Stable isotopes of water are used as tracers for characterizing surface water/groundwater interactions. Gaps in sampling protocol for these tracers in low gradient canals limits their use in studies of canal-groundwater exchanges. Several sampling methods were developed to determine the temporal and spatial isotopic variation in a canal. The influence of a flow control gate on isotopic composition and the sensitivity of isotope mixing calculations to choice of sampling method were also evaluated. There was little variability in the isotopic composition of the canal along a cross section perpendicular flow. Some variation occurred monthly and seasonally. The greatest variability occurred between the upstream and downstream side of the flow control gates when the gates were closed. Mixing calculations were not sensitive to the choice of sampling method. This study shed light on isotope sampling methods in canals for canal-groundwater interactions studies. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection