REP01543 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

The data indicates a fairly good correlation between upstream and • downstream stations on each stream. As expected the upstream stations generally had a lower flow than the downstream stations on each stream. On Trout Creek the downstream station has a lower flow than the upstream station, probably due to irrigation withdrawals, the effects of which are also reflected in the site 301 data. Water Quality Water quality samples are collected at all the primary sites on a regular. The water quality summaries are presented on Tables 31 through 48. Plots of historic water quality data for Foidel Creek are presented on Figures 34 through 37, Figure 50 and Figure 53. A plot of historic water quality data for Fish Creek is presented on Figure 38. A plot of water quality data for Middle Creek is presented on Figure 39. Plots of historic water quality data for Trout Creek area presented on Figures 40 and 41. The base level of field conductivity measured during spring runoff, was higher in the downstream sites on Foidel Creek. It is approximately 750 umhos/cm in the upstream site (14) and from 1500 to 1800 umhos/cm in the downstream sites (800 and 8). Since 1981 the base level for conductivity at both downstream sites has been increasing although there appears to have been a levelling off since 1989. The upstream site also has shown an increasing trend in conductivity sine 1986, presumably as a result of lower runoff . flows since this time. During the 1993 irrigation season, the field conductivities at Station 14 could not be measured as there was no measurable flow. The field conductivity at Station 8 was approximately 3300 umhos/cm. The difference between the conductivities at the upstream and downstream stations is attributable primarily to spoil spring discharges related to surface mining. these discharges cause increased concentrations of dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate and a reduction in SAR in Foidel Creek. However, the increase in TDS levels during irrigation season is not sufficient to cause material damage. while the spoil springs area adding some manganese to Foidel Creek, the level at Station 8 is still below the total recoverable standard of 1000 ug/1. Historically, high total recoverable manganese also has been recorded in the upstream station (14), indicating that these values are also attributable to non-mining related causes. The dissolved solids concentrations in the upstream station of Fish Creek (16) are generally slightly lower than those in the downstream station (1002). There is also a slight downstream trend of increasing sodium and sulfate concentrations while calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate concentrations remain fairly consistent. The proportionally higher sodium concentrations over calcium and magnesium leads to a slight downstream increase in SAR. These • 6