Beneficial Use Impairment #11
BUI #11 - Degradation of aesthetics
Status - Impaired - undergoing further analysis
In the Stage 1 report, that outlined the environmental problems facing the Bay of Quinte, this BUI was indentified as impaired due to excess algae. The criteria established for this BUI was related to reducing excess algae, which would improve water clarity.
Water clarity is measured using a Secchi disk, which is a circular metal plate with alternating black and white quadrants used to estimate the depth of visibility in a water column. A greater depth of Secchi disk visibility implies increased aesthetics quality due to higher visibility into the water column.
The Bay of Quinte is currently meeting the required criteria.
Criteria and Supporting Evidence
1. Measure a seasonal mean secchi disk of 1.3 metres with an
anticipated summer secchi disk of 1.0 metres. Not Impaired
Status Report - Degradation of Aesthetics