2016 River Guardians season has now started
Interpreting the results
The following table has been developed to assist with interpreting River Guardians results. The thresholds are based on the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.
The following table has been developed to assist with interpreting River Guardians results. The thresholds are based on the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.
For more information on water quality guidelines view the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines, produced by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment: http://www.ccme.ca/en/resources/canadian_environmental_quality_guidelines/index.html/
Latest results: July 10, 2016
Past results: June 26, 2016
For more information on the River Guardians program visit:
http://www.annapolisriver.ca/riverguardians.php
E. coli Bacteria
E. coli bacteria live in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals. They occupy the same ecological niche as many human pathogens and are used to indicate the potential presence of harmful organisms (e.g. Cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea). E. coli bacteria have been identified as a major cause of concern in the Annapolis River watershed. The potential sources of contamination in the watershed include poorly maintained on-site (domestic) septic systems, malfunctioning central sewage treatment plants, aquatic wildlife , domestic animals, and livestock.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is a widely used and important general indicator of the health of aquatic systems. Aquatic organisms, such as fish, require oxygen dissolved in the water to survive. Levels below 6.5 mg/L can cause stress to cold-water fish. Sewage, manure, or algal blooms resulting from elevated nutrient levels can result in low DO levels.
Water Temperature
Water temperature also serves as a broad indicator of water quality. The temperature of water has a direct bearing on the health and abundance of aquatic species. Trout and salmon experience stress at temperatures in excess of 20ºC and death occurs after prolonged exposure to temperatures over 24ºC.
Turbidity
Turbidity measures the amount of suspended sediment in a water sample. It varies depending on soil type, amount of shoreline erosion and surrounding land use, among other things. Baseline levels are specific to each watercourse and need to be established in order to determine the significance of peak levels. Generally, turbidity values below 10 NTU are acceptable. Water that is too turbid can block light from reaching aquatic plants and interfere with feeding mechanisms of zooplankton. Turbidity is highly variable and can spike during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
pH
pH is a measure of the acidic/basic nature of water. It is expressed on a scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most basic. To ensure the health of freshwater aquatic life, pH levels should not vary beyond a range of 6.5 to 9.0. Levels below 5.0 are known to negatively affect many species of fish, such as salmon and trout. pH varies naturally, but it can also be influenced by human factors, such as acid rain inputs.
E. coli bacteria live in the digestive tract of warm-blooded animals. They occupy the same ecological niche as many human pathogens and are used to indicate the potential presence of harmful organisms (e.g. Cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea). E. coli bacteria have been identified as a major cause of concern in the Annapolis River watershed. The potential sources of contamination in the watershed include poorly maintained on-site (domestic) septic systems, malfunctioning central sewage treatment plants, aquatic wildlife , domestic animals, and livestock.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen is a widely used and important general indicator of the health of aquatic systems. Aquatic organisms, such as fish, require oxygen dissolved in the water to survive. Levels below 6.5 mg/L can cause stress to cold-water fish. Sewage, manure, or algal blooms resulting from elevated nutrient levels can result in low DO levels.
Water Temperature
Water temperature also serves as a broad indicator of water quality. The temperature of water has a direct bearing on the health and abundance of aquatic species. Trout and salmon experience stress at temperatures in excess of 20ºC and death occurs after prolonged exposure to temperatures over 24ºC.
Turbidity
Turbidity measures the amount of suspended sediment in a water sample. It varies depending on soil type, amount of shoreline erosion and surrounding land use, among other things. Baseline levels are specific to each watercourse and need to be established in order to determine the significance of peak levels. Generally, turbidity values below 10 NTU are acceptable. Water that is too turbid can block light from reaching aquatic plants and interfere with feeding mechanisms of zooplankton. Turbidity is highly variable and can spike during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
pH
pH is a measure of the acidic/basic nature of water. It is expressed on a scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most basic. To ensure the health of freshwater aquatic life, pH levels should not vary beyond a range of 6.5 to 9.0. Levels below 5.0 are known to negatively affect many species of fish, such as salmon and trout. pH varies naturally, but it can also be influenced by human factors, such as acid rain inputs.