The Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) is developing and operating a system for forecasting the level and flow of certain waterways in southern Quebec. The purpose of these hydrological forecasts is to allow more informed planning of interventions, both for flood or low water situations and under more common hydrological conditions.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

This polygon layer depicts sub-basin average observed precipitation from the High Resolution Deterministic Precipitation Analysis (HRDPA). Offers insight into how much rain/snow actually fell across each watershed in the past observation period. Observation periods we are interested are for past 1 day, 3 days and 7 days.HRDPA is ECCC’s high-resolution precipitation analysis, merging gauge, radar, and HRDPS model data. This layer aggregates the final (or preliminary) HRDPA accumulations to sub-basin polygons. Each record indicates the average precipitation that truly occurred over each watershed, vital for verifying model forecasts, calibrating hydrological models, and conducting post-event analyses of flood or drought severity.

This polygon layer represents accumulated precipitation forecasts from the Global Forecast System (GFS), a global numerical weather prediction model operated by NOAA/NCEP. It provides global medium‑range precipitation forecasts, as a 168‑hour (7‑day) accumulation, to support a wide range of weather and hydrological applications.This polygon layer is generated by extracting the accumulated precipitation field from Global Forecast System (GFS) GRIB2 files. The raw data are converted into a TIF raster, then resampled, smoothed, and classified into discrete precipitation ranges. The resulting polygon features depict forecasted precipitation accumulations over a 7‑day (168‑hour) period, allowing users to monitor expected rainfall and snowfall patterns on a global scale.

This polygon layer shows sub-basin averages of HRDPS (High Resolution Deterministic Prediction System) precipitation. Ideal for capturing short-range (0–48h) high-resolution precipitation forecasts aggregated at the watershed scale.The HRDPS is a 2.5 km resolution model used for short-range, convection-permitting forecasts in Canada. This layer takes HRDPS precipitation totals and aggregates them by each sub-basin polygon, revealing how localized rain or snow could impact individual watersheds. Useful for near-term flood or flash-flood risk, as well as local water management during intense weather.

This polygon layer presents 7‑day and 10‑day accumulated precipitation forecasts from the Global Deterministic Prediction System (GDPS), aggregated by sub-basin. It is designed to help hydrologists, water resource managers, and emergency planners pinpoint watersheds facing higher rainfall or snowfall totals in the medium-to-long range, enabling proactive flood risk assessment, drought monitoring, and resource allocation.Developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the GDPS is a global numerical weather prediction model running at approximately 15km resolution, updated twice daily (00Z and 12Z). This layer integrates 168-hour (7‑day) and 240-hour (10‑day) precipitation forecasts into sub-basin polygons, offering a comprehensive view of expected cumulative precipitation. By focusing on watershed boundaries, decision-makers can quickly gauge regional vulnerabilities to prolonged rainfall or snowfall events.Key highlights: Global Model Insight: Captures large-scale, multi-day weather systems (e.g., atmospheric rivers, persistent low-pressure systems). Sub-Basin Aggregation: Delivers averaged precip values per basin, simplifying hydrological analysis for flood or drought outlooks. Extended Outlook: Spanning from day 0 to day 10, covers both medium- and longer-term forecast horizons, essential for strategic planning and mitigation efforts. Typical Uses:Flood Forecasting – Identifying basins prone to heavy or prolonged precipitation. Water Resource Management – Adjusting reservoir release schedules or irrigation planning based on expected accumulations. Emergency Preparedness – Deploying resources or issuing advisories in vulnerable watersheds.

This polygon layer shows the spatial distribution of forecasted accumulated precipitation across watershed sub‑basins using data derived from the Regional Ensemble Prediction System (REPS). In other words, it aggregates precipitation amounts—computed from processed REPS forecast output (converted from GRIB2 files into raster [TIF] format)—over defined watershed boundaries to provide a detailed view of expected rainfall over a typical 72‑hour forecast period. This information supports regional hydrological forecasting, flood risk analysis, and water resource management.REPS forecast data are first processed to extract the accumulated precipitation field (APCP) and converted into high‑resolution raster images. These “REPS APCP rasters” represent the spatial distribution of forecast precipitation (in millimeters) over the region. Next, using pre‑defined watershed or sub‑basin boundaries, zonal statistics are applied to compute the average precipitation for each sub‑basin. The final layer displays these averaged values as polygon features, highlighting variations in forecasted rainfall across different drainage areas. This approach helps users pinpoint regions that may receive higher or lower rainfall, thereby enhancing hydrological assessments and emergency planning.

The dataset represents known concentration areas of harvested or unharvested Softshell clam (Mya arenaria) in the intertidal zone of the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec region. The dataset was created for the National environmental emergencies centre (NEEC) for preparation and response in case of an oil spill. Concentration areas were defined using Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) inventories conducted between 2000 and 2020.This layer is dependent on the inventories carried out and thus only represents known clam areas. For example, for the Haute-Côte-Nord, inventories have been limited to areas open to harvesting (with the exception of 4 sectors), but it is known that the Softshell clam is also present outside these areas. In addition, little information was available for the Moyenne and Basse-Côte-Nord.This data layer does not represent the general distribution of the species nor the extent to which fishing is allowed. The extent of shellfish beds may vary over time in response to, among others harvesting and the recruitment rates. The boundaries of polygons from inventory data may be underestimated relative to the actual size of the deposit since the inventories were conducted at the location where the resource is most abundant, without necessarily sampling the entire bed. However, the accuracy is sufficient for the protection and management needs of the resource in the event of an environmental incident. Data sources and references:Brulotte, S. 2011. Évaluation des stocks de mye commune des eaux côtières du Québec. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2011/044. x + 53 p.Brulotte, S. 2018. Évaluation de la mye commune (Mya arenaria) des eaux côtières du Québec en 2016 – méthodologie et résultats. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2018/004. ix + 60 p.Brulotte, S. 2020. Évaluation des stocks de la mye commune (Mya arenaria) des eaux côtières du Québec en 2019 – méthodologie et résultats. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2020/055. vii + 43 p.Brulotte, S. 2022. Résultats des inventaires de gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) réalisés de 2016 à 2020 et mise à jour des résultats de ceux effectués de 2001 à 2014 au Québec. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2022/xxx. (in progress)Brulotte, S. and M. Giguère. 2003. Évaluation d'un gisement de mye commune (Mya arenaria) de l'embouchure de la rivière Mingan, Québec, Rapp. can. ind. sci. halieut. aquat. No. 2511: xi + 58.Brulotte, S., M. Giguère, S. Brillon and F. Bourque. 2006. Évaluation de cinq gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, de 2000 à 2003. Rapp. tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 2640 : xii + 92 p.Brulotte, S., Giguère, M. and Duluc, C. 2015. Essais de techniques de captage du naissain de mye commune (Mya arenaria) sur la rive nord de l’estuaire et du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 3084 : ix + 60 p.Giguère, M., S. Brulotte and F. Hartog.2007. Évaluation de quelques gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) de la rive sud de l'estuaire du Saint-Laurent en 2005 et 2006. Rapp. can. ind. sci. halieut. aquat. No. 2738: xi + 107.Giguère, M., S. Brulotte, M. Boudreau and M.-F. Dréan. 2008. Évaluation de huit gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) de la rive nord de l’estuaire du Saint-Laurent de 2002 à 2008. Rapp. tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 2821 : x + 91 p.Roy, I., M. Giguère, S. Brulotte and M. Gagnon. 2003. Évaluation de douze gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) du sud de la Gaspésie, Rapp. Tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 2469: xvi + 140 p.

Marsh inventory in the Chaleur Bay, the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence according to a literature review of documents produced between 1985 and 2002.Additional InformationThe marsh inventory was produced according to a literature review of the following documents:Bolduc, F. et P. Kaltenback. 1995. Caractérisation de l'habitat du poisson du banc de Portneuf et avenues de mise en valeur. Rapport présenté par Pro Faune à la Corporation de développement touristique de Rivière-Portneuf. 13 pages et annexes.Comité ZIP Baie des Chaleurs, 2002. Données numériques acquises suite à la cartographie de milieux humides Baie des Chaleurs pour le comité ZIP (printemps 2002).Comité ZIP Côte-Nord du Golfe. 2001. Inventaire du potentiel côtier et marin de la Basse-Côte-Nord. Version préliminaire de rapport sous forme de CD-ROM, Sept-Îles, mars 2001.Kedney, G. et P. Kaltenback. 1996. Acquisition de connaissances et mise en valeur des habitats du banc de Portneuf. Document réalisé par la firme Pro Faune pour le Comité touristique de Rivière-Portneuf. 50 pages et 5 annexes.Labrecque, J., G. Lavoie et F. Boudreau. 1995. Les plantes susceptibles d'être désignées menacées ou vulnérables du barachois de la rivière Malbaie, Barachois-Ouest, Gaspésie. Gouvernement du Québec, ministère de l'Environnement et de la Faune, Direction de la conservation et du patrimoine écologique, Québec. 20 p.Lemieux, C. 1995. Acquisition de connaissances des habitats côtiers dans la région de Rimouski (1995). Rapport du Groupe-Conseil GENIVAR présenté au Ministère des Pêches et des Océans du Canada, Division de la Gestion de l’Habitat du Poisson, 52 pages + 2 annexes.Lemieux, C. 2001. Projet de projection et de mise en valeur de la baie au Chêne et d'habitats côtiers de la région de Pointe-à-la-Croix (Gaspésie). Rapport du Groupe conseil Génivar inc. Présenté au Comité ZIP Baie des Chaleurs et au ministère de l'Environnement du Québec, direction du patrimoine écologique et du développement durable. 76 p. + 8 annexes.Lemieux, C. et R. Lalumière. 1995. Acquisition de connaissances des habitats côtiers du barachois de Saint-Omer. Rap. du Groupe conseil Genivar inc. pour la DGHP, MPO, 44 pages + 3 ann.Les consultants en environnement Argus inc. 1995a. Caractérisation physico-chimique et biologique de l'habitat du poisson du barachois de Malbaie: automne 1994. Rapport présenté au Club des ornithologues de la Gaspésie dans le cadre du programme Saint-Laurent Vision 2000. 62 p. + ann.Les consultants en environnement Argus inc. 1995b. Barachois de Malbaie: étude d'avant-projet de conservation et de mise en valeur. Rapport présenté au Club des ornithologues de la Gaspésie dans le cadre du programme Saint-Laurent Vision 2000. 71 p. + ann.Les consultants en environnement Argus inc. 1995c. Étude biophysique complémentaire de conservation et mise en valeur de la baie des Capucins. Rapport présenté à la corporation de développement de Les Capucins. 48 p. + ann.Les consultants en environnement Argus inc. 1998. Perspectives d'aménagement et de restauration des marais à spartine du Québec. Rapport final. En collaboration avec le Service canadien de la Faune (Environnement Canada), Pêches et Océans Canada, le Ministère des Transports du Québec et Canards Illimités inc. 123 pages + annexes et index cartographique.Létourneau, G. et M. Jean. 1996. Cartographie des marais, marécages et herbiers aquatiques le long du Saint-Laurent par télédétection aéroportée. Environnement Canada – Région du Québec, Conservation de l’environnement, Centre Saint-Laurent, Montréal. 101 pagesLétourneau, Guy. 1991. Milieux humides, Base de données Létourneau 1991 (de Cornwall à Trois-Pistoles et les Îles-de-la-Madeleine.Logimer. 1985. Développement d'un programme de conservation et de reconstitution des habitats lagunaires gaspésiens. Rapport présenté à Pêches et Océans Canada, section Habitat du poisson. 306 p. et annexes.Procéan inc. 1996. Caractérisation du milieu physique et inventaire biologique du barachois de New Richmond : rapport final. Présenté à la Division de la gestion de l'habitat du poisson, Pêches et Océans Canada par Procéan inc.Vaillancourt, M.-A. et C. Lafontaine. 1999. Caractérisation de la Baie Mitis. Jardins de Métis et Pêches et Océans Canada. Grand-Métis. 185 p.

Groundwater samples have been collected in the hydrogeological unit, for various types of analysis. The dataset is not used to represent a particular phenomenon or observation but rather as a utility dataset to add context and reference to groundwater analysis. It represents a general description of the sample site and sample. Sampling methods vary according to the types of analysis.

The dataset represents known concentration areas of harvested or unharvested Atlantic razor clam (Ensis leei) in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec Region. It was created for the National Environmental Emergencies Centre (NEEC) for preparation and response purposes in case of an oil spill. Concentration areas were defined using data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) inventories, various DFO research projects and commercial fisheries data. This layer is dependent on the inventories carried out and thus only represents the known areas of the Atlantic razor clam. This dataset does not represent the general distribution of the species nor the extent to which fishing is allowed. Most of the information comes from inventories that did not necessarily target this species, therefore its distribution is undoubtedly wider than what is recorded in the layer. In addition, the extent of shellfish beds can change over time in response to, among others, harvesting and recruitment rates. Some beds were mapped based on DFO research project data which were compiled in a benthic biodiversity Access database. Polygons drawn around these data are not precise and may be reviewed. However, the precision is sufficient for the resource protection and management needs in case of an environmental incident. Data sources and references:Anonym. 1991. Analyse de l'échantillonnage en mer des mactres de Stimpson. Programme d'adaptation des pêches de l'Atlantique. Pesca tec International. Pêches et Océans Canada. 134 p.Bernier, L. and L. Poirier. 1979. Évaluation sommaire du stock de mactres de l'Atlantique, Spisula solidissima Dillwyn, des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (golfe du Saint-Laurent). Cahier d'information, ministère de l'Industrie et du Commerce. 42 p.Bourdages, H., P. Goudreau, J. Lambert, L. Landry and C. Nozères. 2012. Distribution des bivalves et gastéropodes benthiques dans les zones infralittorale et circalittorale des côtes de l’estuaire et du nord du golfe du Saint-Laurent. Rapp. tech. can. sci. halieut. aquat. 3004 : iv + 103 p.Bourget, E. and D. Messier. 1983. Macrobenthic density, biomass, and fauna of intertidal and subtidal sand in a Magdalen Islands lagoon, Gulf of St. Lawrence. Can. J. Zool. 61(11):2509-2518.Brulotte, S. Unpublished data. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.Brulotte, S. 2013. Évaluation des stocks de la mactre de l’Atlantique, Spisula solidissima, des eaux côtières des Îles-de-la-Madeleine – méthodologies et résultats. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2013/082: x + 58 p.Brulotte, S. 2016. Évaluation des stocks de mactre de l’Atlantique, Spisula solidissima, des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec en 2015 – méthodologie et résultats. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2016/074. x + 51 p.Brulotte, S., M. Giguère, S. Brillon and F. Bourque. 2006. Évaluation de cinq gisements de mye commune (Mya arenaria) aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, de 2000 à 2003. Rapp. Tech. can. Sci. halieut. Aquat. 2640 : xii + 92 p.DFO. 2013. Assessment of Razor Clam stock in Québec’s Inshore Waters in 2012. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2013/052.Elouard, B, G. Desrosiers, J.C. Brêthes and Y. Vigneault. 1983. Étude de l'habitat du poisson autour des ilots créés par des déblais de dragage; lagune de Grande-Entrée, Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1209:viii + 69 p.Gendreau, Y. 2018. MS Access database on benthic biodiversity. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.Provencher, L. and C. Nozères. 2011. Protocole de suivi des communautés benthiques de la zone de protection marine Manicouagan. Secr. can. de consult. sci. du MPO. Doc. de rech. 2011/051:iv +25 p.Thompson, M., D. Drolet and J.H. Himmelman. 2005. Localization of infaunal prey by the sea star Leptasterias polaris. Mar. Biol. 146(5):887-894.