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Water Quality

Water Quality Assessment Reports

Last updated: November 2001


  • A Biological Survey of Okanagan Lake. Clemens, W.A., D.S. Rawson and J.L. McHugh. Bull. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 56: 1-69. 73 p.
  • Abundance and Diversity of Epibenthic Invertebrates in Contrasting Shoreline Habitat of a Large British Columbia Lake. Northcote, T.G. 1997. Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. 26: 564-568. 6 p.
  • A Review of Lake Aeration as a Technique for Water Quality Improvement. Nordin, R.N., and C.J.P. McKean. 1982. Aquatic Studies Branch. 28 p.
  • A Simple Semi-Continuous Piston Corer for Organic Sediments. C.J.P. McKean and R.N. Nordin. 1986. Hydrobiologia 137: 251-256. 6 p.
  • A Study of Human Impact on Okanagan Lake Since European Settlement. Kemp, G. 1994. Deep River Science Academy. OUC. Kelowna, BC. 46 p.
  • A Weighted-Averaging Regression and Calibration Model for Inferring Total Phosphorus Concentration from Diatoms in British Columbia (Canada) Lakes. Hall, Roland I. and John P. Smol. 1992. Freshwater Biology. 27: 417-434. From the Acknowledgements: "We thank Colin McKean at the Ministry of the Environment, Victoria, British Columbia for contributing the surface sediment samples and environmental data. Without his help, this project would never have been possible."
  • An Assessment of the Water Quality of Langford Lake with Proposals for Possible Solutions to its Eutrophication Problem. McKean, C.J.P. and N. Munteanu. 1981. 60 p.
  • An Effluent Holdback Strategy for Control of Algal Production in the Thompson River, British Columbia: A Case History of Water Quality Management. Bothwell, M.L., G. Derksen, R.N. Nordin and J.M. Culp. 1992. p. 253 - 266 in Aquatic Ecosystems in Semi-arid regions: Implications for Resource Management. R. D Robarts and M.L. Bothwell (Eds.) N.H.R.I. Symposium Series 7, Environment Canada, Saskatoon.
  • An Expanded Weighted-Averaging Model for Inferring Past Total Phosphorus Concentrations from Diatom Assemblages in Eutrophic British Columbia (Canada) Lakes. Reavie, Euan D., Roland I. Hall. and John P. Smol. 1995. Paleolimnology. 14: 49-67. From the Acknowledgements: "We thank Colin McKean and Rick Nordin at the BC Ministry of the Environment, Victoria, for the original sediment and environmental data, as well as updated water quality information."
  • An Inexpensive In Situ Algal Bioassay Procedure with Some Preliminary Results Bearing on Nutrient Limitations in Skaha Lake. Nordin, R.N. 1978. Water Investigations Branch. 25 p.
  • A  Survey of the Bottom Fauna in Wood, Kalamalka and Skaha Lakes in the Okanagan Valley, BC. Saether, O.A. and M.P. Mc Lean. 1972. Fisheries Research Board of Canada Technical Report No. 342. 26 p.
  • Changes in Water Quality of Skaha Lake BC Following Reduction in Phosphorus Loading. Nordin, R.N. 1983. p. 166-170 in Lake Restoration, Protection and Management. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. EPA 440/5-83- 001.
  • Chapters on Two British Columbia Lakes (Wood and Skaha) in "Data Book of World Lake Environments — A Survey of the State of World Lakes" 1992 Report. Nordin, R.N. 1992. Published by the International Lake Environment Committee, United Nations Environment Programme, Otsu, Japan.
  • Comparison Among and Evaluation of Ceramic Porous Cup Soil Water Samplers for Nutrient Transport Studies. Nagpal, N.K. 1982. Can. J. Soil Sci. 62: 685-694.
  • Contribution to Thompson River Basin Preplanning Study — Water Quality. Jarecki, M.J., R.N. Nordin, J.H. Wiens and R.A. Nijman. 1980. Water Investigations Branch. 115 p.
  • Cosens Bay Lagoon Study. Kangasniemi, B.J. and P.D. Warrington. 1983. Ministry of Environment, Province of British Columbia.
  • Cusheon Lake, Saltspring Island. Data Report for Water Quality Monitoring Program, June 1974 to June 1975. Goddard, J.M. 1976. Water Resources Service, Province of British Columbia. (WIB #2412).
  • Destratification Aeration of Langford Lake: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Responses. Nordin, R.N. and C.J.P. McKean. 1988. Water Management Branch. 28 p.
  • Determination of Nutrient Loads Into and Out of Skaha Lake. Zeman, L.J. and H.O. Slaymaker. 1981. Inland Waters Directorate. 191 p.
  • Domestic Water Supply Potential of Blackburn, Bullock's, Ford and Stowell Lakes, Saltspring Island. McKean, C.J.P. 1981. 72 p. (WIB #3123).
  • Dutch Lake (Clearwater British Columbia): Water Quality and Options for Improvement. Nordin, R.N. 1982. Aquatic Studies Branch. 22 p.
  • Effects of Dissolved Metals on the Aquatic Biota of the Lakes of the Campbell River Watershed. Nordin, R.N., C.J.P. McKean, I.T. Boyd, M.J.R. Clark, M.R. Roch and J. Deniseger. 1985. Water Management and Waste Management Branches. 23 5 p.
  • Environmental Impact Evaluation of Solly Creek-Silver Lake-Banon Creek Alternative for North Cowichan Water Supply. Vegetation Section Task Report. Warrington, P.D. 1975. Department of Environment, Province of British Columbia.
  • Estimates of Nutrient Load Carried by the Okanagan River into Osoyoos Lake. Part II. Statistical Characteristics of Nutrient Concentrations. Zeman, L. and H.O. Slaymaker. 1982. Inland Waters Directorate, Vancouver. 31 p.
  • Evaluation of Skaha Lake Data Base for Use in Predictive Models. Epp, P.F. 1986. Environment Canada National Water Research Institute. 5 p.
  • Fuller Lake Water Quality Investigations. Nordin, R.N., J. H. Wiens and C. J. P. McKean. 1981. Aquatic Studies Branch. 30 p.
  • Kalamalka Lake Goose/Coliforms Study. Warrington, P.D. 1990. 436 p. Ministry of Environment, Province of British Columbia. (340 p are data graphs).
  • Limnological Trends in Wood Lake BC (1971-1981) with some Implications for Lake Management. Gray, C.B.J. and S. Jasper. 1982. Inland Waters Directorate, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, BC. 83 p.
  • Limnology of Okanagan Lake, BC. Related to the Proposed Kelowna STP Outfall. Hall, K.J. 1992. Westwater Research Center, UBC. 66 p.
  • Long Term Phosphorus Sorption in a Brunisol in Response to Dosed Effluent Loading. Nagpal, N.K. 1985. J. Env. Qual. 14: 280-285.
  • Nitrogen Leaching from Subsurface Drained Agricultural Field in the Lower Fraser Valley. Nagpal, N.K. G.B. Holms and S.T.Chieng. 1990. Soil Pollution in BC Proceedings 13th BC Soil Sciences workshop. p. 122-139.
  • Nutrient and Grazer Control of Algal Biomass in the Thompson River, British Columbia: A Case History of Water Quality Management. Bothwell, M.L., G. Derksen, R.N.Nordin and J.M. Culp. 1992. In: Aquatic Ecosystems in Semi-Arid Regions: Implications for Resource Management. Editors: R.D.Robarts and M.L. Bothwell. N.H.R.I. Symposium Series 7, Environment Canada, Saskatoon.
  • Nutrient Controls and Water Quality in the Okanagan Lakes 1969-1989. Nordin, R.N., J.E. Bryan and E.V. Jensen. 1990. In: Innovations in River Basin Management, Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Conference of the Canadian Water Resources Association. p. 335-345.
  • Nutrient Loadings from Storm Sewer Runoff to Okanagan and Skaha Lakes. Alexander, D.G. 1979. Okanagan Basin Implementation Agreement Office. p. 20.
  • Nutrient Water Quality Criteria for Lakes in British Columbia. Nordin, R.N. 1986. Pages 110-113 in Redfield, G., J.F. Taggart and L.M. Moore. Lake and Reservoir Management, Vol. II, Proc. 5th Annual Conf. Intern. Symp. N. Am. Lake Manage. Soc. Nov. 13-16, 1985, Geneva, Wisc.. N. Am. Lake. Manage. Soc. Washington, D.C.
  • Observations on the Water Quality in the Chain-Link-Osprey Lakes System. Princeton, B.C., 1973 to 1976. Part I. Water Quality Data for Chain Lake and Discussion of the Effectiveness of the Shinish Creek Diversion. Anonymous 1977. (J.M. Goddard?). WIB Report # 2603.
  • Observations on the Water Quality in the Chain-Link-Osprey Lakes System. Part 2. Water Quality for Link Lake. Anonymous 1977. (J.M. Goddard?) WIB report # 2604.
  • Observations on the Water Quality in the Chain-Link-Osprey Lakes System, Princeton, B.C., 1973-1976. Part 3. Water Quality for Osprey Lake. Anonymous 1977. (J.M. Goddard?) WIB # 2636.
  • Observations on the Water Quality of Williams Lake. Data Report for the Period
    1974-1976
    . Anonymous 1977. (J.M. Goddard?) WIB Report # 2615.
  • Phosphorus Dynamics in Skaha and Wood Lakes. Gray, C.B.J. 1988. Presented to Limnology Meeting in Sweden. 8 p.
  • Phosphorus Retention of Shawnigan Lake Watershed Soils: Management Implications for Sub-surface Disposals Systems. Nagpal, N.K. 1981. 19 p.
  • Predicting the Impacts of Phosphorus Management Policies on the Eutrophication of Skaha Lake, BC, Canada. Fleming, W.M. and J.G. Stockner. 1975. Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol. Bd. 19. 8 p.
  • Preliminary Investigations of Shawnigan Lake Water Quality. Nordin, R.N. 1977. Water Investigations Branch. 30 p.
  • Preliminary Report on the Use of Elk Lake as a Balancing Reservoir for Irrigation: Possible Effects on Limnology, Water Quality, and Fisheries. Nordin, R.N. 1981. Aquatic Studies Branch. 17 p.
  • Proposed Solutions to the Taste and Odour Problems in Garnet Reservoir. McKean, C.J.P. and P.G. Lim. 1981. (WIB #2988).
  • Quarantine Lake (Metchosin). McKean, C.J.P. 1979. Water Investigations Branch Report #2840.
  • Salmon Arm Tertiary Treatment Alternatives. Haughton, E.R., R.N. Nordin and P. Epp. 1980 Report 80-5. 67 p.
  • Shawnigan Lake Water Quality Study. Nordin, R.N. and C.J.P. McKean. 1984. Water Management Branch. 117 p.
  • Shoreline Marshes of Okanagan Lake: Are they Habitats of High Productivity, Diversity Scarcity and Vulnerability? Northcote, T.G. and H. Northcote. 1996. Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management. 2: 157-161. 5 p.
  • Some Comparisons in the Thermal Structure of Lakes Wood, Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos, BC. Blanton J.O. 1973. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 917-925. 11 p.
  • Some Observations on the Water Quality of Tie Lake, B.C. Goddard J.M. and R.J. Buchanan. 1976. Water Investigations Branch. (WIB #2452).
  • St. Mary Lake, Saltspring Island, B.C. Data Report for Water Quality Monitoring Program, June 1974 to June 1975. Goddard, J.M. 1975. Water Resources Service, Province of British Columbia.
  • St. Mary Lake Water Quality: 1979-1981. Nordin, R.N., C.J.P. McKean and J.H. Wiens. 1983. Water Management Branch and Surveys and Resource Mapping Branch. 121 p.
  • Statistical Characteristics of Nutrient Concentration and Load. Okanagan River Below Okanagan Lake. Zeman, L.J. 1982. Inland Water Directorate. 580 p.
  • Strategies for Maintaining Water Quality in Two British Columbia Lakes. Nordin, R.N. 1980. Can. Water Resources Journal 5:90-101. (Kalamalka and Wood Lakes).
  • Suspended Sediment Phosphorus Composition in Tributaries of the Okanagan Lakes, BC. Gray, C.B.J. and R.A. Kirkland. 1986. Water Research Vol. 20, No. 9: 1193-1196. 4 p.
  • The Chemical and Microbiological Limnology of Wood Lake, BC. Jasper, S. and C.B.J. Gray. 1980. Inland Waters Directorate, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, BC. 107 p.
  • The Coquitlam River: Water Management Study. Background Report. Olan, J. and J.M. Goddard. 1977. Water Investigations Branch. (WIB # 2560).
  • The Effect of Outboard Engine Usage and Exhaust Emissions on the Aquatic Environment: A Review. Butcher, G. A. 1982. Water Management Branch. 62 p.
  • The Effect on Water Quality of Explosives Use in Surface Mining. Pommen, L.W., R.N. Nordin and N.K. Nagpal. 1982. Water Management Branch, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC A Paper Presented at the 49th Annual Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association Meeting and 1982 Annual BC Water and Waste Association Conference. Nov. 2-5, 1982, Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, BC (Elk and Fording Rivers).
  • The Effect on Water Quality of Explosives Use in Surface Mining. Volume 1: Nitrogen Sources, Water Quality, and Prediction and Management of Inputs. Pommen, L.W. 1983. MOE Technical Report 4. Water Management Branch, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC (Volume 2: R. Nordin, Volume 3: N. Nagpal). (Elk and Fording Rivers).
  • The Effect on Water Quality of Explosives Use in Surface Mining. Volume 2: The Effect on Algal Growth. Nordin, R.N. 1982. Water Management Branch. 34 p. (Elk River and Fording River).
  • The Effect on Water Quality of Explosives Use in Surface Mining. Volume 3: Nitrogen release from Coal and Mine Waste. Nagpal, N.K. 1982. 30 p.
  • The Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination of the Aquatic Biota of Buttle Lake and the Campbell River Drainage. Roch, M., R. N. Nordin, A. Austin, C. J. P. McKean, J. Deniseger, R. D. Kathmann, J. A. McCarter and M. J. R. Clark. 1984. Archiv. Envir. Contam. Toxicol. 14: 347-362.
  • The Impact of Creston Sewage Treatment Plant Effluent on the Kootenay River. Pommen, L.W. 1981. Aquatic Studies Branch, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC (File: 0322512-7).
  • The Relationship of Chrysophean Stomatocysts to Environmental Variables in Freshwater Lakes in British Columbia. Duff, Katharine E. and John P. Smol. 1995. Canadian Journal of Botany. 73: 1097-1111. From the Acknowledgements: "We would like to thank C. McKean and R. Nordin (British Columbia Ministry of the Environment) for providing surface sediment samples and environmental data."
  • The Similkameen River Cyanide Puzzle. Pommen, L.W. and A. Ryan. 1992. Canada - B.C. Cyanide Workshop Oct 9, 1992. North Vancouver, BC.
  • The Water Quality of Weston Lake Saltspring Island. Nordin R.N. 1986. Water Management Branch. 17 p.
  • Trends in Skaha Lake Water Quality to 1982. Nordin, R.N. 1982. Report prepared for the Okanagan Basin Implementation Board. Water Management Branch. 35 p.
  • Use of Percolation and Hydraulic Conductivity Measurements in Design and Management of Soil Waste Disposal Systems. Nagpal, N.K. 1980. 48 p.
  • Water and Nutrient Movement in Agricultural Soil Under Drained and Undrained Conditions. Richard, P., S.T. Chieng and N.K. Nagpal. 1989. Paper presented at the Pan-American Regional conference on Irrigation and Drainage. Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Water Quality and Aquatic Vegetation of Crofton Lake. Arber, J.C. and P.D. Warrington. 1976. Ministry of Environment, Province of British Columbia.
  • Water Quality Data Summary for Green Lake, near Whistler Mountain. McKean, C.J.P.and R.N. Nordin. 1982. APD Bulletin 30, Aquatic Studies Branch, Victoria, BC. 57 p.
  • Water Quality in the Shuswap River between Mabel and Mara Lakes. Nordin, R.N. 1978. Water Investigations Branch. 26 p.
  • Water Quality of Maxwell Lake, Saltspring Island. Nordin, R.N. and C. J. P. McKean and I. T. Boyd. 1982. Aquatic Studies Branch, 30 p.
  • Water Quality of the Cheakamus River: An Assessment and a Proposal for Future Monitoring. Nordin, R.N. 1984. Water Management Branch. 56 p.
  • Water Quality Studies in Osoyoos Lake BC. Booth, Donald Michael. 1969. Department of Agricultural Mechanics, UBC.
  • Weston Lake, Saltspring Island. Data Report for Water Quality Monitoring Program, June 1974 to June 1975. Goddard, J.M. 1975. Water Resources Service, Province of British Columbia. (WIB #2387).
  • Williams Lake Laboratory Aeration Experiments. Nordin, R.N. 1991. Water Quality Branch. 29 p.
  • Wood Lake 1971-1981. Gray, C.B.J. and S. Jasper. 1981. National Water Research Institute, Inland Waters Directorate, Environment Canada. 25 p.



Regional Monitoring and Assessment Series Reports

Fraser River Estuary Monitoring Program

  • 1991 Effluent Discharge Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Report on the Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1992. 177 p.
  • 1993 Survey of Sediments and Tissues from Boundary Bay and Roberts Bank. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, 1994. 123 p.
  • Report on the 1987 Benthos and Sediment Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1988. 66 p.
  • Report on the 1988 Fish Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1989. 147 p.
  • Report on the 1989 Boundary Bay Sediment Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1990. 172 p.
  • Report on the 1989 Fraser River Sediment Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1990. 47 p.
  • Report on the 1990 Fraser River and Boundary Bay Sediment Chemistry and Toxicity Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Swain, L.G. and D.G. Walton. 1991. 107 p.
  • Summary Report of the 1986 Effluent Monitoring Program. Fraser River Estuary Monitoring, Supervisory Coordinating Committee. 1987. 34 p.

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Reports on the Fraser River Estuary

  • Report of the Iona Island Sewage Treatment Plant Study Group. 1982. 88 p.
  • Trace Metals and Selected Organic Contaminants in Fraser River Fish. April, 1983, H.J. Singleton. 114 p.


Reports on the Kootenay Region

  • Kootenay Air and Water Quality Study, Phase I
  • Air Quality in Region A, the Fording-Sparwood-Fernie Area. 1976.
  • Air Quality in Region B, the Kimberley-Skookumchuk-Cranbrook Area. 1976.
  • Air Quality in Region C, the Trail-Castlegar-Nelson Area. 1977.
  • Water Quality in Region 1, the Flathead River Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 2, the Elk River Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 3, the Upper Kootenay River Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 4, the Lower Kootenay River Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 5, the Kootenay Lake Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 6, the Slocan River Basin. 1977.
  • Water Quality in Region 7, the Upper Columbia River Basin. 1976.
  • Water Quality in Region 8, the Lower Columbia River Basin. 1977.
  • Water Quality in Region 9, the Kettle River Basin. 1977.

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Kootenay Air and Water Quality Study, Phase II

  • Air Quality in the Elk-Ford-Sparwood-Fernie Region. 1978.
  • Air Quality in the Kimberley-Skookumchuck-Cranbrook Region. 1978.
  • Water Quality in the Elk and Flathead River Basins. 1978.
  • Water Quality in the Kootenay River Basin. 1981.
  • Water Quality in the Lower Columbia River Basin. 1979.
  • Water Quality in the Upper Columbia River Basin. 1981.


Squamish Estuary Management Plan

  • Air and Water Quality Final Work Group Report. 1981, 261 p.
  • Habitat Work Group Final Report. 1981, 157 p.
  • Land Use Work Group Final Report. 1981, 123 p.
  • Recreation Work Group Final Report, Revised. 1982, 64 p.
  • Report of the Planning Committee on a Proposed Squamish Estuary Management Plan. 1982. Volume One - The Plan 77 p. Volume Two - Appendices 242 p.

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Reports on Acid Rain

  • An Interim Assessment of Water Quality in Six Acid-Rain Sensitive British Columbia Lakes (1984-1989). Swain, L.G. et al. 1994. 281 p.
  • Interim Acid Deposition Critical Loadings for Western and Northern Canada. Interim and Deposition Critical, Loadings Task Group, August 1990, 31 p. (L.G. Swain).
  • Interim Report of the Lake Monitoring Program (Acid Rain Baseline Data Project) 1977 Field Season. Anonymous (L.G. Swain) 1978. WIB # 2637.
  • Second Report on Chemical Sensitivity of BC Lakes to Acidic inputs. Swain L.G. 1987. 31 p.

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