Research project financed by the Polish Ministry of Education and Science - National Research Centre

This research is being conducted with the permission of the Government of Canada – North West Territories (NWT) – research licence number 17694 which was issued under application number 6131. 

This project aims to map channel-lake hydrological connectivity within the delta plain and evaluate the efficiency of fine-grained sediment trapping dynamics by the channel-lake network, using the Big Lake complex in Inuvik as a case study. Achieving the project's goals will specifically allow for identifying areas at risk of communication isolation by developing scenarios of changes in the channel-lake network and sediment deposition (e.g., lake disappearance, loss of lake-channel connections, and siltation of main water-distributing channels) that may affect the accessibility of traditional waterways.

Achieving the project's goals will specifically allow for:

• Understanding the impact of climate change on sediment dynamics in the channel-lake network by examining how permafrost thaw and changes in hydrodynamics influence sediment transport, including sediment retention.
• Identifying areas at risk of communication isolation by developing scenarios of changes in the channel–lake network and sediment deposition (e.g., lake disappearance, loss of lake-channel connections, and siltation of main water-distributing channels) that may affect the accessibility of traditional waterways.
• Developing adaptation scenarios for local communities, including creating risk maps and recommendations for water and sediment management in the delta.