Quality Degradation in Waters Undergoing Interbasin Transfer

Abstract

Abstract The Saskatchewan River system is the main source of good quality water in the Western Interior Sedimentary Basin which forms the populated and agricultural area of the prairie region of Western Canada. Water from this river system has in the past been diverted at many points into local drainage areas where water shortages existed. It is expected that in the future more diversion schemes will be initiated to transport Saskatchewan River water to the water deficient areas of the Prairies. There is evidence that the quality of water flowing into diversion schemes utilizing existing drainage systems or glacial and proglacial drainage channels has been degraded from natural causes. Increases in mineral salts and phosphates, in some cases, has rendered the diverted water of little use for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes. More diversions are in the feasibility and planning stages - many diversions may prove to be unacceptable if the inherent degradation potential of natural channels is understood. Alternative diversion routes and schemes which exclude the use of topographical low areas will have to be devised and investigations conducted on the degradation potential of the alternative routes.