Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Obee, N, Barlak, R and Epps, D. 2010. Oyster River Vancouver Island Water Quality objectives attainment report, 2001-2008. BC Ministry of Environment.
Organization Ministry of Environment
URL http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/attain_pdf/oyster-river.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords This report summarizes the findings of the 2001-2008 water quality attainment monitoring of
the Oyster River watershed, located southwest of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British
Columbia. The sampling program was based on the Oyster River water quality objectives report
(Nagpal, 1990). At that time, forestry was the main land use activity in the watershed, and there
was concern that proposed mining developments would impact water quality in the future. To
date, no mining has occurred in the watershed. In the upper watershed, forestry continues to
be the main land use activity; however, rural residential development and agriculture are the
main land use activities in the lower watershed.
Most parameters were well below the water quality objectives. Non-filterable residue and
turbidity were elevated and exceeded the objective in the Oyster River mainstem. Aluminum
was elevated above the objectives in the tributaries, Woodhus Creek and Little Oyster River,
and in the Oyster River downstream of the confluence. Cadmium and chromium exceeded the
objective in the Little Oyster River on one occasion. Fecal coliform objectives were exceeded in
the Oyster River mainstem on one occasion. Fecal coliform levels in Little Oyster River were
higher than at other sites, though no fecal coliform objective exists for this stream. pH
exceeded the objective on one occasion in the Oyster River mainstem. Most objective
exceedances occurred during fall high flow periods, with the exception of fecal coliform,
cadmium and chromium exceedances, which occurred during summer low flow periods.
Recommendations include modifying the iron objectives for some sites, and removing
references in the objectives report to sampling lead and mercury in fish tissue.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island North
Sub-watershed if known Oyster River
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email