Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Barlak, R. 2012. Regional District of Nanaimo: Community watershed monitoring network, 2011 data summary. BC Ministry of Environment.
Organization Ministry of Environment
URL http://www.rdn.bc.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID2844atID4902.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords The following data are part of the Community Watershed Monitoring Network partnership initiated in
2011 by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and the British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Environment
(MOE) to collect data across the RDN. In its early stages (2011-2013) the program will be used for data
gathering with the goals of obtaining enough data to see watershed trends and raise watershed health
awareness in local communities. Long term goals are to use multiple years of data to determine in which
watersheds more detailed monitoring and/or improved watershed management need occur, and to
assist in land use planning.
Partnerships are core to the monitoring program. In 2011 the RDN and MOE organized the program and
trained participants in monitoring protocols. Six stewardship groups within the RDN participated in the
monitoring program, with safety gear and land access provided by Island Timberlands LP. Stewardship
groups participating in 2011 were: Nile Creek Enhancement Society, Friends of French Creek, Qualicum
Beach Streamkeepers, Parksville Fish and Game, Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society
and the Nanaimo Area Land Trust.
A total of 25 different sites in 9 different watersheds were monitored in 2011, the pilot year of the
program. Samples were collected weekly between August 16 and September 13, 2011 (summer low
flow) and between October 18 and November 15, 2011 (fall rains) by the stewardship groups according
to BC MOE sampling procedures (BC MOE, 2003). It should be noted that the 2011 fall flush sample
period had less precipitation than normally observed in October/November and did not capture a true
fall flush event. In this document, data are presented and compared to existing BC Water Quality
Guidelines (BC MOE, 1997) and/or Englishman River Water Quality Objectives (Barlak et al., 2010)
(Table 1), applicable to other watersheds within the same ecoregion. Exceedences are noted.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email