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Looking upstream : a 5-year review of Alberta’s monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER) plan for lotic systems

Description

This report provides a summary of activities conducted between 2016 and 2021 under A five-year provincial water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan for lotic systems. An overview of... More ≫

Description

This report provides a summary of activities conducted between 2016 and 2021 under A five-year provincial water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan for lotic systems. An overview of this first river water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan is provided, along with an evaluation of key metrics of the program, including sampling details, parameters monitored, and quality assurance/quality control efforts. The report presents summary findings and identifies ongoing gaps related to MER plan scientific questions. Key issues and improvements are recommended for consideration in the development of the next MER plan.

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A five-year provincial water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan for lotic systems

Description

This document outlines the key scientific questions, approaches, and deliverables for a five-year provincial water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan for lotic systems (rivers and... More ≫

Description

This document outlines the key scientific questions, approaches, and deliverables for a five-year provincial water quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting plan for lotic systems (rivers and streams) across Alberta. The goal of this plan is to provide a scientific foundation for understanding how various natural and anthropogenic stressors are potentially impacting water quality within Alberta’s rivers and streams.

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Assessment of sediment quality and sources in the North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries

Description

Alberta Environment has identified water quality in the North Saskatchewan River (NSR) as a major issue to be addressed in the North Saskatchewan Regional Plan (NSRP). Knowledge of the source,... More ≫

Description

Alberta Environment has identified water quality in the North Saskatchewan River (NSR) as a major issue to be addressed in the North Saskatchewan Regional Plan (NSRP). Knowledge of the source, transport and fate of sediment-associated contaminants in this watershed is fundamental to understanding and managing anthropogenic impacts on water quality and source assessment study conducted for Alberta Environment and Water to provide information regarding the following two research questions: 1) What are the physical, geochemical and contaminant characteristics of sediment in the NSR and is tributaries, and 2) What are the key spatial sources in sediment in the NSR?

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A desk-top method for establishing environmental flows in Alberta rivers and streams

Description

This report identifies a method to estimate an ecologically-based flow regime on the basis of reductions from natural flow or the per cent exceedance from natural flow. It also provides background... More ≫

Description

This report identifies a method to estimate an ecologically-based flow regime on the basis of reductions from natural flow or the per cent exceedance from natural flow. It also provides background information and a jurisdictional review of current environmental flow (instream flow needs) knowledge in North America and international rivers. The report was prepared in support of outcomes and goals identified in the provincial Water for Life strategy and action plan.

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Trends in historical annual flows for major rivers in Alberta

Description

This report provides an overview of the past and present streamflow volumes of nine major rivers in Alberta. The study provides a context for understanding the current state of the resource, based... More ≫

Description

This report provides an overview of the past and present streamflow volumes of nine major rivers in Alberta. The study provides a context for understanding the current state of the resource, based on observed conditions covering a ninety-year period from 1912 to 2001. The selected rivers are affected by human activities and consumption to varying degrees. The intent of this study is to demonstrate at an overview level whether any significant long-term trends were notable. More subtle changes, such as in seasonal averages or changes in annual extreme events are beyond the scope of this report.

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Flows required to protect water quality in the Little Bow River and Mosquito Creek

Description

To assist the development of plans for the Highwood and Little Bow River watersheds, the Science and Standards Division, Alberta Environment was asked to examine the relationship between flow and... More ≫

Description

To assist the development of plans for the Highwood and Little Bow River watersheds, the Science and Standards Division, Alberta Environment was asked to examine the relationship between flow and water quality in the Little Bow River and Mosquito Creek. This report presents an evaluation of the effects of flow on water quality. Equations were developed to predict the relationship between flow and dissolved oxygen in the Little Bow River, and the relationship between flow and total suspended solids in Mosquito Creek. These equations were used to estimate flows that should ensure suitable water quality.

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The Peace and Athabasca river systems : a synopsis of Alberta environment's monitoring programs and the water quality effects of existing pulp mill effluents

Description

Pulp mills discharge significant amounts of wastewater which have the potential to affect water quality in receiving waters. The Alberta-Pacific Environmental Impact Assessment Review Board has... More ≫

Description

Pulp mills discharge significant amounts of wastewater which have the potential to affect water quality in receiving waters. The Alberta-Pacific Environmental Impact Assessment Review Board has been established to examine the potential water quality impacts of pulp mills in the Peace and Athabasca River systems. Alberta Environment has monitored water quality in these rivers for a number of years and has carried out assessments of the impact of existing pulp mill effluents on river water quality and aquatic biota. It is the purpose of this document to outline the monitoring done to date, to summarize the findings of these assessments regarding pulp mill effects, and to indicate the direction of future river monitoring and assessments.

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