Sediment connectivity on the Mackenzie Delta: the first-order importance of channel–lake exchange

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.

Research team:

  1. Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Geographical Sciences Michal Habel, Sergey Chalov, Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Dawid Szatten, Marta Brzezinska, Damian Cieplowski, *Rituparna Acharyya,

  2. Polish Academy of Science, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation Piotr Gierszewski, Wlodzimierz Juskiewicz,

  3. Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering Pawel Hachaj, Monika Szlapa, *Magdalena Tutro,

https://arctic-delta.ukw.edu.pl/jednostka/arctic-deltas-as-sponges

Data and Resources

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Additional Info

Field Value
Funding Other
Start date 2025-04-17
End date 2028-12-31
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Releated organizations Kazimierz Wielki University
Author Michal HABEL [wyszukaj w katalogu]
Author email Michal HABEL
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