Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussels (Gonidea angulata) are listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as a species of special concern and have been re-assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered. These fresh water mussels are only found in Canada in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. As a continuation of previous work and to inform future assessments and conservation efforts within this geographic range, seven easily accessible sites known to have high densities of G. angulata were selected as prospective index sites to monitor relative abundance (i.e. mussel bed density) using snorkel surveys. For lake sites, a two-stage sampling design was conducted using transects and quadrats. For the river site, cumulative counts from sides of the river were collected. Some sites were sampled only once while others were sampled multiple times from 2011-2016. Mean mussel densities across all surveys ranged from 0.19 to 2.86 mussels/m2, corresponding to site abundance estimates ranging from 102 to 3,276 mussels. Depth measurements were also taken at most sites to inform the Fish Water Management Tool of the Okanagan Water Management Board.

These data sets provide information pertaining to epifauna and substrate estimates collected at dockside perimeters of floating docks located in Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Delta, British Columbia, between August and November, 2020. Data sets were compiled and formatted by Meagan Mak.Epifauna diversity was examined along surface perimeters of floating docks in Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Delta in southwestern British Columbia. Diversity estimates were obtained from video surveys collected over three depth-intervals: 1) Splash zone (SZ): depth-interval directly 15-cm above air-water interface; 2) Subsurface zone (SSZ): depth-interval (0-21 cm) below air-water interface; and 3) Deep-water zone (DZ): depth-interval below the SSZ (21-41 cm). Dock substrate consisted of combinations of wood, concrete, tires, plastic-floats, and metal, while epifauna and epiflora included anemones, tunicates, sponge, tube-worms, sea stars, bivalves, crabs, nudibranchs, urchins, barnacles, limpets, chitons, isopods, macroalgae and seagrass. Mussels ranged between 46% and 95% coverage across docks (median: 93%), while frequency of occurrence ranged between 85% and 100% (median: 99%), providing a biological-based substrate for other epifauna. The splash-zone consisted of outcropped mussels, encroached macroalgae from the waterline, and invertebrates above the waterline (limpets, chiton). If present, Ulva spp. typically formed a consistent narrow band (2-3 cm) above the waterline across all docks. Benthic (pipefish, sculpin) and pelagic (perch) fish were associated with epifaunal coverage and pelagic (open-water medium) settings. The Coast Guard Sea Island dock may experience episodic low-salinity intrusions supporting marine organisms at this site (ochre star, sculpin, limpet).

Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga Mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) have a long history of invasion in European and North American freshwater ecosystems, with significant ecological and economic impacts. An ecological risk assessment for these two invasive species for freshwater ecosystems in Canada was completed in April 2022 with the aim to provide science-based guidance to inform management decisions and actions. These include early detection, response planning, and/or regulatory and policy measures aimed at mitigating the potential spread and risk posed by Zebra and Quagga Mussels to Canadian freshwater ecosystems (DFO 2023). The Potential for Introduction (propagule pressure and connectivity), the Potential for Establishment (habitat suitability, including a Calcium-based and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt)-based model), the Potential for Invasion, and the Ecological Impacts were used to derive Ecological Risk for Zebra and Quagga Mussels in Canada. This assessment did not evaluate the risk to individual waterbodies but rather was conducted at a 9,260 m x 9,260 m grid cell resolution. These high resolution maps are provided here. Maps of Ecological Risk at the sub-drainage level are also provided. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is not responsible for any omissions or errors that may be contained in this dataset and shall not be liable for any losses, financial or otherwise, due to the use of these data. Please credit Wilcox et al. 2024 as the source of the data in any maps, reports, or articles that are printed or published on paper or the Internet.

The purpose of this data is to support the Large Lakes Protocol, an interagency document that addresses the processes that need to be followed during foreshore development. The required application process varies depending on habitat value zone

Data are contaminants in tissue of caged mussels put in the river for 3 weeks at about 25 stations located on the Canadian and US side of the river. The main objective of the study is to identify contaminant sources, or source areas requiring more detailed follow-up investigations, based on the level  of contaminants in the mussels. Compounds monitored include: * organochlorinated pesticides * Polychlorinated biphenyls * dioxins/furan * chlorinated benzenes * Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons * industrial organic compounds

Total soil moisture is the modelled amount of plant available water (mm) in the root zone of the soil. The value given is the amount calculated to be present on the modeled day of the product.Values are computed using the Versatile Soil Moisture Budget (VSMB)

Difference from normal soil moisture is the modelled amount of plant available water (mm) in the root zone of the soil, minus the average amount that has historically been available on that day. This value is intended to provide users with a representation of conditions above or below normal and by the amount of water (mm).Values are computed using the Versatile Soil Moisture Budget (VSMB)

An Element Occurrence (EO) is an area of land and/or water in which a species or ecological community is, or was, present. An Element is either a species (or subspecies taxa) or an ecological community, the Occurrence is the documented location. The EO concept is part of NatureServe methodology. This methodology is used throughout the NatureServe network. EOs are created based on the Element Occurrence Data Standard and are a derived product developed from submitted observations. An EO should have practical conservation value for the Element as evidenced by potential continued (or historical) presence and/or regular recurrence at a given location. For Species Elements, the EO often corresponds with the local population, but when appropriate may be a portion of a population (e.g., for long distance dispersers) or may be a group of nearby populations (e.g., metapopulation). For Ecological Community Elements, the EO may represent a stand or patch of a natural community, or a cluster of stands or patches of a natural community. This dataset contains Non-sensitive EOs. Non-Sensitive EOs are locations (i.e. occurrences) of species or communities that are rare (or of conservation concern for some other reason) and for which there are no restrictions regarding public access to location data (beyond agreeing to the Terms and Conditions detailed below). This data updates on a daily basis.

This dataset provides the results obtained by Health Canada’s Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN) for the gross alpha and beta activity concentrations in drinking water, given in units of becquerels per liter (Bq/L). More information about the CRMN network can be found on the Health Canada website (see link below). Although water quality is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, the CRMN, in collaboration with the city of Ottawa, has been conducting a targeted program to monitor the radiological content of drinking water from two water treatment plants in Ottawa, ON. The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality recommend screening levels of 0.5 Bq/L and 1.0 Bq/L for gross alpha and gross beta activity, respectively. The screening levels are set to reflect the most restrictive Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MACs) for specific radionuclides in drinking water. If the screening levels are not exceeded, compliance with the guidelines can be inferred. The screening levels set out in the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality are calculated based on annual averages of radionuclides in drinking water. Short-term exposure to levels above those recommended by these guidelines does not indicate a health risk. The measured gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations presented here are well below the screening levels set by the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, with only one exception to date. This occurred February 28, 2011, and was attributable to the flushing of lead pipes at the water treatment plant. It resulted in a spike of naturally occurring lead radionuclides that was dealt with immediately by the City of Ottawa. The map shows the approximate sampling location for each monitoring station. Stations are found within the associated location range.

This dataset provides the results obtained by Health Canada’s Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN) for the tritium activity concentration in drinking water originating from the water treatment plants in Ottawa, ON. More information about the CRMN network can be found on the Health Canada website (see link below). The results provided are the tritium activity concentration in units of becquerels per litre (Bq/L). Although ensuring water quality is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, the CRMN, in collaboration with the city of Ottawa, has been conducting a targeted program to monitor the radiological content of drinking water from two water treatment plants in Ottawa, ON.The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality recommend a Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) for tritium in drinking water of 7000 Bq/L. The measured activity concentrations of tritium in drinking water are well below this guideline value.The map shows the approximate sampling location for each monitoring station. Stations are found within the associated location range.