Background & Rationale
The North Saskatchewan River is a vital resource for the communities and ecosystems within its watershed, providing water for drinking, agriculture, industry, and recreation. As urban areas continue to expand and exert pressure on aquatic systems, monitoring water quality along the river becomes increasingly important to ensure the protection of both the environment and public health. Understanding the spatial and temporal variations in water quality parameters is crucial for identifying potential impacts, determining the effectiveness of management actions, and guiding future decision-making (Government of Alberta, 2022).
In this study, I aimed to assess the spatial and temporal variations in water quality parameters along the North Saskatchewan River, focusing on comparing upstream and downstream conditions relative to the city of Edmonton. This analysis covers the period from 2018 to 2022 and includes ten primary water quality indicators, such as metals, nutrients, and biological indicators. By comparing data from two long-term monitoring stations, Devon Station (upstream) and Pakan Bridge (downstream), I seek to determine if water quality is improving or degrading from upstream to downstream and identify any seasonal patterns in parameter concentrations.
In this study, I aimed to assess the spatial and temporal variations in water quality parameters along the North Saskatchewan River, focusing on comparing upstream and downstream conditions relative to the city of Edmonton. This analysis covers the period from 2018 to 2022 and includes ten primary water quality indicators, such as metals, nutrients, and biological indicators. By comparing data from two long-term monitoring stations, Devon Station (upstream) and Pakan Bridge (downstream), I seek to determine if water quality is improving or degrading from upstream to downstream and identify any seasonal patterns in parameter concentrations.
Research Objectives
The North Saskatchewan River is used for various purposes, including municipal water supply, agriculture, oil refining, petrochemical manufacturing, and other commercial and industrial uses. In the Edmonton Area, the river is the primary source of water for two water treatment plants managed by EPCOR. These treatment plants are responsible for providing drinking water to the Edmonton Capital Region and nearby communities that are linked to EPCOR's regional water service area (Government of Alberta, 2022). Given its importance, maintaining the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River is essential to ensure the sustainability of these diverse uses and to protect the aquatic ecosystems and public health of the communities that depend on it. With this in mind, the research objectives of this project include the following:
1. Compare the spatial variation in water quality parameters between the upstream (Devon Station) and downstream (Pakan Bridge) monitoring stations to assess the potential impact of the city of Edmonton on water quality.
2. Identify seasonal patterns in parameter concentrations to understand their potential influence on water quality and inform targeted management actions.
1. Compare the spatial variation in water quality parameters between the upstream (Devon Station) and downstream (Pakan Bridge) monitoring stations to assess the potential impact of the city of Edmonton on water quality.
2. Identify seasonal patterns in parameter concentrations to understand their potential influence on water quality and inform targeted management actions.