Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #256: Snow Hydrology of Polar Canada: current status and future change  

Outline
The hydrologic cycle plays a critical role in many aspects of the polar system, with strong linkages to the global climate system, ocean circulation, and aquatic/terrestrial/marine ecosystems. For example: the duration and magnitude of the snowcover plays an important role in the climate system due to albedo feedback processes; controls runoff to important aquatic ecosystems; and affects wildlife habitat and vegetation types. In addition, freshwater runoff from land plays an important role in ocean circulation. Due to the strong linkages with many aspects of the polar system, this project will develop strong linkages with the following Federal Government IPY Themes: (1) Freshwater flux in the Canadian terrestrial and oceanic polar regions, (2) State of the Canadian Cryosphere, and (3) Environmental Prediction, and will be a major component of the proposed combined study entitled “The Canadian Polar Hydrosphere: Variability and Change” proposed by Marsh and Pomeroy, and approved by both the Canadian and International IPY committees. With an emphasis on snow accumulation, melt and runoff, this project will: (1) provide detailed information on the hydrology of polar Canada during IPY, (2) document variability and trends in these aspects of the hydrologic cycle, and (3) test, validate, and improve a suite of hydrologic and landsurface models. Major components of this study include: (1) a series of research basins in northern Canada will be continued and developed as needed. This will build on existing EC/NWRI sites in the Canadian Western Arctic near Inuvik, and include sites in the Queen Elizabeth Islands near Resolute, Eureka, Lake Hazen (in collaboration with a study proposed by Derek Muir, carry out a 1 yr study of the hydrology of Lake Hazen on the 50th anniversary of the first scientific study of the lake), and Alert for example. (2) linkage to a university proposed study (SCARF) on the role of the Mackenzie Delta in modifying the flux of water and nutrients from the Mackenzie/Arctic Red/Peel Rivers to the Arctic Ocean. This study will focus primarily on the role of the delta lakes. (3) various remote sensing techniques will be used to monitor landcover/use changes over polar Canada, with an emphasis on the expansion of shrub tundra and the implications to the hydrologic cycle. This component of the study will document past changes, and will provide important input to the hydrologic modelling components. (4) a critical component of understanding the hydrology of many northern areas is improving our understanding of snow accumulation and the role of perennial snow patches and small glaciers. We will use various remote sensing products to study changes in seasonal and perennial snow patches and small glaciers, with a goal to understanding their impact on streamflow. Field studies and existing models developed and used at NWRI will be used to consider past and future runoff caused by changes in perennial snow patches. (5) as the spatial variability in end of winter snow cover is not well known in the arctic islands, we propose to carry out a study of snow variability. This would follow the example provided by SnowSTAR-2002, the 750 km over-snow traverse from Nome to Barrow, Alaska in 2002. This approach would use a variety of methods (including recently purchased GPR for example), to measure variability in snow cover over large regions of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. Comparisons with atmospheric model output would be used to better understand these regional variations. This project has been approved by an NWRI Branch Director, and clearly addresses Environment Canada and NWRI mandates to carry out “ecosystem-based research and development in the aquatic sciences, generating and disseminating scientific knowledge needed to resolve environmental issues of regional, national or international significance to Canada, and to sustain our natural resources and freshwater ecosystems”.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will make significant, and unique, advances in our understanding of the current state of the polar hydrologic cycle. Although a small number of studies have considered these systems in northern Canada, the emphasis has been on the Mackenzie River system. Preliminary studies were carried out the Canadian Barrengrounds and the Arctic Is. during the 1970’s and 1980’s, but since that time, only local studies of short duration have been conducted. This study will make significant advances in our understanding of northern hydrologic systems, and therefore directly address the IPY theme of “Current state of the polar environment” and provide improved methods for considering “Change in the polar regions”.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Larry Hinzman, University of Alaska Fairbanks Doug Kane, University of Alaska Fairbanks Richard Harding, NERC-UK Richard Essery, University of Wales, Centre for Glaciology Glen Liston, CSU, USA

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Field work is planned at the following locations: 1) Mackenzie Delta region uplands: will utilize existing EC/NWRI research basins of Havikpak Creek (forested) and Trail Valley Creek (tundra and shrub tundra) 2) Mackenzie Delta lakes. 3) Resolute Bay/Eureka/Lake Hazen/Alert: study sites along this transect will provide a range of environments in the Queen Elizabeth Islands, that are logistically feasible to consider.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 09/09            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will utilize logistical support from Aurora Research Institute and Polar Continental Shelf Project (Tuktoyaktuk and Resolute Bay). Additional support will be required from operational hydrometric agencies within Canada to carry out necessary discharge measurements at new research basins. Trail Valley and Havikpak Creek research basins are already established, but will need upgrading for intensive investigations. This upgrading is currently planned. New research sites in the Resolute Bay/Eureka/Lake Hazen/Alert transect will be required to be set up. PCSP aircraft support will be required to carry out these studies. Support will be required from Environment Canada’s Water Survey of Canada and with DIAND for conducting discharge measurements in currently unguaged catchments.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will leave a legacy of hydrologic monitoring sites in northern Canada. It is expected that some of the research sites will be operated for at least another decade after IPY. This is essential for examination of the long term variability of cold regions hydrology and for detecting emerging trends due to global climate change.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

This project will require a mixture of support from Canadian polar support groups (including Polar Continental Shelf Project and Aurora Research Institute), as well as commercial aircraft operations. For studies in the Mackenzie, regional offices of the NWT and Canadian Governments (eg Aurora Institute, Water Survey Canada, etc) located near the study sites provide valuable logistical support for the field, and space needed for the storage and repair of equipment. For new studies in the Queen Elizabeth Islands, Polar Continental Shelf Project, Water Survey of Canada and MSC will be required for logistical support and field measurements. Support from Canadian Armed Forces will be required to include Alert in the study plans.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NWRI Management has endorsed this study. The Mackenzie GEWEX Study (MAGS) has endorsed part of these studies as carry on work from MAGS. In addition, CFCAS has approved an LOI for portions of these studies.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


This project builds on 30 years of research experience by the PI in northern Canada, including research in the Mackenzie Delta region and the Canadian High Arctic. In addition, the current research program has developed an in-house research team of 2 to 4 persons that have the expertise and experience to work in northern Canada. The Mackenzie Delta area components of these studies are ongoing. Field work has been carried out at these sites over the last 10 years, and funding is in place to continue for another 4 years. The Queen Elizabeth Islands portion of the study currently has no funding. However, it builds on approximately 10 years of research in this area by the current research team.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Aspects of this study are ongoing, and will be continued to be managed by EC/NWRI. However, we expect to have strong ties, and to comprise an important component of the combined study entitled “The Canadian Polar Hydrosphere:Variability and Change” lead by P. Marsh and J. Pomeroy. This combined study will bring together a variety of other hydrologic studies proposed under IPY.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project will utilize appropriate northern agencies to help with outreach activities and communication. For example, we will continue to utilize the Aurora Research Institute in Inuvik to help with the involvement of local educational groups and with communication through their seminar series and “plain language” reports. We will also purse such initiatives in Nunavut. This study will continue to liaise with northern researchers, train northern researchers and present findings to local communities. Materials will be used in University coursework and will be extensively published and presented at scientific and public meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project will ensure that strict data management policies are adhered to. Much of the discharge and climate station data will be available through operational agencies for example (Water Survey of Canada, and Meteorological Service of Canada), as well as through Environment Canada’s National Water Research Institute.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Although some funding is in place for studies that could contribute to IPY related activities in the Western Arctic, there is a need for additional funding. Estimates for components of this study include the following. We have provided three funding scenarios: (1) Funding Scenario One – full funding required: - Salary: $170k/yr for 5 years - Capital: $1million in year 1 and 2 - O&M: $400k/yr for 5 years (2) Funding Scenario Two – partial funding: - Salary: $120k/yr for 5 years - Capital: $500k in year one and two - O&M: $200k/yr for 5 years - under this scenario, the number of sites in the Arctic Islands would be decreased to only two sites (Resolute Bay and either Eureka or Lake Hazen). In addition, the Mackenzie Delta/Arctic Ocean studies would be decreased. (3) Funding Scenario Three – no new funding - with no new funding, we would only be able to continue our proposed studies in the Mackenzie Delta/Inuvik area, using a combination of EC/NWRI, PERD, and Mackenzie Gas Project related studies. One could say that these would contribute to IPY, but would have happened without IPY. Details on individual components are listed below. (1) proposed IPY related research activities in the western Canadian Arctic near Inuvik, are currently funded, or funding has been applied through CFCAS. As a result, these activities could contribute to IPY with limited funding from IPY directly. Existing funding includes: (a) EC/NWRI abase funding on the order of $200k/yr (O&M, Capital, Salary) (b) PERD and Mackenzie Gas Project related funding. On the order of $150k/yr (c) Portions of the study to be located in the Mackenzie Basin have applied for funding at the level of $100,000/yr from CFCAS for the years 2005-2010. If successful this would cover much of the IPY related activities in the Western Canadian Arctic. (2) The Mackenzie Delta component of the study is unfunded at present, and the planning is in the early stages of development. O&M funding of $150k/yr would be required, plus 1 FTE at $50k/yr. (3) Activities in the Queen Elizabeth Islands are currently unfunded, and we would be unable to carry out these studies without new IPY related funding. This would require approximately: (a) $1 million dollars of capital to instrument 4 new study sites. (b) 2 FTE positions to install and carry out field work - $120k/yr salary (c) $250k/yr O&M for related field work in the Queen Elizabeth Islands.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Although this study could be carried out as a stand-alone project, it is hoped that it will comprise one component of the combined study entitled “The Canadian Polar Hydrosphere: Variability and Change” proposed by Marsh and Pomeroy, and approved by both the Canadian IPY and the international IPY JC. Funds have not yet been located to date for much of this study. Further significant investment could result in the project described above becoming a component of a MAGS “type” follow on, with an emphasis on polar regions of Canada. One requirement for this to be successful would be involving a set of atmospheric scientists to examine feedback issues relating to the land surface hydrosphere.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Philip Marsh
Environment Canada, National Water Research Institute
11 Innovation Blvd.
Saskatoon
S7K 1G2
Canada

Tel: 306-975-5752
Mobile: no
Fax: 306-975-5143
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation