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Transcript of CANADA – BRITISH COLUMBIA...Color Apparent (Col.unit) Color SW (SWU) Color True (Col.unit)...
CANADA – BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER QUALITY MONITORING AGREEMENT
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PEACE RIVER ABOVE
ALCES RIVER (1984 – 2002)
BWP Consulting
January 2003
Environment Environnement Canada Canada
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement i
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Peace River is a major river located in northeastern British Columbia, flowing from
the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Williston Reservoir eastward to the Alberta border (Figure
1). River water quality is important to aquatic life, recreation, livestock watering,
industry, wildlife, and irrigation. The Peace River is also a drinking water supply for the
Village of Taylor and the District of Hudson's Hope. Direct wastewater discharges from
the McMahon gas plant, the Fibreco pulp mill and the City of Fort St. John affect river
water quality. Non-point source contributions that affect water quality originate from the
agriculture and forestry sectors.
This report assesses water quality data collected at the monitoring station above the Alces
River, near the Alberta border. Water quality samples were collected every two weeks
during the period from 1984 and 2001. Flow was measured at a Water Survey of Canada
flow gauge near Taylor.
CONCLUSIONS The main conclusions of this assessment are as follows:
• Concentrations of alkalinity and calcium indicate that the water is well buffered
and has a low sensitivity to acid inputs.
• Water quality patterns in this watershed are usually closely matched with flow
patterns. As a result, increased turbidity and non-filterable residue during spring
freshet makes it necessary to treat the water for drinking purposes.
• Elevated levels of dissolved organic carbon and total metals such as aluminum,
chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc are related to seasonal
increased flows and associated suspended sediments and thus are largely not
biologically available.
• True and apparent colour values also varied seasonally, and are elevated above
the drinking water guideline during spring freshet.
• Metals such as arsenic and nickel, as well as pH showed occasional values that
exceed their respective guidelines, but these occasional excursions are not likely a
cause for concern.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement ii
• Fecal coliform concentrations were often high, occasionally exceeding the
guideline for drinking water that undergoes partial treatment (i.e., filtration plus
disinfection) .
• Water temperatures seldom exceeded the aesthetic drinking water guideline and
never exceeded the general fisheries guideline. Recent temperature values seem to
have decreased since about 1993, possibly indicating a change in the water release
patterns from the WAC Bennett dam. An odd pattern was noted in water
temperatures at the station; summer values between 1984 and 1994 were much
higher than those from 1995 onwards. These findings will be further investigated
to determine if they are reasonable with respect to flow patterns in the river.
• Dissolved chloride may be increasing slightly over time at this site. The cause of
this increase is likely a change of analytical techniques with associated detection
limits.
• The minimum detectable limit used for cadmium analyses was much too high to
determine guideline compliance. Methods with much lower analytical limits
(maximum 1/10 the guideline, or 0.000003 mg/L) should be used when they
become available.
No remedial activities appear to be necessary at this time.
RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend that monitoring be continued for the Peace River above Alces River
because:
• It is the only long-term station on the Peace River.
• It is being used to determine trans-boundary effects ,Alberta maintains a high
interest in the quality of water crossing its border, and the river is covered under
the Mackenzie River Basin Agreement.
• It is necessary to confirm that the upstream point source discharges (Fibreco Pulp
Inc., McMahon Gas Plant, Fort St. John sewage treatment facilities) continue to
have no influence on water quality at the provincial border.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement iii
• It is being used to determine the impact of non-point sources such as agriculture
and forestry.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement iv
Figure 1. Peace River above Alces River
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement v
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. i
Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... i
Recommendations............................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents............................................................................................................... vi
List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1
Quality Assurance............................................................................................................... 2
State of the Water Quality................................................................................................... 2
LIST OF FIGURES Page
Figure 1. Peace River above Alces River ......................................................................... iv
Figure 2. WSC Flow Data for Peace River near Taylor (1984-2000) ................................9
Figure 3. Alkalinity, Total ..................................................................................................9
Figure 4. Aluminum, Total ...............................................................................................10
Figure 5. Arsenic, Total, Dissolved and Extractable ........................................................10
Figure 6. Barium, Total and Extractable...........................................................................11
Figure 7. Beryllium, Total and Extractable ......................................................................11
Figure 8, Boron, Extractable.............................................................................................12
Figure 9. Bromide, Dissolved ...........................................................................................12
Figure 10. Cadmium, Total and Extractable.....................................................................13
Figure 11. Calcium, Total, Dissolved and Extractable .....................................................13
Figure 12. Carbon, Total and Total Dissolved..................................................................14
Figure 13. Carbon, Total Organic and Dissolved Organic ...............................................14
Figure 14. Chloride, Dissolved .........................................................................................15
Figure 15. Chromium, Total and Extractable ...................................................................15
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement vi
LIST OF FIGURES
(CONTINUED) Page
Figure 16. Cobalt, Total and Extractable ..........................................................................16
Figure 17. Coliforms, Fecal and E. coli ............................................................................16
Figure 18. Colour ..............................................................................................................17
Figure 19. Conductivity, Specific .....................................................................................17
Figure 20. Copper, Total and Dissolved ...........................................................................18
Figure 21. Cyanide, WAD and SAD+SCN ......................................................................18
Figure 22. Fluoride, Dissolved..........................................................................................19
Figure 23. Gallium, Extractable........................................................................................19
Figure 24. Hardness, Total................................................................................................20
Figure 25. Iron, Total and Extractable ..............................................................................20
Figure 26. Lanthanum, Total ............................................................................................21
Figure 27. Lead, Total and Extractable.............................................................................21
Figure 28. Lithium, Total and Extractable........................................................................22
Figure 29. Magnesium, Total, Dissolved and Extractable................................................22
Figure 30. Manganese, Total and Extractable ..................................................................23
Figure 31. Molybdenum, Total .........................................................................................23
Figure 32. Nickel, Total and Extractable ..........................................................................24
Figure 33. Nitrogen, Kjeldahl ...........................................................................................24
Figure 34. Nitrate/Nitrite, Dissolved ................................................................................25
Figure 35. Nitrogen...........................................................................................................25
Figure 36. pH ....................................................................................................................26
Figure 37. Phosphorus, Total and Dissolved ....................................................................26
Figure 38. Potassium, Dissolved and Extractable.............................................................27
Figure 39. Residue, Filterable...........................................................................................27
Figure 40. Residue, Non-Filterable...................................................................................28
Figure 41. Rubidium, Extractable.....................................................................................28
Figure 42. Selenium, Total and Extractable......................................................................29
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement vii
LIST OF FIGURES
(CONTINUED) Page
Figure 43. Silica, Dissolved, and Silicon, Dissolved and Extractable..............................29
Figure 44. Silver, Total and Extractable ...........................................................................30
Figure 45. Sodium, Dissolved and Extractable.................................................................30
Figure 46. Strontium, Total and Extractable.....................................................................31
Figure 47. Sulphate, Dissolved .........................................................................................31
Figure 48. Temperature, Water.........................................................................................32
Figure 49. Thallium, Extractable ......................................................................................32
Figure 50. Turbidity ..........................................................................................................33
Figure 51. Uranium, Extractable.......................................................................................33
Figure 52. Vanadium, Total ..............................................................................................34
Figure 53. Zinc, Total .......................................................................................................34
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 1
INTRODUCTION The Peace River is located in northeastern British Columbia, and flows into Alberta.
Impounded by the massive W.A.C. Bennett Dam, water leaves the Williston Reservoir
clean and clear and flows eastward. Three-quarters of the flow in the Peace River at the
Alberta border comes from the Williston Reservoir, while one-quarter is provided by its
many tributaries downstream from the Bennett Dam (Butcher, 1987). The Pine River
comes from the south and meets the Peace River at Taylor. The Halfway River from the
north joins the Peace River 30 km downstream from Hudson's Hope. Other major
tributaries are the Beatton River from the north and the Moberly and Kiskatinaw rivers
from the south. These tributaries carry non-filterable residue and turbidity from highly
erodible soils during the spring freshet and rainfall in the summer and fall, and the high
sediment loads are carried into the Peace River. The soils support agricultural and
forestry land uses.
The water quality monitoring station above the Alces River is the only site on the Peace
River jointly monitored by the federal and provincial governments. The station is located
at the bridge across the Peace River south from Clayhurst near the Alberta border. The
Peace River drains an area of 118 000 km2 at this point. Water quality of the Peace River
is affected by waste discharges from the City of Fort St. John (into the Peace and Beatton
rivers), the McMahon gas processing plant at Taylor, and Fibreco Pulp Inc. at Taylor.
This is a CTMP (chemi-thermomechanical pulp) mill which does not use chlorine in the
bleaching process. These waste discharges are probably too small and well treated to
influence the Peace River at the Alberta border after complete mixing (Pommen, 1996).
Agriculture and forestry also have an impact on the Peace River. The river is important
for sports fishing, recreation and some irrigation. After partial treatment, the Peace River
is also used to supply Taylor and Hudson's Hope with drinking water (Butcher, 1987).
Data for this report are compiled from bi-weekly sampling between 1984 and 2002. The
federal data are stored under ENVIRODAT station number BC07FD0005; provincial
data are stored under the SEAM site number E206585. The water quality indicators are
plotted in Figures 3-53. The Water Survey of Canada (WSC) operates a flow gauge
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 2
approximately 40 km upstream near Taylor (site number BC07FD002). At this point, the
drainage area is 97 100 km2. Flow data from 1984 to 2002 are graphed in Figure 2.
QUALITY ASSURANCE The water quality plots were reviewed, and values that were known to be in error or
questionable were removed. The total mercury plot has been removed as it showed many
detectable values which were probably errors due to false positives near the method
detection limits (MDLs) and artificial contamination due to the sample collection and
laboratory measurement methods used. Natural mercury levels in pristine areas are
typically <1-2 ng/L and are 5-10 ng/L in grossly mercury-polluted waters (Pommen,
1994). These levels are at or below the lowest MDL used for mercury. For these reasons
mercury measurement in the ambient water quality monitoring network was terminated in
1994. Mercury in resident fish tissue would be monitored if there were any mercury
concerns upstream in this watershed.
There were known quality assurance problems for a number for trace metals and cyanide
between 1986 and 1991, due to the gradual failure of the re-usable Teflon liners in the
bakelite preservative vial caps. Over time, preservatives would leach out contaminates
from the bakelite vial caps and contaminate many preserved water samples. This
contamination problem was known to affect federal and federal-provincial water quality
data province-wide. The primary variables affected were cadmium, chromium, copper,
cyanide, lead, mercury, and zinc during this sampling period. There were also known
quality assurance problems for pH between 1986 and 1988, due to analytical problems
at the Environment Canada Laboratory during that period.
STATE OF THE WATER QUALITY The state of the water quality is assessed by comparing the values to B.C. Environment's
Approved and Working Criteria for Water Quality (Nagpal, Pommen & Swain, 1995).
There are no site-specific water quality objectives for the Peace River. All comments and
observations regarding apparent trends are based solely on the visual examination of the
graphically displayed data.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 3
Any levels or trends in water quality that are deleterious to sensitive water uses, including
drinking water, aquatic life and wildlife, recreation, irrigation, and livestock watering, are
noted. Variables that exhibited no apparent environmental problems have not been
discussed although all of these variables have been plotted and included in this report.
These include barium, beryllium, boron, bromide, total carbon, total dissolved carbon,
cyanide (WAD and SAD+SCN), gallium, hardness, lanthanum, lithium, magnesium,
molybdenum, Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate/nitrite, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
filterable residue, rubidium, silica, silicon, silver, sodium, strontium, sulphate, thallium,
uranium and vanadium.
Concentrations of alkalinity (Figure 3) and dissolved and extractable calcium (Figure
11) indicate that the Peace River above the Alces River is well buffered against acidity.
Concentrations of total aluminum were often high, with a maximum concentration of
26.4 mg/L (Figure 4). 183 of the 246 samples (74%) collected between 1987 and 2002
exceeded the aquatic life guideline of 0.1 mg/L for dissolved aluminum, and 121 samples
(49%) exceeded the drinking water guideline of 0.2 mg/L. However as only total
aluminum was measured, an accurate assessment of compliance with this guideline
cannot be made. It must also be noted that total aluminum concentrations were strongly
correlated with turbidity values (see Figure 4), suggesting that higher levels of aluminum
were associated with particulate matter. In this case, they would likely be unavailable to
biota, and would also be removed by treatment necessary for reducing turbidity prior to
consumption as drinking water. Fifteen values (6% of samples) exceeded the wildlife,
livestock watering and irrigation guideline of 5 mg/L total aluminum.
Total arsenic concentrations exceeded the aquatic life guideline of 0.005 mg/L on 14
occasions (5% of the 258 samples collected) (Figure 5). However, as there was a strong
correlation with turbidity, it is likely that the majority of the arsenic present was
associated with particulate matter and therefore not biologically available. Extractable
arsenic concentrations were all below the guideline.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 4
Total cadmium concentrations invariably exceeded the aquatic life guideline of 0.00003
mg/L (Figure 10), but this was partially due to the fact that the detection limits used in the
analyses were between 30 and 300 times higher than the guideline limit. However, 27 of
40 values (68%) of extractable cadmium measured between 1996 and 2002 using a
lower detection limit (0.000005 mg/L) also exceeded the aquatic life guideline,
suggesting that cadmium concentrations may be a concern in the Peace River. In order to
properly assess cadmium concentrations, it is essential that analytical methods with a
detection limit of no more than one-tenth the guideline level be employed when they
become available.
Dissolved organic carbon concentrations were below the drinking water guideline
during the winter months, but usually exceeded this value (4 mg/L) during the spring
freshet and through the summer (Figure 13). 12 of 57 values (21%) collected between
1997 and 2001 exceeded this guideline.
Dissolved chloride concentrations appear to be decreasing over time in the Peace River
above the Alces River (Figure 14). There is currently no guideline for chloride, and this
decrease is unlikely to be environmentally significant. It is likely that this apparent trend
is a result of the change in methodology in mid-1991 from an automated colorimetric
method to ion chromatography.
Total chromium concentrations measured prior to 1991 (Figure 15) may have been
elevated due to suspected preservative vial contamination. Since that time, 104 samples
(50% of the 208 samples collected between 1987 and 2002) exceeded the aquatic life
guideline of 0.001 mg/L, with a maximum concentration of 0.0369 mg/L. Thirty-eight
values (18% of samples) exceeded the irrigation guideline of 0.005 mg/L. Three of 40
recent extractable chromium concentrations also exceeded the aquatic life guideline. It
appears that elevated levels of total chromium are associated with elevated turbidity,
suggesting that the chromium is associated with particulate matter and therefore not
likely available to biota (Figure 15).
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 5
Total cobalt concentrations exceeded the aquatic life guideline of 0.0009 mg/L in 23%
of samples between 1987 and 2002 (Figure 15). The irrigation guideline of 0.05 mg/L
was not exceeded on any occasion. Recent extractable cobalt concentrations illustrated
similar patterns as exhibited by the total concentrations. Elevated concentrations of total
cobalt occurred at the same time that turbidity levels were elevated, suggesting that the
cobalt was associated with particulate matter and therefore not likely available to biota.
The 90th percentile value for fecal coliforms collected between 1997 and 2001 could not
be calculated due to insufficient sampling frequency, and therefore the drinking water
guideline could not be properly assessed. However, the fact that only 1% of values (4 of
243 values) exceeded the 90th percentile guideline of 100 CFU/100 mL for water
undergoing partial treatment as well as disinfection (Figure 17) suggest that coliforms are
not likely a problem for drinking water in the Peace River and reinforces that the partial
treatment beyond simple disinfection is necessary.
True colour values showed a strong seasonal variation, with regular increases to above
the aesthetic drinking water guideline of 15 TCU occurring during the spring and summer
(Figure 18). True colour values ranged from below detectable limits (< 5 TCU) to a
maximum of 200 TCU on August 8, 2001. High colour levels can indicate the presence
of organic materials that, during water treatment with chlorine for disinfection, can
cause the formation of trihalomethanes.
Specific conductivity values were fairly consistent in the Peace River above the Alces
River, fluctuating near 200 µS/cm for most of the year (Figure 19). All values were well
below the guideline for drinking water of 700 µS/cm.
Total copper samples collected between 1988 and 1991 are suspect due to preservative
vial contamination. Outside of that period, 80 values (32% of 248 samples) exceeded the
hardness-dependent average aquatic life guideline and 34 values (14%) exceeded the
maximum guideline (Figure 20). There was a strong correlation between copper and
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 6
turbidity (see Figure 20), suggesting that most copper was associated with particulate
matter and therefore would likely not be toxic to aquatic life. Recent extractable copper
concentrations also seem to be influenced by turbidity concentrations.
The aquatic life guideline for dissolved fluoride is hardness dependent – at a hardness
greater than 50 mg/L (typical for the Peace River above the Alces River, see Figure 24),
the guideline is 0.3 mg/L. This guideline was not exceeded by any samples (Figure 22).
Total iron concentrations usually exceeded the aquatic life and aesthetic drinking water
guideline of 0.3 mg/L (61% of 285 samples) (Figure 24). As well, the irrigation
guideline of 5 mg/L was exceeded by 13% of samples. However, there was a strong
correlation between iron and turbidity fluctuations, suggesting that higher concentrations
of iron were associated with particulate matter and were therefore not likely biologically
available. Iron would be removed by treatment necessary to decrease turbidity prior to
use as drinking water.
Concentrations of total lead measured between 1988 and 1991 are suspected to be
contaminated as a result of faulty preservative vial seals. Outside of this period, 21
values (8% of samples) exceeded the average hardness-dependent aquatic life guideline
of approximately 0.004 mg/L and no values exceeded the maximum guideline (Figure
27). All exceedences of the average guideline occurred during periods of elevated
turbidity (see Figure 27). Total lead concentrations seem to fluctuate with turbidity
concentrations, suggesting that higher lead values are likely not biologically available.
Recent extractable lead concentrations also seem to follow this same pattern.
Fifty-five total manganese concentrations (19% of all samples) exceeded the drinking
water guideline of 0.05 mg/L, with a maximum value of 1.1 mg/L occurring on July 4,
1994 (Figure 30). Thirteen of these values (5%) also exceeded the irrigation guideline of
0.2 mg/L, and one sample exceeded the aquatic life guideline of 0.8 mg/L. Higher
manganese values tend to reflect turbidity values. Recent extractable manganese values
seem to be following the same pattern. Elevated levels of total manganese occurred
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 7
concurrently with higher turbidity levels, suggesting that treatment to remove turbidity
prior to entering the drinking water supply would remove much of the manganese.
Total nickel concentrations were generally below the aquatic life guideline of 0.025
mg/L (Figure 32). Eight values exceeded this guideline, with a maximum value of
0.0474 mg/L occurring on July 4, 1994. The similar patterns in concentrations between
total nickel concentrations and turbidity suggest that much of the nickel is associated with
particulate matter and therefore not likely toxic to aquatic life. Recent extractable nickel
values seem to vary with turbidity.
The majority of pH values were between 8.0 and 8.5 pH units, and were within the
drinking water guidelines which recommend a range of 6.5 to 8.5 pH units (Figure 33).
The exceptions were four values ranging from 8.57 to 8.93 pH units, measured between
May 10, 1995 and December 14, 2000.
Non-filterable residue (total suspended solids) concentrations were seasonally
correlated, with maximum values occurring annually during spring freshet. Values were
occasionally extremely high, ranging from below detectable limits (< 1 mg/L) to a
maximum of 3880 mg/L (Figure 40). Thirty-five percent of values exceeded the general
fisheries guideline of 25 mg/L.
None of the 245 samples analyzed for total selenium between 1984 and 2002 exceeded
the aquatic life guideline of 0.002 mg/L (Figure 42). One sample had an extractable
selenium concentration above this level (0.0045 mg/L), but it is not likely that selenium
is a concern in the Peace River.
Water temperatures in the Peace River above Alces exceeded the aesthetic drinking
water guideline (15°C) in two summers between 1984 and 2002 (Figure 48). The
maximum recorded temperature was 18°C, on August 2, 1993. The general fisheries
guideline of 19°C was never exceeded. There is an odd pattern in water temperatures at
this site: summer water temperatures between 1984 and 1994 routinely reached highs in
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 8
the mid to upper teens in July/August. From 1995 onwards however, summer water
temperatures never increased above 5oC. This may be due to changes in release patterns
of water from the WAC Bennett dam. These results will be further investigated to
determine if they are reasonable.
As expected, turbidity values followed a trend similar to that of non-filterable residue,
with maximum values occurring during the spring freshet (Figure 50). A number of
values were extremely high (> 700 NTU), and 91% of values exceeded the health
drinking water guideline of 1 NTU. However, since partial treatment is provided to the
drinking water supplies, this low guideline is not appropriate. Fifty-six percent of values
(149 of 268 samples) exceeded the aesthetic drinking water guideline of 5 NTU, and 19%
of values exceeded the aesthetic recreation guideline of 50 NTU.
Two hundred and eighty-five samples were analyzed for total zinc concentrations
between 1984 and 2002 (Figure 53). Of these, 55 (19%) exceeded the hardness-
dependent aquatic life guideline for average concentrations and 26 values (9%) exceeded
the aquatic life guideline for maximum concentrations . Zinc concentrations seem to be
well correlated with turbidity (Figure 51), indicating that the zinc is likely not
biologically available and would be removed the turbidity treatment required prior to use
as a drinking water source.
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 9
Figure 2. WSC Average Daily Flow Data for Peace River near Taylor (1984-2000)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
700019
84
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Date
Ave
rage
Dai
ly F
low
(m3 /s
)
Figure 3. Peace River above Alces River - Alkalinity
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
Alk
alin
ity (m
g/L)
Alkalinity Total 4.5 (mg/L)
Lower threshold for sensitivity to acidinputs
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 10
Figure 4. Peace River above Alces River - Aluminum, Total
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
3-May-87 27-Jan-90 23-Oct-92 20-Jul-95 15-Apr-98 9-Jan-01Year
Al (
mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Al-T (mg/L)Wildlife, livestock and irrigation guidelineTurbidity
Figure 5. Peace River above Alces River - Arsenic, Total, Dissolved and Extractable
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
As
(mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
As-D (mg/L)As-E (mg/L)As-T (mg/L)Aquatic life guidelineTurbidity
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 11
Figure 6. Peace River above Alces River - Barium, Total and Extractable
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
25-Aug-90 7-Jan-92 21-May-93 3-Oct-94 15-Feb-96 29-Jun-97 11-Nov-98 25-Mar-00 7-Aug-01
Year
Ba
(mg/
L)
Ba-E (mg/L)Ba-T (mg/L)Drinking water and aquatic life guideline
Figure 7. Peace River above Alces River - Beryllium, Total and Extractable
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
25-Aug-90 7-Jan-92 21-May-93 3-Oct-94 15-Feb-96 29-Jun-97 11-Nov-98 25-Mar-00 7-Aug-01
Year
Be
(mg/
L)
Be-E (mg/L)Be-T (mg/L)Chronic aquatic life guideline
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 12
Figure 8. Peace River above Alces River - Boron, Extractable
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
31-Dec-98 19-Jul-99 4-Feb-00 22-Aug-00 10-Mar-01 26-Sep-01
Year
B (m
g/L)
Figure 9. Peace River above Alces River - Bromide, Dissolved
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
26-Apr-94 12-Nov-94 31-May-95 17-Dec-95 4-Jul-96 20-Jan-97 8-Aug-97 24-Feb-98 12-Sep-98
Year
Br (
mg/
L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 13
Figure 10. Peace River above Alces River - Cadmium, Total and Extractable
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0.007
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Cd
(mg/
L)
Cd-E (mg/L)Cd-T (mg/L)Aquatic life guideline
Figure 11. Peace River above Alces River - Calcium, Total, Dissolved and Extractable
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Ca
(mg/
L)
Ca-D (mg/L)Ca-E (mg/L)Ca-T (mg/L)Lower threshold for sensitivity to acid inputs
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 14
Figure 12. Peace River above Alces River - Carbon, Total and Total Dissolved
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
13-Aug-96 26-Dec-97 10-May-99 21-Sep-00 3-Feb-02
Year
C (m
g/L)
C--T (mg/L)Carbon Total Dissolved (mg/L)
Figure 13. Peace River above Alces River - Carbon, Total and Dissolved Organic
0
5
10
15
20
25
13-Aug-96 26-Dec-97 10-May-99 21-Sep-00 3-Feb-02
Year
Al (
mg/
L)
Carbon Dissolved Organic (mg/L)Carbon Total Organic (mg/L)Dissolved Organic Carbon Drinking water guideline
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 15
Figure 14. Peace River above Alces River - Chloride, Dissolved
R2 = 0.2412
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Chlrid:D (mg/L)Linear Trend Line
Figure 15. Peace River above Alces River - Chromium, Total and Extractable and Turbidity
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
0.035
0.04
13-Apr-87 7-Jan-90 3-Oct-92 30-Jun-95 26-Mar-98 20-Dec-00
Year
Cr (
mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Cr-E (mg/L)Cr-T (mg/L)Irrigation guidelineTurbidity (NTU)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 16
Figure 16. Peace River above Alces River - Cobalt, Total and Extractable and Turbidity
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
25-Aug-90 7-Jan-92 21-May-93 3-Oct-94 15-Feb-96 29-Jun-97 11-Nov-98 25-Mar-00 7-Aug-01Year
Co
(mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Co-E (mg/L)Co-T (mg/L)Aquatic life guidelineIrrigation guidelineTurbidity (NTU)
Figure 17. Peace River above Alces River - Coliforms, Fecal and E. coli
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
11-Aug-87 7-May-90 31-Jan-93 28-Oct-95 24-Jul-98 19-Apr-01
Year
Col
iform
s (C
FU o
r MPN
/100
mL)
Coli:Fec (CFU/100mL)Coli:Fec (MPN)E Coli (CFU/100mL)90th %ile for drinking water undergoing partial treatment
(900 CFU/100 mL)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 17
Figure 18. Peace River above Alces River - Colour
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Col
our (
units
as
per l
egen
d)
Color Apparent (Col.unit)Color SW (SWU)Color True (Col.unit)ColorTAC (TAC)Aesthetic drinking water guideline
Figure 19. Peace River above Alces River - Conductivity, Specific
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Con
duct
ivity
(mic
roSi
emen
s/cm
) Specific Conductance (uS/cm)Drinking water guideline
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 18
Figure 20. Peace River above Alces River - Copper, Total and Extractable
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Cu
(mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Cu-E (mg/L)Cu-T (mg/L)Approx. Average GuidelineApprox. Maximum GuidelineTurbidity
Figure 21. Peace River above Alces River - Cyanide, WAD and SAD + SCN
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
2-Jun-85 15-Oct-86 27-Feb-88 11-Jul-89 23-Nov-90 6-Apr-92 19-Aug-93
Year
Cya
nide
(mg/
L)
Cyanide (WAD) (mg/L)Cyanide(SAD)+SCN (mg/L)Drinking water guideline (SAD + SCN)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 19
Figure 22. Peace River above Alces River - Fluoride, Dissolved and Total
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
FluordeD (mg/L)FluordeT (mg/L)Aquatic life guideline (hardness <50 mg/L)Aquatic life guideline (hardness >50 mg/L)
Figure 23. Peace River above Alces River - Gallium, Extractable
0
0.0005
0.001
0.0015
0.002
0.0025
21-Dec-98 9-Jul-99 25-Jan-00 12-Aug-00 28-Feb-01 16-Sep-01 4-Apr-02
Year
Ga
(mg/
L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 20
Figure 24. Peace River above Alces River - Hardness, Total Dissolved and Extractable
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L)
Hardness Total (D) (mg/L)Hardness Total (Extr) (mg/L)
Figure 25. Peace River above Alces River - Iron, Total and Extractable
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Fe (m
g/L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Fe-E (mg/L)Fe-T (mg/L)Irrigation guidelineTurbidity
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 21
Figure 26. Peace River above Alces River - Lanthanum, Extractable
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0.007
5-Jan-99 24-Jul-99 9-Feb-00 27-Aug-00 15-Mar-01 1-Oct-01
Year
La (m
g/L)
Figure 27. Peace River above Alces River - Lead, Total and Extractable
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Pb (m
g/L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Pb-E (mg/L)Pb-T (mg/L)Approx. 30-day average aquatic life guidelineApprox. maximum aquatic life guidelineTurbidity
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 22
Figure 28. Peace River above Alces River - Lithium, Total and Extractable
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
0.035
0.04
0.045
27-Jan-90 11-Jun-91 23-Oct-92 7-Mar-94 20-Jul-95 1-Dec-96 15-Apr-98 28-Aug-99 9-Jan-01
Year
Li (m
g/L)
Li-E (mg/L)Li-T (mg/L)
Figure 29. Peace River above Alces River - Magnesium, Total, Dissolved and Extractable
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Mg
(mg/
L)
Mg-D (mg/L)Mg-E (mg/L)Mg-T (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 23
Figure 30. Peace River above Alces River - Manganese, Total and Extractable and Turbidity
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Mn
(mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Mn-E (mg/L)Mn-T (mg/L)Drinking water guidelineAquatic life guidelineIrrigation guidelineTurbidity (NTU)
Figure 31. Peace River above Alces River - Molybdenum, Total
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0.012
25-Aug-90 7-Jan-92 21-May-93 3-Oct-94 15-Feb-96 29-Jun-97 11-Nov-98 25-Mar-00 7-Aug-01
Year
Mo
(mg/
L)
Mo-T (mg/L)Irrigation guideline
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 24
Figure 32. Peace River above Alces River - Nickel, Total and Extractable
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
0.035
0.04
0.045
0.05
13-Apr-87 7-Jan-90 3-Oct-92 30-Jun-95 26-Mar-98 20-Dec-00
Year
Ni (
mg/
L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Ni-E (mg/L)Ni-T (mg/L)Aquatic life guidelineTurbidity
Figure 33. Peace River above Alces River - Nitrogen, Kjeldahl
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
Kje
ldah
l N (m
g/L)
Nitrogen (Kjel.) Tot Diss (mg/L)N.Kjel:T (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 25
Figure 34. Peace River above Alces River - Nitrate, Dissolved and/or Nitrite, Dissolved
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
NO
2 and
/or N
O3 (
mg/
L)
Nitrate (NO3) Dissolved (mg/L)Nitrate + Nitrite Diss. (mg/L)Nitrogen - Nitrite Diss. (mg/L)
Figure 35. Peace River above Alces River - Nitrogen, Total
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
N (m
g/L)
Nitrogen Total Dissolved (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 26
Figure 36. Peace River above Alces River - pH
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
pH (p
H u
nits
)
pH (pH units)Lower objectiveUpper objective
Figure 37. Peace River above Alces River - Phosphorus, Total and Dissolved
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
P (m
g/L)
P--T (mg/L)Phosphorus Tot. Dissolved (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 27
Figure 38. Peace River above Alces River - Potassium, Dissolved and Extractable
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
K (m
g/L)
K--D (mg/L)K--E (mg/L)
Figure 39. Peace River above Alces River - Residue, Filterable
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
28-Apr-84 10-Sep-85 23-Jan-87 6-Jun-88 19-Oct-89 3-Mar-91 15-Jul-92 27-Nov-93
Year
FR (m
g/L)
Residue Filterable 1.0u (mg/L)Residue Fixed Filterable (mg/L)Aesthetic Drinking Water Guideline
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 28
Figure 40. Peace River above Alces River - Residue, Non-Filterable and Average Daily Flow
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
28-Apr-84 10-Sep-85 23-Jan-87 6-Jun-88 19-Oct-89 3-Mar-91 15-Jul-92 27-Nov-93 11-Apr-95 23-Aug-96
Year
Non
-Filt
erab
le R
esid
ue (m
g/L)
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Ave
rage
dai
ly fl
ow (m
3 /s)
Residue Fixed Non-filt. (mg/L)Residue Non-filterable (mg/L)General fisheries guidelineAverage Daily Flow (m3/s)
Figure 41. Peace River above Alces River - Rubidium, Extractable
0
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.004
0.005
0.006
0.007
0.008
31-Dec-98 19-Jul-99 4-Feb-00 22-Aug-00 10-Mar-01 26-Sep-01
Year
Rb
(mg/
L)
Rb-E (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 29
Figure 42. Peace River above Alces River - Selenium, Total, Dissolved and Extractable
0
0.0005
0.001
0.0015
0.002
0.0025
0.003
0.0035
0.004
0.0045
0.005
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Se (m
g/L)
Se-D (mg/L)Se-E (mg/L)Se-T (mg/L)Aquatic guideline
Figure 43. Peace River above Alces River - Silica, Dissolved and Silicon, Dissolved and Extractable
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Si o
r Sili
ca (m
g/L)
Si-D (mg/L)Si-E (mg/L)Silica:D (mg/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 30
Figure 44. Peace River above Alces River - Silver, Total and Extractable
0
0.0001
0.0002
0.0003
0.0004
0.0005
0.0006
0.0007
20-Apr-96 26-Dec-96 2-Sep-97 10-May-98 15-Jan-99 22-Sep-99 29-May-00 3-Feb-01 11-Oct-01
Year
Ag
(mg/
L)
Ag-E (mg/L)Ag-T (mg/L)
Figure 45. Peace River above Alces River - Sodium, Dissolved and Extractable
0
5
10
15
20
25
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Na
(mg/
L)
Na-D (mg/L)Na-E (mg/L)Drinking water alert level
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 31
Figure 46. Peace River above Alces River - Strontium, Total and Extractable
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
27-Jan-90 11-Jun-91 23-Oct-92 7-Mar-94 20-Jul-95 1-Dec-96 15-Apr-98 28-Aug-99 9-Jan-01
Year
Sr (m
g/L)
Sr-E (mg/L)Sr-T (mg/L)
Figure 47. Peace River above Alces River - Sulphate, Dissolved
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97
Year
SO4 (
mg/
L)
Sulfat:D (mg/L)Aquatic guideline alert level
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 32
Figure 48. Peace River above Alces River - Temperature, Water
-5
0
5
10
15
20
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Tem
p (d
egre
es C
)
Temp (C)Aesthetic drinking water guidelineAquatic life guideline
Figure 49. Peace River above Alces River - Thallium, Extractable
0
0.00002
0.00004
0.00006
0.00008
0.0001
0.00012
0.00014
0.00016
31-Dec-98 19-Jul-99 4-Feb-00 22-Aug-00 10-Mar-01 26-Sep-01
Year
Tl (m
g/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 33
Figure 50. Peace River above Alces River - Turbidity and Average Daily Flow
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Ave
rage
dai
ly fl
ow (m
3 /s)
Turbidity (NTU)Aesthetic Recreation GuidelineAverage Daily Flow (m3/s)
Figure 51. Peace River above Alces River - Uranium, Extractable
0
0.0002
0.0004
0.0006
0.0008
0.001
0.0012
0.0014
0.0016
0.0018
0.002
31-Dec-98 19-Jul-99 4-Feb-00 22-Aug-00 10-Mar-01 26-Sep-01
Year
U (m
g/L)
Water Quality Assessment of the Peace River above Alces River (1984-2002)
Canada – British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement 34
Figure 52. Peace River above Alces - Vanadium, Total and Extractable
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
25-Aug-90 7-Jan-92 21-May-93 3-Oct-94 15-Feb-96 29-Jun-97 11-Nov-98 25-Mar-00 7-Aug-01
Year
V (m
g/L)
V--E (mg/L)V--T (mg/L)Drinking water, livestock watering and irrigation guideline
Figure 53. Peace River above Alces River - Zinc, Total and Extractable and Turbidity
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
9-Mar-84 4-Dec-86 30-Aug-89 26-May-92 20-Feb-95 16-Nov-97 12-Aug-00
Year
Zn (m
g/L)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Turb
idity
(NTU
)
Zn-E (mg/L)Zn-T (mg/L)Approx. maximum aquatic guidelineApprox. average aquatic guidelineTurbidity