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Water quality in the McLeod River as an indicator for mining impacts and reclamation success (2005 to 2016)

Description

The McLeod River headwaters originate in the Rocky Mountains in west-central Alberta and join the Athabasca River near Whitecourt. Coal mining has occurred in the McLeod watershed since the 1970s... More ≫

Description

The McLeod River headwaters originate in the Rocky Mountains in west-central Alberta and join the Athabasca River near Whitecourt. Coal mining has occurred in the McLeod watershed since the 1970s and more recently, there has been both reclamation and expansion of mine sites in the upper basin. In this study, trends in surface water quality parameters in the McLeod River watershed were assessed over time to understand changes in water quality and associations with active mining and reclamation activity.

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Bow River phosphorus management plan

Description

Heightened nutrient levels in the Bow River downstream of Calgary have long been a concern. In the 1970s and 1980s, high nutrient levels resulted in excessive aquatic plant growth resulting in low... More ≫

Description

Heightened nutrient levels in the Bow River downstream of Calgary have long been a concern. In the 1970s and 1980s, high nutrient levels resulted in excessive aquatic plant growth resulting in low dissolved oxygen and occasional fish mortality. An interim policy on effluent limits was released by Alberta Environment in 2008. This policy required that a regional nutrient load reduction plan be developed for reaches at risk of exceeding water quality guidelines. At the same time the Government of Alberta was transitioning to an environmental management approach that addresses the cumulative effects of resource management decisions and considers the environmental, economic and social implications of development for an entire region. In 2011, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) invited contributing parties in the affected reach of the Bow River to initiate a voluntary, collaborative process to address phosphorus loadings, not just from point sources such as...

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Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan : water quality modeling scenarios

Description

Eight scenarios were run with the Bow River Water Quality Model (BRWQM) to support the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP). The scenarios predicted close to 10% increase in the instream... More ≫

Description

Eight scenarios were run with the Bow River Water Quality Model (BRWQM) to support the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan (PMP). The scenarios predicted close to 10% increase in the instream Total Phosphorus (TP) concentration above Highwood River using the loading projected by 2039. The Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was above the chronic guideline of 6.5 mg/L in all the scenarios; however, in some instances the DO was below 8.3 mg/L in May and June. The acute guideline showed two critical locations: 10 km downstream from Bonnybrook and 10 km downstream from Strathmore wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The frequency of compliance was at or below 99.91% in these two locations for the scenarios that used the forecasted TP loading by 2039.

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Bow River phosphorus management plan : scenario modeling results for Crowfoot Creek

Description

The SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) model was selected to simulate different agricultural practices and BMP options in Crowfoot Creek. The Crowfoot Creek watershed was selected as a pilot study... More ≫

Description

The SWAT (Soil Water Assessment Tool) model was selected to simulate different agricultural practices and BMP options in Crowfoot Creek. The Crowfoot Creek watershed was selected as a pilot study area for rural nonpoint source BMP scenario modeling in Bow River Basin. Seven scenarios were run with the SWAT model to support the PMP. These included: protection of existing wetlands; restoration of degraded/drained wetlands; manure management and spreading; cropland conversion to perennial forage in riparian zones or in-field gullies/waterways; and riparian fall grazing within cultivated lands.

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Report on the Bow River Phosphorus Management Plan INFFER analysis

Description

Land Stewardship Centre (LSC) is working to bring awareness and knowledge of the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources to Alberta, and in particular, to key decision makers, land-use... More ≫

Description

Land Stewardship Centre (LSC) is working to bring awareness and knowledge of the Investment Framework for Environmental Resources to Alberta, and in particular, to key decision makers, land-use planners and program developers, in an effort to grow the capacity for implementing an asset-based, outcome-focused approach to natural resource management. LSC utilized the INFFER framework as a decision support mechanism to assist the Bow River Phosphorous Management Plan (BRPMP) Steering Committee in developing a phosphorus management plan. Included in the analysis was a need for clearly identifying the targeted asset, an assessment of the potential impacts of specific programs, estimating the adoption of programs by landowners and land managers, short and long-term costs for each proposed scenario, and risk estimates.

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Looking back and moving forward : three years of working well : pilot program report 2008-2011

Description

Over the past three years, the Working Well pilot program has delivered community-based workshops, information resources and community outreach to private water well owners. These program elements... More ≫

Description

Over the past three years, the Working Well pilot program has delivered community-based workshops, information resources and community outreach to private water well owners. These program elements have ranged in audience reach and scale, some in local communities (workshops) and others being province-wide (information resources).

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Muskeg River watershed management framework second annual report

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the... More ≫

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the Muskeg River watershed. Observed conditions are compared against scientifically established limits that have been developed specifically for the Muskeg River Watershed. These limits are based on data collected within the watershed, as well as more broad information on streamflow, water quality and requirements of the aquatic ecosystem. One of the key recommendations of the management framework was the development of an integrated monitoring program for the Muskeg River watershed to coordinate offlease monitoring activities that are currently conducted by individual companies and Alberta Environment. The main purpose of the integrated monitoring plan is to support the recommendations of the management framework which specify targets and limits for water quality and water quantity. This report...

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Cyanobacterial ("blue-green algae") toxicity

Description

Cyanobacteria produce several types of toxins, the most common being liver toxins. Nerve toxins are more rare, but can cause periodic loss of wildlife. Some cyanobacteria case skin irritation. In... More ≫

Description

Cyanobacteria produce several types of toxins, the most common being liver toxins. Nerve toxins are more rare, but can cause periodic loss of wildlife. Some cyanobacteria case skin irritation. In Alberta, numerous cases of animal poisonings have occurred and reports of human illness linked to cyanobacteria also exist.

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Temperature and dissolved oxygen in the Oldman River following construction of the Oldman River Dam

Description

The intent of this report is to summarise and interpret water temperature and dissolved oxygen data that have been collected at sites along the Oldman River during the summer months of 1991-2001,... More ≫

Description

The intent of this report is to summarise and interpret water temperature and dissolved oxygen data that have been collected at sites along the Oldman River during the summer months of 1991-2001, following the construction of the Oldman River Dam. The effects of the impoundment of the Oldman River on water temperature and dissolved oxygen in the 327 km from the Oldman River Dam to the confluence of the Oldman and Bow rivers are assessed. Predictions made prior to the impoundment of the Oldman River are evaluated and compared with post impoundment records. As well, the pre-impoundment implementation of the WQRRS model is examined as the basis for the establishment of current minimum flows.

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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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