A PRELIPENARY BIOLO3ICAL SURVEY of the NASKAUPI, KENAMU AND LOWER CHURCHILL RIVERS
by
Lester G. niche t? 41= 5-- / 1 ~ \ ..., -· ·"\ .J \._, ! . ! ... 208641 (!,,_).
\.\BRAR'f .J c,anago f fisheries o f pept. oS J t..n's Nt\d. .- t. Oil •
A PRELJMINARY BIOLOGICAL SURVEY
of the NASKAUP I, KENAMU AND LOWER CHURCHlLL RIVERS
Lester G. Riche Fish Culture Development BranCh Newfoundland Area
St. John's, Nfld. March, 1965. (i) .. TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABT.ES •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • •
LIST OF FJnURES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • vi
PART I
JNTRODUCTION. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 Historical Review ot Labrador Ichthyofauna. • • • • • • • • • 1 Freshwaters ot Labrador • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4 Proposed Industrial Development and River Implications. • • • • 4 Naskaupi River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4
Kenau River •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Churchill River • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7
Mater::Lals and Methode • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 7
PART n
NASKAUPI RIVER. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• 9 Introduction. • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• • 9 ihe Watershed • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10 Drainage Area • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10
Forestr;r. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • l2 Geology- • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
Soil •• ~ •••••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 Precipitation •••• • • ••• • • • • • • • • •••••• 15 Climate ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• • • • • • lS Characteristice ot. th~ Main River • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15 (ii) Page
Fish Populations. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 17
Resident Species. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• 19
Ouananiche. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19
Eastem Brook Trout • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 20
Lake Trout •• • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 Northern Pike • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20
Whitefish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
Suckers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• •••••• 21 Burbot. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
Lake Chub • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
'lhree Spined Stickleback. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
Alladraaous Species. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
Atlantic Salmon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
Sea-run Brook Trout • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22
Sne1ts. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
Arctic Char • • ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23 Obstructions. • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23 Atlantic Salmon Potential • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26
The Main River •• ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26 Triba tary Streams • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26
Red Wine River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 26 North Pole Brook •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27 Wapustan River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27
Th Minor Tributaries • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••• 28 (iii) !5!. Manner ot Determining Salmon Potential. • • • • • • • • • • 28 Swnmary • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .31 PART ni KEN.AKU RIVER. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• 33 Intraduction. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 33 Materials and Methods • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .34 The Watershed • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3S Drainage Area • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .36 Forestry. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 38 Topograph;y. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .38 Groond Flora ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 39 Geology • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• 39 Soil •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 39 Climate ani Precipitation • • • • • • •••• • • • • • • • 40 Characteristics of the Main River • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 40 Fish Populations. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 42 Obstructions. ••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••• • • • • 44 Atlantic Salmon Potential • • • • • • •••• • • • • • • • • • 44 1be Main River. • • • •••• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 44 Tribut817 Streams • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 Tributar;r llo. 3 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46 Salmon River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46 Little Drunken River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 46 Manner of Determining Salmon Potential. • • • • • • • • • 47 Eastern Brook Trout • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 48 (iv) Page :WWER CHURCHm RIVER. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 51 Introduction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 51 Historical Review ot Churchill River • • • • • • • • • • • 52 Materials and Methods. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 53 '!he Watershed. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 54 Drainage Area. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 54 Forestry • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 55 Geology and Soil • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 55 Characteristics ot the Main River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 57 Fish Populations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 58 Obstructions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 61 Mnskrat Falls. . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 61 McKenzie Fall• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 63 Traverepine Rapids • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 63 Atlantic Salmon Potential. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 63 Past Buns. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 63 Pre•ent Runs • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 64 Potential. • • • • ••• • • • • • • • • • •••••••• • 64 SUMMARY. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••• 65 REPERnlCES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 67 11 APPENDIX .!. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 68 APPENDIX "B" • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 75 APPENDIX "C" • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 78 (v) LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Fishes present in the Naskaupi River s,ystem. • • • • • • 18 2. Obstructions on the main river ••••••• • • • • • • 24 Estimated potential ot sal.ma1 to be supported in the Naskaupi River s.ystem. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4. Catch summary, Naskaupi River - Jul7-Aa.gust, 1964. • • • 5. Fish species present in the KelWIIIl River • • • • • • • • 4.3 6. Estimated potential of salmcm to be supported in tbe Kenamu River s.ystea. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 49 Catch summary, Ken.Bl1lu River - Jul.y-Aaga.st, 1964. • • • • 50 8. Fish species present in the Lower Churchill River. • • • 59 9. Catch swmnacy, Churchill River - 1964. • • • • • • • • • (vi) LIST OF FlGURES Principal riwrs of Lake Melville drainage •••••••• 2 2. Naskaupi River dyke line and proposed fiood in Michikaau. Lake • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6 3. Naskau.pi River. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ll 4. Kenamu River drainage • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 37 5. Churchill River • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 56 PART I INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTIDN In June, 1964, the writer, accompanied by a student assistant and Fish Culture Officer Mercer, left St. John's for Goose Bay to initiate a survey of three Labrador rivers. FCO Mercer remained with the party for a three week period and, after helping set up field procedure and techniques, returned to headquarters. The purpose of the survey was to make an informed estimate of the size and importance of fish stocks in the rivers. To accomplish this, each river was examined to: (1) identifY species of fish present, (2) estimate fish population. sizes, especially Atlantic salmon and brook trout, (3) collect information on commercial and sport fishery, it any, (4) make pertinent biological observations to help describe stocks of fish, (5) observe physical aspects of rivers, especially with regard to bottom type (spawning areas), rearing waters, overall productivity and presence or absence of physical barriers to anadromous fish migrations. The rivers surveyed were the Naskau;pi, Kenamu and Lower Churchill* (formerly Hamilton) as far as Muskrat Falls. Each ot these rivers may be involved in industrial development in the near future. A.ll rivers lie at the western end of Lake Melville in the general Goose Bay area (Figure 1). Historical Review of Labrador - Ichthyotauna The Newfoundland-Labrador peninsula was probably the first land sighted by early European voyagers. Here they prol:ably first saw American freshwater fishes and discovered that sane species were not too different from those found in their own cotmtry. However, the Europeans didn't come :.t By an Act ot the Provincial Government, Hamilton River and Hamilton Falls have been renamed Churchill River and Churchill Falls in honour ot Sir Winstm Churchill. - 2 - LABRADOR 0 ' ~ ~ I l l l j ·~ i . ! LAKE MELVILLE DRAINAGE DWG. No. - 3- to Labrador to stay, they fished of'f' its coast and some moved further South and East to farm the rich land at Canada and the United States. Hence, Labrador had to remain relatively unknown and tminhabited by whites until Cartwright settled in Sandwich Bay in 1770. The Spanish cartographer Ribero (1529) said "Labrador was discovered by the English; there is nothing trere of' any value". This brief'ly sums up the early settlers 1 views on Labrador. Previous to Cartwright's settlenent, the Hudson Bay Company set up trading posts throughout the interior; this was the first step in the development of' the country. Horatio R. Storer (1850) led the first scientific fish survey into Labrador. Storer, like most of' his successors, limited his survey to coastal areas and the identllication of' marine species. Weiz and Packard (1891) .f'ollCJW"ed Storer, listing marine species occurring along the coast from tre Straits of Belle Isle to Hopedale. Sterns (1883) and Kendall (1909) also studied marine fishes, however, brief mention was made o£ some freshwater species such as char, salmon and trout. A.P. Low of the Geological Survey of' Canada explored much of' the greater Labrador peninsula .from 1892 to 1895. Low gives the first scientific record of' .fresllJ'1ater species occurring in the interior. Byrant (1905) and Grenfell ( 1901) make reference to salmon and trout as they ai'.f'e cted the local inhabitants. Monroe (1949) and Tanner (1937) list species found in the Churchill River. The f'irst major biological survey of' Labrador fishes was by R.H. Backus during the years 1949 .. 1952. The "Blue Dolphin Expedition" studied mostly marine species along the coast, but also made sane reference to freshwater species of the Lake Melville drainage. Backus identified nineteen freshWater species. - 4- Freshwaters of Labrador Fran the standpoint of watershed, Labrador freshwaters consist of three parts: (1) a narrow east-west strip in the extreme South central part, which drains South into the Gulf of St. Lawrence; (2) a coastal fringe from the Strait of Belle Isle North to Gape Chidley, 1.fuich runs normal to the coast and drains into the Atlantic; and (3) the rivers and streams of the Hamilton Inlet - Lake Melville system of which the greatest are the Churchill, Naskaapi, Kenamu and Goose Rivers. The two largest - the Churchill and the Nask:aupi - have cooununicating headwaters, and all four drain into Lake Melville. This system drains nearly haJ.f of Labrador, mainly the western and central portions. The interior of Labrador is a great lake-dotted plateau, and the rivers rising here lose much altitude before reaching the sea. The Churchill River does this abraptly i.n the mighty Churchill Falls and the great rapids :iJnmedia tely below, while in the Naskaupi the descent is a gradual one; the river between Lake Michikam.au and Grand Lake being one or almost continuous rapids. The Kenamu River fiows northward and its character differs freatly from the Churchill and the Naskaupi Rivers. It appears to be an older river, meandering widely through its fonner greatness. The gradient is much more gradual with no barriers to fish movement. Proposed Industrial De-velopment and River Implications Nask:aupi River To build a large water reservoir in Lake M:icbikamaa, maw lakes and rivers will be dammed and dyked. This will result in raising the water level of Lake Michikamau some 18 feet. It will also increase the lake area .:tram - 5- 1 1 920 square miles to 4,034 square miles. Gross head to be developed at the power site Will be 1,040 feet. Power installation proposed is 61 000,000 horsepower, requiring a peak flow of 57,000 cfs. The Naskaupi River figures in this scheme by diverting its headwaters of hemont, Orma and MacKenzie Lakes back into the Michikamau (Fjgure 2). The resulting dyke line will spread across Fremont Lake. The overall effect on the Naskaupi River is summarized from the engineers • report for the Churchill River Power Project (l): ''The proposed Fremont dykes Will markedly affect now in the upper reaches of the Naska11pi River. The river downstream of the proposed dyke line contains numerous rapids and falls, for a distance of 22 miles. The estimated now of the Naskaupi River below the proposed Fremont dam will be reduced from an average now of about 7 ,Boo cfs to about 180 cfs at the foot of Isabella Falls (9 miles from l1arie Lake); fran about 7,860 cfs to about 240 cfs at the foot of Maid Marion Falls; and fran 8,350 cfs to about 730 cfs at the end of the rapid section 22 miles from the dyke line". The proposed dam will dry up Marie Lake and greatly diminish now on the upper Naskaupi River. The 730 cfs menticned to be flowing at the end of the rapid section results from tributary- waters fiowing into the main river below the proposed dyke line. The resulting dams will cut the nav of water to 11.4 percent of the original; 86.6 percent of the headwater will be diverted. A reduction of this proportion will also affect the river well down fran the rapid section. (1) Hamilton (ChUrchill) Falls Power Project Report for Department of Fisheries, April, 1964. - 6- ADDITIONAL FLOODED AREA. j I, I DATE: 1 SCALE: f"-J6Mt/...£5 ~------·--·--·- DWG. No. - 7- Kenamu River Proposals for work on the Kenamu River call for a plllp and paper industry some place in the river valley. Exact details of the workings are not known, neither has there been any time laid on for the start of this project. It is suspected that there Will be construction of dams and other devices typical of the industry which may act as barriers to migrating fish species. With this in .m:ind, a brief survey was completed to get insjghti into fish stocks present in the drainage before industry moved in. Churchill River The intended Churchill Falls power project will not affect the lower reaches of this river. The area studied during the Summer of 1964 was sur veyed with the purpose of assessing the degree of obstruction at Muskrat Falls; and to note fish species,and their relative abundance,which frequent the drainage belo"'-T the falls. Materials and Methods Materials Materials used inclmed two tents; the normal field equipment (cooking utensils, etc.); a fourteen foot aluminum boat with 51 horsepower motor; cotton gill nets nith mesh size ranging from li inches to 5t inches, plus a 40 fathom com!nercial salmon net; a 60 foot beach seine; and two cameras, a 35 mm. and a 620 box type. Aside from the minor equipment, tl:e survey utilized a fixed wing for fifteen hours, and a helicopter for forty hours. Also, a 36 foot boat was chartered for 30 days. Sleeping quarters and office facilities were made available b.1 the Royal Canadian Air Force. The air base is situated close to Terrington Basin where we generally left ey boat or plane for the river surveys. - 8- Methods Each river was surveyed separately and will be reported as such. The procedure of each survey is given in a chronological list bel.ow. June 23 Arrived Goose ~ and set up office quarters, arranging equipment, etc. June 25 - 26 Reconnaissance stn'vey by fixed wing off Kenamu River. June 30 - July 4 Ground survey on upper Kenamu River. Ju."cy' 6 - 7 Camped at mouth of Kenamu River. July 8- n Brief biological survey of Grand Lake. During the period from June 23 to July ll, as many areas as possib~e were sampled to familiarize us with methods coherent in this type of survey. Following this period the survey settled down to more detailed work, as listed below. July 13 - July 18 Survey the mouth of the Kenamu River, collection of data from canmercial fishermen. July 21 - July 22 Flew entire Naskaupi River ani camped one night at Seal Lake. July 24 - Aug. 4 SuiVeyed the first 25 miles of the Naskaupi River - identification of .fish species, physical .f'eatures, etc. Aug. 9 - Aug. 15 Surveyed the Churchill River and tributaries below Muskrat Falls. Aug. 17 - Aug. 31 Surveyed by helicopter the above mentiooed rivers. The days spent at .f'ield headquarters were used to write in field observations and repair equipment. PART II: NASKAUP I RIVER NASK.AUP I RIVER Introduction Draining the eastern extension of the central plateau, the Naskaupi River fia~s through and exhibits a wide variety of river features. &om headwaters at Marie Lake to its mouth at Grand Lake it runs 12 3 miles between latitwie 53° 30' and 54° 00'. Grand Lake 1 a 42 mile expanse, fiows through Northwest River before entering Lalre Melville. '!he Naskaupi River is the second largest river fla~ing into Lake Melville and has long been used by Indians and white trappers as a route to the interior of the peninsula. Early adventurers such as Hubbard (1901) and Wall~ce (1905) used it as a route to the Michikamau Lake and eventually to Ungava and James Bays. Indians,maldng their migrations from Sept Isles in Quebec to Northwest River,would travel 11p through the central platean and cross over into the Naska11pi River which brought them to the settlement. The drainage area of the Naskaupi River is regaroed as Indian country, for here they [email protected] a bountiful harvest of furs, food and fish. The survey was started by fiying the main river and important tributaries to ascertain basic infonnation needed for the ground and heli copter surveys. A night net set at Seal Lake was incorporated into this fixed wing survey. Extensive netting was carried out during the ground survey from July 24 to August 4. The entire drainage was nown by helicopter, during August 17 to 20, to collect detailed data on physical and biological attributes. - 10 - The Watershed Michikamau Lake and adjoining lakes .f'orm the headwaters of the rivers of the central Labrador drainage. The Naskaupi and Churchill Rivers are interlocking through Michikamau. The Naskaupi fiCJis eastward and southerly', draining a complex: o.f' smaller lakes situated on the lake strewn central plateau. The river drainage is a complex of rapids and .falls in the npper section on both the main river and tributaries. Mo1m.tainous lakes typify the watershed above Seal Lake. Drainage Area The Naskaupi River has .a total drainage area or 71090 square miles 1 which incllJies Michiklaman Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Labrador. Ex:clt1Sive o.f' Michikamau and adjoining lakes, the river has a total drainage area of 31 510 square miles 1 which is measured .from the proposed Fremont Lake dykes down to the mouth, inmediatel.y' above Crooked River. The le~th of the main river is 128 linear miles, including some 40 linear miles of stanii~ water. '!he total tribntary mileage, excluding the Red Wine River, which is the largest tributary, is 340 linear miles. The Red Wine has sane 260 miles of river water. The total river mileage of the Naskaupi system is 728 linear miles (Figure 3) • The Naskanpi River debouches .from the North into Grand Lake and is the second great Atlantic stream fiawing into Lake Melville, exceeded only by' the mighty Chur8hill River. At the lower end its valley is broad and mature, but .f'r~ six miles it narrow-s into one at a distance of 18 - 20 miles .f'rom Grand Lake. Along this distance there are no rapids. 'lhis indicates that the river here fiows over its own delta deposits and valley trains - a .f'act easily confirmEd by" viewing it .from the airplane. A.f'ter that the valley contracts; at the mouth o.f' the Red Wine, it is abou.t 1,050 feet below the - 11 - v .L..!..~-""------~------~------~------DRAWN; DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, CANADA ! DATE: ----1---- CHECK: 1 ~CA_LE_:f_"-_f6/,fJ/..£g FIG.3- NASKAUPI RIVER APPROVED: I DWG. No. I - 12- normal plateau surface. This short, mature, rather rapid flaring valley may very well have been developed by normal headwater erosion in preglacial time. The river climbs rather .fast in the last 22 miles, here .falls and rapids are continuous until the river reaches the plateau surface at Marie Lake. Forestry Macoun (1889 - 1890) placed the northern half of Labrador in the sub- Arctic .forest belt. More recent .foresters and botanists place it in the boreal .forest zone, and .further North toward Tklgava am James Bqs it is classified as sub-Arctic tundra and taiga zones. Nine species of trees may be said to constitute the whole arborescent nora of this region. The species are: Betula paBYri.fera - White B:irch Populus tremuloides - Aspen Populus balsamifera - Balsam Thuya occidentals - Eastern White Adar Pinus bank-siana - Jack Pir.e Picea alba - White Spruce Picea nigra Black Spruce Abies ba.lsamea - F:ir Lar:I.x americanna - Tamarack The .forest is continuous up to the base of Seal Lake to between latitude 52° and 54°. NorthWard of latitude 53°, the higher hills are tree- less and the size and number of barren areas rapidly increases on the plateau. More than hal..f of the surface is treeless, woods being .found about the margins of small lakes and in the river valleys. This .feature is well pronounced in the upper reaches of Thomas, North Pole Brook and Wapustan Rivers, which climb rapidly :from the main river toward the West. Bare - 13 .. outcrop rock, bogs and glacial debris characteriZe the endless landscape in these regions. Ex:cept for the upper reaches of the Naskaupi, the entire river valley is heavily forested. In the last stretch between C&ribou ani Marie Lakes the forest is less dense, opening into an evenly spaced spruce lichen type forest With thick matted lichen forming the forest bed. The dominant species here is Picea nigra (mariall!), the black spruce. Further South the forest is a dense mass of spruce, fir and aspen, with coniferous species dominating. Only around the slopes of Grand Lake did we note a well mixed coniferous...deciduous forest and this is attributed to recent burning. The forest of the Naskaupi River is then a dominating black spruce type, with merchantable timber possibly as far as Seal Lake. Although merchantable, they are not as rich as the forests further South, which are denser, taller and thicker. Close to the river shoreline we find the typical alder - immature birch sequence forming in places dense jungle type. Other close river plants include the dense grass, Indian pear (Amelanchier canadensis) an:i willows (Salix !W. In the slack waters of the rivers and in the lakes and ponds the dominant plants were from the families Equiselaceae, horsetails; Nymphaeaceae, pond lillies. On the baiTen grounds the dominant family was Ericacea'tt kalmia, etc. Other oommon families are Compositae, Rosacea and Rantmculaceae. Around the bogs and marshlands Vacciniaceae, bluebeiTies; .Qm.raccae, scirpus grasses; Juncaceae, the .fucus grasses; and Typhaceae, the sparganium mosses, are the major families. - 14- Geology The geology of Labrador is still very vagne. Extensive exploration into the interior in recent years had led to the development of large iron ore deposits. Some areas C?f the coast have been surveyed bu.t, aside from the few parts on the coast, and the interior, very little is kna~n of the geology of the Labrador peninsula. The majority of Labrador is underlain with Archean rocks. All out crops on the Naskaupi are Pre Cambrian and belong to the Archean or Algonkian series. Based on 'l'anner 1s 1937 expedition, the lower reaches belong to the Algonkian series, while those o£ the npper reaches are Archean and composed of the anorthosite-gabbro type. Most of the rocks are volcanic in origin. Glacial geology is well pronounced aloi€ the river valley with the formation of n1111erous drumlins, eskers, and other glacial drift fonnation. 2211 The soil of the greater part of the river is derived from the under lying Archean rocks, and is mostly in the form or glacial till, mixed with boulders of various sizes. The till is a mixture of sand and clay in which the former greatly predominates. In burnt areas, much at the vegetable matter has been destroyed and the remaining soil supports only a scant growth or small trees. Along the side of the river valley the drift has been re aiTanged and mixed with sediments. Here the soil is richer than the unmodified till, and the size and variety of trees growing on it are conse quently greater. On the lower banks and islands in the rivers near the mouth the sands and clays are topped with deposits of allnvimn. - 15 .. Precipitation Total annual precipitation in the general Goose ~ area for 1963 was 44.67 inches. This includes some 26.68 inches of rain and 212.5 inches of snow. Yearly discharge for the Naskaupi is 5,124,000 ac./ft., with a mean of 7 ,o6J cfs per d~. The maximum discharge is in June when the dis- charge reached 13,100 cfs. The minimum discharge occurred in April ltlen the figure dropped to 4,090 cfs/d~( 2 ~ Climate The climate of Labrador ranges from cold temperate on the southern coasts to Arctic on Hudson Strait and the highlands of the northern interior which have but two seasons - Summer ani Winter. The warmest months are July and August, the coldest are December, January and February. The Summer days are typified by great extremes in temperature. Wallace (1905) reports, while camping on the Naskaupi, a change in temperature of 63°F in less than twelve hours. His extreme was from 28° at dawn (approximately 4:00 a.m.) to 92°F at midday. Winters are long and cold; in 1963, 212.5 inches of snow fell in the Goose Bay region. Snow starts in mid-Septanber arrl continues to mid-May. Temperatures as low as -53°F have been recorded at the Hudson Bay Post at Northwest River. Characteristics of the Main River The Naskaupi River varies its width from 2 1000 feet at the mouth to 6 feet at the rapid gorge section in the upper reaches. Widest sections, excluding the mouth and standing water, are found in the first 18 to 20 miles, here the width is approximately a constant 150 yards. The average width is (2) Canada Water Resources, 1963. - 16- approximately 200 - 250 feet, ll."hi.ch starts at .Ageau rapids and extends to the base at the gorge. River depths also vary. The first 20 miles is easily navigated in motor crafts drawing 4 - 5 feet. at water. Estimated average depth to Red Wine River is from 8 to 10 feet. Beyond Ageau Lake the river is shallow, exposing large boulders, large rock bottom ani heavy rapids. Prom Caribou Lake to the base at the gorge section the river is uniformly deep without; rapids. The bottom type is made up at medillDl to course gravel ani the occasional sand-marl type, 2 - 3 ft. is average depth. Velocities decrease from headwaters to the moath. The headwater section, formed b,y headwater erosion and glacial denudation, is narrow with extreme velocities. The broad fiood plain at the mouth depicts the river's velocity at this point. Near the mouth the deposition of alluvial till has created numerous sand bars, making the actual river mouth very narrow but deep. SaDi and mud mark the shoreline up to Ageau Lake Where the river changes quickly into a rapid water and large boulder type bottom. Cbly the speed at the water and the size of the rock vary between Ageau Lake and the gorge section. The smallest rocky bottan was that stretch between Caribou Lake a:rd the gorge section. In the gorge section the river bottom is 100 percent bedrock, the river being too fast to maintain any other bottom type. The lake section of the Naskaupi River lies a little below the plateau sarface of Labrador. Three adjoining lakes, lying directly on the main river, 11"Bke up this section. They are Thomas, Seal and Wuchusk Lakes. All major tributaries now from the \>Jest. These inclllie Thomas, Red 1•line, North Pole and Wapustan Rivers. They originate on or a little below the plateau surface and consequently have some turbulent, fast areas - 17- before entering the Naskaupi River. The Naskaupi River is a young river. Rapids ar.d falls are its main features and give the river the appearance of unlimited vitality. Rapids are common and heavy between the Red Wine River and Seal Lake; in this .30 mile stretch there is reported to be 30 portages. Alro, from tributary No. 20 to Marie Lake, a distance of 22 miles, there is a canplex of 21 rapids and falls. Fish Populations Labrador is still a relatively unknown country. Msny aspects of its natural resources are still hidden in the confines of its wilderness. Lists and descriptions of freshwater fishes are no exception to this rule. There are very few p!Dilished reports of freshwater fishes of the Labrador peninsula, and even fewer scientific lists. Reports of species present are found in a variety of publications; such as Low 1s (1895) geological survey, and Tanner's (1937) geographical survey; in publiShed true life adventures of Wallace (1903) and (1905), and Hubbard (1909); ar.d also scientific surveys of Monroe (1949) and Backus (1957). Grenfell (1909) has made reference to freshwater spe<(ies in published reports on the country and its people. Blair (1943) also makes reference to freshwater species found along the Labrador coast, from Pinware River to the Hamilton Inlet. However, there has never been a scientific survey into Labrador with sole purpose of studying freshl~ter species. Backus (1957) has made the most comprehensive stiXiy but again freshWater SJ:S cies were secondary. It is apparent that a great deal of scientific work on freshwater f:P9cies awaits the willful researcher. Scott (1958) lists seventeen species of freshwater species occurring in Labrador. To this list Backus adds the American eel, which is found in - 18- the Churchill drainage. Table 1 includes all species found in the NaSk:aupi system and their distribution. Table 1. Fishes present in the Naskaupi River system. Common names Scientific names Where taken * Smelt Osmergs mordp: up to Red Wine River. r}-, Lake Chub Couesius plumbeus pltJnbeus In Red Wine River. ~ ~ Northern Redhorse Maxostoma aureolum. Up to Seal Lake. Sucker H.ypentelium .j ~~og nigricans Up to Red Wine River. Longnose Sucker c. catostanus Up to Red W:ine River. White Sucker Catostomus connnersormii Seal Lake. Ro tmd Whitefish Prosopillll'l (Bottlefish) cylindrace um Red Wine River. Whitefish (Lake) Coregcnus elupeaformis Entire system. Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush Entire system. Pike (Northern) ~lucius Entire system. Burbot Up to Red Wine River. Three Spined Gasterosteus Stickleback aculeatu.s Entire system. Arctic char ' ~ alpinus As far as Wapustan River' Brook Trout (sea-ron) ~ tontinalis Fotmd as far as Red Wine River. Brook Trout (resident) Sa]_velinus fontinalis The entire system. Ouananiche (landlocked Crooked River and above salmon) Sal.mo salar Seal Lake. Atlantic salmon Sa.Jmo salar Throughout the system. ~ Reported by local residents. ... 19- Backus (1957) has attempted distribution of freshwater species along the coast and Hamilton Inlet. Aside fran this and the brief mention of freshwater species encountered by geological surveys, little is known of the distribution and relative abundance of freshwater species. The freshwaters of Newfoundland and Labrador has not been pressured With introduced species as the Avalon Peninsula of Insular Newfoundland. All fish species encountered in Labrador rivers and ponds are native •. Resident Species Resident species in the Naskaupi drainage include ouananiche, brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, whitefish, four species of suckers, burbot, chub and three spined stickleback. An accurate picture of population sizes of these species,and the extent to which they would support a useful sport or commercial fisher,y,can only be determined from further investigations. It would appear that brook trout, lake trout, and pike could be utilized, though at present they support only a limited sport fisher.r. Most anglers fish for salmon, brook trout and ou.a.naniche; little attention is given to the less gamier species of lake trout and pike. Each species is now discussed in relation to actual size b,y weight and relative abundance. Ouananiche - No specimens of landlocked salmon were actually caught b,y the survey party, but reliable reports show them frequenting the Naskaupi River system. Several specimens observed by t.he writer were landlocked salmon and were reported caught at Seal and Wachusk Lakes. From interviews with locals and sports fishermen, landlocked salmon frequent the Crooked River as well. Those reported from the Naskaupi are generally small (7 11 - 1011 ) while those found on Crooked River are larger {u.p to 7 potmis). Landlocked salmon are reported abundant in Seal and 'Wachusk Lakes. - 20- Eastern BrOOk Trout - From actu.a.l cat,ches and interviews, it was fou.nd that this species is distribu.ted throughou.t the entire system. Wallace (1905) and Hu.bbard (1909) had no dif'ficu.lty in catching brook trou.t anywhere on the river drainage. 'l'.hey are known to occu.r in every stream and lake; the size of the fish may vary bu.t numbers caught seem to indicate abundance. In the lower reaches where nets were set, sudcers dominated the catch, with brook trou.t following. However, in the u.pper reaches brook trou.t are more plentiful. Every cast, u.sing spinning gear, produ.ced a trou.t. The size of the fish differed ,as well as the nllllber. In the u.pper portions fish averaged between 2t to 4 pounds, while in the lower portion around Red Wine P..iver brook trou.t rarely reached 2 pounds. This is probably du.e to competition in the slower t'fater near the mou.th. Jn Marie Lake, brook trou.t are ab1.mdant along the shoreline, and fish as large as 6 pounds have been landed. Lake Trou.t - .In aJ.l lakes, and in many sections of the main river and tribu.tary streams, lake trou.t are found. In lakes, they live for part of the spring and early summer in association with the brook trou.t. In early summer they move away from the shoreline and into the cooler 1 deeper water at the centre of the lake. Although a general lake dweller, they were .found scattered throughou.t the main river. They were .fou.nd in Grand Lake, the mouth ot the river, Seal Lake and Marie Lake. Anglers at Marie Lake report them plentiful du.ring the first few weeks of sum.rner, chasing brook trout hooked by anglers. Low (1895) and Tanner (19.37) report catching 40 pound lake trou.t in the headwaters lakes of the Naskaupi River. However 1 all fish caught this summer ranged from 7 .. 10 pounds. Northern Pike - This species were found throu.gbou.t the waterShed, living near the shoreline in dense river vegetation. Specimens were obtained .. 21 ... from Grand Lake up through to Marie Lake. Weights ranged from 5 to 14 pounds. Whitefish .. Two species are found in Labrador rivers, both frequent the Naskaupi River drainage fran Grand Lake to Seal Lake. '!he lake whitefish ranged .fran one to two potm.ds, with one specimen caught at Seal Lake weighing 5 potmds. The lake whitefish was f'otm.d to be more abundant than the round whitefish. T'.ae latter's weight rarely exceeded one pound. Suckers ... All four species were caught in the first 25 m.Ues of' the river. White suckers and loJJgnose sllCkers predominated. Redhorse and hog_l suckers were rarely caught, with only six redhorse caught out of a catch of' ; 402 fish. All suckers caught near the mouth averaged between 1 and 2 potmds. ·-- Bur bot - Immature specimens were seined up to Seal Lake, only one mature sample was caught in the Naskaupi. Trappers, fishing through the ice with nets, report them common in the Fall and winter months. Immature specimens were observed plentiful near the shore and shallow bays in Seal Lake. Lake Chub - Backus reports this species scattered throughout the rivers of' the inner Hamilton Inlet. However, one specimen only was caught and that in the Red Wine River. Three Spined Sticklebacks - This species is found throughout the system, from the river 1 s mouth to its headwaters at Marie Lake. Backus (1957) also reports the nine spined stickleback in the Na.skaupi drainage,but no samples were caught during this survey. - 22 - A.nadromous Species Three anadromous species were sampled from the Naskaupi drainage during the survey work - Atlantic salmon, sea-run brook trout, and smelt. A possible fourth species was not caQght, but reports indicate that Arctic char use the Naskaupi as a spawning river. Atlantic salmon - Indians have long regarded the Naskaupi River as one of the best salmon rivers in the eastern Labrador drainage. These Indians, from the Naskaupee tribe, spear salmon in the upper section between Caribou Lake and the gorge. There are no figures available, except for rwoors, as to how many are caught, since all fish are eaten before returning to Northwest River. Wallace (1905) and Hu.bbard ( 1909) report catching salmon in the river but give no numbers regarding abundance. Trappers report seeing groups of salmon, probably spawners, on the main river and tributaries. There is no salmon fishery in Little Lake or Northwest River, hence it is assumed that the run of fish to the Naskaupi or rivers in Grand Lake is not very large. Salmon are not abundant, yet the conditions are in the river for a capacity of 40,000 fish. Ideal spawning and rearing waters are found in the main river and tributaries. Also, there are no barriers to anadromous fish .for the first 100 miles of the main river. The reason for the apparent absence of large numbers of salmon in this river is not known. Sea-r11n Brook Trout {Sea Trout) - Twenty-seven percent of the catch of brook trout were sea-run fish. These fish are caught in Little Lake by the Indians and local residents for summer food, and sane are salted for winter use. Based on the numbers caQght in Northwest River, sea-run trou.t seem to be more plentiful than salmon. '!'his is probably due to the t;ype of - 2.3 - gear used, which are generally old nets of small mesh size. The size of the fish caught in the Naskaupi River rarely exceeded lt pounds, although one fish weighed over six pounds. Smelts - Only one specimen of smelt was caught during the entire survey. However, they are reported camnon in Lake Melville, especially during the Winter months. There is no commercial fishery on 1111elt, although one fisherman reports catching approximately 21 500 pounds in one experi- mental set. Arctic char - The Hudson Bay files for Northwest River report pur chasing Arctic char from the local residents in the early 1~0 1 s. However, no reference is made as to where the fish were caught. We know Arctic char frequent the Churchill River from a sample obtained from Mud Lake~ Char sold at the Hudson Bay Post at Northwest River could have been caught anywhere in the Hamilton Inlet. Guardian Montague tells of actual sightings and catches in Grand Lake and in the Naskaupi River. He refers to Wapustan River as the probable spawning grounds, since this is as far up as they have been seen. Probably the reason for our failure to catch a sample is that our surve.y, to the Naskaupi River, was too early as char are reported to run in after the salllon in early September. Obstructions Table 2 lists, with dimensions, the major obstructions on the .t ( Naskaupi River. It incllrles only those found on the main river. A detailed 1 !! listing of obstructions for the tributaries is not given here but will 1::e i ~ mentioned briefly under Atlantic Salmon Pob9ntial, when the accessible area of tributary streams is discussed. The first major obstruction is situated at the base of the rapid and is in the form of a gorge. Here turbulent waters, through a narrow channel, - 24 - halts salmon movement. The major falls are Isabella, Maid Marion, and Gritwood, each having a vertical drop of more than 75 feet. The abstractions listed in Table 2 extend f'rom Marie Lake to the base of the gorge 22 miles downstre8JI. Aside from rapids, this incltdes all abstractions on the main river. Table 2. Obstractions on the main river. Obstruction No. Approximate Degree or Remarks and classific dimensions obstruction ation or tvce 1. Rapids Width - 200 yds., 1/4 mile long. Partial Falls in centre. 2. Rapids & Width - 450'. Lett falls hand side rapids, Right hand Oatcrop rock in ootcrop in centre. side partial centre of falls. 5' vertical drop right hand side • .3. Falls Width - 200'. Left hand side 10' verti 200' long oat crop cal falls. Right Partial rans down through hand side 5 ' verti the centre. cal falls. 4.· Rapids & Lett hand side rapids Left hand side Oatcrop rock. 100 ' falls 200 1 long. passable. lcng in centre. Right hand side falls Right hand side Small rock coiYIIlon 15' vertical. complete. in rapids. Length - 60' across. 5. Rapids & Left hand side rapids Left hand side Left hand side falls 150' long. easily passable. nows over ootcrop. Right hand side, two Right han:i side falls 5' and 51 high partial. with vertical drop. 6. Maid Marion Width - 150 yds. Falls Lett hand side 75 yds. across. 75' vertical OUtcrop rock makes drop. Centre 50 yds. Complete divisions. across, 90' vertical Channel 200 1 wide drop. Right hand below falls. side 25 yds. across, 80 1 vertical drop. - 25- Table 2 (Cont'd.) .~~~~~~~~------~------~------Obstruction No. Approximate Degree of and classif ic dimensions obstruction Remarks ation or type 1. Isabella Lett hand side 60' Fans. across. 100 1 (20 1 + 80 1 ) Outcrop rock down drop. Right hand side Complete through centre 55' (10 1-30'-71 -8 1 ) drop. divides falls. 60 1 across. 8. Falls 15 1 gradual drop. Width of falls- LO•. Complete River very narrow. 9. Rapids & Width - 150 1 • Left hand falls Left hand side - 20' side complete Outcrop rock on vertical drop. Right hand left hand side. Right hand side, rapids. side passable 10. Falls 80 1 across. Falls formed by Two falls - 101 in 30 1 Partial tilted outcrops. - 20 1 in 70 1 11. Gritwood Width - 60 1 & 50 1 vert Falls ical drop. Complete Narrow channel. 12. Rapids & Width - .300 1 • Outcrop falls in centre. Left hand Left hand side is all side pass Outcrop rock rapids. able. cormnon in right Right hand side, complex Right ham hand side. of 51 vertical falls to side partial 20 1 gradual falls. 13. Rapids Length is 1 mile long, long gorge all white water.Width Water too fast, varies from 61 to 150 1 Complete channel too in pools, small falls narrow. 51 high. 14. Fans 200 1 across - 7' vert Not outcrop rock. ical drop. Passable Water falls over hard volcanic bottom. 15. Falls Width - 50 1 • Gradual drop of 4 1 in 101 Passable 45° angle. - 26- Atlantic Salmon Potential The Main River Conditions suited for the extension of Atlantic salmon populations in Newfoundland and Labrador are well exhibited in rivers of the Lake Melville drainage. The Naskaupi River is no exception. Spawning and rear ing waters are well distributed throughout the system. Spawning facilities an the main river do not add a great deal to the overall potential, but rearing areas are abtm:iant and probably contribute immensely to the total stream potential. However, spawning areas are present on the main river above Caribou Lake, but it is doubtful if salmon would spawn in the main river. It is the view of some writers that large secondary streams act as spawning areas and the main river ftmctions in providing the much needed rearing waters. Tributary Streams Tributaries constitute the major part of the Naskaupi drainage area. There are twenty-five in all, contributing some 600 miles of water. Seven ot these lie above the limit of salmon passage and are not considered in deter- mining total potential. The majority of the tributary streams floW from the West and debouch a great deal before entering the Naskaupi. The eastern tributaries have a ------more even gradient and drop very gradually into the main channel. The largest tributaries are found on the western side, with the lakes of the central plateau as their headwaters. The more outstanding streams are reviewed below: Red Wine River is the first and largest tributary on the Naskaupi drainage. It has some 260 linear miles of river, which is completely - 27 - accessible. The river stretches far back into the interior and drains the smaller lakes of the central plateau. Conditions in the Red Wine River ani its tributaries are ideal for the maintenance of Atlantic salmon stocks. The first 60 miles is made up of well interspersed pools, riffle areas, small rapids and spawning areas. Beyond this, the river is a canplex of rapids, slow moving waters and large boulder type bottoms. Conditions then are ideal for Atlantic salmon and it is probable that the Red Wine River is the greatest producer in the entire system. Netting in the Red Wine prcxiuced 21 grilse in three days, whereas nett~ in the main river produced only 5 salmon in six days. North Pole Brook - Situated on the western side of the main river just below Bald Mountain, North Pole Brook slopes gradually into the Naskaupi River. This tributar.y (Number 6) is completely accessible, of.fering com paratively good nurser.y water. Width varies from 60 .feet to 80 t'eet over a rather even depth of 2 - 4 feet of water with generally a large rocky type bottom. There are some 30 miles of accessible ·drainage with little to retard salmon movement except for a narrow gorge at the lake outlet situated at the river's mid section. Spawning areas are found above the lake but in no great abundance. Wapustan River (Tributarr No. 7) - Lying just North of North Pole Bt-ook and below Bald Mountain, the Wapustan River enters the Naskaupi in a turbulent flow, a heavy rapid near its mouth and a rapid on the Naskaupi, situated at the mouth of Wapustan, gives one a sorry first impression of the stream. The picture changes one mile from its mouth where the tributary divides into four streams which vary very little in physical attributes. The total river mileage is approximately 60 linear miles which can be almost fully utilized except for the fast waters at mid-section and the slow moving - 28 - bog areas and bedrock areas at headwaters. The speed of water is from moderate to medium fast flow through a generally steep river valley. Riffle areas and pools are common; scattered areas of spawning bottom with equally scattered nursery water predominate in the lower reaches of the streams. Thomas River (Tributary No. 10) - The Naskaupi River, at the point of entrance of Thomas River, has reached a level plateau and Thomas River in turn follows an even contour flOW'ing into Thomas Lake in no great fiood of water. This feature has made Tributary No. 10 much different from the others, the even slope of its basin has made for slow to medium flow of water and the enlargement of many places on the stream into small lakes and ponds. The total length of the stream is approximately 80 miles, of which 25 per cent, or 20 miles, is actual river or running water, the remaining 75 percent, or 60 miles, make up the complex of lakes. With no obstructions, the river is ideal for the rearing and spawning of anadromous species. Minor Tributaries - A number of sn.aller tributaries, averaging between 10 to 15 miles long, enter the main river below the gorge section and contribute immensely to accessible nursery waters. The majority or these minor streams are found on the eastern side and, as previously mentioned, are short and possess a more gradually slope because of the absence of the large mountains. In all there are 15 streams of this caliber, collectively contributing a total of 130 miles of suitable rearing waters to the overall potential. Tributaries No. 4, 5 and 9 are inaccessible because of falls near their mouths and consequently offer very little to the total potential. Manner of Determining Salmon Potential The method employed for determining potential of the Naskaupi River is the same as that used by O'Reilly (1959) for the Exploits River. Reference can be made to his report to follOW' the method. However, the - 29- Naskaupi River survey was not as extensive as was the Exploits and the amount and suitability o:.f spawning and rearing areas on the system are Clll.y estimated from observations made during fixed wing and helicopter surveys. Briefiy, in determinin~ potential of a stream, the .factor 67.5 salmon (derived by Elson and Kerswill, 1955) multiplied by the mmber of miles of saJJnon rearing water, gives the number of salmon that a stream is capable o:.f supporting. To quote O'Reilly 11 one point should be borne in mind when applying this conversion factor. '!he stream, and perhaps the poplllation entering the stream (fran which 0 1Reilly1 s data is obtained) , does not appear to be out standing with respect to available spawning facilities ani rearing waters. Hence the .factor being used may be somewhat lower With respect to other spatming and rearing waters". Nonetheless, it can be used to estimate the numbers of salmon potentially required to make optimum use o.f salmon tearing waters in the Naskaupi watershed. Table 3 summarizes the potential per tributary stream and main river. - 30 - Table 3. Estimated potent.ial of salmon to be supported in the Naskaupi River s,ystem. Tributar;r number Estimate of Potential and name portion accessible ~( e s tima. ted) No. 1 Red l~ine 230 miles 67.5 X 230 •.13,500 No. 2 10 miles 675 No. 3 10 miles 675 No. 4 Inaccessible No. 5 Inaccessible No. 6 North Pole Brook 30 miles 2,025 No. 7 Wa.pustan River 60 miles 4,050 No. 8 . ,//'n1 ..J; 10 miles 675 /.y ,'\i No. 9 / '/. r/ t Inaccessible No. 10 'lhomas ~ 80 miles 5,400 No. 11 Little Seal River 20 miJ.es 1,350 No. 12 10 miles 675 No. 13 10 miles 675 No. 14 20 miles 1,350 No. 15 10 miles 675 No. 16 15 miles 1,000 No. 17 5 miles Nc. 18 15 miles 1,000 ~------~--~------·------~ 535 miles* 34,000 ~------~------~ Main river 106 miles 7,000 Total 641 mi1es 41,000 :t 425 linear miles ot the tributar;r drainage are accessible to anadramous species. - 31 - Summary In summary, then, it must be borne in mind that a population potential is not the true population of the stream, but the population that should be there under the existing ccndi tions. The population of 41,000 fish, calculated in Table 3, is not the true population figure but, as mentioned above, it does represent what should be present. In the Kenamu River we have a population potential of 28,000 fish with only 400 miles of accessible water, and the Naskaupi has a population potential of 41,000 fish with 531 linear miles of accessible drainage. However, from data obtained from our survey, the Kenamu River prd::lably supports a total escapement of 15,000 salmon vrhereas the Naskaupi does net. support anything near this figure; s. population of something less than 5,000 fish would be in order. The reason for this discrepancy is not immediately apparent but may be due to sane physical or chemical aspects, or probably due to over exploitation of the fishery in past years. - 32- Table 4. Catch summazy, Naskaupi River - July-August, 1964. Catch each mesh size Species - li'' 2" 3" 4" -5" 5!" Total Eastern brook trout (resident) 12 15 1 1 3 - 32 Eastern brook trout (sea-run) 6 I 2 3 - 1 - 12 White suckers 15 90 137 6 - - 248 I Longnose suckers 14 62 56 - I -- 132 'Vlhitefish 10 35 4 2 I 1 - 52 Mira 2 - - - - - 2 Smelt 2 - - - - - 2 Northern Redhorse sucker - 4 2 - - - 6 .At.la.ntic salmon - 1 - - 26 4 31 Pika - 46 13 20 21 2 102 Lake trout - 4 2 3 - - 9 Hog suckers -- 16 - - - 16 Bottle fish 2 - - - - I - 2 Suckers 7 7 - - - - 14 Smolts - 1 - - - - 1 Sea-run char - 1 - - - - 1 P.ART III KENAMU RIVER - 33- KEN.AMURJYER Introduction Situated ten miles South of Northwest River and thirty miles East of Goose Bay, the Kenamu River drains the southern portion of the Lake ~lville drainage. It is the third large:st river in the system, exceeded only by the Churchill and Naskaupi Rivers. However, unlike the mighty, now famous Churchill, and the turbulent exuberant Naskaupi, the Kenamu is a slower mov:lng, more peaceful river, its greatness and vitality being lcng passed. Based on its velocities, depths ani overall width, it would a:,wear to be a much older river than the other two. Arter excessive glaciation and fiooding in its basin it now forms, in most areas, a broad fiood plain. Except for several minor rapids, the Kenamu is canpletely accessible by small boat and canoe with only a few minor portages. In its ninety-three mile run from headwaters to its outlet in Lake Melville, the river debouches only slightly without barriers to migratory fish. Settlements along the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts were certainly prompted by the abuniance of marine fish, especially cod. Settlement in the interior or Labrador centred around Hudson Bay Company posts which are generally found at or near the mouths or rivers. The settlement or Northwest River undoubtedly focused around Hudson Bay Company and the mS:i.n rivers would be the Kenamu and Naskaupi, which lie about ten miles South and 40 miles North respectively of the communit,y. Because of the accessibility of the Kenamu River, it was probably the first area penetrated to any great extent. Dense, mature forests and high mountains are characteristic of the river drainage and no doubt yield an abundant fur harvest. .. 34- Although the fur industry probably provided the inc·entive for the settlement, the abundance of salmon in the Kenamu River has certainly augmented its expansion. The waters of the entire Kenamu systan are ltell known to the local inhabitants because of their long association with it through the fur and camnercial salmon industries. However, these minor industries are no longer occupying the minds of the younger generation, and they look to the Kenamu for a better living. The proposed pulp and paper in:iustry is to be built somewhere on its drainage. Be cause of the proposal for a pulp and paper in:iustry on the Kenamu River, the Department carried out a brief biological survey. The objective beil'l!: to determine the value of the fishery resource on the river with respect to anadromous species. The results of this survey follow. Materials and Methods The equipment used for the Naskaupi River survey was also used on the Kenamu and Churchill River surveys. The general schEI!le follelifed was much the same as that used on the Naskaupi, except that on the Kenamu River there are commercial fishermen at the mouth and the procedure was altered to get as much information :from them as possible, and also to be close at hand to study the run of salmon which was to occur around the middle of July. The com mercial fishermen each set four salmon nets - twenty-four in all; this was augmented by using smaller mesh size, consequently nl'3ts from lt inch to 4 i~ch mesh were used :from our materials, plus nets from 4t inches to 7 inches used by the fishermen. During the first few days spent at the mouth of the Kenam.u it seemed apparent that. the salmon run had started but a freak storm which lasted for three days seriously hampered our operation, resulting in a meager sample of salmon caught by us and the fishemen. - 35 - In the intervening periods a boat survey was carried out on the .f':ir st .fifteen miles, in which the writer and student assistant did extensive sein- ing to determine fish species present. Also, a survey was carried out for a five day period in the upper section above Salmon River. Here the writer, accompanied b,y FCO Mercer and a student assistant, surveyed same seven miles of the main river and several tributaries including Salmon River. On. August 30 a helicopter survey of the Kenamu was started and the complete watershed fiown. The survey of the Kenamu River was canpleted by using fixed wing, helicopter, a.nd a fourteen .foot boat. June 25- 26 Survey main river and major tributaries by fixed wing. June 30 - July 4 Camped 70 miles up Kenamu. Equipment, including a 14 foot boat, and party were nown in by atter plane. July 6- 7 Camped at the mouth. July 12 - 18 Commercial fishery survey ani ground survey. August 30 - 31 Helicopter survey. Between trips to the field, time was spent in writing up field notes and organization of equipment, etc. The Y.latershed The headwaters of the Kenamu River at an unnamed lake are twenty minutes flying time from Goose Bay. From its headwaters to its mouth it flows through a broad fiood plain characterized by long eskers, drumlins and glacial drift. On the eastern side it skirts beside and follows to Lake Melville, the Nealy Mountains, Labrador's largest mountain chain. 'Ihe major portion of the river is generally a slow moving stream. However, tribu- taries on the eastern side are fast and drop quite rapidly from the Mealy's. Beyond Little Drunken Tributary the main river is characterized by ro~ - .36- bottom and boulder type shoreline, below this the main feature of tha ri. ver valley is sand, deposited throughout the ages lJIJ river denudation and Pleistocene glaciation. Tributary streams and lakes are not extensive, but in reasonable proportion to the entire drainage (Figure 4). Drainage Area From its source to its mouth the Kenamu River is but 9.3 linear miles, with a total drainage area of 1 1 700 square miles. Total tributary mileage is 288, constituting nineteen tributary strea~s, the largest being Salmon and Little Drunken. Unlike the Naskaupi, the Kenamu has but forty miJ.es of standing water, made up from one large lake on Tributary No. 16 an:i a large number of smaller lakes and ponds. There is no standing water on the main river except for a long steady area lying above Salmon Tributary. The Kenamu River basin lies a little belOW' the plateau surface of peninsula Labrador, approximately 1 1 000 feet above sea level. Unlike the Naskaupi River, the Kenamu debouches very little in its 9.3 mile course. .1!\'om headwaters at Tributary No. 16 to its mouth, the river drops sane 200 feet. There are no falls on the river. Tribataries on the eastern side of the river differ in velocities from those on the western side. Those lying to the East drain fran the Mealy Hountains, a large glaciated scoured remnant .from the Pre Cambrian 1 epoch, an extension of the Canadian shield into Labrador • Near their source 1 these tributaries are fast, narrow and shallow streams cascading through the mountainous terrain. Near their outlets in the main river they become broader and slower streams as they neander through the main river's fiood plain. '!hose tributaries, lying to the West, are less tarbulent draining from glaciated terrain, nCM tilled with drift and glacial till. There is no - 37- SCALE: I 6 miles N ... CLl ·-> a: I I 1------1 I DRAWN: DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, CANADA DATE: 1 CHECK: &CAL£: l-A-P-PR_O_V~~------!~ FIG. 4- KENAMU RIVER DRA_INAGE DWG. No. ____ l __ _ 38 - drop of any consequence,resulting in ideal nurser,y waters for salmon and brook trout. Forestry The forest resources of the Kenamu drainage have long been discussed with proposals for development. '!he most recent proposals, to build a pulp and paper industry on the system, seem imminent. 'lbe potential of this resource has lcng been known but never tapped, except for sane feeble lumber ing attempts in the early 1900's. Wilton, W.c. (1964) ,in his publication "The Forests of Labrador", places the entire Kenamu drainage in excellent. and good forest zones. The approximate total cordage for the watershed is over 13 million cords (Ed Ralph, Per.Comm). .An average stand height would fall between 30 and 40 feet. Pure black spruce covers the area uniformlY and the major contributing factor to the large cordage. A broad classification places the forest in the Spruce-Lichen type. Ex:act forest types for Labrador have not been worked out, but the forests of the Kenamu drainage are canposed of 71 percent black spruce, 5 percent white spruce, 21 percent birch, plus 3 percent hardwoods (Ed Ralph, Per. Comm.). The river flows for most of its length through this dense spruce forest. .Further South and into the Mealy Mountains the forest regresses to one of dense mattered lichen and scrub spruce. To the West, above the river valley, the forest is short and snall as the lake strewn plateau successes into muskeg and eventually spruce forest. Topography The Mealy Hountains occupy the eastern border region of the river. Mountains on the South, Goose Bay to the West, and Lake Melville to the North, enclose large muskeg areas. Inmediately West or the Mealy Mountains and East or Churchill River ... 39- is a glaciated plain like expanse, twenty miles in width with scattered muSkeg,drumlins and glacial drift. Ground .Flora The ne.ny mosses of sphagnum, feather and reindeer moss were found to be ever present. The lichen moss, the most abundant, gives one the picture of perpetual ground snow when viewing the terrain from the air. Probably the most abundant lichen is Cladonia alpestris, a fluffy white plant which grows 4 to 6 inches deep. Geology The general r.enam.u River region, like most of the Labrador Peninsula, is an undulating granite and granite gneiss plateau scoured by glaciation, in places lake strewn with large areas of swamp and mu,.eg. Monadrocks rise above the generally monotonous evergreen forests. The valleys are often filled with glacial till, sands and patChes of lake clay. The major Labrador mountain chain, the Mealy Mountains, lies South of Lake Melville, with the Kenamu River sweeping slowly past its eastern border. Near its mid section the mountains rise to hejghts of 4,300 .feet and drop off generally to plateau height near Lake Melville. The Mealys are made up of Archaean (early Pre Cambrian) and Proterozoic (late Pre Cambrian) rocks. Folded sediments and volcanics were observed in several places on the river. §E!l In the entire western section of Lake Melville sani dominates the soil featm:-es. Here the Churchill, Kenamu and Goose Rivers have deposited large amounts of san~ by river erosion and aided by Pleistocene glaciation. It is reported that Goose Bay itself is built over 200 feet of sand. On the Kena.mu River sand extends deep into the country, gradually disappearing - 40- near Little Drunken River. Scientific sampling has shown the soil to be cmposed of 16 inches of moss compacted toward the bottom, underlying this a 6 - 8 inch layer of black organic soil having a consistency of sandy loaa. This abundance ar sand is responsible, in many cases, for barren stretches which are tmable to support tree growth. Climate and Precipitation This section of Labrador falls within the continental influence, having warm Summers and cold Winters, with the transition £ram Winter to Summer to \'linter being very short. Slll!liilers are also short but temperatures in this region reach 90°F. The Winters are long and cold, with tempera.tures occasionalJ~ dropping as low as -50°F. Snow persists on the ground over most of the territory from the beginning of November to the beginn.ir.g of June. The M:!aly Mountains are snow capped throughout the year. The mean temperature for July is 61°F, far Janaa.zy it is 0°F, while the nean annual temperature is 32 0 F. Precipitation, then, is mostly in the form of rain. Annual rainfall is 29 inches, and 144 inches of snow~ 3 ) Characteristics of the Main River In its search for an outlet, the Kenamu River travels through .a variant in terrain, from the lake strewn and muskeg areas in the Scuth and headwaters to the heavily forested valleys near its mouth. Also bordered a1 each side by vivid reminders of the great Ice Age. to the East the deep scoured valleys of the Mealy Mountains, and on the western side, the ultimate (3) (Dept. of Transport, Meterological Report, 1963). - 41- result, Where the moving ice mass deposited some of its load :in the form of glacial eskers, drumlins and drift. 'lhe river itself, between tidewater and its source, is of gentle slope and constant depth. Its width varies between 1,$00 feet at its mouth to 150 feet at the other extreme, averaging approximately 200 feet throughout. River depth varies from one foot in rif'tle areas to 15 feet in steady' water; the river's depth for the major portion ranges between 18 inches and 4 feet. Measurements at the steady portion on the river adjacent to the banks indicate a depth approximately 2 to 5 feet at points near, the shore and ranging from 10 feet to 15 feet offshore. Close observations on the first five miles of the river indicate a muddy marl t,ype bottom; here the river is the widest and decreased velocity causes the deposition of sand and other suspended materials, picked up in its course downstream. Beyond this section, the bottom consists pr:incipally of medium to large gravel mixed with a predominance of f:ine rubble. Bolll.ders and bedrock were observed beyond Little Drunken River. The Kenamu is not a fast river, velocities are from slow to moderate. A rapid section, several miles in length and approximately 30 miles from the mouth, is the only fast water, the remainder being of small rapids and steady areas. The river is navigable to the m.aj or rapids whSl"e a portage is necessary; beyond the rapids the river is tame with 11 ttle or no portag:ing needed to reach headwaters. Below the large rapid section the river shoreline is made up of vertical sand banks 50 - 75 feet high. Here erosiOn and denudation of the shorel:ine are continuous. During heavy rains the river becomes very turbid and in one instance a portion of the sand bank fell into the river, deposit ing several tons of sand and creating a minor blockage to fish. Above this 42 - section the river shoreline is a more gentle grade, sloping evenly into the river. Here sand is still common along rivers edge but rocky shorelines now appear in increasing abundance as we move upstream. Surface tempgratnres were taken throughout the system during the survey period and varied between 52°F and 54°F. Main river pH values ranged fran 6.9 near headwater to 6.2 and 6.0 near its month. Turbidity ranged .from 15.0 ppn at the mouth to 7 .o ppm fifteen miles beyond the mouth. River bottom t.ype and chemical conditions are indicative of water conditions suitable for the rearing of Atlantic salmon. The character of the Kenamn River, along with its tributary, makes for ideal conditions fer the maintenance and expansion of the Atlantic salmon resource in Labrador. Fish Populations All major exploratory work into Labrador has centred around the western and northern portions where geological formations are rich in ores, producing deposits of iron ore, copper ore, etc. The trend in exploration today is still to move North; consequently, little attention has been given to the southern portion of the peninsula. Aside from brief fisheries research and forest investigation on the Kenamn P.iver, very little has been written about this area. Blair (1943) makes reference to a canmercial fishery on the Kenamu, as does Backus (1957). Both Blair and Backus sur veyed the month only and made no reference to the fish species present in t.he system beyond the month. Geologists and foresters list it as one of the major rivers in Lake ~.elville and, generally, say little more about it. For this report, a list of fish species present in the system will be given, as well as their general distribution and abundance. !he detail given to fish species in the Naskanpi River report wlll not be given here, but can be referred to if necessary. - 43- Table 5. Fish species present in Kenamu. River Conmon name Scientific name Distribu.tio n I Abundance Atlantic salmon §!1m2~ Entire system Abundant Eastern brook trout (resident) Salvelinu.s fontinalis Entire system Abundant Eastern brook trout (sea-run) I Salvelinus fontinalis Near mouth Scarce Three spined First 15 mlles sticklebact; Gasteroste u.s aculeatu.s I upstream. Common Burbot --r.ota. lota En tire systEm Canmon Whitefish (lake) Coregonus clupeafor.mis Near mouth Common Round whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum Near mouth Common White sucker Catostamus commersonnii Near mouth Common 1ongnose sucker c. catostamus Near mouth Common i ~Northern redhorse Maxostama aureolum Near mouth Scarce Also suspected of being present are ouananiche, pike, Arctic char and the hog sucker, but were not detected during the survey. Pike are known to inhabit lakes and ponds on the system but do not move into the river as they do on the Naska.upi River. Suckers are abundant throughout this section of Labrador. Ouananiche are reported also from the lakes and ponds but no specimens were observed. Lake trout are not found in the Kenamu system or anywhere South of Lake Mel ville. Sport fisherman and trappers have reported this phenomenon. They are present in Grand Lake an:i at headwaters of the ChurChill.,but are not found in the lower Churchill River. The reason for this limited distribution has not been explained but the salt water Lake Melville may limit distribution to southern regions. -44- Also worthy of mention here is the appearance of the sea sturgeon, Acipenser sturio ox;,yrh.vnchus, near the mouth of the Kenamu River. A six pound specimen was caught by a native within tidal infl.uence of the river. This is the first reported specimen from Lake Melville, although Backus (1957) reports them from the outer Hamilton Inlet. Obstructions The topography of the Kenamu River is much that it lends itself to a continuous .uninterrupted now from headwatars to its mouth. Seldom does one find a river of the magnitude of the Kenam11, without natural obstruction which might. block the movement of migratory fish. The Kenam11 River has some 381 linear miles of running water (93 miles main river and 288 miJ.es of tributary water); in the distance there is but one partial obstruction. This falls, about 15 feet high in two stages, is located five miles up Little Drunken River and represents a partial obstruction to Atlantic salmon. A two mile rapid stretch, located 30 miles from the mouth of the Kenam11 River, is not a holdup to migratory fish. Two small turn-arounds in the Kenan11, several miles above Little Drunken River, are not obstructions as reported by Blair (1943). The Kenamu River drainage is considered completely accessible ani represents the major salmon producing river in Lake Melville. Atlantic Salmon Potential The Main River The main stem of the Kenamu drainage offers much in the way of spawning and rearing facilities needed for Atlantic salmon. The main river can provide a great deal to the overall potential. Gravel, in many sections above Salmon Tributary, are from fair to excellent in caliber,with depth in - 45 .. many sections satisfactory for spawning grotmds. It is suspected, from local trappers' reports, that salmon do utilize the main river for spawning. The section between Salmon and Little Drunken tributaries has been mentioned as a possible spawning area. It is the view of scme workers that large secordary streams will act as the principal source of spawning areas, while the main river functions in providing a good deal of excellent nursery waters. The Kenamu River can function very well in this respect, for the tributaries have ideal spawning bottoms but little in the way of pools and steady areas which are found in great abundance on the main river. It is unknown if the main river supports spawning fish, however, the facilities are in the river for them. The main river, it is felt, can, and probably dof~provide immensely to the overall potential of the s,ystem. Tributary Streams All tributary streams of the Kenamu River are accessible and prOV"ide from 4 to 24 miles of salmon rearing water. There are, however, two exceptional streams with 52 and 54 mUes of useful salmon water. There are 19 tributaries in all, with an average length of 16 miles. Most tributaries provide a great deal of their total length to spawning facilities. Pools and steady water are not common. The t.opography of the drainage is such that tributaries on the eastern bank drain gradually but directly into the main river. Those drain from the Mealy Mountains. Tributaries on the western slope are less exuberant draining thro~h the soft earth of the river 1 s nood plain with little, if any, drop in elevation. Those tributaries prov:irle some rearing water. In general, the tributaries are characterized by shallow dept;hs, - 46- bottom types of medium to coarse gravel, and sane riffle areas. Velocities in excess of that needed for spawning are found only in the upper reaChes of the eastern tributaries. Velocities in the remainder are moderate. Pools and steady areas are not as common in the tributaries as on the main river. Tributary No. 3 - This is the largest tributary on the drainage, having a distance of 54 linear miles plus two miles of standing water in the form of small ponds. 'lhe tributary forks about five miles from the main river with streams of equal length. The streams have a moderate velocity over a general medium gravel bottom. Boulders are found in the upper section. T.ha river is shallow without rapids or falls and tmifozmly deep throughout. Spawning grounds are common on both sections of the river. Salmon River (Tributar;y No. 6) - This tributary is approximately 14 miles long and can.pletely accessible. Its width varies from 20 ... 30 feet, l>d.th good spawning bottom throughout. The stream is classified as excellent spawning area. salmon parr and immature trout were seined on the stream in early July,and one adult salmon was hooked near the river mouth in late August. Little Drunken River - Situated on the bend in t~ Kenamu River as it swings northward, the Little Drunken drains the Maaly Mountains am is the largest tributary in the upper drainage. Bottom type and depths are ideal for the spawning of Atlantic salmon. It has the potential of suppmrt. ing approximately 5,000 fish. A f'alls situated just beyond the mouth is but a partial holdup to salmon. Sa~mon have been seen in this river above and below the falls. - 47 - Manner of Determining Salmon Potential Perhaps a closer and more accurate appraisal of the salmon population on the river is ascertained from data calculated from interviews with the commercial fishermen. During the week July 13 to July 18, a complete count was taken of fish caught by the fishennen. At the end of each gay as many fish as possible were measured, weighed and scaled. For this period the fishermen averaged 76 salmon an:i 34 gri1se, or 110 fish. This was not a good week. A storm blew for three days, seriously hampering fishing operations. An average week 1s catch in the normal season, one fishennan reports, is around 250 fish per 'tieek, 150 salmon and 100 grilse. The fishing season lasts from the first of June to the middle of August, or a six week period. Hence, with six fishermen averaging 250 salmon for a six week period., the catch would be approximately 9,000 fish. Ass wning that the com!Tlercial fishermen catch 50 percent of the total run, the population of the Kenamu River would be approximately 18,000 fish with an escapement of 9,000 fish. This figure is augmented by a report of one fishennan who made $5,000 from his sale of salmon during the 1963 season, which was an average year. Salmon sell for 35¢ to 50¢ per pound, hence this fisherman must have caught approximately 10,000 pounds of salmon. The average weight for Kenamu River salmon, calculated from this past Summer 1s data, is eight pounds. Therefore this fisherman landed 1,250 fish. Assuming that each fisherman did equally as well, the total catch would be 6 x 1,250 or 7,500 salmon. Again, assuming fishennen catch 50 percent of the total run, the population of the Kenamu River would be 15,000 fish. These figures of 15,000 and 18,000 salmon compare very well and it is the writer rs opinion that the populc?.tion is close to this estimate. A popu- - 48- lation of 10,000 to 15,000, 1~th an escapement of 5,000 to 7,500 fish, is probably correct for the Kenamu River. Since all the fish caught here are taken from the mouth af the Kenamu River, the question Which arises is, are all the fish entering the Kenamu River or do they come from other rivers and are caught while passing by the Kenamu River? There are three other rivers in the vicinity which salmon do enter, namely, Churchill, Goose and Northwest Rivers. From data collected from Churchill R:i.ver, the run of salmon to this river seems negligible (Further information on this river is given in the Churchill River report). Northwest River is the outlet of Grand Lake into which Susan, Beaver, Naskaupi and Cape Caribou Rivers flow. The run to these rivers is un.lrnown but it seems unlikely that they do affect the commercial catch on the Kenamu. Goose River is reported to l'!'.aintain a reasonable run of fish. Situated on Terrington Basin, fish must pass by the Kenamu before entering Goose River and u:r:doubtedly some fish are caught. The size of' the run entering Goose River is not presently known, neither can we est.imate how many Goose River salmon are caught by the Kenamu fishermen. The Kenamu River has been known for quite scme time as a good salmon producing river. As mentioned, conditions are ideal for high production, and is Without serious predation, human or otherwise. To the writer's knowledge, it was never te~ted by the sportsman. There are no obstructions to hold up salmon but pools and riffle areas are common, which could hold salmon f crr brief periods. It is the writer's opinion that sport fieh:i.ng on the Kenamu River could be good above Salmon River, where most fish hold up in pools around the mouth of the tributaries. Eastern Brook Trout In Labrador the most sought after game fish is the eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontina.lis). In !llB.ny of the rivers, trout average between - 49- 3 to 5 pounds, and the Kenamu is no exception. Although there is no sport fishery except on Brennan River, it does support a good population of large brook trout. The party succeeded in catching reasonable numbers of 1 to .3! pound fish on spinner and fly. Table 6 contains a list of tributaries and the:ir lengths, with worked out potential using Elson 1 s (1955) factor. Appendix B gives the depth, width, etc., of the tributaries. Table 6. Estimated potential of salmon to be supported in the Kenamu River system. Tributary number Estimate of Potential and name portion accessible (estimated) ' ~!o. 1 4 mlles ~50 (4 X 67 .5) No. 2 16 t1 1,100 No. 3 54 ll 3,600 No.4 24 II 1,600 No. 5 12 II 800 No. 6 Salmon River 14 II 950 No. 7 Brennan River 11 tt 800 No. 8 16 It 1,100 No. 9 16 II 1,100 No. 10 18 tt 1,200 No. 11 8 II 700 No. 12 Li tt1e Drunken River 52 It 3,500 No. 13 11 It 800 No. 14 5 n 35o No. 15 5 II 350 ... 50- Table 6 (Cont 1d.) Tributary nwnber Est:imate of Potential- am. name portion accessible (est:imated) ... No. 16 32 miles 2,000 No. 17 8 II 700 No. 18 5 It 350 No. 19 I 5 " 3~ 316 miles 22,000 Main river 93 miles 6,000 - Total 409 miles 28,000 - -- x All numbers are brought out to round figures. Table 7. Catch summary. Kenamu River - Jt.il.;t-A~ust 2 12~· --- Catch each mesh size Species lit' 2" 3'' 4 .. 5" 5-t" Total-- Eastern brook trout (resident) - 2 2 1 - - 5 Eastern brook trout (sea-run) - 1 - - - - 1 Long nose suckers - 60 16 - - - 76 vJhitefish - - 1 - - - 1 Atlantic salmon - - - 1 - - 1 Smelt - ... 4 .. - - 4 Smolt - 2 - - - - 2 Suckers - 22 35 ...... - 57 PART JY LOWER CHI.RCHn.L RIVER - 51 - LOil.ER CHUROO:ILL RIVER Introd 11ction The Churchill River is the largest and most import~nt stream in the eastern drainage of the Labrador peninsula. Its drainage basin embraces a wide area of the country extending from the head of Hamilton Inlet westward to longitude f:/3°, or nearly half way across the peninsu.la. To the northward its tributaries interlock With those of the Naskaupi River, which also flows into the Hamilton Inlet via Grand Lake and Northwest River. The headwaters of the Churchill River also interlock George's Biver;which drains from Michikam.au Lake, northl·Tard into thga.va Bay and is the largest river in the northern drainage. In its approximate 350 mile course from the headwater of the Ash11enipi River in western Labrador, to its outlet in Lake Melville it 0 0 covers some 8 of longit11de and 3 of latitude. The total drainage area of the rtver i.s 30,400 square miles. The river has a natural division at Churchill or Grand Falls. 'lhe area below the falls (some 250 miles) is all river valley and lies below the nonnal plateau surface. The remaining area, the largest section of the drainage, lies on the plateau surface sane 2,000 feet above sea level. During the Summer of 1964 the rrriter and student assistant were assigned to survey the lower drainage of this great river. The lower drain- age being that area below Muskrat Falls, a distance of t'!ienty-four miles. This area represents 1.3 percent of the total drainage and the limit af anadromous fish movement upstream because o.f a cc:mplete barrier at Muskrat Falls. The ~urpose of the survey was to (1) assess the degree of obstruction at Muskrat Falls, and (2) identify fish species frequenting the drainage -52- below the falls and determine the relative abundance of these species. Historical Review of Churchill River In 1586, John Davis passed along the Labrador coast and discovered two openings - Davis Inlet in latitude 56°N,and Hamilton Inlet in latitude 54° .31 1N. It is unknown how far into the Hamilton Inlet he journeyed. However, in Delisle's map of 1703 the Hamilton Inlet is marked by a long narrow bay without any large river at its head. So, up to the eighteenth century, Churchill River bad not been discoverad. In 1770,Ca.rtwright made settlements at Cape Charles and Sandwich Ba.y; it is unknown if he journeyed int.o the interior to the Churchill River. In 1777, the first English entered Hamilton Inlet for purposes of trading rTith the natives, ar:d four:d there the remains of posts erected by the French. Consequently, it was the French 1.Jb.o probably were the first whites to observe the mouth of the mighty Churchill River. The Hudson Ba.y Company opened posts in the Hamilton Inlet in 1837, probably at Northwest River, as a start tot-rard Michikamau Lake and tbgava Bay. In 1839, John McLean of the Hudson Bay Company left Fort Chimo far the second time to reach Hamilton Inlet. He sooceeded in reaching only Churchill Falls of the Churchill River, ar:d thus became the first itlite man to view this sight. HcLean eventually reached Hamilton Inlet,via Churchill River,in 1840. The Moravian }fissionaries established a mission at Northwest River in 1875. With the establishment of posts on Ungava Ba.y, the HIJison Bay Company abandoned their :interior posts on the Churchill River and Lake Michikama.u. R. F. Holmes, in 1887, attempted to reach the Churchill Falls from its mouth but failed because of a heavy boat and poor crew. In 1891, two -53 .. separate expeditions from the United States ascended the Churchill River and visited Churchill Falls within a few days of each other. Cary and Cole, who were the first to reach the falls, had the misfortune to burn their boat and outfit; consequently the.y had to walk to the mouth of the river, a distance of 250 miles. This feat they accomplished without seeing ~rrant and Kingston, who were on their way up the river at the time. In 1893-1894, Low, of the Geological Survey of Can~a, travelled up through the entire drainage to Ashaunipi River and back across the interior to the Atlantic coast in the St. Lawrence River. Aside from the early explorer, missionaries traversed to the interior via Churchill River to work among the Th.dians. 'lhe latest and first known modern explorat The Churchill River is no longer unknown. Its potential in hydro power is now known on both sides of the Atlantic and this, more than any other single factor, M8Y lead to the development of the Labrador peninsula. When, and if, the power is developed, some of the roses belong to such men as McLean and LOW" who were the first to open up the country and tell of its abundant riches. Materials and ~thods The Churchill River survey was carried out from August 9 to August 15. The writer and student assistant used a 36-foot chartered boat, plus a 14-foot aluminum boat, to survey the main river and all tributaries as far as Muskrat Falls. Time permitted but one nigpt at each tributary. 'lhree nets (lt", 2", and 3" mesh size) were used and aided by local fishermen's nets which ranged -~om 3" to 5" mesh. One day was spent netting the main river and studying Muskrat Falls. Each tributary was traversed by foot or small craft for an average of five miles. Immediately after the ground survey, the entire lower drainage was flown by helicopter. The party remained on board the charter boat for the duration of the survey. Weight, length and scales were obtained from fish caught by local fi.shennen, plus interviews with reliable trappers on the rivers or tribu taries of rivers with which they were most fa.ll'liliar. The Watershed 'Ihe source of this great river arises in the .Ashaunipi River at Menihek and !nob Lakes, close to the Newfoundlani and Labrador and Quebec border. From its headwaters on the lake strewn centl'al platea.u it flows through the entire southwestern drainage, terminating at the head of Lake Melville. In its 350 mile run it drains same of the largest lakes in Labrador such as l1ichikamau, Sandgirt, Lobstick, am Overflow. Drainage .Area The total drainage area of the Churchill River is 30,400 square miles, which includes the large lakes on the central plateau. The drainage of the river can be generally divided into three parts: 1. The upper drainage - That area above Churcnill Falls, including the Ashuanipi River and the lakes flowing into this, the largest Churchill tributary. The total drainage of the area is approx imately 22,200 square miles and is the largest section. 2. The central drainage - This areB has appro:x:i.mately 8,000 square miles of drainage which include the greatest part of the river valley. It stretches from Churchill Falls down to Nuskrat Falls, a distance of 225 miles. ... 55 ... 3. 'Ihe lower drainage - That area between the mouth and Muskrat Falls., a distance of 24 miles and a drainage area of 410 square miles (Figure 5). It was the lower drainage ~nich was surveyed during 1964., and all future reference to the Churchill F..iver in this report will mean this section. There are six tributaries With 136 linear miles of water. The head of tide water is at Muskrat Island, 20 rniles from the mouth. Muskrat Falls, 1"hich divides the central section from the lower section, has two benches, both of which are complete barriers to anadromous fish species. Forestry The western extension of the Mealy Mountains forms the southern wall of the vs.lley. Hills on both sides rise from 400 to 600 feet above river level and represent the general height of the surrounding plateau. These hills are wooded to their summits, but as the upper levels are approached the trees become small and stunted and only a very few species grow on the tableland above, vJhich is a canplex of drumlins, eskers, arrl a predaninance of muskeg. In the valley the growt.h of timber is very good. White spruce, ·Gwo feet in diameter and more than 70 feet high, are not uncommon. Black spruce does not grow quite as large but there is enough to afford good coml''lercial timber. Thera are several small sawmills in this lower drainage, two are situated on the Traverspine River and one on the KcKenzie. Jn 1SC5, Dickey and Sons from Nova Scotia operated a fairly large sawmill in Mud Lake. Geology and Soil The predominant feature of the Churchill River landscape up to Muskrat Falls is the abundance of sand. At its mouth the banks of the river are low and sandy With scarped faces from ten to thirty feet high, increasing - S6- N s Muskrat I Falls I I I ~~ i 1 ------~------~------1 1 DRAWN: DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES, CANADA ------I --- ~---·- ··------~---~-~AT_E_: CHECK: LOWER I__~CALE: ------! ------FIG. 5- HAMILTON f?IVER APPROVED: 1 I DWG. No. -- j --~ J--~- - ---~ ~-- -~ -~---- R~O '4 <-.•,• 1 - 57 - slowly in h~ight as the river is ascended. Terraces are seen to the South, flanking the mountains up to 300 feet above sea level. As the valley has been partly filled with drift, it, is only when the river accidently passes close t.o the rocky walls of the valley that any rock exposures are seen. This, like the massive outcrop at Muskrat Falls, is composed of Pre-Cambrian gneiss. 'Ihe sand soil is generally underlain with stratified clczy-s a:rrl rock f'rom the Archean period. Sandy shoals are common and are generally long, narrow and treeless. Shoals are covered at high tide and m.eke passage in the river hazardous. Characteristics of the Main River The river is three-quarters of a mile wide at the mouth. Shortly above the mouth it widens to a mile and a half for ten miles; then a nwnber of narrow flat sandy shoals, bare at lot-r water levels, divide it into numerous c...llannels. Man-of-vlar Island lies on the North shore, it is approx ims.tely one mile long and has scant vegetation. On the South side across from Man-of-\-Jar Island a chamel enters f:rom Ml.d Lake, a snall body of water two mlles long divided by two small heavily wooded islands. Old House Brook and otter Brook flow into Mud Lake f'rom the South. Both these brooks have small runs of salmon. Two miles above Mud Lake on the South side, the Traverspine enters. This is the largest tributary of the lower drainage. It is about 300 yards wide at the mouth, with a very narrow channel on the western side, the rem..a.inder is a long shallow sand bar stretching 550 feet across. The Traverspine is probably the best salmon stream in. the lower drainage as it flows deep into the country with only the last section being inaccessible due to very heavy rapids, but not falls a.s Blair (1944) reported. Three and one half miles above Traverspine a small stream called - $8- Caroline Brook enters, it too drains .f'rom. the South. Near its entrance the river narrows to a mile and its channel continues this width tilelTe lliles to .lilskrat Island, a low, well wooded island .f'orm.ed by sandy shoals and dispos i tion of clays b7 moving Spring ice. For three miles aboTe Maskrat Island the river narrows to less than a third of a mile. Above this the charmel widens o11t into a nearly circtil.ar basin abo11t two miles across. Here the MacKenzie River enters. This, a narrow streaa, bas abo11t two miles ot accessible water; at this point a falls, impassable to sa.llllon, limits their movement 11pstream. At the western end ot this basin enters Maskrat Falls, With a drop of about twenty .f'eet. AbOYe this falls there i8 a 8111&11 rapids with the second bench of Mu.skrat Falls at its head. Between falls there is a q11arter Jlile long pool. '!he water above and between the falls flows over a granite gneiss formation. On the North side of the falls a large EBodrock, Maskrat Hill, extends $00 .f'eet above the normal plateall level. Fish PopUlations Every identified freshwater .f'ish species .f'or Labrador occar also in the Bharchill River drainage. Table 8 lists these species and their dis triblltion in the lower drainage. Note here that lake troat and ouananiche are not .f'oWld below M118krat Falls b11t have been reported above the falls. They also occur above Churchill .Falls in the 11pper drainage. One resident reports catching a lake ch11b in the TraYerspine River. &telt were also caaght in the 'lraverspine, probably a landlocked variety or a remainder f'l"OIIl the Spring spawning fish. It is ditf'icult to give population siZes .f'or the species present. The s11rvey period and equipment were inadeq11ate .f'or such a stlldy'. Sllf'.fice to say here that whitefish, white S11ckers and longnose suckers are cemmon in the -59- entire lower drainage. Pike were coanm in the upper portion near Muskrat Falls, b11t scarce belCIW Mltskrat Island. '!his is probably due to tidal intl.uence which is not.icable at Muskrat IslaJ¥1. Eastarn brook trout are common in all tributaries of the 1011er Churchill drainage. Traverspine River is probably the greatest producer, With a Tery high catch reported. Sea-ran brook trout also frequent the Churchill and Traverspine Rivera, but how many it is ditfiC1llt to sa7. Table 8 contains a list and distribution of fish caught in the drainage below Mu.skrat .lialls. Table 8. Fish species present in the lwer Churchill RiTer Co•on D811le Scientific ll8lle Distribut.ion Atlantic salmon ~sa.lar Mud Lake, Traverspine, and Caroline Rivers. Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis Up to Muskrat Falls. Arctic char Sa1Telin11s alpinus Mild Lake. 'Whitefish (lake) Coregonus clupeatormis Up to Muskrat Falls. Roa.JJd whi tetiah Prosopiam c:ylindraceta At base of Muskrat Falls. Smelt Osmerus aorda:x TraTerspine RiTer. 'iilite· sucker CatostOM.t CCMllllersonnii Up to Mo.skrat Falls. Longnose sucker -C. catostaa11s Up to Muskrat Falls. Northern red- horse sucker Moxostoaa aiU'eolum Mud Lake. *¥ Hog 8\lcker JbpenteliD nigrican• Mud Lake. Pike Esox- lucius At base of Maskrat Falls. Lake chub Coaesias plubeu * Reported in 'l'raverspine Ri.wr. Burbot --Lot& 1 ota lu.c u.stria Traversp:llne RiTer. ·' -60- Table 8 (Cant'd.) COJIIIlon ll8DII Scientit1c name Distriblltion Three spined stickleback Gasterosteus acBleatas Mnd Lake. Nine spined stickleback Pungitna pangitns Mud Lake. Lake trout Salvelinns l!!ll!lC ash • Abo'Ye Mllskrat Falls. OaaD&Diche Salm! salar j, Reported above Muskrat ~ns. j: Deported. Table 9. Catch s...a171 Churchill River - 1964. Catch each aesh size Species ll" 2" 3• 4" 5" Total ' Eastern brook trout (resident) lD 15 .3 - - 28 White suckers 8.3 .39 - - - 122 Longnose sackers 50 44 - - - 94 S.lt .3 - - - - .3 Northern redhorse s11ckers 26 1.3 - - - .39 Atlantic salmon - - - - 2 2 Pike 1 15 - - - 16 Lake whitefish 16 29 - - - 16 Ronnd whitefish .3 - - -- 3 Sackers - 5 -- - 5 Arctic char - - - 1 - 1 -61- Obstructions '!'be drop in elevation between Muskrat Palls aui the month ot the r1ver is practically- negligible. 'ibis is unlike the central drainage which has an &Yerage drop ot .3.14 teet per llile tor its 22S lllile nm bet;veen Ohuchill Falls and Muskrat Falls. Above Muskrat Falls the Churchill River winds away qnite llDObstructed b.r falls or rapids •iDly in a wester]J' direction toward Churchill hll.s. ibis section or the Oharcbill River has one ot the greatest 8l'Ji wlldest descents ot a:rq stre• in easte:rn America. The height at the river wh•e it issaes f'rolll the lakes is 1,660 teet above sea level. The height of the river at the base ot the gorge is 900 teet, hence in twlve ail.es the total drop is 7f:/J teet. The total volaae ot water going over the falls is estimated to be in the neighbourhood ot SO,OOO cts. In the twelve a:Ue descent there is one sheer drop ot .302 teet. In the lover draiDage there are two obstructicms in the to:na ot talls and one obstra.ction due to heavy rapids and low water. All represent complete obstraction. The falls are located at Muskrat Falls on the min r1ver and at MacKeDZie Falls on the MacKenzie River. Heavy rapids in shallow water on the Traverspine River is also a complete barrier. Mukrat Falls Located approximately twenty--five •lles trom the ri'ver 1s mou.th, Muskrat .mans represents the l:lldt ot salmon mov•en t upstreaa in the Qlurcbill River. Practical]Jr eve17 report vrittea on the Churchill River contains a description ot these tans, suttice to give in this report aome rough estilllates ot height ot the tans am a brief description. The tans are divided into two sections, the first lies above a two mile vide circular basin aBi this taUs has a drop ot apprcocimatel;r 2S teet - 62- with a fairly steep gradient. The falls has three gradients - starting at the crest, the first has a drop of 5 teet,; .30 teet below this there is another drop ot 5 teet; and 50 teet below this there is a finsl. drop ot 15 teet at the base, llb:ieh represents an iapassable barrier. Just above the first bench there is a long rapid stretch approximately 200 yards, and a 8188l.l pool. Apprax:imately one-quarter mile above the first bench the second bench begins. The seeoni falls is not ql1ite as lrlgh as the first. It has a drop of 15 feet in four stages, the largest being the last, Which is a vertical descent ot 8 teet. Both falls represent caa.plete obstructicns, with the most serious falls being the first. It salmon could leap this height, the speed at water going ClWer the falls would most certainly push them back. 'l'he estimated n~ at Muskrat Falla is 241. 1000 cfs ( Both falls rush over ledges of gneiss - ot Pre C81lbrian epoch, now worn smooth by the turbulent water and moving Spring ioe. The outcrop rock on the lett bank of both falls has a relatively nan gradieot and 1 thra1gh blasting, could probably becaae open to fish passage npstream. - 63- MacKenzie Falls Some three miles from the mottt.h, the MacKenzie River takes a long tam and then contracts from about 3S teet to 10 teet at the crest of MacKenzie Falls. The falls are approximately 18 teet high and represent a ccmplete obstruction to migratory fish species. Water levels below the falls are rather shallow bat can snpport some spawning salmm. T.raverspine Rapide Blair (19b3) reports a 30 toot vertical falls aboat twenty-five lliles from the mouth ot the Traverspine, which represents a c•plete obstruction to migratory fish. His intormation is based on reports gathered trom local residents. F.roa our survey in which the whole tributary was .tlown b,y fixed wing 8Jld helicopter, no falls were seen on the river. However, about 30 miles trom the mouth th• river cl.i.llbs rather rapidly toward tile mountains am here the river is narrow and rather aball.ow. 'lb.e waters skip rapidly owr a beav boulder bottCIIl and extends tor another ten Jdl.es until it reaches the glacial peneplain. 'l'hese rapids are too severe, b9 caue or high velocities over shallow bott011s, to permit movement ot anadromous t'ish. Atlantic Salmon Potmtial Past Rw Reliable reports gathered from .tiehemen in the Churchill River indicate a reasonable run o.t Atlantic salmon to this river thirty years ago. The catch was not large enough tor c011111.ercial value ba.t it did provide enough tish tor Smmter and WiDter 118e. One trapper reports setting only large mesh nets to catch only sal.llon .tar his year's sa.pply. Sal.mCI'l were genera11y caught in two rivers; those in Mud Lake, otter and Old House Brooks, and in the 'l'raverspina. Nobody coal.d give 8.'t13' figures as to ruabers ca~ht except that there was generally enough tor their needs. -64- Present Runs Before 1940, the c:m1y people to tish the aooTe m.enticned streams were the local inhabitants - white and Indian. They caught what they needed. Todq, the settlement ot Happ;r Valley, with a population ot 5,~0 people, lies but one aile trc:a the month ot the Traverspine River. MaJtT ot these people set nets 1n the Traverspine to catch salmon or tront. n,.e population ot Atlantic salmon has dwindled because of this adverse fishing pressure traa Happy Valley. One ot the people living on the Traverspine River reported in .August that he had not caught a salmon that season, and his fishing berths were considered the best in the river. Poteptial There is approximately 160 linear Jliles ot riwr water in the lower Churchill drainage, ot which 134 miles are eomidered accessible and capable ot being utilised. 'lhe complete MacKenzie River is written ott because ot the falls near the moa.th and 30 ot the 50 miles on the Traverapine is avail able. '!he potential ot the lower drainage is them ( 67.5 :a: 134) 91000 fish, which tar exceeds the trae popolation. .A popalation of 1,000 Atlantic salAon would be an exaggerated estimate tor the lGIIer draiaage • .As mentioned previous~, there is approxillately 200 miles ot mob structed river between Muskrat Falls and Churchill Falls. 1:l Mu.skrat Falls was opened to anadromoos species, the river has the potential of being one ot the greatest salmon prodncing rivers in eastern Cansia. .A slll"V8y ot the central Cburehill drainage woald give better insight into this probla. - 6S- During the SWIIRer of 1964, the writer and student assistant surve,ad three rivers o:t the Lake Melville draiD.age. The Naskaupi and KeiWIIIl Rivers were stlMe,ed from mouth to headwaters, including the tributaries between those extremes. '!'he ChurchiJ.l Riwr was surve,ed fraa its month to Muskrat Falls, a distance o:t 24 lliles. Since each river is to play some part in industrial development, with the direct or indirect usage of its waters, it was deemed necessa17 that a survey be carried out on these rivers to note fish species present and determine their relative abundance. '!he 1UiB interest being placed on anadromous species. Frca data gathered, it was apparent that the Kemuna. is the best pro ducer ot Atlantic salaon. This river is the only one of the three studied which supports a cCIImercial salmon industry:. A conservative eatmate o:t Atlantic salmon present in this drainage is approximately 10,000 to lS,ooo fish. Potentially, the Naskaup1 River eoW.d produce 40,000 aalmCl'l without opening up new areas. The mighty Churchill coald tar exceed this 1:t Muskrat Falls were opened by a 1'ishWq. This would open appraxiltately 200 ailes of main river, plus the large tribtltaey stre811lS wb.:JDh fiow iD. abo've Mwlkrat Falls. The sport fiSl.ery in Labrador concentrates mostly aroum the eastern brook trout. The Naskaup1 and Churchill Ri'vers support a small sport fishe1"1' in their upper reaches but not too extensive. With proper management through sporting outfits, a great deal aore o:t these rivers could be fished. The Ienamu River has no sport fishery whatsoever. Ideal pools and steady waters aake for excellent fishiDg conditions but ap to now it hasn't been tapped. Each river supports large numbers of good sized game fish including the -66- brook trout 1 pike 1 lake trout 1 and owmaniche. The potential of Labrador is far f'l'CII being exploited, its resotU"Ces are still to a large extent hidden in the confines of its wilderness. '!'he freshWater fishery potential is by no means excluded fran its reso11rees and a great deal remains to be discovered and written about in this, "the land of Paradox" • - 67 - BACKUS, R.H. 195'1. New and Rare Records ot Fishes trom Labrador. Copeia, No. 4, PP• 288 - 294. BA.CKUS, R.H. 1957. fbe Fishes ot Labrador. Bull. Aller. Mu.seum. Nat. Hist. 113: No. 4, New York. ""< 1¥~, A.A. 1943a. Salllon Investigations, 1. Obstructicns Newfou.ndland and brador Rivers. Res. Bllll. (Fisheries) 1 Dept. Nat. Resources, St. John's, Nf'ld. No. 91 PP• 1- 30. ~BLAIR, A.A. 1943b. Salmon Investigations, 2. Atlantic Salmcm ot the East Coa11t ot New:foundland and LabraJior, 1939. Ibid., No. 1.3, PP• 1- 21. GORDON, M.S., and R.H. Backus. 1957. New Records ot Labrador Fishes with Special Ref'ermce to Those ot Hebron Fiord. Copeia, No. 1, pp. 17 - 20. 1 GRENFELL, W.T. 1909. Labrador, the Cou.ntr;y and its People. New Ycrk, Macmillan, xii + 497 pp. -~ HUBBARD, Mina. 1908. A Woman's Wq Thro~ Unknown Labrador. John Mur17 ~ Ltd., Landon. -"-'LOW, A.P. 1896. Report on Eltplorations in the Labrador Peninsula along the ·~East Main, Koksoalc, H811ilton1 Manicuagan and Portions ot Other Rivers :in 1892-~. Geological Sune:r Annual Report, VIII N.S.L., ottawa. TANNER, V• 19!i4. Oa. tline of the Geography, Lite and Customs of' Newfoundland Labrador. Acta. Geogr., No. 8, pt. 1 1 pp. 1 - 909. "'l ~ALL.A.CE 1 1905. The .Lure ot the Labrador Wild. F .H. Randell C011pan:y, New York, N.Y. WU.TON, w.c. 1964. The Forests of' Labrador. Canada Dept. Northern A:f'.tai.rs and National Resources. For. Br. Tech. Note 1066. -61- APPENDIX "A" River S~- liaskaupi River, 1964. Coverage stream Name ot Section Turbidi\7 & Strea bottom Spawning Fillh food I width and depth stream examined water color t1J)e grotmd produ.ctivit7 ' average ' - Naakaupi Fran. mo11th to Nil Seal Lake Clear bl11e 1st 7 miJ.es Nil Maddy and sandy - Width - 500 yds. Good Naska11pi l mile Clear Depth - >8 .tt. Water weed. ~ From 7th mile to Nil Mud, sand and Width - 250 ft. Good B!d Wine. rock Dil Naskaapi Clear Depth - > 8 tt. Potamageton- Goose •• From mouth ot Red Nil Muddy Width - 100 ~s. Good Wine to Head ot Naskau.pi .Agea11Lake. Clear Roclq' Depth - ?-10 ft. Goose grass. Potamageton and river weed algae. Fran. head or Ageau Nil Rocq Width - 500 yds. Good Naskaupi Lake to 2t miles up river. Colorless Boulders Nil Depth- 4ft. Rock weed. ~ 1.. ------~ - ---- ...... _,_ ---- - 69- Carerage stre• I Name at Section Tarbidi t1 & Stream bottom Spawnh'.tg width ud depth Fish food I atre• eo mined water color tJpe grou.l:ld pl'ociu.ctivi\7 I averan I Fraa Seal Lake til I Haakau.pi to Marie Lake Sandy and Nil Good Clear rocky - Colorless Haskaupi From mooth of Nil Rock Width - 100 tt. Good ( Creoked River) lfipisbiah Lake (Bou.ldere) 200 yds. Trib. Ill to mouth. Clear Depth- .3 - s ft. Goose grass lfaakau.pi From. mouth to Nil None tor Width- 100 Jd,s. Good Crcoked River lat. rapids, Sandy salmon. 7 miles up. Light Br'01m. Depth - > 8 tt. Goose grass and algae. Naskaupi 8 - 10 miles Slight All good Width- 2$0 ft. Good (Red Wine) trom mouth. Rubble spawnmg Trib. 112 Red Wine waters. Depth- /'6ft. Nil. Naskaupi 1st. .30 miles Nil Sandy 8Dii by plane. pebbl1o Good Red Wine Colorless - ~------70- Coverage Name ot Section Turbidity & Stream. bottom Spawning stream Fish food at ream examined water color type ground Width and depth productivity a- .... t!l. Naakaupi From mouth to 100% lat. few Red Wine head waters. Jll:iles. Width- 100 .tt. Nil - remain- C011111C11in Good der. Muddy at Rocky lOifer parts Depth- - DlOUth. Clear - remain der. Naskaupi Nil Rocky Width- 25 .tt. (Bed Wine) 1st. mile Nil Trib. 112 Clear Bed rock Depth- - Naakaupi Nil Large roeks Width- 20 .tt. Good (Red Wine) 8th. Trib. and muddy'. Nil Goose grass and Trib. 118 Clear Depth - .3 .tt. pond lily. Naakaupi Nil Rocky Width - 5 .tt. Fair (Red Wine) 9th. Trib. Nil Trib. 119. Clear Moody Depth - Pond liq. I - I I Naakaupi Nil &nall Width - 50 .tt. (Bed Wine) Up to 2nd. Roc)q section. Goose grass. Trib. #11. lake. Clear Depth- 4ft. ------~----~~~ -~------~-- -n- Coverage stre111 Name ot Section Turbidity & Stream bottom Spawing width and depth Fish food stream examined water color type ground average prodmtiviv Naakmpi Nil Width - 1.5 tt. Fair Tri.b. 113 Complete Rocky Patches Clear Depth- 3 tt. Pond weed • Naskaupi Nil Width - .5 tt. Mb. 14 Complete Rock;r Nil Fair. Clear Depth- 2 tt. Naaka11pi Nil Width- 15 tt. Fair. Trib. /15. Complete Rock;r Nil Clear Depth - 3 tt. Goose grass 81111 pond lily'. Naskaupi Nil Rocky 1 mile Width- 1.5 tt. Trib. 16 Complete Fair Clear Large and anall (in patches) Depth - 3-6 tt. Iaska up! Nil Width - 3.5 tt. Fair (North Pole Brook) To Large Lake Rocky Nil Trib. 117. Clear 1\epth- 4 tt. Nil. .ftl.ir. Naakau.~i Nil Roolq Width • 7.5 tt. Trib. 8. Canplete Nil Clear Some macl. Depth- 3 tt. Pond lily- goose grass. ------72 - Coverage stream Name ot Section 'l'lll"bidity & Stream bottEa Spawnif8 width ard depth Fish food stream examined water color tn>e grOW1d averue productivity Naakaupi lfil Rocky Wi.Bth- 10 tt. '!'rib • /110 Co:q>lete Nil Goose grass Clear Mnddy Depth - 2 tt. :tlaskaupi Up to large co~ :tlil Roclcy", sandy. Approx. Width - 70ft. Good. ('J.bomas River) , plex ot labs. 4oo - soo•. Trib. Ill Clear Mostl.7 roelq. Depth - - Goose grass. ~ ~.(.....-:?~ r , I Naskaa.pi 'l'o Little Seal Nil Mostly large l/2 mile Width - 100 tt. at '!'rib. (IJ2. Lake. rocks. stretch. mouth. Good. Colorless 60-70 tt. Goose grass. Depth- - Naskaupi :tlil Large roclq Width- 25 tt. Good. '!'rib. II 13 & 13! Complete type bottom. NU Colorless Depth- 2 - .3 tt. - Naskau~i Nil Width • .30 tt. Good • '!'rib. 14 Complete Large rocks 200 yds. Colorless Depth- 2 - .3 tt. Goose grass. Naska~ Only at mouth. Roclq 400 yds. Width - 25 tt. '!'rib. l5 Canplete Colorless eJC;- Muddy at mouth at mooth. - cept at mouth. Depth- 2 - 4 rt. ~ ------~ - 73- CoTerage stream Name ot Section Turbidity & stream Bottc:m Spawning food and Fish stream exami-ned ground width depth vater color type average productivity Naskaapi Nil Large Width - 30-40 ft. Good Trib. 1116 Complete bolll.ders Nil Colorless Depth- 2-4 .tt. Nukau.pi Nil 1st. 3/4 Width- .30 ft. Good Trib. 1117 Complete Roclq mile ot Colorless rlver. Depth- 2-3ft. I Naskaa~ Nil Rocky 1 mil.e Width- 5-8 ft. Trib. 8 Complete near mouth. I Colorless Large & 8lll811 Depth- Very- shallOW'. Naskau.pi Nil Rooky (large 1st. two Width - 30 tt. Trib. 1.1.9 lst. 10 Dd.lea and 8lllllll) mil.es ot Good Colorless Rubble riTer. Depth- 2-4 tt. - lfaskaupi Nil Rocky lat. two Width- 4o tt. Good '!rib. 1120 Complete miles. Clear Sandy Depth - ShallOW'. Goose grass I Naskau~ Nil Width - 40 tt. Trib. OA Ccmplete Large rocks Nil Good Clear Depth - Shallow. --~ ------~ -~--~ ------~--~~~ -- -- I - 74- Coverage atrea Name ot Section Turbidity- & Stre811l bottom Spawning width and depth Fish food atrea examined water color type gro11!d averqe productivity- Naskaupi Nil Width - 10-15 tt. Trib. 1/!ZJ. Complete Large rocks Nil Colorless Depth- 2 tt. - Naska11pi Nil Large rocks Width - 2S-.30 tt. Good Trib. /122 1st. 7 miles. (boulders) Nil Colorless Depth- 2 rt. - - 15- APPENDIX"B" River Summary, Kanama River - 1964 Coverage stream ... ot Section Turbidity and Stream bottca Spawniag li'ish food stream type width and depth examined water color grourd awru::e prodllCtivity Kenam 4i miles frcm loo% Width- 150-ZOO month. Sandy NU ;yda. Good MldcQ' Depth- 4 ft. From 41 miles to Nil WLdth - 2oo ft. Good Kenamu 17 miles from Rocky Nil month. Clear Depth- 5 ft. (Algae and river weed). Approx. 65 miles Medium Varies, mdd;y CoD!on Width - 100 yds. Good Kenama from mouth. to rocky along river. Light brown rubble. Depth - 2 ft. (Algae and river weed). From Little Nil In several Width - 150 !'ti. Good Kenamn Drunken to Large Rocky places Lake. Clear approx. 1 Depth- 5 tt. Goose grass mile. - I I 1 mile Steady Medium Rooky, muddy Width - 100 yd s. Kenamu. 2 miles np .from and sanri;y. Nil -- Breman Trib. Light brown Depth- .3 ft. -- I - 76- Name of Section Tarbidit;y & Stream bottom Spawning Coverage atre• Fi&b food atre8Dl examined water color type grol}nd width mi depth prod11ctivit;y lat. 15 miles nil Approx:. Width - 25ft. Good Kenamu Rocq 5 mllea Trib. 113. Clear Depth - 2-.3 tt. Goose grass Kenamu. Nil Width - lS-25 ft. Good Tr:l.b. 115• Complete Rocky Vecy little Clear Depth- .3 ft. Goose grass I Kenamu Light Width- 50 tt. I (Salmon River) 1st. lt :ndles Rubble Good Good Trib. /16 Light brown Depth- .3 ft. Kenamu. Remainder of Nil Width - 20 ft. Good (lalmon River) river. Rooky 1st. 2 Jliles Trib. 116 Clear Depth- 3 ft. Goose grass Kanama lat. lt miles Mediwn Width- 75ft. Good (based on (Brennan River) up from mouth. Rocky Nil food in tish Trib. 117 Light brown Depth - 2 ft. stomachs). Utricul.ar:l.a ? Kenamu. Remainder or Nil Rocky Width- soft. Good (Brennan River) river. (large) Nil Trib. 117 Clear Depth- 2ft. Goose grass and ~ _Pc:md lily. - ____ L.______~-·- ~ -··-- L______. ------~~-~------~ ------·- ______j - 77- Name of Section Turbidity & Stream bottom Spawning CGYerage stream Fish food stream examined water color type ground width mi depth prod ucti vit7 aver an Kenamn Nil Rooky Width - 2S tt. Good Trib. #8 Complete Clear (large boulders) Nil Depth- .3 f't. (Goose grass and pend lily) • . Kenamtt B97ond .3rd. trib. Nil s - 1 Width- 40 .rt. Good Trib. 112 ( approx. 10 miles Rocky' and m11dd7 miles trom mouth) • Clear Depth- 4 rt. Goose grass '------~------~---· -· ------~ -- -~ ------~--- .. 78 - APPilWIX "C" River Swlmary, Charehill River - 1964 Name ot Section Turbidity and Stream bottau Spawn~ Fish toed stream examined water color type ~!bacd~i~HprodllCti vity ground avervr• Huilton R. 1st. 5 miles 1()()% Dltlddy 1st. Plenty ot Width - 100 f't. Good .3 mlles. Clear Sandy spa~ groll!Ji further a.p. f' or trout • Depth - .3 tt. .Algae md river Otter Irk. weed. 100% Width- .30 tt. .. Old House Brk. lat. 15 miles Rock and sand Fairly CODIDlCI'l Brown Depth - 2 tt. 50% Sandy' and Width - 200 yds. Fair Traverspine R. 1st. .3 miles moody. Nil Slightly Blllddy Depth- 77 tt. .Algae and river weed:. Fran .3 miles Nil 90%sandy. Width- 100 yds. Good Traverspine R. up to 7 miles 10%RlUddy Nil Light brown and rooky'. Depth - 77 ft. R:l.ver weed, goose grass and algae. From 7 Dd.les up Nil 90%rooky. Width - 150 tt. Traverapine R. to 2nd. trib. Common Goose grass. (apprmc. 16 mi. Clear 10% samy. Depth- 2 tt. trom mouth) • I - - 19- Coverage stream Name of Section Turbidity and stream bottan Spawning Fish tood width and depth prodiJCtivit;r stream examined water color type groum averaare 100% Width- )) ft. 1st. .3 miles. Tributar;r A. Sandy Nil Dark brown Depth - ? { Approx:. 10 Nil Width- 40 ft. Caroline Brk. lliles from Rook Fairly mouth. Clear camnon. Depth- .3 ft. Approx. 16 miles Slight 50%rock Width - 40 ft. Fair I' Caroline Brk. from mouth. Nil Dark brown 50%sud Depth - 2ft. Goose grass, Potuageton. All spawning 10 llliles from NU ground 1st. 2f Width- 70 ft. McKenzie Brk. mouth. Rooky' am miles' am sane Clear sandy. beyond 1st. I.Bpth- 4 ft. falls but not conmon. From mouth to 50% Varies from Width - 1 aile Fair Churchill R. Mu.akrat Falls sandy to rocky Nil 27 miles. Clear to hard meta- Goose grass. morphic bed- Depth- 78ft. roek. ~- -- ~ -- ~---- ~-~-- ~------~ -~- L__ ------Mouth of Salmon River - Tributary to Kenamu River. Kenamu River Divide, 70 Miles from Mouth. Gritwood Falls (Naskaapi River) Maid Marion Falls (Naskaupi River) Isabella Falls (Naskaupi River)