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Analysis of water quality conditions and trends for the long-term river network : Athabasca River, 1960-2007

Description

Since the early 1950s, large rivers throughout the Province of Alberta have been subjected to regular monthly sampling for a broad suite of water quality parameters. Althought water quality... More ≫

Description

Since the early 1950s, large rivers throughout the Province of Alberta have been subjected to regular monthly sampling for a broad suite of water quality parameters. Althought water quality monitoring on the Athabasca River began as early as 1955 for some variables, regular sampling for most parameters was not implemented until at least 1960. Initially, sampling efforts were limited to a single station at the Town of Athabasca. In 1977, a second site was established at Old Fort, 200 km downstream of Ft. McMurray. Two additional sampling stations, situated upstream of both Hinton and Fort McMurray, were added in 1999 and 2002 respectively. The purpose of this report is to provide both a general overview of water quality conditions in the Athabasca River, in the form of summary statistics and time series graphs for all four sites, and more in-depth statistical trend analyses on long-term data for the Athabasca and Old Fort monitoring stations.

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Review of benthic invertebrates and epilithic algae at long-term monitoring sites in the Bow River

Description

The report evaluates longitudinal trends in benthic invertebrate and epilithic algal communities sampled from long-term river network sites on the Bow River in 2006. It also compares long-term... More ≫

Description

The report evaluates longitudinal trends in benthic invertebrate and epilithic algal communities sampled from long-term river network sites on the Bow River in 2006. It also compares long-term trends in historical (1983-1992) and 2006 data. Responses to nutrient enrichment are clearly visible below Calgary: invertebrates and algae thrive in fast flowing (erosional) areas, but in slow flowing (depositional) areas lower diversities indicate stress. At Cochrane invertebrates and algae are impacted by strong diurnal fluctuations in river discharge resulting from hydro-electric dam operation.

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Overview of fish contaminant monitoring programs in jurisdictions and summary of Alberta studies : final report

Description

This report includes an overview of major fish contaminant monitoring programs in Canada and U.S.A., and a summary of available fish contaminant surveys or monitoring studies from Alberta.

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Analysis of water quality conditions and trends for the long-term river network : Oldman River, 1966-2005

Description

The purpose of this report was to provide both a general summary of water quality conditions in the Oldman River and to subject the extensive long-term dataset to a thorough series of trend... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this report was to provide both a general summary of water quality conditions in the Oldman River and to subject the extensive long-term dataset to a thorough series of trend assessments. Although monitoring on the Oldman River has frequently addressed a host of trace organic contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and numerous other compounds, most of these data are insufficient for statistical evaluation of trends. Hence, analysed data are largely restricted to conventional water quality variables, including such things as ions, nutrients, bacteria, and metals. Results of trend assessment on these data suggest that a number of variables have undergone significant changes over the years. Despite ongoing expansion of livestock operations, irrigation activities, and human population in the Oldman River basin, all but one significant trend detected at the two sites after 1987 are decreasing and largely indicative of improving water...

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Fish diet analysis McLeod and Smoky River Drainages

Description

The primary objective of the study was to provide a summary of the diet data and any major patterns in the diet of fish from waterbodies within the study area. The analysis included the three diet... More ≫

Description

The primary objective of the study was to provide a summary of the diet data and any major patterns in the diet of fish from waterbodies within the study area. The analysis included the three diet content methods used (frequency of occurrence, percent composition by count, and percent composition by weight; see Section2.1 for details) and presentation of temporal (years and where appropriate months) and spatial patterns for the fish species among the river systems.

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Effect of Field Lake outflow on water quality in Red Deer Brook

Description

Since 1983, treated sewage effluent from the Town of Lac La Biche has discharged to Field Lake, a small shallow eutrophic lake south of the town. The lake outflow, called Red Deer Brook, flows... More ≫

Description

Since 1983, treated sewage effluent from the Town of Lac La Biche has discharged to Field Lake, a small shallow eutrophic lake south of the town. The lake outflow, called Red Deer Brook, flows into Lac La Biche. In 1997, Alberta Environment recognized that there was little information on the water quality of Red Deer Brook, especially with respect to spawning of Northern Pike in spring. In 1998, Alberta Environment began a spring sampling program to answer some of the questions raised by department staff and officials of the Town of Lac La Biche. The main question was whether Red Deer Brook has been adversely affected by outflow from Field Lake. The focus of the study was on nutrients, ammonia-nitrogen and dissolved oxygen, all of which could directly or indirectly affect fish spawning in the lower portions of the creek.

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Concentrations of selenium in surface water, sediment and fish from the McLeod, Pembina and Smoky Rivers : results of surveys from fall 1998 to fall 1999 : interim report

Description

This report includes the initial findings of a study initiated in spring 1999 by the Water Management Division and Fisheries Management Division (Natural Resources Service). The study was designed... More ≫

Description

This report includes the initial findings of a study initiated in spring 1999 by the Water Management Division and Fisheries Management Division (Natural Resources Service). The study was designed to obtain data on the concentrations of selenium in surface water, sediment and aquatic biota at about 30 sites, including areas upstream (reference sites) and downstream of four coal mines.

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Lower Pembina River system fall-winter 1993-94 water quality survey

Description

This report highlights the findings from surveys conducted on the lower Pembina River system in the fall, 1993 and winter, 1994. The purpose of the survey was to describe basic water quality... More ≫

Description

This report highlights the findings from surveys conducted on the lower Pembina River system in the fall, 1993 and winter, 1994. The purpose of the survey was to describe basic water quality conditions on this stretch of the river, including major tributaries; to obtain pertinent to low flow conditions and to winter inputs to the Athabasca River; and to obtain data pertinent to potential flood control options.

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Temporal and spatial trends for coliform bacteria in the Bow River, 1951-1994

Description

Water quality in southern Alberta's Bow River, as measured by bacteriological indicators, has been affected by increasing population and development in the Bow Basin. This report documents levels... More ≫

Description

Water quality in southern Alberta's Bow River, as measured by bacteriological indicators, has been affected by increasing population and development in the Bow Basin. This report documents levels of coliform bacteria in the Bow River for three time periods: 1951-52, 1967-75, and 1978-94, and includes data compiled from all agencies sampling in the Bow River basin for over 45 mainstem sites and for a number of tributaries.

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Water quality in the Athabasca River system, 1990-93

Description

This report presents the findings of water quality monitoring and surveys on the Athabasca River system by Alberta Environmental Protection in the years 1990 to 1993. Water quality has been... More ≫

Description

This report presents the findings of water quality monitoring and surveys on the Athabasca River system by Alberta Environmental Protection in the years 1990 to 1993. Water quality has been monitored by means of longitudinal synoptic surveys, recording meters, and a network of regular sampling sites. The effects of effluents are quantified and evaluated with reference to the Alberta Ambient Surface Water Quality Interim Guidelines and the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines. The results of this set of surveys are compared with previous winter water quality surveys from 1988 and 1989.

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