Hay River Research Articles

Initiation of breeding by northern Peromyscus in relation to temperature

Initiation of breeding by Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis (Fischer) near London, Ontario, P. maniculatus maniculatus (Wagner) near Pinawa, Manitoba, and P. m. borealis (Mearns) near Hay River, N.W.T. was examined in relation to seasonal changes in daily minimum temperatures. Spring breeding commenced in all three populations before minimum temperatures reached 0 °C. A comparison of mean breeding temperatures between populations indicated that first litters of P. m. borealis were conceived at significantly higher temperatures (−1.7 °C) than those of P. m. maniculatus (−5.8 °C). During the first 15 days of the nesting period, minimum ambient temperatures and the percentage of nights below freezing were higher and lower, respectively, for P. m. borealis (6.0 °C; 4%) than for P. m. maniculatus (3.2 °C; 30%) or P. leucopus (4.3 °C; 22%). We suggest that P. m. maniculatus and P. leucopus breed early in order to maximize the number of descendants during the summer. Earlier breeding by P. m. borealis would not enhance the number of descendants per season.

Abundance and distribution of Hg and As in the polymetamorphic Precambrian basement of western Canada

mean values of Hg and As in the subsurface Precambrian basement of western Canada are 66 ppb and 1.42 ppm respectively (183 samples). Both figures are close to accepted crustal averages. Plots of cumulative frequency vs. log ppm approach log-normality, but with evidence of small populations enriched in Hg and As and 23% of samples depleted in Hg.Trend surface mapping shows that both Hg and As have regional highs and lows. Several types of multivariate analyses, when applied to petrologic and chemical variables, show that Hg was depleted during both cataclasis and K-metasomatism related to the Hudsonian orogeny. A model for Hg mobility is suggested, with the McDonald–Hay River fault system acting as a conduit for westward migration during the Hudsonian metasomatism. This northeast trending system bisects the Pinchi Lake district Hg ore deposits, which occur along the northwest trending Pinchi fault zone. Mesozoic reactivation of Hudsonian crystalline basement beneath the Omineca crystalline belt may have produced these economic deposits.Multivariate analysis of As values in relation to petrologic variables suggests that As is mobilized during the earlier stages of cataclasis, but finally concentrates locally along major shear zones. The As trend surface high coincides with the area of maximum mylonization along the McDonald fault zone. Concentration of As in major shear zones matches known distributions of niccolite, rammelsbergite, and arsenopyrite in several ore deposits of the western Canadian Shield.

Late Precambrian to early Cambrian stratigraphy of the SW Georgina Basin, Australia

The area to the N and NE of the Amadeus Basin in central Australia is currently being studied by the Bureau of Mineral Resources as part of a detailed investigation of the Georgina Basin. This has led to the recognition of numerous rock units within a previously undifferentiated latest Precambrian to early Cambrian sequence, and preliminary correlations with the Amadeus Basin are possible. The sequence starts with the lower of the 2 late Precambrian tillites, and includes stromatolitic carbonates and ichnofossiliferous sandstones. These outcrop on the Hay River, Tobermory and Huckitta 1:250000 sheet areas. No early Cambrian carbonates are yet known from the eastern region, but occur on Huckitta in the Mount Baldwin Formation and in the Amadeus Basin in the Todd River Dolomite. These contain early Cambrian shelly fossils. It is tentatively suggested that the late Precambrian–early Cambrian sediments of the SW Georgina Basin are the platform equivalents of the basinal sediments of the Amadeus Basin, with fully marine sediments of this age occurring in the Georgina Basin only in NW–SE trending grabens that cut across the platform.

Brachiopoda of the Melville Island Group (Upper Devonian), Banks Island, N.W.T.

ABSTRACT On northeastern Banks Island, N.W.T., a total of 3700 feet of late Devonian clastics are exposed. In the lower 2600 feet of section occur rich benthonic faunas consisting primarily of brachiopods, pelecypods and corals. Thirteen brachiopod species are illustrated. One genus, Retichonetes, has not been previously reported from the Arctic Islands. Of particular importance is the presence of the rhynchonelloid zone fossils, Ladogioides pax and Calvinaria albertensis, and recognition of the overlap in stratigraphic ranges of Eleutherokomma and Cyrtospirifer. Analysis of the brachiopod faunas yields an age of from earliest Frasnian (zone of Ladogioides pax = Waterways and basal Hay River Formations) to late Frasnian (zone of Calvinaria albertensis = lower Mount Hawk and Ireton formations).

Overwintering Birds Observed Along The Mackenzie-Great Slave Lake Highways

The Rae and Heart Lake regions fall within the Hay River, Upper Mackenzie and northwestern transition sections of the transcontinental boreal forest region and mostly within the Canadian life zone. The subarctic climate is characterized by long cold winters, short warm summers and light precipitation. Of approx 105 bird species that breed in these areas, only 13 species overwinter. An annotated list of these species is given.

Geology of Middle Devonian Reefs, Rainbow Area, Alberta, Canada: ABSTRACT

Data obtained from comparatively recent discovery and exploitation of hydrocarbon-bearing Rainbow Member reefs in northern Alberta provide an excellent opportunity to examine the regional sedimentary and structural setting of the Black Creek basin, and specifically, the development of varied reef forms within the Rainbow sub-basin. An intracratonic basin first developed during pre-Middle Devonian (lower Elk Point) time. Basin continued through this period and into Middle Devonian (upper Elk Point) time, when it reached its maximum expansion during deposition of the lower Keg River carbonates. Minor thickness and faunal changes take place in this unit; in some places, the areas where these changes take place are believed to have been loci for later Rainbow Member reef growth. In other places, such as the Hay River bank, the coincidence of reef growth and major structural elements indicates tectonic control. The Rainbow Member reefs are characterized by high relief (up to 800 ft) and two basic geometrical forms: pinnacle (large and small) and atoll. A third form may be in the Shekilie barrier and Hay River bank reefs, but little information is available. The increasing salinity of the seas, caused by development of the Shekilie barrier and lowering of the sea level, gradually terminated Rainbow Member reef growth. Muskeg evaporites (the Black Creek Member salt at the base, overlain by the Muskeg anhydrite) filled the Black Creek basin. The origin of the Black Creek salt beds and the time relations of reef and offreef beds have been interpreted differently by different authors. Detailed lithologic studies reveal the presence of 14 facies representing six depositional environments: basin, forereef, organic reef, backreef, lagoon, and shoal. Superimposed on the original facies is a variable diagenetic history: an early stage of penecontemporaneous dolomitization and a later stage of white dolomite infilling. Both are common to the atoll reefs. Geological rock types are classified in terms of five reservoir facies. The link established between rock and reservoir properties leads to a better understanding of fluid-flow behavior and recoveries in the pools. At present, there are in excess of 1.2 billion bbl of in-place reserves in the Rainbow field, whereas in the Rainbow South field, in-place reserves are in excess of 200 million bbl. End_of_Article - Last_Page 519------------

Profitable Exchanges and Contacts Between U.S.S.R. and Canada

Describes the visit in 1965 by a Canadian party under A. Laing, Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources; its itinerary included research institutions in Moscow and Leningrad, the Bratsk hydropower station, also Yakutsk and Noril'sk where the permafrost station construction projects were viewed. The Russian party under A. Slivinskii, Vice-Chairman of the State Building Committee subsequently visited Canada, going to Hay River, Inuvik, and other northern points of interest. Exchange of permafrost and building specialists is planned.

Growth and Reproduction of the Longnose Sucker, Catostomus catostomus (Forster), in Great Slave Lake

A biological investigation of the longnose sucker, in Great Slave Lake, was carried out in 1950 and 1951. Specimens were obtained by use of gill nets and seines. Suckers taken along the south shore had a faster rate of growth than those in the more northern area. In both areas, males and females grew at the same rate in length and weight. Females lived longer and thereby became heavier. The average annual survival rate was 45%. The growth exponent was 2.88; the length-weight relationship, W = 0.000252 L2.88. Longnose suckers spawned in Hay River from the ice cover break-up in May to June 15. The water temperature did not exceed 59°F (15 °C). The majority of spawning-run fish were 10 to 12 years old. Although sexually mature at 7 years, no suckers younger than 9 years of age were found in the spawning run. Females contained from 17,000 to 60,000 eggs but may not spawn each year. Fingerlings from Hay River were 33 to 80 mm in length, and were in their first summer. They all had scales.

The Distribution of Permafrost and Its Relation to Air Temperature in Canada and the U.S.S.R.

Permafrost is a widespread phenomenon in the northern parts of North America and Eurasia, and in Antarctica. Between 40 and 50 per cent of Canada's total land surface of 3.8 million square miles is underlain by permafrost. The total land area of the U.S.S.R. exceeds 8 million square miles of which 47 per cent is underlain by permafrost (Tsytovich 1958). Because of the great extent of this phenomenon knowledge of its distribution is of vital concern to both countries. The distribution of permafrost varies from continuous in the north to discontinuous in the south. In the continuous zone permafrost occurs everywhere and is hundreds of feet thick. The continuous zone gives way to the discontinuous zone in which permafrost exists in combination with some areas of unfrozen material. The discontinuous zone is one of transition between continuous permafrost and ground having a mean temperature of above 32°F. In this zone permafrost may vary from a widespread distribution with isolated patches of unfrozen ground to predominantly thawed ground containing islands that remain frozen. In the southern area of this discontinuous zone (called the zone of sporadic permafrost in other countries) the permafrost occurs as scattered patches, is only a few feet thick, and has temperatures close to 32°F. The thickness of permafrost varies with the locality; it is greatest in the Arctic and thins out near its southern limit. In Canada, at Resolute, Cornwallis Island, N.W.T., it is thought to be about 1,280 feet thick (Misener 1955); at Norman Wells, N.W.T. it is about 150 feet thick, and at Hay River, N.W.T. it is only 5 feet thick. In the U.S.S.R. permafrost exceeds 500 metres (1650 feet) in thickness in the Taymyr Peninsula. In southeastern and southwestern Siberia it is less than 25 metres (83 feet) thick (Tsytovich 1958). ... It is evident that there is not a close relationship between permafrost distribution and air temperature. Because so many factors - climatic, surface, and geothermal - affect the occurrence of permafrost, prediction of its distribution cannot be based solely on this one climatic factor. Nevertheless, examination of the southern limit of permafrost as known at present and of air temperature pattern reveals the existence of a very broad relationship. The mapping of the distribution and the delineation of the southern limit of permafrost is a problem with many aspects. What defines the southern boundary and how can it best be shown cartographically? Does a pereletok (a shallow spot of frozen ground that persists for several years), which persists for a number of years and then disappears, belong to the permafrost? How many years must a pereletok persist to be classed perennially frozen ground? Can relict permafrost be distinguished from a pereletok in the field? These and other problems make it difficult to locate the southern limit of permafrost. A large number of field investigations of permafrost and observations of ground temperature are required to give detailed knowledge of its areal distribution and thickness for mapping purposes. In Canada this work is still in the early stages, but already the general areal distribution of the two permafrost zones is becoming evident.

Monelasmina besti, a new Schizophoriid Brachiopod from the Upper Devonian of Western Canada

AbstractMonelasmina, previously known only from the Frasnian of Europe, is described and figured from the Hay River formation (Frasnian) of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The specimens are referred to a new species, M. besti.

Developments in Canada in 1947

Developments in Canada in 1947

Arctic Survey Part I. Survey of Health Conditions and Medical and Hospital Services in the North West Territories

The Scope of the Survey. The survey was confined to the Mackenzie River District. The places visited were Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, Hay River, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Arctic Red River, Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Yellowknife, and Port Radium. Fort Norman and Fort Rae were not visited, but information in regard to these was obtained from medical officers for these areas. All but one doctor in the area were interviewed. The hospitals and schools were visited and the authorities in charge were most co-operative in supplying information. Useful interviews were had with the clergy, R.C.M.P., R.C.C.S., Hudson Bay Company officials, independent traders, oil and mine operators, and many other residents of the Territories.

Arctic Survey Part II. Survey of Education in the Mackenzie District

The duties assigned to the writer, as his part in the project of the Canadian Social Science Research Council for the study of the Canadian Arctic, were: (a) to visit Indian Residential and Day Schools as well as non-denominational schools for children who are not wards of the Dominion Government; (b) to survey all educational facilities and activities; (c) to make recommendations for improving educational services. In pursuing this assignment during the months of July and August, 1944, the localities were visited in the following order: (a) Fort Smith, (b) Norman Wells, (c) Arctic Red River, (d) Aklavik, (e) Fort McPherson, (f) Fort Good Hope, (g) Fort Simpson, (h) Fort Providence, (i) Hay River, (j) Fort Resolution, (k) Yellowknife, (l) Port Radium. Thanks to a very complete list of key people provided by the Department of Mines and Resources, it was possible to meet those who knew most about the matters under investigation and who, without exception, were most cooperative and anxious to provide all relevant information and all possible assistance.