Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Deniseger, J, Epps, D, Barlak, R and Swain, L. 2009. Use of the ecoregion approach to setting water quality objectives in the Vancouver Island Region, British Columbia. BC Ministry of Environment.
Organization Ministry of Environment
URL http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/objectives/eco-vanc-island/ecoregion-report.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords The British Columbia (B.C.) Ministry of Environment began establishing generic
provincial water quality guidelines in the early 1980’s. These are used to do a
preliminary evaluation of the water quality data, and to establish site specific
ambient water quality objectives. Water quality objectives and the associated
monitoring and assessment are key components of the adaptive management
cycle, guiding management decisions and actions. The development of water
quality objectives is a resource intensive process, requiring three years of
monitoring and assessment on individual watersheds.
In 1985, an ecoregion classification system was adopted by the Wildlife Branch
of the Ministry of Environment as a framework for managing the diverse nature
of B.C.’s topography, climate and ecosystems. Within this system, areas with
similar features can be grouped into discrete geographical units at five different
levels. The ecoregion classification system was established to help in area-based
planning, one of the core reasons for water quality objectives development. Using
this classification system as a model, the Vancouver Island Region (VIR) has
initiated an ecoregion-based approach to water quality objectives development.
Rather than developing water quality objectives for each individual watershed,
VIR has been working towards the long term goal of developing objectives for
each ecoregion as a whole. Within each ecoregion, representative watersheds have
been chosen and three year monitoring and assessment programs have been
established with local partners. The data are used to develop ecoregion-based
water quality objectives for all lakes and streams in that ecoregion.
A number of studies have shown that land classification systems can be useful for
identifying areas of relative homogeneity for water quality. Several studies
discussed in this report support the premise that fundamental water quality is similar between watersheds, within ecological regions. One example found that
un-impacted watersheds can be used to establish background levels and
subsequent site specific water quality objectives for adjacent impacted
watersheds. To further verify the validity of the ecoregion approach as it applies
to VIR, this report compares water quality objectives for two Vancouver Island
streams in the same ecoregion. The objectives were found to be interchangeable
and applicable to either watershed. Applying the ecoregion approach system to
water quality is seen as a reasonable, cost effective, and scientifically defensible
means to develop water quality objectives.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island North, Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email