Effects of reservoir-dam, urban, industrial, and sewage treatment run-off on the presence of oxygen and organic compounds in the Bow River

Abstract

Because of persistent complaints by downstream users about the deterioration of water quality, the Bow River waters near Calgary, Alberta, were examined for the occurrence and presence of organic compounds. The overall water quality was determined by studying the effects of reservoir-dam, urban, industrial and municipal outfall on the river as it enters and leaves the Calgary city limits. The reservoir-dam and urban run-off do not affect the Bow River water quality. The industrial and municipal outfall, although contributing slightly higher levels of organic carbon compounds to the river, have minimal impact on its water quality. This was indicated by the fact that concentrations of organic compounds in the river waters leaving the Calgary city limits were in the range of those for pristine waters of Alberta. Thus, in terms of organic compounds, the Bow River water quality poses no problem to the downstream users of the river.