Fraser Riverkeeper » Threats

Global Warming

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:38:33 +0000

“Because Fraser river salmon are so temperature dependent, global warming is a threat to their very existence.” - Doug Chapman

Climate change is the change in weather patterns that a specific region encounters. Globally, the rate of temperature is regulated by the system known as the “greenhouse effect”, where gases such as methane and nitrous oxide absorb and

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Industrial Wastewater

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:34:25 +0000

There are many industries located along the Fraser River and other waterways around metro-Vancouver such as pulp mills, mining operations, industrial plants (food, wood product, and manufacturing), and oil refineries. The pulp paper industry forms toxic by-products from its industrial activities such as chlorine bleaching and industrial inceration. Examples of these by-products include dioxins and furans,

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Agriculture

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:34:05 +0000

Agricultural run-off is a concern for the Fraser River and its watershed, and can cause short-term, long-term, and cumulative impacts. Agricultural runoff is a non-point source of pollution and can come from various different sources in different locations. The run-off can consist of pesticides, insecticides, fertilisers, and animal manure — and can enter the runoff through

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Municipal Wastewater

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:33:44 +0000

Sewage pollution from outdated onsite and municipal sewage treatment facilitates are the main contributors to municipal pollution in the Georgia Strait, Burrard Inlet, and Fraser River. In metropolitan Vancouver and the increasingly populated Fraser Valley, municipal sewage pollution contains a large number of toxic substances such as pathogens (bacteria and viruses); nutrients such as nitrogen and

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Urban Wastewater

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:32:56 +0000

Water pollution in the Fraser River has many sources. Resource-based economic activities located close to the Fraser River include agriculture, mining, logging, and hydroelectric developments. Water quality in the river can be degraded because of these industrial activities, municipal and urban waste water, and individual polluters. Poor water quality affects the habitat of the flora and

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Declining Fish Populations

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:22:12 +0000

Known as one of the world’s most important salmon rivers, the “Mighty” Fraser River is also home to hundreds of invaluable species of flora and fauna. Recent salmon spawning migrations have been astonishingly low with many factors thought to be at play, not the least of which is habitat loss and pollution resulting from resource-based economic

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