Water quality assessment of Paradise Creek, Strathcona Provincial Park

• Main Author: Nickolet, Jordi Jay
• Other Authors: Dodd, Matt
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10170/513

The purpose of this study was to determine the water quality of Paradise Creek and its impacts on the ecosystem of Paradise Meadows. Five water samples each were taken from a reference site and two test sites during the spring runoff over a 30 Day period. The results indicated that 3 of the 31 parameters measured exceeded the British Columbia Water Quality Guidelines for Aquatic Health. Seventeen of 31 parameters measured were statistically different between the reference and a test site. Benthic invertebrates were sampled during the low flows in the fall at a test site and reference site. The results showed that the test site had a reduction of biological abundance and diversity, and a different population structure compared to the reference site. The water chemistry analysis and the biological sampling suggest that the water quality of Paradise Creek and aquatic ecosystem of Paradise Meadows are being impacted.