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Water Quality Sampling Program – 2021

By Shelleen Gerbig, P.Ag. SARDA AG Research

SARDA Ag Research began a water quality monitoring program in 2011 with Aquality Environmental Consulting Ltd (Aquality). SARDA Ag Research chose sample locations based on their proximity to agricultural lands, use as drinking water intakes, and their likelihood of exposure to terrestrial inputs. One site is more pristine with little upstream agricultural activity (Little Smoky River), one primarily drains areas dominated by livestockbased agricultural activities (New Fish Creek), and one primarily drains areas dominated by cropland (Peavine Creek). Surface water samples were taken from Peavine Creek, New Fish Creek, and the Little Smoky River. 2021 sampling occurred in the early summer (June 21) after the spraying of pre-emergent herbicides on croplands and again in the fall (October 21) following crop harvest. All samples were analyzed for nutrients, bacteria, herbicides and pesticides, and metals.

All sampling locations fall within the Smoky River watershed, part of the Peace River Basin. The area is located within the northern portion of the dry mixed-wood natural sub-region associated with the Peace River. This natural sub-region generally consists of undulating terrain underlain by glacial till, over which a mosaic of coniferous and deciduous forests have developed (Natural Regions Committee, 2006). The region has extensive wetland development, predominantly bog and fen habitats associated with wooded areas, and graminoid marshes in areas cleared of woody vegetation cover, especially in agriculturally developed areas. The dry mixedwood natural sub-region tends to have warmer summers and milder winters than regionally adjacent sub-regions within the Boreal Natural Region, which has led to extensive agricultural development.

Figure 2. Flows and water levels for the Little Smoky River in 2021 (Alberta Environment and Parks, 2021).

River Water Quality Index Site Ranking

Aquality developed a modified version of the Alberta Environment and Parks’ (AEP) River Water Quality Index in 2013. The index included all parameters sampled by SARDA Ag Research; however, the methodology and statistical formula used to analyze the data remained the same. The index considers the number of times a parameter exceeded guidelines and the magnitude of those exceedances, broken down across four categories of parameters: • Bacteria, • Metals, • Nutrients and Related • Variables, Pesticides

The results from the sub-indices are averaged to provide an overall water quality index score for each site, with 100 being the best water quality and 0 being the poorest. From these percentages, we can obtain a water quality rating for each location from excellent to poor. The index has been updated over time to reflect changes in provincial guidelines. Results of sampling periods were edited with the new guidelines, facilitating comparisons between current and past years.

Figure 3. Sample bottles for one site

The water quality index was calculated by season for all sample sites. In 2021, the poorest water quality index value (50%) was observed at New Fish Creek in the spring, while the best values (100%) observed were at the Little Smoky River in the spring and fall and New Fish Creek in the fall. Average values in 2021 were the lowest of the historical period at Peavine Creek and New Fish Creek.

Water quality sub-indices for each of the four-parameter groups (Bacteria, Metals, Nutrients & Related Variables, and Pesticides) show a similar pattern. Pesticides were not a problem at any of the sites, while Metals and Nutrients & Related Variables have had the most significant detrimental impact to overall water quality. Bacteria have generally not been as great of a problem, though strong exceedances at Peavine Creek and New Fish Creek did contribute substantially to reduced water quality in 2021.

What can we do to protect water quality?

1. Develop and respect buffer zones when applying nutrients and pesticides. Buffer zones provide numerous ecological benefits. Some of these include filtering and immobilizing particulates, slowing soil erosion, providing habitat for beneficial organisms that protect against crop pests, protecting pollinators for crops, prevents pesticides from entering the waterways. 2. Follow the 4R’s of nutrient applications (Right place, Right time, Right rate and Right form) and all pesticides’ recommended rates and timings. Follow economic thresholds when considering applications of insecticides and fungicides. 3. Keep your soil covered. Zero-till and minimumtill have significantly reduced the amount of soil erosion on grain production operations. However, you may want to explore regenerative ag operations that are expected to reduce soil erosion further and create healthier soil with more soil organisms and larger soil aggregates that are more resistant to erosion. 4. Seed a permanent forage or grass in drainage ditches to help prevent soil erosion and inflow of particulates into watercourses. Many nutrients and metals are bound to those soil particles. 5. Allow watercourses to follow the natural serpentine form that slows water allowing for particles holding nutrients and metals on the land. This also will enable plants and bacteria to capture and break down these substances. 6. In some instances, it may be beneficial to restore some wetlands and watercourses as they provide more benefits than disadvantages. They are a source of moisture in years of drought and provide more habitat for beneficial organisms.

Figure 5. Peavine Creek Sample Site - MD of Smoky River