North America
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LAC SAINT-JEAN (LAKE SAINT-JOHN)
A view on the lakeshore
Photo: M. Quelett
A. LOCATION
- Quebec, Canada.
- 48:5 -48:5 N, 71:5 -72:0 W; 99.6 m above sea level.
B. DESCRIPTION
The Saguenay-Lake-Saint-Jean hydrographic system located within the south- central part of the Province of Quebec (Canada), has been since 1926 an important source of hydro-electric power. From the late twenties to the end of the fifties six hydro-electric power dams were built on the Peribonca and the Saguenay Rivers for a total installed capacity of 2,700 MW. These are owned and operated by the Aluminium Company of Canada (ALCAN) which uses this energy for the electrolysis of alumina in its three nearby aluminium smelters having a total annual metal production of 606,000 t. The whole hydrographic system covers a total area of 85,000 km2 within the northern latitudes of 47:0' to 52:1' and the western longitudes of 69:1' to 74:0'. The catchment, of typical Canadian Shield landforms, is made up of three distinct physiographic units. The forested head water unit, varying in altitude from a maximum of 1,500 m to a minimum of 180 m, drains 80% of the whole system. In its northern part, it is drained by several large rivers (Peribonca, Mistassini, Mistassibi, Chamouchouane, Ouasienmsca, Samaqua) all running in a southern direction through nearly parallel glacier-carved valleys. The southern smaller part of the Highlands is drained by the Metabetchouane, the Ouiatchouane and the Ouiatchouaniche. All these converge toward Lake Saint- Jean which acts as the main central reservoir for power dams located on the head of the Saguenay River.
Although the Saguenay Fiord physiographic unit is very rugged, it is of majestic beauty and this has recently lead our governments to create national parks within that part of the country. Moreover, it is the most southerly fiord of the North Hemisphere and has been sustaining since postglacial times a typical arctic inland-entrapped fauna within its cold water which reaches a depth over 350 m. The white whale (Delphinapterus leucan) has been, till lately, the most important species representative of this northern fauna. Presently, because of industrial pollution originating since half a century largely from the aluminium smelters, their numbers are rapidly diminishing. From its asymmetric population age structure, it is only a matter of time before being completely wiped out from that peculiar range habitat.
The climate of the area is humid continental, with cold summer but without dry season. At near the lake level (Roberval), July mean temperature of the area is 17°C while January average is -17°C. The growing season lasts from May 18th to October 4th, for a period of about 100 days without frost.
Because of the large volume of low mineralized waters (1,457 m3 sec-1) originating from unpopulated forested areas and the short retention time (93 days) within the lacustrine basin, the water quality of the pelagic zone is almost unaffected by anthropogenic activities (Q).
topC. PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
| Surface area [km2] | 1,053 |
| Volume [km3] | 11.9 |
| Maximum depth [m] | 63.1 |
| Mean depth [m] | 11.4 |
| Water level | Regulated |
| Normal range of annual water level fluctuation [m] | 5.5 |
| Residence time [yr] | 0.3 |
| Catchment area [km2] | 71,947 |
D. PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES
D1 GEOGRAPHICAL (Q)
- Bathymetric map:
Fig. NAM-10-0l. - Number of outflowing rivers and channels (name) 2 (Yarge and a small discharge).
D2 CLIMATIC (Q)
- Climatic data at Roberval*
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Ann. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean temp. [deg C] | -16.1 | -15.8 | -2.0 | 1.9 | 10.1 | 15.1 | 20.1 | 16.6 | 11.8 | 4.2 | -1.2 | -12.8 | 2.66 |
| Precipitation [mm] | 61 | 52 | 54 | 54 | 66 | 91 | 118 | 101 | 103 | 78 | 78 | 73 | 929 |
* 30-year mean.
- Number of hours of bright sunshine (Quebec): 1,669 hr yr-1.
- Snowfall (Quebec): 3,044 mm.
Fig. NAM-10-01
Bathymetric map (Q).
- Water temperature [deg C]
Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | 0.9 | 0.3 | - | 11.1 | 20.4 | 18.4 | 15.6 | 9.8 | 7.8 | 0.3 |
| 5 | - | - | 0.2 | 0.5 | - | 9.4 | 16.5 | 17.7 | 15.3 | 9.6 | 7.8 | 0.3 |
| 10 | - | - | 0.5 | 0.3 | - | 9.2 | 16.5 | 17.5 | 15.1 | 9.6 | 7.8 | 0.5 |
| 20 | - | - | 0.5 | 0.5 | - | 8.5 | 12.4 | 17.0 | 15.3 | 9.6 | 7.75 | 2.0 |
| 30 | - | - | 0.5 | 1.5 | - | 6.7 | 11.0 | 12.5 | 15.1 | 9.6 | 7.75 | 3.0 |
| 40 | - | - | 1.5 | 1.5 | - | 6.3 | 9.7 | 11.5 | 14.8 | 9.6 | 7.1 | 4.0 |
| 50 | - | - | 1.5 | 2.0 | - | 5.6 | 9.0 | 10.5 | 14.8 | 9.6 | 7.0 | 4.0 |
| 60 | - | - | 1.5 | 2.0 | - | 5.8 | 8.5 | 10.0 | 12.5 | 9.5 | 6.5 | 4 |
- Freezing period:
December-May. - Mixing type:
Dimictic. - Notes on water mixing and thermocline formation
Mixing from 25 November to 15 May.Thermocline from July to end of August.
E. LAKE WATER QUALITY
E2 pH (Q1)
Lake centre, 1977: 6.93± 0.21.
E3 SS [mg l-1](Q)
Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | - | - |
E4 DO [mg l-1](Q)
Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 12.5 | 9 | 8 | 8.7 | 8.8 | 9 | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 12.5 | 9 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9 | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 12.5 | 9 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 9 | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 13 | 9 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 9 | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 13 | 9 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 9 | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 13 | 9 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8.6 | 9 | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | 12.5 | 13 | 9 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9 | - |
E5 COD [mg l-1](Q)
- Total organic carbon Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 12 | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 12 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 12 | - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 12 | - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 13.0 | 12.5 | 13 | - | |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 12.5 | 13 | 12 | - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 12.5 | 13 | 13 | - | - |
- Total inorganic carbon
Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | May | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.5 | - | - |
E6 CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATION [micro g l-1]*(Q)
Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11.0 | 0.65 | 0.5 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.87 | 0.65 | 0.45 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.35 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.2 | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | - | - |
* Percentage of active Chlorophyll a: ca. 60% of total at 0 m and ca. 30% in deep layer.
E7 NITROGEN CONCENTRATION (Q)
- Total Kjeldahl-N [mg l-1] Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.08 | 0.1 | 0.15 - | - |
E8 PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATION (Q)
- Total-P [micro g l-1]* Lake centre, 1979
| Depth[m] | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
| 60 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 6 | - | - | - |
* Too close to detection limit.
E9 CHLORIDE CONCENTRATION (Q)
Lake centre, 1979 [mg l-1]
topF. BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
F1 FLORA (Q)
- Emerged macrophytes:
Typha angustifolia, Sagittaria sp. - Floating macrophytes:
Nuphar variegatum. - Submerged macrophytes:
Chara sp., Potamogeton sp.
F2 FAUNA (Q)
- Zooplankton
Diaptomus ashlandi, D. minuius, Epischura lacustris, Daphnia galeata mendotae, D. longiremis, Cyclops bicuspidatus thomasi, Conochilus sp., Kellicottia sp. - Fish
Salmo salar ouanaiche, Coregonus clupeaformis, Catostoms commersoni, Semotilus margarita, Notropis atherinoides, Lota lota, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Stizostedion vitrem, Cottus cognatus. - Supplementary notes on the biota
The inland-locked atlantic salmon is the most important species for sport-fishing. Human activities since the 1950's are strongly threatening it.
F3 PRIMARY PRODUCTION RATE (Q)
- Net production rate [g m-2 yr-1] Lake centre, 1979: ca. 48.
F5 FISHERY PRODUCTS (Q)
- Annual fish catch [individuals] 1965-1985: ca. 20,000-25,000.
F6 PAST TRENDS (Q)
The catch of the atlantic inland-locked salmon was greatly reduced after the building (1950) of high hydroelectric dams on the main effluent of the lake, owing to the loss of spawning ground coupled with increasing demand from sport angler. The modification of shoreline to prevent erosion has also drastically changed the whole dynamics of the large lake.
F7 NOTES ON THE REMARKABLE CHANGE OF BIOTA IN THE LAKE IN RECENT YEARS (Q)
The floating of logs for pulp and papers has also contributed to the drastic reduction of fish production during the last 50 years.
topG. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
G1 LAND USE IN THE CATCHMENT AREA (Q) 1975
| Area [km2] | [%] | |
|---|---|---|
| Natural landscape | ||
| Woody vegetation | 56,262 | 75.2 |
| Herbaceous vegetation | 0 | 0 |
| Swamp | 9,928 | 13.3 |
| Others | 1,719 | 2.3 |
| Agricultural land | ||
| Crop field | 685 | 0.9 |
| Pasture land | 400 | 0.5 |
| Residential area | 5,750 | 7.7 |
| Others | 119 | 0.2 |
| Total | 74,863 | 100 |
- Main types of woody vegetation
Coniferous forest (Picea mariana, P. glauca, Pinus banksiana, Populus, Betula). - Types of the other important vegetation:
Heath (Ericaceae). - Levels of fertilizer application on crop fields:
Light. - Trends of change in land use
Abandoned agricultural land increased. No. of cattle and farm decreased.
G2 INDUSTRIES IN THE CATCHMENT AREA AND THE LAKE (Q) 1975
| Gross product | No. of | No. of | Main products | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| per year | per persons establish- | or major | ||
| [US$] | engaged | ments | industries | |
| Primary industry | 25 | Lumber | ||
| Secondary industry | ||||
| Pulp, paper | 60 mill. | Paper, metal | ||
| Aluminium | 14 mill. | 3,500* | 13* | (Al), |
| Dairy | ||||
| Others | products, beef |
* Including Pulp, paper, Aluminium, and Others.
- Numbers of domestic animals in the catchment area
Cattle 72,606, Horse 200, Sheep 5,523, Swine 18,264, Poultry 389,983.
G3 POPULATION IN THE CATCHMENT AREA (Q) 1971
| Population | Population density [km-2] | Major cities (population) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural | 103,308 | 18.1 | Alma |
H. LAKE UTILIZATION
H1 LAKE UTILIZATION (Q)
Source of water, navigation, transportation (wood floating), sightseeing, tourism (no. of visitors in 1985: 5,000), recreation (swimming, sport-fishing, yachting) and hydroelectric generation.
H2 THE LAKE AS WATER RESOURCE (Q) 1987
| Use rate | |
|---|---|
| Domestic | Negligible |
| Irrigation | None |
| Industrial | For pulp and paper |
| Power plant | 1,453,000 [kW] |
I. DETERIORATION OF LAKE ENVIRONMENTS AND HAZARDS
I1 ENHANCED SILTATION (Q)
- Extent of damage: Serious.
- Supplementary
notes
Landslide of marine clay and severe erosion of shoreline due to the artificial maintenance of high water level (+5.5 m) for power generation.
I2 TOXIC CONTAMINATION (Q)
- Present status: Detected but not serious.
- Main contaminants, their concentrations and sources
Lake centre, 1977
| Name of | Concentrations [ppm] | Main |
|---|---|---|
| contaminants | Bottom mud | sources |
| As | 4 | Natural |
| Zn | 120 | Natural |
| Hg | 0.25 | Natural |
| Pb | 30 | Car |
- Distribution of metals in the surficial sediments.
Fig. NAM-10-02
Acid soluble Zn distribution in surface sediments [ppm].
Fig. NAM-10-03
Total Hg distribution in surface sediments [ppm].
Fig. NAM-10-04
Acid soluble Pb distribution in surface sediments.
- Past trends Trace metals increased in the lake sediments since 1840 (at 16 cm level).
I3 EUTROPHICATION (Q)
- Nuisance caused by eutrophication
Unusual algal bloom: Rhodomonas sp. - Nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to the lake [kg km-2 day-1] 1976
| Sources | Industrial | Domestic | Agricultural | Natural | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-N | - | Minor | Major | 5.3 | 16.5 |
| T-P | - | Minor | Major | 0.6 | 1.08 |
- Supplementary notes
Urban wastewater treatment and agricultural improvement have been important in the last 5 years.
I4 ACIDIFICATION (Q)
- Extent of damage: None. Not for that large lake, but detected in many small ones in the same catchment.
I5 OTHER HAZARDS
Pulp and paper mills, log floating and hydroelectric dam operation.
topJ. WASTEWATER TREATMENTS
J1 GENERATION OF POLLUTANTS IN THE CATCHMENT AREA
c) Limited pollution with wastewater treatment.
J2 APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF POLLUTANT LOADS
| Point sources | [%] |
|---|---|
| Non-point sources | 95 |
| Industrial sources | 5 |
J3 SANITARY FACILITIES AND SEWERAGE
- Percentage of municipal population in the catchment area provided with adequate sanitary facilities (on-site treatment systems) or public sewerage: 80%.
- Percentage of rural population with adequate sanitary facilities (on-site treatment systems): 80%.
- Municipal
wastewater treatment systems
No. of tertiary treatment systems: None.
No. of secondary treatment systems: 25.
No. of primary treatment systems: 30. - Industrial wastewater treatment systems
No. of industrial wastewater treatment systems: 5.
K. IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN THE LAKE
K3 OTHERS
Artificial shoreline structure to prevent erosion. Filling nice sandy beaches with coarse gravel and stones, etc. to prevent erosion.
topM. LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES FOR UPGRADING LAKE ENVIRONMENTS
M1 NATIONAL AND LOCAL LAWS CONCERNED
- Names of the laws (the year of legislation)
- Law related to the Quality of the Environment of the Quebec Province Government.
- Responsible authorities
- Quebec Ministry of Environment
- Main items of control
- Urban waste treatment
M2 INSTITUTIONAL MEASURES
- Service de la Protection de l'Environment in 1979, Quebec city
- Ministry of Environment, Quebec city
M3 RESEARCH INSTITUTES ENGAGED IN THE LAKE ENVIRONMENT STUDIES
- Quebec University
N. SOURCES OF DATA
(Q1) Questionnaire filled by Dr. M. Ouelett, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite du Quebec, Canada, based on the following sources.
- Ouellett, M. & Jones, H. G. (1987) Verh. Intern. Verein Limnol., 23 (in press).
- Jones, H. G., Ouellett, M., Leclerc, M., Cluis, D., Couture, P., Potvin, L. & Sochanska, W. (1980) INRS-Eau (Quebec University), rapport scientifique No. 76, 642 pp.
- Ouellett, M. (1984) INRS-Eau (Quebec University), rapport scientifique No. 137, 630 pp.
- Talbot, J. & Lapointe, A. (1988) Ministere du Tourisme, de la Chasse et de la Peche du Quebec, Quebec.
- Ouellett, M. (1979) INRS-Eau (Quebec University), rapport scientifique No. 104, 934 pp.
