Saskatchewan River Delta

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The Saskatchewan River Delta. At almost 10,000 km2, it is the largest inland delta in North America. Our research has mostly occurred in the area outlined in white, a portion of the Upper Delta known as the avulsion belt. The delta was long one of the highest producing fish and wildlife areas in the region, but upstream dams and climate change have conspired to alter its functions. We are working to better understand these changes and what the future holds for this special place.

Map credit: Jay Sagin

What we've learned

The wetlands of the delta are strongly influenced by how often they get connected to the main river channel by flooding (click for more info)

Waterfowl arrive in the delta from all over northern Canada, making it a critical stopover ground during fall migration (click for more info)

Flow patterns have changed. The delta does not flood the way it once did (click for more info)

Fish and wildlife numbers have dropped in the delta (click for more info)

Mercury concentrations in fish were high in the 1970s, but they are low enough now that fish are safe to eat (click for more info)

More change may lie ahead for the delta from a changing climate and more water extractions upstream (click for more info)

The wetting and drying of the riverbed below EB Campbell makes it hard for small animals to live there - mostly tolerant organisms remain while many of the sensitive organisms are gone (click for more info)

People in the community are not being given enough of a say in how water is managed (click for more info)

Working together with Cumberland House and other delta communities creates important opportunities to bring about positive change (click for more info)

Hydropeaking by EB Campbell causes rapid changes in water level that strands fish when the river dries up (click for more info)

In the delta, there was a seasonal rhythm established between water, wildlife and people that has been disrupted by upstream dams and water withdrawals (click for more info)

The delta has changed, but people are working to try and restore it for future generations (click for more info)

TV interview

On August 3, 2016, Tim Jardine and Graham Strickert sat down in the Global News Saskatoon studio to discuss the delta. Click the picture above to view the video.

Photo credit: Norm Smith

Recent presentations

10 years of research in the delta - Jardine and Strickert (click to view)

Delta research overview presentation - Jardine at the Global Institute for Water Security (click to view)

Co-presentation by Carriere and Jardine at the Northumberland Learning Connection (click to view)

SaskPower and E.B. Campbell Dam

Saskatchewan Power Corporation funded some of our research in the delta. At the end of the project, we prepared a report with recommendations for how the E.B. Campbell Dam could be better operated to improve conditions in the downstream environment. Read the report here.

Additional recommendations for improvements to EB Campbell's operations came from a Fisheries and Oceans Canada science assessment process. The proceedings of a Winnipeg meeting can be found here.

Solomon, Renee and Michela - the Carriere family - some of our many research partners in the delta

Photo credit: Michela Carriere

Raymond Dussion checks his nets, without the need of a boat, in Cumberland Lake. The lake once supported a thriving sturgeon fishery but has shallowed considerably in the last 50 years.

Photo credit: Gary Carriere

American white pelican

Home

Gary Carriere at the helm of his airboat, taking Tim Jardine, Graham Strickert, Razak Abu and Ross Willness on a tour of the delta

Photo credit: Bob Patrick