Citation | Nordin, R. 2015. Water quality sampling program for Elk Lake 2014-2015: Overview, sataus and phosphorous budget. Prepared for Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. |
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Organization | Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC |
URL | http://ssiwatersheds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Elk-Lake-R-Nordin-Final-June-18.pdf |
Abstract/Description or Keywords | Detailed water quality sampling of Elk Lake in 2014-15 shows continued deterioration of the aquatic environment that may put the lake's many recreational values at serious risk. This was the first comprehensive sampling of the lake in more than 20 years; it resulted from an initiative of the Victoria Golden Rods & Reels Society (VGRRS) that led to a coordinated program involving the BC Ministry of the Environment, the Capital Regional District, the District of Saanich and the Victoria City Rowing Club. The last major study of the lake was conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 1988 and published in 1992. It found that water quality was already at unacceptable levels and recommended remediation and continued monitoring. Due to a lack of progress toward remediation, the Ministry had ceased detailed monitoring by 1995. This report analyzes most of the results of the 2014-15 sampling program and focuses on the internal loading of nutrients. Almost all of the key measurements are substantially worse than those reported in previous sampling results. In an environment like Elk Lake, this problem can become self-perpetuating, resulting in More oxygen depletion in the cool, deep levels, reducing fish habitat and the growth of lake-bottom organisms that are food sources for fish, and aiding the release of chemicals, particularly phosphorus, that would otherwise remain locked in bottom sediments; Increasing frequency of algae blooms, which are dominated by toxic cyanobacteria that are poisonous to humans and their pets; Accelerated growth of lake weeds, which impede swimmers, rowers, boaters and anglers, as well as adding to the already high levels of detrimental substances like phosphorus and organic carbon. |
Information Type | report |
Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island South |
Sub-watershed if known | Elk Lake |
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Comments | |
Project status | complete |
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