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Environment Canada conducts water quality monitoring on the Interconnecting Channels of the Great Lakes (i.e. St. Lawrence, Niagara, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers) to assess upstream/downstream loadings of pollution in fulfillment of Canada's obligations under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Beginning in 1975 in the Niagara River (at Niagara-on-the-Lake), samples have been collected for nutrients (Total Phosphorus, Nitrate-nitrite, etc.), major ions (Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Sulphate etc), organic contaminants (Organochlorines, Chlorobenzenes, etc.) and physical parameters (temperature, specific conductance etc.). Other stations were established as follows: in the St. Lawrence River at Wolfe Island, in 1976; in the Niagara River at Fort Erie, in 1983; in the St. Clair River at Point Edward and Port Lambton, in 1986; and in the Detroit River, in 2000. The objectives of the program are to ensure compliance with water quality objectives, evaluate trends in concentrations and loadings and identify emerging issues. All data are stored at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in the ENVIRODAT database and can be retrieved upon request.
- St. Lawrence River
- Niagara River
- St. Clair River
- Detroit River
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