Energy East pipeline would cross 828 bodies of water in Quebec

If it's built, the Energy East pipeline would cross 828 bodies of water and 69 municipalities in Quebec, a document obtained by Radio-Canada shows.

Thedocument, included in a letter sent on June 11, 2015 from TransCanadatothe Union of Quebec Municipalities, details each type of body of water that would be crossed by the proposed 4,600-kilometre pipeline.

Most of the channels are narrowthey include46 "perennial" streams, 395 "intermittent" streams and233 "permanent small watercourses".

However, the pipeline would also cross 94 "medium permanent" rivers, 28 "large permanent" rivers, 28 beaver ponds and four ponds.

Categories of water bodies

• Ephemeral watercourse:Flows after heavy rains and melting snow in the spring and is characterized by a poorly-defined river bed and banks.
• Intermittent watercourse:Flows continuously for several weeks or months before drying out and is characterized by a well-defined river bed and banks.
• Small permanent watercourse:Narrower than five meters.
• Medium permanent watercourse:Has a width between five and 20 meters.
• Large permanent watercourse:Wider than 20 meters.
• Beaver pond:Large expansion of a stream created by a beaver dam.
• Pond:Small natural lake or one created on agricultural land.

Initially, the pipeline project was only expected to cross 641 bodies of waterin the province, including 30 major ones.

But in December, cole Polytechnique researchers said the soil along the banks of several rivers are too unstable to support a pipeline. Potential landslides could lead to flooding and the pollution of nearby waterways, the researchers said.

Among the rivers at risk were the Ottawa River, Mille-les, St. Maurice, Sainte-Anne and Jacques-Cartierrivers.

Municipalities crossed by the pipeline

In the same letter, TransCanada also lists the 69 Quebec municipalities that the pipeline would cross. Overall, the pipeline would run through688 kilometres ofmunicipalland.

The municipalities of Lvis (52.5 km), Mirabel (36.7 km) and Dgelis (32.8 km) would have the longest stretches.

TransCanada also stated in June 2015 that had mapped out85 per centof the pipeline route in Quebec.

Here's a break downof the type of terrain the pipeline wouldcross in the province.

• Forests:51.8 per cent of the pipeline's span in Quebec.
• Agricultural land:33.2 per cent.
• Wetlands: 13 per cent.
• Commercial, industrial and residential zones: 2 per cent.