Citation | Obee, N, Barlak, R and Epps, D. 2010. Oyster River Vancouver Island Water Quality objectives attainment report, 2001-2008. BC Ministry of Environment. |
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Organization | Ministry of Environment |
URL | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/attain_pdf/oyster-river.pdf |
Abstract/Description or Keywords | This report summarizes the findings of the 2001-2008 water quality attainment monitoring of the Oyster River watershed, located southwest of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The sampling program was based on the Oyster River water quality objectives report (Nagpal, 1990). At that time, forestry was the main land use activity in the watershed, and there was concern that proposed mining developments would impact water quality in the future. To date, no mining has occurred in the watershed. In the upper watershed, forestry continues to be the main land use activity; however, rural residential development and agriculture are the main land use activities in the lower watershed. Most parameters were well below the water quality objectives. Non-filterable residue and turbidity were elevated and exceeded the objective in the Oyster River mainstem. Aluminum was elevated above the objectives in the tributaries, Woodhus Creek and Little Oyster River, and in the Oyster River downstream of the confluence. Cadmium and chromium exceeded the objective in the Little Oyster River on one occasion. Fecal coliform objectives were exceeded in the Oyster River mainstem on one occasion. Fecal coliform levels in Little Oyster River were higher than at other sites, though no fecal coliform objective exists for this stream. pH exceeded the objective on one occasion in the Oyster River mainstem. Most objective exceedances occurred during fall high flow periods, with the exception of fecal coliform, cadmium and chromium exceedances, which occurred during summer low flow periods. Recommendations include modifying the iron objectives for some sites, and removing references in the objectives report to sampling lead and mercury in fish tissue. |
Information Type | report |
Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island North |
Sub-watershed if known | Oyster River |
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Comments | |
Project status | complete |
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