2018 to Present
In the 1960s and 70s, several tons of effluent was dumped in the Wabigoon River, causing mercury contamination of both the Wabigoon and English River systems. Though dumping of effluent has long since stopped, remedia-tion efforts to lower mercury levels in the English river system have not been taken.
Natural recovery over the years has resulted in slight decreases in mercury levels in some parts of the river system, but unfortunately the decline has been very slow. Mercury levels in the English River system remain high, and fish consumption advisories are still in place. Prior to remediation, it is im-portant to characterize mercury contamination within the English River System, to inform future remediation and monitoring efforts.
In 2018, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of One Man Lake, Swan Lake and Whitedog contracted AAE Tech Services to carry out a fish and habitat mercury dynamics and monitoring program. The program is ongoing today.
Working closely with Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, AAE has provid-ed assistance with the following:
• Environmental monitoring for mercury contamination seasonally in the spring, summer and fall
• Collection of water quality samples and water column profiles for temperature, oxygen and pH
• Collection of fish tissue, substrate and benthic invertebrate samples
• Telemetry studies on walleye to determine movements within the system, specifically to identify spawning and overwintering sites.
• General guidance to recently trained local biologists.
