Research Document - 1999/189

Hydrological Conditions for Atlantic Salmon Rivers in the Maritime Provinces in 1998.

By D. Caissie

Abstract

This paper provides 1998 and historical information on hydrological conditions for 7 selected Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers within the Maritime Region of DFO. High and low flows for each river were calculated based on historical annual high and low flow series. Stream water temperatures were reported in 17 river systems.

Discharges were above normal in winter 1998. Record high monthly flows were observed in March in Restigouche and Southwest Miramichi rivers. The spring breakup of 1998 was early with peak flows in March. The spring breakup was generally characterized as average with most rivers having floods between a 2-year and 5-year flood event in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Most rivers in Nova Scotia showed similar results (2-year flood events) except for St. Marys River, which experienced a 20-year flood.

Low flow conditions in 1998 were present for a short period of time in August. Deficient flows and record low flows were monitored in NB and NS. On a daily basis, most rivers did not fall to the 2-year low flow this year. LaHave River experienced a 2-year low flow, and Northeast Margaree was the most affected in terms of low water conditions with a 50-year low flow event.

River water temperatures in 1998 were characterized by three events between late June to mid-August. In the Saint-John River system, Nashwaak River reached the highest peak temperature at 27.1ºC. Kennebecasis River was colder with peak temperature at 23.4 ºC. The highest recorded water temperature in Morell River (PEI) occurred at McKenna culvert at 24.4 ºC.

In the Miramichi River basin, most rivers reached their peak water temperature on August 10. Sites in the Northwest Miramichi system included: Catamaran Brook (19.7 ºC), Little Southwest Miramichi River (26.7 ºC), Cassilis (25.6 ºC) and Tomogonops River (27.3 ºC). In the Southwest Miramichi River, the site at Wade showed the highest recorded temperature at 27.1 ºC. Water temperatures for other sites in the Southwest Miramichi River recorded peak values of: 25.6 ºC (Sister's Brook), 25.7 ºC (Millerton), and 26.8 ºC (Nelson).

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