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Summary Report on the Initial Assessment of Ecological Health of Aquatic Ecosystems in Alberta: Water Quality, Sediment Quality and Non-Fish Biota October 2007 ISBN: 978-0-7785-6744-8 (Printed Edition) ISBN: 978-0-7785-6745-5 (On-line Edition) Disclaimer This document is an independent report requested by, and prepared for, Alberta Environment. The authors are solely responsible for the interpretations of data and statements made within this report. The report does not necessarily reflect endorsement by, or the policies of Alberta Environment. Reproduction and Availability This report and its contents may be reproduced in whole, or in part, provided that this title page is included with such reproduction and/or appropriate acknowledgements are provided to the authors and sponsors of this project. Any comments, questions or suggestions on the content of this document may be directed to: Alberta Environment Communications 10th Floor, Petroleum Plaza South Tower 9915-108 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 2G8 Tel: 780.427.2700 (outside of Edmonton dial 310.0000 for toll-free connection) Fax: 780. 422.4086 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gov.ab.ca/env Additional Copies Additional print copies of this document are available from: Alberta Environment Information Centre Main Floor, Oxbridge Place 9820-106 Street Edmonton, AB T5K 2J6 Tel: 780.427.2700 (outside of Edmonton dial 310.0000 for toll-free connection) Fax: 780. 422.4086 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gov.ab.ca/env Copyright of this publication, regardless of format, belongs to Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of Alberta. Reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, regardless of purpose, requires the prior written permission of Alberta Environment. © Her Majesty the Queen in right of the Province of Alberta, 2007 SUMMARY REPORT ON THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF Ecological Health of Aquatic Ecosystems in Alberta: Water Quality, Sediment Quality and Non-Fish Biota Prepared for: Alberta Environment Water for Life – Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems Edmonton, Alberta Prepared by: North/South Consultants Inc. Calgary, Alberta October 2007 Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Alberta Alberta Environment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Protection and maintenance of healthy aquatic ecosystems in Alberta is one of the overarching goals of the Water strategy. Implied in this goal is the need for a provincial-scale monitoring and evaluation system that includes regular reporting on the health of aquatic ecosystems. This report focuses on three components of aquatic ecosystems throughout Alberta: water quality, sediment quality and non-fish biota. It provides a summary of current knowledge for major basins and key water bodies, and an initial assessment of aquatic ecosystem health based on interpreted data, published in readily available written reports or other formats. This information spans a period of approximately 20 years (1980’s to 2004). Multiple gaps in data, knowledge, and assessment process are identified for water quality, and particularly for sediment quality and non-fish biota. Recommendations are made to help fill these gaps to allow more comprehensive reporting in the future. A conceptual framework for the design and implementation of a provincial monitoring, evaluation and reporting system on aquatic ecosystem health is provided. This report is a summary of a substantial technical report entitled “Information Synthesis and Initial Assessment of the Status and Health of Aquatic Ecosystems in Alberta: Surface Water Quality and Non-fish Biota”, prepared for Alberta Environment and authored by North/South Consultants Inc. (2007). The major findings of the initial assessment were: Flowing waters: • Surface water quality of the 11 major river systems was evaluated. Of the 28 river reaches examined, most were rated as “Good”- 64% and “Fair” - 25%, and the remaining reaches were ranked as “Excellent” - 11%. • Water quality ratings for a selection of 14 major tributaries were “Excellent” - 7%, “Good”- 21%, “Fair” - 43%, and “Poor” - 7%; there was insufficient data for the remaining tributaries (21%). • In most cases, there was insufficient sediment quality and non-fish biota data to assess the ecosystem health of the rivers and major tributaries. Standing waters: • A selected evaluation of surface water quality data for Alberta lakes shows that many lakes are moderately to very highly productive (i.e., mesotrophic to hyper eutrophic). A more comprehensive assessment of ecosystem health of lakes is not possible at this time due to limited data for sediment quality and non-fish biota. • An assessment of ecosystem health of wetlands in Alberta could not be completed because of a general lack of data on surface water and sediment quality, and non-fish biota. • Another key limitation to the assessment of ecosystem health of lakes and wetlands is the need to develop appropriate ecological indicators of health for these diverse habitats. North/South Consultants Inc. Page i Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Alberta Alberta Environment TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................I LIST OF TABLES ...........................................................................................................IV LIST OF FIGURES..........................................................................................................IV AUTHORSHIP .................................................................................................................V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................V 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 2.0 INFLUENCES ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IN ALBERTA.................9 2.1 Natural influences............................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1 Rivers and Streams .................................................................................................. 9 2.1.2 Lakes...................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Human Activities ........................................................................................................... 13 3.0 RIVERS AND STREAMS IN ALBERTA ...........................................................16 3.1 Hay River Basin ............................................................................................................. 16 3.2 Peace and Slave River Basins ....................................................................................... 16 3.2.1 Peace and Slave Rivers .......................................................................................... 18 3.2.2 Wapiti-Smoky River System ................................................................................. 19 3.3 Athabasca River Basin .................................................................................................. 22 3.3.1 Athabasca River..................................................................................................... 22 3.3.2 Middle Reach Tributaries: McLeod and Lesser Slave rivers................................. 27 3.3.3 Lower Reach Tributaries: Muskeg and Steepbank Rivers..................................... 28 3.4 Beaver River Basin ........................................................................................................ 30 3.4.1 Beaver River .......................................................................................................... 30 3.4.2 Tributaries: Sand River and Marie Creek .............................................................. 32 3.5 North Saskatchewan River Basin................................................................................. 33 3.5.1 North Saskatchewan River..................................................................................... 33 3.5.2 Battle River ............................................................................................................ 37 3.6 South Saskatchewan River Basin................................................................................. 38 3.6.1 Red Deer River ...................................................................................................... 38 3.6.2 Bow River .............................................................................................................. 41 3.6.3 Oldman River......................................................................................................... 45 3.6.4 South Saskatchewan River..................................................................................... 50 3.7 Milk River Basin............................................................................................................ 51 4.0 LAKES AND WETLANDS ................................................................................54 4.1 Lakes ............................................................................................................................... 54 4.2 Wetlands ......................................................................................................................... 59 North/South Consultants Inc. Page ii Aquatic Ecosystem Health in Alberta Alberta Environment 5.0 PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW: RIVERS AND STREAMS......................................60 6.0 CRITICAL INFORMATION GAPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .....................63 7.0 A FRAMEWORK FOR PROVINCIAL