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There are two locations where river water quality is monitored on the main stem of the South Saskatchewan River: (1) from the Bow/Oldman confluence to upstream of Medicine Hat; and, (2) Upstream of Medicine Hat to the provincial border.
Monitoring is performed by Alberta Environment (Station Number AB05AK0020) on the South Saskatchewan River upstream of the City of Medicine Hat. Alberta Environment’s Long-term River Network monitoring site is located at the most downstream extent of this reach.
The South Saskatchewan River flows through an incised channel set below the surrounding land. The river valley is little developed and is primarily used for grazing with some cultivated lands.
Monitoring is performed by Environment Canada (Station Number AL05AK0001) on the South Saskatchewan River at Highway 41 – (downstream) of the City of Medicine Hat, and near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Downstream, the river valley is relatively undeveloped, though shallow natural gas extraction is prominent in the area. Discharges to the river around Medicine Hat include the City’s municipal treated wastewater facility, cooling water returned from a power plant operated by the City, and the Canadian Fertilizer plant.
Read more… about the Master Agreement on Apportionment.