Water Quality Observations in Natural Salmon Creeks and Hatchery Rivers in British Columbia

Abstract

This study investigated water quality in natural salmon creeks and hatchery-utilized streams in British Columbia. Salmon conservation is essential for maintaining ecological balance and economic stability. As a keystone species, salmon play a vital role in nutrient cycling,
providing resources for both aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial environments, such as forests and wildlife. Water quality was assessed in both natural and hatchery creeks across the Metro Vancouver region by measuring parameters such as pH, carbon dioxide, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and ammonia. The collected data was analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) in IBM SPSS to compare abiotic variables across the sampled locations. Since this is an observational study, no specific hypothesis was tested. Comparison of abiotic variables across stream types (control, natural, and hatchery) revealed significant pairwise differences (p < 0.05) in pH, oxygen, and ammonia, indicating distinct water quality characteristics. Our results suggest that hatchery-managed creeks may require more careful monitoring to prevent potential negative impacts on water quality as abiotic variables such as ammonia were significantly higher than natural creeks. This will help us to further preserve thriving salmon populations, support fishing industries, recreational activities, and tourism, benefiting countless livelihoods. Without dedicated conservation efforts, the loss of salmon would have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and economies alike.