Permafrost investigations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Prior to actual field work information on climate and terrain was obtained from the technical literature. Aerial photographs were examined, to identify terrain types, character of the relief, vegetation and surface drainage. Potential permafrost locations were noted. These studies are part of on-goi...
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| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
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National Research Council of Canada
1965
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.4224/20358709 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=085cdef0-c549-4641-ac6f-f2ddafc35971 |
| Summary: | Prior to actual field work information on climate and terrain was obtained from the technical literature. Aerial photographs were examined, to identify terrain types, character of the relief, vegetation and surface drainage. Potential permafrost locations were noted. These studies are part of on-going work to determine the distribution and character of permafrost along the southern permafrost boundary, where construction is complicated by the irregular occurrence of perennially frozen ground in the proximity of 32 degrees F. It is known that in this area the existence of permafrost is greatly influenced by the micro-climate and local terrain conditions. The main objective was to delineate approximately the areas of permafrost and to relate their distribution to obvious environmental features such as relief, drainage, vegetation and soil type. This provided a qualitative way of identifying permafrost elsewhere. The investigation was carried out in Saskatchewan from Prince Albert northwest to Lac Loche, north to Lac Rouge and the Churchill River, and northeast to Flin Flon. In Manitoba investigations were carried out between Flin Flon and The Pas and east to Cranberry Lake and Wekusko. Climate is the most important factor influencing the formation and continued existence of permafrost. Terrain factors are paramount to determining permafrost existence at a particular location. The major factor predicting the existence of permafrost in the fringe area is the distribution of peat bogs. Drainage is an important factor but it is so closely interrelated with the effects of vegetation that to assess the contribution of each is difficult. : Ces études sont réalisées dans le cadre d'un projet visant à déterminer la répartition du pergélisol et ses caracté ristiques le long de la limite méridionale de la région pergé lisolée où la présence variable de sol gelé de facon pé renne à environ 0 degré C (32 degré F) crée des problèmes de construction. Dans cette région, l'existence de pergélisol dépend fortement du microclimat et des conditions locales du terrain. Le principal objectif était de délimiter approximativement les zones de pergélisol et d'établir un lien entre leur répartition et les éléments visibles du milieu, notamment le relief, le drainage, la végétation et le type de sol. Le climat est le plus important facteur à influer sur la formation et la persistance du pergélisol. Il faut avant tout tenir compte des caractéristiques du terrain pour déterminer l'existence de pergélisol à un endroit donné. La répartition des tourbières constitue le principal facteur employé pour prévoir l'existence de pergé lisol dans la zone limite. Le drainage est un autre facteur important, mais il est si étroitement lié aux effets de la vé gétation qu'il est difficile d'évaluer séparément les rôles joués par le drainage et la végétation. |
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