| Citation |
Jacklin, J. (2007) McMillan Creek Monitoring Project, 2006 EPD Data Summary. Ministry of Environment, Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Quality Section, Omineca-Peace Region, March, 2007. |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
In the summer of 2006, the Prince George Ministry of Environment initiated a compliance and monitoring project on the McMillan Creek Watershed. For this project, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Environmental Quality Section were to undertake a water quality monitoring survey and the Environmental Stewardship Division (ESD), Ecosystems Branch, were to undertake a culvert/fish passage and hydrology compliance project. This report summarizes the results of the EPD program. Environmental Protection had three tasks to undertake: 1. To obtain baseline water quality information from the various land use sectors in the watershed (no current Water Quality Objective’s exist for McMillan Creek), 2. To identify potential contaminant sources, 3. To make recommendations, based on the collected data, on further compliance and remedial projects in the watershed. Environmental Stewardship had two tasks to undertake: 1. To conduct fish passage assessments at the stream crossings constructed by property owners or by the City of Prince George, and 2. To assess hydrologic conditions at the crossing sites for indications of site instability, lack of capacity, or other issues. Approach/Results: EPD water monitoring locations were developed from a mapping examination of the McMillan Creek watershed. The McMillan Creek mainstem was segregated based on land use activity and sample sites were created both upstream and downstream from potential pollution sources. The available funding, which was only provided for a preliminary assessment of McMillan Creek, allowed these sites to be sampled four times, including one summer low flow, one summer rain event, one fall rain and during one winter low flow. Water samples were analyzed for a variety of parameters that were selected based on the respective upstream land use activity for each site. These parameters included total and dissolved metals, nutrients and general chemistry, fecal coliform bacteria and bacterial source tracking. Most parameters have applicable provincial or federal water quality guidelines which were used to help assess the current condition of McMillan Creek. In addition to the collection of water quality information, benthic invertebrate samples were collected according to the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) protocol. This bioassessment tool uses living organisms to provide insight on environmental conditions by using the Reference Condition Approach (RCA) (Environment Canada, 2007). This approach uses reference sites, which have minimal human impact, as a baseline for assessing potentially impaired sites (Environment Canada, 2007). The model used in this program, which was analyzed by the Ministry of Environment in Skeena Region, include a BEAST (Benthic Assessment of Sediment) model and a SkeenRivas model, which is based on Australia’s modelling program AUSRIVAS. From the collected water quality information and the benthic invertebrate analysis, McMillan Creek appears to be stressed. The upper portion of the watershed, which is dominated by residential area and hobby farms, as well as the lower sector, which is dominated by commercial and residential areas, appear to have issues with fecal bacteria contamination. Preliminary results suggest possible contamination from ruminant animals, pigs, dogs and humans, especially during low flows. Although there are no recommended bacterial guidelines for the protection of aquatic life (the guidelines are focused on drinking water, irrigation, livestock watering, etc.), there are other potential concerns such as nutrient loading and oxygen depletion that could impact aquatic life. It was also found that the City storm drain, located upstream from Hoferkamp Road on McMillan Creek (in the lower portion), appears to have a substantial impact on the loading of total suspended solids, bacteria, total phosphorus, nitrate/nitrite, sodium chloride and various potentially toxic metals. Although there may be other contributing sources, such as observed ditch drainage and overland flow, field inspections in October, 2006 clearly showed an impact from the drain’s induced TSS and turbidity. If TSS and turbidity levels cannot be reduced at their source, sediment traps or other particulate reducing methods should be used or constructed near the confluence with McMillan Creek to help reduce the direct impact. Future monitoring efforts on McMillan Creek should include a hydrocarbon and pesticide sediment program and more detailed water quality monitoring focusing on the lower commercial/residential portions and the upper hobby farm portion. Regardless, the data collected during this program suggests that McMillan Creek is currently stressed. |
