Mactaquac aquatic ecosystem study phase 2 - aquatic sciences in support of refurbishing a hydropower dam

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The aging Mactaquac Hydroelectricity Generating Station is one of Canada's largest dams and it has reached the end of its service life. NB Power (NBP) worked with the Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick to generate the aquatic science required to support NBP's decision to renew the dam infrastructure in the short-term with a longer-term solution of rebuilding or removing. In Phase 2, a new research collaboration generates the science to support an environmental impact assessment, to provide fish passage solutions for the dam and the whole river, and to provide guidance for managing the river's flow in our changing climate. This project is the largest, planned dam renewal in the world. The supporting science builds on the long-term Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study (MAES) designed to explore the potential consequences of NBP's activities for the river and its reservoir. The study describes the river ecosystem and its goods (e.g., animals and plants) and services (e.g., water quality) and asks the question, what are the environmental challenges and opportunities in the short- and long-term of the dam renewal. The research establishes baseline environmental conditions, develops appropriate indices for environmental monitoring, and predicts flow, sediment, and temperature regimes. This information is used to map habitats for the animals and plants today, changes during construction, and for the future of flow management by NBP including addressing climate change. MAES is an investment by NBP in the research and development required to sustain its hydropower business model in a changing world of greening economies. This partnership acknowledges the emerging economic significance of ecosystem goods and services and will be a precedent-setting case study for Canada. MAES will create a template of approaches and methods that will facilitate the incorporation of aquatic ecosystem science into informed decision-making and management for future hydropower projects across Canada and globally.