Waterton Lakes National Park Research Articles

A new nothospecies of moonwort (Ophioglossaceae, Botrychium)

A new nothospecies of moonwort (Botrychium subg. Botrychium) is reported from Waterton Lakes National Park, Alta., Canada, where it is associated with its putative parents, B. paradoxum W. Wagner and B. hesperium (Maxon and Clausen) Wagner and Lellinger. A population of 29 individuals of the hybrid was found. The plant is here named and described as B. × watertonense W. Wagner nothosp. nov. Morphologically it is remarkable for displaying leaf characteristics intermediate between B. paradoxum, which has two sporophores but no sterile lamina, and the more typical B. hesperium with a single sporophore plus a sterile lamina. The "sterile lamina" of B. ×watertonense is much contracted, has simple venation, and produces sporangia along the margins from base to apex. Flavonoid chemical constituents of the nothospecies compared with its putative parents corroborate the conclusion of its hybrid origin based on occurrence and morphology. The presence of so many individuals at the type locality of a presumably sterile nothospecies is surprising in view of the fact that vegetative propagation is unknown in this genus. In spite of their obvious abortion, there may be some mode of reproduction by spores.

A flora of Waterton Lakes National Park

A flora of Waterton Lakes National Park

A flora of Waterton Lakes National Park, by Job Kuijit [Review

A flora of Waterton Lakes National Park, by Job Kuijit [Review

Exploration for Oil and Gas in Flathead Region, Montana and British Columbia, 1892 to 1983: ABSTRACT

Oil seeps had long been known and used in the Flathead region, but after official reports in 1892, all areas around known seeps and supposed seeps were staked with claims. By 1910, several wells had been drilled with oil shows in the Waterton area, two at Akimina Creek in British Columbia, four in the Kintla area (with oil and gas shows) in Flathead County, Montana, and a small, short-lived, producing field on Swiftcurrent Creek in Glacier County, Montana. The creation of Glacier National Park in Montana (1910) and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta (1911) ruled out exploration in those areas. Exploration continued in the Flathead region of British Columbia, especially at Sage Creek, with the discovery of numerous oil and gas seeps. Drilling in the vicinity of the seeps never achieved production but almost always had numerous oil and gas shows in holes that were terminated because of equipment or hole problems. The prolific occurrences of oil and gas in lost holes was usually enough for new promoters to find new investors to spend their money on new wells. All drilling was in rocks of the Precambrian Belt Supergroup and was very difficult with cable tool rigs. Crow's Nest Glacier Oil Co. 1 spudded in 1918 and terminated at 3,265 ft (995 m) in 1932. Columbia Oils Ltd. attempted to penetrate the Lewis thrust but quit after 5 years in 1938 at 8,000 ft (2,438 m) when it found t at the hole had gone horizontal. Flathead Petroleum finally penetrated the thrust plate in 1951 at 4,400 ft (1,500 m). It tested the Mississippian Rundle Group (Madison equivalent) and found only carbon dioxide gas. The Sage Creek seeps and old open wells are still producing a fine light 42° oil as well as flammable gas from some as yet undetected source. Several wells have tested the Tertiary Kishenehn Formation. Drilling began in 1902 when Kintla Lake Oil Co. drilled two wells, 1,290 ft (393 m) and 1,000 ft (305 m), based on oil shales from which oil was distilled. Two old wells in Canada had oil and gas shows in the Tertiary as did the recent Nyvatex Mueller 1 (test) in Flathead County, Montana, which was drilled to 800 ft (244 m). Other more recent wells in the Flathead region of British Columbia have had noncommercial shows of gas. The complex structure of the region combined with the surface exposures of Precambrian Belt Supergroup rocks have greatly hindered exploration in the past and caused current explorationists to have second thoughts. The prolific gas fields of the foothills of southern Alberta, and the fact that significa t oil and gas occurrences in the region do exist, continue to draw interest to the area. The current and latest exploration effort will finally begin to truly assess the petroleum potential felt to exist by the petroleum pioneers who broke their bits in the region. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1330------------

A Flora of Waterton Lakes National Park.

A Flora of Waterton Lakes National Park.

A Flora of Waterton Lakes National Park.

A Flora of Waterton Lakes National Park.

Response Rates at Unmanned Trail Registers, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. George W. Scotter. Journal of Leisure Research, vol. 13, no. 2, second quarter 1981, pp. 105-111. National Recreation and Park Association, 1601 North Kent Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209. $12/year member, $15/year non-member

Response Rates at Unmanned Trail Registers, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. George W. Scotter. Journal of Leisure Research, vol. 13, no. 2, second quarter 1981, pp. 105-111. National Recreation and Park Association, 1601 North Kent Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209. $12/year member, $15/year non-member

Response Rates at Unmanned Trail Registers, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

Response Rates at Unmanned Trail Registers, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

Correlations Between Brook Trout Growth and Environmental, Variables for Mountain Lakes in Alberta

Abstract Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) at age 5 weighed from 65 g to 1,751 g in 23 mountain lakes located in Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes national parks in Alberta. Lake area ranged from 2.2 hectares to 2,065 hectares, maximum depths from 2 m to 96 m, and elevation from 1,019 m to 2,347 m above sea level. For the 23 lakes, there were significant positive correlations between the weight of age-5 fish and the natural logarithm of amphipod densities (r = 0.73), the specific conductance of the waters (r = 0.63), and the midsummer water temperature (r = 0.55). There was a significant negative correlation between fish weight and lake elevation (r = −0.63). Analyses of brook trout stomach contents from 18 lakes indicated a cause-and-effect relationship between fish growth and amphipod abundance. A stepwise multiple regression analysis attributed 54% of the lake-to-lake variation in brook trout growth to amphipod density, 11% to maximum depth, and 7% to specific conductance. From regression analyses, s...

Assessments of primary and bacterial production in three large mountain lakes in Alberta, Western Canada

AbstractPreliminary studies on production by phytoplankton and bacteria in three large mountain lakes in Alberta, Canada (two in Waterton Lakes National Park and one in Jasper National Park) were concluded mainly through the use of the 14C technique. The main experiments were conducted in August, 1974, and some were repeated in August, 1975. Net primary production rates varied little from 1974 to 1975, even though there were drastic changes in the phytoplankton composition. Production in the largest lake (max. depth 135 m; mean phytoplankton production 206.5 mgC.m−2.d−1) was approximately twice that for each of the two smaller lakes (max. depths 19 and 27 m: average phytoplankton production 109 mgC.m−2.d−1). Bacterial production estimates averaged 3.8 times those for the phytoplankton production, after a proportionalety large error in the dark‐uptake technique was subtracted. High production rates in the largest lake are probably due to enrichment. Bacterial production rates are comparable to those in smaller oligotrophic lakes in Europe.

The Blue Camas, Camassia quamash, a plant new to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

The Blue Camas, Camassia quamash, a plant new to Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Soil survey and interpretation procedures in mountainous waterton lakes National Park, Canada

Detailed soil surveys in mountainous areas are greatly facilitated by the use of aerial photographs but because of the large amount of photodistortion in areas of high relief accurate transfer to planimetric base maps is difficult. Because of limited geodetic control photo mosaics of sufficient accuracy for use as base maps were not available. Information was therefore published on enlargements of small-scale photography. It was felt that a photo base for the map presented the information in the most useful format. By designing the legend to limit the number of different mapping units, interpretations for several uses were made without loss of cartographic detail. Other interpretations can subsequently be made with relative ease. Thus, a strong interaction prevails between the design of a soil survey (methodology) and the ease with which interpretive information can be generated and presented.

An ecological study of grasslands in Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Seventy-one stands were sampled as representative of the grasslands at low elevations in Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Quantitative methods were used to describe the floristic composition and vegetation structure of these grasslands and some of the physical and biotic environmental factors operating on them.Three-dimensional ordination based on vegetative similarity detected correlations between the grassland composition and structure and the measured environmental factors; indicated a discontinuity between the Waterton and Banff–Jasper stands; and suggested several grassland types.Cluster analysis verified this discontinuity and clarified the classification of the 71 stands.The two most extensive grassland types were mesophytic Festuca – Danthonia Prairie in Waterton Park, characterized by a high species diversity and by the dominance of Danthonia parryi, Festuca idahoensis, F. scabrella, Galium boreale, and Lupinus sericeus; xerophytic Koeleria – Calamagrostis montanensis Grassland, most prominent in the Athabasca River valley in Jasper, and characterized by low species diversity, by the dominance of Calamagrostis montanensis, Koeleria cristata, Antennaria nitida/rosea, Artemisia frigida, and Astragalus striatus and by heavy grazing by elk. Less distinct types were low-lying grass and sedge meadows in Waterton, Poa – Hordeum jabatum Grasslands, Koeleria – Geum triflorum Grasslands, Stipa richardsonii Shrub Savanna, and Elymus innovatus Shrub Savanna.

New Plant Records in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

New Plant Records in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

The User’s Influence in Specific Design Problems: The Mapping Of National Parks: A Methodological Approach

The development of a design for a new map of the Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta was preceded by a survey of a sample of visitors to the park. A questionnaire which focused upon the activities and map needs of the visitor was employed in 673 interviews. Concurrently, significant knowledge concerning the environment in which the park is situated was identified and collected. The results of these investigations were integrated and have enabled recommendations to be offered on a suitable scale and format for the proposed single sheet map; specific contents and methods of representation; and on supporting graphics, gazetteers and textual descriptions. La conception d'une nouvelle carte du parc national des lacs Waterton, en Alberta, a été précédée d'une enquête auprès d'un échantillon de visiteurs du parc. Six-cent-soixante-treize personnes ont été interviewées à l'aide d'un questionnaire portant sur les activités et les besoins cartographiques des visiteurs. En même temps, on a recueilli des données importantes sur l'environnement dans la région du parc. Les résultats de ces enquêtes ont été intégrés et ont permis de formuler des recommandations quant à l'échelle et au format de la carte proposée, à son contenu et aux méthodes de représentation, ainsi qu'aux graphiques complémentaires, aux repértoires géographiques et au texte descriptif.

Incidence and abundance of certain parasites in wapiti in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies

One hundred and seven wapiti Cervus canadensis, collected at different seasons of the year in Banff and Kootenay Parks, and the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch near Banff Park, were examined for helminth and arthropod parasites, Additional data were obtained by inspecting lungs and livers in 1380 wapiti shot in early winter for population control in Jasper, Banff, and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Species commonly found in some areas were Fascioloides magna, Thysanosoma actinoides, Echinococcus granulosus, Dictyocaulus viviparus, and Dermacentor albipictus. Incidence and abundance of these species are compared between wapiti of different sex and age. Seasonal and spatial distributions of parasites are also discussed.

New or Otherwise Interesting Mosses from Alberta

Twenty-eight taxa of mosses are added to the 530 previously known taxa of bryophytes from Alberta. A recent compilation of the bryophyte taxa reported from Alberta (Bird, 1966), following the up-to-date nomenclature of Crum, Steere and Anderson (1965), enumerated 530 taxa. The present account adds 28 taxa and presents new data for five previously reported species. Voucher specimens have been deposited at UAc and CAN. Buxbaumia indusiata Brid. Waterton Lakes National Park: Trail from Cameron Creek to Lower Rowe Lake, Pinus contorta-Picea-Abies lasiocarpa forest, Crum & Schofield 6027. An uncommon boreal species which occurs on humus and well rotted logs. Calliergon richardsonii (Mitt.) Kindb. ex Warnst. Jumping Pound Creek Watershed: 10 mi. SE of Morley, wet depression in swampy Picea glauca forest, 4,500 ft., Hagel 43. Kananaskis River Watershed: Between Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, partially submerged in pools in sedge fen, 5,700 ft., Bird & Glenn 13945. Banff National Park: Near Lake Louise, 5,000 ft., Crum & Schofield 3764. Jasper National Park: 4 mi. W of Giekie, swamp, 3,500 ft., Crum & Schofield 4769. An arctic-boreal species which occurs in pools and depressions in fens and wet forests. Cynodontium alpestre (Wahlenb.) Milde. Jasper National Park: Medicine Lake, humus on dry shaded cliff, 4,700 ft., Crum 3574. An uncommon boreal species of rock outcrops. Cynodontium tenellum (B.S.G.) Limpr. Elbow River Watershed: 6 mi. SW of the village of Bragg Creek, on dry exposed limestone rock, 4,750 ft., Seaborn 1314. Banff National Park: Windermere Highway, on cliff, 5,400 ft., Crum & Schofield 3728, 3739. A boreal species found on rocks in forested regions. In Alberta it occurs at mid-elevations (4,7505,400 ft.) in the mountains. Dichodontium pellucidum (Hedw.) Schimp. Bow River Valley: 3.5 mi. WSW of Exshaw, mixed woods, submerged on rock in spring-fed stream that does not freeze over in winter, 4,300 ft., Bird & Glenn 11123. Elbow River Watershed: Ford Creek, 2 mi. N of the Elbow River, on rocks submerged in rushing water, 5,740 ft., Bird 8770. Kananaskis River Watershed: Elpoca Creek, 3 mi. E of Lower Kananaskis Lake, wet rocks in rushing water, 6,500 ft., Bird & Glenn 13497. An arctic-boreal species of submerged rocks in

Additional Bird Species Recorded in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Additional Bird Species Recorded in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Plants of Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Plants of Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

TULAREMIA IN BEAVERS AND MUSKRATS, WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA, 1952-53

A tularemia epizootic occurred in aquatic mammals in Waterton Lakes National ParK, Alta., during the winter of 1952-53. Pasteurella tularense was isolated from tissues of beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), and from two water samples taken from affected streams. The course of the outbreak, including the contamination of the streams, resembled conditions described in northwestern United States by Parker, Steinhaus, Kohls, and Jellison.