A general water quality survey was carried out at three rivers, the Pereaux, Habitant and Canard,during the period between 16 May and 28 August 2001. All three rivers are located in the eastern part of the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia and flow eastward into the southern bight of the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. The water quality parameters measured included suspended particulate matter, water temperature, hardness, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorous, nitrate, chlorophyll a and coliform bacteria.
Although there was considerable variation among the rivers, both spatially and temporally, in many of the parameters monitored, all exhibited evidence of impaired water quality. Water temperatures were high in the Habitant and Canard Rivers, particularly in the lower reaches.
Phosphorous and nitrogen levels were also high in all of the Rivers, and fecal coliform bacteria were usually above levels suitable for most uses.