Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Poulin, VA. 2010. TFL 44 Klanawa Riparian Assessment and Restoration Prescriptions. Prepared for Western Forest Products Inc.
Organization Western Forest Products
URL https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/fia/2010/LBIP_6906006a.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords Western Forest Products Inc. (WFP) contracted V.A. Poulin & Associates Ltd., Vancouver, BC,
to conduct an assessment of riparian areas identified by Horel (2008) on the Klanawa River and
to prepare riparian prescriptions for implementation by restoration crews hired under the Jobs
Opportunity Program and Forest Investment Account. The Klanawa River is a large Vancouver Island stream that drains into the Pacific
Ocean 20 km south of Bamfield, British Columbia. Horel rated the West Fork of the river as having high to very high fisheries capacity and
concluded that without intervention the river will remain a highly disturbed watershed for many years to come. Disturbance is due to past
logging, a natural high rainfall and conversion of riparian stands from conifer dominated ecosystems to alder leading. Alders are a significant
source of instability, contributing to bank loss, chronic erosion and channel widening. It is the leading tree species on low, middle bench and
many high bench floodplain sites. Where conifers form continuous stands they resist flood flows, retain bank structure and slow channel
widening. The purpose of this project is to undertake riparian assessments recommended by Horel (2008) and prescribe treatments to
speed the recovery of the river’s floodplain.
This assessment prescribes treatments on 55.3 hectares (42.1 ha prioritized) of alder-leading riparian sites (Attachment 1). The sites border
the West Fork of the river, including several small segments, one on the East Fork, and another on the South Klanawa River. The latter two
VA POULIN & ASSOCIATES LTD.
VA POULIN & ASSOCIATES LTD.: 2153 West 46th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6M 2L2 http://www.poulinenvironmental.com/
alder is the leading floodplain tree
species on the West Klanawa
South Klanawa River, 2010 polygon 11
segments are contiguous with the
primary West Fork treatment areas (Maps
1-7). Also included is an alder dominated
area in the upper Klanawa River (Map 8).
Twenty areas (polygons) are designated
for treatment.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island South
Sub-watershed if known Klanawa River
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status complete
Contact Name
Contact Email