Lawrencetown fieldtrip

During this fieldtrip you will visit a bridge construction site in Lawrencetown, Halifax, and a compensation site that resulted from the habitat lost as a result of the construction.

This photo shows the construction that resulted in a Fisheries Act authorization which permitted the destruction of a portion of the marsh.

The Fisheries Act authorization requires the proponent to provide compensation for the habitat destroyed by the construction. This pond was previously a portion of marsh in Lawrencetown Lake. For years it has been cut off from the lake by the railway bed. A culvert will be placed in the railway bed to allow for water circulation to the pond recreating a marsh environment.

Macroinvertebrate survey

"When you see someone putting on big boots you can be sure that adventure is about to happen." - Winniethe Pooh

Macroinvertebrate ID lab

Macroinvertebrate survey gear list

This fieldtrip is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 5, 200 (2:30 - 4:30)
INDIVIDUAL GEAR:

• warm cloths
• extra socks (in case you get wet)
• rubber boots (each team should have 1 pr. of hip waders or chest waders, preferably, 2 pr.)
• rubber dish type gloves or rubber work gloves (gauntlet length). Try Dollar Store or Princess Auto.
• notebook, fieldtrip handouts, etc., and baggie to carry it in

TEAM GEAR:

• Each team is responsible to bring labelled sample collection bottles which will be available before fieldtrip. You will also be responsible to preserve your samples and keep them refrigerated (not frozen) until the lab. You may use one of the fridges in the lab.
• Someone on your team will need a watch that can time in seconds.

OTHER:

• collecting equipment will be supplied at site.
• cameras are encouraged

Fieldtrip #1 - Jan. 22, 2007

These photos are from the first fieldtrip for the Biology and Environmental Environments class in the Environmental Engineering Technology - Water Resources program at the Nova Scotia Connumuty College. Although the weather was beautiful, it was COLD!

Fieldtrips in the dead of winter are always a challange, then again, anyone can go for a walk in the woods on a warm summer day!

Kearney Lake - Paper Mill Lake watershed in photos (east to west)

Fox Brook Washmill Lake entering south end of Kearney Lake.

Where Fox Brook enters Kearney Lake.

South end of Kearney lake.

Culverts under Kearney Lake road at north end of lake.

Dam at head of Kearney Run.

Downstream from dam at head of Kearney Run.

Dam on Paper Mill Lake.

Along Paper Mill Run.

Moirs Mill at mouth of Paper Mill Run.

Photo glossary

persistent marine litter











lotic environment

lentic environment

fish ladder

salmon redd (light coloured gravel)

spawning gravel

Kearney Lake - Paper Mill Lake watershed

The Kearney Lake – Paper Mill Run system is controlled by two dams, and two large culverts on the Kearney Lake Road. The dam, was on what was originally Salmon River, or Nine Mile River, and formed Papermill Lake. It was built between 1813 and 1819 to supply power to the Acadian paper Mill in what is now the middle of Paper Mill Lake. In the late 1920's Moirs built a series of dams from Quarry to Paper Mill Lakes to supply their factory at Bedford.

Effects of dams
Dams can result in an increase in water temperature in the upstream side of the dam in the summer and a decrease in the oxygen levels.

Downstream there can be an increase in the oxygen levels due to the water spilling over the dam. Often the stream downstream of a dam will become overwidened and straightened and the watercourse can become rather poorly defined as a result.

Perhaps the most obvious impact from a dam is that it can be a barrier to fish passage without a fishway around the obstruction.

Effects of culverts

Culverts that are of the proper size and are installed properly do not usually pose serious problems for fish passage. The culverts under the Kearney Lake (see photo) road are of the proper size and installed properly.

Undersized culverts can increase the water flow and impede upstream fish passage. They can lead to an increase in water temperature in small lakes in the summer and a decrease in oxygen levels. Improperly installed culverts (seephoto of hanging culvert) can cause erosion and scouring at the site of installation and downstream.

Water quality

Over the years the local citizens have expressed their concern over the water quality of this watershed and Paper Mill Lake in particular. Numerous newspaper articles have been written.