low base flow; and reports of algae during the summer months.Water quality findings in Bayers Creek report exceedances ofchloride, phosphorus and E. coli; and nutrient and chlorideenrichment from upstream urban and agricultural areas.Grassy Brook is reported to be experiencing exceedances ofphosphorus, and algae were observed during the summermonths in 2007. Tee Creek water quality results indicated anexceedance of phosphorus in 2007 as did Lyons Creek.Biological Monitoring andAssessment ProgramWater QualitySurface water quality is monitored by the <strong>NPCA</strong> staff in theSouth <strong>Niagara</strong> Falls watershed through the collection of grabsamples on a monthly basis during the ice-free season andanalyzed for several parameters including nutrients, metals,bacteria, suspended solids, and general chemistry. Theindicator parameters summarized in Table 3 are the mostuseful in assessing relative stream quality. They include: totalphosphorus, nitrate, copper, lead, zinc, Escherichia coli,chloride, suspended solids and benthic invertebrates (<strong>NPCA</strong>2007a).At the time the surface water quality monitoring programwas initiated, sampling sites were prioritized by catchmentsize. Therefore, due to the small catchment size of HuntersDrain, it was not identified as a priority. However, due to theidentification of algae in the watercourse during the 2007field season, adding a sampling site in Hunters Drain shouldbe considered for subsequent sampling seasons. Surface waterquality is currently monitored in Usshers Creek, Lyons Creek,Grassy Brook, Tee Creek and Bayers Creek through the <strong>NPCA</strong>Water Quality Monitoring Program (Table 4). The locations ofthe water quality monitoring sites are illustrated on Figure 14.Table 3: Water Quality Parameters (as reported in <strong>NPCA</strong> 2007)Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling has been completed atsurface water quality monitoring stations using the BioMAP(Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program) protocol.Benthic macroinvertebrates are defined as the larger organismsinhabiting the substrate of waterways for at least part of theirlife cycle. Benthic macroinvertebrate species that are commonlyfound in the <strong>Niagara</strong> <strong>Peninsula</strong> include clams, snails, leeches,worms, and the larval stages of dragonflies, stoneflies,caddisflies, mayflies and beetles. At sites where water quality isimpaired, the organisms found are less sensitive and thereforemore tolerant to environmental stresses than organisms thatwould have historically occurred. The benthic population atan impaired site would typically be dominated by these moretolerant species, and as a result, biodiversity at the site wouldbe quite low.The BioMAP results for all five water quality monitoringstations in the South <strong>Niagara</strong> Falls <strong>Watershed</strong> indicated animpaired water quality rating in 2007 (Table 4).The 2007 water quality data for the Usshers Creek stationreported a poor water quality rating with exceedances ofphosphorus and suspended solids; benthic species consistingmainly of worms, which is consistent with nutrient enrichment;TABLE 3: WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS (AS REPORTED by <strong>NPCA</strong> IN 2007)CATEGORY INDICATOR PARAMETER OBJECTIVE REFERENCENutrients Total Phosphorus 0.03 mg/L PWQO (MOE 1994)Nutrients Nitrate 13 mg/L CWQG (CCME 2007)Metals Copper 0.005 mg/L PWQO (MOE 1994)Metals Lead 0.005 mg/L PWQO (MOE 1994)Metals Zinc 0.02 mg/L PWQO (MOE 1994)Microbiological Escherichia coli 100 counts/100mL PWQO (MOE 1994)Other Chloride 100 mg/L CWQG (CCME 2005)Other Suspended Solids 25 mg/L BC MOE (2001)Biological Benthic Invertebrates Unimpaired BioMAP (Griffiths 1999)26
Figure 14: WATER QUALITY AND POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS27