Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Martin, JE. 2014. The role of hydrologic fluxes in the monthly water balance and water chemistry of a small coastal headwater lake. Western Geography 21-22: 102-126. |
|---|---|
| Organization | Kwantlen Polytechnic University |
| URL | http://www.geog.uvic.ca/dept/wcag/WesternGeography_20_21.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Small coastal lakes in the Pacific Northwest represent an important wildlife habitat as well as provide recreational and water resource opportunities for local communities. However, few water balance studies have been conducted in small lakes and this lack of data has implications for ecosystem, lake and fish management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the monthly water balance of a small (~7.87 ha) shallow (max depth ~7 m) coastal headwater lake, and determine the influence of hydrologic fluxes on lake water quality. Hydrologic and water quality data were collected during ice-free periods in 2010. Hydrologic inputs and outputs were measured and net groundwater flow was determined as the residual of the water balance. Although the lake was situated in compact glacial till, net groundwater flow was negative for all months, indicating net groundwater outflow from the lake, accounting for at least 23-95% of the monthly outflow. Surface runoff was the dominant input to the lake but showed strong seasonal variation. The general water chemistry of Rice Lake may be described as acidic, reasonably well oxygenated and chemically dilute. This can be attributed to high annual precipitation and the hydrogeologic setting and landscape position of the lake. Smaller seasonal variations in water chemistry are controlled primarily by hydrologic and chemical differences in surface water inflow and seasonal variation of precipitation. Lake classification and management issues arising from the results are discussed. |
| Information Type | Article |
| Regional Watershed | Lower Fraser |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | John Martin |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |