Permafrost investigations on the MacKenzie Highway in Alberta and MacKenzie District
Field investigations were preceded by examination of aerial photographs to identify the various types of terrain, character of the relief, vegetation and surface drainage. These studies are part of on-going studies to determine in particular the distribution and character of permafrost along the sou...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Report |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
National Research Council of Canada
1964
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4224/20358861 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=48600255-e03d-4a64-886d-437c4c3fd2d8 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/object/?id=48600255-e03d-4a64-886d-437c4c3fd2d8 https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/fra/voir/objet/?id=48600255-e03d-4a64-886d-437c4c3fd2d8 |
| Summary: | Field investigations were preceded by examination of aerial photographs to identify the various types of terrain, character of the relief, vegetation and surface drainage. These studies are part of on-going studies to determine in particular the distribution and character of permafrost along the southern fringe area where construction is complicated by the irregular occurrence of perennially frozen ground in the proximity of 32 degrees F. In this area the existence of permafrost is greatly influenced by the microclimate and local terrain conditions. Distribution of permafrost along the MacKenzie Highway between Hay River NWT and Keg River, Alta., is patchy and erratic. It occurs only in low areas and in some of the river valleys tributary to the Hay River. Drainage is one of the main terrain factors influencing the existence of permafrost, but it is so closely interrelated with vegetation that it is difficult to assess the contribution of each separately. The absence of permafrost between High Level and Keg River is related to the widespread poor drainage along this section. Occurrences of permafrost between High Level and Meander River are restricted to the only three Sphagnum areas between these settlements. Extensive low areas with Sphagnum probably containing permafrost, exist away from the Mackenzie Highway. South of Hay River it appears that terrain factors are the most important determining factors. The situation is similar at Thompson, Man. and in other areas along the southern fringe of the permafrost region. Les études sur le terrain ont été effectuées après analyse des photographies aériennes afin d'identifier les divers types de terrain, notamment le relief, la végétation et le drainage superficiel. Ces études font partie d'un ensemble d'études actuellement réalisées pour déterminer en particulier la répartition du pergélisol ainsi que ses caractéristiques le long de sa limite méridionale où la pré sence irrégulière de sol gelé de facon pérenne à environ 32 degréF pose des problèmes de ... |
|---|