| Abstract | Prior to actual field work information on climate and terrain was obtained from the technical literature. Aerial photographs were examined, to identify terrain types, character of the relief, vegetation and surface drainage. Potential permafrost locations were noted. These studies are part of on-going work to determine the distribution and character of permafrost along the southern permafrost boundary, where construction is complicated by the irregular occurrence of perennially frozen ground in the proximity of 32 degrees F. It is known that in this area the existence of permafrost is greatly influenced by the micro-climate and local terrain conditions. The main objective was to delineate approximately the areas of permafrost and to relate their distribution to obvious environmental features such as relief, drainage, vegetation and soil type. This provided a qualitative way of identifying permafrost elsewhere. The investigation was carried out in Saskatchewan from Prince Albert northwest to Lac Loche, north to Lac Rouge and the Churchill River, and northeast to Flin Flon. In Manitoba investigations were carried out between Flin Flon and The Pas and east to Cranberry Lake and Wekusko. Climate is the most important factor influencing the formation and continued existence of permafrost. Terrain factors are paramount to determining permafrost existence at a particular location. The major factor predicting the existence of permafrost in the fringe area is the distribution of peat bogs. Drainage is an important factor but it is so closely interrelated with the effects of vegetation that to assess the contribution of each is difficult. |
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