DOI: 10.1002/rrr.3450040308. A review of the effects of water transfers in the La Grande Hydroelectric Complex (Québec, Canada)

A review of the effects of water transfers in the La Grande Hydroelectric Complex (Québec, Canada)

10.1002/rrr.3450040308

Crossref journal-article

Wiley

Regulated Rivers: Research & Management (311)

Abstract

AbstractConstruction of the La Grande Complex in Eastern Canada called for complete or partial diversion of six rivers, the mean annual discharge of which varied from 60 to 1600 m3 s−1, and the transfer of water from two adjoining watersheds (1586m3 s−1) into La Grande Rivière. Three of these rivers with reduced flow, Eastmain (from 700 to 95m3 s−1), Opinaca (from 260 to 35m3 s−1), and Caniapiscau (from 1708 to 960m3 s−1) and the waterways with increased flows, Boyd‐Sakami (from 1 to 811m3 s−1) and La Grande Rivière (from 1760 to 3400m3 s−1) were intensively monitored from 1978 to 1988, while the others were surveyed sporadically. Very few modifications were observed, compared to previous conditions, in banks stability, water quality, and aquatic fauna of the affected rivers: those which appeared can be explained by the water level fluctuations, the water quality of the tributaries of the residual drainage basin, and/or by the direct influence of the reservoirs. In James Bay, the areal extent of the Eastmain River and La Grand Rivière plumes varied with discharge in an exponential relation, mostly under ice cover; resources from the coastal environment had not yet undergone any major changes. Because of the very small population dwelling in the area, less than 3000 inhabitants, modifications in the hydrological regime of these rivers did cause relatively few impacts, the main being greater banks instability in specific locations, reduction of the thickness and ice cover on La Grande Rivière, enhancement of navigation constraints on Eastmain River, and higher mercury levels in fish related to operation of the reservoirs.

Bibliography

Roy, D., & Messier, D. (1989). A review of the effects of water transfers in the La Grande Hydroelectric Complex (QuÃ©bec, Canada). Regulated Rivers: Research & Management, 4(3), 299â316. Portico.

Authors 2

Dominique Roy (first)
Danielle Messier (additional)

References 33 Referenced 14

Banga A. B. Kallenbach B. Light E. andEuteneir D.1987. ‘Impact of interbasin transfers on Lake Diefenbaker operations’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 279–293.
Beals C. S. (Ed.)1968.Science history and Hudson Bay Department of Energy Mines and Resources Ottawa.
10.1139/f84-079
Bridger K. C.1978.The Ogoki River diversion: reservoir downstream diversion channel and receiving water‐body effects MSc. thesis University of Waterloo Waterloo Ontario 176p.
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_6_1', 'first-page': '347', 'article-title': 'Change in sedimentation following river diversion in the Eastmain Estuary (James Bay), Canada', 'volume': '3', 'author': "D'Anglejan B.", 'year': '1987', 'journal-title': 'J. Coastl. Res.'} / J. Coastl. Res. / Change in sedimentation following river diversion in the Eastmain Estuary (James Bay), Canada by D'Anglejan B. (1987)
Day J. C.1985. ‘Canadian interbasin diversion’ Inquiry on Federal Water Policy Research Paper No. 6 Ottawa.
Day J. C.andQuinn F.1987. ‘Dams and diversions: learning from Canadian experience’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatechewan 367–384.
10.1111/j.1752-1688.1982.tb03974.x
Doucet J. Julien M. Messier D. andHayeur G.in press. ‘Compatibility between reservoir downstream flow regime and caribou ecology in Northern Québec’ Proceedings of the third North American Caribou Workshop Fairbanks Alaska.
Envirocon1984. ‘Environmental studies associated with the proposed Kemano Completion hydroelectric development’ Report for Aluminium Company of Canada Vancouver.
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_12_1', 'first-page': '745', 'article-title': 'Physical, chemical and biological features of river plumes under an ice cover in James and Hudson Bays', 'volume': '109', 'author': 'Freeman N.', 'year': '1982', 'journal-title': 'Naturaliste can.'} / Naturaliste can. / Physical, chemical and biological features of river plumes under an ice cover in James and Hudson Bays by Freeman N. (1982)
Groupe de travail fédéral‐provincial1971.Étude préliminaire des impacts écologiques du projet de développement de la Baie James province de Québec Ministères de l'Environnement provincial et fédéral Québec 75pp.
Hecky R. E.1987. ‘An environmental overview of the Churchill River diversion’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatchewan 103–104.
10.1029/JC092iC09p09541
10.1139/f85-149
Kellerhals R.1987. ‘Morphological effects of interbasin diversions’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatchewan 7–24.
Kellerhals Engineering Services Ltd.1987. ‘Morphological effects of the Churchill River diversion. Vol. 1: General assessment’ Report 87‐5 of Ecological Report Series Northerm Flood Agreement Winnipeg Manitoba.
10.1029/JC091iC01p00909
10.1016/0272-7714(88)90041-8
McClean D. G.andBeckstead G. R. E.1987. ‘Long term effects of an inter‐basin diversion on the Milk River’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 295–318.
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_22_1', 'first-page': '357', 'article-title': 'Evolution des concentrations en mercure chez les poissons du Complexe hydroélectrique La Grande', 'volume': '114', 'author': 'Messier D.', 'year': '1987', 'journal-title': 'Naturaliste can.'} / Naturaliste can. / Evolution des concentrations en mercure chez les poissons du Complexe hydroélectrique La Grande by Messier D. (1987)
Messier D.andRoy D.1987b. ‘Effets de la coupure des rivières Eastmain‐Opinaca et Caniapiscau en aval des ouvrages de dérivation’.Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatchewan 367–384.
10.1016/S0422-9894(08)70913-9
Messier D. Lepage S. andde Margerie S.in preparation. ‘Dynamisme du panache de La Grande Rivière sous couvert de glace’ Submitted to Artic.
10.4296/cwrj0503034
Playle R. C. Williamson D. A. andDuncan D. A.1987. ‘Water chemistry changes following diversion impoundment and hydroelectric development in northern Manitoba’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 337–352.
Rood K. M.1987.A Study of some aspects of the geomorphology of the Nechako River Report prepared by Reid Crowther and Partners Ltd. (with contributions by C. R. Neill Northwest Hydraulic Consultants Ltd.) for Fisheries and Oceans Canada Vancouver.
Roy D.1985. ‘Réseau de surveillance écologique du Complexe La Grande 1978–1984 Zooplancton’ Direction Ingénierie et Environnement Société d'énergie de la Baie James Montréal 92pp.
Roy D.andMessier D.1987. Répercussions du transfert des eaux des rivières Eastmain‐Opinaca et Caniapiscau dans La Grande Rivière (Québec) Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatchewan 169–183.
Roy D. Laperle M. Boudreault J. Boucher R. Schetagne R. andThérien N.1986.Ecological Monitoring Program of the La Grande Complex 1978–1984 Summary report Direction Ingénierie et Environnement Société d'énergie de la Baie James Montréal 62pp.
10.1016/S0422-9894(08)70897-3
Wiens L. H.1987. ‘The South Saskatchewan‐Qu'Appelle diversion: history and future prospects’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada Saskatoon Saskatchewan 105–119.
Woo M.andWaylen P. R.1987. ‘Effects of flow diversion on the runoff regimes of northern Ontario rivers’ Proceedings of the Symposium on interbasin transfer of water: impacts and research needs for Canada. Saskatoon Saskatchewan 261–278.

Dates

Type	When
Created	18 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 5, 2007, 7:45 p.m.)
Deposited	1 year, 11 months ago (Sept. 27, 2023, 5:02 a.m.)
Indexed	1 month, 3 weeks ago (July 7, 2025, 7:25 a.m.)
Issued	35 years, 11 months ago (Sept. 1, 1989)
Published	35 years, 11 months ago (Sept. 1, 1989)
Published Online	18 years, 10 months ago (Oct. 12, 2006)
Published Print	35 years, 11 months ago (Sept. 1, 1989)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{Roy_1989, title={A review of the effects of water transfers in the La Grande Hydroelectric Complex (Québec, Canada)}, volume={4}, ISSN={1099-1646}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rrr.3450040308}, DOI={10.1002/rrr.3450040308}, number={3}, journal={Regulated Rivers: Research & Management}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Roy, Dominique and Messier, Danielle}, year={1989}, month=sep, pages={299–316} }

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