DOI: 10.25976/4l8r-ke70
title: CPAWS Yukon Range Road Water Sampling

description: CPAWS engaged that EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. (EDI) to complete a one-time water quality sampling event to investigate whether any potential contaminants from the historical Range Road landfill are impacting water quality in McIntyre Creek. This sampling event was scheduled to occur on May 27, 2023, prior to a planned McIntyre Creek community clean up event.
description: An EDI field team consisting of one water quality scientist and two summer students joined with a group of CPAWS staff and volunteers to complete the water sampling. The field team visited three sampling locations:
1. McIntyre Creek at Range Road, upstream of the historical landfill location (MCk-USRR)
2. McIntyre Creek, downstream of historical Range Road landfill location (MCk-DSRR)
3. Yukon River, downstream of the McIntyre Creek confluence (YR-DSMCk)

At each site the field team collected in situ data and samples for laboratory analysis. In-situ data collection included water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity, and the laboratory analysis parameters included pH, conductivity, major anions, total and dissolved nutrients, total and dissolved metals,
volatile petroleum hydrocarbons, extractible petroleum hydrocarbons, and total cyanide. One replicate sample was completed to investigate the replicability of the sampling method and any natural variability in the water column; this sample was collected at MCk-DSRR.
description: A review of the water quality data indicates that there is no material change in the water chemistry between the upstream and downstream sampling locations; the data provides no indication that the historical landfill site is impacting the water quality of McIntyre Creek (Table 1). Water at both sites was lightly turbid, circumneutral (with a pH around 8), and well oxygenated. Light turbidity that was observed was likely associated with recent spring melt (freshet) and runoff; turbidity increased moving in the downstream direction. Erodible, soft sediments were observed along the stream banks at all sample reaches. Concentrations of total and dissolved metals were low in samples from all sites and concentrations of cyanide
and hydrocarbon parameters was below laboratory detection in all samples. Concentrations of fluoride and total aluminum were the only analytes present at concentrations that exceeded the CCME guidelines for the protection of freshwater aquatic life. Fluoride concentrations were consistent in all samples from McIntyre
Creek and the Yukon River, and results reflect naturally occurring conditions in the area. Total aluminum concentrations throughout McIntyre Creek are likely associated with the slightly elevated sediment in the water column (as confirmed by the turbidity and total suspended solids data) and are reflective of natural
conditions. The more bioavailable dissolved aluminum concentrations were more than an order of magnitude lower, and again consistent in all samples collected from both upstream and downstream sites. 

At the time of sampling, the water quality in McIntyre Creek shows no negative effects from the historical Range Road landfill and provides healthy habitat for aquatic biota.