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The Taltson magmatic and Thelon tectonic zones have historically been considered parts of a single orogen recording collision between the Slave craton and Buffalo Head terrane to the Rae craton between 2.0 and 1.9 Ga. The Taltson–Thelon connection stemmed from recognition that the Taltson magmatic zone coincides with the Taltson aeromagnetic high that extends northward and merges with the Thelon aeromagnetic high. Analysis of geophysical data in this study, however, coupled with recent mapping, indicates that this magnetic high is underlain in large part by rocks of Taltson basement complex. In addition, both basement rocks and Taltson-age plutons can be traced eastward into northern Saskatchewan, below Athabasca Basin cover, and reappear/re-emerge to the south where they are truncated by the Virgin River shear zone (Snowbird tectonic zone). This paper presents new field, geochronological and geochemical data for the Lloyd domain of Saskatchewan bearing on the extent and nature of the Taltson orogen. The Lloyd domain is underlain mainly by magnetic dioritic–granodioritic orthogneisses and subordinate supracrustal rocks. It also hosts the Clearwater anorthosite complex, a ∼300 km 2 , northeast-elongate gabbro-anorthosite intrusion about 15 km northwest of the Virgin River shear zone. While previous geochronology established that some Lloyd domain orthogneisses are of Taltson (i.e., 1.98 Ga) age, geochronology presented herein has identified an appreciably older (ca. 2460 Ma) component. Geochemical study indicates that these older metaplutonic gneisses are distinguishable from younger (Taltson-age) ones based on trace element characteristics, but the true extent of basement rocks is impossible to evaluate. U–Pb geochronological data from the Clearwater anorthosite complex are complicated but allow interpretation that it was emplaced into this older basement complex at ca. 2.1 Ga and was subsequently metamorphosed during Snowbird orogenesis at ca. 1.9 Ga. Geochemical study also indicates that the Taltson-age quartz dioritic to granodiorite suite in Lloyd domain is chemically related but less evolved than the younger dominantly granitic, Taltson magmatic zone plutons of Alberta and N.W.T. The two are interpreted to be related and reflect gradual evolution of a subduction-related continental magmatic arc, challenging previous models invoking intra-plate magmatism. Collectively, these data, along with regional geological relationships, indicate that the Taltson orogen originally trended northwest–southeast and is a unique tectonic entity, distinct from the Thelon tectonic zone. Two alternative models are provided for Taltson orogeny. In the first, the Thelon orogeny develops along the margin of the Slave craton due to accretion of the Buffalo Head terrane between 2.0 and 1.95 Ga. In the meantime, the Taltson arc was built on the southwest margin of the Rae province as the now combined Slave craton and Buffalo Head terrane approached. Terminal collision of the Rae and Slave culminated with high-grade metamorphism between 1.94 and 1.93 Ga. In the second, the Slave craton was attached to the Rae craton far in advance of the Taltson orogeny, perhaps during the ca. 2.5–2.3 Ga Arrowsmith orogeny. In this model, the Taltson orogeny developed on the southwest margin of the amalgamated Rae-Slave craton due to accretion of the Buffalo Head terrane and the Thelon tectonic zone represents an intracontinental zone of reworking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes frazil ice events detected using upward looking sonars, one high (546kHz) and one low (235kHz) frequency, during the 2009/2010 freeze-up field deployment on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton, AB, Canada. The field acoustic data have been processed to compute time series of the depth averaged volume backscatter strength, S vd (dB). A review of three scattering models: the sphere, prolate spheroid, and disk models, together with their formulation, assumptions and limitations are presented. Estimation methods for the concentrations and sizes from S vd (dB) using scattering models are discussed. The applicability of the three scattering models to measuring suspended frazil ice was investigated using laboratory data reported by Ghobrial et al. (2012a). It was found that the laboratory measured concentrations were in a good agreement with concentrations estimated with these scattering models. It was also found that the disk model is the most applicable because it provides more realistic particle sizes. In total, eight frazil events were detected with the sonars during the field deployment. Preliminary linkages between the meteorological (air and water temperatures) and surface ice conditions measured at the site, and the duration and magnitude of the detected frazil events are presented. Both the laboratory results and the disk scattering model were used to estimate frazil ice concentration and sizes from the field data. Concentrations ranging between 0.01 and 0.05% and disk radii between 0.13 and 0.21mm have been estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes an algorithm that has been developed to process field data from two upward looking sonars, one high (546kHz) and one low (235kHz) frequency, a 2MHz current profiler and a monitoring station, to measure surface ice characteristics on the North Saskatchewan River in the north east of Edmonton, AB, Canada, during the 2009/2010 freeze-up season. The algorithm used to calculate pans/rafts drafts and lengths, and the surface ice concentration is described. The validity and the accuracy of this technique were tested and computed surface ice conditions are presented. For the purpose of examining the effects of hydro-meteorological conditions on measured pan characteristics, the freeze-up period was divided into three distinct stages depending on the measured surface ice concentration. Pan/raft drafts were found to range from 0.1 to 1.0m and pan/raft lengths from 0.6 to 8.0m. The sonar proved to be very accurate in detecting the exact surface ice conditions locally above the sonar beam. However, interpretation of the results can sometimes be challenging, especially when physical processes such as bridging affect local ice conditions. Therefore, additional visual observations (e.g. time lapse photography) of surface ice conditions are recommended to aid in the interpretation of sonar measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: In recent years, climate change impacts on water resources sectors have been extensively documented. Anticipated changes range from more severe storms to more frequent floods and drought at regional scale. Pressure on water resources and hence on the environment will probably increase with the need of quality data for sustainable design of water resources projects. Therefore, for an optimal network design, hydrometric networks are to be reviewed periodically based on the information needs of the various end users and the perspective for future water resources development. This paper evaluates hydrometric networks to identify essential streamflow stations and critical areas (highly poor network density) within major watersheds across the different provinces of Canada using entropy theory. The method is applied to daily streamflow data and information coefficients such as marginal entropy, joint entropy and transinformation index are used for the identification of important stations as well as critical areas in the basin. The analysis results show that almost all Canadian main watersheds contain deficient hydrometric networks. The most deficient streamflow networks are identified in Alberta (North Saskatchewan, Oldman, and Red Deer basins), Northern Ontario (Hudson Bay basin), and the Northwest Territories. The information might prove to be helpful for decision makers to undertake cost-benefit analyses for hydrometric network updating in each region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper combines an agricultural production decision support tool, GrassGro, with economic risk efficiency theory to examine several cattle feeding options that include various grazing systems for three climatic environments in Saskatchewan, Canada. Historical weather data were used to simulate a distribution of forage and cattle production data for each of several grazing systems during a 21-year period, 1978–1998. Price variability was included by varying year 2000 prices using historical price margin changes between the buying and selling weights of cattle. The risk efficiency analysis was completed using the Mean Standard Deviation (MSD) framework, and stochastic dominance principles.Results of the study suggested that feeding systems, which included grazing, were economically competitive with traditional feedlot feeding systems and grain farming. Finishing cattle on pasture with the addition of a barley supplement was an attractive option, especially when high pasture productivity can be achieved. In all locations, more intense systems that included pasture fertilization and provision of an energy supplement, improved production and risk efficiency. Although the average net returns of all these feeding simulations were negative, the returns of traditional grain crops were even more negative. It is these negative returns in grain operations that lead to the incentive for producers to diversify into cattle production. Despite the negative net returns, the cash flow (range −$15.59 to $407.54 ha−1) was mostly positive in all three locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper is an analysis of income and expenditure patterns of two samples taken from First Nation communities in Saskatchewan. A number of hypotheses related to socioeconomic characteristics are tested. Contrary to the received view, it is found that the residents of the reserves are no worse off, by conventional standards of well-being, than their urban counterparts. In fact we found that the poverty rate in the urban sample was higher. Furthermore, those on the reserve had a higher educational attainment than those living off-reserve. For both communities, a minimum high school diploma significantly raises income, but trade certificates do not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Finding sustainable pathways to efficiently allocate limited available water resources among increasingly competing water uses has become crucial due to climate-change-induced water shortages and increasing water demand. This has led to an urgent need for the inclusion of economic principles, models, and methods in water resources management. Although several studies have developed macro-economic models to evaluate the economic impacts of alternative water allocation strategies, many if not most ignore the hydrological boundaries of transboundary river basins. Furthermore, of those using input-output (IO) models, only a handful have applied supply-side IO models. In this paper, we present one of the first attempts to develop an inter-regional, supply-side IO modelling framework for a multi-jurisdictional, transboundary river basin to assess the direct and indirect economic impacts of water supply restrictions due to climate and policy change. Applying this framework to the Saskatchewan River Basin in Canada encompassing three provinces, we investigate the economic impacts of two different water supply restriction scenarios on the entire river basin and its sub-basins individually. We find that in the face of climate-change-induced water shortage, economic losses can be reduced by almost 50% by adopting appropriate management practices, including prioritization of water allocation, using alternative water sources, and water re-use technologies. • Sectoral water use is incorporated into a supply-side input-output model. • The model is spatially disaggregated into 6 sub-basins across 3 Canadian provinces. • The model evaluates the economic impacts of alternative water allocation policies. • The model results assist policymakers prepare efficient water management plans. • Adopting proper policies, potential economic drought losses can be reduced by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A Multi-Dimensional Hypothetical Fuzzy Risk Simulation model is developed. • Decision-makers' preference is reflected to develop the optimized policies. • Multi-dimensional risks in 2030 of various policy options are revealed. • A special case study of the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, is conducted. • Hypothetical Extraction Method is used to estimate the comprehensive performances. Changing climate is one of the most challenging environment issues worldwide. The objective of this paper is to develop a Multi-Dimensional Hypothetical Fuzzy Risk Simulation Model to facilitate the Greenhouse Gases mitigation policy development and multi-dimensional risk simulation. In detail, the comprehensive performances of various industries are evaluated and analyzed through Hypothetical Extraction Method. The preferences of decision-makers are considered through Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarities to Ideal Solution method to develop the optimized Greenhouse Gases mitigation policies. The multi-dimensional risks of optimized Greenhouse Gases mitigation policies are simulated through RAS method. A detailed case study of the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, is conducted to illustrate the potential benefits of the proposed model and support the Greenhouse Gases mitigation policy development. It is found that Electric power generation, transmission and distribution sector is the key industry in Saskatchewan. The government supports are suggested to be allocated to the Electric power generation, transmission and distribution sector, since it will benefit the province from environmental, economic, and urban metabolic perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]