Saglek, Labrador

The site is located at the summit of Cape Uivak on the mouth of Saglek Fiord. The elevation at this point is 549 m. The geographical coordinates are: 62° 39" W, 58° 28" N. The closest source of support is the Goose Bay LSS. Flight time from the LSS is 3 hours 20 minutes by helicopter under normal conditions. A helipad is located onsite, as well as an abandoned airstrip which may be useable.

The terrain is rocky and boulder strewn. Sheer cliffs drop off to the sea around most of the summit site. The most prominent feature of the surrounding area is the Torngat Mountains, whose peaks in the area are up to 914 m above sea level. Search and Rescue is difficult due to these features. The area is typified by deep valleys and fiords with terraced glaciofluvial deposits. Small colluvial aprons and fans and alluvial terraces are present. Vegetation is scarce at the summit, consisting of lichen and a few small clumps of grass. At lower elevations, wet meadows support sedges, grasses, mosses and shrubs.

Saglek is located at the foot of the Torngat Mountains, which rise steeply to the west. The area has been extensively glaciated and the site is on the edge of a Fiord.

Heavy winds and blowing snow are normal in the winter months. Fog and rain are common during the spring and fall. Coastal waters are ice infested for much of the year.

This LRR was transitioned to Unattended status on 22 September 1995. Refer to CDRL NT-10: Unmanning Transition Plan - NWS Long Range Radar Sites for details of changes to site accommodations and facilities.

LAB-2, Saglek serves the native population of coastal northern Labrador as a base camp for fishing and hunting activities. Current resource use in the area is intermittent and seasonal. The area is considered to have recreational capacity, largely due to its highly scenic qualities. No mineral deposits of any commercial significance have been found in the area although recent field surveys have been undertaken.

Extending inland west about 40 km from the radar station, Saglek Fiord is an important wintering ground for polar bear. Two herds of barren ground caribou range as far east as the Saglek region from the George River herd, centered 180 km west across the mountains in Quebec. Varying numbers of animals, mostly bulls, from the George River herd are present from June to September. Some members of the Torngat herd of northern Labrador, which is comprised of roughly 10,000 animals in total, are present between April and June on the northern side of Saglek Fiord, about 25 km north of the radar site where part of the herd has a calving area. In general, caribou presence on the summit radar site itself is considered rare, and only during summer months are caribou regularly seen on the slopes by the airstrip.

The marine mammal population of Saglek Fiord is an important resource. Parks Canada (1982) lists the fiord as a colony ground for beluga, whale, and a pupping area for bearded seal. Several Other seal species may be present at Saglek, including grey seal, harp seal, harbour seal, and hooded seal.

A number of other arctic mammal species are known in the Saglek area, including arctic hare, arctic fox, and wolf. Red fox may also be present and black bear is reported on occasion.

Bird species and population numbers are not believed to be extensive for the Saglek region near the radar site but available information is sparse. Common loon and red throated loon are present. Some species of sea-ducks shelter in Saglek Fiord. Common eider and old squaw nest on offshore islands. Harlequin and common merganser are frequently present. Canada geese occupy wetlands in the region during breeding season. Rock ptarmigan are common on the highlands around Saglek, and are known to breed there. Several shorebird species nest in the Saglek area, including semi-palmated plover, spotted sandpiper, solitary sandpiper, least sandpiper, and semi- sandpiper. There are small glaucous gull colonies and some black guillemot nest sites in the Saglek area but no nesting areas near the project site.

Saglek Fiord is an area of archaeological importance. Sites of human occupation dating back to 6,000 years have been identified. Approximately, one hundred and fifty sites on the coastal islands, fiord shoreline, and highlands above the fiord have been isolated, but only a few have been thoroughly examined. In particular, eight historical sites near the beach within five kilometers of the base site have been identified but not fully examined. Several of these sites are within one kilometer of the LAB-2 beach area but are isolated by the steep banks of a stream. and have not been disturbed by previous military occupants.

Water from a nearby freshwater lake is pumped through a pipeline to the water tank, once annually during the summer.

Sewage is collected in a septic tank. Sludge deposited in the septic tanks is removed, as necessary, and disposed of in a sanitary landfill.

Domestic waste is incinerated in on-site incinerators.