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Planning for water resources management in rural areas : a case study of Texada Island

University of British Columbia

This thesis develops a conceptual framework that could be used to understand, assess and balance water resources supply and demand in regions where data are limited. The framework is then applied to a case study of Texada Island in British Columbia. The flow of water into and out of Texada is calculated using the Thornthwaite water balance method which uses average monthly precipitation and monthly daily average temperature data. The stock of surface water is estimated using existing data on lake volumes in conjunction with the results of analyses of air photographs and topographic maps. After the analysis of maps, reports, and interviews with mining personnel regarding the island's geology, likely aquifers were identified and their approximate water storage capacity was calculated. The present rate of water use was determined from interviews with island residents and industry personnel, field observations, analysis of available data and a review of the relevant literature on water demands by different water using sectors. Finally, to determine whether water supplies on the island were adequate to meet future demands, scenarios were constructed for analysing potential water use to 1996 by various water using sectors. The results of the supply-demand analysis revealed that on an annual and region-wide basis, water on Texada is abundant and will be adequate to meet expected demands to 1996, and likely beyond. However, there are some local areas that currently experience water shortages during the low flow and peak demand period during the summer months. The management options that were determined to be the most appropriate solution to summer water shortages are, in the short-term, trucking in water and selective restrictions on water use during the peak demand period. In the medium to long-term, the diversion of surface water and the development of groundwater are the most appropriate solutions to water shortages on Texada. Next steps for planning the management of water resources on Texada Island are suggested. The initial and most important of these involves abandoning the ad hoc approach that now exists for dealing with water resources on the island and adopting a strategic, co-operative and co-ordinated approach involving residents and to a lesser extent, the Powell River Regional District, of which Texada is a part.

Text

2010-06-03

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/25422

Planning

University of British Columbia

Graduate