State of the River 2004-2005

South Nahanni River (Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories)
“ River of Adventure”
Designated 1987

In 2004, a total of 887 people visited Nahanni National Park Reserve; a 13% decease compared to 2003. Of the 887 people who visited the park, 322 made a day trip to Virginia Falls, while 565 enjoyed a multi-day trip down the South Nahanni River. Day trips to Virginia Falls may have been hindered because of unfavorable flying conditions due to heavy smoke. Of the river travelers, 270 (48%) participated in guided trips while 295 (52%) traveled as private visitors. The average group size was 5.3 people. Group size is restricted to a maximum of 12 people on private trips, and 14 people on guided trips. The average length of a trip in 2004 was 11 days.

Concentrated and long term use of the visitor facilities at Virginia Falls had resulted in degradation of facilities and expansion of the human footprint in the area. Replacement of the portage broadwalk occurred to address the health and safety concerns for both the public and Park staff and to minimize impacts on the ecological integrity of the site. The boardwalks are now completed and the lower portage dock will be replaced this year along with 2 outhouses. Continued maintenance and recapitalization of facilities will enhance natural heritage values by limiting the footprint of human use to identified areas that can sustain such impacts. Recreational values will be maintained as well by ensuring safe access to various visitor sites that are encountered during both day-use and multi-day river trips in the Park.

Big Bend Creek, Dry Canyon, and Whitespray are three sites that are located on the lower part of the South Nahanni River and have been closed since 2003. Big Bend Creek is closed due to the presence of a cultural site whereas Dry Canyon and Whitespray are closed due to the significant impacts from visitor usage. A No Camping @ signs were erected at all three sites on August 3, 2003 and they will continue to remain closed this summer. These actions are helping to restore the outstanding primitive shoreline camping expected by Park visitors.

In June 2000 the Nah Deh Á Consensus Team (NDCT) was formed as part of the Dehcho First Nations Interim Measures Agreement. Since that time, the NDCT has achieved four primary goals, including the preparation of a new Park Management Plan, which was approved in April 2004. An Ecological Integrity Statement; an Interim Park Management Arrangement, and a Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Park Expansion where the other goals that the NDCT achieved. The Interim Park Management Arrangement outlines how Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada will cooperatively manage NNPR until such time as the Dehcho Process reaches a final agreement; and a Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Park Expansion helped form the Nahanni Expansion Working Group (NEWG). The NEWG consist of two Dehcho First Nations appointees and two Parks Canada appointees, and they have been meeting on a regular basis since March 2004. A research plan was prepared, and this plan identifies data gaps with regards to many issues related to the natural and cultural resources of the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem. Several projects have been completed since April 2004, and several more are underway or are in preparation. All research projects will be completed by the fall of 2006. At that time, based on a review of the research, and public and stakeholder consultations, the NEWG will be in the position to make boundary recommendations to Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada.

In 2002 Nahanni National Park Reserve (NNPR) started a research project on distribution and relative abundance of grizzly bears. A non-invasive, hair snagging technique was used to gather grizzly hair for DNA sampling. The DNA analysis can help to identify individual bears sex, family relationships, and the number of different bears that are roaming through the area. It has revealed that some bears travel from as far as 50km outside the present Park boundary. Additional sampling is planned for this year. The data collected will support the ongoing Park expansion efforts between the Federal Government and the Dehcho First Nations, as it illustrates that the current Park boundaries do little to protect wide-ranging animals such as the grizzly bear population that move into and out of the Park.

In September 2004 Parks Canada worked with Fisheries & Oceans to collect information on the distribution and genetic analysis of Bull Trout in the South Nahanni Watershed. Twelve sites were sampled using electro-fishing methods in the lower portion of the watershed (i.e. below Virginia Falls). Bull Trout were caught in several of these areas. An additional 12 sites were sampled in the upper portion of the watershed (i.e. above Virginia Falls), but due to equipment malfunction only angling methods were used. This method did not reveal the presence of Bull Trout, however other species often found in conjunction with Bull Trout such as Arctic Grayling and Lake Trout were present. All captured fish at sampling sites were weighed and measured, a pectoral fin clip was taken for aging, and the adipose fin removed for genetic analysis before being released. A habitat description was also completed at each site. Further sampling of the upper watershed will be completed in the fiscal year of 2005-2006 field season using electro-fishing equipment. Upon completion of the sampling efforts, the tissue samples from 2004 and 2005 will undergo analysis for genetic determination of population structure and fish tissue condition.

Water quality is a key indicator of the ecological integrity of Nahanni National Park Reserve (NNPR). The influence of mining interests within the South Nahanni watershed continues to raise concerns over access, water quality and potential affects on wildlife population. Two mines are located within the Nahanni watershed. The CanTung Mine is located on the Flat River 85km upstream from Nahanni National Park Reserve. The mine was open from 1962 to 1986, under the Canada Tungsten Corporation (CTC), when it was closed due to low tungsten prices. In 1997, North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. purchased CanTung mine. The mine re-opened on December 1, 2001 until December 5, 2003, when they announced a shut down and placed the CanTung Mine on Care and Maintenance due to a purchase agreement cancellation. As of March 31, 2005 NTC came out of creditor protection and will be working towards re-opening the mine in the near future. Under the Water Licence the following plans are required from NTC: a) Current site practices for the recycling of water, b) Hydrological Groundwater Study, c) Contingency Plan, d) Closure Measures Report and Care and Maintenance Contingency Plan. Parks Canada will be providing technical reviewing and responding as required to the drafts of these documents.

The Prairie Creek mine, owned by Canadian Zinc Corporation is 15 km away from the Nahanni National Park Reserve boundary and 43km upstream of the South Nahanni River. Although an entire mine site exists at Prairie Creek, the mine has never gone into production. Currently, Canadian Zinc Corporation is still in the exploration stages, with intent of applying for a permit to fully operate the mine in the near future. In May of 2003 the Canadian Zinc Corporation applied for a winter road permit to access the Prairie Creek Mine site. The proposed route of the road would cross an area of unique karst topography, some of which drains into the South Nahanni Watershed. The Karst area has also been identified for Park expansion through the Interim Land Withdrawal between the Dehcho First Nations and the Federal Government. On May 9, 2005 the NWT Supreme Court ruled that the Canadian Zinc Corporation didn = t have to undergo an environmental assessment, under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA), and they can now seek permission to re-build a long closed winter road to Prairie Creek Mine. Scientists, ENGO = s, and First Nations fear that the road could have a negative impact on the unique, delicate limestone caves and Karst formations. Research programs will help to monitor the affects of mining, and the proposed Park expansion is a step to protecting the integrity of the South Nahanni River and special areas such as the Karst landscapes.

Contact Raquel Cli-Michaud (867-695-3151; raquel.cli-michaud@pc.gc.ca