Physical consequences of the NBR hydropower project on the Rupert Bay area: Description of the various interrelated studies

An important part of the feasibility studies of the Nottaway-Broadback-Rupert hydropower system is devoted to the assessment of the environmental impact in the Rupert Bay area. A vast program of data collection is carried out in the field as to tides, currents, waves, salinity, bathymetry, marine bed characteristics, sediment flow data, river water temperatures and discharges, climatic parameters, ice cover behaviour, etc. These data will serve as input in many studies including a numerical model to simulate hydrodynamic, sedimentologic, salinity and winter flow conditions of a vast fluvial and marine area extending to the James Bay. Moreover, the Broadback river estuary immediately downstream of the first site of the proposed power generating stations is replicated in a reduced scale physical model to assess erosion and ice problems. Subsequent analysis of both observed and simulated data will thus assure an adequate coverage of the physical impact of the NBR project on this area.