Tree-ring Dating of Extreme Water Level Events at Lake Bienville, Subarctic Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Disturbances in shoreline forest margins during the past century were dated at Lake Bienville, Québec, using various dendroecological indicators. Trees in upper shore positions were disturbed by waves and ice erosion. These geomorphic events were dated using compression wood, ice scars, and traumatic annual rings. Trees that established during favorable episodes in the 19th century have been severely destabilized by shoreline disturbances in most decades since 1881; 1881–83, 1912, 1922, 1936, 1947–48, 1958–59 and 1974–79. The age structure of shoreline shrubs indicates recent colonization associated with low lake levels (gauged since 1974). The results support a hypothesis of shoreline disturbances caused by early snowy winters and subsequent high lake levels.