Increased pressure from recreational boating and fishing, cottage development, forestry operations and other activities in the Gaspereau-Black River Lake watershed has raised concerns as to the potential impact these activities may be having on water quality within the numerous lakes and streams within this system. To address these concerns, the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research, at the request of the Kings County Wildlife Association, carried out a preliminary survey of water quality at a number of sites within this watershed. The Gaspereau-Black River Lake watershed includes 12 major lakes and headponds and many smaller lakes and streams. This survey concentrated on the eastern portion of the watershed which includes Gaspereau Lake, Salmontail Lake, Dean Chapter Lake, Murphy Lake, Little River Lake, Methals Lake and Black River Lake. The western portion of the watershed, which includes Lake George, Aylesford Lake, Loon Lake and Hardwood Lake, is currently being evaluated for water quality by the Municipality of Kings County (Horner Associates 1995). The primary objective of the survey was to obtain preliminary baseline data useful in determining if present levels of activity within the watershed are having significant impacts on water quality.