SECTION 9
Restoration Projects

Preserving Tsolum River Salmon Habitat

These projects included: 

1. Digging in-stream and near-stream refuge ponds.
2. Stabilizing stream banks by constructing tiers of willow wattles (Appendix B).
3. Planting streamside riparian vegetation to provide shade, cover from predators, and filtering of runoff from upstream runoff (Appendix C).
4. Complexing stream habitat by constructing rock weirs and placement of habitat logs to increase pool scouring.
5. Hardening streambeds with gravel to allow cattle to cross streams without causing erosion of soft substrate.
6. Constructing riparian rafts that provide shade, cover and increase the food supply of refuge ponds (Appendix D).
7. Installing a culvert to improve access to habitat previously inaccessible at low water.
8. Protecting side-channel habitat from erosion.

Planning of 1997 and 1998 Restoration Initiatives

In the spring and summer of 1998, mapping crews used the Sensitive Habitat Inventory 
and Mapping (SHIM) Methodology  (Mason et al, 1998. Version 3.1), to map stream habitat, and identify opportunities for future restoration projects. 

In the spring of 1998, the restoration crew worked with landowners to develop project plans.  These plans were approved by the Habitat Work Group and by the appropriate government agencies before in-stream work began.

Restoration Projects

1) Streambank stabilization, Franklin property

Tiered willow wattles were constructed along 10 m of streambank in April 1998.  Willow stakes were also planted to stabilize the wattles and to provide cover on a low-lying area of the bank.  Designs for wattle construction were modeled after designs presented in Polster, 1998.   In July 1998, an island of sod which was restricting fish passage at low water was removed from the center of the channel.   Once the island was removed, six more metres of willow wattling were completed.  Streambanks were later replanted with riparian vegetation, which were tended by the landowner throughout the summer.    A further 15 meters of willow wattles will be constructed to stabilization streambanks in March 1999.

2) Stream channel complexing, Finlay Creek

These structures were installed to combat siltation following the clearing of an upstream wetland property.   The TRTF restoration crew revisited the sites in the third reach of the stream and determined that additional stream complexing was needed.  In-stream structures that had been previously installed were stabilized to encourage pool development.

3) Near-Stream Refuge Pond Construction, Bell property

Many landowners have worked with the Portuguese Creek Watershed Stewards to develop refuge ponds on their properties.  These ponds provide a dual service to salmon, offering summer refuge to coho and trout fry and providing shelter for adults returning to spawn in the system.

In the spring of 1998, the TRTF worked with a landowner and the Portuguese Creek Watershed Stewards to construct a near-stream pond on the Bell property adjacent to Gunter Road. The pond joined the creek at one site and was filled in the fall by high water.  Stumps from trees removed during pond construction were placed back into the pond to provide cover for fish. 

Riparian vegetation and grass seed was planted to stabilize sloping pond banks and to provide cover for the fish.   In the fall of 1998, landowners observed adult coho holding in this pond prior to spawning.  In the spring of 1999, a catamaran style riparian raft was installed in this pond.

4)  In-stream ponds and riparian raft construction, McWilliam’s property

Groundwater in this area is in short supply and much of the water resource available is utilized for domestic and agricultural purposes.  To provide refuge habitat, two in-stream refuge ponds were constructed, and a series of rock weirs were constructed in Smit Creek on the McWilliam property.  In the fall of 1998, riparian vegetation was planted on the streambanks and around a previously constructed irrigation pond used as rearing habitat for salmonid fry.

To provide shade and cover for fry in this pond, two riparian rafts were constructed (Appendix D).   The raft is anchored to the pond bottom and the vegetation on the raft provides cover and shade for the fish.  Insects that land along the raft edges become a potential food source for the salmon fry when they drop off the raft into the pond. To maximize the effect, the rafts were constructed as small rectangles thereby providing the maximum edge area.  Designs for riparian rafts can be obtained from the TRTF. 

5) Heidema pond and stream reconstruction

A site assessment determined that a larger pond was needed, and that some channel reconstruction would alleviate flooding occurring on an adjacent property.  This channel would provide easy access to the new pond.  This area is used by coho spawners that rely on the ponds to provide refuge from predators during times of low flow.

The Portuguese Creek Watershed Stewards had established landowner contact, and were instrumental in assisting with project planning and design.  To alleviate flooding on the adjacent property, a silt plug was removed and the stream was redirected into a more stable outflow channel. 

After the pond and channel reconstruction was completed, riparian vegetation and grasses were planted to stabilize streambanks and pond sides.

6) Culvert installation at Gark Creek

The original plan was to remove the culvert and install a bridge using donated timbers.  When the timbers became unavailable; a second plan was developed by an engineering technician to design a culvert installation plan.  In cooperation with DFO engineers the plan was approved, and the culvert was installed between August 19 and September 8, 1998.  The landowners supported the project by offering a machine and operator to install the culvert.  Root wads and boulders were donated by the Vancouver Island Highway Project.  These were placed in the channel upstream of the culvert to provide cover for fry and adults.  Riparian vegetation was planted along the sides of the creek to offer additional shade and cover. 

7) Stream complexing and cattle crossing,  Pistell property

The stream channel had been degraded by years of cattle crossing and lacked riparian cover and large woody debris.  Once fencing had been put in place to eliminate cattle, plans were prepared with reference to Fish Habitat Restoration Procedures (Slaney and Zaldokas,1997) and the Stream Enhancement Guide  (Anon., 1980).  Work began at the property on August 14 after landowner and government approvals had been received.  The TRTF paid for the cost of the machine and materials used for the project while the landowner provided stumps for stream complexing, and a neighbour provided cedar logs for in-stream weirs.

Downstream from the weirs, a silt plug was removed and a small pool was excavated.   Gravel was placed in the stream above the pool to provide cattle with access to an adjacent field.  This project will be monitored for structure stability, and additional large woody debris will be added if necessary. 

8) Side channel stabilization, Jorgensen property

Adjacent landowners approached the Task Force and DFO to arrange a site visit. A plan was developed, and following DFO approval the work began.  Boulders and rootwads were placed to protect the outside of the channel.  By the spring of 1999, some channel modification had occurred, but most of the channel habitat was still intact. The summer of 1998 was very long and dry, allowing an extension of the prescribed fisheries window.  This seasonal variation meant that we were able to complete the project later in the season than would normally have been allowed.

Recommendations for Further Work 

1. To continue with streambank stabilization, willow wattling should be completed in the eroding sections of lower Portuguese Creek.  Erosion control is also needed on   sections of Headquarters Creek above the hatchery and in areas which are being impacted by the Vancouver Island Highway project.
2. Many small streams would benefit from increasing the amount of riparian vegetation along the banks.  This should be undertaken on agricultural land only after streamside fencing is in place.
3. The addition of spawning gravel and weir construction would benefit Portuguese Creek, Forsythe Creek and several other tributaries.
4. The addition of large woody debris (stream complexing) is needed in several small streams, such as Forsythe, and some of the tributaries to Dove Creek.
5. There is a shortage of summer and winter rearing habitat and refuge for spawners.  Construction of more refuge ponds, and linking existing ponds into a network would improve salmon survival.
6. There is a need to provide additional shade and cover in some of the refuge ponds.  Installation of riparian rafts in these areas would improve habitat quality.
7. Working with the agricultural community to test the effectiveness of riparian bridges for improving fish habitat in drainage ditches should be initiated.  These bridges will provide cover for fish and improve winter rearing habitat without blocking the drainage capability of the ditches. 
8. A culvert study should be undertaken to determine whether existing culverts are barriers to fish passage.  Culverts that are limiting fish movement should be replaced or reinstalled.
9. A program of landowner contact and public awareness would greatly assist habitat restoration efforts.  By informing landowners of the importance of maintaining streamside vegetation, we may reduce the need for stream rehabilitation.

References

• Anonymous 1980.   Stream Enhancement Guide.  Salmonid Enhancement Program, Government of Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd., and D.B. Lister & Associates Ltd.   DFO Vancouver, BC.

• Chamberlain D., and Campbell K. 1999.  Tsolum River Restoration Project Plans.  Internal Report to the Tsolum River Task Force. 

• Mason B., 1998. Stream Mapping Procedures for Land-Use Planning in Coastal Urban Watersheds 1998.  Department of Fisheries and Oceans in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation. DFO  Vancouver. 

• Polster D. 1998.  Soil Bioengineering for Forest land Reclamation and Stabilization

• Prepared for British Columbia Ministry of Forests. Resource Tenure & Engineering Branch Engineering Section. BC Ministry of Forests. Victoria, BC.

• Slaney P.A. and Zaldokas D. 1997 Fish Habitat Rehabilitation Procedures.  Watershed Restoration Technical Circular No. 9  Watershed Restoration Program, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

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