Research Document 1997/44
Hydrological conditions for Atlantic salmon rivers in the Maritime provinces in 1996
By D. Caissie
Abstract
The objective of the present paper is to provide information on hydrological conditions for selected Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers within the Maritime Provinces during 1996. Long-term hydrological data are presented as well. High and low flow characteristics for each river were calculated based on historical annual flow and low flow series. Stream water temperatures were obtained at a few river systems and temperature characteristics such as high stream water temperature events were presented.
In general, winter of 1996 provided above normal discharges with many rivers experiencing excessive monthly flow condition. February showed excessive flow for all rivers in the Maritime Provinces. The spring breakup of 1996 was generally characterized as normal with most studied rivers having floods close to or less than a 2-year flood event. A few rivers showed higher flows than the 2-year flood such as Upsalquitch River which reached a 5-year flood and Northeast Margaree River which was close to a 50-year flood.
Low flow conditions in 1996 were very similar throughout the area with discharges during the low flow period higher than the 2-year event. Such low flow conditions do not represent severe low flow conditions. River water temperatures in 1996 were characterized by a few high temperature events between early June to early August.
The early August event was the most important event for most rivers in the Maritime Provinces. They reached their peak water temperatures near August 8 at Nashwaak River (24.2 °C), Mactaquac Fishway (22.6 °C), Kennebecasis River (21.1 °C), Tobique River Barrier Pool (21.6 °C), and Tobique River Fishway (24.7 °C).
In the Miramichi River basin, rivers also reached their peak water temperatures in early August at; below Big Hole Pool (26.8 °C), in Little Southwest Miramichi River (26.1 °C), in Dungarvon River (21.6 °C), in Northwest Miramichi River at the Barrier Fence (19.3 °C) and at Eel Ground (23.6 °C).
In Prince Edward Island, high stream water temperatures were measured at Indian bridge (19.8 °C), Grants (22.1 °C), McKenna's Culvert (24.6 °C), St. Patrick's Pond (23.4 °C) and the highest recorded water temperature in PEI in 1996 came from Matinvale's Culvert (25.0 °C).
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