Implications of Nitrogen Transport by the Okanagan River

by L. John Zeman, IWD, Vancouver, BC, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Forum '86: World Water Issues in Evolution

Abstract:

The long-term mean of total nitrogen load estimated in the river channel above the inlet to Skaha Lake is 906 lb day** minus **1. The apportionment of ammonia and nitrate plus nitrite in total nitrogen is 38% and 10%, respectively. The effluent from the Penticton waste water treatment plant is the major source of ammonia to receiving waters in the Penticton-Skaha Lake area. The ammonia apportionment decreases while the nitrate plus nitrite content increases downstream as the river flows through the agricultural area between Okanagan Falls and Osoyoos Lake. The long-term mean load of total nitrogen estimated in the river channel above the inlet to Osoyoos Lake is 1514 lb day** minus **1. The apportionment of ammonia and nitrate plus nitrite in total nitrogen is 7% and 20%, respectively. Most of the nitrate plus nitrite load is associated with the irrigation return flow from orchards and vineyards surrounding the river in the Okanagan Falls - Osoyoos Lake area.

Subject Headings: Nutrient pollution | Nitrogen | Lakes | Nitrates | High-rise buildings | Ammonia | Water treatment plants

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