Tributary Outlet Sampling

Data from tributary outlets has been collected since 2004 and are beginning to characterize each of the subwatersheds in terms of water quality and their contributions of materials to the St. Lawrence River.  The WQWG is currently reviewing associated delisting criteria and developing proposed modifications that can prioritize actions and provide more representative and achievable targets.

Currently, work is being conducted to determine the discharge rates of nutrients, E. coli and suspended sediments from tributaries to Lake St. Francis by establishing stream gauges and conducting measurements of water quality in each tributary.  Temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen are being collected in the field.  Samples are being collected and analysed for TP, TDP and all forms of nitrogen in tributary samples in addition to E. coli and TSS.  Samples are being collected for chlorophyll a analysis and for screening for deleterious algae, including toxic forms of cyanobacteria, to help establish whether these algae are being transported to the nearshore environment of the St. Lawrence River directly from the tributaries as suggested by Munawar and Fitzpatrick (2006).

For additional information, please contact Chris Critoph, Manager of Environmental Services.  chris@rrca.on.ca.  

Back to Water Quality Quantity