Aquatic connectivity in Jasper National Park
If you were to look at a map of rivers, streams, wetlands and lakes in Jasper National Park, it would resemble the circulatory system of your body. For the aquatic environment to be healthy and resistant to stress, these interconnections need to be maintained. “Aquatic connectivity” refers to these connections and the degree to which aquatic wildlife can move between and amongst these waterways.
In recent years, Parks Canada has undertaken numerous initiatives to improve year-round movement through culverts and bridges—especially in fall, when waters levels are low.
In 2013, Parks Canada improved fish passage and aquatic connectivity through the Mile 9 culvert on Highway 16 (18 km east of the townsite), using step pools to raise water levels.
As early as this fall, the same method will be used at Whistler Creek on Highway 93 (5 km south of Jasper). Other major improvements include changes to the inlet/outlet stream at Lac Beauvert, a bridge installed at Pretty Creek along the Celestine Road, enhancements for Cottonwood Creek along the east end of town, and upgrades at the Brule Wetland complex.
The great whitefish migration
Aquatic connectivity is important year-round, but to whitefish, it seems especially important right now. The great whitefish migration in Jasper National Park occurs from about the third week in October to early November.
Tens of thousands of mountain whitefish make their way here from up to 1,000 kilometres away, to spawn in some of the deeper holes of Jasper’s rivers.
Seizing this incredible predatory opportunity, local bull trout follow and prey on the whitefish. As a result, for better cover whitefish move out of the clear fall waters in the main river into tributaries that stem into wetlands and lakes. The eggs then develop slowly through the winter and hatch in the early spring. During this important time, the Athabasca River is closed to fishing—it reopens on Nov. 1.
