| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
This report assesses the water quality of Keremeos Creek and its main tributariessuch as South Keremeos Creek, Cedar Creek and Olalla Creek. The report has two parts : an overview report and a technical report. Although Keremeos Creek has been sampled historically near its confluence with the Similkameen River, much of the data presented in this report was gathered between November 1994 and July of 1997. Keremeos Creek and its tributaries are licenced for domestic and irrigation water supply. These creeks also provide fish rearing habitat and contain resident populations of trout and a variety of other fish species, but census information and access are limited. A ski resort in the headwaters of Keremeos Creek, as well as agriculture, forestry and road maintenance operations, all influence the water quality of these creeks to varying degrees. This document summarizes the BC Environment water quality data available for the watershed up to July 1997 and proposes water quality objectives for a number of parameters that may be affected by human activities noted above. These objectives are proposed to protect all water uses in Keremeos, South Keremeos, Cedar and Olalla creeks. FRBC funded monitoring since 1997 may be used to determine water quality objectives attainment and will be reported at a later date. There are a variety of human activities in the watershed which could degrade water quality. Increases in chloride in upper portions of the creek were caused by a gravel pit operation. Activities near Apex Mountain Resort were found to increase nutrients and sediments in upper portions of Keremeos Creek. Agricultural activities in the lower section of Keremeos Creek were found to increase nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria in the creek. More specific studies would be required to determine the impact of timber harvest on water quality. As the data used in this report is limited, additional sampling would be required to more fully document the nature of these effects and to determine attainment of the water quality objectives specified for the protection of the most sensitive water use. Attached : Technical report and Overview report.ﾠ |
