PROTECTING BEVERLY AND QAMANIRJUAQ CARIBOU
AND CARIBOU RANGE

Water Crossings

by Don Thomas

Photo: RWED, Govt. of the NWT

A. The Importance of Water Crossings to Caribou

Water is an important environmental component in the life of caribou. Waterbodies are numerous throughout the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou range, and cover an especially large portion of the Beverly herd's winter range.

More information about the importance of water crossings to caribou

B. Evaluating the Importance of Crossing Sites

The BQCMB established a system for evaluating the importance of crossing sites using the following factors: availability of alternative crossing sites, width of crossings, sensitivity and physical condition of caribou at the usual time of crossing, level of environmental stress, and frequency and numbers of caribou that use a crossing. A description of these rating factors is provided.

More information about the rating system

C. Examples of Crossing Evaluations

Critical Crossings

(1) Thelon River between Beverly & Aberdeen Lakes

(2) Thelon River between Beverly Lake and Ursus Islands

(3) Dubawnt River between Marjorie Lake and the Thelon River

Important Crossings

Lookout Point

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