Mitacs Grant Supplement - 2024
Description
The Rousse Creek watershed, on the outskirts of Montreal, is under severe pressure from climate change and human activities. This project aims to establish a detailed diagnosis of the water cycle and sources of pollution in order to protect Grande Baie, an ecologically sensitive area of Oka National Park. Current monitoring, which is limited in frequency and spatial coverage, is insufficient to assess the impacts of extreme hydrological variations on water quality and availability.
Objectives
- Install instruments in the watershed to measure flows and exchanges between surface water and groundwater.
- Conduct sampling campaigns to analyze water quality during periods of high and low water levels.
- Model the water balance and use isotopic tracers to identify sources of pollution.
- Assess the carrying capacity of Rousse Creek in the face of environmental pressures.
Expected outcomes:
- Development of management strategies to improve water quality and availability
- Proposal for solutions adapted to the impacts of climate change on water resources
- Application of methods developed to other watersheds to strengthen the resilience of water management in Quebec and elsewhere
