Kabinakagami River Site 4 PEESHOO Rogers Road Peeshoo Approx. Head = 10 m Design Flow = 70 m 3 /s Capacity = 6 MW N 0 2 4 6 HWY 11 Kilometers
Site 4 - PEESHOO Looking Downstream Looking Downstream
Site 4 - PEESHOO Looking Upstream
Site 4 - PEESHOO
Site 4 - PEESHOO Similar geology to Site 3 good rock under till Steep till bank on the left side Proposed dam is downstream of a series rapids where there is a natural island
Site 4 - PEESHOO Powerhouse FLOW Spillway
Site 4 - PEESHOO N 0 0.5 1 Kilometers
Kabinakagami River Site 4 PEESHOO Rogers Road Peeshoo N 0 2 4 6 Kilometers HWY 11 0 1 2 3 Kilometers N
Kabinakagami River Site 5 WAHPEESTAN Wahpeestan Rogers Road Approx. Head = 10 m Design Flow = 70 m 3 /s Capacity = 6 MW N 0 2 4 6 HWY 11 Kilometers
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN Looking Downstream
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN Looking Upstream
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN Wide section of river ( < 100 m) No rapids upstream, however a short section downstream of the proposed dam alignment. Terrace on the left bank and a steep rock / sand outcrop on the right side. Preferred powerhouse location is on the right bank.
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN Spillway FLOW Powerhouse
Site 5 - WAHPEESTAN N 0 0.5 1 1.5 Kilometers
Kabinakagami River Site 5 WAHPEESTAN Rogers Road Wahpeestan N 0 2 4 6 Kilometers HWY 11 0 1 2 3 Kilometers N
Kabinakagami River Site 6 WAPOOSE Wapoose Rogers Road Approx. Head = 10 m Design Flow = 70 m 3 /s Capacity = 6 MW N 0 2 4 6 HWY 11 Kilometers
Site 6 - WAPOOSE
Site 6 - WAPOOSE Looking Downstream
Site 6 - WAPOOSE Looking Upstream
Site 6 - WAPOOSE
Site 6 - WAPOOSE Very similar to Site 5 Wide section of river ( < 100 m) Bend in the river at the proposed p location Terrace on the left bank and a steep rock / sand outcrop on the right side. Preferred powerhouse location is on the right bank.
Site 6 - WAPOOSE Spillway Powerhouse FLOW
Site 6 - WAPOOSE Kilometers N 0 0.5 1
Kabinakagami River Site 6 WAPOOSE Rogers Road Wapoose N 0 2 4 6 Kilometers HWY 11 0 1 2 3 Kilometers N
Engineering Studies Completed studies: Engineer Site Visit Completed May 2009 Geotechnical and Layout engineers visit the sites to assess the chosen project locations All sites were visited over a period of a week Geophysical Investigations Completed May 2010 GPR was contracted to do geophysical investigations of Wahpeestan and Wapoose (Sites 5&6) This helps to determine how far the rock is under the ground surface
Engineering Investigations Upcoming studies: Borehole Drilling Planned for this fall Three or four holes will be drilled at each site 4 to 6 weeks of work Used to determine foundation conditions and basis for engineering design Bathymetric (Underwater) Survey 2011 A survey of the river bottom is needed in order to model the river flow To calculate water levels, velocities, etc. as input for operational strategies and the environmental program Construction Material Test Pit Program 2011 Sources for construction material will be explored
Engineering Next Steps Definition Phase engineering All aspects of the projects will be investigated and optimized, including: Number and size of turbines Spillway structures Dam type / construction o material a Transmission lines Access roads Powerhouse layout
QUESTIONS?
Amisk Kabinakagami River Neekik Wapoose Wahpeestan Rogers Road Peeshoo Neeskah Mahekun Muskoo N 0 2 4 6 HWY 11 Kilometers
Fisheries Need to understand what fish and other aquatic wildlife are there and then determine how they will be effected by the project for Constance Lake First Nation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fisheries Studies Spring Fisheries Studies - sturgeon, pickerel and sucker spawning Summer Fisheries Studies - fish identification - aquatic habitat assessment - small fish assessment Fall Fisheries Studies - whitefish h and brook trout t spawning - benthic invertebrate (fish food) Studies - sediment characterization fish mercury assessment - fish mercury assessment Water Quality Assessment (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Spring Fisheries Study Dates May 7 to 29, 2009 collected fish using nets and fishing rods collected fish eggs using egg mats visual observed fish and aquatic environment habitat assessment - bed of river (visual, underwater camera) - water depth and flow completed studies on all eight sites members of Constance Lake First Nation assisted in these studies and provided d information on the River during this time
Site 1 Muskoo
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 1 - Muskoo - predominantly high flow rapids work from shore only - no fish or eggs collected - some spawning habitat along slower velocity, rocky shorelines - Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated pickerel and brook trout are here present in summer
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 2 - Mahekun - fish found included pickerel, white sucker, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, northern pike in various stages of spawning - spawning habitat in rapids - small falls downstream from site - barrier to upstream movement - Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated that pickerel are caught throughout the area after the spawning period
Site 3 - Neeskah
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 3 - Neeskah - white sucker only species captured, but pickerel and redhorse are known to be present - spawning habitat for pickerel and sucker species available at base of rapids no further upstream movement possible as the rapids are a barrier - spawning habitat for pickerel and sucker species present in head pond and Carey Creek - Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated that brook trout have been caught in the Carey Creek area
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 4 - Peeshoo - predominantly high speed rapids at dam site we were only able to work from shore - pickerel found in rapids - some spawning habitat along slower speed, rocky shorelines - Constance Lake First Nation workers indicated that sturgeon have been observed spawning downstream from Site 4 none caught in 2009
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 5 - Wahpeestan - pickerel, white sucker collected at several locations in proposed head pond - sucker eggs collected at one location - spawning habitat along shorelines and at upstream end of head pond (base of Site 4 Peeshoo rapids) - one post-spawn female lake sturgeon found
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 6 - Wapoose - pickerel, white sucker, northern pike and brook trout found downstream from site - sucker eggs collected at three locations (side channels and mid-channel humps) - spawning habitat relatively abundant
Site 7 Neekik The Wall
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 7 - Neekik - pickerel, lake sturgeon, white sucker, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, northern pike, brook trout found - sturgeon and redhorse spawning confirmed at and upstream from the Wall - tributary downstream from Site 7 Neekik may provide spawning habitat - 8 lake sturgeon radio-tagged at the Wall for future 8 lake sturgeon radio tagged at the Wall for future tracking
Spring Fisheries Study - Results Site 8 - Amisk - pickerel, lake sturgeon, white sucker, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, brook trout, northern pike and whitefish found - white sucker and pickerel spawning found at several locations, typically in the side channels - spawning habitat abundant
Lake Sturgeon
Sturgeon Spawning
Summer Fisheries Study Dates: September 15-24, 2009 Fish Identification (Netting) - using specially designed nets to catch a range of small to large fish species Shoreline Backpack Electrofishing Rod Fishing done at select locations Aquatic Habitat Assessment - description of the habitat including bed and shore of river
Summer Fisheries Study - Netting Results Downstream from Site 7 - Neekik - sturgeon, pickerel, northern pike, white sucker, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, yellow perch, spottail shiner, trout perch - pickerel most by number (31%), white sucker, redhorse (21% each) - redhorse most by weight (28%), pickerel (26%) and lake sturgeon (19%)
Summer Fisheries Study - Netting Results Site 3 - Neeskah - pickerel, shorthead redhorse, longnose sucker, lake sturgeon (1 adult, 1 juvenile) - Sturgeon tagged and released Site 2 - Mahekun - pickerel, northern pike, white sucker, longnose sucker, shorthead redhorse, yellow perch - redhorse most by number (37%), pickerel (27%) and northern pike (15%) - redhorse most by weight (39%), pickerel (21%)
Summer Fisheries Study - Results Electrofishing - in shallow riffles and runs - burbot, logperch, white sucker, mottled sculpin, Johnny darter, longnose dace, trout-perch, pickerel, brook trout - mottled sculpin most by number (50.7%), longnose dace (17.3%) and Johnny darter (14.6%)
Summer Fisheries Study - Results Rod Fishing - found pickerel and northern pike caught throughout project area Aquatic Habitat Assessment - highlightshli ht - Site 1 Muskoo - rapids - Site 2 Nahekun to Site 4 Peeshoo - low gradient, deeper runs interspersed with bedrock controlled rapids - downstream of Site 4 Peeshoo mostly shallow, swift flowing riffles and runs in Limestone Rapids - mapping and habitat descriptions provided in study report
Fall Fisheries Study Dates: October 14 18, 2009 Lake Whitefish Spawning - netting upstream and downstream from Rogers Landing Brook Trout Spawning - visual assessment and electrofishing in tributaries - capture during whitefish netting Lake Sturgeon Tagging - to determine where sturgeon are moving to and from Benthic Invertebrate (Fish Food)/Sediment Study Fish Mercury Assessment
Fall Fisheries Study - Results Lake Whitefish Spawning - no whitefish captured during September study - low numbers of whitefish captured 500 m upstream and 2 km downstream from Rogers Landing in October - therefore, whitefish move upstream into lower end of study area to spawn but don t appear to move upstream into Limestone Rapids
Fall Fisheries Study - Results Brook Trout Spawning - ready to spawn brook trout captured in small tributary at Rogers Landing, tributary 150 m upstream from landing and in main channel 200 m upstream from landing - adult trout present in tributary downstream from Site 7 Neekik - no trout captured in tributaries at Site 6 Wapoose, Carey Creek or Site 2 Mahekun, but habitat appears suitable - therefore, trout spawning could occur throughout Limestone Rapids reach and in tributaries
Brook Trout
Fall Fisheries Study - Results Lake Sturgeon Tagging - 1 adult sturgeon and 1 pickerel tagged below Site 3 Neeskah in October 2009-8 sturgeon tagged at the Wall in May 2009
Lake Sturgeon - Results Lake Sturgeon - sturgeon spawning in 2009 and 2010 were observed to spawn at the Wall - sturgeon forage in the River from the time of spawning to late fall periods up to Site 3 Neeskah - most sturgeon over-winter downstream near the forks of the Nagagami, Kabinakagami and Kenogami Rivers, but some sturgeon overwinter downstream from Site 3 Neeskah - Site 3 Neeskah appears to be a barrier to upstream sturgeon movements given that no sturgeon have been captured or observed further upstream
Fall Fisheries Study - Results Insect Larvae Benthic Invertebrates (Fish Food) Assessment - to determine the amount and quality of fish food available - 49 samples taken throughout the project area - diverse, abundant bug communities found throughout h t the study area - rapids have higher numbers of bugs than slower moving areas
Fall Fisheries Study - Results Fish Mercury Assessment - baitfish captured in October, gamefish captured in May/September and submitted for analysis of mercury content - gamefish results not yet available will be sent to MOE to put in Guide to Eating Sportfish - baitfish results complete and will be used to compare to post-construction surveys
Terrestrial Study Dates: September 9-16, 2009 Fly Over - look for large nests, beaver lodges, Species at Risk habitat (e.g., caribou, common nighthawk, Canada warbler, black tern, rusty blackbird, and olive-sided flycatcher) Ground Survey - vegetation plots (10x10 m) to identify vegetation species throughout study area based on MNR requirements - observations of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians (e.g. frogs)
Terrestrial Study - Results Birds - 14 bird species observed, more expected to be present during breeding season - bald eagles observed at railway tracks and downstream from Site 7 Neekik - two stick nests observed one no longer in use, other likely a common raven nest - other priority species and Species at Risk could also potentially be present Mammals - common species including moose, beaver and river otter - black bear, wolf, lynx, skunk, marten, mink, hare and other small species likely present
Stick nest along river Stick Nest
Beaver lodge along river
Terrestrial Study - Results Woodland Caribou - no recent reports of caribou in study area, but they are known to occur in the regional area, particularly north and west of study area - Northland planning to undertake a winter caribou survey in winter 2011 Reptiles/Amphibians - eastern garter snake, american toad and wood frog observed, other frog species likely present
Terrestrial Study - Results Vegetation Communities - relatively common vegetation communities observed throughout study area no provincial or federal Species At Risk observed or expected - rocky rivershore only present at Sites 1 Muskoo, 3 Neeskah and 4 Peeshoo - no rare or uncommon species recorded in these areas
Dragonfly Survey 102 shoreline samples plots in July 2009 taking the shed skin random collection of adults as they are found 28 dragonfly species and 2 damselfly species found 4 provincially rare species (extra-striped snaketail, uhler s sundragon, broad-tailed shadowdragon, riffle snaketail) extra-striped clubtail was the most common species observed in study area diversity similar to Kapuskasing River
Shed skins along rivers edge
Rusty Snaketail
Discussions with Members of Constance Lake First Nation Northland and Hatch met with several members of Constance Lake First Nation to obtain Traditional Ecological Knowledge which will be integrated into the environmental reports with the assistance of Constance Lake First Nation knowledge of the site from Constance Lake First Nation workers during the field studies will also be integrated
Discussions with Members of Constance Lake First Nation Highlights g include: moose calve on islands between Site 8 Amisk and Site 7 Neekik importance of sturgeon and whitefish importance of fish for food in the past and present for the community used to see snow geese but not any more cormorants are eating the fish sturgeon spawn at the Wall Northland and Hatch would like to interview more members of Constance Lake First Nation to obtain further Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the area
Next Steps - Environmental Environmental Studies caribou study winter 2011 MNR site release process in process obtain Applicant of Record status Environmental approvals from federal government complete federal environmental assessment process review background documents, obtain Traditional Ecological Knowledge, complete field studies, determine impacts, determine activities and measures to decrease impacts, propose monitoring plan, complete Aboriginal, public and agency consultation
Next Steps - Environmental after federal environmental assessment process is completed and approved, obtain other federal permits (e.g. fisheries act authorization) Environmental approvals from provincial government provincial environmental assessment process is very similar to the federal process and therefore they are harmonized and one report is prepared after provincial environmental assessment process is completed and approved, obtain other provincial permits (e.g. lakes and rivers improvement act permits)
Timelines (Tentative) MNR Site Release Process tentatively completed summer 2010 Federal and provincial environmental assessment process commence summer 2010 and finish summer 2011 Engineering Design starting summer 2010 Environmental permits fall 2011 Construction Spring 2012 to 2014
QUESTIONS?