Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

The Sturgeon River Watershed is a sub-basin of the North Saskatchewan River. In the past 20-30 years, the Sturgeon River has changed drastically. Anecdotal accounts from long-time residents indicate that the watershed, the water quality, water flow and depths, and fish and wildlife populations have all diminished. The cumulative pressures from agricultural, industrial, recreational, and urbanization activities on this small watershed are having a negative impact on what was once a productive fish and wildlife habitat. This project will bring multiple stakeholders, including industries, together to assess the quality of riparian and fish habitat within the Sturgeon River drainage, and then to propose and assess best management practices. Permanent water sampling sites have been established, so baseline and long-term water quality data can be collected to identify the sources of nutrients and pollutants to the river system. Stream crossings will be assessed to determine the impact of winter ploughing of bridge decks, sedimentation and habitat fragmentation. This work is being conducted by NAIT staff and student researchers, in collaboration with the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA) and the University of Alberta. Businesses, industry partners, and supporters include JR Golf Course, Lafarge, ALS Lab Services, Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), City of St. Albert, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD), Alberta Environment, and Alberta Justice. The equipment we are requesting from NSERC is essential for collecting water samples during storm or spring snowmelt run-off events, and to maximize efficiencies in collecting and analyzing water samples. Additionally, autosamplers and autoanalyzers are used extensively by employers of our graduates, and training students to use this equipment will increase their employability upon graduation.