J10 Reclamation Trial

The J10 Infill pad at Cold Lake Operations was reclaimed in winter 2012, involving excavation of 1000 m3 of clay to ~15 cm below the water table. The first spring after pad removal, the reclaimed wetland filled naturally with water (average depth 0.2 m) and cattails (Typha latifolia) began colonizing the area. The objective of the project was to identify planting densities and compositions of wetland species that can be propagated and planted in reclaimed shrubby fen wetlands to out-compete cattails and establish on a clay surface. Wild Rose Consulting Inc. was contracted to harvest seed and design and implement a revegetation plan for the J10 wetland trial. Planting of ~8,880 seedlings was completed in June 2014. Aquatic species planted include; water sedge, Bebb’s sedge, wooly sedge, water dock, seaside arrow grass, dwarf birch and bog willow. In 2018, NAIT conducted a vegetation assessment on the site.

The reclaimed area is connected with upstream and downstream wetlands with variable but healthy wetland communities, with no sign of erosion, gullying, or debris. Water carrying seeds, nutrients, and sediments flows through the area mostly uninterrupted, despite periodic flooding caused by ditch blocking. As of 2018, the reclaimed wetland and its surrounding areas are vegetated with mostly wetland species with a high but stable water table. Three distinct wetland communities have emerged in response to water depth and topography. Compared to surrounding fens, the reclaimed wetland is low in diversity and lacks peat-forming vegetation like bryophytes. Existing vegetation is well adapted to hydrologic and edaphic conditions; additional species may colonize suitable microsites as they become available. We do not anticipate significant changes in area size or community composition unless major changes to water flow or topography occur. Given the lack of information and guidelines in 2012, the J10 trail was valuable to pioneer and test field techniques to reclaim functional wetlands and make recommendations for future trials.