Fish Habitat Assessment Output from Bay of Quinte Suitability Modelling: High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coldwater Guild)

Fish Habitat Assessment Output: 8 of 16

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coldwater)

Habitat suitability was assessed for the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern, at a 3 m grid resolution, using the Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT), temperature algorithms, vegetation models, and water level input. Habitat classifications were based on three variables: depth (elevation), vegetation, and substrate; and modified by temperature suitabilities. The final suitability maps were based on documented habitat and temperature associations for the fish in the area. Different life stages (spawning requirements, nursery habitat, adult habitat) were modeled for the years of 1972-2011. Suitability values were scaled from 0 (not suitable) to 1 (highly suitable) and converted to suitability classes of very low, low, medium, and high. The final maps for each guild – life stage combination are maximum suitability values from the 39-year period modelled.