Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Phippen, BW. 2012. Water quality assessment and objectives for Tsolum River watershed: technical report. BC Ministry of Environment. |
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| Organization | Ministry of Environment |
| URL | http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/objectives/tsolum/tsolum_river_technical2012.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | This document presents a summary of the ambient water quality of the Tsolum River, British Columbia, and proposes water quality objectives designed to protect existing and future water uses. The water quality assessment for the river and an evaluation of the watershed form the basis for the objectives. The Tsolum River, with a length of 39.8 km, joins with the Puntledge River to become the Courtenay River, which runs for a short distance before draining into the Comox Harbour in Courtenay, BC. A copper mine which operated for a few years in the early 1960s has impacted water quality in the Tsolum River because of acid drainage, decimating once-strong salmonid populations. Early reclamation work in the 1980s, followed by the rerouting of Pyrrhotite Creek (a tributary to the Tsolum River carrying acid drainage from the mine) through a wetland, and culminating in the capping of the mine with a thick geomembrane between 2009 and 2011 has led to vast improvements in water quality. The water uses to be protected in the Tsolum River include aquatic life, drinking water, recreation, wildlife and irrigation. Logging roads provide recreational access to the watershed, and hunting, ATV use and hiking occur. These activities, as well as forestry, agriculture and wildlife, all potentially affect water quality in the river. Water quality objectives were developed for the Tsolum River in 1995, and this report examines more recent water quality data to update the existing objectives. Water quality monitoring considered in this report was conducted between 2009 and 2011. The results of this monitoring indicated that the overall state of the water quality is much improved since the previous water quality report was written. Total and dissolved copper concentrations have decreased to the point where they are generally meeting water quality objectives. In order to maintain and protect water quality in the Tsolum River, ambient water quality objectives are recommended for turbidity, non-filterable residue (total suspended solids), true colour, total organic carbon, temperature, dissolved aluminum, dissolved copper, and Escherichia coli. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island North |
| Sub-watershed if known | Tsolum River |
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| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
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