Aquatic Ecosystem Health of the Peace Watershed Project Final Report, June 2012 prepared for the by CharettePellPoscente Environmental Corp in partnership with Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd Acknowledgements Our thanks to the Board of Directors of the MPWA for their valuable input. A special thanks to Eric Dilligeard for the 50 hours of volunteer time he put into creating many of the maps – the inclusion of which has added immeasurable value to this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 2.0 THE PEACE RIVER BASIN 4 2.1 Watershed ...............................................................................................................................................................................4 2.2 Rivers ........................................................................................................................................................................................6 2.3 Lakes..........................................................................................................................................................................................6 2.4 Wetlands ..................................................................................................................................................................................6 2.5 Climate .....................................................................................................................................................................................7 2.6 Land Use and Population ......................................................................................................................................................7 3.0 STRESSORS ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM HEALTH 9 3.1 Linear Features .................................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15 3.3 Forestry ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 3.4 Urban Development ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 3.5 Recreation ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 3.6 Oil and Gas ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.7 Mining ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.8 Hydroelectric Development ............................................................................................................................................. 22 3.9 Water Use ............................................................................................................................................................................ 23 3.10 Climate Change ................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.11 Other Potential Future Stressors .................................................................................................................................... 24 3.12 Cumulative Effects............................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.13 Stressor Summary ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.0 SUB BASINS 26 4.1 SMOKY/WAPITI ................................................................................................................................................................. 26 4.1.1 Rivers ...................................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.1.1 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 29 4.1.1.2 Sediment Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 33 4.1.1.3 Non-Fish Biota .............................................................................................................................................. 34 4.1.1.4 Fish ................................................................................................................................................................... 35 4.1.1.5 Aquatic Habitat ............................................................................................................................................. 42 4.1.2 Lakes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43 4.1.2.1 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 43 4.1.2.2 Sediment Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 43 4.1.2.3 Non-Fish Biota .............................................................................................................................................. 43 4.1.2.4 Fish ................................................................................................................................................................... 44 4.1.2.5 Aquatic Habitat ............................................................................................................................................. 46 4.1.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 46 4.2 UPPER PEACE ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47 4.2.1 Rivers ...................................................................................................................................................................... 49 4.2.1.1 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 49 4.2.1.2 Sediment Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 50 4.2.1.3 Non-Fish Biota .............................................................................................................................................. 51 4.2.1.4 Fish ................................................................................................................................................................... 51 i Aquatic Ecosystem Health of the Peace Watershed - FINAL REPORT - JULY 2012 4.2.1.5 Aquatic Habitat ............................................................................................................................................. 51 4.2.2 Lakes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 52 4.2.2.1 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................................ 52 4.2.2.2 Sediment Quality .......................................................................................................................................... 52 4.2.2.3 Non-Fish Biota .............................................................................................................................................. 52 4.2.2.4 Fish ................................................................................................................................................................... 52 4.2.2.5 Aquatic Habitat ............................................................................................................................................. 53 4.2.3 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 53 4.3 CENTRAL PEACE............................................................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.1 Rivers ...................................................................................................................................................................... 55 4.3.1.1 Water Quality 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