Research Document - 2001/010

Hydrological Conditions for Atlantic Salmon Rivers in 2000

ByD. Caissie

Abstract

This paper provides year 2000 and historical information on hydrological conditions for 6 selected Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers within the Maritime Provinces. High and low flows for each river were calculated based on historical annual high and low flow series. Stream water temperatures were reported for 3 river systems.

Discharges were excessive in winter 2000 (NB and PEI) and became deficient in spring and early summer. Record low monthly flows were observed in April in Wilmot River (PEI). The spring breakup of 2000 was earlier with peak flows in early April in NB and January in NS. The spring breakup was generally characterized as mild with most rivers having floods close to a 2-year flood event. Wilmot River experienced the highest flood peaks this year exceeding the 5-year flood event.

The early spring flood in 2000 resulted in low monthly flows in May and June. Deficient monthly flows were observed in 4 of 6 rivers during these two months. Deficient flows were also observed in the early autumn with all rivers being deficient in September 2000. On a daily basis, most rivers reached close to or exceeded the 2-year low flow this year.

River water temperatures in 2000 were characterized by 2 high temperature events, one in late June and the other in late July. The Southwest Miramichi and Little Southwest Miramichi rivers reached 25 °C for their maximum water temperatures this year. These temperatures were lower than last year (1999), when values reached close to 30°C. The number of days with temperatures exceeding 23°C were also down this year. Both the Southwest Miramichi and the Little Southwest Miramichi showed less than 25 days with maximum temperatures exceeding 23°C. Last year, the number of days (> 23 °C) reached 60 for these river systems.

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