Beyond Brook Trout Headwaters are the origins of aquatic life in all river systems. Highlighting the need to protect all Algonquin Park headwaters not just those containing natural brook trout populations. (Algonquin Eco Watch www.algonquin-eco-watch.com)
THE ALGONQUIN DOME HOME TO MANY NATURAL (LACUSTRINE) BROOK TROUT POPULATIONS Looking north along the Algonquin Dome Tolerant Hardwoods to the west in moist granitic soil, Poplar/Pine to the east in drier sandy soil. The headwaters of 8 major river systems. Much of its annual moisture results from lake effect off the Georgian Bay Lake Huron Basin. Brook Trout The canary in the coal mine! Even though they may not contain natural brook trout populations for many reasons, this in no way lessens the importance of all headwaters; lakes and creeks, with or without brook trout. Climate change will lessen lake effect, rendering the protection of headwaters even more critical.
GROUNDWATER FOLLOWS THE NAP OF THE EARTH. Groundwater generally follows the Nap of the Earth if left undisturbed. Groundwater hydraulic head is lost if the Nap of the Earth is disturbed, resulting in groundwater recharge loss. (From Freeze and Cherry, 1979)
Tiny Tim Lake A TRUE HEADWATER LAKE NO ABOVE GROUND INFLOW; YEAR-ROUND OUTFLOW. Located right at a major height-of-land. Note apparent glacial deposit (Esker?) supplying upwelling groundwater, which becomes a yearround outflowing creek. Year-round outflow is a coldwater creek, likely fed by upwellings from the adjacent glacial deposit. No apparent nursery creek. Therefore, less than ideal for brook trout, but still critical to protect and sustain as a coldwater source.
The Importance Of Protecting Groundwater in self-sustaining (lacustrine) brook trout lakes. Inflowing coldwater/groundwater-fed creeks, known as nursery creeks, afford protection for brook trout fry during their first year. Lack of nursery creeks lowers potential for selfsustainability. Aggregate removal or other disturbance within the recharge area can lower hydraulic head, negatively influencing groundwater flow, upwellings and nursery creeks.
OUR GOAL To develop a practical procedure utilizing GIS technology, together with low-level, leaf-off, fixed wing flying and photography; to establish criteria for the rating of Algonquin Park headwaters, ensuring adequate sustainable protection from manmade disturbance, regardless of whether or not they support brook trout populations.
3 LAYERS OF DETAIL 1 ST LAYER GIS - Headwater Lake With Apparent Inflow Left Shows surface flow and elevation Right Shows surface flow and slope (GIS assists with initial identification of potential headwater lakes.)
2 nd LAYER - The Previous Lake as viewed via Low-level Fixed-wing Aerial Photography Left Greater detail indicating 2 additional inflows + 1 area of interest. Right Possible upwellings indicating suitable spawning areas. 3 rd LAYER Ground truthing via canoe/secchi Disk, physical/chemical analysis etc.
Most recent Ont. PKS./AFA Protective Guidelines BUT only for identified natural brook trout lakes. (Nonetheless, A Major Advancement)
HUMAN ACTIVITY ON ONE SIDE OF THE HILL ALSO AFFECTS THE FAR SIDE OF THE HILL
THE EVOLUTION OF 4 SUCCESSIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS Upper Left Original, A small beginning. (30m) Lower Left Present The near side of the hill. Better science. Upper Right Shotgun approach Better, but little science. (500m) Lower Right AEW recommends! Includes both sides of the hill.
SUMMARY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SUMMARY 1- The Algonquin Dome encircles the headwaters of 8 major rivers. 2- Groundwater follows the Nap of the Earth. 3- Man-made disturbance will alter groundwater flow on both sides of the hill. 4- All headwaters are equally important not just brook trout lakes. Algonquin Eco Watch wishes to acknowledge the assistance and expertise of: (Lower Left) North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority, especially Scott Higgins, GIS Specialist. (Lower Right) Sault College, especially Prof. Heath Bishop (left) and Technologist, Angie Andreychuk (right). POSSIBLE/LIKELY NEGATIVE FACTORS: - Climate Change/ Global warming. Giving rise to more erratic precipitation events and less predictable lake effect. - Continuing Acid precipitation. Giving rise to increased calcium loss, resulting in reduced vegetative growth rates and displacement/loss of specific aquatic populations. - Unsustainable Forest Management. Aggregate extraction, canopy removal and soil compaction can negatively affect groundwater flow and temperature.