EFFECT5 OF PLANT EXPANSION BY
KAKOOPS PULP AND PAPER, LT'D.
This report refers to an application (dated
23 February, 1970) for a permit under the Pollution Control
Act, 1967 by Karnloops Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd., 105 Seymour
Street, Kamloops, to discharge effluent from a bleached kraft - pulp mill into the Thompson River near Kamloops.
Kamloops and district is widely advertised and recognized as a focal point for recreation in British
Columbia. The attractiveness of this area for recreation is largely a consequence of the presence of open, pastoral land- scapes, an abundance of clean water for water-based recreation, and sizeable populations of sportfish and wildlife.
Kamloops Lake, irtinediately downstream of Kamloops
Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd. pulp mill supports moderate swiming, water-skiing and fishing use in spring and sumer months. Four motels and resorts are situated on Kamloops Lake at Savona.
To some extent, the existance of each establishment is depend- ent upon clean, attractive lake water. The Government of
British Columbia has recognized a need for public access for use of the lake for recreation by establishing a provincial park and three recreational reserves on Karnloops Lake.
Karnloops Lake supports populations of rainbo1.1 trout averaging 1%pounds in weight, Dolly Varden char, kokanee, whitef ish and burbot. The sport f ishiry is judged by this Branch to be relatively unexploited as yet.
Trans-Canada Highway I parallels the Thompson River for much of its length downstream of Kamloops Lake. The clear- appearing river water adds considerably to the attractive- ness of the valley through which the highway passes. Several developed and informal camping and picnicking sites are situated beside the river between Kamloops Lake and Lytton.
Thompson River downstream of Kamloops Lake is one of the most important sport fishing rivers in British
Columbia. Resident rainbow trout to six pounds, Dolly Varden char to four pounds, and mountain whitefish to three pounds in weight are caught throughout the year. Steelhead trout to twenty-five pounds in weight are angled in fall and winter months. Annual catches of steelhead in the Thompson River have varied between 2,600 and 5,000 in the past three years, and this fishery is particularly favoured by anglers from the
State of Washington and the lower mainland. There is easy access to much of the river, and the river can accommodate a much greater fishing use than is experienced at present.
A five-fold increase of effluent from Karnloops Pulp and Paper Co. Ltd. to Thompson River upstreamof Kamloops Lake presents serious implications for continued optimum recreation- al use of Kamloops Lake and Thonpson River downstream of
Kamloops Lake.
1. It is likely that the effluent (at an
average discharge rate of 60,000,000 gallons
per day) will discolor the waters of Kamloops
Lake and Thompson River. This effect will be most evident during the late winter and early spring months of January through
April. This will coincide with beginning of the fishing season for resident fish in
Kamloops Lake and Thompson River, and with the conclusion of the steelhead angling season in Thompson River.
We estimate that the effluent will add between 20 and 50 standard color units to the background color of water in Karnloops
Lake and Thompson River during January through April. Throughout the fall and early winter months the mill will add about 15 standard color units. These estimates are based on waterflows in 1953, a year of lower than average waterflows.
The significant color change in winter . and spring months will detract from the scenic attractiveness of the drainage systems downstream of the pulp mill. More particularly, it will impair optimum fishing use of Kamloops Lake and
Thompson River at least during winter and spring months. We have observed that anglers voluntarily refrain from fishing in streams which have the appearance and odor of being polluted by pulp mill wastes (for example, in Kootenay River
downstream of Crestbrook Forest Industries
Ltd. pulp mill, and in Columbia River downstream
of Celgar Ltd. pulp mill at Castlegar).
2. In general, reduced light penetration
related to color and turbidity in water
retards growth of plant life and, in turn, the
food chain for fish. An increase in color in
Kamloops Lake can be expected to lower the
productivity of the lake, although this may
be a difficult effect to measure.
3. In spring months, pulp mill effluent will
be at maximum concentration in lake and river
water. In conditions of surface agitation in
Kamloops Lake and Thompson River, offensive
patches of foam will probably develop.
4. Odor of lake and river water will probably
be objectionable in conditions of minimum
dilution of pulp mill wastes.
Because of the above considerations to protect the recreational fishing of the affected waters, the following itens should be included in any Pollution Control Permit issued to the applicant. 1. Mill effluent when diluted to 65% concentration (65%
BKME and 35% river water) shall not cause any mortal-
ity to fish of the family salmonidae in a period of
96 hours. Testing to be performed on a monthly basis,
or more frequently if deemed necessary by the director
of the Pollution Control Branch.
2. The discharge of effluent shall not alter PH by more
than one unit, nor lower dissolved oxygen in river or
lake water by over 1.0 p.p.m. downstream from the
diffuser upon initial complete mixing of waste and
river.
3. Settleable solids in the effluent shall be maintained
at such levels as may be required to prevent discernible
accumulations, bottom deposits or slimes attributable to
the effluent at any point in the river or lake.
4. The waste discharge shall not cause a conspicuous increase
in taste, odor, color or foam in the river or lalce.
5. The Director may redefine the conditions of the permit
at any time that the effluent causes unforeseen harmful
effects to aquatic life or offensive conditions for outdoor
recreation.
I. L. Withler, Biologist, i/c Fish Habitat Protection.
April, 1970.