| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
This report assesses the water quality of Tributaries to Okanagan Lake in the Kelowna area. (Kelowna, Brandt's ,and Mission Creeks). The report has two parts : an overview report and a technical report. They assess the water quality of three tributaries to Okanagan Lake: Mission, Kelowna (Mill), and Brandt's creeks. Provisional water quality objectives are set to protect wildlife and irrigation in all the tributaries. In addition, livestock, aquatic life, and drinking water will be protected in Mission and Kelowna (Mill) creeks and primary-contact recreation in Mission Creek. Salmonid species are present in both Mission and Kelowna (Mill) 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 urban stormwater or agricultural runoff entering the water bodies. As a result, some metals concentrations in Kelowna (Mill) Creek increase to levels which exceed criteria to protect aquatic life. Also, ammonia and nitrite concentrations can increase to concentrations below but approaching criteria to protect aquatic life, and bacteriological levels increase so that water must receive at least partial treatment plus disinfection before domestic use. Provisional water quality objectives have been set for bacteriological indicators, specific conductivity, pH, nutrients, metals and dissolved oxygen. Attainment of these objectives will protect aquatic life and other designated users of these waters. Modifications to stormwater systems discharging to Mission and Kelowna (Mill) creeks may be necessary if these objectives are to be achieved consistently. Attached : Technical report Overview report found at : http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/wq_objectives.html |
