A Forum for Natural, Cultural and Social Studies VOLUME 3 - Number 1 Parks Canada, Alberta and Pacific-Yukon Regions SPRING 1995 CAVES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS Features of the landscape for half a billion years, caves give us a glimpse into times past Jonathan Rollins THE CAVES A recent inventory for Alberta and the Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains (south of the northern border of Jasper National Park) documents 137 caves in the jurisdiction of Parks Canada and several provin­ cial departments (Table 1). Defining what a cave is can be highly subjective. The inventory, with a few exceptions, used the cave explor­ ers definition: a cave has some extent of bedrock passage, and its passages are formed by dissolution processes rather than frost shattering or bedrock col­ lapse (thus obviating the all-too-common Rocky Moun­ tains "frost-pocket"). Since caves are typically found in limestone or dolomite, it is hardly surprising the Canadian Rocky Mountains contain caves. What is surprising, consid­ jj ering the large areas of carbonate rocks involved, is that :£ more caves have not been found. The majority of caves 1 and karst areas have entrances at about 2000 metres above sea level, and have been extensively modified by sequential periods of glaciation. Cave passages can be seen heading out of mountain sides, and occasionally have been de-roofed. The entrances of many extensive Castleguard Cave: one of Canada's longest and deepest caves cave systems consist of small openings in scree or moraine material, often enlarged by digging in order to gain access. contain some of the finest examples of alpine karst in the world. Glaciation has undoubtedly removed and truncated many cave These areas of solutionally eroded limestone are easily recognized systems. by surface features, including sinking streams, springs, limestone The caves, when compared with caves in other parts of the world, pavements, closed depressions, and shafts (steeply descending cave are not notable for their length, averaging half a kilometre within entrances). Micro-karst features, known collectively as karren, the inventoried area. Most Rocky Mountains caves have a strong consist of distinctive grooves and fissures in exposed bedrock vertical component with sections of passage known as "drops" or surfaces. Fine examples of surface karst together with underlying "shafts," which can only be descended and ascended using rope cave systems can be found in Castleguard Meadows (Banff Na­ climbing systems. Low temperatures (typically 2-3°C) and long tional Park), Hawk Creek (Kootenay National Park), and the approaches make cave exploration in the Canadian Rocky Moun­ Snaring karst (Jasper National Park). The Burstall Pass area in tains an extremely arduous activity. Kananaskis Country has extensive surface karst, but no significant The inventory area includes Canada's longest and deepest caves. known caves. Castleguard Cave, located beneath the Columbia Icefield, now consists of over 20 kilometres of explored passages. In Robson GEOLOGY AND CAVE FORMATION Provincial Park, Arctomys Cave, with a surveyed depth of 536 metres, is the deepest cave North of Mexico. Many other remark­ All caves in the Canadian Rockies are contained in carbonate able caves lie within the inventory confines, notably Yorkshire Pot rocks, i.e. limestone and dolomite of the Paleozoic Era (540-258 at Crowsnest Pass, which, following connections with five other million years ago). The Livingstone and Palliser carbonates contain caves, now has a surveyed length of more than 12 kilometres. the Snaring, Crowsnest, and front range caves. The Cathedral Rocky Mountain caves sometimes occur in isolation, but more often are grouped together in karst areas. The four mountain parks - continued on page 12 — S^Mi^CLtoDte Volume 3 • Issue 1 • Spring 1995 EDITORIAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The main goal of this publication is to foster With this issue, Research Links is entering its third year. The last two years have seen the communication between scientists, resource publication define and redefine itself and its audience; this process will continue. managers, and science and management. Views of authors do not necessarily represent the views of Parks Canada or its employees. Billed a forum for natural, cultural, and social studies, Research Linksattempts to inform, educate, and stimulate discussion. This substantial mandate molds most of the decisions FEATURE ARTICLES of the Research Links editorial board, and makes each issue a new frontier. It has led to actions such as covering environmental initiatives, and last winter's Cultural Resource 1 Caves of the Rocky Mountains Management issue. However, all of this has taken place within a limited geographical area: Jonathan Rollins Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon—the Aberta and Pacific-Yukon regions of Parks 4 The Revelstoke Caribou Project Canada. Michael Morris 5 Innovation at Motherwell Homestead This spring, Research Links is expanding its borders and looking beyond Alberta and David Hems Pacific-Yukon Regions. The majority of the issue, as is Research Links 'mandate, is divoted 7 Measuring Performance to Alberta and Pacific-Yukon research, but there is also an article on archaeological Anne-Marie Pham mitigations and engineering innovation at the Motherwell Homestead National Historic 10 1994 Jasper Crowding Survey Site in Saskatchewan and a story on the chemical-free gardens of Wasagaming in Paul Lauzon Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park. Is this more national focus a one time exception, or an indication of things to come? 10 Chemical-Free Gardens in Wasagaming Hugh Penwarden 11 1994 Banff Backcountry Visitor Survey PaulLauzon DEPARTMENTS "There is also an article on archaeological mitigations and 2 Editorial engineering innovation at the Motherwell Homestead As Research Linkscmers its third year, the editorial board ponders its future direction. National Historic Site in Saskatchewan and a story 3 Around the Parks and Beyond on the chemical-free gardens of Wasagaming in Featuring Bill Peyto, the Saskatchewan Glacier, and Science-In-A-Crate. Manitoba's Riding Mountain National Park. 8 Natural Region Highlights Is this more national focus a one time exception, 1995 research priorities of parks in the Alberta and Pacific-Yukon Regions. or an indication of things to come?" 14 Book Review by Douglas Clark A review of Parks and Protected Areas, edited by Philip Dearden and Rick Rollins. 12 Occasional Papers A listing of Parks Canada's Occasional Papers, 1979-1995. Perhaps. While (for the time being, at least) Research Links remains a regional publication, some of its future plans include, out of necessity, a more national (or at least more western) 15 Podium by Ross MacDonald Rocky Mountain House's chief of focus. The editorial board decided to follow a theme focus for several future issues—for communications underlines the instance, the Fall 1995 issue will highlight research into the ecological effects of fire importance of clear presentations of management, and the Winter 1995 issue will look at social and historical studies, with research to the public. focus on multiculturalism. Research and subsequent management initiatives in many of 16 Meetings of Interest these areas are not limited to Alberta and Pacific-Yukon Regions; they are scattered across A listofupcomingconferences, meetings, and workshops that focus on issues Canada's national parks and sites. relevant to research and resource management in the Alberta and Pacific- Yukon Regions. As a result, the board is wrestling with the question of whether Research Links should take on a national perspective, solicit articles on themes from across the parks system, and WRITE TO... expand the "links"—a suggestion made by several Parks staff outside Alberta and Pacific- Fxiitor, Research Links Yukon Regions. The consequences of such a move are large: while the cost of producing Parks Canada a larger Research Links would be incremental, the editorial workload and distribution costs #520, 220 - 4th Avenue S.E. P.O. Box 2989, Station M would increase significantly. Calgary, AB.T2P3H8 Tel.: (403) 221-3210 If there is interest in expanding the publication, there needs to be commitment from other FRANCOPHONES Parks Canada regions, headquarters, and individuals to share the workload and costs. Le texte de cette publication est offert en francais. Feedback form Research Links existing audience will play a crucial role in the final decision. Vous pouvez 1'obcenir en ecrivant a l'adresse ct- What do you think about Research Links moving towards a national perspective? What d ess us. do you think of where Research Links is at now? We welcome your thoughts and SUBMISSIONS WELCOME FOR FALL suggestions. ISSUE. DEADLINE IS JULY 14,1995. FEEDBACK... JUZOUHD THE PMZKS "A copy of Research Linkswus passed onto me recently—what an informa­ OUR SCIENCE, THEIR EDUCATION tive, attractive, stimulating publication. Congratulations! Science Alberta Foundation (SAF) and Parks Canada have jointly developed Science- "Over 125 000 people (both resi­ in-a-Crate programmes to educate young Canadians about links between science, research, dents and visitors) come in to our library annually, seeking information and heritage protection. Aimed at a 9-12 year-old audience, the programmes are circulated and reading material. Having Research in libraries. Two programmes, already receiving rave reviews, are on endangered species Links available would be welcome by (peregrine falcon—Falcoperegrines) and endangered spaces (habitat the swift