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1986 Government of Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Summary Volume
1986
Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles.
Ministry of Northern Development GeorgeTough Slid MJn0S Deputy Minister Ontario
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions: This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy. This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations: (1) Mines Library Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 8th floor, 77 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario MSS 1B3 (2) The office of the Regional or Resident Geologist in whose district the area covered by this report is located. Copies of this report may be obtained at the user©s expense from a commercial printing house. For the address and instructions to order, contact the appropriate Regional or Resident Geologist©s office(s) or the Mines Library. Microfiche copies (42x reduction) of this report are available for S2.00 each plus provincial sales tax at the Mines Library or the Public Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, W-1640, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto. Handwritten notes and sketches may be made from this report. Check with the Mines Library or Regional/Resident Geologist©s office whether there is a copy of this report that may be borrowed. A copy of this report is available for Inter-Library- Loan. This report is available for viewing at the following Regional or Resident Geologists© offices: 808 Robertson St. Ont. Govt. Building Court House Building Kenora, Ontario Red Lake, Ontario Sioux Lookout, Ontario P9N 3X9 POV 2MO POV 2TO
The right to reproduce this report is reserved by the Ontario Ministry© of Northern Development and Mines. Permission for other reproductions must be obtained in writing from the Director, Ontario Geological Survey.
V.G. Milne, Director Ontario Geological Survey
FOREWORD
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP) of the Ontario Geological Survey. The inventory of the peat and peatland resources of Ontario is intended to provide information on possible fuel peat deposits as a means of encouraging increased energy self-sufficiency in Ontario. The inventory will also provide information on the resources of horticul tural peat in the province. As well, data on the distribution, frequency and types of peatlands in the study areas will as sist the Ministry of Natural Resources and other agencies in land use planning and disposition. This report is one of a series of peat and peatland resource reports planned for study areas across Ontario. In 1984-85, five areas were designated for peatland studies, and contracted for investigation; Drydep-Lac Seul, (7400 ha of peatland), Sioux Lookout (4000 ha), Longlac-Nakina (8100 ha), Cochrane-Kapuskasing (13100 ha), and Timmins-Kirkland Lake (21100 ha). Within the Dryden-Lac Seul study area, 7 of the largest and most accessible peatlands were investigated at a relatively detailed level. In these deposits, the contractor was directed to conduct core sampling on grids of about 100 x 500 m, in order to produce detailed stratigraphic profiles of peat humification (decomposition) and peat materials, site mapping of deposit contours and elevations, and data on peat volumes, drainage, vegetation and resource potential. Another 18 deposits were studied at a reconnaissance level. Field methods and data analysis were standardised through a common set of fieldwork and mapping guidelines prepared by the Ontario Geological Survey. Regional overview of peatland distribution was obtained by corroborative reconnaissances and satellite image interpretation by the Ontario Centre for Remote Sensing. About 19 peat cores from sites studied in detail were submitted to O.G.S. for laboratory analysis. These cores were subsampled on the basis of humification levels and peat type, and are being analysed for various parameters which include development and peat chemistry measures, such as moisture content, bulk density, absorptive values, acidity, fibre content, ash content and calorific value. Elemental analyses include carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, aluminum, copper, zinc and others. In addition, elements which might be potential by-products of gasification and other potential pollutants are analysed, such as sulphur, lead, arsenic and mercury. These analyses will be released in subsequent Open File Reports.
V
Although these inventory reports have been accepted by the Ontario Geological Survey with confidence that they represent a competent and unbiased appraisal of peatlands in the study areas, the responsibility for the data and figures rests with the consulting firm. The results of their study are presented here as received from the consultant.
V.G. Milne Director Ontario Geological Survey
vi i
ABSTRACT
This report is a part of a comprehensive peat inventory program initiated by the Government of the Province of Ontario in 1982 in order to assess the value of the peat resources of the Province as an alternative fuel, for horticultural and other uses. This report covers the peatlands surveyed in the Dryden-Lac Seul area in 1984 by Monenco Ontario Limited together with Peat Consultants Canada Ltd.
The study area is located in parts of Kenora, Dryden, Ignace, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake Administrative Districts in northwestern Ontario, about 250 to 450 km northeast of Thunder Bay. It is located between 49 0 30 f to 51 0N latitude and 92 0 to 94 0W longitude. Expressed in UTM coordinates, it is within Zone 15, eastings from 430,000 to 570,000 and northings from 5,480,000 to 5,650,000. The entire area covers about 23,800 km2 and is contained by 1:250,000 scale map sheet numbers 52K and 52F (northern half) and 1:50,000 scale map sheet numbers 52F/9-16 and 52K/1-16.
The field work was carried out in August and September of 1984. The report was prepared during the fall of 1984 and in the beginning of 1985.
A total of seven deposits covering 4,937 ha were studied in detail and contain approximately 62.232 million m3 of peat of which about 34.763 million m^ are humified peat. In addition to this, 18 other deposits covering a total of 2,476 ha with aa estimated peat volume of 64.414 million m3 were the subject of reconnaissance study.
The southern portion of the study area lies within the Low Boreal Wetland Region, and the northern part within the Continental Mid-Boreal Wetland Region. The geomorphological types of the detailed study sites are quite variable, however, all display at least some basin deposit characte ristics. In addition to the basin bog, the flat bog type is also common. The larger deposits, Peatlands 52F-60 and 52F-113 also have extensive areas
IX of slope fen and ladder fen. As well, Peatland 52F-60 has areas of raised bog. Other georaorphological types encountered include floating fen on Peatland 52F-36, stream swamp on Peatland 52K-85 and stream fen on Peatlands 52K-85 and 52K-86.
In terms of the distribution of the different types of peatland vegetation, 65% of the peatland area surveyed was bog, 29.5% was fen, and S.5% was swamp.
Marshes were encountered only in a few locations, mostly along the edges of lakes and streams. Some marshes have formed as a result of flood ing caused by beaver dams.
The most dominant of the 28 physiognomic groups encountered on the deposits studied included the following: treed low shrub bog (34.7%), open low shrub bog (H.2%), open graminoid bog (J.2%), open graminoid fen (H.3%), and treed graminoid bog (6.5%). In addition, a great number of others were encountered to a lesser degree. The deposits studied appear to be representative of the study area in terras of vegetation.
The peat types were generally composed of sphagnum dominated peats at or near the surface, with sedge peat common at the surface only in fen areas. The typical peat type of the surficial layer is a thin layer of pure or almost pure sphagnum peat underlain by a layer, usually less than l m, of unhumified sedge-sphagnum peat, often with sufficient sedge or shrub wood to diminish the horticultural potential of the peat. Exceptions to this were found at Peatland 52F-60, which had significant areas and thicknesses of good quality horticultural peat. At greater depths, the peat types had more fuel peat characteristics. A characteristic feature of the peat was the wide spread occurrence of varying quantities of shrub remnants as a common constituent in the peat. Wood peat, however, was less frequently encountered, although the percentage of woody erratics (stumps) was quite high, varying from 3.1 to A.3%. The most common peat types were
xi
SG, CS, LnSC, LnCS, ULnSC and LlLnCS peats. Brovm moss peat was found only in a few locations, as well as cotton grass peat. Other components, such as Phragmites and Equisetum were found sporadically.
The overall average degree of peat humification for the sites varied from H3.9 to H4.9. There were only limited quantities of unhumified peat, usually at the surface of the deposits, averaging 0.2-0.6 m in thickness in most sites. With the exception of certain parts of Peatlands 52F-60 and 52K-85, in general, the peat types and their respective degree of humification are not favourable from the viewpoint of horticultural peat extraction. The majority of the peats are well humified and would be more appropriate as fuel peat.
The climatic conditions in the study area are favourable for con ventional peat mining techniques during the May - September period of an average year. The table below summarizes the general potential of each of the deposits studied in detail. It should be noted that local planning and needs may change the status of these deposits depending on the development of markets.
Of the 18 deposits studied at a reconnaissance level, Peatland 52F-103 has been recommended for further study as one that might be repre sentative of the area. Its use potential, however, is limited due to its irregular shape. Peatlands 52K-28 and 30 are recommended for further study as they show some use potential and are located adjacent to each other. Their total areas and peat volumes are 130 aad 190 ha and 3.770 and 3.924 million m^, respectively.
The rest of the deposits studied on a reconnaissance level have not been assessed worthy of any further detailed study at this time. They might be considered as sources of horticultural or fuel peat for local use in the future. For the most part they are too small In surface area and too irregular in shape to offer good peat mining potential.
PEAT VOLUME, x I06m3
PEATLAND HUMIFIED PEAT DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL NUMBER TOTAL (H4-10)
52F-36 2.090 1.073 Poor potential for peat mining
52F-57 2.163 1.649 Medium to low small-scale fuel peat potential.
52F-60 20.716 12.565 Potential for selective mining of both horticultural and fuel peat; Provincial Park Nature Reserve.
52F-113 23.818 9.570 Not usable for peat mining .
52K-20 7.614 5.666 Low potential for peat extraction due to being partially undrainable.
52K-85 3.246 2.336 Some potential, either for fuel or horticultural peat production.
52K-86 2.585 1.904 Conditionally acceptable for peat mining; low potential for fuel peat production.
Overall Total 62.232 34.763
Summary of Peat Volumes and Development Potential of the Detailed Survey Sites
xv
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEYL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*SUMMARY VOLUME
PAGE
Abstract ix
Table of Contents xvii
Acknowledgements ixxx
1.0 INTRODUCTION l
1.1 Objectives l 1.2 Location of the Study Area l 1.3 Geology and Geomorphology 2 1.4 Climate 8 1.4.1 Temperature 9 1.4.2 Precipitation 9 1.4.3 Sunshine 10 1.4.4 Frost Free Period 11 1.4.5 Wind 11 1.4.6 Other Climatic Factors 12 1.5 Vegetation 14 1.6 Peat Utilization 15
2.0 METHODS; FIELD INVESTIGATIONS 16
2.1 General 16 2.2 Equipment 16 2.2.1 Sampling 16 2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling 17 2.2.3 Mapping and Grid Placement 17 2.3 Airphoto Interpretation and Map Drafting and Office Equipment 18 2.4 Access 18
3.0 METHODS; DATA ANALYSES AND PRESENTATION 19
4.0 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 21
4.1 Study Area 21 4.2 Detailed Study Site 24 4.3 Reconnaissance Study Sites 28 4.4 Peat Resource Potential 30 4.4.1 Market Potential 30 4.4.2 Resource Potential 30 4.4.3 Inventory Summary 33 4.4.4 Inventory Summary; Reconnaissance Study 40 4.5 Literature References 65 *Indicates this volume.
PAGE
APPENDIX - VOLUME A
5.0 DETAILED SITE EVALUATIONS 68
5.1 General 68 5.2 Peatland 52F-36 68 5.3 Peatland 52F-57 81
APPENDIX - VOLUME B
5.4 Peatland 52F-60 91
APPENDIX - VOLUME C
5.5 Peatland 52F-113 107
APPENDIX - VOLUME D
5.6 Peatland 52K-20 123 5.7 Peatland 52K-85 134 5.8 Peatland 52K-86 146
APPENDIX - VOLUME E
6.0 RECONNAISSANCE SITE EVALUATIONS 154
6.1 Peatland 52F-59 154 6.2 Peatland 52F-103 158 6.3 Peatland 52F-108 162 6.4 Peatland 52F-114 166 6.5 Peatland 52K-1 172 6.6 Peatland 52K-2 176 6.7 Peatland 52K-7 180 6.8 Peatland 52K-18 185 6.9 Peatland 52K-21A 189 6.10 Peatland 62K-21B 192
APPENDIX - VOLUME F
6.11 Peatland 52K-28 and 52K-30 197 6.12 Peatland 52K-57 203 6.13 Peatland 52K-74 207 6.14 Peatland 52K-82 211 6.15 Peatland 52K-83 215 6.16 Peatland 52K-84 219 6.17 Peatland 52K-87 223
LIST OF FIGURES
PAGE
FIGURE
Key Map of Ontario showing the General Location at Dryden - Lac Seul Study Area
Dryden - Lac Seul Study Area
Surficial Geology of the Study Area
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE
l Summary Table 53 2A Comparative Summary Table; Detailed Sites 62 2B Comparative Summary Table; Reconnaissance Sites 63 3 Peatland 52F-36, Vegetational Dominance Types 72 4 Peatland 52F-36, Vegetational Cover Values 73 5 Peatland 52F-36, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 75 6 Peatland 52F-36, Distribution of Peat Volumes 79 7 Peatland 52F-57, Vegetational Dominance Types 85 8 Peatland 52F-57, Vegetational Cover Values 86 9 Peatland 52F-57, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 87 10 Peatland 52F-57, Distribution of Peat Volumes 89 11 Peatland 52F-60, Vegetational Dominance Types 97 12 Peatland 52F-60, Vegetational Cover Values 98 13 Peatland 52F-60, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 100 14 Peatland 52F-60, Distribution of Peat Volumes 104 15 Peatland 52F-113, Vegetational Dominance Types 113 16 Peatland 52F-113, Vegetational Cover Values 115 17 Peatland 52F-113, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 117 18 Peatland 52F-113, Distribution of Peat Volumes 121 19 Peatland 52K-20, Vegetational Dominance Types 127 20 Peatland 52K-20, Vegetational Cover Values 128 21 Peatland 52K-20, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 129 22 Peatland 52K-20, Distribution of Peat Volumes 132 23 Peatland 52K-85, Vegetational Dominance Types 138 24 Peatland 52K-85, Vegetational Cover Values 139 25 Peatland 52K-85, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 141 26 Peatland 52K-85, Distribution of Peat Volumes 144
PAGE
TABLE 27 Peatland 52K-86, Vegetational Dominance Types 149 28 Peatland 52K-86, Vegetational Cover Values 150 29 Peatland 52K-86, Distribution of Physiognomic Groups 151 30 Peatland 52K-86, Distribution of Peat Volumes 153
LIST OF MAPS (Maps follow text on particular peatland site.) MAP 1 Index Map of the Study Area (follows p. 67) 2 Peatland 52F-36, Peatland Classification Map 3 Peatland 52F-36, Isopach Map 4 Peatland 52F-36, Elevation Map 5 Peatland 52F-57, Peatland Classification Map 6 Peatland 52F-57, Isopach Map 7 Peatland 52F-57, Elevation Map 8 Peatland 52F-60, Peatland Classification Map 9 Peatland 52F-60, Isopach Map 10 Peatland 52F-60, Elevation Map 11 Peatland 52F-113, Peatland Classification Map 12 Peatland 52F-113, Isopach Map 13 Peatland 52F-113, Elevation Map 14 Peatland 52K-20, Peatland Classification Map 15 Peatland 52K-20, Isopach Map 16 Peatland 52K-20, Elevation Map
17 Peatland 52K-85, Peatland Classification Map 18 Peatland 52K-85, Isopach Map 19 Peatland 52K-85, Elevation Map 20 Peatland 52K-86, Peatland Classification Map 21 Peatland 52K-86, Isopach Map 22 Peatland 52K-86, Elevation Map 23 Peatland 52F-59, Peatland Classification Map
24 Peatland 52F-103, Peatland Classification Map 25 Peatland 52F-108, Peatland Classification Map 26 Peatland 52F-114, Peatland Classification Map
MAP
27 Peatland 52K-1, Peatland Classification Map 28 Peatland 52K-2, Peatland Classification Map
29 Peatland 52K-7, Peatland Classification Map 30 Peatland 52K-18, Peatland Classification Map
31 Peatland 52K-21A, Peatland Classification Map 32 Peatland 52K-21B, Peatland Classification Map 33 Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30, Peatland Classification Map 34 Peatland 52K-57, Peatland Classification Map 35 Peatland 52K-74, Peatland Classification Map
36 Peatland 52K-82, Peatland Classification Map 37 Peatland 52K-83, Peatland Classification Map 38 Peatland 52K-84, Peatland Classification Map 39 Peatland 52K-87, Peatland Classification Map
LIST OF PROFILES (Profiles follow text on particular site.) PROFILE
1 Peatland 52F-36, Transect B 2 Peatland 52F-36, Transect L300W 3 Peatland 52F-36, Transect L800W 4 Peatland 52F-36, Transect F 5 Peatland 52F-36, Transect G700W 6 Peatland 52F-36, Transect Points Tl, T2, T3, T4, T5 7 Peatland 52F-57, Transect B 8 Peatland 52F-57, Transect L200N 9 Peatland 52F-57, Transect L700N 10 Peatland 52F-57, Transect L1200N 11 Peatland 52F-57, Transect L1700N 12A 6. B Peatland 52F-60, Transect B 13 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L200E 14 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L700E 15 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L1500E 16 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L2500E 17 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L3400E 18 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L4100E 19 Peatland 52F-60, Transect L4600E
xxv
PROFILE
20 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect B 21 Peat land 52F-113 , Transect L900N 22 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect L1600N 23 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect L2300N 24 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect L3200N 25 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect L4100N 26 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect L4700N 27 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect F 28 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect G1000W 29 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect G1700W 30 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect G2500W 31 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect G3300W 32 Peatland 52F-113 , Transect G4000W
33 Peatland 52K-20, Transect B 34 Peatland 52K-20, Transect L500E 35 Peatland 52K-20, Transect L1200E 36 Peatland 52K-20, Transect L1700E 37 Peatland 52K-20, Transect L2200E
38 Peatland 52K-85, Transect B 39 Peatland 52K-85, Transect L500S 40 Peatland 52K-85, Transect L1000S 41 Peatland 52K-85, Transect L1500S 42 Peatland 52K-85, Transect L1900S 43 Peatland 52K-85, Transect L2500S
44 Peatland 52K-86, Transect B 45 Peatland 52K-86, Transect L500S 46 Peatland 52K-86, Transect L1000S 47 Peatland 52F-59 48 Peatland 52F-103 49 Peatland 52F-108 50 Peatland 52F-114 51 Peatland 52K-1 52 Peatland 52K-2 53 Peatland 52K-7 54 Peatland 52K-18 55 Peatland 52K-21A 56 Peatland 52K-21B 57 Peatland 52K-28 58 Peatland 52K-30 59 Peatland 52K-30 60 Peatland 52K-57 61 Peatland 52K-74 62 Peatland 52K-82 63 Peatland 52K-83 64 Peatland 52K-84 65 Peatland 52K-84 66 Peatland 52K-87
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Peter Telford and Mr. John Riley of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Affairs and Mines, Ontario Geological Survey for their advice and technical input to the project. The District offices of the Ministry of Natural Resources were particularly helpful in providing assistance during the field program.
This report was prepared by Monenco©s Peat Group: Dr. E.O. Korpijaakko (Project Manager), Messres. S.S. Banovac, P.Eng. and J.K. Riley, Specialist. Field assistance was also provided by Messrs. J.R. Radforth, P.Eng. and E. Sudeikis, and Mr. J. Kaiser was in charge of peatland vegetation classi fication and analysis.
xxix
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
SUMMARY VOLUME
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report
xxxi
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 OBJECTIVES
The present report is part of a comprehensive peatland inventory program initiated by the Government of the Province of Ontario in 1982 in order to assess the value of the peat resources of the Province as and alternative fuel and also for its many other uses. The program is directed by the Ontario Geological Survey of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. This report covers the Peatlands in the Dryden- Lac Seul Area surveyed by Monenco Ontario Limited in 1984 in association with Peat Consultants CAnada, Ltd.
The main objectives of the study were:
i) "To carry out reconnaissance field investigations of all designated peatlands in order to assess and confirm which sites should be studied as detailed study sites.
ii) To carry out detailed field investigations of a designated number of peatlands, to evaluate the peat type and peat humification stra tigraphy, peat volumes, elevations, drainage and surficial vegeta tion. iii) To subdivide and map all designated peatlands on the basis of air photo interpretation and fieldwork into major types; i.e., bog, fen, swamp, marsh and open water, and to further subdivide these units into physiognomic groups" (O.G.S. 1984).
The following chapters will describe in detail the methods and the result of the work carried out to obtain these objectives.
1.2 LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA
The study area is located in parts of the Kenora, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Ignace O.M.N.R. Districts from 49 0 30© to 51 0N latitude - 2 - and 92 0 to 94 0W longtitude. Expressed in UTM co-ordinates, it is within Zone 15, eastings from 430,000 to 570,000 and northings from 5,480,000 to 5,650,000. The entire area covers about 23,800 km2 . It is located 250 to 450 km northwest of Thunder Bay. The study area is in an area covered by 1:250,000 scale map sheets-numbers 52F (northern half) and 52K, and 1:50,000 scale map sheets numbers 52F/9-16 and 52K/1-16.
1.3 GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
The study area lies entirely within the Precambrian Shield in an area known geologically as Superior Province; mostly in the Wabigoon Subprovince in the south and the English River belt in the north.
The English River Subprovince is a band, about 100 km wide, across the study area from east to west. It is characterized by linear structures which strike easterly, while those of the Wabigoon Subprovince trend southwest to northeast, for the most part. Peatlands often correspond to the general orientation of the linear bedrock structures.
The Precambrian peneplain slopes in this general area to the west. The area is characterized by a low relief with changes in elevation rarely more than about 60 m (Zoltai, 1966). monenco Ontario limited
FIGURE 1
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT
KEYMAP OF ONTARIO SHOWING DRYDEN-LAC SEUL STUDY AREA
- 3 - FIGURE 2
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT SCALE
MAJOR PEATLANO AREAS MAP OF DRYDEN-LACSEUL STUDY AREA - 5 -
During the Pleistocene epoch the shield underwent a number of glaciations. The most recent, the Wisconsinan glaciation, has had the most prominent effect on the relief of the study area. During the glaciation the land was shaped by the advancing and retreating masses of ice leaving behind relatively flat topography, accentuated by glacial geo- morphological features. The first movement was from the northeast, a direction indicated by the striae, drumlins and eskers in the general area. At that time sandy till was deposited. The deglaciation took place with a number of ice front "stand-stills" and local advancements, resulting in a number of moraines.
The history of the local deglaciation - readvancement of the gla cier as well as the history of stages of Lake Agassiz is quite complex and still not fully understood. In brief, the relatively complex nature of the soil distribution in the study area is related to the oscillations of the ice margin as well as to the oscillations in the level of Lake Agassiz (Zoltai, 1961 and Clayton, 1983). It appears that the study area was par tially released at the end of the Lockhart Phase of Lake Agassiz (high water levels, about 11,000 yBP) and fully released by the early Moorhead Phase of Lake Agassiz (low water levels, about 10,700 yBP; Clayton 1983, Fenton et al. 1983). Later a minor readvance Lo the Sioux Lookout Moraine resulted in the high water levels of the Emerson Phase of Lake Agassiz, about 9,800 yBP (Clayton, 1983).
After final deglaciation of the study area, remnant low water phases of Lake Agassiz would have remained in some portions of the study area, but not as significantly as during the Emerson Phase of Lake Agassiz. The area may still have been largely inundated at the Post- Emerson Phase of Lake Agassiz (about 9,000 yBP, Clayton 1983, Bjorck et al 1983), but at the end of the Emerson Phase, Lake Agassiz drained quite rapidly from the study area (after 9,000 yBP; Clayton, 1983).
Figure 3 shows the main features of the surficial geology in the study area according to Zoltai (1965). The area of lacustrine deposits, both sand and clay, reflects the extent of Lake Agassiz inundation of the area. All but about 6 of the peatlands studied occur in depressions in - 6 -
LEGEND 16 mil** GROUND MORAINE. l-t l-l t-H t-t (- 600 PEATLAND STUDY SITE SILTY TO SANDY TILL 10 10 20 3Okir
LACUSTRINE DEPOSITS. SCALE VARVED CLAY AND SILT END MORAINES FIGURE 3 LACUSTRINE DEPOSITS. SAND A EAGLE-FINLAYSON B HARTMAN ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY END MORAINE. SAN O,GRAVEL AND BOULDERS C LAC SEUL PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT
BARE BEDROCK PHYSIOGRAPHY OF STUDY AREA OUTWASH DEPOSITS (GENERALIZED FROM ZOLTAI, 1965) SAND AND GRAVEL - 7 - this area of lacustrine deposition of fine impermeable materials, with another 2 of the sites occurring on fine sands of outwash deposits conti guous to lacustrine materials. The others occur on ground moraine, in minor unmapped basins which also probably had short lacustrine phases during deglaciation.
Ground moraines occupy most of the northeastern corner, a belt through the centre of the study area from its southeastern corner to its northeastern corner and a portion of the southwestern corner. The ground moraine forms a discontinuous mantle and is composed of mostly silty to sandy till. It also contains some clay in the central part of the study area.
Peatlands 52F-36, 103, 82 and 87 and parts of 52K-85 are mostly on ground moraine. However, the substrate is mostly clay indicating that these deposits are, in fact, located in small lacustrine basins within the general ground moraine area.
The glaciolacustrine deposits can be found as large bands lying across the study area in a southeast-northwest direction (Figure 3). They are mainly composed of varved clay and silt. Glaciolacustrine sands are also common in lower valleys and occur mainly in the southeastern part of the study area.
Peatlands 52K-1, 2, 7, 18, 20, 21, 28, 30, 57, 74 and 52F-57, 59, 60, 108, 113 and 114 are mostly situated on glaciolacustrine deposits.
The end moraines (Fig. 3) that are associated with the surveyed peatlands are the Eagle-Finlayson Moraine (Peatland 52F-103), the Hartman Moraine (Peatland 52F-113) and the Lac Seul Moraine (Peatlands 52K-7, 28, 30, 57, 74, 85 and 86). The end moraines are composed mainly of sand, gravel and boulders displaying rough topography when not modified by lake action (e.g., Hartman Moraine). Those modified by lake action (e.g., the Lac Seul Moraine) are less rough and often have level crests (Zoltai, 1965). The peatlands are associated with flow channels or .Ilscharge channels, often occupied now by sloping peatlands with minerotrophic tendencies attributable to ongoing ground water movement through the sites. - 8 -
Outwash deposits, composed of sand, fine sand and gravel, are found at only two deposits: Peatlands 52K-83 and 85.
The area is dotted by a large number of small peat deposits as well as a number of deposits extending over several hundred hectares and in some cases, even one or two thousand hectares. The area is typified by confined peatlands as is most of the Precambrian Shield, but in this area bedrock confinement is much less important than glacial geomorphological features which define the peatland basins. Especially the widespread clay areas have formed impervious substrates which also favour paludification.
1.4 CLIMATE
The climate of the study area may be classified as modified conti nental. The principal modifiers are the Great Lakes to the southeast and to some extent Hudson Bay (Chapman, 1968).
Precipitation is relatively high in the summer and low in the winter. The weather is very changeable and characterized by the influence of cyclonic storms. They bring in warm, humid air masses from the south that alternate with cool and dry air blown in from the north. These cycles are commonly 3-5 days in duration and occur several times a year at varying intervals (Chapman, 1968).
Within Canada, similar weather conditions are found in the Annapolis Valley (Nova Scotia), the middle Saint John Valley (New Brunswick) and Prince Edward Island; all areas or near areas where peat is produced.
The study area is located mostly in the English River Climatic Region with the southernmost portion in the Rainy River Region (Chapman, 1968). The following chapters describe the main climatic and weather para meters significant in peatland development and peat industry. The princi pal source is Chapman (1968) and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Environment publications (cf. listings in the List of References). - 9 -
1.4.1 Temperature
The mean annual daily temperature in the study area varies from 2 0 C in the south to 1 0 C in the north. However, only the mean daily average temperature for May to September is significant since this period is the usual peat harvesting time for commercial operations. For this area, it is about 14 0C and compares with 16.1 and 15 0C for Shawinigan (Quebec) and Chatham (New Brunswick) where peat is being mined presently. The mean daily maximum temperature, a significant indicator of the drying conditions available for a peat industry is about 21.8 0C, 21 0C and 20.5 0C for Shawinigan and Chatham, and the study area, respectively. The temperatures in the study area appear to be favourable for conventional dry peat mining techniques.
1.4.2 Precipitation
Precipitation is a very important factor in assessing the feasibi lity of peat mining. While total precipitation may not be very important, since a large portion of it falls as snow during the winter, the values of precipitation during the prime peat mining season from May to September are of significance. The mean annual precipitation in the study area is about 517 mm of which about 421 mm falls during the May to September season. This compares favourably with the values of 449 mm and 410 ram for Shawinigan, Quebec and Chatham, New Brunswick, respectively.
For a more precise understanding of the effect of rainfall on peat mining an analysis of both the daily distribution of rainfall and the frequency of rainless periods would be more effective as they affect the day-to-day operations directly. This kind of data is not always recorded routinely and not readily available. In the study area it has been recorded for Dryden alone. In the study area consecutive dry days lasting three or more days occur from May to September from 105 to about 125 times in a 40 year period (averaging 3/month). Consecutive dry days lasting seven or more days, occur from May to September from about 38 times in June to a high of about 48 times in May in the same 40 year period (about l/month on average). Longer periods of consecutive dry days occur but are too infrequent to be of any practical significance. - 10 -
The dry mining of peat depends on the solar drying of either sods or a thin layer of milled peat left on the surface of the field to dry. Sods can take slight rainfall after one or two days of drying as they deve lop a thin water repellant skin on the surface and will not rewet after the initial drying period. Thus, for sod peat production no more than one good drying day after the cutting of the sods may be enough to start the drying process. However, for milled peat mining, one or two days of good drying is required so that the thin layer of milled peat lying on the prepared bog surface can be turned and dried to the required 5(^ moisture content. If those dry periods are not frequent enough, that is if there are not at least 10 to 12 periods of consecutive dry days of two or more days in length each during the mining season, milled peat production might be not high enough for an economical operation.
The data given above indicates that there are enough periods of consecutive dry days in the study area for successful dry mining of either milled or sod peat.
1.4.3 Sunshine
The number of bright sunshine hours indirectly indicates the suita bility of the climate for peat mining in that, while sunshine may not be required for good drying, it indicates the potential for it.
In the study area the total average number of bright sunshine hours from May to September inclusive is about 1,200 hours. This compares favourably with 1,050 and 1,150 hours for the areas in New Brunswick and Quebec respectively where peat is presently being mined. The number of bright sunshine hours combined with a low relative humidity indicates good dry conditions in the event that conventional dry peat mining would be considered for this area. - 11 -
1.4.4 Frost Free Period
The length of frost free period is an important indicator of the potential duration of the peat mining season in an area. In order to be able to operate peat cutting or peat milling equipment no frost should be encountered in the peat. Frozen peat cannot be cut by conventional sod cutting equipment neither can it be milled with peat millers. Small scat tered lenses will not seriously damage the equipment but continuous exten sive frost in the bog precludes successful dry mining of the peat layer due to excessive wear and breakage of equipment and also by slowing down the drying of the product. Also, if too much frozen peat is incorporated in sods they will not stay together when the frost thaws. Instead of produ cing good strong coherent sods, they will crumble and fall apart as the frost thaws out.
The average frost free period in peat mining areas such as Chatham and Shawinigan is 122 and 141 days respectively. In the study area it varies slightly but is on the average about 100 days long. While it is about 10 to 15 days shorter than in, for instance, Muskoka region or up to 30 days shorter than in Shawinigan, it still is long enough for successful peat production by dry mining methods as long as the rainless periods are frequent as those discussed previously (1.4.2.).
On average, the mean date of the last occurrence of freezing tem peratures in the spring in the study area is around the end of May and the mean date of the first occurrence of frozen temperatures in the fall is early September. Thus, peat mining by conventional dry mining methods can be carried out most effectively throughout the summer months giving long enough periods for economical peat production. Wet mining is seasonally less sensitive and possibly can be carried out over a longer time period.
1.4.5 Wind
The drying of peat on the field is dependent on several factors combined. Even on the warmest and the sunniest of days, peat will only dry very slowly in the absence of wind. Only slight winds are required for - 12 - peat to dry and, in fact, high winds may be considered detrimental. High winds will carry away large quantities of fine milled peat resulting in a loss of production. Only in the areas where sod peat is produced are high winds not harmful, except that some of the loose fines may be blown into the surrounding countryside where it may be considered as an irritant by adjacent landowners.
The knowledge of the main prevailing wind directions is useful since the direction of the wind along the peat mining fields has to be considered before instituting the drainage plan on the bog. In the study area the average wind speeds in May to September vary from 11 to 14 km/hour. These speeds are ideal for effective drying of peat in that they are not too strong and will not cause any large losses of peat from the fields. In this study area, southwest winds generally prevail, although west and northwest winds are quite frequent in some locations. East winds are less frequent and are also the gentlest ones. Winds speeds of over 50 km are not frequent at any time of the year, and 65 km/hour occur only on rare occasions (Chapman, 1968).
The frequency of winds is of importance in drying. Calm periods prevail only 3 to 5% of the time in this region during the May to September period indicating that there are sufficient events of winds for the pur poses of a peat industry. During the calm periods the moisture will not be transported from the drying peat surface and creates a very humid microcli- matic region at the ground level thus slowing down the drying of the peat.
1.4.6 Other Climatic Factors
The aforementioned climatic factors form the core of those climatic characteristics that affect peat mining. There are other factors, less known to the public, which are important indicators for agriculture, fores try and also the peat industry, namely, potential and actual evapotranspi ration, water deficiency and the general water balance, and the relative humidity. These factors are made up of combinations of the basic parame ters and may often be more demonstrative of the climatic conditions as they - 13 - relate to peat development activities rather than single factors such as, for instance, temperature.
The annual evapotranspiration (actual and potential) actually gives a more precise image of the drying capability of wet peat in a given area than does a single factor since the drying depends on a combination of factors such as the wind, temperature and relative humidity. The annual evapotranspiration values are calculated on the above-mentioned single factors, taking into consideration the soil storage capacity. The poten tial evapotranspiration is the rate of evaporation of water from soil and from plant cover under conditions of moist soil assuming that the water is available for this evaporation. The mean annual potential evapotranspira tion values for the study area are around 533 mm. The actual mean annual evapotranspiration in the same region is slightly lower, being about 510 mm. This is the amount of water that actually evaporates from the ground. The fact that it is actually lower than the mean annual potential evapotranspiration indicates that there is a slight deficiency in moisture in the area.
The mean annual moisture deficiency in the study area accordingly is about 23 mm. During the winter months from September to April in northern Ontario, precipitation usually exceeds the evapotranspiration resulting in water surplus. In May, precipitation is about equal to the need of water. That means that from May on, a deficiency of water occurs. This indicates that from May to September the moisture conditions for peat mining are advantageous as there is a deficiency of water. Water deficien cies are low throughout northern Ontario and do not exceed the value of about 25 mm. Water deficiencies can reach 135 mm/year in southern Ontario, where the potential evapotranspiration rates are higher due to a warmer climate.
The actual annual and potential evapotranspiration values in the study area compare favourably with those of 532 mm and 553 mm for Shawinigan and 500 mm and 540 mm for Chatham. The corresponding water deficiencies are 31 mm and 44 mm respectively. They are slightly higher than in northwestern Ontario and appear to indicate a higher potential for - 14 - peat drying than in the study area. However, these are annual rates which do not relate to the harvesting season. Precipitation conditions in north western Ontario are better for peat drying and suggest that the study area©s climate is as suitable as those found in eastern Canada.
These basic climatic factors and values indicate that the study area has a good climatic potential for conventional dry peat mining methods. More detailed climatic and weather analyses would be useful if peat mining or other peat production is established in this region. These analyses should combine the factors already mentioned, as well as other data in order to build up a basic index for assessing the climatic suita bility of northwestern Ontario for dry peat mining methods and also for possible wet mining applications. In comparison with other areas of the country where peat mining is presently conducted, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, this study area appears to be equivalent to and in some cases is slightly better as far as the drying potential is concerned.
1.5 VEGETATION
Most of the study area is located in Upper English River section of the Boreal Forest Region. A small area at the southwestern corner comes close to the Quetico section of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Forest Region (Rowe, 1972).
The Upper English River section is a transition between the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence forests to the south and the Boreal forests to the north. The forests are composed mostly of large stands of black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana). These stands also contain mixtures of white spruce (Picea glauca), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), trem bling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and white birch (Betula papyrifera). Black spruce is most common on peaty soil in depressions while jack pine stands are predominant on rocky uplands and dry sandy plains. Tamarack (Larix laricina) is not very common although it is frequently found on peatlands. Red pine (Pinus resinosa) and white pine (Pinus strobus) are found mostly in scattered stands and are near their northern limits. - 15 -
Fires have occurred in the region from time to time, increasing soil erosion. Large areas are covered by thin coarse soils over bedrock offering poor potential for forest production. However, there are also fine textured humo-ferric podzols that provide excellent conditions for tree growth.
The southeastern corner of the area south of around Vermilion Lake is close to the Quetico section of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Region where the general character of the climate and soils have favoured develop ment of pine communities (Pinus strobus, P. resinosa). Widespread fires and logging have changed the species composition to that of boreal forests with many of the above-mentioned boreal species becoming dominant. Hardwoods are becoming more common in this area and include species such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum), basswood (Tilia americana), Manitoba maple (Acer negundo), red and bur oak (Quercus rubra and Quercus macrocarpa).
1.6 PEAT UTILIZATION
Presently there are no known major large scale commercial peat pro duction operations either in the study area or in its vicinity. Only casual "borrow pits" may be in use for local purposes. - 16 -
2.0 METHODS; FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
2.1 GENERAL
The peatland survey methods used will not be described in detail since they follow quite closely those recommended and described by the Ontario Geological Survey©s Peatland Inventory Project Specifications, 1984. Only a brief outline of the principal steps and the type of equip ment used will be given.
2.2 EQUIPMENT
2.2.1 Sampling
A standard Hiller auger (inside diameter of the sampling chamber 5 cm, length 50 cm) was used for the visual observations in the field. This auger is light in weight and penetrates easily even in quite dry and woody peat. Its disadvantages are inherent in its operation and exclude its use for laboratory sampling. To extract a sample, a flange attached to the sampling cylinder scoops the peat into the cylinder through rotation of the shaft. However, if the peat is very fibrous, has a low degree of humi fication, a high quantity of water and/or large quantities of roots and woody material, this sampler tends to undersample the coarser more fibrous material. Also, in extremely wet conditions it may not retain any peat at all but this is true with other open samplers too. In addition, due to its structure, the cylinder allows water to escape and enter freely making the sampler unsuitable for extracting laboratory samples for analysis. The cutting flange also tends to macerate the peat that enters the cylinder disturbing the in-situ stratigraphy. Consequently, peat disturbed in this manner may be assigned a higher-than-actual degree of humification by an inexperienced investigator.
For obtaining core samples for laboratory analysis, a piston samp ler was used. It can cut through wood and fibrous peat and retain wet samples and also mineral soils as long as they are not too hard. The samples are virtually undisturbed and uncontaminated and thus suitable for precise laboratory analysis. In general, stump content determinations were - 17 - performed on every second survey point only if the peat thickness was 2 m or more.
2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling
At each full vegetation sampling point, a circular sampling plot of 5 m radius (78.5 m^ area) was used to survey the tree and shrub strata. A plot l x 5 m (5 m^ area) was used to survey the ground cover including both vascular plants, mosses and lichens. Identifications were made in the field and material was collected to confirm difficult identifications using standard references (as listed in 4.5 Literature References). Sphagnum mosses were also identified in the field and reference specimens were collected and sent to Christine Manville (Research Associate, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa) for confirmation of identity. The surface water pH was measured with composite pH papers (ColorpHast) on waters about 10 cm below the water table.
2.2.3 Mapping and Grid Placement
The grid placement was based on plans designed on aerial photo graphs in the office. For the line directions in the field, handheld liquid filled transits were used. These transits are readable to 0.25 0 and surpass the precision required by these surveys.
The distances between sampling points were measured with a hipchain (topofil). Earlier comparisons of the precision of hipchain measurements to those made by other survey crews using a steel tape revealed that on 50 m sections only about 40 cm variances occurred. Thus, for the purposes of this level of survey the hipchain is precise enough and due to its lightweight and ease of operation, it is ideal for use in the field.
The survey lines and all the survey points were marked with num bered flagging tapes. Experience has shown that these tapes can be located up to 2-3 years later in the field. No lines were cut since an electronic chain level, which does not require a line of sight, was used.
The levelling was done along the survey lines onto the adjacent upland up to about 3 m level above the deposit whenever practical. - 18 -
The levelling was carried out with a GDD electronic chain level supplied by its Canadian manufacturer. This level utilizes a liquid filled plastic tubing with sensors at each end to measure the difference in pres sure between the sensors and does not require a line of site as would a transit - rod system. The chain level is especially well-suited for use in areas where the surface vegetation hampers the visibility. It is also very practical in the hot weather conditions when heat waves make it difficult to use the transit and rod.
The reading precision of the "chain level" is in millimeters. For the present operation the readings and calculations were taken in centimeters and the results given at a 0.1 m precision. A number of lines were closed to check the possible closing error which in all the cases was within 3-5 cm. The liquid level was adjusted or checked in the beginning of each day©s operation as well as several times (3-5) during the day.
2.3 AIRPHOTO INTERPRETATION, MAP DRAFTING AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Airphoto interpretation in the office was carried out by using a scanning mirror stereoscope with a magnification capacity of 1.5 to 3.
The major part of the map and profile drafting was carried out by using CAD (computer assisted drafting) equipment with programs modified for peatland mapping and profile drafting.
2.4 ACCESS
Access to all of the studied deposits was gained either on foot or by car. In some cases considerable distances had to be covered on foot mainly because culverts and bridges on forest access roads had been washed out by flooding.
No problems with owners were encountered in accessing private land. The Ministry of Natural Resources District offices were contacted to obtain information on land ownership and environmental concerns that may exist concerning individual deposits. The MNR staff at these offices were most helpful in providing background information for the study area. - 19 -
3.0 METHODS; DATA ANALYSES AND PRESENTATION
The peatland maps and profiles were produced by using CAD equipment and computer programs modified for the requirements of the inventory. The CAD equipment consists of a large digitizing table, a video display and a printer capable of giving a large variety of printout types. The system is linked to a mainframe computer and utilizes commercial surface graphics application programs. Initially, the bog outlines were manually digitized and fed into the computer to be printed later at a 1:10,000 scale. The digitizing was carried out by using the outlines marked on the airphotos after the field work was carried out. The digitizing was done with a cursor and continuous digitizing, giving a smooth outline. In order to add the field data to the map, the data was put into a program file by an operator who tables the information directly from the data sheets. The deposit maps were then printed on mylar and photographically transferred onto the base map supplied by the Ontario Geological Survey. The accuracy of the outlines is dependent on the quality of the uncorrected airphotos and is, of course, not of the order of first order topographic mapping.
The peat profiles were produced directly from the field data sheets. Initially, the surface and bottom lines were directly drawn on the draft copy along with all the degrees of humification and peat types for each interval on each sample plant along the profile. The lines joining various peat types and degrees of humification were done manually on the draft copies and then transferred through the video display - digitizer system to the computer©s memory for the subsequent printing of the final copies. The integration of data on peat type cannot be done automatically as it requires personal judgement based on experience and knowledge of the characteristics of the deposits. This procedure is not programmable except in rare cases where the deposit is very homogeneous and without any compli cated stratigraphical changes.
All of the volumes were calculated by using the recommended "donut" method. This method is designed to avoid over-estimating peat volumes which commonly happens if the total area of a peatland is multiplied by the total average peat thickness derived from the data point thickness values. - 20 -
In the donut method, the area with less than l ra of peat is assumed to be 0.5m thick on average. The rest of the deposit is divided into sections delineated by peat isopachs spaced at one metre intervals. The peat volume for each section encompassed by different zones is calculated by multi plying the area by the individual average thickness based on all parts falling into that section. The total peat volume for the entire deposit is the sum of the volumes of these sections. This method avoids emphasizing the thicker areas in calculating the average thickness of the deposit and thus, gives a more reliable volume estimate. The name "donut" method is derived from the fact that isopach zones are within each other and thus can be visualized as donuts except the centremost one with the greatest thick ness. Ooze strata were excluded from the volume calculations.
Other calculations, such as the degree of humification were calcu lated pursuant to the standard method as outlined in the Ontario Geological Survey©s project specifications (O.G.S. 1984).
The peat profiles and maps for reconnaissance bogs were drafted manually.
In drafting the peatland classification maps considerable generali zation was done. The vegetational cover types given on the data sheets and profiles correspond to each other. However, due to small local variations in the vegetation, a number of areas were marked on the map as belonging to a single physiognomic group.
In calculating average coverage percentages, for example tree cover, the data collected in the field was used as often as possible. It was supplemented by airphoto interpretation.
Site vegetation classification data on the peat profiles do not always match that on the peatland classification maps due to generalization done on the maps. - 21 -
4.0 RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The following is a brief summary of the peatland assessment of the Dryden-Lac Seul area. The purpose of this summary is to bring together the salient data on Dryden-Lac Seul peatland inventory in order to help the reader more readily visualize the overall characteristics and user poten tial of the peat resources in this area.
4.1 STUDY AREA
The entire study area is located in the Precambrian Shield region. In general, the area is relatively flat, the absolute elevation varying mostly between 350 and 490 m a.m.s.l. However, in smaller details the relief is relatively abrupt and broken-formed by ice-gouged basins and river valleys and fault lines as is typical of the Precambrian Shield.
Due to this general roughness of the landscape, the natural drainage system is an unorganized network of small streams, brooks and rivers and a large number of lakes with only limited flatlands present. As a result of the broken topography and continental climate, peatlands have developed in depressions where water has been retained offering suitable locations for organic accumulation.
Climatically, the study area is in the English River and Rainy River - Thunder Bay Region (Chapman, 1968). The climate in this area is modified continental, the modifier being the Great Lakes (Chapman, 1968). There is a general water surplus in this area from September to April largely due to the accumulation of snow. From May to September there is a slight deficiency of moisture based on the actual and potential evapotrans piration values. As a rule, the moisture deficiency in northwestern Ontario is lower than in the south due to cooler temperatures. However, regardless of the high quantity of water accumulated during the winter months, the summer months© climatic conditions are favourable enough to support conventional dry mining of peat. - 22 -
The study area has been subjected to a number of ice front retreat andT readvancement stages. As a result, a number of end moraines, eskers and glaciolacustrine and glaciofluvial depressions and outwash formations as well as ice created depressions were formed affecting the distribution of peatlands.
The study area was finally released from the waters of Lake Agassiz about 7000 to 8000 yBP and has been available to paludification processes since then. It appears that very commonly the paludification has started as a filling in of ponds and lakes and other depressions by peat. Also primary forestland paludification has been common, especially when small initial deposits have expanded beyond their original confines.
Over 65K of the peatland area surveyed is bog and only 29.5% is fen. It appears that during the recent past (7000-8000 years) the fen stages may have been more common than at present. This reflects more mine- rotrophic conditions as could be expected from a shallower deposit where the influence of the underlying mineral soil is still strong enough to affect the surface vegetation.
A total of 28 physiognomic groups were identified on the studied deposits. Of these only five had coverage of more than 5% of the total area. These include treed low shrub bog (34%), open low-shrub bog (H.2%), open graminoid bog (J.2.0%), open graminoid fen (H.3%), and treed graminoid bog (6.5%) (Table 1). The rest covered minor areas only.
Bog types were the most widely spread and covered almost 66% of the total area. Fens covered about 29.5% and swamps about S.54% while marshes covered less than Q.5% (Q.1%). About 62% of the physiognomic groups were treed and the rest (42%) open.
Almost universally, all of the deposits had a thin layer of unhumi- fied peat on the surface. In most cases it was 0.2-0.5 m in thickness but reached in a few cases up to 2 m in thickness. There were commonly, in a number of deposits, scattered lenses of unhumified peat imbedded in the more humified peat. A few deposits had considerable layers of H4 peat. - 23
However, generally the deeper humified layers were composed of peats with H5-H7 and less frequently H8 and H9.
The peat types varied but within relatively narrow limits. No large quantities of either pure sphagnum or pure sedge peat were found. Usually peat was composed of mixtures of sedge and sphagnum. Brown moss peat was found only in a few locations. Very characteristic to this area were peats composed of varying quantities of sphagnum and sedge mixed with shrubs and wood. Due to the relatively high degree of humification and the mixed nature of peat whereby shrub and wood components were very common, the deposits in this area seem to be slightly better suited for the produc tion of fuel rather than horticultural peat.
The average peat thickness varied from 1.0 m to 2.8 m. There were no large ares of very thick peat. The thickest sites of about 7 m and 10 m were found in small isolated pockets in Peatlands 52F-57 and 52F-60.
The data on the average thickness of peat in each physiognomic group does not indicate any clear-cut correlation between the peat thick ness and the physiognomic group. The greatest average thickness of 3.3 m was encountered in the treed tall shrub fens. Others with relatively thick peat layers were conifer swamps (2.5 m), shallow marshes (2.5 m), open lowshrub poor fens (2.4 m) and open sphagnum bogs (2.5 m). A number of others, such as, open lowshrub bogs, treed shrub-rich fens, open shrub-rich fens and open graminoid fens were on average 1.3 to 2.0 m thick. Among the remaining physiognomic groups the average thickness varied from 0.4 m to 2.0 m. The great variations in the average thickness values may reflect the low number of drilling sites and might be more representative once larger sampling numbers are included.
The peat deposits surveyed within the study area are located within economical hauling distances of potential peat users. In most cases the potential user is only 10-20 km away from the deposit. However, if a larger installation, such as the Great Lakes Forest Products Limited pulp plant in Dryden were to use peat as a source of energy, longer hauling distances might become economical. - 24 -
4.2 DETAILED STUDY SITE A total of seven deposits covering 4937 ha were studied in detail. The results are summarized in Tables l (p. 53-61) and 2 (P. 62-64). Of this total, 2537 ha had a peat layer 1m or more thick and 988 ha 2m or more of peat. A total of 811 survey points were es tablished along 45 survey lines. This number includes all the points on which at least the vegetation and peat thickness were determined. On a number of these sites, due to either the low thickness of peat (1m or less) or uniformity of the deposit©s peat layer, only the surface vegetation type and peat thickness were recorded without noting the peat types and the degree of humification. This may be the case especially on Peatland 52F-113.
The total volume of peat contained in the deposits surveyed in detail is 62.232 million m3 . Of this, 34.763 million m3 are humified peat (H4+) and 27,469 million m3 unhumified peat (Hl-3). A major portion of the unhumified peat is located near the periphery of the deposits between the O and l m isopachs and usually as a thin (0.5 m) surficial layer on the other parts of the deposits. The areas with l m or more of peat contain 50.261 million m3 of peat and those 2 m or more in thickness 28.337 million m3 of peat.
The geomorphological types of the peatlands studied are quite varied. Deposit 52F-36 is located in a series of kettle-like depressions and displays basin bog and floating fen features.
Peatland 52F-57 is located in a glaciolacustrine depression and is a basin bog with flat bog characteristics.
Peatland 52F-60 is located in a glaciolacustrine basin associated with outwash deposits and the Hartman end moraine (Zoltai, 1965). It is a relatively complex deposit with areas of slope fen, ladder fen and raised bog as well as some basin bog portions. - 25 -
Peatland 52F-113 is situated in a large shallow glaciolacustrine basin which is associated with glaciofluvial outwash plains and valley trains. As a result, a large slope fen complex with large areas of ladder fen and some basin bog areas has developed at this site.
Peatland 52K-20 is located in a low-lying glaciolacustrine basin displaying flat bog characteristics.
Peatland 52K-85 is located in a glaciofluvial channel sloping away from the Lac Seul end moraine. The deposit is composed of areas of stream swamp and stream fen as well as of basin/flat bog types.
Peatland 52K-86 is located in silty clay glaciolacustrine depres sion in a flat glaciofluvial outwash plain. The deposit is basically a basin bog with a smaller area of stream fen.
The deposits studied are generally, regular in shape considering that they are located in the Precambrian Shield. However, due to some irregularities in their shape and due to lack of extensive uniform areas, Peatlands 52F-36, 52F-57 and 52K-85 do not have any large areas that could be taken into peat mining without encountering problems in planning the drainage network. Only Peatlands 52F-60, 52F-113, 52K-20 and 52K-86 have uniform and regularly shaped areas that would allow the implementation of a simple mining plan. Peatland 52F-113, however, is too shallow for peat mining. Its average peat thickness is only l ra and it lacks large enough areas of peat at least 1m in thickness to make it suitable for peat mining. Peatlands 52K-20 and 52K-86 on the other hand, have drainage problems in that they are in fact located partly below the surface levels of the nearby lakes and cannot be drained to their full depth drained and thus, are not good candidates for conventional peat mining. Peatland 52F-60 has the best potential for peat mining. It contains large areas with l m (788 ha) or 2 m (412 ha) of peat and large quantities of peat (total 20.716 million m^) and is considered an excellent candidate for peat raining. - 26 -
There was considerable diversity in the surface vegetation of the studied peatlands. A total of 28 physiognomic groups were identified on the detailed peatlands. The most common physiognomic groups is treed low-shrub bog (383;) found on each deposit. The highest proportion for this group was 55*?; on peatland 52F-57 where it is characterized by Picea mariana, and shrubs (Chamaedaphne calyculata and Ledum groenlandicum). Of sedges, the most common were Carex trisperma and C. pauciflora. The most prominent mosses were Sphagnum fuscum, S. magellanicuin, and Pleurozium schreberi.
The overall average thickness of peat in the treed lowshrub bog was 1.9 m based on 273 site determinations. It varied from a minimum of 1.0 m (Peatland 52F-113) to a maximum of 2.9 m (Peatland 52K-86).
The second in prominence was open lowshrub bog covering about 13.7% of the total area of the detailed deposits and found on each one. Its greatest percentage on a single deposit was found on Peatland 52K-86 where it covers 38% of the total area. In this deposit it is characterized by Chamaedaphne calyculata, Ledum groenlandicum, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum magellanicum and Pleurozium shreberi. Of the graminoids and herbs, Carex chordorrhiza, C^. oligosperma, jC. paucif lora, Cornus canadensis and Eriophorum spissum were most often encountered.
The overall average peat thickness under open lowshrub bog was 2.0 m. It varied from a minimum of 0.9 m (Peatland 52F-113) to a maximum of 4.7 m (Peatland 52K-86).
The open graminoid fen physiognomic group covered 13.7% of the total area of detailed survey. It was found on all deposits except 52F-57 and 52K-86. It was most widely spread on Peatland 52F-36 where it covered 237, of the total area. It was characterized by Rhynchospora alba, Carex limosa, Carex lasiocarpa and Sphagnum angustifolium.
The overall average peat thickness under open graminoid fen was 1.8 m. It varied from a minimum of 1.2 m (Peatland 52F-113) to a maximum of 4.2 ra (Peatland 52K-85). - 27 -
The open graminoid bog peatland type covered H.4% of the total area of the deposits surveyed in detail. It was found on all deposits except on Peatland 52K-20. Its largest coverage percentage occurred on Peatland 52K-85 where it covered J.8% and on Peatland 52F-60 where it covered 1^ of the total area of the deposit. It is characterized by e.g. Carex oligosperma, C. pauciflora, C. limosa, Rhynchospara alba, Menyanthes trifoliata (fen species) Sphagnum angus tifolium and j[. f us cum among others.
The overall average peat thickness under open graminoid bog was 1.8 m. It varied from a minimum of 1.0 m (Peatland 52F-113) to a maximum of 4.4 m (Peatland 52F-57).
Other physiognomic groups covered lesser percentages, in all, vary ing from Q.1% (treed shrub-rich bog) to 6.6% (treed graminoid bog) in their percentages.
For the details of the species listings the reader is referred to the vegetational cover value tables in the detailed descriptions for each individual deposit.
Peat types varied somewhat in the deposits studied in detail. As a rule, surficial peat was often composed of a thin (10-30 cm) layer of pure sphagnum peat underlain by other sphagnum dominated peats where sphagnum ranged commonly from SO-80% (e.g., Peatlands 52F-36, 52F-60, 52K-20) and occasionally even up to 90-100% (e.g., Peatlands 52F-60, 52F-113, 52F-85 and 86). Surficial peat occasionally was composed of sedge dominant peat also (e.g., Peatlands 52F-36 and 52F-60).
The underlying humified peats were usually characterized by sphag num at lesser depths (e.g., Peatland 52K-20; S : SO-100% and 52K-85; S : 40-60%). At greater depths sedge peat became dominant and commonly reached 100% content (e.g., Peatland 52F-60, and 52F-113). Usually the sedge component varied from 40-80% (e.g., Peatland 52F-36 and 52K-85). The content of shrub wood and other wood was more common in the humified layer than in the surficial layer. In the humified layer wood content was - 28 -
usually in the order of lQ-20% quite universally in all the studied depo sits. It reached higher percentages of 40-6C^ in e.g., Peatland 52K-85. Soft wood component was less common but reached lQ-30% level in Peatland 52K-85.
4.3 RECONNAISSANCE STUDY SITES
A total of 18 deposits covering 2476 ha were studied on a recon naissance level. The details of the result have been summarized in Table 1. The survey point total is 99 points. The total peat volume esti mated for the reconnaissance deposits is 64.414 million m^. This volume estimate, which has been calculated by multiplying the average thickness (calculated from the measured thickness for each deposit) by the surface area of the deposit, must be considered as an inflated maximum and should not be used as a basis for anything but very approximate estimates only.
Each deposit surveyed on a reconnaissance level had at least some basin bog characteristics. A number of them also showed flat bog, ribbed fen, flat fen, horizontal fen, stream fen and stream swamp features. A good example of a deposit displaying basin bog, flat bog and horizontal and ribbed fen characteristics is Peatland 52F-114. It also contains areas which are related to drainage channel development and can be considered as stream fens. Peatland 52K-2, on the other hand, is a typical basin bog.
A number of the reconnaissance bogs are quite regular in shape and could be considered for peat mining. Some of the larger ones (e.g. Peat- lands 52F-114 and 52K-83) are too irregular in shape to be considered as good peat mining candidates.
A total of 15 different physiognomic groups were identified on these deposits. Of these, only three covered more than 1C^ of the total area surveyed. The highest coverage was by treed lowshrub bog (27.8%) which was found on most deposits except Peatlands 52K-28, 57, 74 and 87. It©s average thickness was 3.0 m and varied from a minimum of 1.2 m (Peat land 52F-114) to a maximum of 4.5 m (Peatland 52K-7). Its cover percentage varied from 3% (Peatland 52F-108) to 89% (Peatland 52K-2). - 29 -
The second highest coverage percentage was by treed low-shrub fen which covered a total of 13.7% of the total area. Its percentage cover varied from nil to a high of 4C^ (Peatland 52K-57). Its overall average peat thickness was 2.7 m and varied from a minimum of 0.9 m (Peatland 52F-114) to a maximum of 4.4 m (Peatland 52K-57). It was found on 4 of the 18 surveyed deposits.
The third most common coverage percentage was open graminoid bog (IS.6%). It was found on seven of the eighteen studied deposits. The coverage varied from 6% (Peatland 52F-114) to 517, (Peatland 52K-1). Its overall average peat thickness was 3.6 m and varied from a low of 0.4 m (Peatland 52F-114) to 6.1 m (Peatland 52K-7).
The remaining eight physiognomic groups covered, on average, lower percentages varying from Q.4% to 6.6%.
The dominant plant species on the reconnaissance deposit:? #ere basically the same as the deposits studied in detail. The most common tree species were Picea mariana and Larix laricina. The predominant shrubs were Chamaedaphne calyculata, Ledum groenlandicum, Betula pumila var. glandilifera, Salix bebbiana. Other species common were C^. oligosperma, C^. pauciflora, C. trisperma, C. aquatilis, a number of herbs with uncommon ones such as Cladium mariscoides. The common mosses include among others Pleurozium shreberi, Aulacomnium palustre and a number of sphagnum species (S^ magellanicum, S. angustifolium, S. nemoreum, S. fuscum, S. papillosum).
As a rule, the peat types in the reconnaissance bogs were the same as those found in the detailed deposits. Usually a sphagnum dominant peat layer was found on the surface with sedge dominant peats at the greater depths. The majority of the peat was composed of mixtures of sphagnum, sedge, shrub and wood peats in alternating layers.
The overall average degree of humification varied from H3.3 to H6.2 being commonly in the range of H4 to H5. In general these deposits contain more huraifed than unhumified peat. - 30 -
4.4 PEAT RESOURCE POTENTIAL
The two main parameters affecting the potential of peat utilization are the availability of suitable resource and a potential market for it.
4.4.1 Market Potential
There is a considerable potential demand for peat as a fuel in the general area of Atikokan, Fort Francis, Dryden and Kenora (Region 8, Monenco 1983). In this region the potential demand, composed of indus trial, residential and commercial users, amounts to 49,000 - 229,000 tonnes annually (Monenco, 1983). However, to determine the actual demand, a local marketing study is needed to study both the horticultural and fuel peat markets (export and local).
4.4.2 Resource Potential
The following is a concise account of the major factors affecting the peat resource development potential in the study area.
i) Access
There are no access problems with the surveyed peatlands in the study area. All the surveyed areas are readily accessible either by major highways or roads or, at least, via forest access roads which in most cases are in good repair. In a few cases some road improvement would be needed to ensure an unhindered access to heavy equipment.
The distance from the potential users is within reasonable limits varying from only 10-20 km up to 60-70 km, or, in other words, the deposits are within economic hauling distances from the potential users. For local small scale horticultural peat production the distances are quite economi cal as the light horticultural peat can be hauled also as a fill-in in addition to other loads. - 31 -
ii) Area/Thickness/Volume
In order to carry out a properly planned mining operation, a reasonable area is required. From a power generating point of view, usually 20 ha of production area at the above-mentioned rates is required to obtain l MW of generated power.
The thickness of the peat layer is also important. For machinery requirements, a minimum of l m of peat is required. For instance, some sod cutters reach down to 0.8 m from the surface and care has to be taken not to hit the mineral soil with the cutters. As well, often the unhumified peat layer has been stripped (up to 0.5 m on average). If an allowance is made for basal peat (up to 0.5 m) no peat may be left for use for cutting sods. The milled method under these conditions, still can possibly be used for a limited time. In the final analysis, the main mining area should be 2 m or more in thickness, especially if a long term mine life is planned. In a regular operation about 10-15 cm of peat are removed annually. Peatlands 52K-20 and 52F-60 had 223 and 412 ha, respectively, of the deposit containing 2 m or more of peat making them good candidates for long-term harvesting.
Roughly estimated, 100-200 tonnes of milled peat at a 50% moisture content is equivalent to about 500-1000 m^ of in situ peat depending on the original in situ moisture content and the degree of humification. In view of these estimates, it is evident that, of the investigated deposits , only Peatland 52F-60 would offer considerable resource potential for large scale peat production as it has a large enough surface area and volume (1267 ha) (20.716 million m^) as well as peat layer thickness (up to 7 m) to allow for long-term peat production. In the case of a small-scale production, other sites, except Peatland 52F-113, could be considered for peat production. Peatland 52F-113 is too shallow for peat mining. Of the others, Peatland 52K-20 and 52K-86 are not fully drainable and could not be mined by conventional dry mining methods. The remaining deposits have lower utilization values depending on the purpose (horticultural or fuel peat) and volume requirements. - 32 -
iii) Peat Types/Degree of Humifieation/Peat Quality
These peatland characteristics affect the use potential. For fuel peat, a von Post degree of H4+ in the case of sedge peat and H5+ in the case of sphagnum peat is needed. In the case of the investigated deposits, they all have a peat type/degree of humification combination better suited for fuel peat. Horticultural peat potential is more limited. In general the peats are of a mixed type and better suited for fuel than horticultural use. Only Peatland 52F-60 has considerable quantities of horticultural peat, that is, containing large quantities of peat with a low degree of humification (H4 or less) and a large proportion sphagnum dominated peat.
Peat quality is, as yet, unknown pending the results of laboratory analysis. The most important basic factor for fuel peat development is the ash content which, on a dry weight basis, never should exceed 25% and optimally, should be less than J.0%. Other important factors include calorific value, bulk density, and chemical composition of the peat, etc.
iv) Drainage
In order to prepare a deposit for dry mining , the deposit first has to be drained. As far as the drainability of the investigated deposits is concerned, all except Peatlands 52K-20 and 86 are, drainable by gravity. Within all of the deposits the gradient is quite low but still sufficient for drainage. The gradients are mostly of the order of 0.1 - Q.3% and in some cases less than Q.1%. However, deepening of the existing discharge outlets would allow drainage to be carried out by a properly designed plan of properly cut and located ditches.
v) Surface Vegetation
Pre-production activities associated with peatland development are influenced greatly by the type of surface vegetation present. The most important factor in this respect is the tree cover as the removal of trees is one of the first steps in the preparation of a peatland for peat extraction. - 33 -
The overall tree cover on the deposit studied in detail a tree cover J.0% and more varied from IS.2% to 1^. As a whole, Peatlands 52K-20 and 52K-86 had the most extensive tree cover. Others, such as Peatlands 52K-57, and 52K-85 had localized dense tree covers, but also had consider able areas where the cover was low.
Another type of surface vegetation that causes preparation problems is wet open type with little or no shrubs. In these conditions the drainage equipment quickly becomes immobilized. As a rule, in these cases the drainage is initially done in the winter time when the surface is frozen. These conditions prevail on e.g. Peatlands 52F-60, 113, 85 and 86 and to a limited degree on Peatland 52F-57, especially so in areas where OlsB, OgB and TgF types are found. The above-mentioned deposits display areas of ladder fen, stream fen and floating fen, which usually are diffi cult to drain in the summer due to their low bearing capacity.
Taking into consideration all the aspects affecting the resource use potentials it appears that of the detailed deposits, Peatland 52F-60 has a good potential for peat mining due to its large size of minable area (788 ha over 2 m) and peat volume, 18.321 million m . Peatland 52F-36 has little mining potential, while Peatland 53F-57 has some limited resource potential. Peatland 52F-113 could be a good candidate for conservation due to its large size, variable vegetation and very shallow peats. If a re source use is planned, it could be used for peatland forestry or agriculture. Peatlands 52K-20 and 86, due to the fact they have drainage problems, do not have any specific use potential. Peatland 52K-85 has limited potential for peat mining (cf. Table 2) mostly due to its limited size, and could be con sidered for a small-scale production in the future if a large enough market is developed.
4.4.3 Inventory Summary
The basic data on the peatlands studied in detail in the Dryden-lac Seul Area are summarized in Table l (page 53) entitled "Dryden-Lac Seul Peat land Inventory Summary" and Table 2 (page 62) entitled "Summary Table of Development Factors for the Detailed Survey Sites of Dryden-Lac Seul Area". - 34 -
The following paragraphs summarize the main aspects of each detailed peatlands. The reader is referred to the table in the abstract as well as to Tables l and 2 in the present chapter.
.1 Peatland 52F-36
The total area of this deposit is 133 ha of which 78.5 ha are l m or greater in thickness. This deposit is composed of three distinct basins: Basin "A" (61.5 ha), Basin "B" (33.0 ha) and Basin "C" (38.5 ha) excluding ponds (Basin A, 7 ha and Basin B, 23 ha).
The overall average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.9 m. The overall average thickness is 1.9 m and that of humified peat 1.0 m.
The surficial peat types are commonly dominated by sphagnum, especially at the surface. The humified peat at the greater depths contains sedge and shrub remnants sedge being dominant.
The total peat volume is 2.1 million m-^. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 1.1 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 1.847 million m^ of peat.
About 70% of the deposit has a tree cover 10% or less. The overall stump content is 3.8%, or high enough to pose considerable problems for peat mining equipment.
There are drainage channels flowing out of both Basin A and Basin C presenting good drainage potential.
This peatland has a poor potential for peat mining because of its small size and susceptibility to flooding. - 35 -
.2 Peatland 52F-57
This deposit is composed of basin bog and flat bog.
Peatland 52F-57 which is partly a basin bog and flat bog is 123 ha in area of which 97 ha are l m or more in thickness.
The unhumified layer is on average 0.2 m thick. The total average thickness is 1.8 m and that of the humified layer is 1.6 m.
A thin layer of sphagnum dominates the surficial peat layer at the surface. Below it, there are a number of alternating layers of humified sphagnum - wood peat types as well as layers of sedge peat.
The total peat volume is 2.2 million m3. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 1.7 million m3. The area with l m or more of peat contains 2.033 million ra3 of peat.
About 17% of the deposit has a tree cover of 10% or less. The overall stump content is A.3% or high enough to pose problems for peat mining equipment.
There is a drainage channel running along the southwestern edge of the bog that could be used as the main drainage channel to drain this depo sit. The drainage potential is good.
This deposit has good to poor development potential for fuel peat depending on the market.
.3 Peatland 52F-60
This deposit is composed of two large raised bog areas as well as of complex slope fen and ladder fen areas.
The total area of this deposit is 1267 ha (excluding a pond and mineral soil islands) of which 788 ha are l m or more in thickness. 212 ha - 36 - are more than 2 m deep, primarily in the southwestern section of the deposit.
The unhumified layer is on average 0.7 m thick. The total average thickness is 2.1 m and that of the humified layer 1.4 m.
Due to its large size this deposit contains a mix of a number of peat types. In the western bog area, sphagnum peats predominate as the surficial peats while in the eastern half sedge peats are more common even as surficial peat. At the greater depths humified shrub and wood become common constituents in addition to sedge.
The total peat volume is 20.7 million m3. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 12.5 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 16.321 million m^ of peat. The western area has a peat volume of over 12 million ra^ in an area where the thickness is 2 m or more.
About 47% of the deposit has a tree cover of 10% or less. The overall stump content is S.6% which may to pose problems for peat mining equipment. In the general area where peat thickness is 2 m or more and which could be considered as the best minable area, the stump content is 3.47..
This deposit ©is well drained by a number of brooks located at the southwestern tip as well as along the southern edge in the central part of the deposit. There is a 7 m elevation difference between the centre of the deposit and its southwestern tip equivalent to about a Q.3% gradient. Elsewhere, the gradient is 0.1 to Q.2% which is adequate for good drainage.
This deposit has a good potential for fuel peat mining and a good potential for horticultural peat mining. The best peat mining area is in the western portion from BOOK to B3400E. - 37 -
.4 Peatland 52F-113
This deposit is a shallow slope fen complex with large areas of both ladder fen as well as bog.
The total area of this deposit is 2822 ha (excluding ponds and mineral soil islands) of which 1116 ha are l m or more in thickness.
The unhuraified layer is on average 0.7 m thick. The total average thickness is 1.0 ra and that of the humified layer is 0.3 m.
The peat is composed of various mixtures of sphagnum, sedge and shrub peats. On the surface, surficial sphagnum peat predominates while at the greater depths humified sedge and shrub peat combined with sphagnum are more common.
The total peat volume is 23.8 million m3. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 9.6 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 15.288 million m^ of peat.
About 41.5% of the deposit has a tree cover of 10% or less. The overall stump content is S.4% or high enough to pose considerable problems for peat mining equipment.
The deposit is quite well drained towards the south and southwest. Some of the brooks draining the deposit are presently blocked by beaver dam but can be re-opened. There are no serious obstacles regarding the drainage of this deposit.
This peatland, regardless of its large size and large peat volumes, has no peat raining potential as its average peat thickness is too low (1.0 m). However, It could be drained for forestry or agricultural use. - 38 -
.5 Peatland 52K-20
This deposit is basically a basin bog with some flat bog charac teristics.
The total area of this deposit is 441 ha of which 319 ha are within the study area and were surveyed. Of the area studied, 279 ha are l m or more in thickness.
The unhumified layer is on average 0.6 m thick. The total average thickness is 2.4 m and that of the humified layer, 1.8 m.
There is a thin surficial layer of sphagnum peat across the entire deposit. The rest of the deposit is composed of lenses of peat made of mixtures of sphagnum, sedge, shrubs and wood which are the main components of the humified layer.
The total peat volume is 7^5 million m^. The volume of humified peat (H 4*) is 5.7 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 7.414 million m^ of peat.
About 9% of the deposit has a tree cover of 10% or less. The overall stump content is S.4% or high enough to pose considerable problems for peat mining equipment.
A part of the peat in this deposit is at an elevation lower than that of the surface of adjacent Bruce Lake. As a result, the deposit cannot be drained to its full depth reducing its development potential.
.6 Peatland 52K-85
This deposit is mostly comprised of basin and flat bog areas with some stream swamp and stream fen sections.
The total area of this deposit is 147.5 ha of which 101.5 ha are l m or more in thickness. - 39 -
The unhumified layer is on average 0.6 m thick. The total average thickness is 2.7 m and that of the humified layer is 1.5 m.
There are only small quantities of pure surficial sphagnum or sedge peats. Most of the deposit is composed of mixtures of peat containing sphagnum, sedges, shrubs and wood, however, in the surficial layer, sphag num peat dominates while in the humified layer, sedge is the dominant com ponent.
The total peat volume is 3.3 million m^. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 2.3 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 3.016 million m^ of peat.
About 55% of the deposit has a tree cover of 10% or less. The overall stump content is S.1% or high enough to pose problems for peat mining equipment.
This deposit is quite well drained towards the southwestern end by a drainage channel starting at a pond located in the central part of the bog. The surface gradient reaches up to Q.3%.
Due to the relatively irregular shape, narrowness and the pond centred near the middle of the deposit, this peatland has little develop ment potential.
.7 Peatland 52K-86
This deposit is a basin bog with a small area of stream fen.
The total area of this deposit is 125 ha of which 76.5 ha are l m or more in thickness.
The unhuraified layer is on average 0.3 m thick. The total average thickness is 2.8 m and that of the humified layer is 2.5 m. - 40 -
In this deposit, the thin surfacial layer of spahgnum peat is underlain by humified layers of shrub, wood and sedge peat as well as a mixture of sphagnum and woody sedge peat.
The total peat volume is 2.6 million m^. The volume of humified peat (H A+) is 1.9 million m^. The area with l m or more of peat contains 2.343 million m^ of peat.
About 52% of the deposit has a tree cover of J.0% or less. The overall stump content is A.0% or high enough to pose considerable problems for peat mining equipment.
This deposit is low lying and it appears that it cannot be drained to its full depth resulting in poor development potential.
4.4.4 Inventory Summary; Reconnaissance Study
.1 Peatland 52F-59
This deposit is a basin swamp with some flat bog characteristics. Its total area is 63 ha.
The overall average thickness of peat is 2. l m. The thickness of humified peat varies from 0.8 m to 3.6 m. Only at one of the five sampling points was a thin (0.3 m) layer of unhumified peat found.
The peat layer is dominated by shrub-sedge peat. The substrate was clay and silt. The overall average degree of humification was H6.2 and that of the surficial layer H2.0. The total estimated peat volume is 1.3 million m^.
The surface vegetation is composed of a mixture of conifer and thicket swamp (yi.%), treed low shrub bog Cl.8%) and thicket swamp (U.%).
No further study is recommended. This deposit does not possess any significant development potential. - 41 -
.2 Peatland 52F-103
This deposit is a basin bog. Its total area is 140 ha.
The vegetation is composed mainly of open graminoid bog (26%), open low shrub bog (7%), treed low shrub bog (26^), treed graminoid bog Cl.1%) and treed shrub-rich fen (J.9%).
The overall average thickness of peat at the surveyed sites is 4.6 m. That of the surficial layer is 0.8 m and the humified layer 3.8 m.
The surficial peat is composed of sedge-sphagnum peat. It is underlain by humified shrub-sedge-sphagnum and sphagnum-sedge peats.
Ooze was found only at one site (0.6 m).
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer is H4.4. The average degree of humification of the surficial layer is H2.4 and for the humified layer is H4.7.
The estimated total peat volume is 6.4 million m3.
Largely due to its irregular shape, this deposit does not appear to be a good peat mining site. Further study would be useful to obtain more information on the area.
.3 Peatland 52F-1Q8
This deposit is a basin bog with channel bog/fen areas. The total area is 141 ha.
The vegetation is quite complex and is composed of the following types: conifer swamp (35130, thicket swamp (38X), open low shrub bog (13%) and in smaller percentages also treed sphagnum bog, treed low shrub bog, open low shrub bog and open graminoid fen. - 42 -
The overall average thickness of peat is 2.2 m. The thickness of the unhumified layer varies from O to 0.8 ra and that of the humified layer from 0-3.8 m.
The peat types both in the surficial and humified layers are quite variable. Generally, the surficial peats are sphagnum dominated (shrub- sedge-sphagnura) while the humified layer is sedge dominated with some shrub dominant peat present.
A layer of ooze was found at three of the six sampling points.
The overall average thickness of peat is H4.2 while that of the unhumified layer is H2.5 and of the humified layer, H5.0.
The total estimated peat volume is 3.7 million m3.
The peat mining potential is low and no further detailed study is recommended.
.4 Peatland 52F-114
This deposit is a large slope fen. Its total area is 600 ha.
Due to its large size and irregular shape its vegetation is quite complex. The most extensive covers include treed tall shrub bog (J.3%), treed low shrub fen (J.5%), open graminoid fen (21^), and treed low shrub bog (30%), in addition to these there are a number of others with a lower percentage cover.
The overall average thickness of peat is 2.1 m. The average thick ness of the unhumified layer is 0.7 m and that of the humified layer is 1.4 m.
The peat types prevalent are surficial sphagnum-sedge and shrub- sphagnum peat and of sedge dominated humified peats. - 43 -
There is a widespread thin (10 cm) layer of ooze under the peat.
The overall average degree of humification is H4.l and that for the unhumified and humified layer is H2.3 and H4.9, respectively.
The total estimated peat volume is 12.6 million m^.
No further study is recommended as the numerous mineral soil islands as well as general shallowness of peat make this deposit unattrac tive for peat raining.
.5 Peatland 52K-1
This deposit is a basin bog. Its total area is 70 ha.
Its vegetation is composed of treed low shrub bog (27%), open low shrub bog (19%), graminoid open bog (5^) and marsh (3%).
The overall average thickness of peat is 1.2 m and that of surfi cial peat 0.8 m and humified peat 0.5 m. The surficial peat types are mostly shrub-sedge-sphagnum and sedge-sphagnum and the humified peats are mainly sedge dominated.
The overall average degree of humification is H3.3 while that of the unhumified and humified layers is H2 and H4.7, respectively.
The estimated total peat volume is 0.8 million m^.
Due to its small size this deposit does not offer any significant development potential.
.6 Potential 52K-2
This deposit is a basin bog. Its total area is 119 ha. - 44 -
Most of the deposit is covered by treed low shrub (89%). Other types are tall shrub fen (8%) and open tall shrub-rich fen (3%).
The overall average thickness is 2.3 m and that of surficial peat is 1.0 m and the humified peat 1.3 m.
The surficial peat is composed of sedge-sphagnum peat and the humi fied peat of lenses of peat where sphagnum dominates at shallower depths and sedge at greater depths. The peat is underlain by clay.
The overall average degree of humification is H4.3. The average degree of humification of the unhumified peat layer is H2.6 and that of the humified layer is H5.2.
The total estimated peat volume is 4.2 million m3.
This deposit has a limited peat mining potential and is not recom mended for any further study at this time.
.7 Peatland 52K-7
This deposit is a basin bog with sloping fen characteristics. Its total area is 158 ha.
The vegetation is composed of treed low shrub bog (5^) and open graminoid bog (34X) with sloping fen characteristics, and to a minor degree, treed graminoid bog (3/0 and open low shrub bog (7%) and some conifer swamp (5%).
The overall average thickness of the peat layer is 5.2 m. The average thickness of unhumified peat is 2 m and that of humified peat 3.2 m.
The surficial peat layer is composed of sphagnum dominated peat with shrub and sedge as lesser components. The humified layer is composed of a mostly shrub-sedge, pure sedge and small lenses of brown moss-sedge peat. - 45 -
The overall average degree of humification is H4.0. The average degree of humification of unhumified peat is H2.5 and humified peat H5.2.
The total estimated peat volume is 8.2 million m3.
This deposit offers some horticultural and fuel peat potential, but due to its remote location, it should not be considered for further study at this time.
.8 Peatland 52K-18
This deposit is a fen (74%) lying in a depression and of a smaller (12 ha) separate basin bog adjacent to the fen.
The total area of the deposit is 86 ha.
The surface vegetation is largely composed of treed tall shrub fen (62%), treed low shrub bog (33*?) and to a lesser degree, by open shrub-rich fen (6JO.
The overall average thickness of the peat layer is 3.5 m. The average thickness of surficial peat is 0.4 m and humified peat 2.9 m.
The surficial peat layer is composed of shrub-sphagnum and sedge- sphagnum peat and the humified peat layer of peat with an increasing domi nance of sedge. The basal layer is mostly wood-sedge peat.
The overall average degree of humification is H5.1. The average degree of humification of the surficial and humified peat layers is H2.1 and H5.4, respectively.
The total estimated peat volume is 2.8 million m3.
The potential for use is limited due to the dense tree cover and small size of the deposit. - 46 -
.9 Peatland 52K-21A
This deposit is a lakeshore fen/marsh. Its total area, not covered by the mine wastes from the Griffith Mine, is 55 ha.
The vegetation is dominated by open low shrub fen (64%), open graminoid fen (31^) and open graminoid bog (5%).
The thickness of peat varies from 1.3 to 1.4 m. The unhumified layer is from 0.2 to 0.5 m thick and the humified layer 0.7-1.0 m.
The predominant peat type is pure sedge peat with a thin layer of pure sphagnum peat at Point R3. Also some sphagnum-sedge peat is also found in small quantities.
There is a 0.2-0.5 m layer of H2 peat on the surface underlain by H4.7 and 8 peats.
The total estimated peat volume is 0.7 million m^.
The only potential use f Qr this deposit is in the reclamation of the mine wastes.
.10 Peatland 52K-21B
Peatland 52K-21B is composed of small separate basin type deposits (Bl, B2, B3 and B4). Basin Bl is 48 ha, B2 is 19 ha and B3 is 23 and B4 is 16 ha.
Basin Bl is covered by treed shrub-rich fen and B2, B3 and B4 are treed low-shrub bog.
The peat types in Basin B l are sphagnum dominated on the surface and sedge dominated near the base of the deposit. Basin B2 has predomi nantly sedge dominated peat with some sedge-shrub peat present. Basin B3, Bryales peat can be found on the surface underlain by wood dominated peat. - 47 -
Basin B4 has sedge-sphagnum peat on the surface with sedge dominated peat at the greater depths. The overall degree of humification vary from H5 to H6.4. The degree of humification of the unhumified layer varies from H2.0 to H2.7 while the humified layer varies from H6.6 to H6.7.
The total estimated peat volume in these four deposits is 2.1 million m^.
A potential use for these deposits would be as a source of organic material for the reclamation of the mine area (Griffith Mine).
.11 Peatland 52K-28
Peatland 52K-28 is a slope fen. Its total area is 130 ha.
The entire deposit is covered by treed low shrub fen.
The overall average peat thickness is 2.9 m. The average thickness of the surficial and humified layers is 0.4 m and 2.5 m, respectively.
The surficial peat is composed of sphagnum peat. It is underlain, generally, by lenses of humified wood and sedge peats.
The overall average degree of humification is H5.1. That of the unhumified layer is H2.5 and of the humified layer, H5.4.
The total estimate peat volume is 3.8 million m3.
A further study of this deposit is recommended. Regardless of its tree cover, this peatland could be considered together with the adjacent, Peatland 52K-30, for peat mining.
.12 Peatland 52K-30
Peatland 52K-30 is a sloping basin bog. Its total area is 109 ha. - 48 -
The most prominent cover is treed low shrub bog (74%). The rest is covered by open grarainoid bog (26%).
The overall average thickness of the peat layer is 3.6 m. The average thickness of the surficial peat is 1.6 ra and of the humified peat, 2.0 m.
The surficial peat layer is dominated by sphagnum peat. The humi fied peat layer is composed of a number of lenses in which sphagnum is dominant towards the surface while sedge and also wood dominate at greater depths.
The overall average degree of humification is H5.1. The average degree of humification of the surficial peat is H2.5 and H5.4 for the humi fied peat.
The total estimated peat volume is 3.9 million m3.
This deposit has good potential for small scale peat raining and would merit a further detailed study.
.13 Peatland 52K-57
This deposit is basin fen. Its total area is 67 ha.
The vegetation is characterized by treed low shrub fen (52%) and treed tall shrub fen (40X) with a small area of open shrub-rich fen (8%).
The overall average thickness of peat is 3.8 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 1.6 m and that of the humified peat layer is 2.8 ra.
The surficial peat is composed of pure sphagnum peat. The humified peat is composed of mixtures of shrub and sedge peat, sedge predominating. Some brown moss-sedge peat is also present. - 49 -
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer is H4.9. The average degree of humification on the unhumified peat is H2.6 and H5.4 for the humified peat.
The total estimated peat volume is 2.6 million m^.
This deposit is not recommended for any further detailed survey as it is not suitable for peat mining due to its small size and heavy tree cover.
.14 Peatland 52K-74
This deposit is a slope fen. Its total area is 84 ha.
The vegetation is characterized by treed low shrub fen (92%) with a small area of marsh (8%).
The overall average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.2 m. The humified peat layer is 2.5 m thick on average.
The surficial peat is composed of pure sphagnum peat. The humified peat layer is composed of sedge-dominated peats.
The overall average degree of unhumified peat is H2.0 and for the humified peat it is H5.5.
The total estimated peat volume is 2.3 million m3.
This deposit contains fuel peat, but due to its limited size and heavy tree cover is not recommended for any further detail study at this time.
.15 Peatland 52K-82
This deposit is partly a basin bog and partly a slope fen. Its total area is 51 ha. - 50 -
Its surface vegetation is characterized by treed low shrub bog (39%), open low shrub bog (35%) and to a smaller degree by open graminoid fen, treed graminoid bog and conifer swamp.
The overall average peat thickness is 3.3 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 1.6 m and of the humified peat 1.7 m.
The surficial peat is composed of pure sphagnum and some shrub- sphagnum peat. The humified peats are composed of sedge and wood dominated peats.
The overall average degree of humification is H4.3. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is H2.8 and that of humified layer is H5. 1.
The total estimated peat volume is 1.7 million m3.
Due to the remoteness and the small surface area of this deposit, it is not recommended for any further detailed survey.
.16 Peatland 52K-83
This deposit is composed of a number of flat bog and sloping fen areas. Its total area is 287 ha.
The vegetation is quite complex and composed of eight physiognomic groups: treed low shrub bog (12!?), treed graminoid bog (3 it), open low shrub bog (7%), open graminoid bog (2(^), treed tall shrub poor fen (18%), treed low shrub fen (8%), open shrub-rich fen (6%) and open graminoid fen
The overall average peat thickness is 0.9 m. The average thickness of unhumified peat is 0.4 m and that of humified layer 0.5 m.
The surficial peat is sphagnum dominated. The humified peats are both sphagnum and sedge dominated. - 51 -
The overall average degree of humification is H3.6. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is HI.9 and that of the humified layer is H4.8.
The total estimated peat volume is 2.7 million m3.
This deposit, due to its shallowness, could be considered for forest drainage. Otherwise, there is no need for any further detailed survey.
.17 Peatland 52K-84
This deposit is in general a basin bog with slope in the central part. Its total area is 137 ha.
The vegetation is characterized by treed low shrub bog (22%), open low shrub bog (28%), open graminoid bog (39%) and to a lesser degree by open graminoid poor fen and treed graminoid bog.
The overall average peat thickness is 2.5 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat is 0.9 ra and that of the humified 1.6 m.
The surficial peat is mostly either pure sphagnum or sedge-sphagnum peat. The humified peat layer is composed of small quantities of sedge- sphagnum peat of large quantities at sedge dominant peats with sphagnum and shrub as common constituents.
The overall average degree of humification is H4.3. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is H2.3 while the humified layer is H5.4 on average.
The total estimated peat volume is 3.6 million ra^.
No further detailed study of this deposit is recommended at this time, although it has some peat mining potential or could be drained for forestry. - 52 -
.18 Peatland 52K-87
This deposit is a basin deposit with flat bog characteristics. Its total area is 73 ha.
The vegetation is characterized by conifer swamp (52%), and open graminoid bog (41^) and a small area of thicket swamp (7%).
The overall average thickness of peat is 1.8 m.
The humified layer of 2.0 and 0.6 m was recorded only at Points RI and R2. The rest of the peat is unhumified with its thickness varying from 0.2 to 1.8 m.
The surficial peat types vary from sphagnum to sedge dominated peats. The humified peat layer is composed of both sedge and wood domi nated peats.
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer is H3.3.
The total estimated peat volume is 1.3 million m^.
Due to its small size and dense tree cover on a large portion of its area, this deposit is not recommended for any further study. - 53 -
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x-s x— s x-s x-s x-s CO "O CO T3 *o lj T3 ^ .J -o Cd -o J "^ iJ T3 cu CO '^ CO 1 CO x— s CO 1 CO 1 CO 1 CO 1 CO x-s CO s*** 0 O Cd o o O Cd O o O o O O O O 0 O O Cd 3 o od X N— X s—x od Cd x^ Od x-x Od x-x CO
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CU T3 S CO * 3 3 i—l 3 d 4-) 4-1 M * c f, ^~l ^"i 03 o CO CO ^ ^ -H * *H * T3 *^3 . -o . "O t 4J "O 4J in (H •o 3 3 3 rH 3 T3 CU CU cu 4-J 4-1 4-1 O] 4-1 CU d cu o) *^ cu *Q g 43 42 CO CO CO 'H CO 4-1 CU 03 4J 4-1 cu 4-J CU o CU rH M (H cu *H {H M d M CU PH d o 3 3 d cu * CU cu cu CU d cu UH UH 43 rH 43 43 4J 43 ^s K*~l JH ^N 4J 03 4-1 4J O 4-1 X**l 3 *t3 CU T3 (H iH T3 (H *H M (-1 O, }H T3 en 3 3 CU O 0 3 3 4J 3 3 3 3 4-1 4-1 4-1 UH UH 4-1 UH d UH UH ^i UH * 4-J CO ^ CO o CO CO CO "O cu CU 03 03 t3 SH 4-1 {H M 4J (H CO HJ Ui (H 5 CU CU (H 0 0 O O CO 0 3 IH cu CU *o *o CU UH Q* UH UH cu UH CU 43 CU d d 43 (H ^ 43 CU 4-1 4J d cu cu 4-J T3 ^ -0 -O O •O M 4-1 -o (H M -H g g i* cu cu CU CU UH CU 4-1 (H 3 3 6 g g 3 CU 4-J cu CU CU CO 3 UH o 0 UH c 'e d d T3 d cu UH (H a o 0 (H 0 0 cu jU O O -H o O O O O O Z "4H od a: Z Z rH z Z O Z WH Z
cu g 5~-S gsg gvg 5s? gsg gs? s^s gsg B*S T3 JH O H3 O '•"^ d 3 M d O '"^ o *~* 0 /-N O '—N O *~^ O '~s- O /-N O CO 03 d O 03 PH O M O W CN W o w o w o w o w O •J CU ,J s-x rH S^X ^^ *^^ s-x rH S-X t-H S^ X •-H S.X -H S.X i—H H **
i-l CU bO bO bO d bO 3 bO d d d cu d 03 •H T3 •H T3 •H x-s rH "d "^ •r-l CO O '"•^ d 4-J x-s 4-) x-s O x-s 1 4-1 J rH x—s O /-s 0 X-S 4-J x-s O) •H "H HH O O 0 O •O -H l cu w o o o o 4-1 o 03 g S.X o ^ ad o ~^ o e o CJ s^x O s^ O -s-/ e d d c M •H •H O -H ^-x x •H o 03 Q HH nJ O hJ W p-3 o CO CO •H 1 CO 03 03 CN c cu O d bO •H CN x-s rH X—S 00 x-s ON x— s LO x-s CO x-s sO x— s CO x-s CO x-s o 03 UH . o * CJ * PH * O . o . o * PH * O * PH J o iH 4-1 •H d LO V.X LO S.X CO **-s ^f S^' LO ^-x ^3r s—x CO s-x •^ s... x CO V-x PQ cu CU 03 e o f^ CU 3 -H *sj Pu se 4-i 4-1 CJ 0 d CJ iJ 03 4-1 CU T3 CO -o U CO ^ T3 d 03 Cu cu O rH 1 O T3 1 d d •iH CU S*s x 4-1 *J X—s 4-1 d d cu X-s 03 03 rH e PH H •H O 0 03 03 B o J o S CO CO s—x CO O s™x CO CO O Q CO CO CO
CU bO 42 Cfl 4-1 4-J x-s ON ON vO OO r-. CO ON LO 00 in 03 a e c c t t c c c c ( CU CU CU s-x ^H psj co co CN CO O CN •-H > PU Q bO C rj CU •H 4-1 E x-s O. O O ^ O 00 co LO CN ^ ^ •H o CUCO CN r~* CN ^f sO oo vO ^o rH rH B i—t f-*. •H rH s e ON LO CN sO LO LO co ^ 03 4-1 f 0 c * c * c t * ( HH 4-1 03 rH O CN CO CO CN CN -H CN CO —H ^ CU O CU O -H sO 11 o H Pu > "*-s x-s ———co —— nJ TJ o d •H 03 03 x— s CO x-s sO cu 1—1 CU 03 \^^ CO pVi O /-s ON x—s r-^ x—s -vt X—s i-H t*~ x—s r** x— s CO x*^ r^ -d rH 4-1 JH 42 O 43 v.x co cj o o sO PH OO PU LO OO CJJ CO rJ r- PH ^^ o 43 03 ^J V. X 1—4 i-H s^ rH S-X s^x s^ x CN s^x rH S-X s./ CN o 03 cu ^ o H PH V-' CO CU M CO -o X— S d o *rj o 03 CO ^ 03 *^3 HH" •H ^ 13 ^3 T3 TJ cu 03 x— s O '"'s 03 1 rH -H X-s 03 x-s 03 x-s 03 x— s 03 x-s 03 x-s o O M Pi! P-. o o CU SH PH O O 0 KH O W O t-3 O J d o O4 s-x p, }j s^ Vi S—X PH ^—' Vi N-" OH Cx CO < o •H O Z PH O
t3 GO r~-~ d M f-H OO 0 *^ CN CO •^ r~* cu 03 CU CN CN co LO r*^ 00 00 OO 00 o rH 43 1 1 1 1 l 1 1 1 1 rH ^ 4J B fsx; sxj ^ SjjJ ^x; fcx; t*d Sx^ 03 w 03 3 CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN 4-1 cu Z LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO LO O EH PH tt - 65 -
4.5 LITERATURE REFERENCES
Atmospheric Environment, Department of Environment, Canada; Canadian Normals. Vol. l - Temperature 1941 - 1970; Vol. 2 - Precipitation 1941 - 1970; Vol. 6 - Frost 1951 - 1980; Vol. 7 - Bright Sunshine 1951 - 1980.
Bjorck, S. and Keister, C.M., 1983. The Emerson Phase of Lake Agassiz, Independently Registered in Northwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario. - Can. J. Earth Sci., 20, pp. 1536-1542.
Chapman, L.J. and Thomas, M.K., 1968. The Climate of Northern Ontario. Department of Transport, Meteorological Branch, Climatological Studies, Number 6, 58 pp.
Clayton, L., 1983. Chronology of Lake Agassiz Drainage to Lake Superior. - In; Glacial Lake Agassiz, Ed. Teller, J.T. and Clayton, L. Geol. Assoc. of Canada, Special Paper 26, pp. 291-307.
Crura, H., 1973. Mosses of the Great Lakes Forest. - Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mi., 404 pp.
Fenton, M.M., Moran, S.R., Teller, J.T. and Clayton, L., 1983. Quaternay Stratigraphy and History in the Southern Part of Lake Agassiz Basin. - In; Glacial Lake Agassiz, Ed. Teller, J.T. and Clayton, L. Geol. Assoc. of Canada Special Paper 26, pp. 49-74.
Gleason, H.A. and Cronquist, A., 1963. Manual of Vascular Plants of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. - D. Van Nostrand Co., Toronto, 810 pp.
Hewitt, D.F., 1978. Rocks and Minerals of Ontario. - Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs, Geological Circular 13, Toronto, 136 pp. - 66 -
Ireland, R.R. and Cain, R.F., 1975. Checklist of the Mosses of Ontario. - Publications in Botany No. 5, Revised Aug. 1983, National Museum of Canada, Ottawa.
Monenco Ontario Limited, 1983. Preliminary Assessment of the Potential Demand for Peat in the Province of Ontario. - Ministry of Energy, Toronto, Ontario.
Monenco Ontario Limited, 1984. Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Parry Sound Area. Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5488. 6 Vols., 194 pp.
Ontario Geological Survey, 1980. Geological Highway Map, Northern Ontario, Ontario Geological Survey, Map 2440.
Ontario Geological Survey, 1984. Peatland Inventory Project Specifications. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Geological Survey, 141 pp. (Manuscript).
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1980. Background Information. Dryden District Land Use Planning, Northwestern Region, 104 pp.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1980. Background Information. Ignace District Land Use Plan. Northwestern Region, 92 pp.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1981. West Patricia Land Use Plan, 67 pp.
Prest, V.K., 1974, Retreat of the Last Ice Sheet - a map in the National Atlas of Canada, Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources and Information Canada. - The MacMillan Company Limited, Toronto. - 67 -
Putnam, D.T., 1963. Canadian Regions, A Geography of Canada. - J.M. Dent S Sons (Canada) Limited, Toronto, 601 pp.
Putnam, D.T. and Putnam, R.G. 1970. Canada; a Regional Analysis. - J.M. Dent and Sons (Canada) Limited. Toronto, 390 pp.
Roed, N.A. Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study. Data Base Map, Wabigoon Lake. - Ontario Geological Survey, Map 5059, Scale 1:100,000.
Rowe, D.T., 1972. Forest Regions of Canada. - Department of the Environment, Canadian Forestry Service, Publication No. 1300, 171 pp.
Soper, J.H. and Heimburger, M.L., 1982. Shrubs of Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.
Voss, E.G., 1972. Michigan Flora, Part I: Gymnosperms and Monocots. - Cranbrook Inst. Science. - Bloomfield Hills, Mi. - 488 pp.
Yorke, B.J., and Kendall, J.R., 1972. Daily Bright Sunshine 1941-1970. - Atmospheric Environment Service, Department of Environment, Canada, pp. 7.
Zoltai, S.C., 1961. Glacial History of Part of Northwestern Ontario. - Proc. of Geol. Assoc. of Canada, 13, pp. 60-83.
Zoltai, S.C., 1965. Glacial Features of the Quetico - Nipigon Area, Ontario. - Can. J. Earth Sci., pp. 247-269.
Zoltai, S.C., 1965. Surficial Geology, Thunder Bay District. - Ontario Dept. of Lands and Forests, Map 5265. - 67a -
The following docket contains:
Map 1. Peatland Index Map, Dryden-Lac Seul Study Area, Red Lutf 3 km
440000m.E. f 45 1
Ministry Of Rene Fontaine Minister Northernk i i L AffairsA tt - PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT 52K and MineS Deputy Minister ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Ontario INDEX MAP DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA LEGEND Scale: 1:250,000 12 Miles TOR"46D Detailed Peatland Study Site Miles 2 l 52 F Reconnaissance Peatland Study Site 10 Kilometres 57* Otrier Peatlands Complete peatland index number consists of the 1:250 000 N.T.S. map sheet number and the peatland number; eg. 52G-27. Location of study sites provided by; Monenco Ontario Ltd. 1 ;250 000 Location of other peatlands over 100 ha from LANDSAT feature imagery National Topographic System by the Ontario Centre for Remote Sensing. The Peatland Inventory Project is a.component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geolpgicar Survey. Mapped by J.L. Riley, Ontario Geological Survey. December 1984.
Map1 of Open File Report 5544 I985 f ?
PORTER TP DISTRICT OF SUDBURY BALDWIN TP ~**\ ' ~ , Ministry of "on ,Alan w PoPe LEGEND * Minister (Continued from right margin) Natural — W.T. Foster ReSOUrCeS Deputy Minister Ontario TEXTURE SYMBOL ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Fines: silt and clay AGGREGATE RESOURCES INVENTORY K.075 mm) Gravel O4.75 mm) Sand (.075-4.75 mm) ESPANOLA AREA The Texture Symbol provides quantitative assessment of the grain size dis tribution at a sampled location. The relative amounts of gravel, sand, silt and DISTRICT OF SUDBURY clay in the sampled material are shown graphically by the subdivision of a circle into proportional segments. The above example shows a hypothetical sample consisting of 45*26 gravel, 35*26 sand and 20*26 silt and clay. MAP 1 DEPOSIT SYMBOL DISTRIBUTION OF SAND AND Gravel Content Geological Type GRAVEL DEPOSITS
Scale 1: 50 000 Thickness Class Quality Indicator Mile 1 O 1 Mile
1 Kilometre Deposits are identified by Gravel Content, Thickness Class, Geological Type Metres 1000 and Quality Indicator. Gravel Content is expressed as a percentage of gravel- sized material (i.e. material retained on the 4.75 mm sieve). Thickness Class NTS Reference: 41 I/4, 41 I/5 is based on potential aggregate tonnage per acre. Geological Type refers to geologic origin. Quality Indicator describes objectionable grain size and lithology. ©OMNR-OGS1983 •a*
- -4-4.---A.U---4 -- -ZL-i* . . j. . Gravel Content ^^ -' G Greater than 35*26 gravel. S Less than 35*26 gravel.
Thickness Class Class Average Thickness Tons per Acre Tonnes per Hectare - - in Feet (Metres) greater than 20 greater than greater than 1 O6) 50.000 112000 - *'//, * V ' ..i^ -*^ ' . K.v^L.-^ j*- 10-20 25,000 - 50,000 56000-112000 2 (3-6) 5-10 12.500-25.000 28 000 - 56 000 3 (1.5-3) less than 5 less than 12,500 less than 28 000 5 U ^^ 4 K1.5) f^-V^7 yi/"3^ —Lf—————i — m&x;. Geological Type Location Map Scale: 1 inch to 25 miles AL Older Alluvium K Kame E Esker LB Lacustrine Beach EM End Moraine LO Lacustrine Delta SYMBOLS 1C Undifferentiated Ice- LP Lacustrine Plain Contact Stratified Drift OW Outwash (Some symbols may not apply to this map.) ICT Ice-Contact Terrace WD Windblown Forms Geological and aggregate thickness boundary. Shading (see Appendix C for descriptions of Geological Types) indicates deposit area. Quality Indicator i ^.'r^x*:^:*:*:^**** Buried geological and aggregate thickness boundary. If blank, no known limitations present. j 'o'vivivivviv*1*'** Shading indicates deposit area. C Clay and/or silt (fines) present in objectionable quantities. -'.l— , ^ ^iiini^ —y i i L Deleterious lithologies present. '-K -Of?.—'**^ijC Municipal boundary. O Oversize particles or fragments present in objectionable quantities. 3" f •^xi~."*'?lO ~\ ( >•^^5 ™ - mk+o. #?**m l V/^ ^©F© ^^ Extracted area of sand and gravel pits. /.^ . f /^ OW-LP |^ \S Sand and gravel pit; Property number: see Table 2. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Base map by Surveys and Mapping Branch, Ontario Ministry of Natural Re sources. ESP-TH-2 Selected test hole location; Identification number: Aggregate suitability data from the Engineering Materials Office, Ontario see Table 4. Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Selected water well data from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Selected drilled water well location; reported thick Test hole data from Aggregate Assessment Office, Ontario Geological Survey, 23 G ness of material (in feet); reported type of material Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (see Table 4). (number only - overburden, T - till, G - gravel, S - sand, C - clay, Bk - bedrock).
Deposit Symbol: see left margin.
Texture symbol: see left margin; see Figures Terrain Evaluation by: J. F. Gartner, 1980. Compilation and Drafting by: Staff of the Aggregate Assessment Office. ESP-GT-3 Geophysical traverse line; Identification number: see This map is to accompany O. G. S. Open File Report Table 5.
This map is published with the permission of E. G. Pye, Director, Ontario Geological Survey. (Continued at left margin) Issued 1983.
Information quoted for an individual test hole or pit refers to a specific sample or face. Care should be exercised in extrapolating such informa tion to other parts of the deposit. 1986 Government of Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Appendix Volume A
1986
Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles.
Ministry of Ren6 Fontaine Northerni i . i rtDevelopment i , GeorgeMinister Tough and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
A -
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations:
(1) Mines Library Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 8th floor, 77 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario MSS 1B3
(2) The office of the Regional or Resident Geologist in whose district the area covered by this report is located.
Copies of this report may be obtained at the user's expense from a commercial printing house. For the address and instructions to order, contact the appropriate Regional or Resident Geologist's office(s) or the Mines Library. Microfiche copies (42x reduction) of this report are available for S2.00 each plus provincial sales tax at the Mines Library or the Pubb'c Information Centre, Ministry' of Natural Resources, W-1640, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto.
Handwritten notes and sketches may be made from this report. Check with the Mines Library or Regional/Resident Geologist's office whether there is a copy of this report that may be borrowed. A copy of this report is available for Inter-Library Loan.
This report is available for viewing at the following Regional or Resident Geologists' offices:
808 Robertson St. Ont. Govt. Building Court House Building Kenora, Ontario Red Lake, Ontario Sioux Lookout, Ontario P9N 3X9 POV 2MO POV 2TO
The right to reproduce this report is reserved by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Permission for other reproductions must be obtained in writing from the Director, Ontario Geological Survey.
V.G. Milne, Director Ontario Geological Survey
A- iii
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME A
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
A - v
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
*APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
APPENDIX VOLUME E
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
A - vii
- 68 -
5.0 DETAILED SITE EVALUATIONS
5.1 GENERAL
The following chapters describe each of the peatlands surveyed in detail. The summaries in Part 4 are based on information extracted from these chapters. The detailed survey sites number 7 in total and include Peatlands 52F-36, 52F-57, 52F-60, 52F-113, 52K-20, 52K-85 and 52K-86. Map l shows the general location of the study sites.
5.2 PEATLAND 52F-36
Location
Peatland 52F-36 is located in both Pickerel and Echo Townships in Sioux Lookout District, about 500 m west of Highway 72 between Maskinonge Lake and Pickerel Arm. It is located at 15-5535532 in U.T.M. co-ordinates or 49 0 56©N latitude and 92 0 16©W longtitude in geographic co-ordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/16; airphotos: 2-75-4939 4-202 and 203, 2-75-4938 5-12, 13 and 14) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-36 is very accessible. A gravel road linking an Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications sand and gravel pit and Highway 72 bisects the upper two lobes of the deposit affording easy access to them.
By road, this deposit is within reasonable distance of several nearby population centres and wood-using industries. The distances, by road, are summarized in the following table:
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52F-36 (km)
Sioux Lookout 32 Dinorwic 37 Hudson 39 Wabigoon 46 Dryden 67 - 69 -
In addition to this, Peatland 52F-36 is only 10 km (by road) northeast of the Goldlund Mines Ltd. property.
Dates of Field Study
The core sampling was conducted on September 7th and 8th, 1984. The physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted on September 12th.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is composed of three basins (Map 4). The westernmost, Basin A, is separated from the two eastern basins, B and C, by about 200 m of mineral terrain and essentially is a separate deposit. Basins B and C are contiguous. All of the deposits are located in clay-silt depressions and are surrounded by uplands identified by Zoltai (1965) as predominantly silty ground moraine with a lobe of end moraine just to the southeast of the deposit.
The elevations of the Basin A vary from about 386 m a.m.s.l. by the pond located at the western end of the basin to 388 m a.m.s.l. at its eastern end. The elevations in Basins B and C range from 386 at the pond located in Basin C to 388 m a.m.s.l. at Point B1110W at the western end of Basin B. Basin C was not levelled due to the flood conditions encountered during the field survey.
The surrounding mineral terrain rises to about 400-410 m a.m.s.l. or in other words about 15 to 25 m above the level of the deposit. The gradient in Basin A is about Q.2% sloping from the east to the west and Q.2% in the Basin B from the west to the east. The gentle gradient may be the result of flooding created by beaver dams on the outlet brooks.
Basin A has a discharge brook originating from the pond at its western end and flowing into the Pickerel Arm of Lake Minnitaki which is about 2 km southeast of the deposit. The surface elevation of the lake is approximately 358 m a.m.s.l. and the elevation difference between it and Basin A offers a good drainage potential for Basin A, whose base is at about 382 m a.m.s.l. - 70 -
Basins B and C have a similar discharge channel from the pond located in Basin C. This channel also flows into the Pickerel Arm. The base of these basins is at about 377.5 m a.m.s.l. and allows a for the total drainage of these basins if needed.
Presently, the entire deposit is flooded as a result of beaver dams constricting flow in the discharge channels. Otherwise, drainage condi tions are good and could only be hampered by the flatness of the deposits themselves.
Area and Shape
The total area of the deposit, excluding the ponds, is 133 ha of which 78.5 ha contain a peat layer thicker than one metre (Map 4). Basin A covers 61.5 ha, excluding a 7 ha pond within its perimeter. The area of Basin A with a peat layer greater than one metre thick is 37.5 ha. Basins B (33 ha) and C (38.5 ha) have a total area of 71.5 ha excluding a 23 ha pond in Basin C. The area containing a peat layer greater than one metre in thickness is 25.5 ha and 15.5 ha for Basins B and C, respectively.
The deposit is composed of three elongated quite regularly shaped but small basins. The total length from the western end of Basin A to the eastern end of Basin C is about 4.7 km (Basin A - 1.9 km, B - 1.1 km, C - 1.7 km). The maximum width of each basin is about 0.5 km.
Due to the large ponds (7 and 23 ha) and the small size of each of the basins, this deposit does not have a good potential for peat mining utilizing dry mining methods. This deposit would be well-suited for wet peat mining methods due to the presence of an ample water supply nearby, however, due to the small quantities of peat present, the economics may not be favourable.
Vegetation
This peatland is a series of small oblong kettle-like basins which are more or less isolated from one another. The westernmost deposit (Basin A) is a basin bog and has an area of 61.5 ha with about 26 ha of floating fen in the western half of the basin (Map 2). The central deposit, (Basin - 71 -
B) is a basin bog (33 ha) and the easternmost deposit (Basin C) is a floating fen (area, 38.5 ha) excluding a 23 ha pond. The total surface is 133 ha excluding 30 ha of ponds .
Basin A has 27 ha (43/O of bog formation, most of it located on the east end of the deposit. All of the bog formations have low density tree cover and are in the low shrub or shrub-rich physiognomic group. The west half of the deposit is affected by the small (7 ha) pond in its center and several beaver dams which keep the water level high. A mosaic of open gra- minoid fen and low shrub fen occupies 21.5 ha of this area with the grami- noid community dominating 7C^ of the area. Around the edge of this area several small stands of thicket swamp occur with a total area of 10 ha.
Basin B is entirely occupied by bog formations. Nearly 70% (23 ha) of the central portion of the deposit is open lowshrub bog with 7/S tree cover. On the east end of the basin, 1.5 ha of this physiognomic class has been flooded by road construction and by a beaver dam located on a stream at the west end of Basin C which receives the drainage waters from Basin B. Around the periphery of this basin, the bog formations are treed. Of these subf ormations, 5 ha are graminoid-dominated and 5 ha are shrub- dominated.
Basin C is affected by a lake (23 ha) which occupies the western half of the basin. A beaver dam just west of the lake has created about 5 ha of shallow marsh. The principal area of peatland vegetation is a mosaic of open graminoid fen and open low shrub fen where the graminoid component dominates 60% of the area and the low shrub class, 40%. At the eastern end, where conditions are drier, 5 ha of treed graminoid bog occur.
The predominant tree species on the Peatland 52F-36 is black spruce, Picea mariana. In the treed low shrub bog, Chamaedaphne calyculata and Ledum groenlandicum form a patchwork of alternate dominance or occur as co-dominants (see Table 4). Cover values are close to the lower limit for the low shrub dominance class (20%) and there is some local occurrence of treed graminoid bog (Table 3). In such areas and in the treed graminoid bog elsewhere, Carex oligosperma is the dominant graminoid. Sphagnum angustifolium and Sphagnum fuscum are the dominant mosses in these physio gnomic classes. - 72 -
TABLE 3
Peatland 52F-36: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Open Low Shrub Bog L800W+100N Ledum groenlandicum^~ Sphagnum angustifolium6Q
Open Graminoid Bog B100W Menyanthes trifoliata^-Carex chordorrhiza^- Sphagnum teres 1 ^ B600W Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifoliunAQ- Sphagnum fuscum^u B1000W Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum
Open Graminoid Fen T3 Rynchospora alba^-Carex limosa^- Sphagnum teres^u T5 Carex limosa^-Rhynchospora alba^- Sphagnum angustifoliumju - 73 -
TABLE 4
Peatland 52F-36, Vegetational Cover Values
L800 (D Sample Locations +IOON B100W B600W B100W T3 T5 Physiognomic Class OlsB OgB(F OgB OgB OgF OgF pH of Surface Water 3.7 4.0 4.0 3.7 5.0 5.0 Avg. Depth to Water (cm) 29 2 12 16 -4 1 TREES Larix laricina P 1 P P P Picea tnariana 8 P 6 6 SHRUBS Alnus rugosa 1* P Andromeda glaucophylla 1 P 3 Betula pumila var. glandulifera P Chamaedap hne calyculata 5 10 5 8 3 Kalmia polifolia 1 2 1 Ledum groenlandicum 15 2 8 6 Myrica gale P 10
GRAMDiOIOS 6 HERBS Calla palustris P* Carex cf. aquatilis Carex chordorrhiza 4* Carex lasiocarpa 2 Carex limosa 5 5 Carex oligosperma 5 5 8 Carex pauciflora 2 Carex paupercula 2 Carex trisperma P Epilobium palustre P Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum 3 P 1 1 Eriophorum virginicum P Gaul theria hispidula P Iris versicolor 1* Lycopus uniflorus P P Lysimachia thyrsiflora P Many an t he s trifoliata 6* P Potentilla palustris P P Rhynchospora alba 6 4 Sarracenia purpurea P 1 2 Scirpus hudsonianus 1 Typha latifolia P Utricularia intermedia P P Vaccinium oxycoccus P P P P P P Viola sp. P P
MOSSES 4 LICHENS Aulacomnium palustre P 10* Cladonia rangiferina P Dicranum elongatum 2 Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 1 Polytrichum commune 1 Sphagnum angustifolium 60 40 30 Sphagnum fuscum 25 40 35 Sphagnum magellanicum 5 10 10 Sphagnum palustre 15 Sphagnum fallax 10 8 50 Sphagnum teres 15 40 15 (*) Flooded, fen-like (note the fen species (*)). - 74 -
The open fens manifest a complex mosaic of dominant species. In the graminoid component, Carex aquatilis, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex rostrata, Rhynchos por a alba, and Scirpus hudsonianus are local dominants. In the low shrub component, Chamaedaphne calyculata and Myriea gale are the local dominants with Myriea the more frequent dominant. Open pools occupy about J.0% of the surface area and mosses are restricted to the hummocks where Sphagnum spp. are dominant.
The small area of treed shrub-rich fen is dominated by a mix of black spruce and white cedar with an understorey of Alnus rugosa, Salix bebbiana, Rhamnus alnifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum. Moss cover (mainly Sphagnum spp.) is somewhat restricted by low light levels.
The marsh area is dominated by Typha latifolia and several patches of Glyceria canadensis, and Alnus rugosa occurs around the openings.
Full vegetation surveys were performed at six sites and the cover values for the plant species at those points are compared with surface water pH and average depth (cm) to surface water in Table 4. The pH is normal for the bog formations (3.7 - 4.0) but relatively low (5.0) for the fens. In this instance, pH may not be a good indicator of nutrient status due to the considerable amount of open water present in these communities. However, the species present in the fen (Table 4) are certainly indicative of relative minerotrophy.
The average depth to water is lowest in the fen formations followed closely by the flooded open low shrub bog (east end of Basin B). As a result of the high water level in the flooded bog, species characteristic of flooding and/or minerotrophy are established in this area (Table 4). Higher average water depths occur in the graminoid bog and low shrub bog classes and the differences between the two classes may reflect differences in the proportions and height of hummocks more than anything else.
Peat Thickness
The peat thickness in the Basin A is up to 3.1 m east of the pond and 3 m west of the pond (Map 3). It was impossible to measure the thickness right at the pond due to extensive flooding. Most of this basin - 75 -
is relatively shallow. The area with a peat layer greater than 2 m in thickness covers only 13 hectares and that of l m or more only 18 hec tares. The greatest peat layer thicknesses were recorded on either side of the pond which is located towards the western end of the Basin A. The thickness of unhumified peat varies mostly between 0.7 and 1.7 m. It is exceptionally thick at Point F900W (Basin A) where it is 2.6 m in thickness and at Point T5 where it is 2.0 m. The overall average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.7 in Basin A, 1.1 m in Basin B and 1.0 m in Basin C or 0.9 m on average for all 3 basins.
The average thickness of the humified peat layer for the entire deposit is 1.0 m and varies from 0.4 m in Basin C to 1.0 m in Basin A and 1.1 m in Basin B.
As a whole, the total average peat thickness is 1.7 m in Basin A, 2.2 m in Basin B, 1.4 m in Basin C and the overall, for all of the basins, it is 1.9 m. All three basins have varying thicknesses of ooze below the peat. In Basin A there is a layer of ooze at Points F900W and G700W+100N about 0.8 m and 0.3 m in thickness, respectively, underlain by 0.7 m and 0.4 m layers of marl. In Basin B, most of the peat layer is underlain by a layer of ooze up to 5 m in thickness while in Basin C the ooze layer reaches a thickness of 7.5 m near the pond.
The average peat layer thickness in each physiognomic group has been summarized in Table 5.
TABLE 5
Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m) ts 10/7 TlsB 25/19 2.6 TsrB 4/3 TgB 11/8 1.7 OlsB 23/17 3.0 OgB 5/4 3.3 TsrF 3/2 OgF/OlsF 16.5/13 2.0 OgF 30.5/23 1.4 sM 5/4 2.0 - 76 -
Peat Types
Peat types are discussed separately for each basin starting with Basin A (Profiles 1-6). The surficial peat in Basin A is composed of peat dominated by sphagnum (40-9C^) with smaller quantities of sedge (20-3(^) and shrub remnants (lQ-30%). At the greater depths, humified peats with sphagnum as the dominant component are found in a few locations. The range of sphagnum varies from 50-70/2. More often the humified peats are dominated by sedge (sedge component varying from 50-70%) with sphagnum (20-30%) and shrub (lQ-20%) as secondary components.
There are lenses of ooze and marl found at the pond located in Basin A. Elsewhere, the substrata is mostly clay and only at the edges of the bog, within 100 m from the mineral soil, are sand and silt encountered.
Basin B peat types are very similar to those found in Basin A. The most common surficial peat types are sphagnum-dominated. These include LnS and CS peat with sphagnum ranging from 60-100%, shrubs at 10% and sedge 20-30%. Part of the surficial layer also has sedge peats especially at the eastern part of Basin B where the component ranges from SO-90%. At the western part of the basin there is some H4 shrub-sphagnum-sedge peat below the surficial sphagnum peat. Elsewhere, the humified peats are mostly sedge (60-80%) dominated with smaller lenses of sphagnum, shrub and woody peats present.
There are thick layers of ooze found from Points BOOW to B600W and also along the Transect L300W from edge-to-edge in the deposit. The maximum depth of the ooze layer is over 5 m near Point B300W. The substrate is clay in most areas except for a few locations where sand or silt can be found towards the edges of the deposit. Along Transect L800W, the substrate is either silt or sand with no clay or ooze present.
The deposit is almost entirely open low shrub bog or open low shrub bog mixed with fen characteristics and could be also classified as a poor fen. The peat types at the surface reflect those of open physiognomic groups in that the sphagnum is the predominant peat component as could be expected for a bog deposit while the secondary component of the peat in most cases is sedge reflecting the derivation of peat from an open surface cover with the - 77 - graminoid component very common. There are also open low shrub bog areas in most parts of the deposit associated with the LNS peat as could be expected. This would indicate a correlation between the surface cover of the bog and the immediate underlying peat types in that, in areas where open low shrub bog is encountered, shrub-sphagnum peat predominates while in an area and where open graminoid bog is encountered sedge-dominated peats are common.
Basin C has a somewhat similar peat composition to that of Basins A and B. In fact Basin C is a continuation of Basin B and was subjected to reconnaissance level study only because of extensive flooding. This basin has only one lense of humified peat (H4) located at Points Tl and T2. It is composed of a thin layer of wood-sedge-sphagnum-shrub peat underlain by sphagnum dominant peat. Elsewhere the basal peat is unhumified sedge (10C^) except at Point T5 where it is sedge-sphagnum peat. The surficial peat is composed of sphagnum Cl.00%) and sphagnum (lQ-40%) - sedge (60-9C^) peat. The peat layer in Basin C is underlain by a layer of ooze up to 7.5 m thick.
Peatland 52F-36 appears to have grown as a result of an infilling process of a number of ponds or small lakes. Of these, only those found in Basins A and C still have open bodies of water, and are only partially filled in by peat while around Point B300W in Basin B there has been a sizeable pond which later has been filled in by peat. The thick ooze layers found in this location indicate that this depression once was a pond. The development of the deposit from the initial stage of a pond has gone through a number of stages whereby fen and bog types may have alter nated. It appears that in Basin B during the developmental stages, the occurrence of sedge covered fens or poor fens have been more common than shrubby bog types in comparison with Basin A where shrubby bog types may have been more common. The details of the distribution of peat types are shown in Profiles 1-6.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H3.9. The average degree of humification of the unhuraified peat is H2.3 and its average thickness is 0.9 m (Profiles 1-6). - 78 -
The overall average degree of humification for Basin A is H4.1. The average thickness of the surficial layer is 0.7 m. It is quite evenly distributed across the entire basin and does not show any special concen trations except east of the lake along the baseline from Points F900W to about F800W where the thickness of the surficial layer reaches down to about 2.5 m from the surface. Elsewhere, it varies from a few centimetres to about 0.7-0.8 m. It is commonly underlain by H4 peat in most locations and below that alternating lenses of H5, 6 and 7 are found. As far as the use of peat in relation to degree of humification is concerned in this basin, it could be used as a fuel and also with a selective mining opera tion for horticultural peat production (small-scale only).
The overall average degree of humification for Basin B is H4.0. The average thickness of the unhumified layer is 1.1 m. The unhumified peat is composed of two separate layers. The first layer is thin and evenly distributed over the entire surface area of this basin. Its thick ness is mostly less than 0.5-0.6 m. Below this unhumified layer there are alternating layers of H4, 5 and 6 peat, each along Transect L300W. Along the baseline from Points BOOW to B400W, there are layers of H5, 6 and 7 peat below the unhumified peat down to a depth of about l m from the surface. From Points B400W to B600W, the unhumified peat layer of HI to 2 peat is directly underlain by massive lenses of H3 peat ranging down to 5 m; almost to the base of the deposit. Along Transect L300W the H3 lenses underlie the above-mentioned well humified peat and forms the basal peat. Elsewhere in the deposit, the unhumified peats are underlain by H4 peat lenses ranging up to about 2 m of thickness and this in turn in underlain by alternating layers of H5, 6 and 7 peat. The location of the massive layer of H3 peat in the deepest part of the deposit above the base of the deposit indicates a rather rapid growth of bog in a humid environment favouring a high rate of accumulation and a low rate of degredation of organic matter in the past. Basin C, which is contiguous with Basin B, shows similar characteristics to Basin B in that the unhumified peat layer also is quite thick (1.0 m in average) in relation to the entire depth of the peat.
Due to the flooded conditions it was not possible to drill in the middle of Basin C. Consequently, traverse sites were drilled off the centre of the bog towards the edge and may give a shallower peat thickness - 79 - than actually exist in the middle. The humification in this end too is mostly low, the average degree of humification being H3.2. The unhumified peat is located as a large lense on the surface and is similar to that of Basin B. Basin C has a thick (7.5 m) ooze layer under the peat.
As far as the degree of humification is concerned, Basins B and C would be best suited for the production of horticultural peat (Profiles 1-6) in small quantities for local use only.
Peat Volumes
TABLE 6
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Pea t land No. Total Areas with Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area 1 m of Peat (x 106 m3 ) Area with Volume in 52F-36 (ha) (ha) M m of Peat Area M m of (x 106 m3 ) Peat (x 106 m3 )
Basin "A" 61.5 37.5 0.920 0.800 0.495 Basin "B" 33.0 25.5 0.798 0.760 0.462 Basin "C" 38.5 15.5 0.372 0.260 0.116
TOTAL 133.0 78.5 2.090 1.820 1.073
According to the table, the total peat volume of the entire deposit,including all three basins, is 2.090 million cubic meters of which 1.073 million cubic meters are well humified peat. A total of 1.820 million m3 occur in the area with a peat layer greater than l m in thickness while a total of 1.280 million m3 of peat occurs in the area where the peat thickness is at least 2 m. The total quantity of peat is divided amongst the three basins as follows: Basin "A" contains 0.920 million cubic meters or about 44% of the total, Basin B contains 0.798 million cubic meters or about 38/S of the total and Basin C contains 0.372 million cubic meters or about 18% of the total peat volume found in this deposit.
Overall, the small volumes of peat contained in these basins does not render them as attractive sites for a large-scale peat mining operation. - 80 -
Potential for Fuel or Horticultural Peat Development
As far as the access, tree cover and the stump content are concerned, this deposit could be successfully used for small-scale peat mining although the stump content is quite high (S.8%). However, due to the small size of the peat basins, and the lack of a surface gradient, which might result in drainage problems, this deposit is not recommended for any commercial peat mining operation. It is not particularly suited to peatland forestry purposes either due to the high water levels that might be difficult to control because of the beaver activity in the discharge channels. Also, thick peat deposits are usually not regarded as good for forestry. Overall, in comparison with other deposits in the study area, this deposit does not have a good peat mining potential.
Comments
The entire deposit is on Crown Land and lies within a Crown forest management unit. The pond, Miles Lake, located in Basin C, is a bait fish license lake. Also, Maskinonge Lake located about 500-600 m northwest of Basin A is a fish sanctuary. However, any discharge of drainage waters caused by development would not enter this lake and should not pose any ecological or environmental problems. In view of the existing designation of one of the ponds for fisheries, it is suggested that this set of deposits, comprising Peatland 52F-36 be left in their natural state and used for wildlife related purposes. - 80a -
The following dockets contain: Peatland 52F-36 Map 2. Peatland Classification Map Map 3. Isopach Map Map 4. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 1-6 - 81 -
5.3 PEATLAND 52F-57
Location
Pentland 52F-57 is located in Zealand Township in Dryden District, 7 km northeast of Dryden opposite Dryden Municipal Airport. This deposit is located at 15-5175519 in U.T.M. co-ordinates or 40 0 50©N latitude and 92 046©W longtitude in geographic co-ordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/15, airphotos: 82-4934 50-150, 151 and 152.) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-57 is accessible from three directions. A segment of the southern edge of the deposit comes to within 50 m of Highway 601 while the whole eastern side is within 200 to 600 m of the same highway. The northern tip of the deposit lies 400 m south of a township road separated by an open field.
By road, Peatland 52F-57 is approximately 9 km from Dryden and 19, 23 and 27 km from Wabigoon, Oxdrift and Dinorwic, respectively. Primary wood-using industries are located in each of these communities with the exception of Wabigoon. In addition to being close to the above-mentioned communities, this deposit is also 4 and 5 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) and the Canadian Pacific Railway main line, respectively. An Ontario Hydro transmission line passes within 100 m of the southern tip of the deposit.
Dates of Field Study
The core sampling of Peatland 52F-57 was performed on August 14th, 15th and 16th, 1984. The physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted August 17th.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-57 is situated in a glaciolacustrine, clay depression surrounded by higher terrain (the Hartman Moraine, for the most part) except at its northwestern side where there is a depression through which - 82 - an undefined drainage channel runs into a lake located about 3 to 4 km northwest of the deposit. The surrounding mineral terrain rises very quickly from the peatland surface of about 380 m a.m.s.l. to 400-420 m a.m.s.l. on the southwest side of the deposit and to about 400 to 410 m a.m.s.l. along the southeastern and northern edge of the deposit. Dryden Municipal Airport is located about l km from the deposit at an elevation of over 400 m a.m.s.l. (Map 7), on the Hartman end moraine.
The surface elevation of this deposit varies from 377 to 380.6 m a.m.s.l. The lowest part of the deposit is at the end of Transect L1700N+350W, which is at 377.6 m a.m.s.l. The slope from the highest loca tion, Point BOON, to the lowest one, Point L1700N+350W, is about Q.2%. The difference in the elevation amounts to a total of 3 m. Along the baseline the surface gradient is less than Q.05%. Observing the contour lines on the deposit, it is apparent that there is gradient towards the southwest. Examination of transect profiles shows that the southern part of the deposit is quite level but, at Transect L1700N there is a pronounced tilt towards the west.
A small pond is located close to Point B500N. Observation of the baseline profile shows that from Points B300N to B600N there is a deep depression at the location where the pond is situated. The rest of the base of the deposit is at the level of about 376 to 378 m a.m.s.l. At the depression, the base is at 370 m a.m.s.l. In the depression, drainage cannot be achieved below the level of about 377 m above a.ra.s.l. without cutting the mineral soil northwest of this depression to allow drained water to completely run out. There is a stream channel running from the pond towards northeast. Within the confines of the deposits, this channel is undefined and not observable at the the ground level, however, it can be seen on airphotos as a discontinuous line. It leads to a small lake northeast of the deposit lying at the level of about 365 m a.m.s.l. In order to drain the deposit for use, this channel would have to be deepened to ensure deep enough draw in the bog itself. No real problems were observed that would significantly hamper draining this deposit for a peat mining operation. However, more detailed levelling along a possible drainage channel would be required to establish the depth of the main channel to be dug to ensure proper drainage of the deposit. - 83 -
The underlying substrate under most parts of the bog is clay with silt, and sand towards the edges. This indicates that this deposit may have developed, at least partially, as a filling of a pond or a set of ponds by peatland vegetation.
Area and Shape
This deposit has a surface area of 123 hectares of which 97 hectares contain a peat layer thicker than l m (Map 6). The area of the greatest resource potential is located along the baseline between Points B700N and B2000N. In addition to it, there is an area of relatively good resource potential extending from Points B100N to B700N. Essentially these areas of greatest resource potential contain l to 2 m of peat and cover 97 hectares of this peatland while the area with 2 or more metres of peat in this deposit covers a total of 51 hectares.
This deposit is almost rectangular in shape with a narrow area along the baseline at Point B700N. The main axis of this deposit is oriented along a southeast to northwest direction. The total length of the deposit is about 2100 m and the maximum width is about 800 m. There are no mineral islands nor any large embayments which makes it ideal for peat production. Also, almost all of the area with at least l m of peat and could be put into production with an uncomplicated mine plan. The small pond near Point B500N could cause a slight problem from a mining point of view, however, this pond is only about l hectare in size.
Vegetation
This peatland is a basin deposit with flat bog characteristics in the northwestern two-thirds and a basin bog characteristics in the south eastern third (Map 5). About 9QZ (110 ha) of the surface vegetation occurs in bog formations, of which 80 ha are treed (lQ-30% tree cover) and 30 ha are open (5% tree cover). Along the western edge of the peatland, 10 ha of thicket swamp (8%) and 3 ha of conifer swamp (2%) are associated with drainage from the peatland.
The predominant tree species on the peatland is black spruce, Picea mariana. In the treed low shrub bog (68 ha, 55%), Ledum groenlandicum is the dominant - 84 -
shrub and Chamaedaphne calyculata is a frequent co-dominant (see Table 7). The hummocks in these treed bog formations are composed mainly of the moss Sphagnum fuscum. The dominant moss species of the hollows is Sphagnum augustifolium.
The thicket swamp is dominated by Alnus rugosa with a sub-canopy of Ledum groenlandicum. The conifer swamp is a mono-dominant stand of black spruce. Sphagnum spp. have cover values of AO-50% in the thicket swamp and 95-98% in the conifer swamp.
The 18 ha of open graminoid bog is associated with a small (less than l ha) bog pool and micro-relief in this area is not very pronounced. The dominant graminoids are Carex oligosperma and Rhynchospora alba. A moss carpet of Sphagnum spp. (Sphagnum angustifolium and Sphagnum fuscum) has a cover value of nearly 10C^. The open low shrub bog occurs as 3 relatively small (3-4 ha) areas among treed subformations at the northwest end of the peatland. The dominant shrub is Ledum groenlandicum.
Full vegetation surveys were performed at six sites and the cover values for the plant species at those sites are compared with surface water pH and average depth (cm) to surface water in Table 8. At all sites, the pH is relatively high (4.5 - 5.3) for bog formations and it is likely that this peatland is influenced by surface water run-off and drainage from adjacent uplands which are being modified by human use.
The average depth to water is lowest in the southeastern portion of the peatland in the vicinity of the small pond. The lack of micro-relief (no tall hummocks) also contributed to the low average in the southeastern section. The influence of surface water inputs can be seen in the occurrence of such species as Salix spp., Calamagrostis canadensis, and Equisetum fluviatile.
Peat Thickness
This deposit has the highest maximum thickness encountered in Dryden-Lac Seul area. At Point B500N, 10 m of peat was found (Map 6). Otherwise, most of the deposit is only 2-3 m deep. There are two areas - 85 -
TABLE 7
Peatland 52F-57: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Treed Bog B100N Picea marianal^-Sphagnum angus tifolium^
Treed Low Shrub Bog B1600N Picea marianal^-Ledum groenlandicum^- Chamaedaphne calyculatab- Sphagnum f us cum© ^
B 1 SOON Picea mariana^-chamaedaphne calyculata^- Ledum groenlandicum**- Sphagnum angustifoliunr^
L1700N+200E Picea mariana^-Ledum groenlandicum^- Chamaedaphne calyculatab- Sphagnum fuscum/u
Open Graminoid Bog B300N Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium©^
B500N Rhynchospora alba^-Scheuchzeria palustris^- Sphagnum fallaxyo - 86 -
TABLE 8 Peatland 52F-57, Vegetational Cover Values
L1700N Sample Locations B100N B1600N B 1 SOON +200E B300N B500N Physiognomic Class TspB TlsB TlsB TlsB OgB OgB pH of Surface Water 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.1 5.0 4.5 Avg. Depth to Water (cm) 11 31 30 48 16 1
TREES Larix laricina P P P 4 1 Picea mar i an a 12 10 12 10 4 1 SHRUBS Andromeda glaucophylla 1 P P 1 P 1 Betula pumila var. glandulifera 3 1 2 5 1 Chamaedaphne calyculata 3 6 8 5 3 5 Kalmia polifolia 1 1 2 1 2 2 Ledum groenlandicum 3 8 8 10 1 Salix bebbiana 2 1 Salix pedicellaris 2 4 2 P Salix pyrifolia 1 1 1 Vaccinium angustifolium 1 1 GRAMINOIDS 6t HERBS Calamagrostis canadensis P P Carex aquatilis 1 Carex gynocrates 1 Carex limosa 2 1 Carex oligosperma P 5 1 Carex pauciflora 2 1 Carex paupercula 2 1 Carex trisperma 1 Drosera rotundifolia P P Equisetum fluviatile 1 P P P P Equisetum scirpoides P Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum 1 Gaultheria hispidula P P Geocaulon lividum P Menyanthes trifoliata 1 2 Rhynchospora alba 4 Sarracenia purpurea 1 2 Scheuchzeria palustris P 2 Smilacina trifolia 4 1 1 Vaccinum oxycoccus P P P P 1 MOSSES 6 LICHENS Cladonia spp. P Dicranum elongatum P Pleurozium schreberi P 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 2 Sphagnum angustifolium 45 20 45 20 75 Sphagnum fuscum 5 70 30 70 Sphagnum mage 11 an i cum P 5 20 5 20 P Sphagnum fallax 98 - 87 - where peat is more than 2 m deep. One is a small circular area around the pond at Points B300N to B500N and the other extending from Points L700N+200W to B1950N.
The overall average thickness of peat is 1.8 m. The thickness of the peat layer in the areas more than l m thick varied from 1.3 m to 10.5 m. The overall thickness of unhumified peat in this deposit is 1.5 m and that of humified peat 0.3 m.
The average peat thickness in each physiognomic group has been summarized in the following table.
TABLE 9
Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m) ts 10/8 1.1 cS 3/2 TlsB 68/55 2.1 TspB 12/10 1.1 OlsB 12/10 2.1 OgB 18/15 4.4
Peat Types
The peat types of the surficial layer are S, CS, C and LnS peat. Pure sphagnum peat(s) form a relatively thin uniform layer on the surface over almost the entire deposit (Profiles 7-11). Only at the edges of the bog and at a few other locations are there mixtures of shrub-sphagnum and shrub-sedge peat encountered on the surface as surficial peat. The humi fied sphagnum-wood and sedge dominant peat lenses are found scattered throughout the deposit at greater depths. At Point B500N, humified wood- sedge peat is encountered as the basal peat type overlaid by pure sedge peat and this in turn overlain by wood-shrub-sedge peats. At this location the surficial sphagnum peat reaches a thickness of 2m. As far as the peat - 88 - types are concerned, this deposit would be better suited for the mining of fuel peat than horticultural peat. However, the relatively high stump content of S.6% on average does not favour mining, although it is still within reasonable limits for sod peat production.
No ooze was found in this deposit. As was already mentioned earlier, clay was the most common substrate.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer in this deposit is H4.3, and HI.9 for the unhumified peat layer. The average thickness of the unhumified layer is 1.5 m. It would appear that this deposit seems to have some horticultural peat as far as the degree of humification is concerned, but because of the peat types its value for horticulture is diminished.
There is a 1.5 m layer of unhumified peat covering the surface of this deposit (Profiles 7-11). Peats with a degree of humification from HI to H2 form a thin surface layer of about 0.5 m and are often underlain by lenses of H3 peat. The most prominent losses of H3 peats are encountered along Transects L700N and L1200N. Large HA lenses are found below this in a number of locations, and especially so, along the baseline. The rest of the deposit is composed of more humified peats with a degree of humifica tion varying from H5 to H7. Humification values usually increased with an increase in the depth except in the area where the pond was located (Point B500N) where less humified peat occasionally was found below humified layers. As a general observation, it appears that this deposit might be slightly better for the production of fuel peat than horticultural peat because of the peat types and the degree of humification of the peat.
Peat Volumes
Peat volume data has been summarized below in Table 10. - 89 -
TABLE 10
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Peat land No. Total Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area (x 106 m3) Area with Volume in (ha) M m of Peat Area M m of (x 106 m3) Peat (x 106 m3)
52F-57 123 2.163 2.033 1.649
The total peat volume in this deposit is 2.163 million m^. A total of 2.033 million m^ are contained in the area with a peat layer l m or more in thickness. The volume of humified peat in this area is 1.649 million m3. The rest (0.514 million m3) is unhumified and due to its small volume does not offer any significant horticultural use potential.
The humified peats are evenly distributed over the entire deposit, below a relatively thin layer of unhumified peat except close to the pond. The largest part of this volume is within the 2 m isopach (51 ha; 1.253 million m^ of humified peat) which encompasses the area between Points B300N and B600N as well as B800N and B1950N. The width of these areas is about 500 m. Thus, if the mineable area were to be regarded as a criterion for potential use together with the peat volume, the potential of the deposit would be quite limited. The total volume, however, indicates some potential for a moderate scale mining operation to supply small fuel peat users such as schools, etc.
Potential for Fuel or Horticultural Peat Development
Taking into consideration the surface area, peat type, the degree of humification and the average thickness of the unhumified peat layer, Peatland 52F-57 has no significant potential for horticultural peat development.
The fuel peat development potential is slightly higher and might be regarded high enough for a small scale development. However, the rela tively high stump content, on average S.6%, lessens the value of this depo sit for peat mining. On the other hand about 60% of the stumps were - 90 - encountered in the top l m of peat, so the stump content may be closely related to the moderate tree cover on the site (live roots), which can be removed during the surface preparation activities and would reduce the stump content to an acceptable level. Generally, if the stump content of the peat land is greater than 2%, milled peat mining becomes technically difficult. If the stump content is 4% or greater, additional operating costs will be incurred due to more preparation having to be made such as more passes by stump removers and surface profilers. Also, the wear on equipment will be greater. Development of peat lands of this nature where stump content approaches 4% or greater is generally avoided, if possible. Due to the low number of points where stumps were sampled and their concen tration to the treed areas of the deposit, it is felt that the results actually exaggerate the content.
Although the tree cover (average 1C^) and stump content are not favourable, the potential for a small peat mining operation exist on a total peat volume of 2 million m^. This is an adequate volume of peat if a small scale operation is being considered. Also, the predominant peat types, consisting of sedge and woody peats, with an average degree of humi fication of H4.2,are well within the fuel peat range. Considering its accessibility and its proximity to Dryden, this deposit could be considered for peat mining regardless of the other disadvantages.
Comments
There are no known data of previous assessment on this deposit Peatland 52F-57 is largely (85*1;) patented land sxcept lot 20 in Concession 6 which is partly Crown Land. There is no specific land use plan for this location indicated by the district offices of Ministry of Natural Resources, however, this peatland lies within a Crown forest management unit. - 90a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52F-57 Map 5. Peatland Classification Map Map "6. Isopach Map Map 7. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 7-11
LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS
SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS VEGETATION SAMPLE LOCATION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER
SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. htst chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) T gou B RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER Maskinonge L MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS !EX mM30ts30ds30)
O 500m f:. Miles L. 1000m Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-36 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs MineS Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N * 150E PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION t O TOTAL PEAT DEPTH (m)------~
DEPTH OF SURFICIAL LAYER (m) 0.2/1.6 SURVEY POINTS - O 2. 0/5. 8 AVG H OF SURFICIAL LAYER- AVG H OF TOTAL PEAT DEPTH------J DEPTH CONTOURS (m)
TOTAL AREA^ 1m DEEP PEATLAND SURFACE AREA SURFACE TOTAL VOL VOL H4-10 (ha) (ha) (mi 1 1 f on m 3) (mil lion m 3) 52F-36 1330 78 5 1-820 1-073 Maskinonge L
O 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-36 ISOPACH MAP Map3 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs George Tough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project Is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS
SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS O PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
ELEVATION (m a. s. l. ) 259.5 ELEVATION CONTOURS (0.5m)
Maskinonge L
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-36 ELEVATION MAP Map 4 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George Tough and Mines* Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatlahd Inventory Project is a component bf the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP),bf the Ontario ^Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 KAIASHKOMIN SECONDARY ROADS LAKE SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS
SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS VEGETATION SAMPLE LOCATION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER
SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) DRYDEN MUNICIPAL PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is AIRFIELD THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,t GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED- (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30) O
O 500m 1000m c-15.KT is 30 Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-57 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map 5 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George'Tbugn and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 KAtASHKOMIN SECONDARY ROADS LAKE SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N ± 150E PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION m o TOTAL PEAT DEPTH (m) ------~
DEPTH OF SURFICIAL LAYER (m) 0.2/1.6 SURVEY POINTS -- O 2. 0/5. 8 DRYDEN MUNICIPAL AVG H OF SURFICIAL LAYER- AIRFIELD AVG H OF TOTAL PEAT DEPTH DEPTH CONTOURS (m)
TOTAL AREA^ 1m DEEP PEATLAND SURFACE AREA SURFACE TOTAL VOL VOL H4-10 (hg) (ha) (mf! Ifon m 3) (mil lion m 3) 52F-57 123 97 2-033 1-649
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-57 ISOPACH MAP Map 6 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry Of Rene Fontaine Northern... .. AffairsA xx - GeorgeibughMinister and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS KAIASHKOMIN SECONDARY ROADS LAKE SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E O SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION ELEVATION (m a. s. l. ) 259.5 ELEVATION CONTOURS (0.5m) 4-- — V\\ VT^ \\\\\ v \ DRYDEN MUNICIPAL \\ \N\ - AIRFIELD
\ \\ -
\\ ' X.V
o 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-57 ELEVATION MAP Map 7 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern.-. Affairs George lough MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a coriiponen't of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), df'the OntaVro Ge'ological Survey. . ' 1986 Government of Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Appendix Volume B
1986
Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles.
Ministry Of Rene Fontaine t i AI r-N i A Minister ^(^Development George Tough
Ontario
B - i
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations:
(1) Mines Library Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 8th floor, 77 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario MSS IBS
(2) The office of the Regional or Resident Geologist in whose district the area covered by this report is located.
Copies of this report may be obtained at the user's expense from a commercial printing house. For the address and instructions to order, contact the appropriate Regional or Resident Geologist's office(s) or the Mines Library. Microfiche copies (42x reduction) of this report are available for $2.00 each plus provincial sales tax at the Mines Library or the Public Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, W-1640, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto.
Handwritten notes and sketches may be made from this report. Check with the Mines Library or Regional/Resident Geologist's office whether there is a copy of this report that may be borrowed. A copy of this report is available for Inter-Library* Loan.
This report is available for viewing at the following Regional or Resident Geologists' offices:
808 Robertson St. Ont. Govt. Building Court House Building Kenora, Ontario Red Lake, Ontario Sioux Lookout, Ontario P9N 3X9 POV 2MO POV 2TO
The right to reproduce this report is reserved by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Permission for other reproductions must be obtained in writing from the Director, Ontario Geological Survey.
V.G. Milne, Director Ontario Geological Survey
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME B
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
B - v
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
*APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
APPENDIX VOLUME E
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
B - vii
- 91 -
5.4 PEATLAND 52F-60
Location
Pentland 52F-60, which is also known as "Lola Lake Bog", lies within four townships, namely, Hartman, Laval, Brownridge and Zealand in Dryden District. Situated between the Ministry of Natural Resources© Dryden District Tree Nursery, which is to the west of it, and Beartrack and Gardnar Lakes to the east, this deposit is 21 km east of Dryden and 8 km north of Wabigoon. This peatland is located at 15-5335516 in U.T.M. co-ordinates or 49 048©N latitude and 92 033©W longtitude in geographic co-ordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/15; airphotos: 82-4934 12-206, 207 and 208, 82-4933 12-129, 130, 131, 132 and 133) (Map 1)
Access
Peatland 52F-60 can be entered from three points. The western portion of the deposit can be reached by following a path, cut through the bush, which starts at the edge of the new clearings on the east side of the tree nursery and ends near the peatland©s edge. This distance is approxi mately 900 m. Entry to the centre of the deposit is facilitated by a town ship road. This gravel road branches off of Tree Nursery Road providing access to a gravel pit and a refuse dump. Beyond the dump the road narrows and proceeds towards the bog parallelling Hughes Brook. This road termi nates roughly 200 m from the southern edge of the deposit. The eastern end of Peatland 52F-60 is accessible via a dirt road branching off of Highway 72. This road, which is the first one branching off Highway 72 south of Troutfly Lake Road comes to within 100 m of the eastern edge of the depo sit. During the detailed field study, this road could not be used due to a bridge wash-out on Jackfish Creek.
By road, Peatland 52F-60 is within reasonable distance of several nearby population centres and primary wood-using industries. The dis tances, by road, have been summarized in the following table: - 92 -
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52F-60 (km)
Wabigoon 7 Dinorwic 16 Dryden 23 Oxdrift 36 Sioux Lookout 72
This deposit is also approximately 48 km by road from the Goldlund Mines Ltd. property located on Highway 72.
There are no railway lines in close proximity to the deposit. An Ontario Hydro transmission line passes 4 km to the southwest of the western end of the peatland.
Dates of Field Study
Peatland 52F-60 was core sampled from August 18th to 25th, 1984. The physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted on August 21st and August 26th.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is located on a relatively large flat area in the "Knobby Precambrian country." It occupies a sandy glaciolacustrine basin, associated partly with local outwash deposits and the Hartman end moraine. North of the deposit alluvial plains are predominant, while to the north east, west and southwest outwash plain types predominate. A glaciolacus trine lowland extends towards the southwest. The local relief of the surrounding land area is mainly moderate with no very high areas. The terrain around this deposit is commonly silt, clay and silty sand and pure sand.
This deposit lies between about 418 m a.m.s.l. to about 425.5 m a.m.s.l. The lower elevations are found towards the southwestern end of the deposit and also at the southeastern end of the deposit. The highest elevations are found in the middle of the deposit around Transect L2500E and also near the northern tip where the elevation reaches 429 m a.m.s.l. - 93 -
This corner of the deposit is a continuation of a peatland network lying to the north of Peatland 52F-60.
From this it is apparent that the drainage is from the centre of the bog at about Transect L2500E towards the southwest and southeast. There is a channel draining south from the south eastern part of the deposit near the location of the eastern end of Transect L3400E, leading to Hughes Brook. Another major drainage channel runs from the southwestern tip of the deposit towards Thunder Lake, which is about 5 km from the western end of the deposit at an elevation of 371 m a.m.s.l. and also via Blackburn Creek to the south towards Wabigoon Lake. The northeastern end of the deposit drains towards the southeastern channel mentioned earlier, although some local drainage is towards Beartrack Creek in the northeast.
Airphotos indicate that this deposit has a drainage channel pattern extending from Lola Lake, located on the northwestern part of the bog at the level of Transect L2500E, towards the southwestern part of the depo sit. This system is visible in airphotos as a darker area of "string fen" pools and ribs which run perpendicular to the direction of drainage towards the southwestern and southeastern part of the deposit.
The eastern end of the deposit slopes towards the south to the drainage channel leading out of the deposit near the southern end of Transect L3400E. The elevation map (Map No. 9) indicates that there is quite a considerable gradient from about B2400E towards the beginning of the baseline BOOE. The total elevation difference between these two loca tions is about 7 m and amounts to about Q.3% gradient. This gradient is at its greatest at the southern end of the deposit. Elsewhere, the gradient varies from about Q.1% to about Q.2%. These readings are very typical gradients for deposits located in this part of Ontario and indicate that there are good drainage possibilities for this particular deposit.
Most of the © base of the deposit is relatively flat without any large depressions (Map 9). Only at about Point L200E+100S is there a deep depression, where the peat depth is 7 m in total, that might not be as easily drained as the rest of the deposit. Depressions along the base of the deposit are also found along Transect L4600E from about Points - 94 -
L4600E+100N to L4600E+800N and from L4600E+900N to the edge of the deposit at L4600E+490N. The rest of the bog has only minor depressions and indi cates that this peat has been deposited on a relatively flat glaciolacus trine and outwash base.
Lola Lake is about 25 hectares in total area and is about l km long and 300-350 m wide. To the north of Lola Lake there are a few smaller pools (Map 8).
There are a number of mineral soil islands located in the northeas tern part of the deposit, northeast of the junction of the baseline and Transect L3400E. The total area of mineral soils islands is about 63 ha. Only a few of these islands are located in areas where the peat is more than l m thick.
Examination of the profiles reveals that sand is the substrate most often encountered and even in the locations where the deepest peats are found no clay or silt or ooze was found. The prevalence of basal sedge peats (and some ooze pockets) suggest that the basin may have formerly been a large shallow lake or marsh, of which, only Lola Lake remains. Paludifi cation of adjacent mineral soils also probably accompanied the infilling or lake draining sequence, especially in bog areas proximal to the peatland margins.
Area and Shape
The total area of the deposit is 1,357 ha including lakes, ponds and mineral islands and 1,267 ha excluding them. 788 ha contain a peat layer of l m or more in thickness (Map 9).
Peatland 52F-60 is quite regular in shape and does not have very many mineral islands except in the northeastern part. The total length is more than 5 km from the southwestern tip to the northeastern end of the deposit. The width varies from about 1.5 km along Transect L700E in the southwestern part of the deposit to about 3-3.5 km wide in the northeastern part of the deposit (Transect L3400E to the end of the deposit). There are no large embayments in this deposit and its regular shape is attractive - 95 - from a development point of view. The islands in the northwest occur mostly outside the area where the peat layer thickness exceeds l m. Only two islands are within the area with l m or more of peat*
Vegetation
This deposit is primarily a large complex slope fen system (sloping in different directions at either end) with two large raised bogs occurring in the highest area between these two slopes. A distinct ladder fen separates the two raised bogs (Map 8). The topography of the basin floor exhibits some marked irregularities which appear to be reflected in the surface vegetation formations. A notable basin feature is a buried stream channel at the east end of the peatland which is presently covered by 41 ha of treed shrub-rich fen which may formerly have been channel fen. Three large areas of sloping fen occur on this deposit. One occupies the central portion of the eastern half of the peatland (189 ha) while the ohter two occupy parts of the western end of the basin (60 ha and 24 ha). The other fen formations are mainly associated with the lagg areas around the peat land margins.
The portion of the peatland lying north and east of Lola Lake is dissected by mineral island uplands and some small basin bogs may occur among the prevailing flat bog type in that area.
On the northern edge of the peatland, 7 ha of shallow marsh lies along the course of Beartrack Creek which feeds into Rafter Lake.
Over half (about 63%; 798 ha) of the peatland formations on this deposit are bog types of which 503 ha (63%) are treed and 293 ha (37%) are open. The predominant tree species in the bog formations is black spruce. In the treed low shrub units (437 ha) the dominant shrub is Chamaedaphne calyculata and only in the immediate vicinity of Lola Lake (around Point L2500E+650N) does Myrica gale become a co-dominant (Table 11). The treed graminoid units (68 ha) occur in the eastern and northern section of the peatland. Low shrubs and graminoids form a mosaic of alternating dominance with the graminoid component being the more abundant. Carex oligosperma is the dominant graminoid in these units. The moss carpet of these units is - 96 - typical for the area. Sphagnum fuscum is the dominant on the hummocks and Sphagnum augustifolium is the main component of the hollow communities (Table 11). The dominance of one or the other at a particular sample point usually depends on the proportion of hummocks to hollows and the height of the hummocks.
Chamaedaphne calyculata is also the dominant shrub in the open low shrub bog units (86 ha, 7%). In some wet areas (eg. Point L2500E+300N) it is a co-dominant with Betula pumila var. glandulifera (Table 11). In the open graminoid bog units (199 ha, 16%) the dominant graminoid is generally Carex oligosperma (eg. Points B900E and L2500E+500S, Table 11). However, at relatively dry sites, Carex pauciflora may be dominant (eg. Point B1500E, Table 11).
The dominant tree species in the fen formations is the larch, Larix laricina. It is also the dominant in the areas intermediate between bog and fen and designated poor fen (eg. Point L700E+200N, Table 11). In the tall shrub fen (23.5 ha, 2%), Alnus rugosa, Salix spp. and Betula pumila var. glandulifera, among others contribute to the diverse shrub understorey (eg. Point L4600E+500N, Table 12). In the low shrub fen, Betula pumila var. glandulifera is a more common dominant (Point B600E, Table 11) but Chamaedaphne calyculata may be a local dominant or co-dominant. In the treed graminoid fen (19.5 ha, 1.5%), Carex chordorrhiza and Carex lasiocarpa are the most frequent dominants with Menyanthes trifoliata a local dominant where flooded hollows occur.
Open low shrub fen usually occurs as sub-unit among treed subforma- tions or in the transition zone between open and treed areas. The domi nants in such areas can be any one of several of a group of species inclu ding Betula pumila var. glandulifera, Lonicera spp., Rhamnus alnifolia, and Salix spp. (eg. Point L3400E+1000S, Tables 11 and 12). In the open graminoid fen units (279 ha, 22%), a mosaic of dominant species occurs with Scirpus cespitosus probably dominating the largest area in these formations (eg. Points L200E+200N, L200E+300S, L700E+300S and L3400E+300N; Table 11). Where Scirpus cespitosus is dominant it forms characteristic tussocks surrounded by water-filled channels. These channels are frequently filled with Utricularia intermedia (eg. Point L3400E+300N) or, less commonly, with Menyanthes trifoliata (Point L700E+300S). Both may be sub-dominants in - 97 -
TABLE 11
Pentland 52F-60: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types Treed Low Shrub Bog B2200E Picea marianal^-chamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum fuscum^ B2700E Picea mariana^-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum angustifolium:)U L2500E+200S Picea mariana^u-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum rubellum4^ L2500E+800S Picea mariana^^-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum angustifolium00 L3400E+1200N Picea marianaiU-Ghamaedaphne calyculata^- Shagnum fuscumyu L4600E+1200N Picea mariana1 ^-Ghamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum fuscumy5 L4600E+700N Picea mariaiiaT^-Chamaedaphne calyculata^^- Sphagnum angustifoliumtfu Open Low Shrub Bog B1200E Chamaedaphne calyculata^-Sphagnum fallax^^ L1500E+200S Chamaedaphne calyculata1 ^- Sphagnum rubellum©" L3400E+700N Chamaedaphne calyculata18- Sphagnum angustifolium^^ Open Graminoid Bog B900E Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium^5 B1500E Carex pauciflora^-Sphagnum fuscunP0 L2500E+500S Carex oligospermab-Sphagnum angustifolium^8 Treed Low Shrub L700E+200N Larix laricina^-Betula glandulifera^2- Poor Fen Sphagnum angus tifoliumbu L2500E+650N Picea marianaiU-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Myrica. galei;)-Sphagnum mage llani cum©* ^
Treed Tall Shrub Fen L4600E+500N Larix laricina^^-Alnus rugosa^- Salix bebbiana^-Sphagnum angustifolium^^
Treed Low Shrub B600E Larix laricina^-Betula glandulifera1 ^- Fen Sphagnum angustifolium43 Treed Graminoid Fen L3400E+300S Larix laricina^-Carex chordorrhiza^- Carex lasiocarpa-^-Sphagnum fallax^ L3400E+600S Larix laricina^-Carex chordorrhiza^- Carex lasiocarpa^-Sphagnum fallax© u
Open Low Shrub Fen L3400E+1000S Rhamnus alnifolia^-Betula glandulifera^- Sphagnum fallaxou L2500E+300N Chamaedaphne calyculata^*^- Betula glanduliferaa-Sphagnum fallax05
Open Graminoid Fen B400E Carex lasiocarpa^-Scirpus cespitosus^- Sphagnum fuscumiu B3200E Carex chordorrhiza-*u-Sphagnum fallax^1^- Sphagnum vibrarium-iu B3600E Carex lasiocarpa^-Carex chordorrhiza-^- Sphagnum magellanicumJ(J L200E+200N Scirpus cespitosus^-Aulacomnium palustre ia- Sphagnum fuscumi:) L200E+100S Scirpus cespitosus0-Sphagnum fuscum^^- Sphagnum rubellumzu L700E+300S Scirpus cespitosus^-Menyanthes trifoliata-^- Sphagnum f us cum-5 D L3400E+300N Scirpus cespitosus^-Utricularia intermedia^- Sphagnum fuscumju TABLE 12 Paatland S2F-60. Vagatatlonal Cow Valuas
12900 L2500 L2500 L3400E L4600E L4600 L1500 L2500 L3400 L2500 L700E L4600 L3400 L3400 L3400E L200E L200E L200E L3400 E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E Sampla Location BZ200 B2700 +650W +2QOE *aoos +I200N +I200N +700N B1200 +200S +300N +70CN 9900 B1900 +500S +200N +500N B600 +300S +600S +1000S B400 33200 B3600 +200N +100S +300S +30 Physiognomic Class TlsB TlsB TlsPF TlsB TlsB TlsS TlsB TlsB 01 sB OlsB OlsF OlsB OgB 0*3 OgB TlsPF TtsF TlsF TgF TgF OlsF Of Of Of OgF FogF OgF Og PH 3.5 3.8 4.7 3.5 3.7 4.6 4.2 4.0 3.7 4.0 "t3 4.4 3.8 4.1 3J 43 5.7 5.3 6.2 6.2 6.4 6.2 5.9 6.2 3.9 7.0 5.7 4. Avg. Oaptli to Water (on) 28 26 26 19 16 29 57 17 42 46 6 10 11 25 14 22 to 20 14 12 21 12 10 18 22 6 24 1
WBS Larlx larlclna P 5 1 P 1 3 1 t 1 12 12 15 5 8 8 2 3 5 2 4 3 Plcaa nw larva 15 12 10 to 9 10 12 14 5 4 1 1 3 4 7 P 2 1 2 2 2 3 P 1 3 4 P Thuja occidental Is 4 10 1 SHUBS 5 6 1 AndruaaJa glaucophylla 1 P P 1 P 1 P t P P 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 P 1 1 1 l Batula puaila var. qlandullfara 8 1 12 2 12 4 5 6 2 10 5 P 3 2 ChBMBadapliia calvculata 12 to 18 10 12 18 18 15 12 15 10 18 2 8 4 4 a 2 P 2 2 2 2 1 Cornus stolon Ifara 3 Kalaia poll folia 6 3 5 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 4 1 t P P P P ' Ladum groan l and Icun 4 4 5 3 5 P 10 S 5 2 P 4 2 1 2 P P P Lonloara oblonqlfol la 1 Lonloara vi Mosa 2 P P 15 Rhaanui alnl folia 8 P 1 3 1 Sallx babblana 5 t P Sallx Candida 2 Sallx padlcallarls 2 P Vacclnlua angustlfollun 3 1 Astar boraalls Actar punlcaus 2 Calanagrostls canadansls P P Cal -ma palustrls P Carax aquatllls P 1 CWM cftortorrft 1 ZB P 4 P 5 5 30 3 Carax axil Is 2 P 3 3 1 1 1 Carax gynoci alas 2 Carax ct. Intarlor P Carax laslocarpa 4 2 3 3 6 2 3 1 1 '1 Carax llrosa 10 P p P 2 P 1 Carax M vida p 2 6 2 1 1 6 Carax paucl flora P P 1 1 1 P 1 9 2 1 5 Carax pauparcula P p Carax strlcta P P 1 Carax trlsparma p Cornus canadansls 1 i Orosara rotund Ifol la P P P P P P P P ED 1 lob 1 urn laptoonylluii P P Equlsatum fluviatile P 2 P P P 1 P P P p ErlophoruB vaglnatxia var. sp Issue P P P 2 2 1 1 1 P P Eriophorum virgin! cum P 1 P 1 Ga II urn labradorleua P Gaul theria hlsoldula P P P P P P P P P p P P P P Glycaria canadansls 3 f Iris varslcolor 3 Lobelia kalall P Manyantnas trlfollata 2 3 5 P 1 1 1 2 2 3 l Muhlanbarqla glonarata P f P P P Phragaltas austral Is P Platanthera dllatata p Pogonla cohlcajlossoldes p Potantllla palustrls P P P 1 P 1 flhynchoapora alta 2 2 flubus pubaacans P 1 t P P P P P t P P 1 1 P 1 P 1 f P 1 P 1 P P 1 p Schaucnzarla palustrls 1 3 P 1 P P 1 2 1 1 Sclrpus caspitosus 1 P 2 P 3 6 4 19 Sclrpus hudson 1 anus P P Snllaclna 1r Ifol la 3 2 2 1 2 Solldago ullgjnosa P 1 P P P P P Thalyptarls palustrls P P Tof laldla glutlnosa P P Trlglochln marltlma 1 P Utrlcularfa Intarmadla P 1 P P 1 P P 1 9 P t P P P 1 P P t P P P Vacclnlue vltls-ldaaa 2 P P Viola sp. P NBSES* uoee Aulacomnlum palustra 1 2 15 P P 18 P '1 Cladonla or l stated a Cladonla rang l fer l na Cladonla spp. P Oloranum alonoatua 1 P P 3 Plaurozlu* scnrabarl 2 Polytrlchua cuiiajia P P 1 P P P Sphagnua angus 1 1 to l lua 1 P p P 1 1 1 Sphagnua fuscua P 9 P 1 P P 1 Sohaqnu* nagel l an l CUM 50 30 68 80 3 60 85 68 60 50 43 10 Sphagnua palustra 93 12 to 90 95 18 3 50 5 15 50 5 19 25 33 30 Sphagnum rube Hue 10 95 10 8 5 3 15 15 25 35 10 5 15 25 33 10 30 i 10 Sphagnua russool P 45 90 40 20 20 10 20 3 Sphagnua fat lax 25 1 60 3 10 60 50 90 20 10 Sphagna* rlparlu* 3 20 to 20 Sphagnu* maj us 65 - 99 - these vegetation units. Somewhat smaller areas of the graminoid fen units are dominated by Carex lasiocarpa (eg. Points B400E and B3600E) and Carex chordorrhiza (eg. Point B3200E). In these areas the surface is usually undulating, forming a pattern of pools and low ridges. The moss carpet in the open graminoid fen ranges from nearly continuous in the areas dominated by Carex lasiocarpa to quite limited in the Scirpus-dominated areas. Sphagnum spp. are the most common moss dominants, the particular species composition depending mostly upon the level of the water table at a given site. However, in some areas (eg. Point L200E+200N) other mosses such as Aulacomnium palustre become co-dominant with Sphagnum.
In the wettest sites, as in the patterned ladder fen in the central portion of the peatland, the pools and pool margins are dominated by Carex limosa, Rhynchospora alba, Scheuchzeria palustris and Xyris montana. The intervening ridges are dominated by Carex oligosperma with a sub-component of low shrubs.
The cover values of plant species recorded at each vegetation survey point is compared with pH values and the average depth (cm) to the water surface in Table 12. Across the peatland, pH values range from 3.5 (at Points B2200E, L2500E+200S and L2500E+500S) to 7.0 (at Point L200E+100S). The pH range for the bog formations is 3.5 to 4.7 while that of the fen formations is 4.7 to 7.0. The one poor fen site (Point L700E+200N) had a pH of 4.8. Two fen pH values are 4.7 at Point L3400E+300N (OgF) and 5.3 at Point B600E (TlsF) but the species present at these sites are characteristic fen indicators. No particular pattern between pH and physiognomic group is apparent.
The average depth to water ranges from l to 57 cm with a higher average value in the bog formations (22 cm) than the fen formations (14 cm). However, there is considerable variation in the values for both formations and particularly the bog sites. The values for the open grami noid bog sites (11 cm, 25 cm, 14 cm) are relatively indistinguishable from values at the fen sites whereas values at several low shrub sites (57 cm, 42 cm, 36 cm) are indicative of fairly dry, hummocky conditions. - 100 -
Peat Thickness
The overall average peat thickness of Peatland 52F-60 is 2.1 m. The overall average thickness of the humified layer is 1.4 m and that of the unhumified is 0.7 m. The maximum peat thickness of 7.2 m was found at Point L200E+100S (Map 9).
Most of the western portion of this deposit possesses a peat layer thicker than 3 m (250 ha) while the eastern area is mostly in the range at 1-2 m. Generally, the thickness of the peat layer increases regularly and steadily along the baseline towards the northeastern end of the bog. An area containing 3 m or more of peat extends from approximately Point B050E to about Point B2950E across most of the width of this part of the bog. The area (412 ha) with more than 2 m of peat extends from the southwestern end of the deposit to about Point B3750E. The rest of the deposit has less than 2 m of peat. The l m peat isopach follows the edge of the bog very closely. Only at the northwest end of the deposit are there the larger areas with less than l m of peat. Map 9 shows that the minable area, in this case the predominantly bog-covered western zone is more than 2 ra deep, is very regular in shape and would lend this part of the deposit easily to a well organized and simple drainage pattern.
TABLE 13
Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m)
TlsB 437/34 2.2 TgB 68/5.5 3.0 OlsB 86/7.0 2.8 OspB 7.5/0.5 2.9 OgB 199/16.0 2.3 OpF/OgF 17/1.5 TtsF 4.9 TlsF 23.5/2.0 1.8 TsrF 130.5/10 1.6 TgF 19.5/1.5 2.4 OlsF 1.8 Os r F 2.2 OgF 279/22 2.2 - 101 -
The relationship between the surface cover and peat thickness is shown in Table 13, as well as the relationship between the physiognomic groups, surface area and peat thickness.
An examination of the thickness of the humified and the unhumified peat layers in the areas where there is mineable peat layer reveals that the average thickness of the unhumified peat layer varies from 0.2 m to 1.2 m while the thickness of humified peat layer varies from l m up to 6.2 m. This and the size of the deposit indicates that this deposit could be considered as a source of fuel peat, based on the peat thickness. Also, parts of the deposit might contain mineable areas of horticultural peat based on the thickness of the unhumified layer covering certain areas of this peatland.
Peat Types
The distribution of peat types in this deposit can be discussed on the basis of those situated within the area bounded by Points BOOE and B3400E and the Transects L200E, L700E, L1500E and L2500E (the western portion of the deposit) and those found between Point B3400E in the eastern end of this peatland (the eastern portion).
In regard to the peat types in the western section, there is quite a large quantity of sphagnum dominated peat present. The surficial peat (Hl-3) covers this above described western section almost totally as a layer varying from 0.1-0.2 m in thickness, e.g., along Transect L200E, and up to 2.8 m along the baseline. In most of the area, surficial peat is composed of a layer of peat where sphagnum dominates ranging from 50-100%. Large areas have a 90-100% sphagnum dominance at the surface reaching occasionally over 2 m down from the surface. Sphagnum is commonly mixed with small quantities of sedge at the surface (10%). Usually at greater depths the sedge becomes more prominent and occasionally reaches values of 90-100% in the surficial (unhumified) layer although usually it stays below 60-70% level. Some shrub is also present at the greater depths but does not exceed 10% in the unhumified layer. - 102 -
Due to the large percentage of surficial peat containing relatively large quantities of sphagnum in the western portion, including the peat with a degree of humification up to H4 would be considered as a very good source of horticultural peat.
The humified layer in the western portion is on average composed of sedge dominated peat types. There are only minor occurrences of larger quantities of sphagnum in the humified peat (e.g., along transect L2500E) where sphagnum ranges from SO-60% with accompanying sedge (40-602) and shrub or wood as a common third constituent (lQ-20%). As a rule sedges dominate ranging most commonly between 70 and 90% and even up to J.00%.
Considering the distribution of the peat types whereby surficial sphagnum dominated peats are dominant at the surface portion of the deposit and humified sedge peats at the basal portion and the relatively high thickness (close to 3 m) of the sphagnum peat in this western section, it appears that this part of the deposit offers a good horticultural peat potential.
The eastern portion of the deposit (baseline from Points B3500E to 3700E to the end of the deposit as well as Transects L3400E, L4100E, and L4600E) is shallow and mostly between 1-2 ra in thickness and as such is not as attractive for peat mining as the western part. The surficial peat types (Hl-3) are predominantly LnS, LnCS and CS peats where S varies from 50 to 100%, C from lQ-50% and Ln percentage is lOJK. The surficial sphagnum peats are located at the surface as a thin layer mostly 0.2-0.5 m in thickness and occasionally up to 0.7-0.9 m.
There are a few locations where sedge dominant surficial peats are present as pure sedge peat (C s 100%) along Transects L3400E and L4100E. - 103 -
The humified peats underlying the surficial peats are mostly composed of sedge dominant peat types where the sedge ranges from 50 to lOOSe mixed with sphagnum (lQ-50%), shrub (lQ-40%) and wood (1020 remnants. These are also lenses of humified sphagnum peats where sphagnum ranges from SO-80%, but these are minor occurrences. The peat types in this section are fuel peat quality, however, the best use would be a forestry use due to the general shallowness of peat.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H4.7. The average degree of humification of the unhumified peat layer is H2.3 and its average thickness is 0.7 m. The average degree of humifica tion of humified peat is H5.6.
Inspection of the peat profiles (Profiles 12-19) of this deposit indicates that there is a widespread layer of unhumified peat on the surface of most of the deposit composed of layers of HI and H2 peats (mostly 0.5 m in thickness), underlain by relatively thick layers of H3 peat which sometimes are up to 2 m thick.
The most prominent areas of unhumified peats are found along the baseline from Point B800E to about Point B3400E where the thickness varies from l m up to 2.8 m. Elsewhere, thick layers of HI to H3 peat are also found along Transects L2500E and L1500E (also in this same western zone) and to some extent along the southern half of Transect L3400E.
Thick layers of HI to H3 peat also quite commonly occur along the remaining Transects L4100E and L4600E although to a lesser extent. All the southern end of Transect L4100E, these layers occasionally reach a thick ness of l m. Below these surficial layer considerable lenses of H4 peat are found. H4 lenses attain thicknesses of almost 2 m in a number of locations.
Quite commonly below the HI to H3 and H4 peats, there are layers with a humification of H5, H6 and even H8. Peat with a degree of humifica tion of H5 and H6 are predominant with some, H7 and H8, also found at - 104 - greater depths in lenses and, in some areas, continuous horizons. An example of one of those is a continuous H7 lens extending from Point L4600E+800N to Point L4600E+200S.
In this deposit, especially in the western part, there are considerable layers of peat with a good potential for horticultural peat productive as far as the degree of humification and peat types are concerned.
There are no inversions whereby lesser humification peat would be found buried under more humified peats. As a rule, the degree of humification increases from the surface to the bottom.
Peat Volumes
Table 14 below summarizes the peat volume for this deposit.
TABLE 14
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Peat land No. Total Areas with Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area 1 m of Peat (x 106 m3 ) Area with Volume in (ha) (ha) 21 m of Peat Area i.1 m of (x 106 m3 ) Peat (x 106 m3 )
52F-60 1267 788 20.716 18.321 12.565
According to the table, the total peat volume in this deposit is 20.716 million cubic metres of which 18.321 million cubic meters are located in the area of the deposit where there is l ra or more of peat. A total of 12.565 million cubic meters of well humified peats are found in the areas where there is l m or more of peat. - 105 -
The area of this deposit with the greatest potential for peat mining extends from about Point B050E to about Point B3600E where the depth of the peat is in most cases more than 2 m (containing a total of 12.6 million m^ of peat of which 3.787 million m^ are unhumified).
Beyond Point B3600E, the peat thickness is between l and 2 m only. In this latter area the unhumified peat thicknesses are somewhat lower than elsewhere and fuel peat is found almost at the surface making this area reasonably attractive for fuel peat mining, despite the shallow depths.
The total humified volume of peat of 12.565 cubic meters would support a large size operation with a long mine life. For a smaller industrial or related purpose, this deposit could supply peat in large quantities for a longer period in the future. It is conceivable that the almost 800 hectares could support a small-sized thermal power station for 15 to 25 years.
Potential for Fuel or Horticultural Peat Development
Several comments have been made in previous chapters regarding the potential use of this deposit. As far as the other deposits in the area studied in Dryden-Lac Seul area are concerned, this deposit has the best use potential in regards to its size, shape and peat depths. This is the second largest deposit in the area with the largest mineable peat area more than l m thick (788 ha) of which 412 ha are more than 2 m thick. The peat types, combined with the degree of humification, render this deposit as relatively-well suited for the mining of fuel peat in the basal strata if first some of the surficial unhumified peat were to be harvested for horticultural uses. The tree cover on the area more than 2 m thick is light (avg. less than 10%) and would not form any significant obstacle for peat mining. The overall stump content is S.6% and S.4% in the areas of greatest resource potential and can be regarded as a technical hindrance to a successful milled peat mining, however, with today©s stronger and better built milling machines, it could be overcome. To establish the stump content more precisely more survey is needed at this site. - 106 -
Access to the deposit is quite reasonable. It can be reached by well maintained forestry roads to the south side, as well as to the south eastern part where a forest road leads to the location where Transect L2500E meets the southern end of the bog. There is a very good forest road access to the northeastern end of the deposit where clear cutting has been carried out earlier leaving a number of forestry roads skirting the edges of the deposit.
Thus, considering the location, size, degree of humification, peat types and the peat thickness, this deposit would be a very good candidate for future peat mining operations. Access is good and its location from Dryden and a number of other smaller communities is favourable as far as hauling distances are concerned. Also, the Ministry of Natural Resources tree nursery is located within l km of the southwestern end of the bog and could use the available horticultural variety of peat from this deposit as a growing medium. This deposit, while it covers larger areas, is not biophysically unique in the area (as compared with others of less utilization potential).
Comments
According to MNR District Office information, 95% of this deposit is Crown Land while only 5% is patented land. The portions of Peatland 52F-60 situated in Zealand and Hartman Townships are in a Crown forest management unit while that portion in Brownridge Township is in a company forest management unit.
This peatland area has been designated as a Nature Reserve. In the event that the use of this deposit for industrial mining of peat is considered the conflicting plans for other uses should be resolved, since this deposit is technically very well-suited for peat raining in comparison with others in the study area. If it was considered feasible to plan for the utilization of this deposit for industrial use, Peatland 52F-113 to the south is recommended as an alternate and superior nature reserve. - 106a -
The following dockets contain: Peatland 52F-60 Map 8. Peatland Classification Map Map 9. Isopach Map Map 10. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 12-19
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ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Appendix Volume C
1986
Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles. Ministry of "!"tFontaine Northern Development "'^'"^ and Mines 0^'^™ Ontario
c -
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. -Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
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ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME C
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
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PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
*APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
APPENDIX VOLUME E
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
C - vii
- 107 -
5.5 PEATLAND 52F-113
Location
Peat land 52F-113, which is also known as "Adair Lake Bog" is located largely in Revell Township in Ignace District between Melgund Lake and the Wabigoon River approximately 4 km east of the hamlet of Dyment and 17 km southeast of Dinorwic. This deposit is located at approximately 15-5585497 in U.T.M. co-ordinates or 49 037'N latitude and 92 0 12'W longitude in geographic co-ordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/9; airphotos: 82-4927 35-23 to 28, 82-4926 25-103 to 110 and 82-4925 25-208 to 212.) (Map 1)
Access
Peatland 52F-113 is quite accessible. This deposit is most easily reached along its eastern edge. Basket Lake Road, a Great Lakes Forest Products Ltd. road connecting the Basket Lake logging camp and Highway 17, parallels nearly the entire east side of the deposit affording excellent points of entry. The west side of Peatland 52F-113 can be reached by following a series of roads and paths starting near Dyment.
The distance by road to several nearby communities, some of which contain primary wood-using industries, is summarized in the following table.
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52F-113 (km)
Borups Corner 15 Dyment 20 Dinorwic 36 Wabigoon 45 Dryden 64 Sioux Lookout 102
In addition to this, Peatland 52F-113 lies 7 km north of the Trans-Canada Highway. These distances have been measured from a point along Basket Lake Road near the start of the sampling grid baseline. Besides the proximity of the Trans-Canada Highway to Peatland 52F-113, the C.P.R. main line skirts the southern extremities of the deposit. Also, an Ontario Hydro - 108 - transmission line and a Trans-Canada Pipelines Ltd. gas line pass the deposit to the south.
Dates of Field Study
Peatland 52F-113 was sampled from August 24th through to September 2nd, 1984. The physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted on September 1st, 4th and 13th.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-113 is situated in a large sandy, shallow glaciolacus trine basin (Map 13). It is bordered on the north by bedrock knob land- forms and by glaciofluvial outwash plains and valley trains. The same landforms border it to the south. The valleys contain streams that drain the bog area towards the south and southwest. This terrain separates the western part of the deposit (area of Transect F) which occurs on glaciolacustrine plains associated with Melgund Lake, northwest of the deposit. According to the Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Study Maps, the topography is of low local relief and and the drainage conditions are "mixed wet and dry". The predominant soil material underlying the deposit is sand and other sandy materials including sand and aeolian sand dunes (Oroed, 1980).
The mineral soil terrain surrounding Peatland 52F-113 reaches elevations of 430 m to 450 m a.m.s.l. The peatland itself lies at 412.5 m a.m.s.l. near the southwestern edge of the deposit and from there, elevations increase steadily to about 420.5 m a.m.s.l. in the northeastern area of the site. From these higher elevations at the eastern end of the deposit, the elevations decrease towards the southwest, where the elevations are of the order of 413 to 415 m a.m.s.l. The overall gradient from the eastern edge of the deposit, where the higher elevations occur to the southwest where the lowest elevations occur, is about Q.1%. The gradient across the wider part of the deposit from, for instance, Point L1600N+3300E to the opposite end of the same transect to Point L1600N+3200W is between 0.1 and G.15%, or slightly higher than the overall peatland gradient. This value shows that this deposit is relatively flat, but still - 109 - has enough gradient to be successfully drained should utilization be considered.
The inspection of the peat profiles indicates that the base of this deposit is very flat with the exception of the area along Transect L3200N from Points L3200N+500E to L3200N+1200E where Adair Lake is situated. Elsewhere, the base shows only a few small minor depressions and normal irregular roughness of the terrain. In general, profiles indicate that the base slopes the same direction as the surface. The reader is referred to the map indicating the surface elevations. From this it appears that the base of the deposit slopes at the rate of 0.1 to Q.15% gradient to the west.
This deposit is drained by a number of streams. Melgund Creek, one of the drainage channels along the northern edge of the site, drains into Melgund Lake. This creek is separated from the deposit by mineral terrain which is slightly higher in most places than the deposit itself and thus, can be reached only through ditching. The main direction of drainage is towards the southern and southwestern ends of the deposit. There are a number of streams that flow out the deposit from a number of locations in this part of the site. One of the main ones runs from the end of the "F" line to the west and into Melgund Lake. There are others that emanate from the site at the southern ends of Transects G1700W, G3500WS and G4000W. These channels flow south and west to Melgund Creek and the Wabigoon River. From the west end of Transect L2300N, channels run to the south, discharging into the Wabigoon River. These channels offer a good drainage network that could be used for draining the deposit if needed. There are a few beaver ponds along some of these streams that might cause drainage problems. However, on the deposit itself no influence from the beaver dams was noticed as there were no flooded areas on the deposit itself.
There is one pond covering a total area of about 10 ha, Adair Lake, at the eastern side of Transect L3200N at the location of about Point L3200+1200E. Another lake north of the deposit is located at the east end of Transect L4100N.
Inspection of the peat profiles indicates that the substrate is almost exclusively sand. Only at Point L3300N+800E is there a small area - 110 - of clay and in this location a very thin base of ooze was found as well as at Points L1600N+200E and L3300N+900W. Due to the smoothness of the basal profile and the absence of large spread depressions, this deposit could be relatively easily drained right to the substrate.
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is 2,822 ha excluding water and mineral soil islands (Map 12). The only lake inside the perimeter of the bog, Adair Lake, is 10 ha in total surface area. Of the total area, 1,116 hectares have a peat layer thickness of more than l ra and only 74 hectares are deeper than 2 m.
Considering the small size of the area of 2 m or more in thickness, it is felt that this deposit has no meaningful peat mining potential neither for horticultural nor fuel peat uses. It is commonly maintained that for successful peat mining at least l m thickness of peat is required. This is the equipment limit of many peat mining machines; however, in order to ensure both a longer mine life and economical opera tion more than l m of peat is required. In this deposit, the areas with more than 2 m of peat are located in three different locations near the middle of the deposit and this further reduces the value of this deposit for peat mining.
This deposit is composed of two sections, one located within the confines of baseline extending from BOON to B4760N and its sidelines located at Points B900N, 1600N, 2300N, 3200N, and 4100N; and the other one west of 4700N, running at about a 45 0 angle to the baseline for about 4500 m. This division also reduces the site's value for peat raining. The l m isopach on this deposit is also quite irregular in shape, and in its northern part contains a number of scattered mineral soil islands as well as the aforementioned 10 hectare lake which would create difficulties for peat mining operations.
As a whole, the entire deposit is quite irregular in shape and composed of the aforementioned two sections. However, there are large areas of uniform peatland in the larger section but due to the shallowness of the peat layer it is not suitable for peat mining. - 111 -
Vegetation
The peatland is a large (2832 ha including Adair Lake) shallow slope fen complex with large areas of ladder fen (about 680 ha) lying along the principal north-south drainways through the main basin (Map 11). The shallowness of the peat layer at this site probably contributes to the complexity of the vegetation patterns on the site. The vegetation regularly shifts along transects between bog and fen, with intervening areas of transitional poor fen.
While a distinct slope exists on this peatland, complex and numerous fens occur, many of the communities have developed into bogs, both treed and open, which have strong fen affinities, such as seen in the high frequency of birch, Carex chordorrhiza, Equisetum fluviatile and larch on the bogs (Table 16). Bogs dominate the western sub-bog in of this site despite the slopes. Numerous fen indications occur on the bog areas.
Only 14 ha of conifer swamp occurs on the peatland at the extreme western end of the sub-basin. The two areas of conifer swamp are adjacent to a finger of upland which projects into the peatland basin and likely supplies mineral inputs to these formations during precipitation events.
The vast majority of the peatland (2115 ha or nearly 75%) occurs in bog formations. About 59% (1660 ha) of the deposit is treed (greater than 10% tree cover) and the remainder (1162 ha) is open with the tree cover ranging between 4 and 8%. Of the treed deposit nearly 75% (1251 ha) is in the low shrub class and the understorey of the remaining 25% (409 ha) is dominated by graminoids. In the open subformations there are 483 ha (7^) of low shrub and 680 ha (29%) of graminoid physiognomic classes.
About 17 ha of poor fen occurs in the peatland. The fens proper extend over 676 ha and are associated with the drainage channels through the eastern third of the main peatland basin and running approximately north-south. About 343 ha of that area is open graminoid fen and the rest are mostly treed low shrub, shrub rich and graminoid fen with a small area (33.5 ha) of open pool fen/open graminoid fen. Some intermediate vegetation type occurs in two small insignificant areas of open low shrub poor fen near the south edge of the main basin and in the treed low shrub bog area near the center of the western sub-basin. - 112 -
The fen formations are associated with drainways, stream courses or the water bodies in or adjacent to the peatland. About 47% or 300 ha of these formations are treed with the shrub physiognomic class occupying the greatest area (174 ha). Treed graminoid fen covers 126 ha. The largest area of (116.5 ha) of open graminoid fen occurs in the northwestern third of the main peatland basin in association with drainage from the lake on the north edge of the peatland. Nearly 51 ha of this physiognomic class occurs on the southwestern edge of the main basin and some 7.5 ha occurs at about the center of the eastern edge. The latter two areas occur along stream courses. The patterned ladder fens are common and cover parts of the eastern and northeastern sections.
The dominant tree species of the bog formations is generally black spruce (Picea mariana) but on this peatland, larch (Larix laricina) is also a dominant or co-dominant in a number of the plots in the bog formations (Table 15). In part, the relatively shallow depth of peat over much of this peatland may contribute to a higher than normal mineral status in the bog formations which in turn may have encouraged the development of an "enriched" bog flora.
The most frequent and dominant shrub in the low shrub physiognomic class is Chamaedaphne calyculata. Local dominants in the shrub category are Betula pumila var. glandulifera and Ledum groenlandicum but even Salix pedicellaris is a co-dominant at a plot in the bog formations (Point B4700N; Table 15). The most common mosses in these areas are Sphagnum spp. with Sphagnum angustifolium the overwhelming dominant. At one site near mineral soil (Point B100N), large hummocks of Polytrichum longisetum contributes significantly to the moss carpet (Table 15).
The dominant graminoid in the bog formations is Carex oligosperma (Table 15). At one plot in the treed graminoid bog class (Point L1600N+2000E), Carex aquatilis is the dominant graminoid but such areas occurred infrequently and are generally of limited extent. As with the low shrub bog class, Sphagnum spp. are the main components of the moss carpet and Sphagnum augustifolium is the principal dominant. - 113 -
TABLE 15
Peatland 52F-113: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Treed Low Shrub Bog B100N Picea mariana*^-Ledum groenlandicum^- Polytrichum longiseturr^
B400N Larix laricina^-Betula pumila var. glanduliferao- Sphagnum
B4700N Picea marianalQ-Chamaedaphne calyculate^- Salix pedicellaris8-Sphagnum fuscumoQ
Open Low Shrub Bog L1600N * 1600W Chamaedaphne calyculata^~Sphagnum angustifoliumb:3
L1600N * 1000W Betula pumila var. glandulifera^Q- Chamaedaphne calyculatab- Sphagnum angustifoliumbl*
L1600N * 400E Chamaedaphne calyculata^-Sphagnum angus tifolium^
L1600N * 800E Chamaedaphne calyculata^-Sphagnum angustifolium^^-S.
Treed Graminoid Bog L1600N * 1300W Larix laricina^-Picea mariana"-Carex oligosperma:)--s"phagnum papillosum^u
L1600N * 2000E Larix laricina^-Picea mariana^-Carex aquatilis^-siphagnum angustifolium*
L1600N * 2400E Picea mariana^Q-Carex oligosperma^- Sphagnum angustifoliunr-*
Open Graminoid Bog L900N + 1100W Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium^^
L900N + 800W Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium^u-S *
L1600N + 700W Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum sp.
L1600N * 1600E Carex oligosperma^-Smilacina trifolia^- Sphagnum angustifolium^
L1600N + 2800E Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium7 ^ - 114 -
TABLE 15 (Cont'd)
Peatland 52F-113: Vegetation Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Treed Low Shrub Poor Fen L900N * 400W La'rix laricina^O-Betula pumila var. glandulifera iu- Sphagnum angustifoliumbu
F300N Picea mar ianal5-Be tula pumila var. glandulifera10- Salix pedicellaris^-Sphagnum fallax/^
Open Graminoid Poor Fen B700N Carex lasiocarpa"-Calamagrostis canadensisz-Sphagnum magellanicum^
B2800N Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum angustifolium"
B3500N Calamagrostis canadensis^-Carex oligosperma^-Sphagnum fallax^
Treed Low Shrub Fen L1600N * 300W Larix laricina^-Betula pumila var. glandulifera^-Sphagnum fuscum^^
L4700N * 800E Picea mariana^2-Betula glandulifera^- Sphagnum angustifolium^O
Treed Graminoid B1600N Larix laricina^-Carex lasiocarpa^- Fen Sphagnum angustifolium^0
B2200N Larix laricina^-Picea mariana^-Menyanthes trifoliata^-Sphagnum angus t if olium/ 0
Open Graminoid L1600N + 1200E Carex lasiocarpa^-Sphagnum magellanicum^O Fen L4100N + 1800E Carex lasiocarpa^-Sphagnum angustifolium^^
L4700N + 400E Carex lasiocarpa^-Sphagnum angustifolium^^ - 115 -
TABLE 16
Pentland 52F-113, Vegetattonal Cover Values
L9QCN 1600N 1600N 1600 1600 1600N 160QN 1600N L900N L900N 1600 1600N 1600N 1600 4700 1600N 4100N 4700 N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Sai*)'* Location 100 9400 +4QOM I600M IOOOH HOOE tone 1300M 2000E 24006 MOON rtCOW TOOK 1600E 2800E 94700 300M F300N 9700 +600E 1600 32200 32800 33500 I200E I800E MOOE Physlognoiic Class Is8 Is9 IsPF Is8 IsS IsB IsS TgB TgB Tga OgB oga OqB 093 OgB IsS IsF IsPF DqPF IsF TgF ogf Off 3*f Oof OgF OgF PH 4.4 4.6 4.7 3.7 4J 4J 4.0 3.7 4.5 4.5 3.7 4.4 4.7 4.0 4.0 4.7 5J 5.0 4.9 5J 5.4 4.7 4.7 4.8 5.0 5.2 5.0 Avg. Depth to water (o*) 39 27 28 16 22 17 16 16 18 15 36 18 6 26 18 36 IS 33 17 26 24 19 a 24 12 31 23 WES 8 10 1 8 2 15 1 P t 13 5 2 4 1 1 4 Floe mar i ana 15 4 1 4 P 4 P 6 5 to 2 P 4 8 10 1 15 P 12 2 5 6 3 1 3 Pinus banksiana P Thuja occidental li 2 9HBS Andromeda glaucophylla P P 1 1 P P P 3 P P P 2 1 P 4 P 1 P 2 3 Betula puiil la var. glandullfera 8 10 2 10 3 5 3 4 P 5 10 3 2 4 8 10 6 8 6 2 6 6 5 4 a OmmeUiHJnne calyculata 3 3 6 12 6 12 15 6 3 1 to 3 2 6 6 a 3 3 2 6 2 4 B 4 2 2 2 Kalnla pol (folia 1 P P 5 P 2 P 1 P 1 P P 1 1 P P P P t bedim groen land ICUB 12 5 2 4 t 2 1 i 2 5 2 4 P P P P p Sallx bet* 1 ana 2 Sallx pedicellaria 2 2 3 P P 1 2 P P 8 3 5 2 3 1 P 3 Sallx pyrl folia 5 QWMMMOS t 1085 P Aster boreal Is P P Astir Intel latus 4 CBlaragrastls canadensls P P 2 1 Carex aquatllls 6 3 1 1 P 1 P P P Carex clvj om rnlza 1 1 1 1 P 2 P P a 8 12 10 6 Carex laslocaroa P 1 P P P 2 1 Carex llmsa P 4 P P P 1 Carex l lv Ida 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 Carex ol Igaspanea - P 3 3 4 4 3 2 5 2 6 6 6 3 1 P P p Carex pauci flora Carex trlsperna P P P Copt Is irl folia P P P P P P P P Oroaera rotund 1 folia P P P P P 1 P P P P 1 P bulsetui fluviatile P 1 Equisetm pa lustre P f 1 Erloprerxn vaglnatun var. sp 1 sun 1 P P P p P P P P P Qaulttierla hlsoldula P P P P P Iris versloolor P P P Malancyrun linear* P 5 1 2 1 P 3 1 1 3 Manyantnes TT l fol lata P Muhlanoargia qlomerata P P Platantnera clavet lata p P P P P P Potent! lla palustrls P P Pyrola secunda P 3 Rhynchosoora alba P Rubus puoescens P P P P P P P P 1 P Saracen la purourea P P p 1 P P P 1 P P P P P P P P P Scneuchierla palustrls 1 P P P 2 Sclrpus oaspltosus 2 2 4 1 P 1 1 P 1 Snllaclna ir 1 fol la 1 2 4 3 1 1 1 1 P p P Solldago ullglnosa P P P Trlglocnln marltlma 1 Utrlcularla Intermedia 1 P P P Vaccfnlun OKyoaocus P P 1 Vacclnlu* vltls-ldaea tosses*. Lioee 2 1 Aulaaamlun pa lustre P P Cladonla mitls P 1 P 2 P P Cladonla ranglferlna 1 P 1 P Olcranua elongatu* P 1 3 10 P 2 Pleurozlim scnrebarl P P P 2 1 1 1 P P P 1 P P 1 Polytrichuji oomune P 1 2 4 Polylrtchuji long 1 tetu* 45 40 75 75 5 50 40 70 55 32 20 35 55 Sphagnum angustlfol Imi 30 60 60 65 60 35 35 30 60 75 65 80 65 25 5 P P 20 15 Sphagnum finan 10 35 20 22 40 17 15 12 5 25 to to 33 15 30 10 25 Spnagnun maqel lanlcun 12 25 10 15 23 20 22 20 5 5 5 25 10 Sphagnue pa lustre 15 2 2 Sphagnum rupelian 75 45 35 20 10 10 SO Spnagnun fallax 10 12 18 20 20 30 10 5 Sphagnum pupil losu* to 15 25 ta 75 - 116 -
The poor fen formations are intermediate in vegetation type between bog and fen. Of the treed subformations, one plot (Point L900N+400W) is dominated by larch and the other (Point F300N) is dominated by black spruce* Both of the treed plots are in the low shrub class with Betula pumila var. glandulifera the dominant shrub. Sphagnum fallax dominates the moss carpet.
The treed fen subformations are mainly larch dominated but black spruce is a minor component at all sites and a local dominant at Point L4700N+800E (Table 15 and 16). The low shrub physiognomic class has Betula pumila var. glandulifera as the dominant shrub. While the moss carpet does not achieve as high cover values as in the bog formations (Table 16), it is still mainly dominated by Sphagnum angustifolium.
In both the treed and open sub-formations of the graminoid fen class, the dominant graminoid is Carex lasiocarpa (Table 15). At only one Point (B2200N) does Menyanthes trifoliata achieve dominance although it is present at most of the sample sites in this class (Table 16). As with the other fen samples, Sphagnum angustifolium is the main dominant of the moss carpet (Table 15). In general the moss flora of the fen formations is more diverse than that of the bog formations even though total cover values are somewhat lower (Table 16).
Full vegetation surveys were performed at 27 points and cover values are compared with pH and average-depth-to-water (cm) in Table 16. The surface water pH of the bog formations ranges from 3.7 to 4.7 with the majority (9 of 15) of values above 4.2, which is somewhat high for this type of formation. The range of pH values for the poor fens is 4.7 to 5.0 and slightly overlaps the ranges for both bog and fen. For the seven fen sites the pH ranges from 5.0 to 5.4 which is at the lower end of the range for fens.
The values of average depth-to-water shows little in the way of a pattern although the highest values are for sample sites in the bog forma tions (Points B100N, B4700N, and L900N+1100W; Table 16). The overall means for both bog and fen are nearly the same, 21 cm. - 117 -
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of peat in this deposit is l m. The overall average thickness of unhumified peat is 0.7 m and that of humified peat 0.3 m. The calculations have shown that the total area where the thickness of the peat layer is less than l m is 1,706 ha and the total area where peat layer thickness exceeds l m is 1,116 ha. The areas containing either 2 or 3 m or more of peat total only 74 and 5 ha, respectively. The maximum peat thickness in this deposit is found at Point L2300N+1800E where it is 3.4 m thick. A 3 metre peat thickness is also found at two other locations; at Points L3200N+900E and Point 1000E.
The l m isopach follows the baseline from about Transects L1500N to L4600N and as a narrow zone with a general width of about 700 m also along the F-line to F2500W. It is widest along the Transects L1600N and L2300N transects where it extends from Point L1600N+3300E to Point L1600N+3200W, and from Point L2300N+290E to Point L2300N+1900W. In the rest of the deposit the area with l m or more of peat is disrupted by a number of mineral soil islands especially in the northern part of the deposit. In the south the l m isopach extends only 300-400 m south of the baseline.
The average peat layer thickness is in each physiognomic group has been summarized in Table 3 below.
TABLE 17 Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m)
cS 14/0.5 1.0 TlsB 1100/39 1.0 TgB 237/8.5 1.2 OlsB 475/17 0.9 OgB 300/11 1.0 TlsPF 9/0.3 1.2 OpF/OgF 33.5/1.0 OlsPF 8.0/0.2 TlsF 142/5.0 1.0 TsrF 32/1.0 0.3 TgF 126/4.5 1.2 OgF 343/12 1.2 - 118 -
Peat Types
This deposit contains large areas where the thickness of peat is less than l m and often even less than 0.5 m. In these areas, usually only the thickness was measured. In a number of locations with a thin peat layer, the peat type was recorded in addition to the thickness (Profiles 20-32).
To facilitate the discussion of the peat types and their occurrence in Peatland 52F-113, this discussion is presented on a baseline-by- baseline, transect-by-transect basis.
Along the baseline the surficial peats are mostly sphagnum dominated (90%) with some sedge (10%). Below this is surficial peat with sedge, a predominant component (40-70%) with sphagnum (30-40%) and wood (10%) as other components. In all, surficial peat reaches thicknesses of about 1.5 to 1.8 m.
The humified peats along the baseline are composed of mixtures of wood (lQ-20%) and sphagnum (20-40%) with sedge as a dominant component (40-807.).
Along Transect L900N only the thickness was measured as peat is only about 0.5 ra thick except at the southern end of the transect (Points L900N+900W through L900N+1370W). At this location, the surficial peat is mainly sphagnum dominated (70%) and the humified peat both sedge (60-70%) and in one location sphagnum (60%) dominated.
Along Transect L1600N, the surficial peat is composed of sphagnum peat (S ranging from 80-100%) with sedge and shrub as minor components. Only near the middle of the transect are sedge-dominant surficial peats found (C ranging at 90%).
The humified peats along this transect are sedge dominated (0:70-100/0 with mostly shrub as a secondary component (lQ-20%). - 119 -
Along Transect L2300N, the surficial peats are composed of a layer of sphagnum peat at the surface (90-10C^) with minor quantities of shrub and sedge present (each about lO/S each). However, below this layer, there are lenses of surficial peat with sedge predominating (SO-70%) and sphagnum, wood and shrub as secondary components. The humified peats along this transect are composed of sedge peats (SO-80%) and contain variable amounts of wood (1C^), shrub (lQ-20%) and sphagnum (20-3C^).
Along Transect L3200N, the surficial peat at the surface is mostly sphagnum dominated (9(^) while at the greater depths, sedge becomes more dominant (50-7(^). The humified peats along this transect are invariably sedge peats (AO-80%) with some shrub remnants (1C^) as well as some sphagnum
Transect L4100N has sphagnum peat as a surficial peat along the southwestern part only. The northeastern portion has sedge peat as a dominant surficial peat (C up 10C^). The humified peat along this transect is composed of some sphagnum dominated peat in the middle of the transect (6(^). The rest is sedge dominated (yO-100%) with some shrub (lOJS) and sphagnum present (up to
Transect L4700N displays shrub-sedge peat as the dominant peat type both in the surficial and humified layer.
The peat layer in the western portion of Peatland 52F-113 (Line F and its sidelines) is characterized by sphagnum peats dominanting both in the surficial and humified layers with only smaller quantities of sedge peat present.
Considerable areas of this deposit are covered by bog types mixed with fens occasionally as the inspection of the profiles indicates. It appears presently that, although bog types are slowly overtaking the fen types as the predominant formations, in the earlier developmental stages, based on the underlying sedge peats, fens may have predominated in this deposit at an earlier date. Also, the shallowness of the peat and the - 120 - sloping character of the base of the bog indicates that the drainage has been relatively good at one time and conducive to a fen formation with minerotrophic conditions. These conditions are still reflected in the surface vegetation throughout the deposit in the vegetation and indicate that the deposit's surface waters still have contact with the groundwater table of the underlying mineral substrate which is composed of sand and other soil types of high permeability. It appears that presently ombrogenic conditions are slowly becoming predominant.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H4.3. For the unhumified layer it is H2.2 and for the humified layer H6.1. The average thickness of the unhumified layer is 0.7 m while that of the humified layer is 0.3 m.
The unhumified peat is quite evenly distributed as a thin layer throughout the deposit on the surface (Profiles 20-32). It is commonly underlain by peats H5 to H7 and occasionally by H8 and H9 peat. This deposit is very regular as far as the distribution of the various degrees of humification are concerned in that there are no inversions whereby lesser humified peat would be overlain by more humified peat. As a rule, the degree of humification decreases from the surface to the bottom. As far as the degree of humification is concerned this deposit could be used for the production of either fuel or horticultural peat. However, because of the shallowness of peat layer, it is unmineable.
Peat Volumes
Peat volumes data have been summarized in the Table 18. - 121 -
TABLE 18
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Peatland No. Total Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area (x 106 m3) Area with > Volume (ha) 1 m of Peat ( volume of (x 106 m3) HA-10 peat in area with M m of peat)
52F-113 2,822 23.818 15.288 9.570
Table 18 indicates that the total volume of peat in this deposit is 23.818 million m3. Of this total, 9.570 million m3 are well humified peats. The total volume of the area of l metre or more of peat is 15.288 million m3.
Considering only the volume of the peat in this deposit, it appears that there would be enough to sustain a sizeable industrial operation. However, considering the overall shallowness of the peat in this large deposit, the deposit is not mineable for an industrial purpose.
Potential for Fuel Peat or Horticultural Peat Development
Peatland 52F-113 appears to have a potential for peat mining if only the total volumes are considered. However, considering the overall shallowness of the deposit it is obvious that this deposit has no signficant potential for any peat extraction, be it either for horticultural or fuel purposes.
Considering the large size of this deposit and its very variable surface where open bogs and fens alternate with treed bogs and poor fens this deposit could be used as a nature reserve for wildlife or the study of various peatland formations. The deposit shows throughout its - 122 - total area considerable rainerotrophic influence caused by the underlying mineral soil. However, areas with a thicker peat layer have started to show some ombrotrophic characteristics in that the bog physiognomic groups are becoming more common.
Another use for this deposit could be for forestry. Due to the thickness of the peat layer and the minerotrophic character of the deposit, it is obvious that it could be successfully drained for peatland forestry. Also an agricultural utilization could be considered, although bog areas are typically acid.
Comments
Peatland 52F-113 is approximately 95% Crown Land. The portion lying outside of Revell Township is in a Crown forest management unit.
It appears that it could be worthy of consideration as a nature reserve or for research to study wildlife and vegetation conditions in peatlands found in this part of Ontario. The utilization for forestry or agriculture could be considered for this deposit due to its shallow peat. In fact, the Ministry of Natural Resources once considered draining this deposit for forestry. The shallowness of the peat layer precludes its use for peat mining. - 122a -
The following dockets contain: Peatland 52F-113 Map 11. Peatland Classification Map Map 12. Isopach Map Map 13. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 20-32
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©1986 Government of Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Appendix Volume D
1986
Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles.
Ministry of "en6 Fontaine Northern* . . . r*.Development i , GeorgeMinister Tough and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
D-i
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations:
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ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME D
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
D - v
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
*APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
APPENDIX VOLUME E
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
D - vii
- 123 -
5.6 PEATLAND 52K-2Q
Location
Peatland 52K-20 is located in Red Lake District about 4 km south of the Griffith Mine between Pakwash Lake and Bruce Lake. This deposit is located just east of the lower part of Pakwash Provincial Park. It is located approximately at 15-4715624 in U.T.M. coordinates or 49 046'N latitude and 93 025'W longtitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographi cal Map Sheet No. 52K/14, airphotos: 75-5032 105-24, 25 and 26, 75-5031 105-6, 7 and 8) (Map 1).
Access
Access to Peatland 52K-20 is provided by Highway 105. This highway passes within 400 to 500 m of most parts of the western edge of the deposit.
By road, Peatland 52K-20 is 4 km south of the Griffith Mine and 10, 21, and 50 km from Snake Falls, Ear Falls and Red Lake, respectively. Besides the raining operation at Red Lake, there are also primary wood-using industries located there.
A C.N.R. rail line and an underground gas pipeline cross the east side of the peatland. A set of transmission lines also pass between its western perimeter and Highway 105.
Dates of Field Study
The core sampling of Peatland 52K-20 was performed on September 14th, 15th and 16th, 1984. The extraction of physical samples for labora tory analysis was carried out on September 16th.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-20 is located in a low-lying, glaciolacustrine, clay basin between Pakwash Lake and Bruce Lake (Map 16). Its eastern part is within 100 m of Bruce Lake while the western part is about l km from - 124 -
Pakwash Lake. The surface of the surrounding land rises up to 384 m a.m.s.l. while the deposit itself is at about 349 m a.m.s.l. The surrounding terrain is typical hilly Precambrian terrain, some of which is covered by sandy deposits. The peat profiles indicate that this deposit is situated in a trough which slopes to the northeast towards a small bay on Bruce Lake. The general slope of the surface is also in the same northeasterly direction.
The elevation map indicates that the surface of the northeastern part of the deposit lies at 347.5 m a.m.s.l. while the western part of the bog is at 349.5 m a.ra.s.l. The surface elevation of Bruce Lake, which borders on the east edge of the deposit, is 346 m a.m.s.l. This indicates that the surface of the bog at the eastern side is only slightly above the lake and that the western end is only 3.5 m higher than the lake. Thus, the gradient across the deposit to the lake is in the order of Q.4%. This gradient is relatively steep compared with many other deposits in this region. However, a check of the maximum peat thicknesses in the deposit indicates that the base for a large part of the bog is actually at about 345 m a.m.s.l. At the end of Transect L1200E, where surface water discharges into a small lake, it goes down to 343.5 m a.m.s.l. Along the baseline it varies from 345 m to about 347.5 m a.m.s.l. while along the Transect L1700N it is about 345-346.5 m a.m.s.l. As a consequence, only the deepest parts of the deposit could be drained. These deepest parts of the bog are located at Point B400E and Points B800E to B1000E where the maximum thickness of 4 m is attained. The rest of the deposit is less than 3 m deep and because the surface slopes towards the lake, only the thickness that is above the 346 m level can be drained (Profiles 33-37). While this thickness includes almost all the peat in the western portion of the site (including the l m basal layer which would probably be untouched by development anyway), the elevation data highlights a potential problem.
Another obstacle to drainage may be the alignment of the railway and pipeline between Bruce Lake and the deeper portion of this deposit. In fact, the lake in the northeastern part of the deposit may have been enlarged from its original size because of insufficient drainage under the railroad grade. - 125 -
An inspection of the peat profiles indicates that for the most part the base of the deposit is quite flat. However, there is a considerable slope towards the north from the southern part of the bog along the Transect L1200E. This line runs more or less in a southwest-northeast direction to the small bay which reaches inland off of Bruce Lake. The base of the southern end of this transect lies at about 348 m a.m.s.l. while the northern end at Point L1200E+630N (at the lake) lies at about 343.5 m a.m.s.l. Elsewhere, in other directions, the slopes are negligible.
There is a stream running across the deposit more or less from west to east which discharges into the lake. It intersects Transect L500E at about Point L500E+350N. There is also a small perimeter drainage zone along the southern margin of the deposit appearing as a narrow lagg of poor fen.
In this deposit, the underlying soil is mostly clay. Silt is found only at the ends of the transects. Some sand also is found at the edges. At sites near the lake and at a few other locations ooze is found above the clay. It is mostly only 0.1-0.2 m thick but, by the lake, it attains a thickness of 1.3 m.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52K-20 is 441 ha in area, excluding the 8 ha for the lake in the middle of the deposit and two small mineral terrain islands (5.5 ha) in the northern part of the deposit (Map 15). Of the 441 ha, 319 ha are in the study area and were surveyed. A total 279 ha have a peat layer thick ness of l m or more.
As far as the peatland shape is concerned, the deposit is regular in shape with the portion within the study area being almost rectangular. Along the baseline, the deposit is 2300 m long while being about 2200 m wide near the middle of the deposit. Including the portion outside of the study area, the longest axis of the deposit is about 2.3 km in a south east-northwest direction. The widest area, located in the southern part of the deposit, is about 2 km. Further north, it is only about 1.5 km wide. As far as the shape is concerned, this deposit is very regular and suitably shaped for peat mining. - 126 -
Peatland Vegetation
This peatland is a flat deposit with basin bog characteristics (Map 14). The study area boundary line cuts through the northern quarter of the basin and all measurements and observations have been made on the area south of that boundary. The total basin has an area of 441 ha of which 319 ha are in the study area. Of the area within the study limit, about 49% (155 ha) is bog formation and 38% is swamp (122 ha). Along the southern edge of the basin are 23 ha (3%) of fen in the contact area with mineral soil (lagg). On the eastern edge near the center of the basin are 8.8 ha of deep water and another 6 ha of associated shallow marsh. There are also 13 ha of thicket swamp north of the pond. A pipeline and railroad track and bridge account for 5.7 ha along the east side of the basin.
The predominant tree species on the peatland is black spruce Picea mariana, and it forms a moderately dense (30-45% cover) mono-dominant stand in the conifer swamp. However, this formation has been considerably modified since the time (1975) of the aerial photography used in this study. The cutover area at the northern third of the basin has been subjected to additional cutting and a large area (perhaps 30%) of the 1975 conifer swamp has been cut opening a broad east-west corridor lying south of the small bay and railroad bridge. The cut areas support a mosaic of graminoid and shrub species with many species indicative of minerotrophy (eg. Alnus rugosa and Calamagrostis canadensis). Shrub dominance is more frequent in the older logged areas. The dominant mosses are sphagna but Pleurozium schreberi is a frequent local dominant.
The thicket swamp occurs in several areas at the margin of the peatland along the east edge. Alnus rugosa and Betula pumila var. glandulifera are the dominant species and shrub cover averages about 60%.
In the treed low shrub bog (148 ha), Picea mariana is most dominant followed by Ledum groenlandicum (Table 19). Chamaedaphne calyculata is usually a sub-dominant but may achieve co-dominance at some points (eg. Points B600E and B2200E). Sphagnum fuscum is the dominant moss of hummocks and Sphagnum angustifolium is the dominant species of the hollows. - 127 -
TABLE 19
Peatland 52K-20: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Conifer Swamp L500E+600N Picea mariana^5-Smilacina trifolia^- Carex trisperma^-Pleurozium schreberi**^
Treed Low Shrub Bog B300E Picea mariana^-Ledum groenlandicum^S- Sphagnum angus tofolium-^ B600E Picea mariana iU-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Ledum groenlandicume-Sphagnum fuscumbD B900E Picea marianaiU-Ledum groenlandicum18- Sphagnum angustifolium^^ B1200E Picea marianai;ii-Ledum groenlandicum^- Chamaedaphne calyculatai0- Sphagnum angustifolium'^ B2200E Picea marianas-Ledum groenlandicum^2 t Chamaedaphne calyculata^- Sphagnum angustifoiium^^ L500E+200N Picea mar iana1 ^-Chamaedaphne calyculata^O- Ledum groenlandicuml^-Sphagnum fuscum80 L2200E+200N Picea mar iana 1 ^-Chamaedaphne calyculatalB- Sphagnum magellanicumbi) - 128 -
TABLE 20
Peatland 52K-20, Vegetational Cover Values
L500 L500 L2200 Sample Locations +600N B300E B600E B900E B12001 1B2200II+200N +200N Physiognomic Group cS TlsB TlsB TlsB TlsB TlsB TlsB TlsB pH of surface water 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.5 3.8 3.7 3.7 * Avg. Depth to Water (cm) 53 47 51 43 44 26 51 58
TREES Larix laricina P 1 2 1 Picea mariana 45 18 10 9 12 8 15 15
SHRUBS Andromeda glaucophylla P P Betula pumila var. glandulifera 1 Chamaedaphne calyculata P 8 12 8 10 8 20 18 Kalmia polifolia P P 1 P P 1 P Ledum groenlandicum 3 25 8 18 15 12 10 5 Salix pedicellaris P
GRAMINOIDS fc HERBS Carex aquatilis P Carex chordorrhiza . P Carex oligosperma P 1 P Carex pauciflora 2 P 1 P Carex trisperma 3 P Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum P P 1 1 P P Gaultheria hispidula P Geocaulon lividum P Monotropa uniflora P Rubus chamaemorus 1 1 1 1 Smilacina trifolia 4 3 4 4 2 Vaccinium oxycoccus P P P P P P P P
MOSSES 6 LICHENS Cladonia mitis 1 Cladonia rangiferina 1 P Cladonia spp. 2 Dicranum elongatum 2 1 1 2 Pleurozium schreberi 45 12 1 P P 4 10 Polytrichum commune 1 1 P Ptilium crista-castrensis 1 Sphagnum fuscum 30 65 40 20 15 80 Sphagnum magellanicum 30 15 10 P 15 1 65 Sphagnum angustifolium 20 35 32 45 76 68 10 22 - 129 -
Full vegetation surveys were performed at eight sites and the cover values for the plant species at those sites are compared with pH and average depth (cm) to surface water in Table 20. The pH is uniformly low (3.5 - 4.0) at all sites with the highest value (4.0) recorded in the conifer swamp, but this value is too similar to the others to have much significance.
The average depth to water is relatively high for all the sample points, ranging from 26 cm to 58 cm with a mean of 47 cm. Some alteration of water levels in the peatland may have accompanied recent logging activi ties or developments related to operations at the Griffith Mine just north of the basin.
Peat Thickness
The overall thickness of the peat in this deposit is 2.4 m (Map 15). The overall average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.6 m and of the humified peat layer, 1.8 m. The maximum thickness of peat, 4.1 m, is encountered at Points B400E and B4700E on the baseline. The 4 m or greater thickness of peat covers only about 7 ha for a short distance along the baseline. The peat isopach map indicates that most of the deposit has at least l m or more of peat as the l m isopach is rarely more than 100 m from the edge of the peatland. The other isopachs follow it at regular intervals. This shows that this deposit is actually well-suited for mining as far as the peat thickness is concerned since a large percentage of the deposit is more than 2 m deep (223 ha, 70%).
The average peat layer thickness in each physiognomic group has been summarized in Table 21.
TABLE 21 Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m)
ts 13/4 — cS 122/38 2.6 TlsB 148/47 2.7 TgB 7/2 1.1 OlsPF 9/3 2.4 TlsF 14/49 1.4 sM 6/2 2.7 - 130 -
Peat Types
Most of the deposit is covered by relatively thick surficial peat layer. It is commonly composed of pure sphagnum peat right at the sur face. The thickness of the surficial sphagnum peat (S, up to 10(^) is usually less than l m but reaches occasionally thicknesses of 1.2-1.3 m and at the southern end of the Transect L1700E, even 1.8 m. Below the sphagnum peat there are lenses of other surficial peat types where other components such as sedge and shrubs are present, however, sphagnum usually dominates (SO-80%).
Sedge-dominated peats appear to be slightly more common in the humified peat layer (ranging from 60-9C^). There are also a number of lenses of humified peat with the sphagnum ranging from 50 to 100% with shrub content commonly between 10 and 20%. The relatively large quantities of sedge throughout the deposit indicate that this bog has progressed through a number of fen or poor fen phases during its earlier developmental stages. Presently, it is composed mostly of bog types and is tree covered with a treed bog the most common surface type.
There are layers of ooze below the peat, especially near the lake located in the middle of the deposit. This occurs from Point L1200E+100N to the lake at L1200E+630N and reaches a thickness of 1.3 m. Ooze is also found at Point L500E+1000N. Smaller lenses of ooze are found at Points B300E, B400E, B800E, B1100E and B1200E. They are only 0.1-0.2 m thick. It appears that in these locations paludification has started as a filling of water bodies by organic matter. In some locations, sedge peats have been the first ones to be formed. However, in many others relatively pure sphagnum peats have been the initial peat types. In all, the great mix of different peat types in deposits indicates a complex developmental history.
The relatively small quantities of sphagnum peat would lend this bog better suited for the production of fuel peat than horticultural peat. - 131 -
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer in this deposit is H4.9. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is H2.4 while for the surficial humified layer it is H5.7.
The unhumified peat (Hl-3) is quite evenly distributed over the entire surface of the deposit (Profiles 33-37). Along the baseline its thickness varies from more than l m (1.6, 1.7) at the western end of the baseline to as little as 0.2 m in a few locations. Along the Transect L500E its thickness varies from nil up to 1.6-1.8 m and along Transect L1200E from 0.1 to 1.4 m, while on Transects L1700E and L2200E it varies from 0.2 to 0.6 and 2.5 m. In all, this deposit has relatively thick layers of unhumified peat compared with a number of others surveyed in the area. However, most of the unhumified peat is less than l ra in thickness.
The humified peat layer is composed of extensive lenses of H4 peat, underlying the surficial peat especially along the baseline from its commencement at Point BOOE to Point 1100E. From Point B800E to the Point B1400E there is also a lens of H4 peat overlain by more humified peat. The rest of the deposit has a great variety lenses of H5, H6 and H7 peat with a number of inversions where less humified peats are underlain by peat with a higher degree of humification. Thus, for instance at Point L1200E+200N the sequence goes from HI and H2, to H4-H8 and then back to H6 and H5 from the surface to the base of the bog. The distribution of lenses of different humification and their scattered and inverted locations in the deposit may reflect periodic flooding caused by the transgression of the lake onto the bog and then consequent differences in the paludification process in the past history.
As far as the degree of humification is concerned, this deposit would be better used for the production of fuel peat. However, there are a few locations on the surface where considerable quantities of unhumified peats are encountered. This would require the stripping of some of this peat by n selective mining to ensure good fuel peat quality. Considering the drainage problem this deposit has, a wet mining method might be most suitable. It would not be very difficult technically to mix unhumified peats with the underlying humified peat to produce relatively even quality fuel peat by this method. - 132 -
Peat Volumes
Peat volume data has been summarized in Table 22 below:
TABLE 22
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Peat land No. Total Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area (x 106 m3 ) Area with Volume in (ha) M m of Peat Area M m of (x 106 m3 ) Peat (x 106 m3)
52K-20 319 7.614 7.414 5.666 (441)'
* Includes also the area located outside the study area.
Table 22 indicates that a total volume of peat in this deposit is 7.614 million m3 and of the total, 7.414 million m3 are in the area where the thickness of peat layer is l m or more. A total of 5.666 million m3 are well humified peat.
About 233 ha of the surveyed area of 390 ha contain 2 m or more of peat and would be ideal for peat mining. The l m isopach follows the edge of the bog closely and the 2 m isopach is only 100-300 m further away from the edge of the bog and contains a total of 6.630 million m3 of peat. This configuration provides a very regularly shaped peat mining area affording a considerable quantity of mineable peat.
Potential for Fuel or Horticultural Peat Development
Peatland 52K-20 has potential mainly for fuel peat production. Its potential for the production for horticultural peat is diminished by the peat types present and by the relatively small quantity of horticultural peat in the deposit. The well humified shrubby sedge peat is best suited for fuel peat mining. - 133 -
The total quantity of humified peat is 5.666 million m^ in the area (279 ha) l m or more in thickness and 5.162 million m3 in the area (223 ha) of 2 m or more of peat. This resource distribution would be ideal for a mining operation. In addition to this, its regular shape would increase its suitability for peat mining. The tree cover is relatively dense in the western part of the deposit and might create some problems in clearing the surface for the mining. The stump content on average over the entire depo sit was measured to be 2.17* which is close to the limit for milled peat mining operation. The access is very good to the bog and no special road construction would be needed since Highway 105 skirts the deposit around its western parameter and a number of roads built for the Griffith Mine are close to the northeastern corner of the deposit.
The only really serious problem against using this deposit for peat mining is a potential drainage problem due to its location in relation to Bruce Lake. Only the peat lying above (0.5-1 m) the level of Bruce Lake could be harvested by conventional draining and dry mining methods. Drainage potential of this site would require a more detailed site study. In the event that wet mining is considered, a thorough environmental study of the possible impacts of wet mining on Bruce Lake would need to be carried out. However, the portion of Bruce Lake into which the drainage waters would be discharged is already a containment and sedimentation pond for the mine tailings and would require further study only if a clean-up of the lake were attempted now that the mine has been closed up. The deposit's distance from Ear Falls and also from the nearly iron mine could be advantageous for industrial applications. On the mine site the use of peat would be limited to the amelioration of the waste piles, since the mine has been closed since 1984.
Comments
Peatland 52K-20 is all Crown Land and is located in the Trout Lake Forest Agreement area. The railroad and gas pipeline right of ways through this peatland are 40 and 15 m wide, respectively.
This deposit has not been marked for any specific conservation or other purpose and is open for consideration as a source of industrial use for peat. - 133a -
The following dockets contain: Peatland 52K^20 Map 14. Peatland Classification Map Map 15. Isopach Map Map 16. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 33-37 - 134 -
5.7 PEATLAND 52K-85
Location
Peatland 52K-85 is located in Dryden District about 14 km northeast of Amesdale. North Hodgins Lake is 4 km southeast of it while Thaddeus Lake is about 9 km to the northwest. This deposit is located approximately at 15-5155549 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 006 f N latitude and 92 047'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/2; airphotos 76-5004 6-90 and 91) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-85 is very accessible. Rasin Creek Road skirts the entire east side of the deposit coming to within 100 m of its edges near the northeast end. This road loops around the northern periphery of the peatland never straying more than 300 m from its edge.
By road, Peatland 52K-85 about 45 km from Dryden. It can be reached by Highway 665/Rasin Creek Road or Highway 60l/Camp #1 Road route. In addition to this, the distance by road, to several nearby communities is summarized in the following table:
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52F-85 (km)
Amesdale 18 Richan 20 Oxdrift 50 Hudson 54 Sioux Lookout 78
Primary wood-using industries are located in several of the abovementioned communities.
A transmission line corridor passes within one kilometre of the northern boundary of the deposit. - 135 -
Dates of Field Study
The core sampling of Peatland 52K-85 was performed on September 5th and 6th, 1984. Physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted on September lith.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-85 is located in a silt sand, glaciofluvial channel sloping to the southwest away from the Lac Seul end moraine just to the northeast. This channel and the surrounding uplands may also be part of outwash system associated with the end moraine. The overall elevation of the outwash area is about 435 m a.m.s.l. while the rock knob hills on both sides of the deposit and also to the south of it rise up to 460 m a.m.s.l. The rock knob hills bordering the deposit rise quite steeply as the profiles drawn along the transects clearly indicate.
All the transect profiles show that the bog surface is concave towards the center to a certain extent while the edge is tapered up along the slope. The baseline profiles shows that the surface of the deposit as well as its base are tilted quite steeply from the northeastern to the southwestern end. The surface of the deposit is at its northeastern corner about 433 m a.m.s.l. From there it rapidly descends towards the southwest where the elevations on the bog are about 426 m a.m.s.l. (at Point B2800S). This converts to an overall gradient of Q.23%. The first 1100 m from the northeast do not show much of a gradient as the surface of the peat deposit descends from 433 m to about 432 m a.m.s.l. This amounts to slightly less than a Q.1% gradient. From Point B1100S to the southwestern end of the bog the surface descends another 6 m and the gradient increases up to Q.3%.
The deposit is composed of 2 separate basins. The first one extends from Point BOOS to Point B1100S. At Point B1100S, the base of the deposit rises steeply from about 426.5 m a.m.s.l. to 430 m a.m.s.l. At Point B1100S the peat thickness is less than 2 m. From there, the base descends quickly so that at Point B1400S it is only 435.5 m a.m.s.l. The lowest elevation about 424.5 m a.m.s.l. is found at Point B2500S. It appears that these two sections have paludified separately so that - 136 - paludification has started at the upper part of the deposit and then possibly spilled over to the lower part which has considerably lower peat thickness than the upper part.
As far as the drainage of the deposit is concerned, it has very good drainage potential due to the relatively steep gradient along its main axis. A natural drainage channel flows out of the bog from its southwes tern tip where a streamline fans out to the south and enters Good Lake about 6-7 km south of the deposit. The bog also has a pond situated between Points B800S and B1000S just to the southeast of the baseline and just to the north of Transect L1000S.
The substrate of the deposit is mainly sand with silt found in many areas particularly in the deepest parts of the basin. There is a layer of ooze from Point B700S to about Point B1000S associated with the peat in that area, which is the deepest portion of the basin.
As far as topography and drainage conditions surrounding this deposit are concerned, there should be no serious drainage problems in case this deposit were to be considered for industrial use. Great care should be exercised during the perimeter ditch excavation along the edges of the bog due to its concave nature to ensure that the ditch is deep enough to properly intercept the inflow from the adjacent uplands and to avoid washing out of any mineral soil ditch spoil onto the deposit.
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is 147.5 ha excluding one small mineral island less than l ha in area and the pond which covers 1.4 ha (Map 18). A total of 101.5 ha contain a peat layer of l m or more in thickness and 70.5 ha a peat layer of 2 m or more. The area of greatest resource potential is located in the northern part of the deposit from Point BOOS to Point B1100S. This part of the deposit contains the thickest layers of peat. A good resource potential is also found between B1100S to about B2100S. From Point B2100S southward, the deposit is very narrow and while the peat layer thickness is still over 3 m in part, its extraction would not be worthwhile. - 137 -
The shape of the deposit is relatively regular. Its approximate maximum length is about 3000 m oriented along an axis from the northeast to southwest. The maximum width at the location of Transect B500S is about l km. The rest of the deposit is only about 500 m wide. Due to the narrowness, some of the attraction the great thickness of peat offers for commercial use is lost since the surface area is limited. The orientation of the peat mining fields would also be complicated and not very conducive to efficient peat extraction activities.
Vegetation
This peatland is a strongly sloping channel deposit which is dominated by bog associations although fens and thicket swamps still dominate the wet, central drainway through the peatland. It has a complex mix of features due to the narrowness of the basin and the presence of a stream which parallels the principal axis of the basin. The total peatland area is 147.5 ha (Map 17). The geomorphological formations are 7.5 ha of stream swamp, 26 ha of stream fen and 114.1 ha of basin or flat bog. The bog formations are located along the edges of the basin, furthest away from the flow of water through the site and are bisected by the almost centrally situated stream formations.
Nearly 76% (112 ha) of the surface vegetation occurs in bog forma tions, 56.5 ha of which are treed and 55 ha of which are open. About 16 ha of the open low shrub bog units are open as a result of logging some 15-20 years ago. Picea mariana is the predominant tree species of the bog forma tions (Table 23). Ledum groenlandicum is the most abundant shrub, particu larly in the post-logging open subformations. Chamaedaphne calyculata is most frequent in the northern section of the peatland and is dominant in the low shrub stratum here. Where the water table is not too far from the surface, Sphagnum spp. are the dominant mosses with Sphagnum fuscum domina ting the hummocks and Sphagnum russowii in the relatively shallow hollows. In the drier portions of the peatland (e.g., Points B1800S, B2600S, and L1900S+200E), Pleurozium schreberi is a dominant.
The graminoid bog units are most commonly dominated by Carex oligosperma, but where the water level is close to the surface (as at Point B100S), Rhynchospora alba and Carex limosa may become co-dominants (Table 23). - 138 -
TABLE 23
Peatland 52K-85: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Treed Lowshrub Bog B400S Picea marianalO-Chamaedaphne calyculata^- * * Sphagnum fallax^8 B2600S Picea mariana^^-Ledum groenlandicum^u- Pleurozium schreberi^^ L1900S+200E Picea mariana^-Ledum groenlandicum^U- Pleurozium schreberi5^
Open Lowshrub Bog B1800S Picea mariana^-Ledum groenlandicum28- (Post-logging) Sphagnum fuscum^-Pleurozium schreberi^U B2100S Picea marianatt-Ledum groenlandicum^u- Sphagnum russowi^ 5
Open Graminoid Bog B100S Rhynchospora alba^-Carex limosa^- Sphagnum fallax 7tj L1900S+400E Carex oligosperma"-Sphagnum angustifolium^^
Open Graminoid Fen B700S Carex lasiocarpa^-Menyanthes trifoliata^- Sphagnum fallax^u B1400S Carex lasiocarpa^-Menyanthes trifoliata^- Sphagnum fallax^0 B1800S Larix laricinay-Typha latifolia^U- Sphagnum palustre^U - 139 -
TABLE 24 Peatland 52K-85, Vegetational Cover Values
IL19005 L1900S Sample Locations B400S B2600S+200E B1800SB2100SB100S +400E B700S B1400SB1100S Physiognomic Class TlsB TlsB TlsB OlsB OlsB OgB OgB OgF OgF OgF pH of Surface Water 4.4 * * 4.0 * 4.0 4.0 5.2 5.5 5.4 Avg. Depth to Water (cm) 35 63 72 106 83 22 25 5 14 4
TREES Larix laricina P 1 P P 1 2 4 8 Picea mariana 10 18 25 6 8 1 4 P P P SHRUBS Alnus rugosa 1 Andromeda glaucophylla P 1 P 2 2 5 Be tula pumila var. glandulifera 1 2 4 4 Chamaedaphne calyculata 15 2 1 8 10 8 1 6 8 Kalmia polif olia 3 2 1 P P P Ledum groenlandicum 30 20 28 20 4 Lonicera villosa 1 Ribes triste P Rubus strigosus 1 Salix bebbiana 1 P Salix pyrifolia 6 Vaccinium angustif olium 1 P Vaccinium myrtilloides 1 GRAMENOIOS 4 HERBS Calamagrostis canadensis 2 Carex chordorrhiza P 1 P Carex exilis P Carex lasiocarpa 5 6 Carex limosa 3 2 Carex oiigosperma P 8 Carex pauciflora P P P Carex trisperma 2 2 1 Coptis trifolia P Drosera rotundifolia P P P P Dull c hi urn arundinaceum P Epilobium angustif olium P Epilobium leptophyllum P Equisetum fluviatile P P Equisetum sylvaticum 1 Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum 1 P P 1 Gaultheria hispidula P 1 5 1 P Hype ri cum virginicum P Lycopodium annotinum 1 2 1 Lysimachia terrestris P Menyanthes trifoliata 4 2 Potentilla palustris P 1 Rhynchospora alba 4 1 P Rubus chamaemorus 1 1 1 Sarracenia purpurea P 1 P P P Scheuchzeria palustris P 2 1 1 1 Scirpus cespitosus P Smilacina trifolia 3 2 1 P 1 P 2 Solidago uliginosa P Thelypteris palustris P Triglochin maritima P Typha latifolia 10 Utricularia intermedia 1 P 1 Vaccinum oxycoccus P P P P P P P Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1 1 P P Viola sp. P MOSSES 6 LICHENS Aulacomnium palustre 1 Cladonia cristatella P Cladonia rangiferina P P 2 P P Dicranum elongatum P P Pleurozium schreberi 65 55 20 10 Polytrichum commune 1 2 2 1 1 P P Ptilium crista-castrensis 5 Sphagnum angustif olium 52 Sphagnum fuscum 30 20 25 5 35 10 20 Sphagnum magellanicum 10 15 10 10 5 15 Sphagnum rubellum 5 10 1 15 Sphagnum russowi 25 20 75 Sphagnum fallax 58 78 20 50 10 Sphagnum maius 15 Sphagnum palustre 15
Mo water available for pH measurement. - 140 -
The fen formations are associated with the stream through the peat- land and a relatively low average depth to water (Table 24). The 1.6 ha of treed tall shrub fen is dominated by a canopy of Larix laricina and an understorey of Alnus rugosa (S-8% cover), Betula pumila var. glandulifera (S-8%) and Chamaedaphne calyculata (lQ-15%). More than 98% (26 ha) of the fen area is open graminoid fen, most of which is dominated by Carex lasiocarpa. Just south of the small (1.3 ha) peatland lake is a 2.8 ha area of open graminoid fen which is dominated by Typha latifolia and contains other species indicative of mesotrophic nutrient status. The lake contains such species as Nuphar variegatum and Potamogeton cf. natans, also indicative of mesotrophy and suggesting that in addition to receiving surface run-off, this water body may be spring-fed.
The swamp formations comprise 5% (7.5 ha) of the peatland and, like the fens, are associated with the stream running through the deposit. The conifer swamp (3.5 ha) is a mono-dominant stand of black spruce with little understorey except in glades where canopy openings occur. A carpet of moss (mainly Sphagnum spp. but with local patches of Pleurozium schreberi) attains cover values of 95-98%. This vegetation type may have been more prevalent on the peatland before logging.
The thicket swamp is a narrow, linear formation which follows the southern third of the stream course. It is dominated by Alnus rugosa although the actual stream banks are dominated by robust graminoids such as Carex cf. crinita, Carex rostrata and Glyceria grandis.
Full vegetation surveys were performed at 10 sites and the cover values for plant species at those sites are compared with pH and average depth (cm) to surface water in Table 24. The pH in the bog formations is uniformly low (4.0-4.4). The pH in the fen formations was about one full unit higher (5.2-5.5) than for the bog sites. A stream pH measurement of 5.9 was recorded at Point L2000+30W. The water in the fen formations is somewhat closer to the surface in the adjacent bog areas.
The average depth to water is quite high in the bog formations at the southern end of the peatland but appears to be generally higher in the low shrub bog units than in the graminoid bog units. The average depth to water is lowest at the fen sites due to the presence of flooded hollows at the sampling sites. - 141 -
Peat Thickness
As a whole, this deposit's peat layer is relatively thick (Map 18). The maximum thickness of peat encountered is 5.5 m at Point L500S+200E and 5.4 m at Point B1400S. The overall average thickness of peat of this deposit is 2.1 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.6 m and that of the humified layer is 1.5 m. There are two areas with thick layers of peat; one is located from Point BOOS to about Point B1100S. In this part of the bog, the deposit has a sizeable area of peat more than 4 m thick. Another location where peat is very thick is south of Point B1100S to about Point B1700S, and the thickness varies from about 2.5 m to 5 m. Also, at the southern tip there is an area with 3 m of peat.
The 2 metre isopach is subdivided into two sections; one in the north extending to Point B2000S and another smaller one along Transect L2500S. There is one small area of peat more than 3 m thick at Point L2500S+200W. In the northern part of the deposit, the 3 and 4 m peat isopachs oncircle continuous although narrow (only 100 m wide near the pond) areas from the northern parts of the deposit down to the level of Transect L1900S.
The average peat layer thickness in each physiognomic group has been summarized below in Table 25.
TABLE 25 Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m) ts 4/3 0.9 cS 3.5/2.5 2.6 TlsB 53.5/36 2.8 TgB 3/2 1.0 OlsB 28/19 2.7 OgB 27/18 3.9 TtsF 2.5/1.5 —— OgF 26/18 4.2 - 142 -
Peat Types
The surficial peat layer which reaches thicknesses from 2 up to 3.5 m (cf. chapter on peat humification), is composed of a number of peat types, rather than only those dominated by sphagnum. Only a portion of the uppermost layer of surficial peat is sphagnum dominated to any considerable extent (S ranging from 60 to 90yS) except along Transect L1500S. Other surficial peats are dominated by sedge (AO-100%) with sphagnum (ID-40%) and shrub dO-20%) as other components. The humified peat layer of the deposit is composed of a number of lenses in which combinations of peat made up of shrubs, sphagnum, sedge and to a certain extent wood are found alternating without any obvious organized sequence. It appears that sedge peats (ranging from 40 to 80%) are slightly more common than sphagnum peats in some locations while the opposite is true in other locations (S ranging from 40 to 80%, also shrub dominant humified peat is found 50 to 60%). Peat is underlain by ooze only at the deepest parts of the deposit. The largest ooze deposit underlying the peat is found at Points B800S through B1000S (about l m thick). Ooze is also found along Transects L500S, L1000S and L1500S as well as along L2500S. Along these transects the ooze is found mostly in the middle of the deposit at its deepest points. It reaches thicknesses of 30-90 m at these locations.
It appears from this mixed layering that this deposit has undergone a number of phases of interlaced bog and fen types in the past. Presently, it is covered by both bog and fen types and also in some locations by bog types with characteristics of conifer swamp interspersed.
The underlying substrate is sand and in quite a few locations silt.
The mix of peat types would make this deposit usable either for horticultural or fuel peat purposes in regards to the peat types alone. - 143 -
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H4.5. For the unhumified layer it is H2.1 and for the humified layer H5.3. The average thickness of the unhumified layer on the surface is 0.6 m.
There is a thin layer of unhumified peat (Hl-2) spread over almost the entire surface of this deposit (Profiles 38-43). It reaches a thickness of up to l m but is mostly 0.1-0.2 m in thickness. It is underlain by quite thick layers of H3 peat in a few locations, noticeably so from Point B100S to Point B600S where the lenses of H3 obtain thicknesses of almost 2.5 m. The same thickness is reached also in a few locations from Point B1100S to Point B1400S. Another location where H3 peat is relatively thick, reaching more than 2 m in thickness, is located along Transect L500S between Points L500S+200W and L500S+200E. Elsewhere, the H3 peat layer is only about 0.7-1.5 m thick.
The rest of the deposit is composed of peats H4, H5 and H6 most often with H7 and H8 found occasionally near the botton as individual lenses. H4 peat is a very common from Point B100S to about Point B1000S where it is the main component. Elsewhere, H4 lenses are not as pronounced. The rest of the deposit is composed of lenses of different lengths and thicknesses of H5 and H6 peats.
There are a number of locations where H3 peats are found well below layers of humified peats. Such locations are found for instance at Points B500S, L500S+100E and also along the main line from Point B300S to Point B500S. There are also a few other individual lenses of H3 peats underlying well humified peats. With respect to the degree humification, this deposit offers some potential for the production of horticultural peat especially at the northern portion of the deposit from Point BOOS to Point B1100S. - 144 -
Peat Volumes
TABLE 26
Distribution of Peat Volumes
Pea t land No. Total Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Area (x 106 m3) Area with Volume in (ha) M m of Peat Area M ra of (x 106 m3) Peat (x 10^ m3 )
52K-85 147.5 3.246 3.016 2.336
Table 26 indicates that the total volume of peat in this deposit is 3.246 million m^. Of this, 3.016 million m^ are in the area of l m or more of peat and 2.336 million m^ is the total volume of humified peat. The area with 2 m or more of peat contains 2.489 million nH of peat.
The area having the greatest potential for peat mining in this deposit is located from about Point B100S to Point B2000S. In this part of the deposit the peat thicknesses are 2 m or more over a considerable area. The l m isopach continues to the southern lobe of the deposit, but due to its narrow stretches through the embayments to the south, it would not be practical to take that part into production. The total volume of 3.246 million m^ indicates that the bog has a fair amount of peat. The total volume of 2.336 million m^ of humified peat could support a small scale industry. However, the narrowness of the deposit may diminish some of its value as a mineable deposit, if dry peat mining were to be used, since this method requires extensive surface areas to ensure a commercially viable annual yield.
Potential for Fuel Peat or Horticultural Peat Development
Peatland 52K-85 has some potential for both fuel and horticultural peat development. In assessing the horticultural peat development poten tial of the deposit, it appears that the volume of unhumified peat and its thickness indicate that a small scale operation may be a reasonable consi deration. - 145 -
The relatively thick layers of unhuraified peat in the northern part of the deposit (from Point BOOS to Point B1400S) indicates a horticultural peat mining potential. Towards the southern end humified peats become more dominant and render this portion better suited for fuel peat use. Also if the area of the deposit from Point B1500S south were mined for the produc tion of fuel peat and the product mixed with a less humified peat obtaina ble from the northwestern part of the bog, the mixed product might prove to be of a reasonably good value as fuel in case selective mining were not considered viable.
The shape of the deposit does not favour an easily realizeable drainage pattern, since the bog is quite narrow and has a number of embay- ments in relation to the total area of the deposit. The new wet mining techniques developed might be considered more suitable for mining this deposit than dry mining. In any case, if this deposit were to be consi dered for a small scale production of horticultural and fuel peat it could be a good source of both of them in combination and should not interfere with any standard mining procedure. The tree cover of about 18*1; on average would not be a serious handicap in the clearing bog surface for mining. The stump content of S.1% is high and may constitute a serious hindrance to some type of peat mining.
There are no serious drainage problems on this deposit. In fact, even the pond could be drained relatively easily either by a perimeter ditch along the edge of the deposit or via the existing stream that becomes quite visible in the field starting at about Point B1500S and running through the middle of the deposit to its southern tip.
Comments
This deposit has not been previously studied. It is totally on Crown Land and is located in a forest management agreement area. There is no knowledge about any specific plans to use it for conservation or wildlife purposes. - 145a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-85 Map 17. Peatland Classification Map Map 18. Isopach Map Map 19. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 38-43
- 146 -
5.8 PEATLAND 52K-86
Location
Peatland 52K-86 is located in Breithaupt Township in Dryden District l km south of Sunstrum. Watch Lake and Route Lake lie l and 3 km to east and northwest of it, respectively. This deposit is located approximately at 15-5315541 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 001'N latitude and 92 0 341W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/2; airphotos: 68-5002 66-97 and 98) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-86 is very accessible. Sunstrum Airport Road comes to within several hundred metres of the peatland boundary. Access directly to the edge is provided by a road constructed to assist Ontario Hydro crews maintaining the transmission line corridor which passes through the north end of the deposit. Due to Peatland 52K-86's relatively small size, most parts of the deposit are less than l km away from the intersection of the maintenance road and the peatland perimeter.
The distance between Peatland 52K-86 and several nearby communities, all of which have primary wood-using industries located in them, are summarized below:
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52K-86 (km)
Hudson 41 Dryden 42 Sioux Lookout 65
This deposit is also 89 km from the Goldlund Mines Ltd. property which is located 42 km southwest of Sioux Lookout along Highway 72.
The CNR rail line, which passes through Sunstrum, is approximately l km north of Peatland 52K-86. - 147 -
Dates of Field Study
The core sampling of Peatland 52K-86 was performed on September 4th, 1984. Physical samples for laboratory analysis were extracted on September 14th.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-86 is located in a silty-clay glaciolacustrine depression in a relatively flat glaciofluvial outwash plain (Map 22). It is surrounded by land which is relatively flat without any rocky outcrops, and whose elevation from the deposit rises up to 410-430 m a.m.s.l. The mineral terrain rises gently from the bog and displays as a whole, relatively flat and smooth topography. The site lies in a gap in the Lac Seul end moraine. .
The surface of this deposit lies between 402-405.5 m a.m.s.l. The deposit is slightly concave so that the lower elevations are encountered within the peatland itself at sites located along the Transect L1000S at Points L1000S+300E and 400E. From here the surface gradually rises and reaches its highest elevations at the western part of the deposit where it is 3 m higher than the lowlying area.
This deposit possibly can be drained through a channel from its northeastern corner towards a lake lying about 4 km northeast. It appears that the surface of this lake is about 401 m a.m.s.l. or in other words higher than the elevation of the base of Peatland 52K-86, which is at its lowest 398 m a.m.s.l. Thus, it is possible that only the peat lying at or about 401 m a.ra.s.l. can be drained by opening up a ditch towards northeast to join the stream draining Watch Lake located l km east-southeast from Peatland 52K-86. In order to establish the extent of its drainability, considerably more detailed surveys are needed. - 148 -
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is 125 ha of which 76.5 ha has l m or more of peat (Map 21). This deposit is very regular in shape and almost round. Its regular shape is interrupted only by a mineral terrain island located in its northeastern corner. Due to its regular shape, if it were drainable, this deposit would be easily mined in a well organized manner since it would be easy to establish a drainage ditch system on it. A total of 58.5 ha is 2 m or more in thickness.
Peatland Vegetation
This peatland basin bog has a total area of 125 ha of which 76.5 ha has l m or more of peat. A small area (9 ha) (7%), which approaches stream fen characteristics, occurs along a narrow drainway at the east edge of the deposit (Map 20). Over 86% (108 ha) of the surface vegetation occurs in bog formations with just less than half the area in treed subformations (52 ha) and the balance as open subformations. The largest portion (47 ha) of the open subformations has a tree cover of 6-87o and only 6.2 ha is relatively treeless. About 9 ha of open poor fen is associated with drainage from the peatland along the eastern edge of the basin.
The predominant tree species on the peatland is black spruce (Table 27). In the treed lowshrub bog (52 ha; 42%), Chamaedaphne calyculata and Ledum groenlandicum form a mosaic of dominance with each species about equally represented. Sphagnum fuscum is the dominant moss of the hummocks and Sphagnum angustifolium is the dominant of the hollows.
In the open low shrub bog (47 ha, 38%), Chamaedaphne calyculata is the principal dominant and the moss dominants are similar to those of the treed low shrub bog.
Some poor fen areas exist both in the vicinity of an ancient drainway from the east half of the peatland and as a patchy mosaic in the treed low shrub bog in the northeast corner of the deposit (see Table 86b, L1000S+200E). In these areas Betula pumila var. glandulifera achieves some prominence and numerous indicators of minerotrophy appear such as Salix bebbiana and Calamagrostis canadensis. - 149 -
TABLE 27
Peatland 52K-86: Vegetational Dominance Types
Physiognomic Group Sample Location Dominance Types
Treed Low Shrub Bog B1000S Picea mariana^-Ledum groenlandicum^- Sphagnum fuscumbu L1000S+200W Picea mariana^U-Ledum groenlandicum^- Pleurozium schreberi' u
Open Low Shrub Bog B300S Chamaedaphne calyculata!2 f Ledum groenlandicum^-Sphagnum fuscum^ B700S Chamaedaphne calyculata12- Ledum groenlandicum^- Sphagnum magellanicum^u L500S+400W Chamaedaphne calyculata iij- Sphagnum angus tifolium-^ L500S+200W Chamaedaphne calyculata 1 ^-Sphagnum fuscum^^5
Treed Low Shrub L1000S+200E Picea marianal2-Betula pumila var. Poor Fen glanduliferalu-Ledum groenlandicum8- Sphagnum fuscum^u - 150 - TABLE 28
Pentland 52F-86, Vegetational Cover Values
L1000S L500S L500S L1000S Sample Locations 1 1000S +200W B300S B700S +400W +200W +200E Physiognomic Class TlsB TlsB OlsB OlsB OlsB OlsB TlsPF pH of Surface Water 5.0 4.7 3.7 3.7 3.8 * 5.2 Avg. Depth to Water (cm) 28 45 42 27 18 72 38 TREES Larix laricina P 1 Picea mar i ana 15 20 6 4 P 5 12
SHRUBS Amelanchier bartramiana P Andromeda glaucophylla 1 1 1 Be tula pumila var. glandulifera 6 10 Chamaedaphne calyculata 3 1 12 12 18 15 1 Kalmia polifolia 2 2 1 1 Ledum groenlandicum 12 22 8 8 4 8 Lonicera villosa 1 Salix bebbiana 1 Salix pedicellaris 1 Vaccinium angustifolium 1
GRAtdNOIDS S HERBS Calamagrostis canadensis 1 Carex chordorrhiza 2 1 Carex oligosjperma P 1 4 Carex pauciflora 1 1 2 Carex paupercula P Carex rostrata P Carex trisperma P Cornus canadensis P 4 Drosera rotundifolia P Equisetum fluviatile P P Eriophorum vaginatum var. s pi s sum 2 3 P 5 Gaultheria hispidula P P Geocaulon lividum P Linnaea borealis P Kenyan t he s trifoliata P Potentilla palustris P Pyrola asarifolia P Pyrola secunda P Rubus pubescens P Sarracenia purpurea P P Scheuchzeria palustris P P Smilacina trifolia P P 1 1 Vaccinium oxycoccus P P P P P P Vaccinium vitis-idaea P
MOSSES 4 LICHENS Aulacomnium palus tre 2 Cladonia rangiferina P Dicranum elongatum 1 1 Pleurozium schreberi 2 70 Polytrichum commune 2 4 Ptilium crista-cascrensis 15 10 Sphagnum angustifolium 30 18 33 38 25 Sphagnum f us cum 60 65 20 65 50 Sphagnum magellanicum 5 10 40 15 4 Sphagnum rubellum 25 Sphagnum fallax 5 25 Sphagnum nemoreum 10 10 * No water available for a pH measurement, - 151 -
Full vegetation surveys were performed at seven sites and species cover values are compared with pH and average depth (cm) to surface water in Table 28. The pH for the bog formations ranged from 3.7 to 5.0 and that of the poor fen (Point L1000+200E) was 5.2. The average depth to water encompassed a wide range in the bog formations, 18-72 cm, and the mean for those values was 39 cm. The average depth to water in the poor fen was 38 cm, nearly identical to the overall average for the bog. The vegetation in the poor fen areas is probably more affected by run-off of mineral rich surface water from surrounding uplands than by a high water table.
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of peat is 2.8 m (Map 21). That of the unhumified layer is 0.3 m and that of the humified peat layer is 2.5 m. The maximum peat thickness of 6 m was encountered at the Points L500S+200E and L500S+300E. The total area of peat more than l m in thickness covers 48.5 ha of the deposit. This could be regarded as the mineable area if the deposit were to be used for peat mining. This area is a uniform section of the bog and not divided into any separate areas. The peat thickness and its relation to the surface cover is shown in Table 29. The area of 2 m or more of peat is 58.5 ha.
TABLE 29 Distribution of Physiognomic Groups
Physiognomic Area Average Peat Group ha/% Thickness (m)
TlsB 52/42 2.9 OlsB 47/38 4.7 OgB 9/7 1.8 TsrPF 8/6 —— OsrPF 9/7 1.9
Peat Types
In Peatland 52K-86 the surficial peat is composed of a layer of pure sphagnum peat (S 100%) along the entire length of Transect L500S. The same type is also found along the baseline from Point BOOS to Point B200S and also at Points B400S and B500S. Elsewhere, the surficial peat is CS (C - 152 -
30%, S 7C^) or LnCS, LnLlS peat underlying pure sphagnum peat. The total average thickness of the surifical layer is 0.3 m. It is underlain mainly by humified peats dominated either by sphagnum (ranging from 40 to 90%) or sedge dominant peats (40 to 100%). The humified sphagnum and sedge peats have as secondary components varying percentages of wood (lQ-30%) and shrub remnants (lQ-20%). The humified peats are in lenses which alternate without any special order and show that in the past this deposit has gone through alternating phases where fen and bog types have alternated. This alternation may have been caused by both the influence of mineral soils on the deposit and by climatic variations in recent history (Profiles 44-46).
As far as the peat types are concerned this deposit would be best utilized for the mining of fuel peat, since sphagnum-dominated peats, while they are common, are mixed with larger quantities of sedge and shrub making them better suited for fuel peat.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of this deposit is H4.8. That for the surface layer is H2.2 and for the humified layer H5.4.
The average thickness of the surficial unhumified layer is 0.3 m while that for the humified layer is 2.5 m (Profiles 44-46). The unhumified layer varies in thickness from 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.1 m. It is quite commonly around 0.2-0.4 m. The unhumified peat is in the form of a thin layer as described previously along the surface of the deposit from one end of the baseline to the other and also along the transect to the edge of the bog. It is underlain quite commonly by H4 peats and these in turn by H5, H6, H7, and H8 peats. The most common humified peat type is H4 and H5. The other ones are less frequent. There are slight inversions of peat humification whereby H4 lenses are found at great depths below the more humified peat. Also H5 peat is found occasionally overlain by H6 peat. As far as peat humification is concerned, this bog would offer the best potential for fuel peat production. - 153 -
Peat Volumes
Table 30 summarizes peat volume data.
TABLE 30 Distribution of Peat Volumes
Peatland No. Total Total Volumes Volume in Humified Peat Peatland Area (x 106 m3) Area with Volume in (ha) M m of Peat Area M m of (x 106 m3) Peat (x 106 m3)
52K-86 125 2.585 2.343 1.904
The table indicates that the total volume of this deposit is 2.585 million m3. Of this total, 2.343 million m3 are in the area with l m or more of peat and could be considered mineable. The area 2 m or more in thickness (58.5 ha) containing 2.054 million m3 of peat. The total volume of humified peat in this deposit is 1.904 million m3. The peat volume itself would lend this deposit for a small size fuel peat operation.
Potential for Fuel and Horticultural Peat Development
This deposit could have limited potential for the production of fuel peat if it were larger and closer to the users. However, its rela tively remote location precludes it from any practical peat mining operation Also the high stump content (4.(H) indicates that conventional mining might be difficult.
Comments
There are no data for any published studies on this deposit. It appears that there are no obstacles for its use except its drainability. It is all Crown Land and situated in a forest management unit. - 15 3a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-86 Map 20. Peatland Classification Map Map 21. Isopach Map Map 22. Elevation Map Peat Profiles 44-46
47 O 000 E 472000E LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY PAKWASH LIMIT OF PEATLAND PROVINCIAL PARK DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS VEGETATION SAMPLE LOCATION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P BRUCE OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) LAKE RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) PAKWASH ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND LAKE PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
49 0 46 ',- O 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-20 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map 14 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George lough MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. 470000E LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY PAKWASH LIMIT OF PEATLAND PROVINCIAL PARK DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION m——o TOTAL PEAT DEPTH (m) ------
DEPTH OF SURFICIAL LAYER (m) ----~ 0.2/1.6 SURVEY POINTS ----.------O 2. 0/5. 8 AVG H OF SURFICIAL LAYER- AVG H OF TOTAL PEAT DEPTH DEPTH CONTOURS (m)
BRUCE TOTAL AREA^ 1m DEEP PEATLAND SURFACE AREA SURFACE TOTAL VOL VOL H4-10 (ha) LAKE (ha) (mil lion m 3) (mil lion m 3) PAKWASH 52K-20 319 279 7-414 5-666
49 0 46 '7. o 500m 1000m
'a*# **?,*i? f l * Scale d 10 000 *W*#* l; l
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 K-20 ISOPACH MAP Map 15 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
PAKWASH STUDY AREA BOUNDARY PROVINCIAL LIMIT OF PEATLAND PARK DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E O SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION ELEVATION (m a. s. l. ) 259.5 ELEVATION CONTOURS (0.5m)
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-20 ELEVATION MAP Map 16 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Rene Fontaine Ministry of* tt - Minister Northern Affairs Georgeibogh and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION —~ LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- I50E
SURVEY POINTS O VEGETATION SAMPLE LOCATION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-85 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map 17 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Rene Fonlaine Ministry of Minister Northern Affairs George Tough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP}, of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N H- 150E PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION t———O TOTAL PEAT DEPTH (m)------n i DEPTH OF SURFICIAL LAYER (m) ------^ | " 0.2/1.6 SURVEY POINTS ------~------Q s 2. 0/5. 8 AVG H OF SURFICIAL LAYER------J AVG H OF TOTAL PEAT DEPTH------J
DEPTH CONTOURS (m)
TOTAL AREA^ 1m DEEP PEATLAND SURFACE AREA SURFACE TOTAL VOL VOL H4-10 (ha) (ha) (mil lion m 3) (million m 3) 52K-85 147 5 101-5 3-016 2-336
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 K-85 ISOPACH MAP Map 18 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George lough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N + 150E O SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION ELEVATION (m a. s. l. ) 259.5 ELEVATION CONTOURS (0.5m)
o 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 K-85 ELEVATION MAP Map 19 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND Sunstrurn STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS VEGETATION SAMPLE LOCATION PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG B MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER POOR FEN PF SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM, i GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
Watch ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-86 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map20of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minster Northern Affairs George lough and Min6S Deputy Minister Ontario
Swanson The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources L. Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND Sunstrum STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION m——o TOTAL PEAT DEPTH (m) DEPTH OF SURFICIAL LAYER (m) 0.2/1.6 SURVEY POINTS -- O 2. 0/5. 8 AVG H OF SURFICIAL LAYER- AVG H OF TOTAL PEAT DEPTH DEPTH CONTOURS (m)
TOTAL AREA^ 1m DEEP PEATLAND SURFACE AREA SURFACE TOTAL VOL VOL H4-10 (ha) (ha) (mil lion m 3) (mi 1 lion m 3) 52K-86 125 76-5 2-343 1-904
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-86 ISOPACH MAP Map21 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Swanson Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. L. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E O SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION ELEVATION (m a. s. l. ) 259.5 ELEVATION CONTOURS (0.5m)
J o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-86 ELEVATION MAP Map22of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Swanson Program (HERPJ, of the Ontario Geological Survey. L. Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations:
(1) Mines Library Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 8th floor, 77 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario MSS IBS
(2) The office of the Regional or Resident Geologist in whose district the area covered by this report is located.
Copies of this report may be obtained at the user's expense from a commercial printing house. For the address and instructions to order, contact the appropriate Regional or Resident Geologist's office(s) or the Mines Library. Microfiche copies (42x reduction) of this report are available for S2.00 each plus provincial sales tax at the Mines Library or the Public Information Centre, Ministry' of Natural Resources, \V-1640, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto.
Handwritten notes and sketches may be made from this report. Check with the Mines Library or Regional/Resident Geologist's office whether there is a copy of this report that may be borrowed. A copy of this report is available for Inter-Library Loan.
This report is available for viewing at the following Regional or Resident Geologists' offices: 808 Robertson St. Ont. Govt. Building Court House Building Kenora, Ontario Red Lake, Ontario Sioux Lookout, Ontario P9N 3X9 POV 2MO POV 2TO
The right to reproduce this report is reserved by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Permission for other reproductions must be obtained in writing from the Director, Ontario Geological Survey.
V.G. Milne, Director Ontario Geological Survey
E-iii
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME E
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
E-v
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
E-vii
- 154 -
6.0 RECONNAISSANCE SITE EVALUATIONS
In the following chapters, each deposit studied on a reconnaissance level is described. The information contained in the summaries in Part 4 are based on data extracted from these chapters* The reconnaissance sites number 18 in total and include Peatlands 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B, 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84 and 52K-87. The index map shows their location (Map 1).
6.1 PEATLAND 52F-59
Location
This deposit is located about 18 kilometers northeast of Dryden along the north side of Gullwing Lake Road. Its northernmost extremity is approximatey 4 km south of Gullwing Lake while the southern tip is 1.5 km northeast of Ghost Lake. This deposit is located approximately at 15-5275523 in U.T.M. coordinates or 49 0 52'W latitude and 92 038'W longtitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/15; airphotos: 65-4936 26-159, 160 and 161) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-59 is very accessible. Gullwing Lake Road, which runs along the entire eastern edge of the deposit provides excellent points of entry. For the most part, the periphery of this peatland is within 200m of this road. By road it is 23 km of Dryden.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study was performed on August 17th and 18th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-59 is confined to a clay-based channel basin within an undulating, sandy-silty glaciolacustrine plain. The surrounding forested uplands slope gently towards it on all sides in varying degrees. - 155 -
This peatland is drained by three creeks. The creek on the north west side of the deposit empties into a small lake north of the deposit which in turn is drained by a tributary of the Gullwing River. From the southwestern part of the deposit, a small creek conveys flow from the peatland to the Gullwing River, however, through an examination of airphotos it appears that this creek does not convey large quantities of water. The east side of the deposit is drained by a creek which eventually discharges into Gullwing Lake. This is a small peatland and these three channels appear able to adequately drain the peatland as long as they are free of obstructions. During both the airphoto examination and the reconnaissance field study, no beaver dams were detected.
The substrate material at points RI through R4 is clay while at Point R5, which was located at the southern end of the deposit, it is silt.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52F-59 is 63 ha in size (Map 23). Oriented on a southwest to northeast axis, this relatively long but narrow peatland has numerous small embayraents along its perimeter. At its greatest dimensions, it is about 2000 m long and 500 m wide.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is a basin swamp with some flat bog characteristics (Map 23). Similarly shaped and oriented channel basins in this area are strongly sloped, so this may be the case here as well. It is composed of two sections: a northeastern section covered by a mixture of conifer (44.5 ha, yi.%) and thicket swamps; and a southwestern section of treed bog. The conifer swamp is characterized by black spruce and in places also tamarack. Other species commonly found on this swamp include Alnus rugosa, Ledum groenlandicum, Chamaedaphne calyculata and of the mosses, Sphagnum angustifolium and a great variety of Bryales mosses.
The northeastern conifer swamp type is separated from the southwes tern bog type by a narrow zone of thicket swamp covering about 7 ha (J.1%). - 156 -
This area is covered by Alnus rugosa thicket with black spruce and some cedar present.
The southwestern part is characterized by treed low shrub bog with a dense (2C^) cover of black spruce and Ledum groenlandicum (20/2). It covers about 11.5 ha or 18% of the deposit. The values of pH were measured, in the cS area at 4.8 and in TlsB at 5.0, the latter value being at the high end of the bog range and low end of the fen range.
Peat Thickness
There were 5 sampling points established on Peatland 52F-59. At 4 of the 5 points no unhumified layer exists. Only at Point R3 was it found (0.3 m thick).
The thickness of the humified peat layer varies from 0.8 m at Point R4 to 3.6 m at Point R5. The average humified layer thickness in the coni ferous swamp portion of the peat land is 1.9 m. The thickest peat layer, 3.6 m, was found at Point R5 in the treed low shrub bog section of the deposit while the thinnest layer was found at Point R4 in the thicket swamp.
The overall average thickness of the peat layer in this deposit is 2.1 m.
Peat Types
The peat layer in Peatland 52F-59 is dominated by shrubby-sedge peat (Profile 47). At Points RI, R2 and R4, the peat layer is completely shrub-sedge peat. At Point R3, the otherwise shrub-sedge peat layer is overlain by a thin surface layer of shrub-sphagnum peat. At Point R5, shrub-sedge peat still is prevalent however, sphagnum-shrub-sedge peat occurs in the middle of the peat layer underlain by woody-sedge peat.
No layers of ooze were found at any of the points. - 157 -
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat is H6.2. The average degree of humification of the surface layer is H2.0. The overall average degree of humification of the humified layer is H6.3 (Profile 47).
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatland 52F-59 based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study is 1.323 million m3. This figure should be regarded as a maximum.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Further detailed study of Peatland 52F-59 is not recommended. This deposit has little potential for peat extraction due largely to its small size, heavy tree cover, shape and the apparent unevenness of the peat layer thickness throughout the deposit. Peatland 52F-59 does not justify further detailed study.
Comments
All of Peatland 52F-59 is Crown Land and is located within a company forest management unit. The Ministry of Natural Resources indicates no specific concerns regarding this area. - 15 7a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52F-59 Map 23. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52F-103.)
- 158 -
6.2 PEATLAND 52F-1Q3
Location
Peatland 52F-103 is located in Dryden District between Godson Lake to the north and Ukik Lake to the south. Dryden and Wabigoon are approxi mately 22 km north and 42 km northeast of this deposit, respectively. Peatland 52F-103 is located about at 15-5175492 in U.T.M. coordinates or at 49 035'N latitude and 92 046'W longitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topgraphic Map Sheet No 52F/10, airphotos: 65-4925 20 -78, 79 and 65-4924 20 -235 to 237) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-103 is fairly accessible although it is quite remote from any communities. The access to this deposit is via secondary provin cial Highway No. 502. This highway, which links Dryden and Fort Frances, passes within 800 m of the eastern perimeter of the deposit. Approximately 4 km south of the bridge crossing the Godson Lake narrows, a small road branches west off Highway 502 towards Ukik Lake. This road is contiguous with the southern most extremity of the peat land and in general, it provides adequate points of entry to the southeast portion of the deposit.
By road, Peatland 52F-103 is about 35km south of Dryden.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study was performed on September 10th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-103 is situated in a small, clay-based, glaciolacus trine basin south of Godson Lake (Map 24). For the most part, the surrounding mineral terrain rises gently from the edge of the peatland, and is part of a major end moraine system. Along the northwest and southeast sides the elevation difference between the peatland surface and the immediate surroundings is quite large. - 159 -
Peatland 52F-103 is drained by three creeks. The extreme northern portion is drained by a creek which flows north and discharges into a second creek which eventually flows into Godson Lake. The creek which drains the east side of the deposit eventually discharges into Godson Lake as well. Emanating from the southernmost extremity of the deposit is the third creek which empties into Ukik Lake. Presently, the flow in these channels appears relatively free of obstructions.
There is a small lake (12 ha) towards the north end of the peat- land. This lake is apparently drained by the small creek flowing north towards Godson Lake.
The predominant substrate material is clay except at Points R3 and R6 where it is rock (Profile No. 48).
Area and Shape
Peatland 52F-103 is 140 ha in size (Map 24). It is very irregu larly shaped with numerous small erabayments along its periphery. Scattered within the deposit there are numerous small mineral terrain islands.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is a basin bog composed of two main sections (Map 24). The southeastern one is covered by Points RI to R3 and the second one by R4 to R6.
These two sections are separated by a narrow area of treed shrub- rich fen which extends from the middle of the deposit as a narrow irregular zone to the northern end of the deposit and covers about 26 ha (19%). Most of the southern portion is covered by open graminoid bog (36 ha; 26%) and open low shrub bog (10 ha; 7%) bog types with some TlsB type along the edges. This section is characterized by black spruce, Carex oligosperma and sphagna. The pH was measured at 3.6.
The northern section is characterized by TlsB (37 ha; 26%) and TgB types (20 ha; 14%). Black spruce is the dominant tree species and Carex oligosperma and sphagna are other characteristic species. - 160 -
Peat Thickness
During the reconnaissance field study of this deposit, 6 survey points were established. At all of the points a surface layer exists. This layer varies in thickness from 0.6 m at Points R3 and R5 to 1.5 m at Point RI. The average thickness of the surficial layer across this deposit is 0.8 m.
The humified peat layer averages 3.8 m in thickness ranging from 3.3 m at Point R6 to 4.5 m at R4.
The overall average thickness of the peat layer in this deposit, based on the findings of the field survey, is 4.6 m.
Peat Types
The peat types are quite evenly distributed through the peat layer (Profile 48). At or near the surface mostly s edge-sphagnum peat domi nates. At the two southermost points, RI and R2, there is a layer of shrub-sedge-sphagnum peat underlying surficial sedge-sphagnum peat. Beneath these peat layers is a layer of sedge-wood (tree) sphagnum peat followed by sphagnum-sedge peat at the more southerly points and sedge- sphagnum peat at the northern points. The bottommost layer throughout the deposit contains varying amounts of wood (tree) peat, which dominates at some points (See profile No. 48).
Ooze was only found at Point R4. The thickness of the ooze layer is 0.6m.
Peat Humification
The average overall degree of humification of the peat layer is H4.4 (Profile 48). The overall average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is H2.4 while for the humified peat layer it is H4.7. - 161 -
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatland 52F-103 is 6.440 million m3. This estimate is based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study and should be regarded as a maximum value.
Potential Further Detailed Study
This deposit is not a promising site for potential peat ex traction due largely to its irregular shape and numerous mineral islands even though the average thickness of the peat layer is 4.6 m. However, as a potential representative peatland of this part of the study area, detailed surveying may be warranted.
Comments
Peatland 52F-103 is all Crown Land and lies within a company forest management unit. The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated no specific concerns regarding this deposit. - 16 la -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52F-59 and 52F-103 Map 24. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 47-48
- 162 -
6.3 PEATLAND 52F-108 Location
Peatland 52F-108, which is located in both Satterly and Melgund Townships in Dryden District, lies directly on the Trans-Canada Highway, 6 kilometers east of Borups Corners roughly between Burning Lake and Burnett Lake. It is located at approximately 15-5445494 in U.T.M. coordinates or 49 036'N latitude and 92 024'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/9; airphotos: 82-4925 25-199, 200 and 201) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-108 is very accessible. Most of the southern perimeter of this deposit borders on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) and on the southwest side the highway actually runs across it. The deposit is also bisected by a road linking a gravel pit, situated south of Burnett Lake, to the Trans-Canada Highway. The east and northeast sides of the deposit can be reached by following a cut path through the woods off the east side of the deposit. This path, which comes to within 200 m of the edge of the deposit, branches off of the road connecting Highway 17 and Creed Lake. In summary, almost all of Peatland 52F-108 is within 500 m or less of one of the abovementioned roads or paths.
By road, Peatland 52F-108 is approximately 6 km from Borups Corner and 11, 15, 24, 43, 66 and 81 km from Dyment, Dinorwic, Wabigoon, Dryden, Ignace and Sioux Lookout, respectively. Primary wood-using industries are located in each of these communities except Wabigoon.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study was conducted on August 22nd, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-108 occupies a small clay-based glaciolacustrine basin which is surrounded by tree-covered uplands on three sides. There are no sizeable elevation differences between these uplands and the peatland - 163 - surface (Map 25), and the surrounding area is also predominantly glaciolacustrine, clay terrain.
There are two distinct surface gradients on this deposit, one sloping towards the east and one towards the west. Both gradients are very gentle and slope towards this peatland's discharge channels.
Peatland 52F-108 is drained by two creeks, one at each end of the deposit. The creek on the west side, which drains into Burning Lake, is presently blocked by a beaver dam. On the east side of the deposit, beaver dams (4 in all) are also constricting flow in the creek which drains that area and discharges into Melgund Creek. The damming has caused a small beaver pond to appear and saturated conditions in its immediate vicinity.
The underlying substrate is clay.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52F-108 is 141 ha in area (Map 25). This deposit is composed of two contiguous lobes.
At its greatest dimensions, along an east-to-west axis, this deposit is about 3 km long and at its widest point it is approximately l km wide.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is a basin bog composed of two sections joined by a narrow and shallow paludified channel (Map 25). The eastern section is typified by thicket swamp at its easternmost part and by conifer swamp at its western portion. The narrow channel joining these two sections is covered by treed bog and open graminoid fen at Point R3. The western section is characterized by open low shrub bog, conifer swamp and a small area of open graminoid fen at Point R6. Map No. 25 shows the distribution of various physiognomic groups. Of the total deposit area of 141 ha, the coverage of physiognomic groups is as follows: sW, 3.0 ha (5%); cS, 50 ha (35%); tS, 53 ha (385O; TspB, 5 ha (4JK); TlsB, 4 ha W); OlsB, 19 ha ; and OgF, 7 ha - 164 -
The predominant tree species in the treed types is black spruce and, of the shrubs, Ledum groenlandicum and Chamaedaphne calyculata are the most common while Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum angustifolium are the dominant moss species.
Peat Thickness
At 5 of the 6 sampling points, an unhumified layer exists varying in thickness from 0.1 m at Point R5 to 0.4 m at Point R3. Only at Point R6, located in the open graminoid fen area at the southwest end of the deposit, is there no unhumified layer. It should be noted that at Points R4 and R5, the thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.8 m and 0.3 m, respectively, when the thickness of the surface layer and the thickness of unhumified layers within the humified layer are combined. Humified peat layers exist at 5 of the 6 points with Point R3 being the exception. The two thickest humified layers, 3.5 m and 3.8 m at Points RI and R5, respectively, are both located in areas of coniferous swamp. The thinnest layers, O m and 0.3 m, at Points R3 and R6 respectively, are both located in areas of open graminoid fen. Layers of 1.5 m and 2.0 m were recorded at Points R2 and R4 in treed bog and open low-shrub bog, respectively.
The overall average thickness of the peat layer in this deposit is 2.2 m.
Peat Types
Sphagnum peat dominates in the very thin unhumified layer while woody and sedge peats dominate the humified peat layers (Profile 49). At Points R2, R4 and R5, the surface layer is composed of shrub-sedge sphagnum peat. Point RI differs slightly, with shrub-sphagnum peat on the surface. The unhumified layer at Point R3 is roughly comprised of equal amounts of sedge and sphagnum peat while at Point R6 is sphagnum peat from the surface to the bottom and only 40 cm in thickness.
The peat types in the lower layers are more varied. At Points R2, R3 and R5 the surface layer is underlain by shrub-sphagnum-sedge peat. The surface layer at Point RI is underlain by sedge-sphagnum shrub peat. Some wood (tree) peat is found at Points R4 and R5 in the lower layers. The - 165 - bottommost lenses of peat at Points RI and R5 are shrub-sedge peat while at Point R4 it is sphagnum-sedge peat.
An ooze layer existed at several points. At Points RI, RA and R5 the thickness of the ooze layer is 1.1 m, 0.2 m and 1.1 m respectively.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat in Peatland 52F-108 is HA. 2 (Profile A9). If the value for Point R3 is excluded (the peat at this point is all unhumified surficial layer peat) the overall average become HA.7. The average degree of humification of the unhuraified layer is H2.5 if Point R6 is excluded (no surface layer at that point) while for the humified layer it is H5.0 if Point R3 is excluded.
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatland 52F-108 is 3.666 million m3. This estimate is based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study and should be regarded as a maximum value.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Further detailed study of Peatland 52F-108 is not recommended. This deposit's potential for peat extraction is very low due to its size, shape and tree cover. Hence, from a mining point of view further detailed study is not justified. In addition, there are no other reasons, such as uniqueness, to justify surveying this deposit in detail.
Comments
Approximately 607, of this peatland is on Crown Land. In Melgund Township, the northern half of Lots 11 and 12 in Concession IV are Crown Land. Peatland 52F-108 is located in the Dryden Crown Forest Management Unit.
The Ministry of Natural Resources indicates no specific concerns regarding this area. - 165a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52F-108 Map 25. Peatland Classification (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52F-114.1
- 166 -
6.4 PEATLAND 52F-114
Location
Peatland 52F-114 is located in Ignace District. Nearly all of the deposit is in Revell Township with only a minute portion in Hyndman Township. This deposit is bisected by the CPR main line and is nestled between Basket Lake Road and Highway 17 south of the Wabigoon River and southeast of Tache about 9 km east of Borups Corners. Pyatt Lake borders on part of the southern edge of this peatland. This deposit is located at approximately 15-5605491 in U.T.M. coordinates or 49 0 34'N latitude and 92 0 10'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52F/9; airphotos: 82-4924 34-119 to 123) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52F-114 is relatively accessible via Basket Lake Road which provides access to the western part of the deposit. Although Basket Lake Road passes by the northwest side of the peatland, entry on-foot from this direction is precluded by the Wabigoon River. The south side can be reached from Highway 17, however, for the most part, the edge of the peatland is in excess of l km from the highway. An Ontario Hydro transmission line corridor passes by the southern edge of the deposit, however, using it as a means of entering the southern portion of the peatland would be difficult on foot due to a pair of creeks which flow through the corridor.
The distance by road to several nearby communities, some of which contain primary wood-using industries, is summarized in the following table.
NAME OF COMMUNITY DISTANCE FROM PEATLAND 52F-114 (km)
Borups Corners 12 Dyment 17 Dinorwic 33 Wabigoon 42 Ignace 48 Dryden 61 Sioux Lookout 99 - 167 -
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52F-114 was carried on August 20th and 21st, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52F-114 is a complex and large slope fen situated in a sandy, generally shallow, glaciolacustrine basin. It is surrounded by forested uplands to the south, east and northeast (Map 26). Towards the west and northwest the elevation difference between the surrounding mineral terrain and the peatland surface is not so pronounced.
The surface of peatland 52F-114 slopes from the northeast to the southwest. East of the CPR rail line, near the centre of the deposit, there is an area of patterned fen with strings/rimpis which are perpendicular to the gradient. The surface elevation in this area is approximately 419 m a.m.s.l. while 2 km to southeast of this area the surface elevation is 412 m a.m.s.l. This gradient persists towards the southwest edge of the deposit.
Peatland 52F-114 is drained by three creeks, two of which drain into the Revell River and subsequently into the Wabigoon River, while the other discharges directly into the Wabigoon River. All of these channels originate on the west side of the deposit. At the time of the field study no drainage problems, such as flooding due to beaver dams, were noted.
On Peatland 52F-114 some flooding may occur in the spring during the snow melt runoff because the deposit is bisected by the CPR rail line. The railway grade creates a damming effect on the east side of the rail line. The effect of the embankment can be clearly seen in the enhanced tree and shrub growth in the drier area in the lee of the embankment (i.e., southwest of the railway) in the central fen drainway.
Pyatt Lake, which borders on the southern perimeter of this deposit, is the only body of water near the peatland. - 168 -
The underlying substrate is mostly sand, with the exception of the southwest portion of the deposit where it is silt.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52F-114 is 600 ha in area (Map 26). The shape of this deposit is irregular. There are numerous mineral terrain islands scattered within the perimeter of the deposit. The peatland perimeter itself, is very irregular with many embayments.
At its greatest dimensions, along a southwest to north east axis, this peatland is 4.5 km long. At its widest point, Peatland 52F-114 is 4 km wide.
Peatland Vegetation
Peatland 52F-114 is a complex network of deposits that probably started as" individual stream and slope fens in the past and later have become contiguous (Map 26). It is composed of a number of embayments and riddled by mineral soil islands and is characterized by a great variety of physiognomic groups. Of the total surface area of 757 ha, 157 ha are composed of upland islands. The rest is covered by the following physio gnomic groups.
Thicket swamp, which covers 8 ha (2%), is located in a few areas along the edge of the deposit.
Treed tall shrub fen covers 76 ha (13%). This cover is relatively extensive and is found in a number of locations spread onto various parts of the deposit as smaller individual areas.
Treed low shrub fen covers 90 ha (15%) largely areas in the centre of the deposit at the Points RI and R3 as well as smaller areas scattered elsewhere.
In these treed fen areas, the dominant tree species is tamarack, and dwarf birch is the dominant shrub with some Ledum groenlandicum present. - 169 -
Open shrub-rich fen covers 6 ha (I/O, and is found at the northern edge of the deposit along the railway line.
Open low shrub fen covers 20 ha (3%). It is found at the northeas tern end of a small pond located at the southern end of the deposit as well as at the northeastern edge of the deposit.
Open graminoid fen covers 128 ha (2^) and is the second largest physiognomic group on this deposit. It is found in a number of separate locations such as at Point R2 as smaller areas covering a few hectares. At these points the dominant species include Carex oligosperma and oligotro phic sphagna. The largest occurrence of this group is in the centre of the deposit at the Points R9, RIO and Rll where it covers a large continuous area. This area is characterized by strings and intervening flashets of open water; string fen. The dominant species include Scirpus cespitosus, and Cladium mariscoides with various sphagna as the most common mosses.
Treed low shrub bog covers 180 ha (30%) and is the most predominant cover in this deposit. It is found commonly in the embayments along the edges of the deposit as well as a relatively large uniform cover in the western part of the deposit at the Points R4, R5 and R8. The dominant tree species is black spruce up to 8 m high on average. Ledum groenlandicum is the dominant shrub species and Sphagnum angustifolium and Sphagnum magellanicum the dominant sphagna.
Treed graminoid bog covers 26 ha (4%). This group covers small areas scattered throughout the deposit such as Point R6. It is charac terized by black spruce, Carex oligosperma and Sphagnum angustifolium.
Open low shrub bog, which covers 30 ha (5%), is found in a number of locations scattered in various parts of the deposit.
Open graminoid bog, which covers 36 ha (620 is also found in a number of locations of which the most prominant is around Point RI2. It is characterized by Carex oligosperma and sphagna. - 170 -
The complicated mosaic of physiognomic group indicates a complex history of this deposit and would merit a more detailed phytosociological study of this peatland.
Peat Thickness
There were 12 sampling points established on Peatland 52F-114 (Profile 50). An unhumified layer exists at all 12 points. With the exception of Points R9 through R12, where the unhumified layer ranges from 0.7 m to 3.2 m, the thickness at the remaining points is generally 0.3 m. At Point R9, the surficial layer is 3.2 m thick. In Peatland 52F-114, the average thickness of the humified layer is 1.4 m and varies from O m at Point R7 to 3.3 m at Point R4. The overall average thickness of the peat layer in this deposit is 2.1 m.
Peat Types
The peat types found in Peatland 52F-114 do not vary significantly from point-to-point (Profile 50). At Points RI, R3 and RI l the surface layer is composed of sphagnum-sedge peat while at Points R2, R9 and RIO it is sedge-sphagnum peat. At Points R4 and R8 and Point R12, the surface layer peat type is shrub-sphagnum peat. The underlying humified peat is almost all sedge peat. Excluding Points RI, R2, R4 and R7 (no humified layer), all other points have humified layers totally dominated by shrub-sedge peat. At Point RI, R2 the shrub-sedge peat layer is overlain by a layer of pure sedge peat while at Point R4, the shrub-sedge peat is underlain by a layer of woody peat. The peat types found in the humified layer of this deposit are very similar to those found in Peatland 52F-113.
The peat layers at Points R2 through R4 and R8 through RI2 are all underlain by a thin 10 cm layer of ooze.
Peat Humification
The average overall degree of humification for the points established on this deposit is H4.1. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layers is H2.3 while for the humified layer it is H4.9 (Profile 50). - 171 -
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatland 52F-114 is 12.600 million m3. This estimate is based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study and should be regarded as maximum value.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Further detailed study of Peatland 52F-114 is not recommended. The numerous mineral terrain islands scattered within its perimeter coupled with its relatively shallow peat layer thickness make it unattractive for any future mining. This peatland is not unique and is very much like Peatland 52F-113 which has been studied in detail.
Comments
Peatland 52F-114 is mostly patented land. In Concession II, the upper halves "of lots l and 6, and in Concession III, the upper halves of lots l, 3, 4 and 5 are patented land. The remainder, approximately 25/S of the deposit, is Crown Land. This peatland is situated in the Dryden Crown Forest Management Unit. The width of the CPR right-of-way on this deposit is 40 m.
The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated no specific concerns regarding this area. - 171a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52F-108 and 52F-114 Map 26. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 49-50
- 172 -
6.5 PEATLAND 52K-1
Location
Peatland 52K1 is located in Red Lake District about l km south of Two Island Lake and 2.5 km southeast of Gullrock Lake. Highway 105 passes within 0.5 km of the southern periphery of this deposit. The nearest community is Red Lake 20 km to the northwest. Peatland 52K-1 is located at approximately 15-4595639 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 0 54'N latitude and 93 035'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/13; airphotos 66-5037 36-143, 144 and 145) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-1 is very accessible. No part of this deposit is more than a 0.5 km from a road. The southernmost extremity of this deposit is only 100 m north of Highway 105, however, the greater portion of deposit lies 500 to 600 m north of this highway. Access to the remainder of the peatland is provided by a gravel road and the network of smaller roads branching off of it. This road serves as a link between the residences on Two Island Lake and Highway 105.
By road, Peatland 52K-1 is 27 and 43 km southeast and northwest of the communities of Red Lake and Ear Falls, respectively. Also, this deposit is 17 km northwest of the Griffith Mine at Bruce Lake.
An Ontario Hydro power transmission line corridor passes this deposit 2-5 km to the south.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-1 was performed on September 6th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is located in a relatively and flat, sandy glaciola custrine depression at an elevation varying between 370 and 380 m a.m.s.l. - 173 -
(Map 27). The deposit is surrounded by relatively high uplands to the south, northeast and east reaching elevations of up to 430 m a.m.s.l. To the northwest and west the surrounding uplands are relatively low. The deposit is drained by two channels that run from both its northwestern and northeastern end into Two Island Lake, located about l km north of the deposit. This lake is at 354 m a.m.s.l. The drainage of the deposit via these small streams can be accomplished by deepening them. The 15 m difference in elevation would allow for the total drainage of this deposit.
Area and Shape
This deposit covers a total of 70 ha (Map 27). The deposit is relatively irregular in shape and is composed of a main part located in its western portion and marked by a great number of small embayments and a few small upland islands. To the east of this main portion, there is large embayment 300 to 400 m wide, reaching several hundred metres towards northeast. At its greatest dimensions, this deposit is a total of 1.5 km long along an axis running from the east to the west and about 800 m wide along a north-south axis. In terms of its shape and size, it does not appear to have much potential for utilization.
Peatland Vegetation
The total area (70 ha) of this deposit is divided among three main physiognomic groups: treed low shrub bog covering 19 ha (27%), open low shrub bog covering 13 ha (19%) and open graminoid bog covering 36 ha (5^) (Map 27). The most dominant physiognomic group, open graminoid bog, is located mainly on the west side of the deposit which covers it almost entirely. The southern part of this western area is covered by open low shrub bog, which also has spread to the north eastern lobe. The central part of the peatland is covered by treed low shrub bog in a narrow zone extending from the centre of the northern area to the edges of the eastern lobe. The predominant species in the open graminoid bog is Carex oligosperma, while in the open low shrub bog it is Chamaedaphne calyculata. The predominant tree species is black spruce, except at Point R4 where it is tamarack. The dominant sphagnum species are Sphagnum angustofolium and Sphagnum nemoreum. In the treed areas, tree cover is relatively low reaching only 10% with a canopy height of about 5 m. Part - 174 -
of the tree-covered area has been cleared by fire earlier. Fire is evident in the burnt-out trunks and stems lying on the ground.
Peat Thickness
A total of four sampling points were established on this deposit (Profile 51). A series of three sampling points, Points RI, R2 and R3, were established in a general direction from northwest to southeast across the main body of the bog. Point R4 was located in the middle of the northeastern lobe of the deposit. The peat thickness at these surveyed points varied from 0.7 m to 2 m at Point R2. Based on these four points, the average thickness of the peat in this deposit is 1.2 m. The average thickness of humified peat is 0.8 m and that of unhumified peat is 0.5 m.
Peat Types
The main peat types are CS, SG and LnCS peat (Profile 51). From Point RI to R3 the surficial peat is CS peat. At R3 the surficial peat is LnCS peat while at Point R4 the surficial peat is CLnS peat. Below the CS peat at Points RI and R2, a layer of SG peat was found. Below that, thinner layers of LnSC, CS and SG peat are found. The substrate is sand at each of the sample points.
It appears that this deposit has started as a fen type which later has been invaded by shrubs. In the main portion of the bog the fen type has turned into bog.
Peat Humification
There is an evenly distributed layer of unhumified peat at each point of the deposit. As was previously mentioned, the average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.5 m while that of humified peat is 0.8 m. A large part of humified peat is composed of H4 peat lens underlying unhumified surface of peat. Below that, H7 peat is found in thin layers at Points RI and R2. - 175 -
The overall degree of humification is H3.3. That of the unhumified layer is H2. The average degree of humification of humified peat layer in this deposit is H4.7 (Profile 51).
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume of this deposit is 0.840 million m^. This estimate is based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study and should be regarded as a maximum value.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Further detailed study of peatland 52K-1 is not recommended due to its small size and and low peat extraction potential.
Comments
Peatland 52K-1 is located on Crown Land and is located in a Crown Forest Management Unit.
The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated no specific concerns regarding this area or its future development. - 175a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-1 Map 27. Peatland Classification Map (profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-18.)
- 176 -
6.6 PEATLAND 52K-2
Location
Peatland 52K-2 is situated in Red Lake District about 7 km east of Two Island Lake and 11 km north of Pakwash Lake. The Chukuni River flows 3 km to the southwest. This deposit lies 12 km northwest of the Griffith Mine. Peatland 52K-2 is located at approximately 15-4685641 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 0 55'N latitude and 93 0 27'W longitude in geographic coordi nates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet 52K/14; airphotos: 75-5038 88-67 to 69) (Map 28).
Access
Access to Peatland 52K-2 is limited to a gravel road which branches off Highway 105 just east of the Chukuni River. This road comes to within several hundred metres of the western edge of the peatland.
By road, this deposit is approximately 7 km north of Highway 105 and 42 km from Ear Falls. The Griffith Mine at Bruce Lake is 17 km away.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-2 was conducted on September 5, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is located in a clay-based kettle-like depression in a relatively flat, sandy, glaciofluvial outwash plain area (Map 52). This glaciofluvial outwash area occurs in the form of a northeast-southwest ridge, modified by the action of water in the surrounding clay, glaciola custrine basin. The surrounding land rises very gently from this deposit which is located at about 378 m, to about 380-390 m a.m.s.l. The entire area in which this deposit is located is quite smooth and flat as far as the topography is concerned and the maximum elevations within 2 or 3 km from the deposit do not exceed 400 m a.m.s.l. The surface of the deposit is relatively flat. It is drained by a shallow channel running to the - 177 - south and southwest of the bog, discharging into Chukuni River, which is located about 3 km southwest of the deposit. The surface area of the river at the point of discharge is less than 360 m a.m.s.I., which clearly indicates that no problems should be encountered draining this deposit.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52K-2 is 119 ha in size (Map 52). It is quite regular in shape and is almost rectangular. Its longest axis, running more or less in south-north direction, is about 1.6 km long, while its about 700-800 m wide in an east-west direction. There is a small embayment on the western part of the deposit. At this location, its total width is about 1.1 km. In the airphotos used for study this embayment displays a pond. However, at the time of study this pond was totally dry. It is possible that it has drained through the adjacent permeable mineral soil into the Chukuni River since the airphotos were taken.
Peatland Vegetation
This basin bog is quite uniform as far as peatland vegetation is concerned (Map 52). Peatland 52K-2 is covered by only three major physiognomic groups. Treed low shrub bog type covers about 105 ha of the total area or about 89%. Another group is treed tall shrub fen, which covers about 10 ha of the total or 8%. The third one is open tall shrub (shrub-rich) fen, covering 4 ha (3%).
The main component, treed low shrub bog, covers almost the entire surface area of the deposit. There is a large area of treed low shrub bog where the tree cover is only 10% mainly in the central and southern part of the deposit. Along the edges of the bog tree cover is denser, reaching up to 20%. Treed tall shrub fen is found only at the edges along the southern and eastern edge and also in the embayment south of the pond previously mentioned. Open tall shrub (shrub-rich) fen is found only in a small area east of the above mentioned pond. Presently, even the pond area is covered by this physiognomic group. - 178 -
The predominant tree species is black spruce found throughout the deposit. The dominant shrub species is leather leaf and the dominant sphagnum species is Sphagnum fuscum.
Thickness
Peat thickness varies between 2.8-3.9 m at the 5 sampling points established on this deposit which were oriented along its main axis (Profile 52). The average peat thickness based on the sampling at these points is 2.3 m. The average thickness of unhumified peat is l m and that of humified peat is 1.3 m. The peat is evenly distributed over the entire deposit and appears to increase in thickness quite quickly from the edges towards the centre. As far as the peat thickness in this deposit is concerned, it would be suitable for a peat mining.
Peat Types
The most common peat types in this deposit are sphagnum, sedge- sphagnum, sphagnum-sedge and shrub-sedge sphagnum peat and also shrub- sphagnum-sedge peat (Profile 52). Here sphagnum peat is found as a rela tively thick layer on the surface at Points R4 and R5, reaching down to about 2 m from the surface. Elsewhere, the surficial peat is composed of sedge-sphagnum peat. These peat layers are underlain by a number of lenses composed of sedge-sphagnum peat, shrub-sedge-sphagnum peat and at the greater depths sphagnum-sedge and shrub-sphagnum-sedge peats. This sequence where the sedge component becomes more prominent towards the base of the deposit indicates that this deposit may have started as a fen forma tion and, later, transformed into a bog type.
The underlying substrate is clay at each of the points indicating that this deposit may have started as a paludification of a pond or a small lake.
As far as the peat types are concerned, this deposit would be best suited for the production of fuel peat. However, its small size may preclude this kind of use. - 179 - Peat Humification
The overall degree of humification is H4.3 and that of the unhumi- fied and humified peat layer being H2.0 and H5.2 respectively (Profile 52). The unhumified peat layer is located on the surface of the deposit and ranges in thickness from 0.2 m to 2.1 m. The lowest thickness, 0.3 m, is found at Point 1. This surficial unhumified layer is underlain by a large lens of H4 peat at Points RI and R2. At Point R2, H4 peat reaches the base of the deposit. Elsewhere, H5, H6 and H7 peats lies under the lesser humified peat. At Point RI, however, there is a lens of H4 peat below H5 peat.
Considering the degree of humification, it appears that this depo sit might be best used for the production of horticultural peat. H4 peat is considered marginal for fuel peat use and since it together with a thick layer of unhumified peat at the northern end of the deposit form the bulk of the peat in this deposit, it might be best to consider this deposit for the production of horticultural peat. Peat types, however, are not the best for that purpose.
Estimated Peat Volume
Based on the data from the drill points alone, the total peat volume is estimated to be 4.165 million m^. Because of the small number of sampling points this estimate is to be regarded only as a maximum value for this deposit. This deposit could be considered for small-scale peat production, but not for any large-scale commercial production.
Potential for Further Details Study
This deposit is quite small, and shows only limited use potential and/or no unique vegetation features. Consequently, is not recommended for any future detailed work.
Comments
This deposit is all Crown Land and there are no special plans for its future utilization as a park or other similar area. This deposit lies within the Trout Lake Forest Management Agreement area. - 179a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-2 Map 28. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-18.)
- 180 -
6.7 PEATLAND 52K-7
Location
Peatland 52K-7 is situated in Red Lake District about 10 km north east of Bruce Lake and 5 km northwest of Ten Mile Creek. Whitefish Falls and Big Falls are 9 and 11 km southeast and east of the deposit respec tively. This peatland is located approximately at 15-4815642 in UTM coordinates or 50 0 56'N latitude and 93 0 16'W longitude in geographic coordi nates (NTS Topographic Map Sheet No. 52K/14; airphotos: 75-5038, 88-76 to 79 and 75-5039 87-177 to 179).
Access
Peatland 52K-7 is accessible regardless of its remote location. Access to the deposit is limited to a gravel road which branches off High way 105 at Snake Falls. The distance between Peatland 52K-7 and Highway 105 is 17 km. This road comes to within 100 m of the peatland's edge.
By road, Peatland 52K-7 is 48 km from Ear Falls and 22 km from the Griffith Mine.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-7 was carried out on September 5, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is located in a clay-based depression in a widespread glaciolacustrine depression. A branch of the Lac Seul end moraine (Zoltai, 1965) forms the southeast boundary of the site (Map 29). The deposit is about 385 m a.m.s.l. The surrounding mineral soil upland rises gently from the deposit on the northeastern side reaching heights of 390 m a.m.s.l. To the east of the deposit, the mineral soil uplands rise more steeply up to 400-410 m a.m.s.l. The above-mentioned end moraine rises very steeply from the deposit and reaches heights of 420 m a.m.s.l. The deposit itself is relatively flat and featureless as far as topography is concerned. There - 181 - are two mineral soil islands at its eastern end. A third island is located at its southeastern corner in addition to a small pond. The deposit drains into this pond and eventually to the northeast through a creek that drains into Ten Mile River. This river drains into Bruce Lake about 10-12 km south of the deposit. The northern part of this peatland is drained through a narrow channel which flows towards the north and then east and then finally discharges into the Chukuni River.
An inspection of peat profiles indicates that this bog is located in a deep depression more than 8 m in some locations. The deepest part of the deposit is located at Point R2. The deposit gradually gets shallower towards the east end.
From the available data it appears that in order to drain this deposit entirely, the channel flowing to the north and the other one flowing to the northeast would have to be deepened considerably due to the deposit being located in a very deep depression. The surface pattern of vegetation is "ribbed", indicating good slope gradients on the site towards the pond and the creek leading out of the northeastern corner of the deposit.
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is about 158 ha (Map 29). Along an axis running approximately east-west, it is about 2.1 km long. The greatest width, in the north-south direction, is about 1.1 km and generally about 7-800 m. There is a narrow embayment leading to the north from the northeastern side of the deposit as a narrow channel through which some drainage can be achieved in that direction. From a mining point of view, this deposit's shape does not pose any problems.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is a basin bog with some slope fen characteristics. The pH was measured at two locations and the values were 4.6 and 4.7, or near the higher end of the range for bogs (Map 29). Of the total surface area, treed low shrub bog covers 81 ha (5^). This cover type is found - 182 - mostly along the edges of the bog surrounding along the entire circum ference. Tree cover on average is J.2% except at the eastern end where it reaches 15%. Treed graminoid bog cover can be found on only 5 ha (3%) of the entire deposit, in the extreme northerly embayment of the deposit. Open low shrub bog covers 10 ha (7%) and is also found in the same northern embayment. Open graminoid bog covering 54 ha (34/0 is concentrated near the centre of the deposit which is also patterned by parallel ridges and flashets showing a typical string pattern of a slope fen drainway. In this case, it appears that bog has overtaken the previous fen area. The predominant species in the open graminoid bog area were Eriophorum spissum and Sphagnum fuscum. In the flashets also open water was found. There is also 8 ha (5%) of conifer swamp in the northern part of the deposit.
In the treed low shrub bog, black spruce and tamarack mixed with black spruce is the predominant tree species. The dominant shrub species is leather leaf and the dominant sphagnum species is Sphagnum fuscum. The tree cover is relatively low with a canopy height reaching on average only about 4 m.
This deposit's surface cover gives indication of minerotrophic influence. This may be caused by rain waters washing onto the deposit from the surrounding mineral terrain and then running slowly along its sloping surface towards the bog's east end.
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of peat is 5.2 m (Profile 53). The average thickness of unhumified layer is 2.0 m varying from 0.3 to 6.5 m. The average thickness of humified peat is 3.2 m. The greatest thickness of the deposit, 7.2 m, is found at Point R2. The peat layer is thickest in general, between R2 to R4. The deposit thickness varies widely from the west end towards the center to the points are R2 to R4. Point R4 towards the eastern end of the deposit quite gradually becomes shallow.
In terms of the peat thickness this deposit would be commercially mineable. - 183 -
Peat Types
A common peat type in the deposit is pure sphagnum peat located mostly in a relatively thin layer across its entire surface (Profile 53). This is commonly about 0.5-0.6 m in thickness. Within the surficial layer, this peat is underlain by a number of lenses which are characterized by shrub-sphagnum-sedge peat and some shrub—sedge-sphagnum peat.
The surficial peat types are underlain by large quantities of shrub-sedge peat and in a few locations by quite a large quantity of pure sedge peat such as at Point R2. There are also lenses of brown moss-sedge peat at Points R2 to R5.
Below the peat layer there is a layer of ooze reaching from RI to R6 as the basal part of the deposit.
The substrate is clay throughout the entire deposit indicating that this bog has started paludifying as a result of the filling in of a pond by peat and vegetation in the past. From the peat types it appears that the first peatland types were fens. These have been followed later by shrub-fen and shrub bog types.
The overall low degree of humification of the peat layer (as described in the next section), would suggest that this deposit might have potential as a source of horticultural peat. However, the high proportion sedge peat somewhat reduces its value for horticultural peat as usually sedge peat is regarded inferior to sphagnum peat as a growing medium.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H4.0 (Profile 53). The average degree of humification of the unhumified peat layer is H2.5 and that of the humified layer is H5.2. The unhumified layer is for the most part 0.3-0.7 m thick except at Point R3 where it is 6.5 m thick (this point added to the others raises the calculated average to 2 m). There is a uniform thin 0.5 m layer of H1-H2 peat across the entire deposit. This is underlain by H3 peat ranging from Points RI to R4. - 184 -
Underneath this layer, there are massive layers of H4 peat across the entire deposit underlain in turn by H5 and H6 peats. From Points R2 to R5, H5 peat is again underlain by H4 peat. At Point R3 there is also a lens of H8 peat.
As far as the degree of humification is concerned, this deposit would be best used for the production of horticultural peat.
Estimated Peat Volumes
Based on the average thickness calculations from the data collected at the sampling points, the total peat volume is estimated to be 8.216 million m^. Due to a small number of sample points, this volume is to be regarded as the maximum value for this deposit and with a greater number of survey points it would be expected to be somewhat lower. This volume is large enough to offer some potential for small scale development.
Due to the thickness of the deposit and the nature of the basin, drainage to the full depth might be a problem. Also, due to the sphagnum-dominant peat types, it appears that this deposit offers some quantities of horticultural as well as fuel peat.
Potential for Future Detailed Study
This deposit shows a somewhat more complex physiognomic group system than some others nearby deposits and could be considered for more phytosociological studies. However, there appears to be no need for further detailed peatland study if only peat production were to be consi dered as this deposit is quite distant from potential users.
Comments
Peatland 52K-7 is all Crown Land and is situated in the Trout Lake Forest Management Agreement area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources did not indicate any special plans for this deposit. - 184a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-7 Map 29. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-21B.) - 185 -
6.8 PEATLAND 52K-18
Location
Peatland 52K-18 is located in Red Lake District about 6 km south- east of Two Island Lake and 6 km north of Pakwash Lake. The Chukuni River lies both to the north and east of the deposit while Highway 105 circum vents the southern portion. The nearest community is Red Lake which is 26 km to the northwest. Peatland 52K-18 is located at approximately 15-4645636 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 0 53'N latitude and 93 022'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/13; airphotos: 66-5036 35-124, 125 and 126)(Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-18 is easily accessed. A sizeable portion of the southern perimeter of this deposit is within 400 to 500 m of Highway 105. Access to the remainder of the deposit is provided by a gravel road and a number of smaller secondary roads. This road runs between Highway 105 and the Chukuni River. By road, Peatland 52K-18 is 33 and 36 km southeast and northwest of the communities of Red Lake and Ear Falls respectively and 11 km northwest of the Griffith Mine at Bruce Lake.
An Ontario Hydro power transmission line corridor passes this deposit 1.5 km to the south.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissances field study of Peatland 52K-18 was performed on September 6th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-18 is composed of two small, clay-based depressions located on a broader glaciolacustrine zone. An esker occurs just southeast of the deposit (Map 30). Both deposits lie 0.5 km south of Chukuni River. The deposit is about 355-360 m a.ra.s.l. The surrounding uplands rise gently from the deposit and reach the elevations 370 m a.m.s.l. within a - 186 - few hundred metres. In general, the entire area is quite gently rolling as far as the topography is concerned. It is drained towards the north to the Chukuni River via a small stream that runs directly out of the smaller separate basin located about 200 m east of the main part of the deposit. The level of the Chukuni River in the vicinity of the discharge outlet is probably about 351 m a.m.s.l. since the deposit is 355-360 m a.m.s.I., there might be some problems of draining it to its full depth during high flow conditions on the river.
The deposit itself is displays no specific surface features and is flat and gently sloping to the north.
Area and Shape
This deposit is composed of two separate basins (Map 30). Basin A which is the larger one of the two, covers a total of 74 ha while Basin B located 200 m east of Basin A covers about 12 ha. Basin B is rectangular in shape. Its longest axis is about 500 m in a northwest-southeasterly direction and the greatest width is about 300 m perpendicular to this axis.
Basin A is also basically rectangular in shape except that there is an embayment reaching out from its southeast corner towards southeast. Along its main axis, which runs from north to south, this deposit is about 1.1 km long and averages 450 m in width. The large basin could be used for peat mining without any complicated drainage plans. The smaller basin is too small for peat utilization.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is very uniform in regard to vegetation (Map 30). Basin B is covered by treed low shrub bog where black spruce is the predo minant species, leather leaf the dominant shrub species, and Sphagnum fuscum the dominant moss species. The tree canopy averages 7 m. Basin A is covered mostly by treed tall shrub fen which covers a total of 53 ha (62%) of the total area. The southeastern lobe is covered by treed low shrub bog (16 ha) and with a small area of (5.0 ha) of open shrub rich fen in the extreme southeastern portion. The dominant tree species on this - 187 - deposit is black spruce. The dominant shrub species is dwarf birch and also leather leaf. A number of sphagnum species are found with Sphagnum fuscum as the most prominent on the mounds. In between the mounds, brown mosses are also common. The tree canopy height reaches 8-10 m on average. The surface water pH was in this section was 5.5.
Peat Thickness
The overall average peat thickness is 3.5 m. It varies from 2.1 to 4.2 m. This average is measured for Basin A. The average thickness of the unhumified layer is 0.4 m and that of the humified layer, 2.9 m. The thickness of peat layer in the small, separate Basin B was 1.4 m of which 0.4 m was unhumified and l m humified peat. The peat is uniformly 4.2 m thick in the major part of Basin A at Points RI, R2, and R3. It is shallower at Points R4 and R5 where it goes down to 2.9 and 2.1 m. Considering the peat thickness, this deposit is suitable for peat mining as the peat layer has ample thickness and is evenly distributed over the bulk of the deposit (Profile 54).
Peat Types
The most common peat types on the surface of Basin A are shrub- sphagnum peats in a thin 20 cm layer (Profile 54). Sedge-sphagnum peat predominates on the surface of both the southeastern lobe of Basin A and the entire surface of Basin B. Below this surface peat, shrub-sedge peat dominates the entire deposit at greater depths, reaching about 3 m. In the southeastern lobe, shrub-sedge-sphagnum peat, sphagnum-sedge peat and sedge-shrub-sphagnum peat are common with the shrub-sphagnum-sedge peat being more common at the base than at the surface. In Basin B sedge-sphagnum peat is the dominant peat type with a thin layer of woody-sphagnum peat at the bottom. The major part of the deposit has wood-sedge peat as the basal peat layer.
A thin layer of ooze was found at Point R3. The substrate in Basin A is clay except at Point R5 where it silt. The basal soil in Basin B is clay. - 188 -
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification is H5.1. The average degree of humification for unhumified layer is H2.1 and for the humified layer H5.4. The unhumified peat layer is evenly distributed across Basin A in a thin layer varying from 0.2 to 0.3 m. At Point R4 it is 0.8 m thick while at R5 and R6 it is 0.4 m. The surficial peat is underlain by a layer of well humified peat averaging 2.9 m in thickness. It is composed of H5, H6 and H7 peat as well as a small layer of H4 peat. There is an inversion in the northern part of Basin A at Points R2 and R3 where well humified peat is underlain by H4 and H5 peat. As far as the degree of humification is concerned, this deposit would be well suited for production of fuel peat (Profile 54).
Estimated Peat Volumes
The total peat volume of this bog is 2.752 million m3 . This estimation is based on the values measured at the six sampling points. With respect to volume, the bog could be used for a very small scale operation but is not large enough to sustain a viable economic operation without being used in conjunction with a number of other small deposits.
Potential for Future Peatland Studies
No futher study is recommended. It is a small and heavily treed deposit.
Comments
This deposit has not been marked for any special purpose and could be used for utilization of peat if assessed feasible. It could grow a good stand of trees with a small drainage effort.
Peatland 52K-18 is entirely Crown Land and is located in a Crown forest management unit. - 188a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-1, 52K-2 and 52K-18 Map 30. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 51,52, and 54
- 189 -
6.9 PEATLAND 52K-21A
Location
Peatland 52K-21A is located in Red Lake District at the north end of the Griffith Mine at Bruce Lake. This deposit is immediately adjacent to the Troutlake River along the west and north sides and Bruce Lake on the east side. Presently, nearly half of this deposit is covered by waste rock from the adjacent mining operation. Pealand 52K-21A is located at aproximately 15-4745632 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 0 50'N latitude and 93 022'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/14; airphotos: 75-5034 101-8, 9 and 10, 75-5032 101) (Map 1).
Access
This deposit is located about 28 km from Ear Falls on the property of Griffith Mines on Bruce Lake. It is entered from Highway 105 via Griffith Mine roads which pass by the edge of the deposit.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-21A was performed on September 13th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is a lakeshore bog lying adjacent to the northern part of Bruce Lake and bordering on the channel (Troutlake River) that joins Bruce Lake to Pawash Lake (Map 31). The deposit is very flat and feature less and flooded by Bruce Lake. This deposit cannot be drained as it is almost at the same elevation as the lake and its base is below the surface of the lake. - 190 -
Area and Shape
Peatland 52K-21A is regular and oblong in shape. Along a south west-northeast axis, it is about 2.5 km long. The maximum width used to be about 700 m, however, the southern half of the deposit has been covered by mine wastes and all that remains visible presently is a narrow strip of peatland between 50 m to 275 m wide along the lakeshore.
Peatland Vegetation
The total area of this deposit is 55 ha of which open graminoid bog covers 3 ha (5%), open low shrub fen covers 35 ha (6A%) and open graminoid fen covers 17 ha (31 X) (Map 31). The order of the physiognomic groups is such that the area of open low shrub fen is closest to the lake, followed by a narrow zone of open graminoid fen at Points RI and R2 and finally, open graminoid bog at Point R3. The dominant species in the open and low shrub fen areas are dwarf birch, Salix bebbiana and Calamagrostis canadensis. In the area of open grarainoid fen, the dominant species Calamagrostis canadensis. In the open graminoid bog the dominant species is Calamagrostis canadensis and on the surface Sphagnum species are dominant.
Peat Thickness
The entire deposit is very shallow and has a relatively even thick ness of peat varying from 0.9 m at Point R3 to 1.3 and 1.4 m at Point R2 and RI, respectively. The unhumified peat layer varies from 0.2-0.5 m while the thickness of the humified peat layer ranges from 0.7-1.0 m. Due to the thinness of the peat layer, it could not be considered as a commer cially exploitable for normal commercial purposes or by conventional harvesting methods.
Peat Types
The predominant peat type is pure sedge peat which composes the entire peat layer at Points RI and R2. At Point R3 a thin layer of pure sphagnum peat on the surface is underlain by a layer of sphagnum-sedge peat and pure sedge peat at the base. The substrate is clay. In view of this - 191 -
Pentland 52K-21A appears to have been a fen or shoreline marsh previously (Profile 55).
Peat Humification
There is a layer of H2 peat on the surface varying in thickness from 0.2-0.5 m. It is underlain at Point R2 by a thin layer of H4 peat and at Point R3 a layer of H7 peat. The rest of the deposit is composed of H8 peat. The overall average degree of humification is H6.0.
Estimated Peat Volume
It is estimated that this deposit contains 0.660 million m^ of peat. This estimate is based on the peat thickness values measured at three points and on the present area of the peatland not covered by mine waste.
Potential for Future Detailed Studies
This deposit as far as peatland characteristics are concerned is not recommended for any future detailed study. Some displacement of the peat towards the lake and the channel joining Pakwash and Bruce Lake has taken place. A thorough drilling study of the deposit and its underlying clay layer might be warranted to see whether some preventative action against soil creeping into the river should be taken^
A potential use of the sedge peat in this deposit would be as a growing medium to assist in site reclamation.
Comments
This deposit is in the Griffith Mine property and consequently, its use would be controlled by the mine authorities. The mine was closed in 1984 for an undetermined time period. - 19la -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-21A Map 31. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-21B.) - 192 -
6.10 PEATLAND 52K-21B
Location
Peatland 52K-21B is a series of four deposits scattered within the Griffith Mine property at Bruce Lake. The northernmost deposit lies adjacent to the CNR rail line and borders on the north shore of Iron Bay. Southwest of it, the second deposit is situated due south of the mine mill and east of the rail line. Further south, the third deposit is bisected both by the rail line and a buried gas pipeline while the fourth lies between the rail line and Highway 105. These peat lands are located at approximately 15-4725628 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 048 f N latitude and 93 024'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/14; airphotos 75-5034 101-8, 9 and 10, 75-5033 101-85, 86 and 87) (Map 1).
Access
This series of deposits is easily reached by Highway 105 from Ear Falls. These deposits are located on the Griffith Mine property and consequently, there are no access problems due to a network of roads built on the property.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-21B was performed on September 13th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is in fact composed of four separate small deposits located on the Griffith Mine property (Map 32). They are all relatively flat featureless bogs and are located in depressions on the mine property. The drainability of Basin Bl is fair. It actually borders on part of an open pit and could be drained into the pit from where the water could be drained and pumped away if deemed feasible. - 193 -
Basin B2 is located in a small depression a couple of hundred metres south of the mine processing plant and can be drained with little difficulty into Bruce Lake.
Basin B3 and B4 are located 1.8 and 2.7 km southwest of mine processing plant, respectively. They too could be drained but, with more difficulty since the level of Bruce Lake is quite close to their surface level.
Area and Shape
The shape of Basin Bl has been partly altered by the adjacent open pit mining operation and what remains is crescent-shaped (Map 32). Its longest axis is 1.4 km long and runs in a northeast to southwest direction. The width varies from 300-400 m. Basin B2 is almost rectangular in shape and is about 600 m long and 400 m wide. Basin B3, which is oblong in shape, is about l km long running east to west and about 300-400 m wide. Basin B4 is about 600 m long along its main axis which runs from northeast to the southwest. It is generally about 300-400 m wide. As far as the size is concerned, these deposits are very small and would not offer any large quantities of peat for industrial use. Basins Bl, B2, B3 and B4 are 48, 19, 23 and 16 ha in area, respectively. The total peatland area is 106 ha.
Peatland Vegetation
Basin Bl is covered by treed shrub-rich fen and at the southern end by a smaller area of open shrub-rich fen that covers about 12 ha of its total 48 ha (Map 32). The predominant tree species is tamarack. The predominant shrub species are dwarf birch and leather leaf. Aulacomnium palustre is the dominant moss.
Basin B2 is characterized by treed low shrub bog type vegetation, with a 25% tree cover. Basin B3 is characterized also by treed low shrub bog cover with about 20% tree cover. Similarly, Basin B4 is also covered by treed low shrub bog with a tree cover of 10% only. The dominant tree - 194 - species in all of the above basins is black spruce. The dominant shrub is either leather leaf or labrador tea. Various sphagnum species form the moss cover.
Peat Thickness
Two sampling points were established on Basin Bl. The total thickness of peat varies from 1.9 to 2.3 m. The unhumified peat layer is 0.2 and 0.9 m thick and the humified peat layer is 1.7 and 1.4 m thick. In Basin B2 one sampling point was drilled. The peat thickness is 2.2 m of which 0.3 m are unhumified and 1.9 m are humified peat. Basin B3 was also drilled, however, only at one location. The total peat thickness is 1.8 m of which 0.5 m is unhumified and 1.3 m is humified peat. Basin B4 is also 1.8 m deep of which 0.6 m were unhumified and 1.2 m humified peat.
The substrate in Basins l, 2, and 3 is clay while in Basin 4 it is silt.
Peat Types
In Basin Bl, the peat types vary from shrub-sedge-sphagnum peat at the surface to shrub-sedge and pure sedge peat at the greater depths.
Basin B2 has pure sphagnum peat layer at the surface underlain by sphagnum-sedge, shrub-sphagnum-sedge, shrub-sedge and sedge-shrub peats.
Basin B3 has shrub-bryales peat on the surface underlain by sedge-shrub-sphagnum-wood and sphagnum-wood peat.
Basin B4 has sedge-sphagnum peat on the surface underlain sphagnum-sedge and shrub-sedge peat at greater depths.
The peat types indicate that these small deposits would not be very suitable for commercial horticultural peat production (Profile 56). - 195 -
Peat Humification
In Basin Bl the total average peat humification vary from H5.0 to H6.4. The average degree of humification for the unhumified layer varies from H2.0 to H2.7 and that for humified layer from H6.6 to H6.9. The unhumified peat is on the surface and ranges from 0.9 m down to 0.3 m in thickness. The underlying humified peats are composed of H6, H7 and H8 peats (Profile 56).
In Basin B2 the overall peat humification is H5.0. The unhumified peat layer contains H2.7 (average) peat while the humified peat layer contains H5.4 (average) peat.
For Basin B3 the total average peat humification is H5.4. The unhumified peat layer is H2.6 peat on average while the humified peat layer is H6.5.
For Basin B4 the total average peat humification is H4.3. The unhumified peat layer is composed of H2.5 (average) peat while the humified layer is H5.2 (average) peat.
In general the unhumified peat is on the surface and is underlain by a H4, H5, H6 and H7 peat.
On the basis of the degree of humification, these deposits do not have any potential for commercial horticultural peat production and in the event that they were ever used, they would best used either for fuel peat in conjunction with larger deposits in the general region or they could be used as a source of organic material for amelioration at mine waste areas.
Estimated Peat Volumes
The total peat volume in all four basins is 2.120 million m^. This is based on the calculations on the data derived from drill points and must be considered as a maximum value. - 196 -
Potential for Further Detailed Studies
There is no need for any further detailed studies on these small deposits. They do not contain enough peat to warrant any further detailed investigation work or possess any significant resource potential.
Comments
These deposits are within the Griffith Mine property and their use is consequently subject to the mine management. The use of these deposits will also be dictated by the terms and conditions associated with railroad and pipeline right-of-ways. The rail and gas pipeline right-of-ways are 50 and 15 m, respectively. - 196a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-7, 52K-21A and 52K-21B Map 32. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 53,55 and 56 LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND
ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS L200N 4- 150E
SURVEY POINTS O PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP MARSH SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM, i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX irW30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 F-59 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map23of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Fontainc Northern Affairs MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — --*- LAKES OR PONDINGS
SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N -f- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG UARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,t GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. htsf chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX nM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-103 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and MJD6S Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND' MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY. LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB fs LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOW,. GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED - (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52F-108 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map25of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 50E Wabigoon River SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,t GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLETED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 F-114 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map26of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Rene Fontaine Ministry of Minster Northern Affairs and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY ISLAND LAKE LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER ------—— O SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM, i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) l T12 Is20 B ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
i O 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-1 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map27of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George Tough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Pcatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N * 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) T20 ls30B(C)(F) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY. SUCCESSION ( C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION ( P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-2 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Monenco
Rene Fontaine Ministry of Minister Northern Affairs George lough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM, t GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION ( C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION ( P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX irW30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-7 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map29of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and Mines Deputy Minster Ontario
Tile Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION —- — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB fs LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOMt t GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-18 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP MapSOof Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Rene Fontaine Ministry of Minister Northern Affairs George lough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOW,. GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp ( INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED ( D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Sea l e 1110 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-21A PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Monenco
Ministry of Renc Fontaine OPEN PIT MINE Minister PEATLAND Northern Affairs George Tough and MineS Deputy Minister 52K-2IB Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
OPEN PIT MINE STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM, * GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. htsf chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-21B PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map32of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
E*?""" o' . Northern Affairs and Mines Deputy Mnsm Ontario BRUCE L. The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydroccrbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. 474000E ©1986 Government of Ontario Printed in Ontario, Canada
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Open File Report 5544
Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area
by
Monenco Ontario Limited
Appendix Volume F
1986
Parts of: this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this publication be made in the following form: Monenco Ontario Limited 1986: Peat and Peatland Evaluation of the Dryden-Lac Seul Area, 7 Volumes (Summary Volume and Appendix Volumes A-F); Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5544, 226p., 3 figures, 30 tables, 39 maps and 66 profiles.
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Northern Development GeorgeToughMinister DeputyM,n,sler Ontario
F-i
Ontario Geological Survey
OPEN FILE REPORT
Open File Reports are made available to the public subject to the following conditions:
This report is unedited. Discrepancies may occur for which the Ontario Geological Survey does not assume liability. Recommendations and statements of opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and are not to be construed as statements of govern ment policy.
This Open File Report is available for viewing at the following locations:
(1) Mines Library Ministry of Northern Development and Mines 8th floor, 77 Grenville Street Toronto, Ontario MSS IBS
(2) The office of the Regional or Resident Geologist in whose district the area covered by this report is located.
Copies of this report may be obtained at the user's expense from a commercial printing house. For the address and instructions to order, contact the appropriate Regional or Resident Geologist's office(s) or the Mines Library'. Microfiche copies (42x reduction) of this report are available for $2.00 each plus provincial sales tax at the Mines Library or the Public Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, W-1640, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto.
Handwritten notes and sketches may be made from this report. Check with the Mines Library or Regional/Resident Geologist's office whether there is a copy of this report that may be borrowed. A copy of this report is available for Inter-Library Loan.
This report is available for viewing at the following Regional or Resident Geologists' offices:
808 Robertson St. Ont. Govt. Building Court House Building Kenora, Ontario Red Lake, Ontario Sioux Lookout, Ontario P9N 3X9 POV 2MO POV 2TO
The right to reproduce this report is reserved by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. Permission for other reproductions must be obtained in writing: from the Director, Ontario Geological Survey.
V.G. Milne, Director Ontario Geological Survey
F- ui
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN LAC SEUL AREA
APPENDIX VOLUME F
1985
by
MONENCO ONTARIO LIMITED First Rexdale Place 155 Rexdale Boulevard Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5Z8
for
Peatland Inventory Project Ontario Geological Survey Ministry of Northern Development and Mines Open File Report 5544
F-v
PEAT AND PEATLAND EVALUATION OF THE DRYDEN-LAC SEUL AREA
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF OPEN FILE REPORT 5544
SUMMARY VOLUME
Abstract Introduction Methods Results
APPENDIX VOLUME A
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-36, 52F-57
APPENDIX VOLUME B
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-60
APPENDIX VOLUME C
Detailed Site Evaluations 52F-113
APPENDIX VOLUME D
Detailed Site Evaluations 52K-20, 52K-85, 52K-86
APPENDIX VOLUME E
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52F-59, 52F-103, 52F-108, 52F-114, 52K-1, 52K-2, 52K-7, 52K-18, 52K-21A, 52K-21B
*APPENDIX VOLUME F
Reconnaissance Site Evaluations 52K-28, 52K-30, 52K-57, 52K-74, 52K-82, 52K-83, 52K-84, 52K-87
*Indicates this volume
F-vii
- 197 -
6.11 PEATLAND 52K-28 AND PEATLAND 52K-30
Location
Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 are two separate deposits situated in Red Lake District. These two deposits are located approximately 15 km east of the Griffith Mine and 23 km north of Ear Falls between the Troutlake River and Flundra Lake. The approximate U.T.M. and geographic coordinates for these peatlands are summarized in the following table:
Peatland U.T.M. Coordinates Geographic Coordinates Number Zone Easting Northing Latitude Longitude
52K-28 15 488 5632 50 0 50 ! 93 009' 52K-30 15 489 5632 50 0 50' 93 0 10'
(NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/14; airphotos: 75 - 5035 102 - 178, 179 and 180) (Map 1).
Access
Access is provided by the South Bay Mine Road linking Ear Falls and South Bay. This road passes within 200 m of the east side of Peatland 52K-30. Entry into Peatland 52K-28 is gained through Peatland 52K-30 which is about 1.5 km west of the above mentioned road.
By road, these deposits are 29 km from Ear Falls, 53 km from the Griffith Mine and about 1.5 km from the South Bay Mine.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field studies of Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 were performed on September 13th and September 9th, 1984, respectively. - 198 -
Topography and Drainage
The topography is quite varied even though the two deposits are only several hundred metres apart separated only by an esker.
Peatland 52K-28 is a shallow clay-based glaciolacustrine basin bounded by an end moraine (Lac Seul Moraine; Zoltai, 1965) along its eastern edge. Generally, the peatland and most of the remaining nearby mineral terrain slope slightly towards Troutlake River. Emanating at and near the peatland's western edge are six brooks which all drain into this river. Airphoto examination of this deposit revealed no beaver dams on any of these creeks (Map 33).
Peatland 52K-30 is a deeper clay-based glaciolacustrine (or kettle) depression which is partly surrounded by forested end moraine uplands. Peatland 52K-30 indicates that it slopes to the north where there is a drainage outlet originating at the northern tip of the deposit. It flows north conveying discharge into a boggy area approximately 400 m north of the deposit. Flow out of the boggy area is backed by several beaver dams (Map 33). The discharge from this area eventually folows into Troutlake River as well.
The potential for flooding to occur on Peatland 52K-28 appears to be minimal due to both the numerous creeks draining the deposit and the prevailing topography. Conversely, Peatland 52K-30 could be quite suscep tible to inundation should its only drainage channel be entirely blocked by a beaver dam.
The substrate of both deposits is clay.
Area and Shape
Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 are 130 ha and 109 ha in size, respec tively (Map 33).
Peatland 52K-28 is almost oval in shape. Oriented on a north to south axis, this deposit is approximately 1600 m long and between 800-1000 m wide. For the most part, its perimeter is smooth with very few embayments or mineral terrain peninsulas jutting into the deposit. - 199 -
Peat land 52K-30 is more or less triangular in shape. Like the adjacent peatland, it too has a relatively smooth perimeter with few embayments and mineral terrain intrusions. However, unlike Peatland 52K-28, this deposit has two mineral islands. Along a north to south axis, this deposit is about 1500 m long and varies in width from 600 to 1300 m.
Peatland Vegetation
Peatland 52K-28 is a slope fen, extending from the end moraine in the east towards the river in the west, which slopes towards the northeast. Its total area of 130 ha is covered by one distinct physiognomic group; treed low shrub fen. The dominant tree species is black spruce. The other dominant species are dwarf birch, Labrador tea and sphagnum species among which Sphagnum rubellum is one of the most dominant. Also Pleurozium schreberi is common. The average tree canopy reaches 10 m and the trees are timber size. The surface water pH was measured at 5.9 which is within fen range already. At Point R3 it was actually 6.0 (Map 33).
The adjacent deposit, 52K-30, is more complex and a sloping, basin bog. Most of the deposit is covered by treed low shrub bog (81 ha; 74%). There are insertions of open graminoid bog into this physiognomic group ranging from the northern most tip of the deposit as narrow areas into its centre into lobes. The dominant tree species is black spruce reaching canopy heights of 5-8 m. The dominant shrub species is leather leaf and in the lower storeys sphagnum species such as Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum magellanicum dominate. In the open graminoid bog areas (28 ha; 26%) Carex oligosperma is very common. This deposit still shows some fen-like features and could be regarded in some areas as a poor fen. Inspection of the peat type profiles indicates that in the past it may have had more fen- like characteristics as sedge peats are dominant (Map 33). The central drainway systems still retain strong fen characteristics.
Peat Thickness
There were 3 survey points established on Peatland 52K-28. The average thickness of the peat layer calculated on the basis of the three points is 2.9 m. The average thickness of the surface layer at those - 200 - points is 0.4 m. The surface layer thicknesses vary from 0.5m at Points RI and R2 to 0.2 m further north at Point R3. The thickness of the humified layer varies from 2.1 m at Point R2 to 2.8 m at Point RI averaging 2.5 m (Profile 57).
The peat layer thicknesses in Peatland 52K-30 for the most part are much greater than those in Peatland 52K-28. Based on the 5 sample points on this deposit, the overall average thickness of the peat layer is 3.6 m as compared to 2.9 m for Peatland 52K-28. The thickness of the surface layer ranges from 0.4 m at Point R4 to 2.0 m at Point RI averaging 1.0 m. This average thickness of the surface layer exceeds that of No. 52K-28 by 0.6 m. The total thickness of the unhumified peat layers (combining the thickness of the surface layer and the thickness of unhumified layers within the humified layer) varies from 0.4 m at Point R4 to 2.4 m at Point RI and averages 1.6 m (Profile 58 and 59).
The average thickness of the humified layer is greater in Peatland 52K-28 than in Peatland 52K-30. The average thickness in the latter deposit is 2.0 m compared with 2.5 m in the former.
Peat Type
The surficial layer on Peatland 52K-28 is composed of sphagnum peat (Profile 57). Beneath it, the humified peat types vary from point-to- point. At Point RI, sphagnum-sedge-wood (tree) peat lies directly under neath the surficial layer. Underneath the layer of wood peat, is a layer shrub-sedge sphagnum peat. At Point R2, the surficial layer is underlain by a layer of woody (tree) sedge peat.
The humified layer at Point R3 is also dominated by sedge peat, however, in this case, it is shrub-sedge peat. In general, it would appear that there is a trend in the humified layer from shrub-sedge peat to woody (tree) peat from the north to the south.
No ooze layer was recorded at any of points. - 201 -
As with Peatland 52K-28, Peatland 52K-30's surficial layer is also dominated by sphagnum peat (Profiles 58 and 59). At Point RI, the surfi cial layer is composed of pure sphagnum peat on top of a layer of humified sedge-sphagnum peat. Points R3 and R5 have surface layers composed of shrub-sphagnum peat while Point R4 has pure sphagnum peat. The humified peat layer in this deposit is considerably more varied than in Peatland 52K-28. At Points RI, R3 and R4, the surficial layer is underlain by a layer of humified sphagnum peat, sedge-sphagnum in the case of Point RI and shrub sedge-sphagnum peat for the latter two. At Points R2, R3 and R5 the surficial layer, humified sphagnum peat is followed by a layer of shrub sphagnum-sedge peat. At Point RI, the lower layers of humified peat alter nate between sphagnum-sedge and sedge-sphagnum peat while at Point R4, the remainder of the humified layer is dominated by sphagnum-wood (tree) sedge peat and woody (tree) sedge peat. It is interesting to note the similari ties, especially in the humified peat layers of these two adjacent depo sits. As with Peatland 52K-28, in this deposit (tree) sedge-wood peats dominate the humified layer in the southern portions of the respective peatlands. Similarly, shrub-sedge peats are more prevalent in the humified layer in the northern portions of each deposit.
Unlike Peatland 52K-28, ooze layers do exist in Peatland 52K-30. The thickness of the ooze layer varies from 0.6 m at Points R2 and R4 to 0.8 m at Point RI and 1.0 m at Point R3.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification in Peatland 52K-28 is H5.1. The overall average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is H2.5 while for the humified layer it is H5.4 (Profile 52).
With respect to Peatland 52K-30, the overall average degree of humification is H3.8. The overall average degree of humification of the combined unhumified peat layer ist H2.5 and H4.8 for the humified layer (Profiles 58 and 59).
The Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 are 3.770 million m^ and 3.924 million m^, respectively. - 202 -
These estimates are based on the respective findings of the reconnaissance field survey and should consequently be regarded as maximum values.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 are recommended for further detailed study. Peatland 52K-30 possesses considerable potential for small scale peat extraction due to its peat layer thickness, shape, and above all, its accessibility. Its tree cover and relative remoteness diminish its potential, but it is an attractive point for small-scale peat extraction.
Peatland 52K-28 does not have an equivalent potential for peat extraction due largely to its denser tree cover and probable high stump content. However, being situated next to Peatland 52K-30 enhances its potential in the event that joint raining of the two deposits is considered.
Comments
Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 are both Crown Land and are located in a Crown forest management unit. The Ministry of Natural Resources indicated no concerns regarding these two areas. -202a-
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-28 and 52K-30 Map 33. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-57.)
- 203 -
6.12 PEATLAND 52K-57
Location
Peatland 52K-57 is located in Red Lake District about 2 km west of Ear Falls. This deposit is flanked by the English River to north, west and south. It is located at approximately 15-4805610 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 039'N latitude and 93 0 17'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographic Map Sheet No. 52K/11; airphotos: 75-50267 106 - 126, 127 and 128 and 75-5027 106-50, 51 and 52) (Map 1).
Access
The accessibility of Peatland 52K-57 is fair. Access to the deposit is limited to one old forestry road which branches off Highway 105 approximately 1/2 kilometre north of Ear Falls and comes very close to the edge of the deposit. In its present condition, traffic on this road is restricted by regrowth of small shrubs and trees on the road.
Peatland 52K-57 is located 200-400 m west of a pipeline corridor and a little over 2 km west of power line transmission corridor.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-57 was performed on September 12, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is located in a slight depression in a relatively flat clay, glaciolacustrine terrain (Map 34). The deposit is about 351-352 m a.m.s.l. The surrounding land rises gently from the deposit and reaches heights of 370 m a.m.s.l. It is drained by two small brooks from both southern and northern tips. The base of the deposit, at about 346 m a.m.s.I., is about 3 m above the nearby English River at this location. Due to these two drainage channels this deposit could be easily drained. - 204 -
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is about 67 ha (Map 34). It is irregular in shape and is composed of a series of erabayments. Along its main axis, in a northwest-southeast direction, it is 1.7 km long. Its maximum width is 700 m. The narrow middle of the deposit is about 150 m wide. Due to its irregular shape its potential for any use is diminished.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is a fen. The surface water pH was measured in a number of locations and varied from 5.0 to 5.5. The southern and central parts of Peatland 52K-57 are covered by treed low shrub fen vegetation (35 ha; 52%) while the northern end has treed tall shrub fen cover (27 ha; 40%). A minor area of open shrub-rich fen (5 ha; 8%) can be found at the southern tip of the deposit where the only brook is located. The dominant tree species on the northern part of the deposit is tamarack, (Larix laricina), while on the remainder it is black spruce, (Picea mariana). The trees are relatively tall, the average canopy heights being 9 to 10 m. Dwarf birch (Betula pumila) and Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) are the shrub species most commonly found on the northern and southern parts of this deposit, respectively. Pleurozium schreberi is the dominant moss on the surface of this peatland. An inspection of the peat profiles reveals that this deposit has been a fen in the past indicated the prevalence of sedge peats.
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of peat in this deposit is 3.8 m (Profile 60). The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 1.6 m and that of the humified layer is 2.8 m. The peat thickness varies from 3.2-4.4 m at the sample points. The thickness of the unhumified peat layer varies from 0.2 m at Point R2 to 2.3 m at Point R4. The peat thickness is quite uniform across the main part of the deposit as well as in the northern part. - 205 -
As far as the peat thickness is concerned, this deposit could be used for peat mining although its irregular and small size would preclude ordinary standard mining methods.
Peat Types
A thin layer of pure surficial sphagnum peat is found on the surface except at Point R4, where the surficial peat is composed of sphagnum-sedge peat (Profile 60). Below this sphagnum peat are a number of lenses of humified shrub-sedge, sedge-shrub and pure sedge peats. At Point R4 there is also a layer of unhumified brown moss-sedge peat at a greater depth.
Peat types indicate that if this deposit were to be used for peat mining, it would be best suited for the extraction of fuel peat. However, due to its small size, the best use might be to drain this deposit for forestry as it already possesses a relatively dense and strong stand of trees.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer in Peatland 52K-57 is H4.9 (Profile 60). The average degree of humification for the unhumified peat layer is H2.6 and for the humified layer H5.4. The unhuraified peat is quite evenly distributed across the main part of the deposit in a layer that varies from 0.2 to 0.9 m in thickness. However, at Point R4 there is a total of 2.3 m of unhuraified peat. The humified peat is composed mostly of H4, H5, H6 and H7, with humification increasing with depth.
The humification values indicate that there is no horticultural peat potential for this deposit. - 206 -
Estimated Peat Volume
It is estimated that this deposit contains 2.546 million m^ of peat. This value is to be regarded as a maximum as it is based on the thickness measurements recorded at four sampling points.
Potential for Future Detailed Studies
From the viewpoint of peat extraction, the heavy tree cover, small size and irregular shape all contribute in making Peatland 52K-59 unattractive for this purpose. Consequently, further detailed study of this deposit is not warranted.
Comments
This deposit is mostly Crown Land except a small portion of Concession VIII. There are no specific plans for this deposit according to the MNR District Office. Peatland 52K-57 is located in the Trout Lake Forest Management Agreement area. - 206a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-28, 52K-30 and 52K-57 Map 34. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 57-60
- 207 -
6.13 PEATLAND 52K-74
Location
Peatland 52K-74 is located in Dryden District about 6 km northeast of Perrault Falls. This deposit borders the north end of Florence Lake and is slightly over l km southwest of Scout Lake. Lac Seul, Wabaskang and Perrault Lakes are to the northeast, west and south of this deposit. This peatland is located at approximately 15-4945581 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 023'N latitude and 93 005'W longitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/6; airphotos: 76-5016 31-5, 6 and 7) (Map D.
Access
Peatland 52K-74 is very accessible. Along its western edge, a stretch of Highway 105 comes to within 100 m of the deposit providing excellent points of entry. Along both the north and east sides, the CNR rail line runs parallel to its edge remaining equidistant for the most part (within 200-250 m). Facilitating access onto the eastern portion of the deposit is a small road which branches off of Highway 105 north of the intersection of the highway and the rail line providing a link to Mary Lake. This road passes the eastern periphery within 100 m.
Besides the rail line, a power transmission line corridor and natural gas pipeline pass by this deposit, the former to the east, the latter to the west.
By road, Peatland 52K-74 is 8 km north of Perrault Falls and 32 km south of Ear Falls.
Dates of Field Study
The field reconnaissance study of Peatland 52K-74 was conducted on September 7th, 1984. - 208 -
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-74 is a depression in the clay, glaciolacustrine terrain immediately west of the Lac Seul end moraine (Zoltai, 1965). It lies at the northern end of Florence Lake on a slope that descends from the Canadian National railway grade towards the lake (Map 35). The deposit is about 376 m a.m.s.l. or about 6 ra above the level of Florence Lake towards which it slopes. However, due to its relatively thick peat and the contiguity with the lake, it is possible that the lower peat lenses cannot be drained due to their elevation relative to the level of the lake.
The land surrounding the deposit rises to about 390-410 m a.m.s.l. within a very short distance of the deposit itself.
Area and Shape
This deposit covers a total of about 84 ha (Map 35). It is relatively regular in shape and along an northwest-southeast axis, has a maximum length of about 1.6 km. Its width varies from 400-600 m. Its regular shape is a positive feature in terms of peat raining.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is covered mostly by treed low shrub fen vegetation (77 ha; 92%) (Map 35). Also there is a small area (7 ha; 8%) of marshland along the lakeshore. The surface vegetation on this deposit is very similar to that of Peatlands 52K-30 and 52K-57 which both have very similar fen vegetation. The measurement of surface water pH values gave high ratings of pH 6.0 which is well in the fen range.
The dominant tree species on this peatland is black spruce which reaches heights of 8-10 m. Shrubs most commonly found are dwarf birch and Labrador tea. The moss species that is predominant is Pleurozium schreberi. - 209 -
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of the peat layer is 2.7 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.2 m and that of the humified layer is 2.5 m. The peat is deeper at the deposit's east end where the maximum value of 3.7 m is reached and decreases gradually towards to the west where the minimum measured value is 2.2 m. The thickness of unhumified peat layer varies from 0.2-0.3 m and is evenly distributed across the entire deposit (Profile 61).
Peat Types
A 0.3 m layer of pure sphagnum peat blankets the entire deposit (Profile 61). It is underlain by wood-sedge peat except at Point RI where it is underlain by shrub-sedge peat. Below this, wood-sedge, sphagnum-sedge, and shrub-sphagnum-sedge peats are found. The peat types confirm that this deposit has very little horticultural peat extraction potential and should be considered only for mining fuel peat.
At Point R2, a thin layer of ooze (0.3 m) exists while at Point R2 and R3, a thin layer of marl (0.3 and 0.2 m, respectively) can be found above the mostly clay substrate.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification of the peat layer is H5.5 (Profile 61). The average degree of humification for unhumified layer is H2.0 and H5.9 for the humified layer. The unhumifed peat is in the form of a 0.3 m layer across the entire deposit. It is underlain by H4 peat only at Point RI. Elsewhere, the immediate underlying layer has a degree of humification of H5. This in turn is underlain by H6, H7, H8 and H9 peats.
The humification values indicate that this deposit contains very good fuel peat and could be used for fuel peat mining as most of its peat layer may be drainable. On the other hand, its location on the sloping ground near the lake would be better suited for drainage for peatland forestry. - 210 -
Estimated Peat Volume
This deposit is estimated to contain a total of 2.268 million m^ of peat. This value should be regarded as a maximum since it is based on calculations of data derived only from four sampling points.
Potential for Further Peatland Studies
This deposit shows similar botanical features to those found in deposits 52K-28 and 52K-57. There are no pressing needs for any further detailed drilling as this deposit has limited peat potential due to its size. It might be useful, however, to carry out some surface elevation measurements to establish whether it can be drained entirely or not.
Comments
This deposit is on Crown Land. Its use for peat mining might be complicated by its location on a lake.
Peatland 52K-74 is located in the East Patricia Forest Management Agreement area. - 210a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-74 Map 35. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-82.)
- 211 -
6.14 PEATLAND 52K-82
Location
Peatland 52K-82 is located in Dryden District about 10 km southeast of Camp Robinson. Or d Lake/Puzzle Bay and Cedar Lake are 6 and 7 km northeast and northwest of it, respectively. This deposit is located at approximately 15-4935548 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 0 05'N latitude or 93 0 06'W longitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topographic Map Sheet No. 52K/3; airphotos: 83-5004 2-182 to 184; Map 1).
Access
This deposit is accessible only by forestry roads which at the time of survey (August 1984) were not in daily use and were partially overgrown and eroded. The deposit is 97 km from Dryden by road; of this distance, 77 km is paved, 10 km all weather gravel road and 10 km old forestry road. The paved roads are Trans-Canada Highway from Dryden to Vermilion Bay (40 km) and 37 km by Highway 105 north of Vermilion Bay. The all weather road portion is along Camp Robinson Road 10 km east of Highway 105. The last part, the forestry road is 10 km south of Camp Robinson Road and is readily accessible by a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The forestry road comes within about 200-300 m of the southern end of the deposit.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-82 was carried out on September 1st, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-82 is located in partially clay-based depression in an area of sandy till ground maraine. It is approximately 416-418 ra a.m.s.l. (Map 36). The surrounding uplands rise gently from the edge of the deposit, especially so to the south. To the north and northeast, the surrounding uplands rise relatively steeply to the elevations of about 450 m a.m.s.l. within 200-300 m of the edge of the deposit. However, to the south the land is only 4-5 m above the surface of the deposit. - 212 -
There are two drainage channels leading out of this bog, one runs from its eastern end towards the east and enters Ord River. The other one runs from the northwestern end towards a small lake located 2.5 km north east of the bog. Its drainability is very good and there seems to be no reason why this deposit could not be drained relatively easily, if needed.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52K-82 covers a total of 51 ha (Map 36). It is relatively regular in shape being oblong with its longest axis running more or less southeast to northwest. Its maximum length along this axis is about 1.4 km. The width varies from 400 m to a maximum of about 600 m in the middle of the bog. There is one mineral island in the northwestern part of the deposit. There are a few embayments along its edges giving it a some what irregular outline. However, generally, it is regular enough in shape that it could be tailored with a simple mining plan.
Peatland Vegetation
Peatland 52K-82 is a basin bog located in a slight depression. Its eastern end is characterized by treed low shrub bog that covers 20 ha (39%) of the total area of 51 ha. Most of the northern part of the central portion of the deposit is covered by open low shrub bog (18 ha; 35%). There are 6 ha of open graminoid fen in the central and western part of the deposit along a drainage channel. The fen area is bordered both to the north and to the south by narrow zones of treed graminoid bog (5 ha). At the western tip, there are 2 ha of conifer swamp.
The dominant tree species in the treed area is black spruce. The dominant shrub species is Chamaedaphne calyculata and the dominant mosses are Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum angustifolium.
The surface water pH was measured at Points RI and R2 at 4.5 and 3.7 respectively. - 213 -
Peat Thickness
The peat thickness varies between the five sampling points from 2.2 to 4.3 m with an overall average peat thickness of 3.3 m. The average thickness of unhumified peat is 1.6 m and that of the humified peat is 1.7 m. The greatest thickness (4.3 m) is found at Point R5 in the northwestern part of the deposit from where the peat layer gradually becomes shallower towards RI. The peat thicknesses are adequate for commercial peat operations (Profile 62).
Peat Types
There is a considerably thick surficial layer of pure sphagnum peat at Point R4 (2.7 ra) and it continues as a thin layer to Points RI, R2 and R3. Elsewhere, the most common peat types are shrub-sedge, shrub-sphagnum, sphagnum-sedge-wood, sphagnum-wood, sedge-wood and pure sedge peat. These peat layers are unhumified to the depths of 1.8 m and 2.0 m at Points R3 and R5 respectively and humified elsewhere.
The peats are underlain at Point R3, R4 and R5 by layers of ooze with thicknesses of 2 m. The substrate is clay except at Points RI and R2 where it is sand.
The peat types indicate that this deposit might have some horticultural peat potential near the centre. However, elsewhere the peat types would be more suitable for fuel peat mining or for drainage for forestry purposes (Profile 62).
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification is H4.3. The average degree of humification for the unhumified peat layer is H2.8 and for the humified peat layer H5.1. The thickness of the unhuraified layer varies from 0.4 to 2.7 m. The unhumified peat is composed of H2 and H3 peats and form thick surface layers from Points R2 to R5 and thinner at RI. This peat is underlain from Points R3 to R5 by H4 peats. At Points RI, R2 and R5 the underlying peats are H5, H6, H7 and H8. - 214 -
The degree of humification indicates that this deposit could be more suitable for horticultural peat as the surficial unhumified peat layer attains thicknesses up to 2.7 m (Profile 62).
Estimated Peat Volume
It is estimated that the total peat volume of Peatland 52K-82 is 1.683 million m^. This value is based on measurements at five sampling points and consequently, should be regarded as a maximum value for this deposit.
Potential for Further Detailed Studies
Due to the remoteness of this deposit from possible users, and its relatively small size, there is no need for any further detailed study of this deposit.
Comments
This deposit is all on Crown Land and is located in the East Patricia Forest Management Agreement area. The Ministry of Natural Resources district office indicated no specific plans for this site. - 214a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-74 and 52K-82 Map 36. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 61-62
- 215 -
6.15 PEATLAND 52K-83
Location
Peatland 52K-83 is located in Dryden District approximately 1.5 km south of Thaddeus Lake. Amesdale North Road bisects this deposit. The nearest village is Amesdale 13 km to the southwest. This peatland is located at 15-5095553 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 008'N latitude and 92 0 53'W longitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K-2; airphotos: 75-5005 3-187 to 189 and 76-5006 3-89 and 90) (Map 1).
Access
Amesdale North Road affords excellent access to this deposit. Besides bisecting the deposit just south of the Amesdale North Road - Thaddeus Lake Road intersection, the former one also crosses a lobe of this deposit further to the southwest. In all, most of the deposit is within a kilometer of either of the two abovementioned roads.
By road, it is 16 and 49 km northeast and north of Amesdale and Dryden, respectively. It is important to note that the distance between Peatland 52K-83 and 52K-84 is only 4 km enabling joint-mining of these deposits to be considered.
The C.N.R. rail line linking Ear Falls passes within 2 km of the western edge of the peatland as does a transmission line corridor.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-83 was carried out on September 10th, 1984. - 216 -
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-83 is a very shallow and irregular, sand-based depression in a large, sandy outwash deposit just southeast of the Lac Seul end moraine. This deposit lies about 430-432 m a.m.s.l (Map 37). It is composed of a number of continuous narrow, irregular deposits. It is surrounded by hills reaching heights of 460 m a.m.s.l. to the north, west and east while the land lying south of the deposit is only around 430-435 m a.m.s.l. The surrounding country is relatively flat. The deposit itself is also quite flat and does not show any conspicuous elevation differences. It is drained by a number of streams, one of which runs from its western edge towards Miller Lake and another one which runs from its southern tip towards Fawcett Lake. A third stream runs from the central part towards Fawcett Lake through a number of smaller lakes near it. There is also a drainage channel from its eastern lobe to a lake without name north of Fawcett Lake and within 200 ra from the edge of the deposit. It appears that this deposit can be drained if the beaver dams are removed from the outlets.
Area and Shape
The total area of this deposit is about 287 ha (Map 37). It is composed of a wide part, covered by the sampling points, which also continues to the north and south as it narrows into smaller peatland areas. The major part itself is composed of a number of embayments and has a number of mineral islands within its perimeter. There is also a small pond in the centre of the deposit. However, due to its relatively wide dimensions, which reach 800 m in the central area and due to its long main axis running from the southwest to the northeast for a distance of about 3.7 km, this deposit could be considered for peat mining since there are large enough uniform sections that could be drained in an organized manner.
Peatland Vegetation
The vegetation of this deposit is relatively complex as it is covered by eight different physiognomic groups (Map 37). These groups include treed low shrub bog, 34 ha (J.2%), treed graminoid bog, 89 ha - 217 - open low shrub bog, 20 ha (7%), open graminoid bog, 59 ha (2C^), treed tall shrub poor fen, 52 ha (18%), treed low shrub fen, 8 ha (3%), open shrub-rich fen, 17 ha (6%) and open graminoid fen, 6 ha (2%). The open graminoid bog areas are most common across the southern and central part of the deposit as well as in its northeastern part in the middle of the deposit. Treed shrub-rich poor fen is found in the central part of the deposit. Treed low shrub bog and treed graminoid bog can be found along the edges of the embayments of the deposit.
Detailed peatland vegetation analyses were performed at two locations, Points R2 and R3. Also, the surface water pH was measured at a number of locations. It varied from 3.3 to 4.5 indicating that this deposit is in the range of bog types. The detailed peatland vegetation study at the above-mentioned points listed a number of trees such as tamarack and black spruce as common. The listing of the shrubs included Andromeda glaucophylla, Betula pumila var. glandulifera, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, among others. In the herb cover Carex oligosperma, Carex pauciflora, Eriophorum spissum, Gaultheria hispidula, Sarracenia purpurea, etc. are common. Of the mosses, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum angustifolium and Sphagnum magellanicum are dominant.
In the treed part of the deposit, black spruce is the dominant species, with the canopy reaching average heights of up to 10-20 ra.
Peat Thickness
The overall average thickness of peat in this deposit is 0.9 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.4 m and that of the humified layer is 0.5 m. The thickness of peat varies from 0.5 m to 2.5 m, the 2.5 m being recorded at Point RI. Elsewhere, the peat depths are small varying between the 0.5 and 1.0 m. Thus, as far as the peat thickness is concerned, the deposit possesses no utilization (mining) potential. However, it could be drained for forestry purposes (Profile 63). - 218 -
Peat Types
Pure sphagnum peat is found on the surface at Points R2 and R6. Elsewhere, the surficial peat is composed mostly of sedge-sphagnum, sedge-shrub-sphagnum and shrub-sedge-sphagnum peats. The humified basal peat types are composed of shrub-sedge-sphagnum and shrub-sphagnum-sedge and sphagnum-sedge peats.
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for this deposit is H3.6. The average degree of humification of the unhumified layer is HI.9 and that of the humified layer is H4.8. H4 peats are common and reach even the base of the deposit at Point RA. Elsewhere, the basal peat is H6 and H4 and H8.
The substrate is sand under the entire deposit area (Profile 63).
Estimated Peat Volumes
It is estimated that this deposit contains a total of 2.565 million m-* of peat. This estimate is based on the average depth calculated from the nine sample points and should be regarded as the maximum for this deposit.
Potential for Future Detailed Studies
Regarding use potential, there is no need for any detailed study of this deposit as its depth precludes peat mining. If it were considered for forestry, more phytosociological and analytical work should be carried out to obtain base data for draining and fertilizing.
Comments
This deposit is entirely Crown Land and is located in a Crown forest management unit. There were no specific plans for this deposit brought to our attention by District MNR staff. - 218a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-83 Map 37. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-87.)
- 219 -
6.16 PEATLAND 52K-84
Location
Peatland 52K-84 is located in Dryden District about 6 km south of Thaddeus Lake. Fawcett and Rush Lakes lie approximately 800 m from its western and northern perimeters, respectively. The nearest village is Amesdale 9 km to the southwest. This deposit is located at 15-5095549 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 006'N latitude and 92 0 53'W longitude in geographic coordinates. (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/2; airphotos: 83-5004 2 194-196) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-84 is quite accessible. The access onto this deposit is provided by a l km long bush road which branches off of Amesdale North Road. This road crosses the Fawcett Lake narrows and continues for another 600 m before ending at the edge of the deposit. At the time of the reconnaissance field survey of this deposit the bridge spanning the narrows was washed-out.
By road, this deposit is roughly 12 km northeast of Amesdale and about 45 km north of Dryden. It should also be noted that the distance separating Peatland 52K-83 and 52K-84 is only 4 km. This is important in the event that consideration is given to the joint raining of the two deposits.
A C.N.R. rail line and a transmission line corridor pass within 3 km of the western edge of the deposit.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-84 was performed on September 10th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
This deposit is a sand-based depression in a large, sandy outwash plain just southwest of the Lac Seul end moraine. It lies in a location - 220 - very similar to that of Peatland 52K-83 (Map 38). It is composed of a number of contiguous embayraents and surrounded by uplands which rise about 20-30 m higher than the deposit itself. Especially to the southeast, this deposit is flanked by relatively high uplands. To the north the uplands are low-lying. The deposit is about 430-435 m a.m.s.l. It is drainable by two channels, one discharging into Fawcett Lake and the other draining into a smaller lake south of Fawcett Lake about l km west of the western edge of the deposit. It appears that its drainage potential is good.
Area and Shape
This deposit covers a total of 137 ha (Map 38). It is irregular in shape, composed of a central area about 2.3 km long in a northeast-south west direction and varies in width from about 900 ra in the south to approximately 200-300 m in the north. There are two mineral islands situated in the main part of the deposit. From this area of the bog, a narrow (200-300 m in width) arm reaches 1.2 km towards the southeast. Only the central part of the deposit is sufficiently wide to allow it to be mined in an organized manner. The southerly narrow arm would require a complicated drainage plan if considered for mining.
Peatland Vegetation
This deposit is covered by five major physiognomic groups (Map 38). The major groups are treed low shrub bog covering 30 ha (22%), open low shrub bog covering 39 ha (28!^) and open graminoid bog covering 54 ha (39%). In addition to these, there are small areas of treed graminoid bog covering 9 ha (7%) and open graminoid poor fen covering 5 ha (4%).
The more prominent physiognomic group, open graminoid bog, covers most of the central and southern part of the deposit as well as parts of the narrow southern arm. Open low shrub bog is common on the northeastern arm of the deposit which also shows string bog patterns. The treed low shrub bog cover is found on the central part along the main axis of the deposit. Open shrub-rich fen is found in only a few locations along the edge of the deposit. - 221 -
The dominant tree species in the northeastern section is black spruce. The dominant shrub is leather leaf, found over most of the deposit. The most common sedge species is Carex oligosperma* Of the sphagnum mosses Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum fuscum are the most common. In addition to these Rhynchospora alba is also common on this deposit.
The surface water pH was measured at a number of the survey points with the values varying from 3.5 to 4.4.
Peat Thicknesses
The peat thickness varies from 1.6 to 3.8 m, with an overall average peat thickness of 2.5 m. The average thickness of the unhumified peat layer is 0.9 m and that of the humified peat layer is 1.6 m. Peat thicknesses are quite evenly distributed across the entire deposit and are reasonably high for commercial mining if this deposit were considered for that purpose (Profiles 64 and 65).
Peat Types
Pure surficial sphagnum peats are found on the surface at Points RI, R2 and R3. Elsewhere, the most common surficial peat types is sedge-sphagnum peat. The humified peat layer is characterized by sedge-sphagnum, sphagnum-sedge, sphagnum-shrub-sedge, shrub-sedge, shrub-sphagnum-sedge and pure sedge peats. These are found in a number of lenses of varying thicknesses distributed over the entire deposit without any obvious order. The sedge peats are more predominant than sphagnum peats and this may mean that in the past this deposit was a fen, rather than the bog which prevails presently.
There is a layer ooze (up to 0.8 m thick) underlying the peat layer at Points RI, R2, R4 and R6. The substrate is clay only at Point R2. Elsewhere it is sand (Profiles 64 and 65).
The peat types indicate that this deposit would be better suited for fuel peat than horticultural peat raining. - 222 -
Peat Humification
The overall average degree of humification for the peat layer in this deposit is H4.3. The average degree of humification for the unhumified peat layer is H2.3 and for the humified peat layer H5.4. The average thickness of unhumified layer is 0.9 m which is relatively thick considering the peat deposits in this area. It is quite evenly distributed over the entire deposit and varies from 0.3 m in thickness and reaches a maximum of 2.3 m (Profiles 64 and 65).
Considering the distribution of unhumified peat in relation to humified peat, the deposit has a better possibility for fuel peat mining than for horticultural peat mining purposes.
Estimated Peat Volume
It is estimated that this peatland has a total of 3.562 million m^ of peat. This is to be recorded as a maximum value since its calculation is based on only seven sample points.
Potential for Future Detailed Studies
This deposit has some peat mining potential only if other deposits in the general area are considered as suitable sources of peat. Its surface cover and peat types would lend it suitable for peatland forestry operations. Detailed study of this deposit is not recommended at this time.
Comments
This deposit is entirely Crown Land and is situated in a Crown forest management unit. There are no specific plans for its use indicated by District MNR staff. - 222a -
The following docket contains: Peatland 52K-84 Map 38. Peatland Classification Map (Profile for this site is in docket following site 52K-87.)
- 223 -
6.17 PEATLAND 52R-87
Location
Peatland 52K-87 is located in Sioux Lookout District, about 2 km east of Goodie Lake, 1.5 km northwest of Tab Lake and 3 km north of the western end of Vermilion Lake. The lower half of this deposit lies in Lomond Township. This peatland is located at approximately 15-5495546 in U.T.M. coordinates or 50 004'N latitude and 92 0 19'W longitude in geographic coordinates (NTS Topographical Map Sheet No. 52K/1; airphotos: 2-75-5003 3-85 and 86) (Map 1).
Access
Peatland 52K-87 is quite easily accessed. Its northern edge comes within 350 m of the district road linking the hamlets of Millidge and Hudson.
By road, Peatland 52K-87 is approximately 64 km northeast of Dryden, 12 km west of Hudson and 36 km west of Sioux Lookout. There are wood-using industries in each of the above-mentioned communities. This deposit is also 60 km from the Goldlund Mines Ltd. property which is situated 42 km southwest of Sioux Lookout along Highway 72.
Peatland 52K-87 is located 2.5 km south of the C.N.R. line which passes through Sioux Lookout. An Ontario Hydro transmission line passes the southern edge of the deposit 1.5 km to the south.
Dates of Field Study
The reconnaissance field study of Peatland 52K-87 was carried out on September 8th, 1984.
Topography and Drainage
Peatland 52K-87 is situated in a small clay-based depression in an area of generally sandy till ground moraine. It is surrounded by forested uplands on three sides, however, along the southern edge of peatland - 224 -
there is no appreciable elevation difference between the surrounding forested mineral terrain and the peatland surface. Generally, the surrounding mineral terrain slopes gently towards the deposit. The ridge about 150 m south of the road parallel to the northern edge of the deposit is about 10 m above the surface of the open portion of bog. The tree-covered portion of the deposit is quite wet and the open graminoid center is flooded, thus, indicating the presence of a northwest-to-southeast surface gradient through the treed parts of the deposit.
Peatland 52K-87 is drained by a small creek which flows from the southeast end of the bog towards Vermilion Lake. Flow in this creek is presently being obstructed by a beaver dam, causing the surface of the open portion of the deposit to become a floating mat.
At Point RI, sand was encountered below the peat layer while at the three remaining points, all of which were in the open part of bog, clay was the substrate material.
Area and Shape
Peatland 52K-87 is 73 ha in area (Map 30). The shape of this deposit is basically rectangular. At its greatest dimensions, along an east-west axis, it is 1300 m long and is 700 m wide.
Peatland Vegetation
This is a basin deposit with flat bog characteristics (Map 39). About 52% (38 ha) of the peatland consists of conifer swamp while 30 ha (4^) of the deposit is open graminoid bog. The latter area is presently flooded. The other 5 ha (7%) is covered by thicket swamp.
The conifer swamp is dominated by black spruce with little understorey and a moss carpet of Pleurozium and Sphagnum. The bog is nearly all in the open graminoid class with Carex aquatilis as the main dominant and Scheuchzeria palustris a local dominant in small patches (as R3). - 225 -
Peat Thickness
Four sampling points were established on Peatland 52K-87. At Point RI, which is in the confer swamp, the surface layer is only 0.2 m thick. At the other 3 points, all in the open portion, the thickness of the surface layer varies from 1.3 m at Point R2 to 1.8 m at Point R3. No humified layer was recorded at Points R3 and R4. At Points RI and R2, the humified layer is 2.0 m and 0.6 m thick respectively. The overall average thickness of the peat layer for this peatland is 1.8 m. The total thickness at Point RI is 2.2 m while at the three points situated in the open area, the average thickness is 1.7 m (Profile 66). This latter average is deceptive because of the average 1.2 m of ooze underlying the open bog area which clearly indicates that it is the deepest part of the depression.
Peat Types
The peat types found at Point RI (in the coniferous swamp) vary significantly from those found at Points R2, R3, R4 (in the open graminoid bog portion of the deposit). At Point RI, the surficial layer is wood-sphagnum peat. Underlaying it is humified sedge-shrub wood peat. The remaining half of the peat is humified sedge-wood peat.
At Points R2 and R4, the peat types are predominantly surficial sedge, sphagnum-sedge peat at Point R2 and pure sedge peat at R4. At Point R3, pure sphagnum peat is underlain by a humified layer of pure sedge peat (Profile 66).
The peat at Points R2, R3 and Point R4 is also underlain by layers of ooze varying in thickness from 1.1 m at Point R2 to 1.5 m at Points R3 and R4.
Peat Humification
The average overall degree of humification for the 4 points established on this deposit is H3.3. For the three points located in the - 226 - open area, the average overall degree of humification is H2.1, while for Point RI, in the conifer swamp, the figure is H5.7 (Profile 66).
Estimated Peat Volume
The estimated peat volume for Peatland 52K-87 is 1.314 million m3. This estimate is based on the findings of the reconnaissance field study and should be regarded as a maximum value.
Potential for Further Detailed Study
Peatland 52K-87 is not recommended for detailed study. This deposit is small and has a densely forested swamp portion. In addition to this, the peat layer is shallow making it extremely unattractive for potential peat extraction. For this reason, further investigation is not warranted.
Comments
Peatland 52K-87 is all Crown Land and is located in a Crown forest management unit. The Ministry of Natural Resources has no specific concerns regarding this area. - 226a -
The following docket contains: Peatlands 52K-83, 52K-84 and 52K-87 Map 39. Peatland Classification Map Peat Profiles 63-66
LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- I50E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN TREED PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB fs LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX nN30ts30ds30y
O 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLANDS 52K-28&30 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP MapSSof Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George Tough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project .is a component of the-Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERPL of the Ontario Geological Survey. . LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS* FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION ( C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS :EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 K-57 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP
Osr30 F(F) Map34of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Northern Affairs and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS*
ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale li 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND52K-74 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map35of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Minister Northern Affairs George Tough and MineS ' Deputy Minister Ontario
OPEN The Peatland Inventory Project is a component- of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. L AKE LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 50E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION SWAMP BOG MARSH M SHALLOW W FORMATIONS FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts,chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir ( SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS! FLOODED (F) \ ./50-051 CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-82 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map 36 of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Rene Fontaine 1 Ministry of Minister Northern Affairs George lough and Mines Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND Th a ddeus L STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION — - — - -*- LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107 MAJOR ROADS SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 50E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG B MARSH M SHALLOW W FEN F WATER POOR FEN PF SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,t GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERS*
ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX rrM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52 K-83 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map37of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry Of Northern Affairs and MineS Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND MAJOR ROADS 107 SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N + 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG B MARSH M SHALLOW W FEN F WATER POOR FEN PF SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED (ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB Is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,* GRAMINOID Q SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi
ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX rrM30ts30ds30)
O 500m 1000m
Scale h 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-84 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map38of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry of Rene Fontaine Northern Affairs and Mines Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the Hydrocarbon Energy Resources Program (HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey. LEGEND
STUDY AREA BOUNDARY LIMIT OF PEATLAND DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND/OR FLOW DIRECTION LAKES OR PONDINGS ISLAND 107
SECONDARY ROADS SECONDARY ACCESS ROADS OR TRAILS SURVEY LINE DESIGNATION AND LENGTH L200N 4- 150E SURVEY POINTS PHYSICAL SAMPLE LOCATION
FORMATIONS SWAMP BOG MARSH SHALLOW W FEN WATER SUBFORMATIONS OPEN (COASTAL C) TREED ( ESTUARINE E) PHYSIOGNOMIC DECIDUOUS h SHRUB-RICH sr MEADOW m GROUP CONIFER c TALL SHRUB ts LOW SHRUB Is THICKET t LOW SHRUB is SHALLOW s (OR COMBINED DWARF SHRUB ds DEEP d BASED ON DOM,i GRAMINOID g SHRUB-RICH EX. hts.chs) SPHAGNUM sp (INTERTIDAL Int) LICHEN-RICH Ir (SUPERTIDAL Sup) POOL P OTHER MODIFIERSi FLOODED (F) CUTOVER/RECENT SECONDARY SUCCESSION (C) POST FIRE SUCCESSION (P) RIBBED (R) DRAINED (D) ABBREVIATIONS ARE IN ORDER OF SUBFORMATION/PHYSIONOMIC GROUP/FORMATION/OTHER MODIFIER SUPERSCRIPTS REFER TO COVER PERCENTAGES OF THE PARTICULAR SUBFORMATION AND PHYSOGNOMIC GROUP SUBSCRIPTS REFER TO PERCENTAGE MAKEUP OF COMPLEXED FORMATIONS EX mM30ts30ds30)
o 500m 1000m
Scale It 10 000
ONTARIO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PEATLAND INVENTORY PROJECT PEATLAND 52K-87 PEATLAND CLASSIFICATION MAP Map39of Open File Report 5544 1985
Monenco
Ministry Of Bene Fomaine Northern. , . , ' AffairsA ,, . Minister Deputy Minister Ontario
The Peatland Inventory Project is a component of the'Hydrocarbon Energy 'Resources Program..(HERP), of the Ontario Geological Survey.