| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
This report assesses the water quality of Tributaries to Okanagan Lake in the Vernon area. (Lower Vernon, Equesis, and Deep Creeks). The report has two parts : an overview report and a technical report. The overview provides general information about water quality in the three tributaries to Okanagan Lake: lower Vernon, Deep, and Equesis creeks. It is intended for both technical readers and for readers who may not be familiar with the process of setting water quality objectives. It includes tables listing water quality objectives and required monitoring. The main report presents the details of the water quality assessment for these waterbodies, and forms the basis of the recommendations and objectives presented in the overview. Salmonid species are present in lower Vernon, Deep, and Equesis creeks, and the water quality objectives in this report are to form part of a fisheries management plan for tributaries to Okanagan Lake. Most water contamination comes from the City of Armstrong sewage discharge into Deep Creek, non-point source discharges to Deep Creek and lower Vernon Creek, and possible ground water contamination in some areas from irrigation with treated sewage. The City of Armstrong began a program of spray irrigation of treated sewage in the Spring of 1993, so that discharges to the creek should now only take place during periods of high precipitation. Water quality objectives are recommended to protect aquatic life, wildlife, irrigation water supplies, and drinking water supplies in Deep Creek and lower Vernon Creek. Water quality objectives were not set for Equesis Creek since there were no known anthropogenic inputs which could impact ambient water quality significantly. |
