McMaster Watershed Hydrology Group

Focus Areas

Our Research

Cold Regions Hydrology

Hydrological Processes in Canada's North

Improving our understanding of cold region hydrology forms the core of the group's mission. Funded primarily through the NSERC Discovery and Northern Supplement Program, this work explores how hydrological, biogeochemical, and land surface processes are affected by a rapidly changing climate in the mountainous watersheds of Yukon Territory. The group maintains a formal partnership with Yukon Environment, Water Science and Stewardship, to tackle shared interests in water across the Territory.

Wolf Creek Research Basin ↗ Tombstone Waters Observatory ↗

Ecosystem Reclamation

Post-Mining Landscape Ecohydrology

Since 2003, the group has been exploring the ecohydrological response of post oil sands mining landscapes in the Fort McMurray region. A wide variety of landform construction practices result in uplands, wetlands, and pit lakes. The broad goal is to work with industry to understand the hydrology of these systems and provide guidance toward best practices that ensure reclamation success.

Prospective students: The group is currently looking to fill a small number of MSc and/or PhD positions. Please contact Dr. Carey if interested. Note that due to VISA timelines and university financial constraints, domestic applicants will be given priority.

People

The Group

Dr. Sean K. Carey

Principal Investigator

Professor in the School of Earth, Environment & Society at McMaster University. His research interests include hydrological, biogeochemical, and land surface processes in natural and human-impacted environments. He has a particular interest in long-term research projects and working with stakeholders and communities to better steward water resources. He directs research at the Wolf Creek Research Basin and the Tombstone Waters Observatory in Yukon Territory.

GSB Rm. 238 · BSB Rm. 306 · 1280 Main St. W, Hamilton
careysk@mcmaster.ca

Research Staff & Postdoctoral Fellows

Dr. Mike Treberg

Research Scientist

Based in Ottawa, Mike has a PhD in plant ecology and oversees instrumentation design and maintenance for lab and field deployments.

Dr. Gord Drewitt

Research Scientist

Gord analyzes biometeorological fluxes of water and carbon from reclamation and natural ecosystems, and manages the group's extensive datasets.

Graduate Students

Clara Cogswell

PhD Student

Exploring cold region hydrological processes in Yukon. Joins the group from CUAHSI.

Connor Lashley

MSc Student

Studying shrub vegetation water use and how rapid ecosystem change in Yukon influences evapotranspiration.

Brett Jacot

MSc Student

Using eDNA to evaluate ecological changes in Yukon streams, in collaboration with external partners. Joins from UofT.

Field Team — Yukon

Rosy Tutton

GWF Field Researcher

Brings extensive field experience from Labrador to the Northwest Territories to the Yukon team.

David Barret

GWF Field Researcher

Supports the Yukon crew with field logistics and data collection, keeping operations running smoothly.

Publications

* denotes highly qualified personnel (student/trainee author)

Abrupt stream acidification and metal mobilization from permafrost degradation

Skierszkan EK, Szeitz AJ*, Lindsay MBJ, Carey SK

Science, 392(6800), 863–867. 2026.