Quamichan Lake BCIT Thesis
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Restoring a Culturally Eutrophic Shallow Lake: Case Study on Quamichan Lake in North Cowichan, British Columbia by Kathleen E Moore BES, University of Waterloo, 2017 Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Ecological Restoration Program Faculty of Environment (SFU) and School of Construction and the Environment (BCIT) © Kathleen E Moore, 2019 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Spring 2019 Copyright in this work rests with the author. Please ensure that any reproduction or re-use is done in accordance with the relevant national copyright legislation. Approval Name: Kathleen E Moore Degree: Master of Science in Ecological Restoration Title: Restoring a Culturally Eutrophic Shallow Lake: Case Study on Quamichan Lake in North Cowichan, British Columbia Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Ken Ashley Faculty, BCIT Dr. Ken Ashley Senior Supervisor Faculty, BCIT Dr. Doug Ransome Internal Examiner Faculty, BCIT Dr. Susan Owen Internal Examiner Faculty, SFU Date Defended/Approved: April 17, 2019 ii Abstract Quamichan Lake is a culturally eutrophic shallow lake located in North Cowichan on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. My research project examined the current trophic status and water quality of Quamichan Lake and investigated a number of watershed and in-lake restoration methods to return the lake back to mesotrophic (nutrient rich) conditions. Based on the data collected, Quamichan Lake is currently in a hypertrophic state caused by excess phosphorus inputs that leads to Cyanophyte phytoplankton species (cyanobacteria) to dominate during the summer. Eutrophication is both an environmental and human health issue as cyanobacteria algal blooms can disrupt the lake ecology and are toxic to most mammals. The goal of my research was to provide the Municipality of North Cowichan and Vancouver Island Health Authority with a comprehensive restoration plan to contribute to the restoration of Quamichan Lake and other lakes in southern Vancouver Island that are experiencing cultural eutrophication. Keywords: Restoration; Eutrophication; Limnology; Watershed Management; Cyanobacteria iii Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the support of both the Municipality of North Cowichan and the Vancouver Island Health Authority. I would like to thank the Municipality of North Cowichan for making it financially possible to perform rigorous chemical and biological water quality sampling throughout summer 2018. I would also like to specifically thank Shaun Chadburn at MNC for being a supportive point of contact throughout this project. I am grateful for Stacey Sowa at Island Health for providing support in applying to the VIHA Summer 2018 Student Research Grant Competition and for being my “Island Health collaborator” throughout the length of the project. I would like to express my gratitude to Island Health for financially supporting me by selecting my project for the Summer 2018 Student Research Grant Competition. I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Ken Ashley, for all of his expertise and guidance throughout this experience. I also thank Dr. Ruth Joy for helping me make sense of some of my data and helping navigate the world of “R.” Many thanks to Dave Harper at the Rivers Institute for providing field equipment throughout the summer sampling season. I thank Dr. Dave Preikshot for collaborating on this project, sharing of data, in-field assistance, and knowledge of the Cowichan area. I am extremely grateful of Christopher Justice for taking me out on his boat all summer to sample, providing knowledge of the area, and for always asking critical questions about the lake. Finally, I would like to thank my friends and family I am fortunate enough to have all across the country for providing encouragement and support from near and far; as well as the 2019 graduating class of MSc in Ecological Restoration for the constant positive support and countless memories. iv Table of Contents Approval ............................................................................................................................... ii Abstract ............................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures.................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Site Location ............................................................................................................ 1 1.2. Site History ............................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1. Pre-European Contact Era ............................................................................... 3 1.2.2. Post European Settlement ............................................................................... 4 1.2.3. Quamichan Lake 1940’s to Present ................................................................. 4 1.3. Current Problem and Project Significance .............................................................. 5 1.4. Quamichan Lake Ecology ........................................................................................ 6 1.4.1. Thermal Stratification and Shallow Lakes ........................................................ 6 1.4.2. The Role of Major Nutrients ............................................................................. 7 1.4.3. Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, and Trophic Cascade ........................................ 8 1.4.4. Alternative Stable States and Feedback Loops ............................................... 9 1.5. Ecological Stressor: Eutrophication ....................................................................... 11 1.6. Desired Future Conditions ..................................................................................... 13 1.7. Project Goal and Objectives .................................................................................. 13 Chapter 2. Site Assessment ....................................................................................... 15 2.1. Methods ................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.1. Field Methods ................................................................................................. 15 2.1.2. Laboratory Methods ........................................................................................ 16 2.2. Physical and Chemical Limnology ......................................................................... 18 2.2.1. Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen.............................................................. 18 2.2.2. Water Clarity ................................................................................................... 21 2.2.3. Phosphorus ..................................................................................................... 23 2.2.4. Nitrogen .......................................................................................................... 25 2.2.5. N:P Ratio and Bioavailability .......................................................................... 25 2.3. Biological Samples and Trophic Status ................................................................. 26 2.3.1. Phytoplankton Taxonomy ............................................................................... 26 2.3.2. Chlorophyll-a ................................................................................................... 32 2.4. Tributary Nutrient Loading and Critical Areas ....................................................... 34 Chapter 3. Restoration Plan ....................................................................................... 36 3.1. Restoration Goals and Objectives ......................................................................... 36 3.2. Catchment Basin Management Techniques ......................................................... 37 3.2.1. Constructed Wetlands in Critical Loading Areas ........................................... 37 3.2.2. Bio-Retention Basins ...................................................................................... 39 3.2.3. Land Use Policy and Management ................................................................ 41 v 3.3. In-lake Restoration Techniques ............................................................................. 43 3.3.1. Sediment Dredging ......................................................................................... 43 3.3.2. Phosphorus Inactivation ................................................................................. 45 3.3.3. Aeration........................................................................................................... 46 3.3.4. Biomanipulation .............................................................................................. 48 3.4 Public Outreach and Stewardship .......................................................................... 50 3.5 Monitoring and Management .................................................................................