Canadian Lakes and Streams at Risk by MiningWatch Canada

0: Amazay (Duncan Lake)

Northgate Minerals proposed to construct a large open pitmine and dump tailings  into  Amazay against the objection of FirstNations in the area.

The project was not approved following joint provincial-federalenvironmental assessment that found the project was not in the public interest.

Links for more information

MiningWatch
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
 

1: Bamoos Lake

Bamoos Lake is a natural Lake Trout Lake and was proposed as one of two options for mine waste disposal by Marathon PGM.The company has since committed to using an alternative site for the tailings but the other option would still involve the destruction of fish-bearing water bodies.

Links for more information
MiningWatch
Citizens for a Responsible Mine in Marathon
 

2: Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)

Taseko Mines Ltd. proposed to drain Fish lake and fill in the Little Fish Lake and Fish Creek watershed with tailings. The proposal was opposed by the Tsilhqot'in and Secwepemc Nations, MiningWatch Canada and many other organizations. The BC government approved the project despite finding it would have significant negative environmental effects and acknowledging that concerns regarding groundwater contamination remained unanswered. The federal government required a much more rigorous assessment by a review panel that found the project would have a number of significant negative effects. Based on the federal panel report the  federal Cabinet rejected the project.

Links for more information
MiningWatch
Raven Trust
Canadian Environmental Assessment

3: Black Lake, Quarry and Trail Crk

Imperial Metal's Red Chris project underwent a provincial environmental assessment but the federal government only conducted a screening, contrary to what the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requires. MiningWatch and Ecojustice took the federal government all the way to the Supreme Court to ensure full assessments including public participation are conducted by the federal government. This large open pit mine is of concern to the Tahltan Nation and remains a concern to MiningWatch.

Links for more information
MiningWatch Canada

4: Bucko Lake

Bucko Lake is proposed to be the tailings dump for Crowflight Minerals' Bucko Lake Mine. The mine is currently operating with a temporary tailings impoundment pending approval from the federal government.

Links for more information
Canadian Environmental Assessment

5: Ruby Creek

6: Various ponds and streams - Bending Lake Area

7: Clet Creek

8: Winter Lake

Yellowknife Gold's Tyhee gold mine is currently in advanced exploration phase. Once in production it proposes to use Winter Lake for tailings disposal. The project was being reviewed by the McKenzie Valley Review Board but Yellowknife Gold requested the project be withdrawn and intends to resubmit the application.

9: Bird Brook

10: Y'anah Biny

The destruction of Y'anah Biny (Little Fish Lake) and Teztan Biny (Fish Lake) were prevented when in 2011 the federal government rejected Taseko Mine Ltd.'s proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Project. In In August 2011 Taseko resubmitted a revised mine plan that would not drain Teztan Biny but would still fill in Y'anah Biny  and the upper Fish Creek watershed with tailings. Based on the findings of the Review Panel the revised mine plan would do little to protect the ecological and cultural values of Teztan Biny.

11: Lac Hessé

12: Various ponds and streams near Marathon

13: King Richard Creek

Terrane Metals' Mt. Milligan mining operation will dump tailings waste into the King Richard Creek Valley. The project has been opposed by the Nak'azdli First Nation which has traditional family territories at the mine site. The McLeod Lake Band, which includes the area in their land claim with BC have supported the project. 

14: Trout Pond

Trout Pond is now receiving tailings from Teck's Duck Pond copper mine near Bucchans NL. In 2006 it was the first pristine lake to be re-classified under Schedule 2.

LINKS
MiningWatch
Teck

15: Flora Lake

16: Sandy Pond

Brazilian mining company Vale  is constructing a hydromet nickel refining plant in Long Harbour NL. The company  has received federal and provincial approvals to dump the waste from the facility into Sandy Pond. This required a further amendment to the MMER and Schedule 2 (2009)  that permits listed water bodies to receive not only mine tailings but also hydromet processing wastes.

The pond (a decent sized lake) is home to trophy brook trout as well as land-locked American eel and rainbow smelt.

In an effort to save Sandy Pond, the Sandy Pond Alliance has launched a legal challenge questioning the legality of Schedule 2 given the purpose and intent of the Fisheries Act.

Links for more information
MiningWatch
Council of Canadians

17: Second Portage Lake (NW Arm)

18: Mallard Lake

19: Tail Lake

20: Wabush Lake

Wabush Lake was added to Schedule 2 in 2009. The lake had been receiving iron ore mine waste for many years before.


geoscienceworld
wikipedia

21: Teigen Creek/Treaty Creek

The KSM is currently undergoing comprehensive federal and a provincial environmental assessment. Current information suggests that Teigan Creek and Treaty Creek may have fish, but no details have been provided.

22: Albino Lake

Listed in 2002 as part of original Schedule 2 amendment.


Canada Gazette

23: Anderson Lake

24: Garrow Lake

25: South Kemess Creek

Listed in 2002 as part of original Schedule 2 amendment.



CEAA

26: Tom McKay Lake

Listed in 2002 as part of original Schedule 2 amendment.



govbc

27: Clary Creek