Results In For Coldstream Creek Study Posted on 12/21/2015 by Pete McIntyre

Posted on 12/21/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
The results are in from the first phase of a new study of Coldstream Creek. The creek, which originates on Silver Star Mountain, provides 80 percent of the surface water entering Kalamalka Lake, a key local water source, but is known for poor water quality at times of the year. Trina Koch from the Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake, says they took 142 samples at 55 locations along the creek in August and September (low water flow), which were sent to a firm to be analyzed. She says they found high levels of chloride and nitrates near a former dairy farm west of School Road in Lavington. "There is three culverts there that enter Coldstream Creek, and the culverts flow under Highway 6. They are intercepting spring water that is flowing underneath that old dairy form," Koch tells Kiss FM. Koch says the District of Coldstream is aware of the problem, and is looking to build a wetland to remedy it. A culvert at Brewer Road was also found to a significant point source of contaminants. Koch says the results showed the Coldstream Ranch was not causing water quality issues. "I know that they've worked hard to keep the creek clean, and Coldstream Ranch was not indicated as a problem in this study." Koch says they are recommending more riparian plantings along the creek, more storm water treatments, and encouraging hobby farms along the creek to limit horse access to the stream. Koch says the study looked at chlorides, nitrates, sulfates and electrical conductivity in the stream, focusing on those because they are indicative of human influence and water quality. "It's just a snapshot at this point, and you can't make broad conclusions," says Koch. Two more sets of samples, one during the high spring flow and another next summer, will finish off the study in 2016. Funding for the first phase came from a $20,000 grant fro the Okanagan Basin Water Board.