Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | BC Ministry of Environment. 2014. Water quality assessment and objectives for the Little Qualicum River Community Watershed. BC Ministry of Environment. |
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| Organization | Ministry of Environment |
| URL | http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/waterquality/waterqualityguidesobjs/west-coast/wqo-tech-lit-qualicum.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | This document presents a summary of the ambient water quality of the Little Qualicum River, British Columbia, and proposes water quality objectives designed to protect existing and future water uses. The water quality assessment for the river and its tributaries and an evaluation of the watershed form the basis for the objectives. The Little Qualicum River community watershed, with an area of 24,718 ha, is located near the community of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, and provides that community with its drinking water. The water uses to be protected in the Little Qualicum River include drinking water, irrigation, primary and secondary contact recreation, aquatic life, and wildlife. Forestry roads provide recreational access to the upper watershed, and a range of activities including hunting and hiking occur in those areas. As well, there are considerable agriculture and residential uses occurring throughout the lower watershed. These activities, as well as forestry and wildlife, all have the potential to affect water quality in the river. Water quality monitoring was conducted between 2004 and 2007, and in 2011-12. The results of this monitoring indicated that the overall state of the water quality is quite good, with occasional slightly elevated turbidity levels. All chemical, physical and biological parameters met provincial water quality guidelines with the exception of: temperature and total suspended solids (TSS) (also called non-filterable residue), which exceeded the aquatic life guideline on occasion; and turbidity, total organic carbon, true colour, and Escherichia coli, which exceeded the drinking water guidelines on occasion. In order to maintain and protect water quality in the Little Qualicum River, ambient water quality objectives were set for these parameters, and for total phosphorous, in the watershed. Future monitoring recommendations include attainment monitoring every 3-5 years, depending on available resources and whether activities, such as forestry or development, are underway within the watershed. This monitoring should be conducted for one year during the summer low flow and fall flush period (five weekly samples in 30 days), and monthly from May through September for total phosphorous only, at all four monitoring sites to ensure water quality is protected throughout the watershed and help determine the source of exceedances, should they occur. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island South |
| Sub-watershed if known | Little Qualicum River |
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| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
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