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Index
• Introduction
• Water Chemistry Monitoring
• Water Biology — Bethnic Invertibrate Sampling
• Enter the Watershed Information System 
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 The RVCA has gathered information on surface
water quality for over 37 years. Today, the RVCA operates four water quality monitoring programs:
 Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network
(Water Chemistry)
RVCA Baseline Monitoring Program
(Water Chemistry)
Watershed Watch (Water Chemistry)
Benthic Invertebrate Sampling
(Chemical/Physical Indicators)
The RVCA continues to collect samples on the Rideau River and its major tributaries in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE).
In 1997, the Conservation Authority began sampling streams for benthic macroinvertebrates (the bugs that live in the streams). The analysis of what actually lives in the streams is an excellent complement to chemical analysis of the stream waters. It gives a longer term look at what creatures the stream can support. The more varied and numerous the macroinvertebrates, the better the water quality. In 2003, the Ontario Conservation Authorities in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment created the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN). As the OBBN is developed, it, along with the PWQMN, will provide a good general look at the quality of the surface waters of Ontario. In addition to the data from the PWQMN sites, Conservation Authority staff have been doing additional baseline water chemistry monitoring at several locations on major and minor tributaries of the Rideau for a number of years. Recently an arrangement was made whereby staff of the City of Ottawa would do sampling within the city boundaries, the RVCA outside and the data will be shared in collaborative reporting. In 2001, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority initiated the Watershed Watch program. This program samples watershed lakes on a five year basis in cooperation with members of lake associations. Data from all of the sites will give us a more detailed picture of the aquatic environment in the Rideau Valley.
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Overview
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority presently monitors water chemistry at 59 stream locations and approximately 45 lake locations throughout the Rideau watershed on a routine basis. The three water chemistry monitoring programs are:
Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network
RVCA Baseline Monitoring Program
Watershed Watch
Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN)
Program objective: to provide a consistent baseline dataset that can give a general indication of water quality in the watershed. Click here for the Provincial Water Quality Objectives.
| number of sites: |
10 sites throughout the watershed
— 6 sites are in common with the City of Ottawa monitoring program and 3 with the RVCA baseline program which increases the total dataset for those sites which can allow more detailed assessment. |
| sampling frequency: |
8 times per year about once a month spaced to collect samples from the complete range of flow conditions from April to November |
| sample variables: |
36 nutrients, metals and anions |
RVCA Baseline Monitoring Program
Program objectives:
1. to assess the contribution of tributary streams to loadings in the Rideau River and upper watershed lakes
2. to monitor ambient conditions at locations on major tributary streams
| number of sites: |
52 sites in total
objective 1: 17 at or near the mouth of tributaries, objective 2: 9 sites on Kemptville Creek, 15 sites on the Tay River, 1 on Fish Creek — increase of 10 from 2002 to 2003 — 3 RVCA baseline sites are in common with the PWQMN, as mentioned above, and 2 are also sampled under the City of Ottawa program |
| sample frequency: |
once in May, September and October, twice per month June, July and August. |
| sample variables: |
31 bacteria, nutrients, metals, dissolved solids and anion variables — increased from 4 bacteria, nutrients and suspended solids previously |
Watershed Watch
Program objectives: to intensively sample the 45 major lakes in the watershed on a regular cycle to help identify trends in water qulaity. To view general information on the program, newsletters and state of the lake reports, click here.
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| number of sites: |
91 in 2003 (varies each year depending on lakes); 1 site at lake deep point (surface and bottom samples, dissolve oxygen/temperature profiles), average 8 inshore sample sites near possible pollution source points/areas |
| lakes sampled through 2003: |
Farren, O’Brien, Davern, Little Silver/Rainbow, Crosby, Little Crosby, Pike (2001); Otty, Long (Tay Valley Township), Westport Sand, Eagle, Black, Burridge, (2002); Christie, Otter, Bobs (Buck Bay, West Basin, Green Bay/Narrows, East Basin), Crow (2003). Click here to access the 2001 State of the Lake Reports. |
| sample frequency: |
once in May, September, October; twice per month June, July, August |
| sample variables: |
total phosphorous (TP), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), dissolved organic carbon at deep points; TP,TKN, Eschericia Coliform (E.Coli.) at inshore sites (sampled at half metre depth in approximately one metre of water) |
Understanding Water Chemistry
Sampling methods:
Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN)
RVCA Baseline
Watershed Watch
Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN):
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a “grab” sample at approximately 30 centimetres depth taken standing in the water where possible, from the bank using an extension pole or from a bridge using a sampling cylinder on a rope |
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lab analysis at the Ministry of Environment lab in Etobicoke |
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field measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and temperature |
RVCA Baseline:
Watershed Watch
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grab samples taken at a half metre depth in about one metre of water near the lake shore; composite sample at the deep point of the lake in the “euphotic” zone (surface zone of light penetration); alpha bottle sample one metre above the lake bottom at the deep point |
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lab analysis at City of Ottawa lab at the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre |
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field measurements of pH, conductivity, deep point surface and bottom water temperature; dissolved oxygen/temperature profiles at deep point |
Data
The Provincial Water Qulaity Monitoring Network (PWQMN) data is presented in scatter charts relative, in most cases, to the PWQO or guideline. It is obvious in all cases how the variable is performing. As well, there is a finger chart for each variable that shows the comparison from site to site. The fingers show the maximum and minimum concentration and the box shows the spread of the data between the 25th and 75th percentile. In other words, 50% of the data falls within the box. The shorter the fingers, the smaller the box, the lower on the scale the data falls and if the same pattern occurs for all variables, the better the water chemistry quality at the site is.
At this time, the RVCA baseline data is presented in its entirety. When a site is selected on the WIS map, the dataset for that site will be opened. The variable list was expanded in 2003 so there is only one year of data for many variables which is not sufficient for any statistical analysis. The data can be compared to the PWQO or guideline where available which will give some indication of what has happened in each area over the summer. Where the chemistry monitoring site is also a benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring site, the biological data will give an indication of the longer term situation.
The published reports for the Watershed Watch 2001 program are available online. The 2002 and 2003 reports are expected by April 2004. Until then, the dataset is available as for the RVCA baseline program.
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Overview
REPORTS
Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network Summary 2003 (10.5 MB)
• Appendices (3.68 MB)
Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network Summary 2004 (1.69 MB) |
The RVCA's Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Program started out in 1999 with sampling at only 15 sites, but has since evolved to more than 46 sites total. The area coverage has also grown from sampling in only 3 sub watersheds to now 6 sub watersheds. Bugs are great barometers of pollution. Some can tolerate pollution while others are very sensitive to instream pollution. By sampling stream-bottom invertebrates (caddisflies, damselflies, crayfish, snails, aquatic worms, etc.) the program can determine changes in stream water conditions and levels of pollution over time.
The sampling method involves collecting the species by using a D-Net with a kick and sweep method. Aquatic invertebrates are sampled at
33 stream locations throughout the watershed in the spring and fall to account for all life stages
of their development.
A total of three replicates of species are collected at each of the sites and are brought back to the lab for identification. Once identified the samples are run through various indices, which are then analyzed and observations can be made. Overtime trends and patterns of the data can be studied and water quality issues
can be addressed by using best management practices in areas of concern.
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Now a total of 30 stream sites are sampled each year spring fall change from 28. Also we sample 9 lakes this year with 3 samples on each including the watershed watch lakes for 2004. Next year we will be sampling on the watershed watch lakes identified for 2005.
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Understanding
The following Biotic Indices are calculated from the benthic macro-invertebrate data:
Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI)
Taxa Richness (TR)
Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Thrichoptera Taxa Richness Index (EPT)
Bentic Invertebrate Species Sensitivity
Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI)
The Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI) indicates organic and nutrient pollution and provides an estimate of water quality for each site using established pollution tolerance values for each taxa. The following table shows how water quality is evaluated using the Family Biotic Index.
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Taxa Richness (TR) Taxa Richness (TR) indicates the health of the community through it's diversity, and increases with increasing habitat diversity, suitability, and water quality (Plafkin et al., 1989). TR equates the total number of taxa found within the sample. The healthier the community is, the greater the number of taxa found within the community.
Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera Taxa Richness Index (EPT)
A calculation of taxa richness, such as EPT taxa richness index, will establish the stability of the community. Ephemeroptera (Mayflies), Plecoptera (Stoneflies), and Trichoptera (Caddisflies) are all species that are considered to be very sensitive to poor water quality conditions, therefore the presence of these organisms are indicators of good water quality sites. The higher the populations of these organisms the more stable the site.
Click here to see a sample
of common benthic invertebrates.
Benthic Invertebrate Species Sensitivity
Specific Taxa indexes include:
% dominant
% Midges
% Diptera
% Insects
% non-Dipteran Insects |
% EPT
% Mayflies
% Leeches
% Blackflies |
Taxa Tolerance Catagories
The chart below categorizes the taxa into various pollution tolerances those being sensitive, somewhat sensitive, and tolerant.
The Jock River Watershed has a total of 5 watercourses sampled: Flowing Creek, Jock River, Hobbs Drain, Kings Creek, and Nichols Creek, with three replicates taken at each sample location. This graph depicts the tolerance index values for Replicate #1, Fall 2003, Jock River Watershed. This tolerance graph shows various families (i.e. % Mayflies) and groups of families (i.e. % Insects)
that assist in determining water quality conditions for a given site.
The accompanying chart titled "Taxa Tolerance Categories" puts various organisms into three categories Sensitive, Somewhat Sensitive, and Tolerant. Some general statements can be made for example in the chart both the Jock River site and the Hobbs Drain site have high % Mayflies and % EPT this points toward good water quality conditions at these sites. Conversly both Nichols Creek and Flowing Creek had higher numbers of % Diptera and
% Midges , which may indicate impaired conditions at these sites. The % Dominant Index indicates that the Jock River site and the Hobbs Drain site had higher % dominant values indicating lower species diversity, however those species were primarily within the Sensitive Category, which indicates good water quality conditions. Determining health of a watercourse when using Benthic Invertebrates it is important to also consider physical and chemical parameters at the site.
The following breakdown is how these families rate from a sensitivity perspective for various water quality conditions:
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| % Simulidae (Blackfly Larvae) |
The chart categorizes these species as "Tolerant", which means that these organisms can live in any water quality conditions. |
| %Hirudinae (Leeches) |
The chart categorizes these species as "Tolerant", which means that these organisms can live in any water quality conditions. |
| % Ephemeroptera (Mayfly) |
The chart indicates these organisms are sensitive to pollution and are generally only found in good water quality conditions |
| % (EPT) Index- Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera (Mayfly, Stonefly, Caddisfly) |
This index takes three families that are all in the Sensitive category and totals them as a percentage in the sample to indicate water quality health. They are excellent indicators of good water quality and you would typically would want to see high numbers of all three families. |
| % Diptera Index |
The chart categorizes these species as "Tolerant", which means that these organisms can live in any water quality conditions. |
| % Insects Index - Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Anisoptera, Zygoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, flying Diptera, Tabanidae, Culicidae, Tipulidae, Simulidae |
The chart indicates these organisms into all three groups, Tolerant, Somewhat Sensitive and Sensitive to pollution and are found in poor to good water quality conditions |
| % Midges Index Diptera non flying, Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae |
The chart categorizes these species as "Tolerant", which means that these organisms can live in any water quality conditions |
| % Non Diptera Insect s- Ephemeroptera, Anisoptera, Zygoptera, Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera |
The chart indicates these organisms into two groups, which include Somewhat Sensitive and Sensitive to pollution and are generally only found in good or fair water quality conditions. |
| % Dominant |
This index shows dominance in the sample. The family with the highest # of organism is divided by the total # of organisms in the sample. This gives you % dominant. If a sample has a very high % dominant value than the diversity of that sample is low, which may indicate that the benthic invertebrate populations are unstable. Also with respect to % dominant, depending on what species makes up that value, it can determine water quality conditions. For example as mentioned above if the % dominant species within a sample is the Mayfly than your water quality conditions may be very good, however conversely if the % dominant species is the Blackfly than you may have impaired water quality conditions. |
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