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Grand River Aquatic Baseline Assessment
Location:
Grand Valley, Ontario

Client:
R. J. Burnside & Associates Ltd.

A comprehensive aquatic baseline assessment was undertaken for a section of the Grand River in support of a Municipal Class EA for the East Luther Grand Valley proposed wastewater treatment plant expansion. A background review of existing technical reports was initially conducted to scope the study design and to supplement field data.

Aquatic assessments were undertaken within the near- and far-mixing zones of the proposed wastewater discharge which included mapping and characterization of riverbed substrates to evaluate sediment oxygen demand; fish habitat mapping; benthic invertebrate sampling and identification, instream vegetation community surveys; and observable signs of downstream human uses and areas of concern that could be sensitive to changes in water quality conditions. The baseline data was compiled, analyzed and presented in a technical report that included recommendations for consideration by the project team.