Sediment data and information
The measurement of sediments in streams in Canada dates back to 1948, in Saskatchewan. The federal government has conducted a national sediment program since 1961 in cooperation with the provinces, territories, and other interested agencies, such as hydroelectric companies. Data-collection techniques are standardized across the country to maintain data quality and comparability. Provincial governments also collect sediment data either as part of a regular sampling program or for specific studies. Consulting engineers and planners, as well as university researchers, also carry out sampling for site-specific projects.
These data have been used extensively to address reservoir sedimentation, environmental impact assessment, sediment-associated contaminant transport, and other concerns.
Sediment data and information are available from a variety of sources. A large amount of data is contained in a national computer data base operated by Environment Canada. The data base contains historical and current data for about 750 stations throughout the country, about 300 of which are currently monitored.
The types of data that are stored in the national computer data base are as follows:
- suspended-sediment concentrations
- suspended-sediment loads
- suspended-sediment particle size
- bed load
- bed-load particle size
- bed-material particle size
- sediment quality
The data are published annually on CD-Rom and are available from:
Water Survey of Canada 
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-992-7121
Fax: 613-992-4288
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