Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Pellett, K. 2011. Salmon River watershed enrichment for fish habitat restoration 2010. Prepared for The Campbell River Salmon Foundation.
Organization Campbell River Salmon Foundation
URL http://www.steelheadsociety.org/sites/default/files/SALMON%20RIVER%20FERT%20REPORT%20-%20CRSF%20-%202010%20(1).pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords On June 30, 2010, inorganic fertilizer was applied to the Salmon River (Kelsey Bay),
Grilse Creek, Memekay River and the White River (July 14) to restore nutrients lost
through decreased salmon production and to address footprint impacts as a result of BC
Hydro diversion operations. While many species benefit from enrichment activities on
the Salmon River, winter-run steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho salmon
(O. kisutch) are the primary targets. A total of 3,570 kg of slow release fertilizer (Crystal
Green, 5-27-0) was distributed over eight sites in the Salmon and Memekay rivers as
well as Grilse Creek. Additionally, four sites in the White River/Consort Creek drainage
were enriched. Partnership funding from the Campbell River Salmon Foundation,
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and Living Rivers Georgia Basin/Vancouver
Island was used to purchase, apply, and monitor nutrient applications.
Water sampling results indicate that orthophosphate and total phosphorous levels were
elevated in treated reaches as compared to representative controls. Nitrogen levels
were variable, but generally sufficient to support algal growth. Periphyton collector
plates confirmed that chlorophyll a, used as a surrogate for algal growth, was elevated in
treated reaches. However; juvenile fish growth analysis from data collected in Grilse
Creek suggested that no significant difference in mean weight was achieved by fry in
treated reaches. This is the first time in thirteen years that the difference in growth has
not been significant. High summer flows have been suspected to reduce the
effectiveness of previous treatments. In 2010, flows were nearly 50% higher than the 10
year average.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island North
Sub-watershed if known Salmon River
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email