Atlantic Fisheries Research Document 1996/078
Hydrological conditions for Atlantic salmon rivers in the Maritime provinces in 1995
By D. Caissie
Abstract
The objective of the present paper is to provide information on hydrological conditions for selected Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers within the Maritime Provinces during 1995. Long-term hydrological data are presented as well. High and low flow characteristics for each river, were calculated based on historical annual flow and low flow series. Stream water temperatures were obtained at a few river systems and temperature characteristics such as high stream water temperature events were presented.
In general, early winter provided above normal discharges with many rivers experiencing excessive monthly flow condition. February showed low flows for rivers in Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island. The spring breakup of 1995 was generally characterized as mild with practically no flooding in any of the Maritime Provinces.
Low flow conditions during the summer of 1995 varied with regions. For instance, New Brunswick was most affected with a 15 - year low flow in the Miramichi River and a 25 - year low flow at Upsalquitch River. Many of Nova Scotia's rivers experienced deficient flows during April and May 1995 and also low flow conditions of between 3 and 5 - year during the summer.
River water temperature variations in 1995 are characterized by five major events between late June and mid-August. In early July, many rivers in the Maritimes Provinces reached their peak summer temperatures; Southwest Margaree River (25.2 °C), Restigouche River (27.6 °C), and Morell River at Martinvale's Culvert (26.2 °C). Rivers in the interior of New Brunswick experienced their highest recorded temperatures in early August; Little Southwest Miramichi River (30.0 °C), Nashwaak (28.4 °C), Tobique (27.1 °C), North Branch Southwest Miramichi River at Juniper (26.6 °C;), and Dungarvon Rivers (25.9 °C). The Northwest Miramichi River below Big Hole Pool showed a maximum temperature of 28.2 °C during this period while the Southwest Miramichi River reached 26.,4 °C (Millerton) and 25.5 °C (Enclosure).
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