3.0 Sedimentation of Long Point Bay

3.6 Information gaps

The quality and quantity of sediments delivered to the Big Creek Marsh and the Inner Bay are directly influenced by human activities in the catchment. Therefore, detailed landscape-level studies, as well as long-term monitoring are required to document the interrelationships between specific crop types and land-use practices in the catchment, and the resultant rates and quality of sediments deposited into the Bay. Also, the influence that sediment deposition into the Big Creek Marsh is having on waterfowl habitat and food requires further study. Some of the specific processes that should be addressed in a landscape-level study are:

1/ What are the present rates of sedimentation in Long Point Bay?

2/ Which agricultural practices are contributing most to sedimentation into Long Point Bay?

3/ How has the cultivation of portions of the Big Creek floodplain influenced rates of sedimentation?

4/ How effective are streamside buffers, zero till, and crop rotation at reducing rates of erosion and sedimentation into Big Creek and the Inner Bay?

5/ What is influencing the quality of the sediments that are deposited into Long Point Bay?

6/ How is sedimentation into Long Point Bay influencing the species composition and biomass of aquatic plants and how has this influenced waterfowl distribution and abundance?

7/ Most sediment transport occurs during spring runoff and storm events (Baker 1985; Yaksich et al. 1985). What therefore is the role of storms in the transport of sediments and pollutants?

8/ There is a need to develop a more thorough understanding of the mechanics and hydraulics of sediment transport in the Big Creek watershed.

9/ Finally, modelling capabilities need to be developed to predict the potential for increased rates of sedimentation and the ecological response of Long Point Bay to these increases. This will provide a predictive understanding of sedimentation rates and their relative ecological effects now and in the future. This could provide a logical first step to a Big Creek watershed management plan.