Since 1983, treated sewage effluent from the Town of Lac La Biche has discharged to Field Lake, a small shallow eutrophic lake south of the town. The lake outflow, called Red Deer Brook, flows into Lac La Biche. In 1997, Alberta Environment recognized that there was little information on the water quality of Red Deer Brook, especially with respect to spawning of Northern Pike in spring. In 1998, Alberta Environment began a spring sampling program to answer some of the questions raised by department staff and officials of the Town of Lac La Biche. The main question was whether Red Deer Brook has been adversely affected by outflow from Field Lake. The focus of the study was on nutrients, ammonia-nitrogen and dissolved oxygen, all of which could directly or indirectly affect fish spawning in the lower portions of the creek.