The GIRB, in collaboration with five agri-environment consulting clubs, is carrying out a project to enrich the biodiversity of the South Boyer River watershed (2005-2010). As part of this restoration project to improve water quality and biodiversity in the watershed, demonstration sites have been set up this spring to show the scope of the work that has been done to date. One site will illustrate the importance of fauna corridors comprised of energy dissipating sills, groins and buffer strips where trees and shrubs were planted to re-establish adequate water quality and aquatic habitats in an agricultural environment. A second site will present the beneficial management practices that have been adopted to ensure good water quality. Signs presenting additional information will enable showing the approach that was used to integrate these interventions and their impacts on the habitat of fish (agricultural-fauna). Various ecological follow-ups are also conducted to show the results obtained.

For a history of the Boyer River, click here.

The Aquarium du Québec is one of Canada’s top three aquariums. It presents the fauna of aquatic habitats found in the Saint-Lawrence River and Canada’s three oceans. In 2009, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since it was founded, it has welcomed over 8 million visitors. The public can discover 300 species of fish, invertebrates and marine mammals.

The Aquarium’s basins and outdoor parks were completed renovated in 2000. Its filtration, ozonization, and sea water treatment and manufacturing systems are adapted to the habitats of aquatic animals. Two million litres of sea water and a million litres of soft water are manufactured in its basins through an automated closed circuit system. The parameters of the animals’ physical and chemical living conditions are monitored in its analysis lab, while a new ecotoxicology lab enables the Aquarium to fulfill its research mission.

Description of the technical tour:

Date: Thursday, June 11, 1:30 pm
Length of the bilingual guided tour: 2 hours

Program:

• Welcome and instructions
• Outdoor arctic basins (seals, walruses, polar bears)
• Filtration, ozonization and sea water treatment and manufacturing plant
• Aquarium filtration systems
• Veterinary clinic and aquatic fauna kitchen
• Water quality analysis lab
• Ecotoxicology research lab
• Self-guided tour of the aquariums and outdoor basins
• Gift shop and departure

Aquarium du Québec : http://www.sepaq.com/paq/fr/

The Hydraulics Machine Laboratory (HML) at Laval University is the only independant site for testing small scale hydraulic turbines in Canada. Lead by Dr. Claire Deschênes, the lab is dedicated to development of hydraulic machines and to research in this field throughout North America.

With its universal test bench operating in close or open circuit, the HML can offer a wide range of experimental testing conditions, including the testing of a various types and sizes of hydraulic turbines (Francis, Kaplan, propeller and bulb). Instrumentation equipped with well-established procedures and attended by highly qualified platform engineers ensures that laboratory tests meet International Standards.

Laval university : http://lamh.fsg.ulaval.ca/

Visit the charming site of Les Sept-Chutes and discover a spectacular natural wonder with 7 waterfalls and dramatic landscapes, just a short distance from Quebec City.

Visit one of the oldest hydroelectric generating stations which was re-opened in 1999, enjoy its incredible natural surroundings and learn the fundamentals of electricity production. Visitors can visit the former operators' room and can go down onto the floor of the power house for a close up look at the turbine-alternator groups.

Les Sept-Chutes : http://septchutes.com/english/index.html

Spellbinding!

Let yourself be mesmerized by Daniel-Johnson Dam, the largest multiple-arch-and-buttress dam in the world. Bridging the Manicouagan valley some 200 km from Baie-Comeau, its unique design is a true monument of Québec engineering.

Whether you stand at the foot of the dam, inside or on the crest—plenty of thrills are guaranteed! Don't miss it!