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Sooke River Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids
by Judith R. Burke
Waterose Environmental Services
Vancouver Island, BC
1. Introduction
The objective of this study is to complete a twelve-month baseline water quality study for salmonids in the lower SRW and fill an existing information gap. The upper SRW provides the drinking water for the city of Victoria. The source, Sooke Lake, is monitored by the Capital Regional District. The lower SRW drains into the Sooke Harbour and Basin, which is also monitored by the Capital Regional District. The lower SRW is not monitored on a regular basis, and this study fills this information gap. Royal Roads University and MELP have completed periodic discrete sampling in the lower SRW. The lower SRW is vulnerable to the cumulative effects of forest harvest and urban development. The lower SRW is home to the residents of Sooke and the First Nations T'Sou-Ke.
The study measures water quality on a weekly basis for three locations in the lower SRW. The test results are grouped by each season, and the results are related back to known stress thresholds for salmonids that are published in literature. The life cycles and escapements are included for reference. In addition to water quality chemistry, the study includes detailed background information about the morphology and habitat because this links to the chemistry signature of the environment.
In addition to providing baseline water quality information for salmonids, a second objective of this study was to increase public awareness and education about the significance of water quality to our community. Two study sites were used for public education initiatives and a strong media plan was implemented, including demonstrations, brochures, and television medium.
The study is written for an audience with little or no scientific experience in water quality chemistry analysis so that it is more readable by a general audience. The report format is modeled to the MELP Reporting Format Guidelines for Water Quality Study Reports. Please note that this report had not been peer reviewed.
Following the completion of this study in September 2000, the author, in partnership with MELP and Veins of Life Watershed Society established a continuous automated water quality monitoring station in the lower SRW in October 2000.
1.1 Relevant Studies and Literature
There are several documents, which should be highlighted. Fisheries and Oceans, Canada published the Summary of Water Quality Criteria for Salmonid Hatcheries (1983) by Sigma Consultants. MELP published the Guidelines for Interpreting Water Quality Data (1998) by Cavanagh et al. Both are used extensively for interpretation of the water quality results. The MELP Sooke Water Allocation Plan (1996) by Jackson & Blecic is used for the maps and background information. The Capital Regional District published the Prioritization of Significant Watersheds Draining to Sooke Bay, Sooke Inlet, Sooke Harbour, and Sooke Basin (1999) by Ship Consultants is used for current background information. The Capital Regional District also supplied weekly climate information for the Sooke Lake. A complete list of references completes the report.
1.2 Study Area of The Sooke River Watershed and De Mamiel Creek Watershed
The SRW is located on the South tip of Vancouver Island, West of British Columbia. The SRW drains 403 km2 into the Sooke Basin and Harbour and then into the Juan de Fuca Strait (Jackson & Blecic, 1996). The primary source in the upper SRW is Sooke Lake, which supplies the drinking water for the Capital Regional District (CRD). The lower SRW area is defined as those waterways naturally accessible by fish. The northern boundary of the lower SRW is the rock falls at the Sooke River Potholes, which is not passable by fish. The first main tributary of the Sooke River is the De Mamiel Creek, which drains 40 km2 of residential Sooke, a newly incorporated municipality of 8,000 people.
The study area is illustrated in Figure 1 and the boundaries of the SRW are illustrated in Figure 2. Map Reference Source is Sooke Water Allocation Plan by Jackson and Blecic, 1996.
Figure 1. Map of Study Area on Vancouver Island.
Figure 2. Map of Sooke River Watershed Boundary.
1.3 Sample Sites
The study includes three different types of sample sites to capture the full length of the lower SRW and the drainage basin of a major tributary at the point of entry into the lower SRW. The sites are located within anadromous fish habitat.
1.3.1 Selection of Sample Sites
The primary consideration in selection of the sites is to capture as much information as possible to cover the large geographic area of the study. There are two sites in the lower SRW. The upstream site, the Sooke River Potholes, is located in a provincial park at a natural fish barrier below a major waterfall and functions as the control site. The downstream site, Martins Farm, is above the tidal influence and captures the cumulative effects of farming and residential development along the lower SRW. The third site, De Mamiel Creek, is located just above the tidal influence, and captures the cumulative effects of the residential community of Sooke.
In addition to safety considerations for the technical field person, other considerations include ease of public access for public education and awareness. The Potholes and the DeMamiel sites were also used for demonstration and public education purposes. These sites were tested on Saturdays and Sundays to facilitate public access. The Martins Farm site is located on private property and was tested on Mondays with no public access.
1.3.2 Location of Sample Sites
The locations of the sample sites are illustrated in Figure 3. The Map Reference Source is the Sooke Local Area Plan
Figure 3. Map of Sample Site Locations.
1.3.2.1 Sooke Potholes
Sooke Potholes is the natural northern boundary for anadromous salmon. The location of the site is Latitude 48 Degrees 25 Minutes 45 Seconds and Longitude 123 Degrees 42 Minutes 30 Seconds. This site is located within a provincial park and is relatively natural with second growth forest.
1.3.2.2 Martins Farm
Martin's Farm is at the edge of the uppermost extent of the marine tidal influence and the site of the second major riffle upstream from the delta. The location of the site is Latitude 48 Degrees 24 Minutes 10 Seconds and Longitude 123 Degrees 42 Minutes 20 Seconds. This site is situated in the flood plain, which has been cleared for agricultural purposes, mostly hobby farms with livestock.
1.3.2.3 De Mamiel Creek
De Mamiel Creek is a major tributary immediately above the estuary. The location of the site is Latitude 48 Degrees 23 Minutes 23 Seconds and Longitude 120 Degrees 42 Minutes 31 Seconds. This site is situated on the flood plain, which has been cleared for residential development captures the cumulative effects of residential development and light industry in the community of Sooke.
1.4 Rational for the Baseline Water Quality Study of the Lower Sooke River Watershed
The focus of this study is to develop a baseline analysis of the water quality in the lower SRW for fish. The needs of the fish vary depending on the species and the stage of development in the life cycle. This baseline study is designed to quantitatively analyze the water quality at a ninety-five per cent level of confidence for each season of the year for each sample site and relate the results to requirements of fish. The continuity of the water quality test results over the period of fifty-two weeks yields valuable information including minimum levels, maximum levels, and the average levels for each season. The premise of seasonal relevance in integrated throughout this study and report document. The CRD tests the upper SRW regularly to drinking water quality standards. The lower SRW, which drains into the Sooke Basin, is tested for discharges of concern to human health and shellfish harvesting. The Sooke River and De Mamiel River have been periodically spot tested for basic parameters. This study evaluates the primary and ancillary parameters of concern to fish in the lower SRW and fills the information gap. With this information, it is possible to develop sound enhancement plans based on scientific data as well as monitor the impacts of anthropogenic activities upstream.
Next Section 2. Profile
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For more information about the Sooke River Watershed:
Email Judith Burke at Waterose Environmental Services
Other Water Quality Projects by Waterose:
Water Quality Tests Offered by Waterose
Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids in the lower Sooke River Watershed (Victoria Times Colonist Enviro News)
Twelve Month Baseline Water Quality Study for Salmonids in the lower Sooke River Watershed (Sooke Mirror)
Water Quality Project on Musqueam Salmon Stream in Urban Vancouver
Analysis of Coliforms and Nutrients in surface waters flowing into Esquimalt Lagoon
Water Quality Monitoring on Ayum Creek, a wild salmon and trout bearing stream, for Society for the Protection of Ayum Creek and Fisheries and Oceans, Canada
Testing the Waters
Story in Sooke News Mirror, March 28, 2001 about the Automated Water Quality Monitoring Project
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