The Cowley Lake Studies represent a model of northern education that bring together community, scientists, and school. The Mt Loren Hamlet Council with the grade 11 Experiential Science classes have undertaken a long term study addressing concerns about water levels and biological changes in Cowley Lake. The teachers outlined a range of field studies that could identify sources of water level problems, assess water quality throughout the year and study the lake’s long term history. To assist in these studies, the teachers applied for and received an International Polar Year grant, collaborated with experts in related fields (Maryanne Douglas from U of A with paleolimnology and Jeff Bond with Glacial histories) and held ongoing discussions with members of the Mt Loren Hamlet Council. Following preliminary field studies, we developed a long term schedule for the studies. We are now in the third year of what we expect will be a project of more than five years duration.
Students and community members have been conducting the field studies in four broad areas:
1. Studies of Dugdal Creek drainage in the vicinity of Cowley Lake. We have surveyed and mapped the course of Dugdal Creek from the historical location of the Cowley train station upstream to where the creek emerges from a substantial cut.
2. Studies of the limnology of Cowley Lake. We have taken core samples from two locations in Cowley Lake and worked with Maryanne Douglas with/OF? U of Alberta to study the paleoliminology of the lake. We have also corresponded with Jeff Bond , Yukon Geological Services, as part of the study to determined the early history of the lake.
3. Studies of water level of Cowley lake and ground water levels. We have established peisometeres to record ground water level on both sides of the rail tracks. These data loggers will provide ongoing and year round data on ground water levels. We have selected ground water levels as a bench mark for Cowley Lake because it is ground water fed since the Whitepass and Yukon rail line cuts the lake off from possible water supply from Dugdal Creeks water sources with the rail bed cutting across both arms of Cowley Lake.
4. Studies of Cowley Lake water quality. We have only preliminary data since we have not yet been able to complete the purchase of some of the instrumentation we need to complete the more accurate water quality analysis. We have done some invertebrate sampling in winter and some cursory Dissolved Oxygen studies.
5. Discussions with residents living adjacent to the lake: We have had discussions with three residents who are biologists who have lived by the lake over a period of up to forty years. These residents have kept ongoing records of their observations related to the lake and the biota linked to the lake
Preliminary observations:
From the data collected to date, we have become aware of what appear to be significant findings.
These findings have suggested subsequent analysis.
1. Lake water levels appear to be affected by the Whitepass rail bed. Surveys and the water level data loggers indicated a considerable difference in water levels either side of the track bed. The early June 09, indicated a level difference of more than 65 cm. From these observations , it appears that the rail bed acts as an impermeable barrier to water flow from Dugdal Creek water levels.
2. Dugdal Creek level have appeared to drop with the disappearance of beavers along the course of the creek near Cowley Lake. Evidence of this drop is seen in historical beaver dams, stream sediments on what is now dry lands and plant growth changes related to changing wet land conditions.
3. Drop in water levels in Cowley lake appears to have affected levels of dissolved oxygen in the water during the winter months. Cowley Lake is a shallow lake less than 2 meters deep throughout most of the lake. A drop of .5 meters in lake levels dramatically affects the net volume of the lake and the related winter kill through depletion of dissolved oxygen by biological decay action. This appears to coincide with the observed disappearance of Lake Chub and many aquatic invertebrates. Observed changes in bird populations appear to relate to these changes in the lake. Lake core samples show very distinct stratigraphy. Preliminary diatom analysis indicates climate changes while the longer core sample (>1.5 meter) shows a distinct boundary between glacial sedimentation and lake bottom deposition.
Subsequent studies.
The experiential science classes would like to carry on with our studies as outline in our IPY grant and propose some new actions based on our preliminary observations.
1. We would like to enter into discussions and potentially a working relationship with Whitepass and Yukon Route to explore ways in which water levels could be equalized with the effect of raising Cowley Lake and to undertake the necessary remediation steps.
2. We would like to complete the dating process of core samples from Cowley Lake to identify changes over the last 300 to 400 years (lead isotope dating) and changes over the last 10,000 to 12,000 years to identify more specific dates related to the deglaciation of the region.
3. We would like to conduct more detailed analysis of water quality of Cowley Lake periodically throughout a number of seasons.
4. We are capturing water level data and will continue to collect this information through data loggers over a period of years. This information will yield additional insights into Cowley lake water conditions and the biota of the lake.
5. Ongoing discussions with Lake residents and members of the hamlet council related to our studies and proposed actions stemming from our studies.
Students and community members have been conducting the field studies in four broad areas:
1. Studies of Dugdal Creek drainage in the vicinity of Cowley Lake. We have surveyed and mapped the course of Dugdal Creek from the historical location of the Cowley train station upstream to where the creek emerges from a substantial cut.
2. Studies of the limnology of Cowley Lake. We have taken core samples from two locations in Cowley Lake and worked with Maryanne Douglas with/OF? U of Alberta to study the paleoliminology of the lake. We have also corresponded with Jeff Bond , Yukon Geological Services, as part of the study to determined the early history of the lake.
3. Studies of water level of Cowley lake and ground water levels. We have established peisometeres to record ground water level on both sides of the rail tracks. These data loggers will provide ongoing and year round data on ground water levels. We have selected ground water levels as a bench mark for Cowley Lake because it is ground water fed since the Whitepass and Yukon rail line cuts the lake off from possible water supply from Dugdal Creeks water sources with the rail bed cutting across both arms of Cowley Lake.
4. Studies of Cowley Lake water quality. We have only preliminary data since we have not yet been able to complete the purchase of some of the instrumentation we need to complete the more accurate water quality analysis. We have done some invertebrate sampling in winter and some cursory Dissolved Oxygen studies.
5. Discussions with residents living adjacent to the lake: We have had discussions with three residents who are biologists who have lived by the lake over a period of up to forty years. These residents have kept ongoing records of their observations related to the lake and the biota linked to the lake
Preliminary observations:
From the data collected to date, we have become aware of what appear to be significant findings.
These findings have suggested subsequent analysis.
1. Lake water levels appear to be affected by the Whitepass rail bed. Surveys and the water level data loggers indicated a considerable difference in water levels either side of the track bed. The early June 09, indicated a level difference of more than 65 cm. From these observations , it appears that the rail bed acts as an impermeable barrier to water flow from Dugdal Creek water levels.
2. Dugdal Creek level have appeared to drop with the disappearance of beavers along the course of the creek near Cowley Lake. Evidence of this drop is seen in historical beaver dams, stream sediments on what is now dry lands and plant growth changes related to changing wet land conditions.
3. Drop in water levels in Cowley lake appears to have affected levels of dissolved oxygen in the water during the winter months. Cowley Lake is a shallow lake less than 2 meters deep throughout most of the lake. A drop of .5 meters in lake levels dramatically affects the net volume of the lake and the related winter kill through depletion of dissolved oxygen by biological decay action. This appears to coincide with the observed disappearance of Lake Chub and many aquatic invertebrates. Observed changes in bird populations appear to relate to these changes in the lake. Lake core samples show very distinct stratigraphy. Preliminary diatom analysis indicates climate changes while the longer core sample (>1.5 meter) shows a distinct boundary between glacial sedimentation and lake bottom deposition.
Subsequent studies.
The experiential science classes would like to carry on with our studies as outline in our IPY grant and propose some new actions based on our preliminary observations.
1. We would like to enter into discussions and potentially a working relationship with Whitepass and Yukon Route to explore ways in which water levels could be equalized with the effect of raising Cowley Lake and to undertake the necessary remediation steps.
2. We would like to complete the dating process of core samples from Cowley Lake to identify changes over the last 300 to 400 years (lead isotope dating) and changes over the last 10,000 to 12,000 years to identify more specific dates related to the deglaciation of the region.
3. We would like to conduct more detailed analysis of water quality of Cowley Lake periodically throughout a number of seasons.
4. We are capturing water level data and will continue to collect this information through data loggers over a period of years. This information will yield additional insights into Cowley lake water conditions and the biota of the lake.
5. Ongoing discussions with Lake residents and members of the hamlet council related to our studies and proposed actions stemming from our studies.