Dataset

Goulais River Water Quality Monitoring Program

Dataset by Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy

Dataset summary

About this dataset

The Goulais River Water Quality Monitoring Program aims to build strong baseline data followed by long-term stewardship, monitoring and understanding of ongoing water quality of this beautiful water course that so many love and rely on.

Our program aims to understand and monitor the quality of Goulais River in a way that has NEVER been done before. MORE sites. MORE sampling events. MORE results.

In our first year (2026), success will be defined by:

i) the collection and establishment of consistent, meaningful, high-quality, credible data that improves our understanding of water quality in Goulais River

ii) build a motivated, knowledgeable community-driven, functional monitoring program that can be sustained and built upon in future years

Certification requirements

In order to contribute to this dataset, our volunteers will need to:

1) Attend and participate in 1 in-person training session
2) Sign and date a LSWC provided safety and liability waiver
3) Participate in an instructor-led, in-field sampling event(s)
4) Attend training at each individual site where they want to do water quality monitoring.

Once steps 1-4 are complete, our volunteers are set to conduct sampling events on their own.

Concerns
The water quality of Goulais River is not actively part of the Ontario Government's Provincial (Stream) Water Quality Monitoring Program Network (PWQMN), and hasn't been since 1990. According to the official database, there are 3 historical sites on the Goulais River: 1) one at the bridge in Searchmont on Hwy 532 that ran between 1972 and 1973 2) one at the bridge in Goulais on Hwy 17 that ran between 1973 and 1990 3) one at the mouth of Goulais Bay that ran between 1972 and 1987. Additionally, the recent Environmental Registry of notice for an Environmental Compliance Approval submitted by Searchmont Ski Resort included an independent-led sampling program that took monthly samples at 2 sites on the river over a 16-month period for a total of 20 sampling events in total, with only 1 one summer of data. Results show unexplained spikes, and Phosphorus exceeding the Provincial Water Quality Objectives. With the potential introduction of treated effluent sewage waste into Goulais River, the community is stepping forward to take an active part in stewarding and monitoring the quality of Goulais River. Regardless if the wastewater treatment plant is approved or not, we plan to continue our program well into the future to protect and sustain this sacred water way for generations to come.
Intended audience
Our group or organization, Our community, Government and decision makers, Broad audience/everyone
Intended use
Benchmarking of water body or watershed health, Share and compare results across watersheds., Education and engagement of local communities, Use in resource prioritization and decision making

Monitoring program details

Water quality criteria
Canada — Ontario
Sampling frequency
Weekly Our program aims to test all parameters included in the Water Rangers Freshwater Kits on a weekly basis and on specific time schedule for each site between April/May to November. Our monthly sampling for total phosphorus and nitrates is being analyzed under NR CAN's Great Lakes Forestry Centre lab. We will also be testing for E.Coli on a bi-weekly basis with support from Algoma University's NORDIK Institute. We also plan to support testing at additional sites along Goulais River that are not currently included in our core dataset open for public participation. Any additional sites will be logged within a separate dataset under our organization and everyone is welcome and encouraged to follow the dataset, and review and share the results!