Magpie River ramping rate study

The Magpie River ramping rate study (2000–2017) investigated the ecological effects of hydroelectric flow regulation on fish, invertebrates, and water quality in the Magpie and Batchawana rivers in the Algoma Region of Ontario. Conducted under a Fisheries and Oceans Canada–Brookfield Renewable partnership, the study employed a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) design to assess whether ramping rate restrictions at the Steephill Falls Waterpower Facility improved downstream conditions. Initial restrictions (2002–2005) were later removed, allowing unrestricted flow changes until 2017. In this dataset, monthly sampling from spring to fall included chlorophyll a and water chemistry at multiple sites to monitor productivity and detect irregularities. Analyses followed APHA standard methods, with chlorophyll a, pH, alkalinity, and conductivity processed at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and major ions and nutrients at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Findings contribute to understanding flow management impacts on river ecosystems.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Source
Version None
Author None
Author Email None
Maintainer None
Maintainer Email None
Data Level
Agreement Required
Purpose Constraints
Redistribution Allowed
AI Training Allowed
Data Steward
Title (French) Étude de rampe d’accès sur la rivière Magpie
Update Frequency not_planned
Geographic Scope []
Criticality Level []
Sensitivity Level unrestricted
Language
Contact Person {"en": "Government of Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Ecosystem Sciences Division", "fr": "Gouvernement du Canada; Pêches et Océans Canada; Division des sciences de l'écosystème"}
Contact Email Rick.Elsner@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Data Dictionary EPSG:26917,https://epsg.io,
Open Canada Date Published 2026-01-14 00:00:00
Open Canada Date Modified
Open Canada Subject ["nature_and_environment", "science_and_technology"]
Open Canada Keywords {"en": ["Inland waters", "Environmental sciences", "Hydropower"], "fr": ["Eaux intérieures", "Sciences de l'environnement", "Hydroélectricité"]}
Open Canada Collection fgp
Principal Organization
Reference Data
Official Source