ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Flathead River Water Monitoring and Assessment
Water quality and quantity in the Kootenay
Region has been studied by the provincial and federal governments
since the 1970s. Baseline
data from these studies and other research is used to ensure
resource developments — such as mining, coalbed gas exploration
and timber harvesting— only proceed in an environmentally
sustainable manner.
The Flathead River Basin is an important part of the Kootenay
Region that receives extensive study. Water quality monitoring
and flow gauging has been conducted on a frequent basis over
the past three decades to ensure existing conditions are well
documented prior to any resource development decisions.
Extensive monitoring of water quality, and animal and plant
life was carried out by the B.C. Ministry of Environment (BCMOE)
and Environment Canada throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Monthly
monitoring of the Flathead River at the U.S. border was carried
out jointly by these two agencies from 1980 to 1995 and again
from 2002 to 2004. This site was monitored as part of a network
of sites across B.C. established to detect the existence of any
significant trends in water quality. In 1995 an assessment of
15 years of data showed no such trends in the Flathead River
and monitoring was put on hold as a result of this information.
Monitoring resumed in 2002 for another two years to check for
changes. Preliminary findings indicate no changes and a report
is being drafted which will be posted on this page in the near
future. A BCMOE/B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum
Resources program of monthly monitoring at a site in the upper
Flathead River began in 2004 and continues today.
The Government of British Columbia considers all potential impacts
of development projects before they are given approval to proceed.
The provincial Environmental
Assessment Office thoroughly reviews
any mining projects that have been proposed. In most cases, the
Canadian
Environmental Assessment Agency also completes a separate
review to ensure federal requirements are met as well. Often
the two agencies work jointly, combining their expertise to ensure
the environment remains protected.
Coalbed
gas is at the early exploration and development stage
in British Columbia. Natural gas companies are exploring the
economic and environmental viability of coalbed gas development.
During this exploration stage, the Ministry
of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Oil
and Gas Commission are monitoring
activity across the province to ensure responsible management
of this resource.
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Here are some data and reports from research
done on the water resources of the Flathead River:
Flathead River at the Canada-U.S. Border Water Quality Monitoring
Data
Flathead River at McLatchie Rd - Water Quality Data from
May 2004 to September 2006
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/kor/epd/flathead_riv/FlatheadMclatchie.xls
Water Quality Trends in Selected British Columbia Waterbodies
- Kootenay Region
(March 2000 report)
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/trendsWQS/WatTrendKootenay.pdf
Assessment of Federal-Provincial Water Quality Data for the
Flathead and Similkameen Rivers (February 1994 report)
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/trendstuff/flatsimilkassess.pdf
Kootenay Air and Water Quality Study Phase II: Water Quality
in the Elk and Flathead River Basins (October 1978 report)
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/kootenay/kootenayIIelkflat.pdf
A Water Quality Study of the Flathead River Basin British Columbia
Prior to Proposed Coal Mining (1980 report)
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/kor/epd/flathead_riv/flathead_sheehan.pdf
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October
2006