As part of our commitment to preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems, we conduct monthly water quality monitoring across the Petitcodiac watershed. Our goal is to detect signs of environmental degradation, assess pressures on watercourses, and raise awareness among citizens and local authorities about water-related issues.
This bulletin summarizes the field observations made in July 2025 and presents key results from physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses.
Monitoring Sites
As in previous months, our team conducted monitoring at 24 sites throughout the watershed, covering urban, rural, and natural areas. The sampled sites are as follows:
Anagance River
Breau Creek
Folly Lake
Fox Creek
Gordon Falls
Hall’s Creek North
Hall’s Creek West
Hopper Hole
Humphrey’s Brook
Irishtown Nature Park
Jonathan Creek
Little River
Meadow Brook
Memramcook Lower
Memramcook River South Branch
Memramcook Upper
Michael’s Brook
Mill Creek
North River
Petitcodiac River Upper
Pollett River
Rabbit Brook
Smith Creek
Stony Creek
Photo of: Our team in the field for July water quality monitoring
Field Observations:
- Bank erosion: Signs of erosion were observed at several sites. This means that soil at the riverbanks is breaking apart and sliding into the water, which can make the water more turbid and disturb aquatic ecosystems.
- Aquatic life observed: We saw fish at several sites, along with frogs and aquatic insects. These are good indicators of the relative ecological health of these areas.
- Watercolor: The water appeared brownish at certain locations, likely due to runoff carrying soil into the streams, which increases turbidity.
- Garbage on the riverbanks: Waste such as plastic and cans were found along some riverbanks, highlighting the importance of public awareness and ongoing cleanup efforts.
Key Results
| Parameter | Observed Range | Highlights |
| Dissolved Oxygen | 0.02 – 9.13 mg/L | Low levels at Memramcook River South Branch – possibly due to pollution or low flow |
| pH | 6.62 – 8.15 | Values within the normal range for freshwater strea |
| Turbidity | 1.07 – 940 NTU | Extremely high turbidity at Memramcook River Lower |
| Conductivity | 46.7 – 1789 µS/cm | High conductivity at Memramcook River Lower |
| Salinity | 0.03 – 0.87 ppt | Low salinity – consistent with freshwater conditions |
| E. coli | 31 – 789 MPN/100mL | ⚠ Fox Creek (789), Mill Creek (405), and Jonathan Creek (373) exceeded the safe threshold |
Note: High turbidity means the water is murky, often due to soil or particles suspended in the water after rain or erosion.High conductivity indicates that the water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals or salts, which may be linked to pollution or runoff from urban or agricultural areas.
E. coli Concentration Graph
The graph below shows the E. coli concentrations measured at each site. The safety threshold for recreational activities is set at 235 MPN/100mL. Several sites exceed this limit and require special attention.
Swim Guide Sites – E. coli
The following sites are listed on the Swim Guide platform, where monthly E. coli results are published to inform the public about water quality and the safety of swimming activities:
- Gordon Falls
- Hopper Hole
- Pollett River
- Irishtown Nature Park
- Folly Lake
⚠️ Please check Swim Guide before any swimming activity:
https://www.theswimguide.org/
Gordon Falls
New Flybraries & Fishing Line Recycling
We’ve recently installed new Flybraries at the following locations: Pollett River, Little River, Stony Creek, and Hall’s Creek North.
These stations offer free shared flies for fly fishers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler, feel free to borrow or donate a fly.
We’ve also installed fishing line recycling bins to help keep our rivers clean and safe for wildlife.
Please dispose of your used fishing line responsibly.
So far this season, we’ve collected 11 fishing lines through our recycling bins.
Let’s keep protecting our waterways, every piece makes a difference.
Next Steps:
- Submit all results to the Department of Environment.
- Ensure regular calibration of probes and measuring instruments.
- Continue public outreach and education efforts.
- Plan future sampling and enhance monitoring at high-risk sites.
- Our water quality monitoring season continues, three more sampling weeks are scheduled, one each in August, September, and October.
👉 Stay tuned for more results, data summaries, and final report.
Acknowledgements:
A sincere thank you to all team members, interns, volunteers, and partners for their continued dedication. Your work allows us to better understand and protect our precious watershed.
We also warmly thank the Environmental Trust Fund (ETF) for its financial support, which makes this work possible.
👉 Follow us on social media to stay informed about our projects, community activities, and environmental updates:
- Facebook: Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance
- Instagram: @petitcodiacwatershed
Or website: https://www.petitcodiacwatershed.org/
- 📩 For any questions or further information, feel free to contact us at: office.manager@petitcodiacwatershed.org