Project Description
Water quality is an excellent indicator of overall watershed health. A Rocha has collected water quality data in conjunction with fish surveys and habitat restoration projects in the Little Campbell River watershed since 2001, however, these data only provide a snapshot of water quality conditions at the time of each survey. In 2017, A Rocha initiated a water quality pilot project to collect continuous (1 data point every 30 minutes) water quality data at two sites in the river using Hydrolab Sondes. Data is being collected on the following parameters: pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, depth and turbidity. The objectives of this project are to assess water quality conditions at upstream and downstream sites within the watershed, including diurnal and seasonal fluctuations, in order to effectively inform environmental management decisions and ultimately improve water quality and watershed health into the future.
Hydrolab Sonde stations were established in two locations along the mainstem of the Little Campbell River. A Rocha manages these two stations monthly by off loading data and calibrating the units. Operational procedures and data collection are conducted according to the procedures outlined by the Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC) as well as the Provincial Continuous Water Quality Sampling Program Operative Procedures. This project has been conducted in partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment and City of Surrey.