Water quality of an intensive agricultural watershed in Quebec

Lapp, P.; Madramootoo, C.A.; Enright, P.; Papineau, F.; Perrone, J.

Water quality of an intensive agricultural watershed in Quebec

1998

Lapp, P. | Madramootoo, C.A. | Enright, P. | Papineau, F. | Perrone, J.

Under a watershed based approach being examined by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices, a study on the impacts of agricultural practices on the St. Esprit watershed was initiated in the fall of 1993. The water quality of this 26 km2 intensive agricultural watershed was studied over an 18 month period. Water samples taken at the outlet of the watershed were analyzed for nitrate, phosphate, suspended sediment, and atrazine. Water quality data were analyzed to establish seasonal trends in pollutant concentration and load in the watercourse. Spring snowmelt was identified as a significant period of pollutant material export. All pollutant materials displayed seasonal variability in the export process. Peak pollutant concentrations were associated with high flow events. Mean observed pollutant concentrations did not exceed drinking water quality standards.

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