Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1600 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process. 2014. Summary: 2011-2013 Water quality monitoring results for Shuswap and Mara Lakes. Fraser Basin Council. |
| Organization | Fraser Basin Council |
| URL | http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/_Library/TR/wqm_summary_2011-2013.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | In 2011 the partner agencies in the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP) began a three-year water quality monitoring program. The results of this program show that, in most locations in and around Shuswap and Mara Lakes, water quality is good. Most water samples met government safety guidelines for drinking water, for swimming, and for livestock, fish and wildlife protection. However, in certain lake locations, rivers, streams and groundwater sites, high concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen or fecal coliform bacteria were found. This flags a need for a management strategy to prevent deterioration of water quality in and around the lakes. A strategy would encompass steps needed to protect water quality over the long term, as well as short-term measures to address current risks to water quality. Multiple agencies with responsibilities for water collaborated in the SLIPP water monitoring program, together with small water suppliers, watershed stewardship groups and other community volunteers. Participating agencies included the Province of BC (Ministry of Environment), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Columbia Shuswap Regional District, City of Salmon Arm, District of Sicamous and Interior Health Authority. Water sampling was done at over 250 sites at various locations on the lakes and tributaries and at groundwater sites (wells). The monitoring program provided valuable information about the health of the lakes and pollutants of concern. The data was much more comprehensive than what any single agency could achieve independently. This summary reflects key findings of the three-year SLIPP water quality monitoring program, from 2011 to 2013. This is the second water quality summary report produced by SLIPP, and is an update to the 2011-2012 summary. Both the summaries and the full monitoring reports are available in the resource archive at www.slippbc.com. water quality |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Shuswap |
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| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
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