Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Harper, D and Wilson, G. 2008. Gold Creek nutrient and productivity status: 2008 project final report. Prepared for BC Hydro.
Organization BC Hydro
URL https://www.bchydro.com/bcrp/projects/docs/bridge_river/08.ALU.03.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords In 2008, the BC Conservation Foundation collected baseline stream productivity data to
determine nutrient and productivity status of Gold Creek, a major tributary to Alouette
Lake. Monitoring of water chemistry, algal growth, temperature and discharge was
conducted throughout the summer growing months, July to September, while fish size
and abundance were sampled in October.
Resulting analysis of water chemistry and algal accumulation clearly indicated ultraoligotrophic
conditions. Ortho-phosphorus and total dissolved phosphorus values were
below detection limits (1 and 2 ug/L respectively) on all sampling dates, and total
phosphorus values were also at lower detection limit levels (2 ug/L). Overall, nitrogen
was in excess of biological requirements, indicating a phosphorus-limited stream
ecosystem. Chlorophyll a concentrations were all below 1 ug/cm2
which indicated low
primary productivity, consistent with the near absence of phosphorus in the water
chemistry sampling. The numbers of trout fry at each sampling site appeared to be very
low, less than 5 fry per 100m2
.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Lower Fraser
Sub-watershed if known Gold Creek
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
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