First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun

Published purpose

Expanding on recent water quality monitoring work by the First Nation of Nacho-Nyak Dun (FNNND) in collaboration with researchers at Carleton University, the project aimst to further develop FNNND’s capacity for continuous (automated) monitoring of key water quality parameters to ensure extreme conditions are observed, such as large pulses of sediment in streamwater following rain events over disturbed watersheds and during breaches of settling ponds from placer mine sites. The focus of continuous water quality monitoring will be on total suspended solids and water temperature, which are critical indicators of Chinook Salmon and Arctic Grayling habitat. Additional objectives include analysis and mapping of the cumulative impacts of landscape disturbances on water quality across the southern traditional territory of the FNNND as confirmed within our modern-day treaty agreement.