| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
In early 1971, complaints from the public about deteriorating water quality in the Thompson River system were received by several government agencies. These reports noted that the river water had become dark brown in appearance and that frequent foam patches appeared on Kamloops Lake and in quiet eddies of the Thompson River. Many people also observed the "dark brown growth" on the river bottom downstream of Kamloops Lake. Residents of the area and visitors cemplained that because of the algal growth the river bottom had become extremely slippery which made fishing and other recreational activities difficult. There was also concern that this growth could reduce or destroy the fish of the Thompson River through reduction in egg survival and destruction of fish food organisms. Fish caught from the Thompson River downstream of Kamloops Lzke were reported to have objectionable flavour and odour.----- Many of the residents of this area were concerned about loss of revenue brought into the area by the tourist fishery. In response to these observations and complaints, an immediate short-term study of the North and South Thompson rivers, Kamloops Lake, and the Thompson River was carried out in the spring o f 1973 by an ad hoc Federal - Provincial committee . Data available from previous years and data on chemical and biological samples collected during the spring of 1973 were analyzed to determine the sources of colour, foaming agents, biological growth, and fish - tainting substances. Based on these data, a preliminary committee report was presented in May, 1973. Conclusions and recommendations of that report are summarized below: (1) The increased colour in the Thompson River was due to the effluent discharged by Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. It was recommended that the Director of the Pollution Control Branch should give consideration to require colour reduction in the pulp mill effluent.--- (2) Tainted fish were found in the Thompson River, but those substances which caused off-odour and off-flavour of fish were not positively identified. --- (3) The source of the foam on the Thompson River was unknown. (4) The increased algal growth was tentatively explained by the nutrients present in the water. Nutrient concentrations were not attributed to any one source.--- (5) It was recommended that a joint Federal-Provincial Task Force determine the source and effects of nutrients, foaming agents, and fish tainting substances on the Thompson River system including Kamloops Lake. ------ In the fall of 1973, a Federal-Provincial Task Force was formed consisting of the following representatives: British Columbia Environment Canada--- Pollution Control Branch Environmental Protection Service --- Fish and Wildlife Branch Fisheries and Marine Service--- Department of Agriculture Environmental Management Service--- Forestry Service International Pacific Salmon --- Department of Health/Fisheries Commission
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