above the waterline on overhanging bedrock faces at the bottom of large rapids (Figure 11). One exuvia was approximately 1 m above the water s edge on a steep, silty bank under overhanging white cedar trees. Broad tailed shadowdragons have been observed ovipositing in rapids (Brunelle 2000), and at least early instar larvae are typically found in cavities under large rocks in rapids (P. Brunelle, pers. comm.). Adults are highly vagile and may fly an estimated 4 km per day along the waterway during their crepuscular flights, so they likely disperse along the Kabinakagami River from emergence sites. Uhler s sundragon exuviae were found at three widely spaced locations along the Kabinakagami River. Last larval instars are generally found in small, silt bottomed coves at the edges of fastrunning waters (Walker and Corbett 1975). Uhler s sundragon s are not restricted to rivers but may also be found in streams and beaver ponds (Jones et al. 2008). Exuviae were found on the Northern Bioscience 11

127 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Kabinakagami River along silty, vegetated banks adjacent to shallow, slow moving eddy pools and also 1.5 m above the water level on an overhanging white cedar tree (Figure 12). No adults were observed, but Uhler s sundragons are provincially rare and local, and fly with great speed within two or three feet of the water (Walker and Corbet 1975). Riffle snaketail exuviae (positive identification awaiting confirmation) were found at six, widely scattered locations on the Kabinakagami River near rapids and riffles. This species is typically found in clear, swift, rocky or sandy streams and rivers (Dunkle 2000; Jones et al. 2007). It was formerly only known from central and southern Ontario (OOD 2007), but was recently collected on the Partridge River near James Bay (C. Jones, pers. comm.). Figure 11. Broad tailed shadowdragon exuvia (life size) and habitat where it was observed. Figure 12. Habitats where Uhler s sundragon exuviae were found on the Kabinakagami River. Northern Bioscience 12

128 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 13. Location of rare odonate species during July 2009 survey. Northern Bioscience 13

129 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Emergence and Timing Adults were much less commonly observed than exuviae, and 12 species were seen as adults exclusively. With the exception of the ebony jewelwing, only a few adults were observed for these 12 species. Some of these species, particularly skimmers and pond damsels, may have bred in adjacent waterbodies (e.g., beaver ponds) rather than in the Kabinakagami River. No adults were observed for six other species, several of which (i.e., dragonhunter, stream cruiser, and zebra clubtail), are large fast flying dragonflies that rarely alight and are therefore difficult to catch and identify. The low number of adults observed compared to exuviae is not unexpected, due to post emergence flight behaviour. Many dragonfly species, particularly gomphids, experience mass emergences. Recently emerged adults typically leave their riverine emergence sites to mature in adjacent habitats. These maiden flights may be hundred of meters for some species (Corbet 1999). The timing of emergence depends upon time of year, river discharge, water temperature and a number of other poorly understand factors (Corbet 1999). Compared to emergence of similar species on the Kapuskasing River in 2007, it appears that at least gomphid emergence was delayed on the Kabinakagami River in Water temperatures were approximately 15 C on July 7 at the start of the survey, rising to 18 C on July 12 before declining for the last two days of the survey due to rainy weather. The rapid decrease in water temperatures immediately preceding the survey were likely the result of the influx of cold surface runoff from precipitation. Water levels were at least 30 cm higher than normal for the time of year (based on shoreline vegetation). As with some other odonate species, boreal snaketails may have large numbers emerging in some years, but few in intervening years. In Algonquin Park, G. lividus is often very abundant in some years compared to others, suggesting it may have peak years (Colin Jones, pers. comm.). This may partly account for the high numbers of extra striped snaketail exuviae observed in this study (1127 of 3467 exuviae) compared to the Kapuskasing River in 2007 (4 of 7417 exuviae). Conversely, no eastern least clubtails (Stylogomphus albistylus) exuviae were found on the Kabinakagami even though large numbers (586) were observed during odonate monitoring on the Kapuskasing River in 2007 at a similar time of year. Ambient temperatures can also influence flight activity, with adults less active on cold, wet, or overcast days. The weather was fairly cool during the survey period with two days of rain and daytime highs of C, which may help account for the low number of adult odonates observed. Northern Bioscience 14

130 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 14. Water temperature on the Kabinakagami River at Highway 11, June October 2009 (OMNR data provided by Hatch Ltd.). Arrows denote start (blue) and end (red) of odonate survey. Odonate and Habitat Diversity The Kabinakagami River provides suitable larval habitats for many species of gomphids and other odonates that depend on fast flowing, clean water. There are a range of available substrates in which larval odonates can burrow, from clean rocks, cobbles and gravels in higher flows, to finer sands, silts and organic deposits in backwater areas. Small islands and back channels add additional habitat diversity to the main channel. These sheltered, small channels seemed to be preferred foraging areas for adult odonates (Figure 15). Numerous small tributary streams are found along the Kabinakagami River that provide larval and adult habitat for species such as the ocellated emerald that prefer smaller, shallow, streams (Figure 16). Beaver ponds associated with these streams provide habitat for other skimmer and emerald species that prefer standing water environments with soft substrates. Odonate species diversity on the Kabinakagami River (n=30) was very similar to the Kapuskasing River, where 31 species were observed during 2007 monitoring (Foster and Harris 2007) and the Namewaminikan River (a tributary of Lake Nipigon) where 32 species were observed in (Foster and Harris 2008). Northern Bioscience 15

131 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Figure 15. Sheltered side channel with high odonate diversity. Figure 16. Ocellated emerald and habitat on tributary stream. Northern Bioscience 16

132 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Survey Effectiveness Exuviae surveys proved to be an effective method for surveying rare dragonflies on the Kabinakagami River. Exuviae counts are effective for monitoring numbers of odonates since adult numbers are very dependent on weather and exact timing. Newly emerged adults often disperse away from the river for a period of time before returning to the river to breed, and may be difficult to find during the survey window. Odonate monitoring on the Kapuskasing River found that the total number of exuviae found on monitoring plots was only very weakly related to the number of visits, and indicated a study protocol with single visits might be more efficient than one with multiple visits (Foster and Harris 2007). A single pass survey was the most effective survey method for the 57 km Kabinakagami River study area considering the difficulty of access. Potential Impacts from Development and Protected Status The Kabinakagami River provides habitat for three or four species of provincially rare odonates, including the globally rare broad tailed shadowdragon. The impacts of dams and impoundments on the persistence of rare odonate populations are generally poorly known. Perry (1981) found distinct separation of odonate taxa between slow moving and pond like waters above an artificial dam on the Grand River (Ohio), compared to lotic rocky rapids immediately downstream. The creation of dams in the mountainous areas of western Canada has caused localized reductions in odonate diversity, and replaced species typical of stream and ponds with a few species characteristic of montane lakeshores (Cannings and Cannings 1998). Most of the rare odonate species found on the Kabinakagami River are dependent upon swift, well oxygenated waters such as riffles and rapids, at least for portions of their life cycle. Suitable conditions may be present in the tailrace and pools below the proposed hydroelectric facilities depending upon the site design and post development hydrological regime and water management plan. However, much of the Kabinakagami River in the study area will be converted from primarily lotic environments (rapids and runs) to a lower energy, lentic head pond environment that is less suitable for snaketail and shadowdragon larvae. Postdevelopment monitoring of odonates is recommended to assess potential impacts on their distribution and abundance. None of the odonate species observed on the Kabinikagami River are listed under Ontario s Endangered Species Act or the federal Species at Risk Act. The broad tailed shadowdragon is a "Low Priority Candidate" for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC 2009), meaning that it may be assessed at some point in the future, but is not presently a Species At Risk (SAR). Therefore, there is no specific legal protection for any of the rare odonate species or their habitats on the Kabinakagami River. Northern Bioscience 17

133 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Acknowledgements Mike Jones and Brian Ratcliff assisted with fieldwork. Noel Boucher and Kimberly Arnold (Hatch Ltd.) provided advice on logistics and river conditions. Roger Wesley from the Constance Lake First Nation assisted with logistics. Colin Jones and Michael Oldham (OMNR, Natural Heritage Information Centre) provided input on sampling design, shared relevant odonate data, and confirmed several species identifications. Literature Cited Brunelle, Paul M Regional Coordinator, Atlantic Dragonfly Inventory Program and Research Associate, Nova Scotia Museum, Dartmouth, NS. Personal communication. Brunelle, P A New Species of Neurocordulia (Odonata: Anisoptera: Corduliidae) from Eastern North America. Canadian Entomologist 132: Cannings, R.A. and S.G Cannings Odonata (Damselflies and Dragonflies) in Smith, I.M., and G.G.E. Scudder, eds. Assessment of species diversity in the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. Burlington: Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network, Catling, P.M., M.J. Oldham, C.D. Jones, R. Oldham, J.J. Dombroski, and B. Kostiuk Broadtailed Shadowdragon, Neurocorulia michaeli Brunelle, new to Ontario. Argia 16(3): Corbet, P.S Dragonflies: Behaviour and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press. 829 p. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) Prioritized Species List. Website Accessed November Dunkle, S.W Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A field Guide to Drgonflies of North America. Oxford University Press. 266 p. Foster, R.F. and A.G. Harris Namewaminikan River Aquatic and Terrestrial Inventory Existing Conditions Background Report. Unpublished report for KGS. by Northern Bioscience, Thunder Bay, ON. 143 p. Northern Bioscience 18

134 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Foster, R.F. and A.G. Harris Kapuskasing River Odonate Monitoring. Unpublished report for Hatch Ltd. by Northern Bioscience, Thunder Bay, ON. 24 p. Foster, S.E. and D.A. Soluk Evaluating exuviae collection as a management tool for the federally endangered Hine s emerald dragonfly, Somatochlrora hineana Williamson (Odonata: Corduliidae). Biological Conservation 118: Gibbs, K.E., B. Bradeen, and D. Boland Spatial and temporal segregation among six species of coexisting Ophiogomphus (Odonata: Gomphidae) in the Aroostook River, Main. Northeastern Naturalist 11(3): Jones, C. Contract Zoologist, Natural Heritage Information Centre, OMNR. Pers. comm. March Jones, C Revisions to the Subnational Ranks of Ontario's Odonata. Natural Heritage Information Centre Winter 2009 Newsletter, Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Peterborough ON. p Jones, C., A. Kingsley, P. Burke and M. Holder The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Park and the Surrounding Area. The Friends of Algonquin Park, Whitney, ON. Algonquin Field Guide Series. 263 p. Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) Website accessed November 2009 at NatureServe NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopaedia of life [web application]. Version 6.2. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available (Accessed: November 12, 2009 ). Needham, J.G., M.J. Westfall, Jr. and M.L. May Dragonflies of North America. Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, Florida. 939 p. Oldham, M.J. and W.D. Bakowsky Natural Heritage Values of White Otter Falls and Big Beaver Falls, Kapuskasing River, Cochrane District, Ontario. Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ont. Min. Natur. Resour. Unpublished report. 15 p. Oldham, M.J., C.D. Jones, and P.M. Catling Shadowdragons in the dark: Another new dragonfly for Ontario. Natural Heritage Information Centre Newsletter. Winter 2005 pp Ontario Odonata Database (OOD) Odonata records from the Kapuskasing River. Database queried on February 1, 2007, by C.D. Jones. Peterborough, ON. Northern Bioscience 19

135 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Perry, T.E Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the Grand River system, northeastern Ohio, Ohio J. Sci. 81(3): Steffens, W.P and W.A. Smith Status Survey for Special Concern and Endangered Dragonflies of Minnesota: Population Status, Inventory and Monitoring Recommendations. Report to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. 56 p. Walker,E.M The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, vol. 1, The Zygoptera Damselflies. University of Toronto Press. 292 p. Walker,E.M The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, vol. 2, The Anisoptera Four Families. University of Toronto Press. 319 p. Walker,E.M., and P.S. Corbet The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, vol. 3, The Anisoptera Three Families. University of Toronto Press. 307 p. Northern Bioscience 20

136 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Appendix 1. Total number of exuviae at 2009 survey plots. See Methods for location of survey plots. Species presented in taxonomic order. Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Plot # Date Easting Northing 1 July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July Gomphid spp Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Northern Bioscience 21

137 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Gomphid spp Plot # Date Easting Northing 18 July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Northern Bioscience 22

138 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Gomphid spp Plot # Date Easting Northing 38 July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Northern Bioscience 23

139 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Plot # Date Easting Northing 58 July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July Gomphid spp Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Northern Bioscience 24

140 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Plot # Date Easting Northing 78 July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July July Gomphid spp Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Northern Bioscience 25

141 Kabinakagami 2009 Odonate Survey Aeshna spp Aeshnid spp Basiaeshna janata Boyeria grafiana Boyeria spp Gomphus adelphus Gomphus lividus Gomphid spp Hagenia brevistylus Ophiogomphus anomalus Ophiogomphus carolus* Ophiogomphus colubrinus Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis Ophiogomphus spp Stylurus scudderi Cordulegaster maculata Macromia illinoiensis Didymops transversa Helocordulia uhleri Neurocordulia michaeli Somatochlora minor Plot # Date Easting Northing 98 July July July July July *tentative identification; confirmation pending. Northern Bioscience 26

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