Overview of the River and Stream Crossings Study

摘要

The River and Stream Crossings Study was undertaken in order to improve our understanding ofthe biological effects of sediment released during open-cut pipeline water crossing construction,measure the effectiveness of isolated pipeline water crossing techniques, and develop a defen-sible sediment effects assessment framework for open-cut pipeline water crossings. The studyinvolved the monitoring of suspended sediment and biological effects at a series of open-cut andisolated pipeline watercourse crossings throughout Canada and the United States. The resultsof the studies increase the current understanding of the nature of sediment entrainment duringcrossing construction and the potential adverse effects on fish, benthic invertebrates and fish habi-tat. Predictive models were developed to estimate the potentially adverse effects. These modelsprovided the basis of a sediment effects framework that could provide pipeline planners, con-struction contractors and regulatory agencies with an easy to use tool for estimating the adverseeffects of pipeline watercourse crossing construction on aquatic biota.