City of Calgary Case Study: Municipal Water Supply

The City of Calgary and surrounding areas is currently the fastest growing population centre in Canada. Currently the greater Calgary area communities rely solely on water supplied by the Elbow and Bow Rivers. However, current climate change models predict river discharge in the future will drop due to decreased precipitation as well as decreased glacial coverage in the headwaters of the basin, thus prompting examination of ground water as a potential alternative. The study will analyze historic climate records in order to extract the anthropogenic signal related to growth of the city from the natural signal related to global climate change, interpret existing groundwater monitoring databases, and obtain estimates of groundwater levels under climate change scenarios.

Corporation of Delta Case Study: Impacts of Sea Level Rise

The research addresses the impacts of sea level rise and increased storminess on the Roberts Bank tidal flats at the Fraser River Delta. The flats border the municipality of Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation Reserve and represent an important habitat for a variety of migratory birds and juvenile salmon. The tidal flats at Roberts Bank are also the site of two major port facilities, the Deltaport (coal and container terminals) and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, both located at the edge of the tidal flats and connected to the mainland by causeways. Based on ongoing interactions with stakeholders, the study includes: detailed morphological analysis to delimit biophysical zone boundaries; field measurement of shoreline properties and dynamics; seasonal observations of fauna; analysis and modeling of potential profile adjustment to different events and to climate change; development of potential profile adjustments and biophysical scenarios of climate change for input into the socio-economic assessment; analysis of direct and amenity economic functions served by the tidal flats; and the development of plausible long-range scenarios that alter the vulnerability of the study area to climate-induced changes.

South-Eastern New Brunswick Coastal Communities Case Study: Impacts of Sea Level Rise

The research builds on a multi-agency study of the impacts of sea-level rise and climate change on communities of the southeast New Brunswick coast. It aims to quantify impacts of climate change and more specifically sea-level rise, storm surge and coastal erosion on the Gulf of St. Lawrence coastal zone of southeastern New Brunswick, in support of sustainable management, conservation of species at risk, community resilience and the development of adaptation strategies. Research includes preparation of coastal digital elevation models; assessment of sea level trends, sediment budget, and coastal and sediment dynamics; and scenarios for biophysical impacts of climate change on ecosystems.

Graham Island, BC Case Study: Impacts of Sea Level Rise

This research is part of a collaborative multi-agency study addressing vulnerability of biophysical and human infrastructure to climate change and sea-level rise in one of BC's most sensitive regions. The study is conducted in the northeastern region of Graham Island (Naikoon Provincial Park), Queen Charlotte Islands where recent shoreline erosion rates have been particularly high. The research will: assess historical and ongoing rates of coastline erosion; improve the assessment of sea-level rise impacts and vulnerabilities; and provide an assessment report and adaptation recommendations for local stakeholders on mitigating ongoing and future impacts of coastal erosion and sea-level rise. The results will provide a timely input into the development of the new Land Resource Management Plan for the Queen Charlotte Islands.

Salluit Case Study: Impacts of Degrading Permafrost

This research is part of a detailed, multi-agency permafrost study in the village of Salluit, Québec. With a rapidly expanding population, new housing and municipal buildings are required. Located on a shore underlain by ice rich silty and saline soils and affected by rapid climate warming since 1995 with increases in active layer depth by about 150%, the community is vulnerable to further impacts of climate change on the local environment. The research tasks are: determination of the lateral extension of the permafrost under the intertidal zone and the thermal gradients from the marine to the terrestrial environment; an interferometric sidescan survey of the submarine slope to determine the presence of previous submarine landslides; and an integration of the geoscientific information to evaluate spatial distribution of permafrost degradation and related impacts of climate change on residential and commercial zoning.

For more information on the Municipal Case Studies: The Planning Process and Climate Change Project, contact the project leader Philip Hill